*Please note this pilgrimage involves a certain amount of walking and physical activity, such as stairs, standing for extended periods and walking on uneven surfaces; especially when visiting historical and religious sites. We kindly ask that you assess your comfort level with these activities before booking and travel with a companion that can provide assistance if required. If you have any mobility concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact our team to discuss.
Day 1 – DUBLIN TO PARAY-LE-MONIAL
Meet fellow pilgrims at Dublin Airport and check in for your direct flight to Lyon. On arrival you will be met by a Joe Walsh Tours representative and transferred by private coach to the Shrine of Ars first, followed by Paray Le Monial, beautiful town in Burgundy renowned for its Eucharistic spirituality and devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Ars has become famous through the holy life and labours of St. John Vianney, its beloved Curé. The story of John Vianney emphasizes how God uses the simple and underrated people to confound those who are regarded as wise by the world. Paray-le-Monial became one of the most important centres of devotion to the Sacred Heart following the apparitions of Our Lord to St Margaret Mary Alacoque, a Visitation nun, between 1673 and 1675. During these apparitions, Jesus revealed His Sacred Heart and called for a special devotion to His love and mercy.
The group will visit the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, a magnificent Romanesque church, and places associated with St Margaret Mary and St Claude La Colombière, who helped spread devotion to the Sacred Heart. There will also be time for prayer and reflection before checking in to the hotel Le Prieure’ for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2 – PARAY-LE-MONIAL TO NEVERS
After your breakfast, depart for Nevers, where St Bernadette Soubirous spent the final thirteen years of her life as a Sister of Charity at the Convent of St Gildard. She arrived
here in 1866, following the apparitions of Our Lady in Lourdes, and devoted herself to religious life until her death on 16 April 1879.
Visit the Sanctuary of St Bernadette, including the convent chapel where her incorrupt body rests in a glass shrine. Explore the places associated with her life as a religious sister and spend time in prayer at this important pilgrimage destination. Mass will be arranged, subject to availability, before continuing to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 3 – NEVERS
Enjoy a further day in Nevers, allowing more time to explore the spiritual heritage of St Bernadette and the community where she lived her religious vocation. You will have time for prayer and reflection at the Convent of St Gildard, including the chapel where St Bernadette’s shrine is located and the convent gardens, where she spent
time in prayer and contemplation. Learn more about her life, her humility and her unwavering faith, which continued long after the apparitions in Lourdes.
There will also be time to explore the historic centre of Nevers, with its charming streets and religious heritage, including the Cathedral of Saint-Cyr-et-Sainte-Julitte. Mass will be arranged, subject to availability, before returning to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4 – ROCAMADOUR
Head to Rocamadour, one of France’s most spectacular pilgrimage destinations. Dramatically perched on a cliff overlooking the Alzou valley, this medieval village
has welcomed pilgrims for centuries and is particularly renowned for its devotion to Our Lady. According to tradition, Rocamadour is associated with St Amadour, whose remains were discovered here in the 12th century. The sanctuary developed into an important place of pilgrimage, attracting kings, saints and pilgrims from across Europe.
Visit the Sanctuary of Rocamadour, including the Chapel of Notre-Dame, home to the revered Black Madonna, and the Basilica of St Saviour. You will have time to pray,
explore the religious complex and admire the remarkable setting of this ancient shrine. Mass will be arranged, subject to availability, before checking in to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 5 – ROCAMADOUR TO LOURDES
After breakfast, you will depart for Lourdes, one of the world’s most important Catholic pilgrimage destinations.
The story of Lourdes began in 1858, when 14-year-old Bernadette Soubirous reported eighteen apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the Grotto of Massabielle. During one of the apparitions, Bernadette was instructed to dig in the ground, where a spring began to flow. Since then, millions of pilgrims have travelled to Lourdes seeking spiritual renewal, prayer and healing.
On arrival, you will check in to the hotel for the next three nights. Depending on arrival time, there will be an opportunity to visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, pray at the Grotto and become familiar with the main places of worship. You may also participate in the evening Torchlight Procession, subject to the programme in place during the visit. Dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 6 & 7 – LOURDES
A full religious programme will be organised for your stay in Lourdes by our local team.
During these two days, the group will have the opportunity to participate in the principal liturgies and devotional activities of the Sanctuary, including Mass, the Blessed Sacrament Procession, the Blessing of the Sick and the evening Torchlight Procession, subject to the schedule.
A guided tour will introduce the group to places associated with St Bernadette’s life, including the Boly Mill, where she was born, Le Cachot, where her family lived at the time of the apparitions, the parish church and other significant locations connected with her story. You will also enjoy a guided walking tour of the Sanctuary, visiting the Grotto of Massabielle, where Our Lady appeared to Bernadette, the three Basilicas and other important places of prayer within the Domain. There will be time for personal prayer, reflection and participation in the spiritual life of Lourdes. These days will offer a special opportunity to deepen your faith, celebrate the sacraments and experience the unique atmosphere of this much-loved Marian shrine.
Day 8 – LOURDES TO DUBLIN
After breakfast, free time for a final visit to the Sanctuary, personal prayer at the Grotto or the purchase of religious souvenirs before transferring to the airport for the return flight to Dublin departing at 15:40 hrs. We hope you will have enjoyed this special pilgrimage to the great shrines of France, following in the footsteps of St Margaret Mary Alacoque, St Bernadette Soubirous and generations of faithful pilgrims.
