We start our tour in Lourdes, the second most popular tourist city in France. Nestled by the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains, this city is the most visited pilgrimage shrine in the Christian world. Here we will learn more about St Bernadette and the story of this important Pilgrimage site. Then off to the beautiful Loire Valley and the city of Tours. If it’s French “splendor”, style and gastronomy you seek, the Loire Valley will exceed your expectations. It’s the perfect stop on our journey to the north of France. Kings, queens, dukes and nobles came here to establish feudal castles and, later on, sumptuous pleasure palaces that attest to over a thousand years of rich architectural and artistic creativity. And in Tours, we will experience a well preserved cultural heritage and has been a seat of learning since the middle ages. We continue to Mt St Michel which will be our base for three days of remarkable touring. One day will be devoted to touring Mt. St Michel and its famous Benedictine monastery. One day will be touring Normandy on the coast of northern France where in 1944 Allied troops launched the D-Day landings on 5 beaches along its coast as we remember the heroes of the D-Day landings. Then the highlight of our stay will be a Mass at St Therese in the town of Lisieux. We end our tour in Paris, “The City of Lights”… one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.
ITINERARY
1st Day: Monday, April 22 – Departure for France
Optional morning Mass. Then board our coach to JFK for our flight to France.
2nd Day: Tuesday, April 23 – To Lourdes (D)
Arrive in Paris and connect with our flight to Toulouse. After clearing Immigration and Customs, we board our coach for the relaxing ride (time to snooze a bit) to the Pilgrimage town of Lourdes (about 3 hours) and a well-deserved rest. Welcome dinner this evening.
3rd Day; Wednesday, April 24 – In Lourdes and a Pilgrimage (B/D)
This morning we will start the day with Mass led by Father Tom. Then continue with our tour of Lourdes as we follow the path of Bernadette. We’ll visit the first house where she was born and lived until she was 10 years old. Then to the presbytery where she was preparing her first communion at the time of the apparitions. As we walk through the narrow street of the old city we soon reach the Sanctuary. Here our guide will lead us to the place where Lady Mary indicated Bernadette to find the holy fountain. Then we cross the bridge to light the candles the same way Bernadette did. Our tour ends with a visit to the four Basilicas, as well as the Crypt and Saint Bernadette relic. Return to our hotel where we have the rest of the day is free to explore on our own. Or take an optional swim in the Healing Baths of Lourdes. Dinner at our hotel.
4th Day; Thursday, April 25 – To Tours & The Loire Valley (B/D)
Today we head to northern France and the Loire Valley. As this is too long a drive by coach, we will board our train in the morning for our journey to the famous valley of the River Loire and known as the Garden of France. Our train ride takes us through rolling vineyards, imposing castles and by charming canals. We will spend the next two nights here and have our first night’s dinner at our hotel.
5th Day: Friday, April 26 – In Tours. Visits to the Châteaux the Loire Valley (B/L/D)
We start the day with a visit to the Cathedral and mass with Father Tom. This will be followed by touring the best châteaux of France. We begin with a walk through the Renaissance gardens Villandry, with its water, ornamental and kitchen gardens. Continue with a guided visit of the impressive Château d’Amboise, where Leonardo da Vinci spent the last years of his life and was eventually buried. After a light lunch in the town of Amboise, we visit the 16th century Chateau de Chenonceau, incredibly engineered over the River Cher. A bit of free time before returning to Tours. Time to rest before we depart for dinner with some wonderful wines at a local restaurant.
6th Day: Saturday, April 27 – To Mt-St-Michel (B/D)
Traverse the countryside to world-famous Mt-St-Michel and its marvel of French architecture, a mass of granite rising 400 feet from the sea that was begun in 709AD. UNESCO classified the Mont Saint-Michel as a world heritage in 1979. Time to rest before dinner at our hotel.
7th Day: Sunday, April 28- In Mt-St-Michel – Sunday Mass at St Therese in Lisieux (B/D)
An early breakfast and then we are off to Mass at St Therese in the town of Lisieux. St Therese, whom Pope Pius X called “the greatest saint of modern times.” Her extraordinary love for God and service to humanity will come alive as you have Mass led by Father Tom. Then time to visit the Basilica Cathedral of St Peter and Les Buissonets, her family home. On display are relics, clothing, and personal objects belonging to the “little flower.” View the statue depicting the Virgin Mary who smiled at St. Therese during an ecstasy before curing her illness. Combine your prayers in the Carmel Chapel with those of the Carmelite sisters, just as St. Therese did before her death in 1897. After lunch on our own, return to Mt St Michel for dinner and overnight.
