11 Day Great Cathedrals, Basilicas & Abbeys of France

DAY 1, Monday – Depart the USA
Depart the USA to France. Your flight includes meals, drinks, and in-flight entertainment for your journey

DAY 2, Tuesday – Arrive in Lourdes, Time at leisure, Welcome Dinner
Arrive at Pau Airport and transfer to your hotel in Lourdes. Balance of the day at leisure. This evening, enjoy an orientation meeting with your tour escort, followed by a welcome dinner.
Overnight: Lourdes
Meals: Welcome Dinner

DAY 3, Wednesday – Mass, Sanctuary & Shrine Tour
Today, Celebrate Mass and then visit the Basilica of St. Pius X, the world's largest underground church, and the Boly Mill where St. Bernadette was born in 1844. Take the balance of the day to explore and then meet us for dinner. After dinner, attend the Torchlight Procession, starting from the Grotto.
Overnight: Lourdes
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 4, Thursday – Mass, Steps of Bernadette Tour
This morning, attend the International Mass at the Grotto: the cave of the Apparitions of 1858. Then join us on a tour that follows in the footsteps of St. Bernadette. The tour begins at "Cachot" (Jail) where St. Bernadette lived at the time of the Apparitions, and on to visit the Grotto of Massaibelle, where the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bernadette. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure to explore the town of Lourdes on your own. After dinner, attend an evening Torchlight Procession.
Overnight: Lourdes
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 5, Friday – Chartres Cathedral & Labyrinths Tour
Transfer to the airport in the early morning to board your flight to Paris. Upon arrival, board your coach and drive to the French commune of Chartres. After lunch at local restaurant, visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Chartres Cathedral. Widely considered the finest Gothic cathedral in France, and by far the largest, this 13th century church features an internal labyrinth of complex design and twelve enameled images of the apostles. The tour continues to Mont St. Michel, a rocky tidal island off France's northern coast.
Overnight: Mont. St. Michel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6, Saturday – Mt. St. Michel Sightseeing, Time at leisure in Mt. St. Michel
This morning, tour the medieval town of Mont Saint Michel, including a visit to the Abbey of St. Michael. Beautifully adorned by a gold leaf statue of St. Michael, the abbey is by-and-large the most impressive architectural feature on the island, as it is uniquely built atop a cluster of rocks jutting out of the English Channel. Enjoy the afternoon exploring Mont Saint Michel on your own.
Overnight: Mont St. Michel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 7, Sunday – Mass, Normandy Coast Excursion
Celebrate Sunday Mass this morning, and afterwards, continue on a full day excursion to the Normandy Coast. Dedicated to the memory of the Normandy Invasion and the deployment of the allies in 1944 (known to Americans as D-Day), you'll stop at the Caen Memorial Museum or Peace Museum for a commentated visit and film. We then depart for the landing beaches with a stop at both the Pointe du Hoc and the American cemetery of Saint-Laurent at Omaha Beach. From here, we visit a German battery of artillery, followed by a stop at Arromanches. The tour concludes with a visit to the landing beaches of Normandy, including Gold, Juno and Sword, where the Canadians, French and British came ashore.
Overnight: Mont St. Michel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8, Monday – Lisieux Sightseeing
Today, depart Mont St. Michel and drive to Lisieux, a small commune situated at the basin of the River Touques. Upon arrival, you will visit St. Peter's Cathedral, a fine example of Norman Gothic architecture, and the Basilica dedicated to St. Thérèse of Lisieux ("The Little Flower"). It was in 1925 that Pope Pius XI canonized St. Thérèse, calling her "the greatest saint of modern times." The tour continues to the Carmelite Convent where Thérèse lived as a nun. Here, you'll visit the Relics Room to view the historical objects and sacred possessions belonged by St. Thérèse. After lunch at local restaurant, continue to Paris for an overnight.
Overnight: Paris
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 9, Tuesday – Nevers Tour
Today's sightseeing includes a full day excursion to Nevers, with lunch. While in Nevers, you'll visit the Cathedrals of St. Cry and St. Judith, and St. Gildard's convent to see the uncorrupted body of St. Bernadette. Mass will be celebrated before returning to Paris this afternoon.
Overnight: Paris
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 10, Wednesday – Catholic Paris Tour, Farewell Dinner
This morning, continue your tour of Paris with visits to the Shrine of the Miraculous Medal and Saint Chapelle. Afterwards, proceed to Notre Dame Cathedral, where you will attend Mass. From here, we travel to the Eiffel Tower for an elevator ride up to the second floor where you'll enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the city below. Enjoy lunch at local restaurant, and afterwards, visit the Church of the Sacred Heart (Sacré-Cœur) and St. Vincent Du Paul Church. The remainder of the day is free to explore Paris on your own.
Overnight: Paris
Meals: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner

DAY 11, Thursday – Depart for USA
Transfer to the airport for your return flight home.
Meals: Breakfast