* Direct flight from Dublin to Lourdes
* 3 nights in Lourdes; Hotel Agena or similar
* 1 night in Lisieux
* 1 night in Paris
* 1 night in Nevers
* 1 night in Rocamadour
* Daily breakfast and evening meal served at hotels; lunch also included in Lourdes
* Transfer from your hotel to Paris Airport for return flight
* Luxury air-conditioned coach for all transfers and tours
* Full religious programme organised by Joe Walsh Tours and led by Spiritual Director
* Guided tour of the Grotto Domain in Lourdes visiting the Grotto, Baths, Basilicas and Stations of the Cross
* Guided walking tour of Lourdes visiting places associated with the life of St. Bernadette
* Visit to the monastic city in Rocamadour, Church of the Black Madonna and Miraculous Bell
* Guided visit to the Convent of St Gildard in Nevers where you will attend a Mass, have the opportunity to see the body of St Bernadette and walk in her footsteps through the gardens
* Visit to the Shrine of the Miraculous Medal at the headquarters of the Daughters of Charity in Paris, followed by the opportunity to see the body of St. Vincent de Paul at Maison-Mere
* Panoramic tour of Paris and its major attractions including the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs Elysees, the Louvre Museum and the Notre Dame Cathedral
* Visit to places associated with St. Thérèse in Lisieux, including Les Buissonnetts and the Carmel Chapel, followed by a Mass in the Basilica of Sainte-Thérèse de Lisieux

DAY 1 DUBLIN – LOURDES

Check-in at Dublin Airport and check in for your direct flight to Lourdes. A Joe Walsh Tours representative will meet us on arrival. Transfer to our hotel for three nights’ accommodation with dinner, breakfast and lunch each day.
The origins of the pilgrimages to Lourdes began when Bernadette Soubirous reported the first of eighteen visions of Our Lady on 11 February 1858. Since then, Lourdes went from being a small village in the Pyrenees to becoming the largest Catholic pilgrimage destination in Europe. The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes embraces twenty-two places of worship and numerous facilities for the pilgrims and the sick, as well as the spring that began to flow from the spot dug by Bernadette on Our Lady’s instructions.

DAY 2-3 – LOURDES

A full religious programme will be organised for your time in Lourdes. We will have the opportunity to take part in the Blessing of the Sick, the Blessed Sacrament and the Torchlight Processions. We will also enjoy fully guided tour visiting places associated with St. Bernadette, including the Boly Mills, Le Cachot, the Hospice, the Parish Church and the Cemetery and a guided walking tour of the Grotto Domain visiting the Grotto, the Baths and the Basilicas.

DAY 4 – ROCAMADOUR

Depart after breakfast to Rocamadour. Set amid a dramatic landscape and suspended majestically over the gorge of the river Alzou, this village has remained a place of faith and pilgrimage for over 900 years. In 1166, the miraculously preserved body of St. Amadour was discovered close to a little chapel, giving a new impetus to the pilgrimage and inspiring the daring construction of 7 churches and a monastery clinging to the cliff face just above the town. We visit the monastic city, attend mass and visit the church of the Black Madonna and the Miraculous Bell.

DAY 5 – NEVERS

Depart for Nevers after breakfast. St Bernadette Soubirous joined the Sisters of Charity at St. Gilard in Nevers on 7 July 1866. She remained here for 13 years until she died on 16 April 1879, at the age of 35. Her body, which had been buried in the chapel garden, was discovered intact in 1909 and in 1925 it was transferred to rest in a shrine in the Chapel of St. Gilard. We will attend mass and visit the Convent of St. Gildard, see the body of St. Bernadette and walk in her footsteps through the convent gardens before continuing to our hotel for check in and dinner.

DAY 6 – PARIS

Depart for Paris after breakfast and enjoy a panoramic tour of its highlights including the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs Elysees and the Louvre. We then visit Rue de Bac, the Shrine of the Miraculous Medal and home to the headquarters of the Daughters of Charity, co-founded by St. Louise & St. Vincent de Paul. It was here that Our Lady appeared to Sr. Catherine Laboure on the night of 18 July 1830 and instructed Catherine on the design of the Miraculous Medal. The body of St. Vincent de Paul can be seen nearby in Rue de Sevres. He died on 27 September 1660 and was canonised by Pope Clement on 16 June 1737.

DAY 7 – LISIEUX

After breakfast we drive to Lisieux. On arrival we have mass and visit places associated with St. Thérèse including Les Buissonnetts, the Carmel Chapel, the Museum and the Great Basilica. St. Thérèse was born in Alençon on 2 January 1873. Her family later moved to Lisieux where Thérèse spent her time meditating and praying in the Cathedral of Lisieux. At the age of 15, in 1888, she joined the Carmelites at Lisieux. In 1897, at the age of 24, St. Thérèse died. In 1899 France discovered the secret message of the young nun through her autobiography. She was canonised on 17 May 1925 and was proclaimed as the greatest saint of all times by Pope Pius X.

DAY 8 – LISIEUX – PARIS – DUBLIN

Today the group will enjoy free time in Lisieux until departure for Paris Airport for your direct flight to Dublin. *Please note itinerary and flight details may be subject to change.

• Prices per person sharing twin/double rooms with private facilities
• Airport taxes and charges applicable at the time of booking are included in the price
• Luggage allowance included per person and subject to airline’s conditions
• Payment terms: deposit €250 deposit per person and balances 12 weeks prior to departure
• Single rooms on request subject to supplement
• Lourdes city tax currently €1.50 (3-star) and €2.10 (4-star) is payable locally directly to hotels
• Children under 12 sharing with 2 adults receive a €50 reduction
• Infants under 2 years on date of return are charged €50
• It is each individual’s responsibility to ensure compliance with travel regulations and health and safety protocols in place at the time of travel