8th Day: Monday, April 29 – In Mt St Michel (B)
A morning guided tour of Mont-Saint-Michel village – including entrance to the abbey. The slender towers and sky-scraping turrets of the abbey of Mont Saint Michel are one of the classic images of northern France. Rising from flat white sands, the abbey sits atop a small island encircled by stout ramparts and battlements, connected to the mainland by an old causeway. Legend has it that the abbey was founded in the 8th century, when Aubert, the bishop of Avranches, was visited by the Archangel Michael in a dream; to this day the abbey is still crowned by a gilded copper statue of Michael slaying a dragon, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. The afternoon is free for a bit of free time to wander along Mont Saint Michel’s narrow streets, browse the shops on the main street, take a walk around the abbey’s ramparts with views over the sands of the bay and enjoy the spectacle of the sea rushing in to surround Mont Saint Michel at high tide, separating the island from the mainland. Dinner on your own this evening.
9th Day: Tuesday, April 30 – To Normandy and Paris (B/L/D)
We depart Mt St Michel and board our coach for Normandy on the coast of northern France where in 1944 Allied troops landed on 5 beaches along the coast as we remember the heroes of the D-Day landings. The beaches code named Utah, Gold, Juno, Sword and “Bloody Omaha” leave many with tears in their eyes. We’ll also view memorable sights of Omaha Beach, the Memorial Peace Museum and the American Military Cemetery. We will have lunch in Normandy and then board our coach for the trip to Paris, the “City of Lights”. Time to rest before dinner and our overnight in Paris.
10th Day: Wednesday, May 1 – In Paris (B)
After breakfast we depart for a visit to the famed Notre Dame Cathedral where Father Tom will do a special blessing. Then we will continue with a sightseeing tour highlighting the best of Paris including visiting the Champs Elysees, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, the Sorbonne, the Pantheon and the intriguing Left Bank, In the afternoon, a great time to stroll about the streets of Paris in search of wonderful and colorful sites. Or visit the Louvre, one of the world’s great museums to view the many treasures housed here. Evening on our own at one of the charming Parisian bistros. Perhaps experience some of the world-famous night-spots like the Lido or the Moulin Rouge.
11th Day: Thursday, May 2 – In Paris. Independent activities. Optional tour to Chartres (B/D)
Full day for independent exploring. Perhaps spend the day at the Musee d’ Orsay, filled with impressionist paintings. Or find a relaxing café and watch local Parisian life pass by. Paris is an incredible “walking” city, so there will be much for you to do and see. Stroll past fashion houses and boutiques on the Champs-Elysees. Shop for paintings in Montmartre. Or have a coffer at a sidewalk cafe. There will also be a Morning Optional Tour to Chartres, including a drive through the plains of Beauce and a visit to the famed Cathedral with its famous blue stained-glass windows. In the evening we will have a special “Farewell to Paris” dinner cruise on the Seine as glorious Paris takes on a new brilliance at night. The city’s monuments and sites shine with a delicate and ethereal beauty once the sun sets. We’ll pass beneath many of the most beautiful bridges and enjoy a wonderful dinner watching the glittering Paris skyline.
12th Day; Friday, May 3- Back to NYC (B)
After breakfast, we transfer to the airport and our flight to JFK. Upon arrival, after Immigration and Customs, we board our coach for the journey back to Montauk.
Special Features:
- Mass with Father Tom at St Therese in Lisieux
- Special service at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris
- Touring Lourdes following the footsteps of Bernadette
- A chance to immerse yourself in the Healing Baths of Lourdes
- Visiting the most beautiful châteaus of the Loire Valley
- Service at the Cathedral of Tours
- Dinner and wine at a local Loire Valley restaurant
- Visit to Mount Saint Michel Abbey
- Touring the D-Day sites of Normandy
- Optional tour to the Cathedral of Chartres
- Farewell dinner cruise in Paris on the Seine River
The Price Includes:
- Round trip transportation from the East End to JFK
- Round-trip air from JFK to France
- Airport transfer to and from hotels
- 10 nights accommodations in First Class & boutique-style hotels
- Hotel taxes and service charges
- Breakfast every day
- Lunch as per itinerary
- Dinners every day except Days 8 and 10
- Sightseeing as per itinerary including entrance fees
- Deluxe coach transportation throughout the tour
- 1st class rail transportation from Lourdes to the Loire Valley
- Fully escorted
Our Accommodations (or similar)
● In Lourdes– 2nights @ the Grand Hotel Belfry
● In Tours– 2 nights @ the Grand Hotel de Tours
● In Mt St Michel– 3 nights @ the La Mere Poulard.
● In Paris– 3 nights @ the Hotel Millennium Paris Opera
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PRICE PER PERSON
$3,549 via check or money order
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Per Person in Double Occupancy
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$4,369 via credit card
*Prepaid Gratuities to drivers and guides $100 ($105 via credit card)
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Travel Insurance
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