Upon arrival in Paris this morning we will clear immigration, collect our baggage, meet our local tour manager and head to Lisieux (2.5 hour drive). Lisieux, the home of St. Therese the “Little Flower of Jesus.” We will see the house where St. Therese lived as a child, the Carmelite Convent where she was a nun, the Basilica of St. Theresa and Cathedral of St. Peter. After Mass we will head to our hotel in Bayeux. 

Evening: Dinner and overnight accommodations at your hotel.

After breakfast the group will travel to Mont Saint Michel to see the incredible island city with its high steeple pointing towards heaven. Upon arrival we´ll visit the beautiful monastery of Mont-Saint-Michel. Surrounded by the sea and soaring proudly above glistening sand, the silhouette of Mont-Saint-Michel is one of the most enchanting sights in all of France. We then travel to see the almost 10,000 white marble crosses which glow in memory of the soldiers who died at Omaha Beach during the massive Allied landing on June 6, 1944. This was the eye of the hurricane where the end of WW II began. Mass will be celebrated in memory of these soldiers in the haunting cemetery which crowns the beach After Mass we will return to our hotel. 

Evening: Dinner and overnight accommodations at your hotel.

After breakfast, we board our bus and return to Paris (3 hour drive)! This afternoon we will enjoy a tour of the “City of Lights “including visits to the Eiffel Tower, the famous Opera House (outside visit), the Arc de Triomphe (outside visit), and Montmartre with its magnificent Basilica of Sacre Coeur.

Evening: Dinner and overnight accommodations at your hotel.

After breakfast we will visit the stunning Chartres Cathedral, and after Mass, return to Paris and visit the world-famous Louvre Museum which contains countless works of art including the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo.  After dinner, you will enjoy a cruise on the Seine River. See 1,000 years of history while passing 25 bridges and the main illuminated monuments of Paris.

Evening: Special dinner at a restaurant in Paris. Overnight accommodations at your hotel. 

We will visit the Shrine of Saint Vincent de Paul where the saint’s body is on display in a precious reliquary. Then visit the Chapel of the Miraculous Medal at Rue de Bac where Our Lady appeared to St. Catherine Laboure in 1830. In the afternoon, we catch our train through the beautiful French countryside to Lourdes (5 hour ride). 

Evening: Dinner and overnight accommodations will be at your hotel.

Today we will have all day to experience the unique atmosphere of this beautiful town. Attend Mass at the Grotto of Massabielle, the site where the Virgin appeared. Also, visit the Basilica of Pius X (the world’s largest underground church), see the house where Bernadette lived during the Apparitions, and visit several of the sites where the miraculous cures have taken place. This evening we will participate in the Blessed Sacrament Procession and the Candlelight Procession.

Evening: Dinner and overnight accommodations will be at your hotel.

In the morning take a side trip to the neighboring town of Bartres. In Bartres, we will visit a traditional French village. This is also the town where St. Bernadette spent part of her childhood. Return to Lourdes. Afternoon is free for private devotions and Mass in the Grotto, Way of the Cross, and confession. After dinner, participate in the Candlelight Procession or simply spend private time at the "Grotto."

Evening: Farewell dinner and overnight accommodations will be at your hotel.

 Following breakfast, transfer to Pau Airport near Lourdes to catch shuttle flight to Paris and our return flight to Chicago