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The Basilica of St. Therese above Lisieux

Carmelite Saints of France

Lourdes, Dijon and Lisieux

Thirteen days with the Carmelite saints of France, from Lourdes and the south to Dijon and Flavignerot for St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, and to Lisieux for St. Thérèse.

Departures

Current Tours to France

Upcoming departures to France. Each group has its own host, dates, and itinerary. The route below is our standard.

All current pilgrimages
The Route

Thirteen stops with the Carmelite saints

Toulouse, Lourdes, Carcassonne, Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, Avignon, Ars, Paray-le-Monial, Dijon, Flavignerot, Paris, Pontoise, Rouen and Lisieux, north the length of the country.

Itinerary · EU_FR-13D-01

The Carmelite Itinerary

Three nights at Lourdes, then north by Avignon and Ars to Dijon and Flavignerot for St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, and on through Paris and Pontoise to Rouen and Lisieux. Your group travels on its own dates, and the itinerary can be adjusted to fit the time you have and the places that matter most to your pilgrims.

Day 1 – 5

Toulouse and Lourdes

The sanctuary at Lourdes
The Grotto of Massabielle at Lourdes
Day 1

Departure from the USA

Our pilgrimage begins with an overnight transatlantic flight to Toulouse, the first of thirteen days with the Carmelite saints of France, from Lourdes to Dijon and Lisieux. Dinner and breakfast are served in flight.
Day 2

Arrival in Toulouse

Arriving at Toulouse-Blagnac Airport, we are greeted by our local tour escort and travel by motorcoach to our hotel. After check-in, we gather this evening for a welcome dinner to begin our pilgrimage together.Overnight in Toulouse.
Day 3

Toulouse and Lourdes

In Toulouse we visit the Church of the Jacobins, built in the 13th century by the Dominican Order and home to the relics of St. Thomas Aquinas. We continue to Lourdes and visit the Grotto of Massabielle, where the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bernadette Soubirous eighteen times in 1858. We celebrate Mass, then join pilgrims for the Candlelight Marian Procession.Overnight in Lourdes.
Day 4

Lourdes

We attend the International Mass concelebrated by our spiritual director in the underground Basilica of St. Pius X. A guided tour follows the life of St. Bernadette, visiting her home and the basilica grounds. This afternoon we walk and pray in the Eucharistic Procession.Overnight in Lourdes.
Day 5

Lourdes

We visit the Carmelite Monastery in Lourdes, built over the spot where the Blessed Virgin appeared a final time to St. Bernadette. We celebrate Mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, then spend the afternoon at the Sanctuary and bathe in the miraculous waters. This evening we join the Candlelight Marian Procession.Overnight in Lourdes.
Day 6 – 7

Provence and Ars

Photograph to come · The Basilica of Ars
The Basilica of Ars
Day 6

Lourdes and Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer

After Mass we bid farewell to Our Lady of Lourdes and travel south, stopping in the medieval walled city of Carcassonne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose fortress has stood since the 12th century. We continue to Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, venerated as the landing place of Mary Magdalene, Mary of Clopas and Mary Salome, and visit the Church of the Saintes-Maries, built over their relics.Overnight in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer.
Day 7

Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer and Ars

We depart for Ars, stopping in Avignon to visit the Pont d’Avignon, a medieval bridge and UNESCO World Heritage Site that served pilgrims crossing to Italy and Spain. In Ars we visit the places connected with St. Jean Vianney, the Curé of Ars, and celebrate Mass at the Basilica where his incorrupt body rests above the altar.Overnight in Ars.
Day 8 – 10

Dijon and Paris

Photograph to come · The Carmel of Dijon
The Carmel of Dijon
Day 8

Ars, Paray-le-Monial and Dijon

We visit Paray-le-Monial, where Our Lord appeared to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque and revealed His Sacred Heart, touring the Sacred Heart Basilica and the Chapel of the Apparitions where she is entombed. We celebrate Mass, then continue to Dijon, home of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, the Carmelite mystic canonized by Pope Francis in 2016.Overnight in Dijon.
Day 9

