Day 1 – October 7

Late afternoon departure from Toronto to Lourdes via Paris.

Day 2 – October 8

Afternoon arrival in Pau, airport city for Lourdes. Transfer to our hotel, Mass, some free time, dinner, procession with candles and overnight.(D)

Day 3 – October 9

Full day in Lourdes. Time to visit the Grotto and the Basilicas. We will pray the Mass and the Way of The Cross. Time for individual prayer and bath, dinner and overnight.(B,D)

Day 4 – October 10

Today we leave on the way to northern France. En route we visit the Eglise des Jacobins in Toulouse where St. Thomas Aquinas is buried. Continue to Rocamadour, is a small clifftop village, known for the Cité Réligieuse – complex of religious buildings, We visit the Chapelle Notre-Dame, with its Black Madonna statue, and the Romanesque-Gothic Basilica of St-Sauveur. Dinner and overnight in nearby Ussac. (B,D)

Day 5 – October 11

Our journey takes us through picturesque mountainous region of Auvergne to Nevers. En route we stop at the Notre-Dame d’Orcival basilica, a masterpiece of Romanesque art and one of the most beautiful churches in the Auvergne. Upon arrival in Nevers we visit the chapel at St. Gildard church where St. Bernadette died in 1879 and was buried. We will have a chance to see and venerate her incorruptible body placed in a crystal coffin. Mass in the chapel. Dinner and overnight. (B,D)

Day 6 – October 12

This morning we travel to the Chateau Country along Loire river. We view the Château de Chenonceau, one of the best-known châteaux of the Loire valley. Continue to Amboise for a tour of the royal Château, a favoured royal residence of French kings. Dinner and overnight in Tours. (B,D)

Day 7 – October 13

After breakfast we travel to Mont St. Michel. Upon arrival we tour the ancient strategic fortifications of this island-town, the monastery and medieval buildings. Dinner and overnight. (B D)

Day 8 – October 14

Today we travel to Lisieux, city of St. Thérèse, “The Little Flower”. En route we visit Normandy beaches and American cemetery commemorating Allies landing on the D-Day. Upon arrival in Lisieaux we visit the Basilica dedicated to St. Thérèse and celebrate Mass. Dinner and overnight. (B,D).

Day 9 – October 15

After morning Mass we depart to Paris. En route we visit the city of Chartres with its magnificent Gothic cathedral. Continue to Paris, some free time for leisure and overnight. (B)

Day 10 – October 16

Full day in Paris. Our city tour will take us to views of Eiffel Tower, Place de La Concorde and Champs-Élysées. We visit Notre Dame Cathedral and Miraculous Medal chapel where we celebrate Mass. Some free time for leisure. Overnight (B)

Day 11 – October 17

After breakfast we are transferred to the airport in Paris for our flight back to Toronto. Afternoon arrival. (B)