DAY 1: DEPART USA
We depart USA en route to Paris, with complimentary meals and beverages served aloft.
DAY 2: ARRIVE PARIS / TRANSFER TO FLIGHT TO TOULOUSE / TRANSFER TO LOURDES
We arrive in Paris and transfer to our flight to Toulouse. We are met by our Catholic Travel Centre representative who will escort us to our private motor coach. We make our way to Lourdes for dinner and the evening at our hotel. (D)
DAY 3: LOURDES: VISIT OF THE SHRINE
We begin this morning with Mass. After Mass, we enjoy a walking tour “In the Footsteps of Bernadette.” We visit the Cachot (former jail cell that once served as the Soubirous family’s home); the parish church; Fr. Peyramale’s Presbytery; the Hospice and the Boly Mill. We will have time to visit the baths. This afternoon at 4:30PM we are welcome to participate in the Procession of the Blessed Sacrament and the Blessing of the Sick. After dinner at the hotel, we return to the Sanctuary this evening for the Rosary and Torchlight Procession, beginning about 8:30PM. After the procession, we return to our hotel. (B, D)
DAY 4: LOURDES: EXCURSION TO DAX
After breakfast, we are off to visit Dax (the name is derived from the Latin aquae — ‘waters’) a village renowned for its beneficent hot water and mud baths. Dax ranks second only to Aix-en-Baines among thermal towns in all of France. Our interest here is the Berceau-de-Saint-Vincent-de-Paul, the house where St. Vincent was born. We celebrate Mass here. We return to Lourdes for some free time, dinner, and the evening. (B, D)
DAY 5: LOURDES / PAU FLIGHT TO LYON / TRANSFER TO CHATILLON AREA
This morning we transfer to the nearby Pau Airport for our flight to Lyon. Upon arrival in Lyon, we visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Fourviere, we continue to the area of Ars and Chatillon sur Charlaronne for dinner and the evening. (B, D)
DAY 6: CHATILLON AREA: VISIT OF VINCENTIAN SITES, PLUS ARS
This morning we travel to the lovely town of Chatillon sur Charlaronne, with
a 15th century covered market and ramparts. We visit the Gothic church where St. Vincent served as pastor. We will have some time to enjoy strolling about this beautiful medieval village.
This afternoon we make our way to the town of Ars, home of St. John Vianney, patron saint of parish priests. Pope John Paul II was a pilgrim here in 1986. We visit the basilica that houses the Saint’s incorrupt body, and then continue to the Chapel of Our Lady of Ars, one of the favorite devotions of St. John. We also visit the local museum dedicated to St. John Vianney. We return to our hotel for dinner and overnight, (B, D)
DAY 7: CHATILLON AREA / BEAUNE / FAIN LES MOUTIER / PARIS
Today, we depart to Beaune, whose 15th century Hotel-Dieu served as a hospital. We continue to Fain les Moutier, birthplace of St. Catherine Laboure, the visionary of the Miraculous Medal in Paris. We continue to Paris for dinner and the evening. (B, D)
DAY 8: PARIS: VINCENTIAN PARIS
We begin today with Mass in the Chapel of Apparitions at the Motherhouse of the Daughters of Charity, site of the repose of St. Louise de Marilac and St. Vincent de Paul. Our visit continues at the Motherhouse of Vincentians, plus a visit of the museum. This afternoon we make our way to visit Sacre Coeur (Basilica of the Sacred Heart) and the Tomb of Blessed Rosalie Rendu at Montparnasse Cemetery. We return to out hotel for dinner and overnight. (B, D)
DAY 9 PARIS: EXCURSION TO LISIEUX
Pope Pius X described St. Therese as ‘the greatest saint of modern times.’ The town of Lisieux now receives more than two million pilgrims annually. Today we visit the sites of St. Therese, the Little Flower of Jesus. We begin at Les Buissonnets (the Lisieux family home), then proceed to the Basilica, the Carmelite Convent Chapel, the reliquary of St. Therese, and the statue of the Virgin Mary that smiled at St. Therese. Here we celebrate Mass. We return to Paris for the evening. Dinner is served at our hotel. . (B, D)
DAY 10: PARIS VINCENTIAN SITES & CITY PANORAMIC TOUR
Today we visit more Vincentian sites, including the parish at Clichy, St. Lazare (original site), plus St. Laurent, St. Nicholas de Champs and Ste. Marguerite. This afternoon our itinerary includes a panoramic tour of some famous tourist sites, including the Champs Elysees, Arc d’Triomphe,
Invalides, Place de la Concorde, Place Vendome, and the Opera. Dinner is served at our hotel. (B. D)
DAY 11: PARIS: EXCURSION TO FOLLEVILLE AND AMIENS
This morning we make an excursion to Folleville. The Congregation of the Mission traces its origins to a sermon given by St. Vincent in the parish church here. We continue to Amiens to visit one of France’s most spectacular cathedrals, the Cathedral of Notre Dame at Amiens. We return to Paris for dinner and the evening. (B, D)
DAY 12: PARIS: VISIT OF TOURIST SITES
Our tour this morning includes the Cathedral of Notre Dame, plus St. Chapelle, with its amazing stained glass windows. The afternoon is at our leisure for shopping. Later this afternoon, we visit the Eiffel Tower, followed by dinner and a Paris-by-Night cruise. (B, D)
DAY 13: RETURN USA
We transfer to the Paris airport for our return flight to the USA. (B)
NOTE: While no changes are anticipated, there might be occasions when certain alterations become necessary to this itinerary due to changes in airline schedules or for other reasons. All Masses are subject to final church schedules.