Dijon and Paris

We visit the Carmelite Monastery in Flavignerot and the Church of Saint Michel, connected to St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, who entered Carmel in Dijon in 1901 and died there in 1906 at age 26. We celebrate Mass, then travel to Paris for a panoramic tour and a visit to the Chapel of the Miraculous Medal, where Our Lady appeared to St. Catherine Labouré in 1830.Overnight in Paris.
Day 10

Paris

We begin with Mass at the Basilica of Sacré-Coeur on Montmartre Hill, then visit St. Peter’s of Montmartre and the Cathedral of Notre-Dame. In the afternoon we visit the Place de la Nation, where the Blessed Carmelites of Compiègne were martyred by guillotine in 1794, and the Cimetière de Picpus, where their remains rest.Overnight in Paris.
Day 11 – 13

Lisieux and home

The Basilica of St. Therese of Lisieux
The Basilica of St. Thérèse at Lisieux
Day 11

Pontoise, Rouen and Lisieux

We visit Pontoise, site of the first reformed Carmelite foundation in France, then continue to Rouen, where St. Joan of Arc was martyred by burning at the stake on May 30, 1431, at the age of 19. We arrive in Lisieux, home of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, and celebrate Mass at the Basilica of St. Thérèse.Overnight in Lisieux.
Day 12

Lisieux and Paris

We spend time in Lisieux visiting the places where St. Thérèse, daughter of Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin, lived. We visit Les Buissonnets, her family home, and the Carmelite convent she entered at 15, where she wrote her autobiography, Story of a Soul. Returning to Paris, we gather for a farewell dinner and a Bateaux Mouche cruise on the River Seine.Overnight in Paris.
Day 13

Return Home

With a deeper love for Our Lady, the Carmelite saints, and the sacred sites of France, we travel to the airport in Paris for our return flight home to the United States.

Why leaders choose Canterbury

“Canterbury treats you like family! They handle everything, from creating exciting itineraries to managing calls, registrations, and payments.”

Patrick MadridPatrick Madrid
Catholic Speaker, Author & Host of The Patrick Madrid Show on Relevant Radio®
The Basilica of St. Therese above the town of Lisieux
LisieuxThe basilica raised above the town where St. Thérèse lived and died.
Dates

Your group travels on its own dates.

Tell us the window you have in mind and we will build the itinerary around it: the time you have, and the places that matter most to your pilgrims.

Your pilgrimage includes

Tour Package Includes

These inclusions can be easily tailored to the individual needs of your group

  • Daily Mass at the churches we visit
  • Round-trip group airfare
  • Airport transfers on arrival & departure
  • 4-Star hotel accommodations
  • Private motorcoach transportation
  • Breakfast & dinner served daily
  • Wine served with some dinners
  • Dedicated tour manager
  • Licensed guiding & admission fees
  • Porterage service at hotels
  • Whisper headsets when touring
  • Tips for hotel & restaurant staff
  • 9 – 5 PM (EST) reservation support
  • 24/7 travel emergency support
  • Canterbury Mobile App
For the group leader

What you get as the group leader

You travel free.

Every group earns complimentary places. The more pilgrims you bring, the more you earn. How complimentary places work

No financial risk.

If the group does not fill, deposits are returned. You owe nothing and neither do your pilgrims. What happens if a group does not fill

We produce the promotional materials.

Flyers, a registration page, and what you need to invite your people. Our guide to promoting a pilgrimage

We handle your pilgrims.

Registrations, rooming lists, payment plans and the phone calls. How leading a pilgrimage works

In your pocket

The Canterbury Mobile App

Every pilgrim in your group gets the app. Their itinerary, hotels and flights, the prayers of the day and a way to reach one another, all in one place and kept current as the pilgrimage unfolds.

  • Group chat

    Your whole group in one thread, so a change of plan reaches everyone at once.

