Saints of France Pilgrimage

We arrive in Paris, France, to be greeted by Select International Tours’ English-speaking tour manager, who will accompany us for the entire trip. We board our motorcoach for a two-hour bus ride to Lisieux. Upon arrival, we visit the home of St. Therese the Little Flower. We visit the Carmel Convent, where we celebrate Mass, and Les Buisonnets, the humble dwelling of the Saint. We see the magnificent Basilica of St. Therese and the Crypt before our hotel check-in. We settle into our rooms, enjoy dinner, and have a well-deserved night of rest in Lisieux.

We drive through the beautiful French countryside en route to the Normandy Beaches. The 54 miles of Atlantic stretching from Utah Beach in the west to Sword Beach in the east — are littered with WWII museums, monuments, cemeteries, and battle remains left in tribute tothe courage of the British, Canadian, and American armies that successfully carried out the largest military operation in history: D-Day. On these serene beaches, at the crack of dawn on June 6, 1944, the Allies finally gained a foothold in France; from this moment, Nazi Europe
was destined to crumble. This morning, we drive through beautifulNormandy scenery toward Omaha Beach, where we see the American Memorial and Cemetery. We celebrate Mass near Omaha Beach and remember our brave, fallen soldiers. We return to Lisieux for dinner and an overnight stay.

After breakfast, we drive to Paris, stopping first in Rouen, where we retrace the footsteps of St. Joan of Arc. Rouen offers a restored medieval quarter and a magnificent Gothic cathedral, Notre-Dame, often painted by Claude Monet. Throughout its turbulent history, the city was destroyed several times. During the Middle Ages, it was devastated by fire and the plague. The English occupied it during the Hundred Years’ War when the French heroine Joan of Arc (Jeanne d’Arc) was tried for heresy and burned at the stake in the central square in 1431. During WWII, Allied bombing raids laid waste to large parts of the city, especially the area south of the cathedral. Still, the city has undergone meticulous rebuilding over the last six decades. We tour the city on foot, celebrate Mass at the Church of St. Joan of Arc, and see where she was brutally murdered. We have lunch at La Couronne, the restaurant where Julia Child had such a fantastic meal that she decided to become a chef. After lunch, we continue to Paris, where we settle into our hotel. Dinner is at leisure tonight with the opportunity to explore Parisian cafe food. Overnight in Paris. (B. Special lunch)

After breakfast, we embark on a city tour of Paris, followed by a visit to the newly rebuilt Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris’ most beloved church. We continue to the Montmartre section of Paris to explore the city’s Bohemian quarter and the magnificent Sacre Coeur (Sacred Heart Basilica), where we celebrate Mass. Tonight we see the light show at the Eiffel Tower from the upper deck of the ship or the lounge. Dinner will be served on the ship. We enjoy seeing Paris at night. Overnight in Paris. (B. Special dinner on the Seine River cruise)

Following morning Mass, we have a day at leisure to explore the city independently. We may want to visit one of the city’s many museums, like the Louvre (be sure to purchase your tickets online well in advance), see St. Chapelle with its incredible stained glass windows, explore one of the famous areas of the city, or enjoy a nice meal while people-watching, a favorite Parisian pastime. Dinner is on our own tonight. Overnight in Paris. (B)

This morning, we celebrate Mass at the Chapel of the Miraculous Medal and see the incorrupt body of St. Vincent de Paul in the chapel of Maison-Mere before we take the TGV train to Lourdes. Upon arrival in Lourdes, we are transferred to our hotel. Following dinner, we join pilgrims from all over the world for the Candlelight Procession. Overnight in Lourdes. (B.D)

We celebrate Mass, visit the Basilica and the Grotto, where Our Lady appeared to Bernadette, and drink water from the miraculous spring that has been a source of healing for many. Our group will have the opportunity to visit Boly Mill, the birthplace of St. Bernadette, and the “Cachot,” an abandoned prison where Bernadette’s impoverished family once lived. We will also pray the Stations of the Cross and attend the Blessing of the Sick in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight in Lourdes. (B.D)

After breakfast, we celebrate Mass, followed by a full day of prayer and devotion. We visit the baths, immerse ourselves in the miraculous water, and browse for religious gifts. In the evening, we join the Candlelight Procession. Dinner and overnight in Lourdes. (B.D)

Following Mass in Lourdes, we depart for Toulouse, where Dominic of Osma founded the Dominican Order. The Jacobin Church was the
heart of life and a teaching center in the 12th century, and now it is the place where St. Thomas Aquinas is buried. Standing majestically in the
city’s heart, the massive Gothic structure contains the tomb and the saint’s relics. We have a guided tour of the church. Tonight’s dinner is at a local restaurant, where we can choose from a selection of beer or wine. Dinner and overnight in Toulouse. (B. Special dinner)

After breakfast, we are transferred to the airport for our flight home. (B)