« Back to Tours

Tour Pages

• Overview
• Accommodations
• Map
• Itinerary
• Dates and Prices

Tour Info

Contact Us Today

LOURDES & SHRINES OF FRANCE

Overview

Click map for larger size

Follow in the footsteps of the devoted through France. Start in Paris with a welcome dinner and guided sightseeing featuring all major sights and visits to Notre Dame Cathedral; the Basilica of Sacre Coeur; Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Shrine, where the Virgin Mary appeared to St. Catherine Laboure in 1830; and St. Vincent de Paul Shrine. During an excursion to Lisieux, visit Les Buissonnets, family home of St. Therese, and the basilica. St. Therese was known as "The Little Flower" and for her charming autobiography The Story of a Soul. Also visit St. Peter's Cathedral and the Carmelite Convent, where she lived as a nun. Return to Paris, where you will board the high-speed "TGV" train to Lourdes, one of the world's most famous places of pilgrimage. Visit the Grotto where the Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bernadette in 1858, Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine, and St. Bernadette's birthplace and family home. You may wish to bathe in the healing waters, attend the "Blessing of the Sick," or join the evening's rosary and candlelight procession. Admire medieval Carcassonne on your way to Avignon, where a walking tour features the Palace of the Popes, residence of the papacy in the 14th century. Stops are made in La Salette to visit the church and the apparition site; in Ars-sur-Formans to visit the St. John Vianney Shrine, his home, and the church where he preached; in Paray-le-Monial to visit the Chapel of the Apparitions and the Basilica of the Sacred heart; in Nevers to visit St. Gildard, where St. Bernadette spent her life as a nun; and in Chartres to visit the magnificent cathedral. Return to Paris and enjoy a farewell dinner.

Special Departures:
August 15 - In Lourdes for the Feast of the Assumption
October 1 - In Lisieux for the Feast of St. Therese of Lisieux

City Highlights
Paris:
Welcome and farewell dinners; guided sightseeing, visit Notre Dame Cathedral, the Basilica of Sacre Coeur, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Shrine, and the St. Vincent de Paul Shrine

Lisieux:
Visit Les Buissonnets, family home of St. Therese; the basilica; St. Peter's Cathedral; and the Carmelite Convent

Paris - Lourdes:
By high-speed "TGV" train

Lourdes:
Visit the grotto; guided walking tour, visit the Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine and St. Bernadette's birthplace and family home

Carcassonne:
Visit the medieval town

Avignon:
Walk to the Palace of the Popes

La Salette:
Visit the Our Lady of La Salette Shrine, the church, the Apparition site, and spring

Ars-sur-Formans:
Visit the St. John Vianney Shrine, his home, and church

Paray-le-Monial:
Visit the Chapel of the Apparitions and the Basilica of the Sacred Heart

Nevers:
Visit St. Gildard

Chartres:
Visit the cathedral

Note:

• On rare occasions, the road to Our Lady of La Salette may not be accessible due to weather conditions
• In the unlikely event that the "TGV" train is unavailable, alternative transportation will be provided
• 0812 In Lourdes for the Feast of the Assumption (August 15)
• 0929 In Lisieux for the Feast of St. Therese of Lisieux (October 01)
• This vacation is combinable with a river cruise.