  • Their itinerary

    The full day-by-day schedule, always current, in every pilgrim’s pocket.

  • Hotels

    Where the group is staying each night, with addresses and dates.

  • Flights

    Flight details kept alongside everything else, not in a separate email.

  • Daily prayers

    The prayers of the day, including the Liturgy of the Hours.

  • Shrine passport

    A keepsake record of the shrines your group visits along the way.

  • Live updates

    Times and meeting points pushed to everyone the moment they change.

Photographs
The sanctuary at Lourdes lit at dusk
Lourdes at dusk
Photograph to come · The sanctuary at Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer
The sanctuary at Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer
Photograph to come · The Papal Palace at Avignon
The Papal Palace at Avignon
Photograph to come · The Basilica of the Sacred Heart at Paray-le-Monial
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart at Paray-le-Monial
The Basilica of St. Therese of Lisieux
The basilica above Lisieux
Photograph to come · The Carmel of Pontoise
The Carmel of Pontoise

What group leaders say

“They’re big enough to handle any problem that arises, and small enough to craft truly unique experiences.”

Chris StefanickChris Stefanick
Founder & President of Real Life Catholic
Before you ask

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to travel to France?

May, June and September suit this route best. The south is warm without the August heat, Burgundy and Normandy are mild and green, and the shrines are busy without being overwhelmed. July and August are the most crowded weeks of the year, and winter is short on daylight for a route that runs the length of the country.

How physically demanding is this pilgrimage?

Moderate. Most days involve two to four hours on your feet, with walking on uneven ground, ancient stone, and steps at archaeological sites. Pilgrims who can manage a full day of sightseeing at their own pace do well. If anyone in your group has mobility limitations, tell us early and we will adapt the days around them. What activity level means.

What is generally not included?

Travel insurance, lunches, drinks beyond those served with included meals, personal expenses, and gratuities for your tour manager and driver. Any of these can be built into your package on request, so tell us what you would like covered and we will arrange it. Passports and visa fees are the one exception and remain the responsibility of each pilgrim.

Do I need a passport or visa for France?

A US passport valid for at least three months beyond your return date is required, with blank pages for entry stamps. No visa is needed for a stay under 90 days. Entry requirements for US travellers to the Schengen area are changing, so we confirm what applies to your departure with your group before you travel.

Can our priest celebrate Mass at the churches?

Yes. Daily Mass is built into the itinerary, and we arrange times and locations in advance with each church. Your priest should travel with a celebret or letter of good standing from his bishop or superior. We handle the scheduling.

How many pilgrims do you need for a group?

Most of our groups are between 20 and 50 pilgrims, and we can arrange smaller tours as well. We have also organized pilgrimages for groups as large as 2,500, so whatever size your group turns out to be, we can build for it. Minimum group size for a group flight.

Enquire

Interested in Leading a Pilgrimage to France?

A pilgrimage consultant replies within one business day. No deposit or commitment.

    Your Information

    Your Group

    First time? You are in good company. Many of our group leaders start right here, and we guide you through every step.

    Where You Would Like to Go

    Destinations of interest (check all that apply)

    These are some of our most popular destinations, but we build CUSTOM ITINERARIES anywhere in the world. If you do not see your destination, tell us below.

    Italy, Rome and AssisiFrance, Lourdes and ParisPortugal and FátimaSpain and the Camino de SantiagoPortugal, Spain and France togetherGreece and TurkeyThe Holy LandEgypt and Mount SinaiPoland, Prague and Central EuropeMedjugorje and the BalkansIreland and the United KingdomMexico and Our Lady of GuadalupeArgentinaPeruJapan, Nagasaki and AkitaUnited States and Canada shrinesA pilgrimage cruiseSomewhere else, or not sure yet

    When

    Group Size and Budget

    Complimentary places are arranged based on the size of your group. Let us know how many you expect so we can request them from our suppliers from the start.

    A Few Last Details

    Would you like sample itineraries emailed to you?

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