Make your way to your local airport, where you will board your overnight flight(s). Your meals will be served on board.

Upon arriving at Paris airport, make your way to the baggage claim area and collect your luggage and then proceed to the arrival’s hall, where you will be greeted by your driver, who will transfer you to your hotel. Meet and greet followed by Mass at Sacre Coeur basilica atop Montmartre Hill. The Basilica, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, was originally built in 1914 as an act of penance for infidelity that France experienced during that time. See the beautiful mosaic of the Risen Christ and the remarkable Grand Organ. Celebrate Mass at the Crypt, which contains the Tombs of many notable Cardinals. Reminder of the day is free to explore Paris on your own. Welcome dinner and overnight in Paris.

Today, you will enjoy a full day of sightseeing tour of Paris. Following breakfast enjoy panoramic tour of Paris that will take us to the most recognizable symbol of the city of Paris, the Eiffel Tower, Invalides, the L’Arch de Triomphe and the Champ-Elysees, one of the world’s most famous boulevards. We will stop at Eiffel Tower for photo session and picture taking and at Champ-Elyses to taste delicious pastries and coffee at local café. Group will then visit recently renovated and reopened Notre Dame Basilica and celebrate Mass (pending confirmation). Your busy day ends with a lovely dinner while Crusing Seine River. Overnight in Paris.

Following breakfast you will depart for Lisieux. According to Pope Pius X, St. Therese of Lisieux was the “greatest saint of modern times.” Her extraordinary love for God and service to humanity will come alive as you walk in the great Saint’s footsteps. During your visit, you will see the beautiful Basilica of St. Therese, and the magnificent mosaics and stained glass that are contained within. After Mass and following a visit to the Basilica, you will have the opportunity to view relics, clothing, and personal objects that belonged to St. Therese when you visit her family home, Les Buissonnets. Additionally, you will tour the Carmelite Convent, which she entered in 1888 and is currently entombed with her parents. Continue to Charters for dinner and overnight.

We start with Cathedral of Our Lady of Chartres for visit and Mass and board the bus that will take us south to Paray Le Monial. Paray-le-Monial is home to the devotion of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. God chose St. Margaret Mary Alacoque to be the instrument that would lead the world back to Christ through devotion to his Sacred Heart. This devotion was meant to counter the cold and austere heresy of Jansenism that was preventing many French people from receiving the Eucharist and drawing closer to Christ. Jansenists were criticized by the Jesuits, who saw the errors in the emphasis on sin, depravity, and predestination. Dinner and overnight in Paray Le Monial.

This morning you will visit the Chapel of the Visitation. It is here that Jesus exposed His Sacred Heart to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in the seventeenth century. The apparitions allowed St. Margaret to rest her head upon Jesus’ Sacred Heart, during which she experienced Our Lord’s unconditional love for humanity. During your visit to this holy place, you will have the opportunity to view relics of the beloved Saint, located beneath a wax figure of her image. Continue towards Ars where we will visit the Shrine dedicated to Saint Jean Marie Vianney, the patron saint of the priesthood. In Ars, we will be able to visit the presbytery and the Basilica where we will find the incorrupt body of the Cure of Ars, and to enjoy a short documentary about his life. End the day in Lyon with delicious dinner and restful overnight.

Following breakfast depart from Lyon to Aix-en-Provence. Upon arrival in Aix you will visit Aix Cathedral (Cathédrale Saint Sauveur) built on the site of an ancient Roman forum. The Aix Cathedral (Cathédrale Saint Sauveur) is one of the oldest and best-loved buildings in Aix-en-Provence. It dates to the 12th century and, despite many modifications over the years, remains a particular draw for fans of Romanesque and Gothic architecture. Group will attend Mass and spend time in prayer before admiring the famous Burning Bush Triptych by Nicolas Froment. Check in the hotel and enjoy delicious dinner and restful overnight in Aix.

Following breakfast, enjoy a peaceful walk-through Aix’s old town that leads to the Chapelle des Oblats, closely linked to Saint Eugène de Mazenod, the founder of the Missionary Oblates, offering a moment of reflection on his missionary work. Enjoy time and special experience prepared by Oblates for your group visit. After lunch break, visit Basilica of Saint Mary Magdalene in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume, a major Catholic pilgrimage site that houses what are believed to be the relics of Saint Mary Magdalene, one of Christ’s closest disciples. Enjoy some quiet moments of gratitude before dinner and overnight.

After an early breakfast and heartfelt farewells, your group will leave by motor coach for Marseille or Nice airport for your quick flight to Rome. Upon arrival at Rome airport, collect your luggage in the baggage claim area, and continue to the arrival’s hall, where you will be greeted by a tour escort and/or driver. Group will visit Basilica of Saint Augustine located in the square of the same name. The Basilica of Sant’Agostino was one of the first Roman churches of the Renaissance, and its origins date back to the 14th century when the Augustinians decided to build a new structure for their convent. The new church, completed in 1420, however, was too small for the needs of the community and too low concerning the Tiber; so, it was rebuilt between 1479 and 1483 by Jacopo di Pietrasanta and Sebastiano Fiorentino, by order of Cardinal Guillaume d’Estouteville. Following Mass and visit transfer to your hotel for check in. You will have free time to relax, or explore Rome on your own. Your tour escort may suggest places to visit. Later in the afternoon, your group will meet in the hotel lobby for dinner. After dinner, you will have the opportunity to walk to St. Peter’s Square as a group, for the Rosary (optional).

After a nice breakfast at your hotel, your first sightseeing day in Rome starts! The tour begins with the Papal Audience in St. Peter’s Square! The Audience is celebrated each Wednesday by His Holiness, Pope Francis (pending the papal schedule). Following Audience enjoy walking tour of Eternal City visiting the most historical and culturally amazing places like Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Square and Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona and much more.

This morning you will enjoy an early breakfast before making your way to the largest Christendom Church, St. Peter’s Basilica. This Basilica was built on the site where St. Peter, the first Pope and Bishop of Rome, was martyred. Also, it was Our Holy Father, Pope Francis who was the first Pontiff to visit the necropolis since extensive archaeological excavations were conducted at the ancient site decades ago. It is here that you will view Michelangelo’s Pieta. This stunning marble sculpture depicts the Virgin Mary holding Christ after His crucifixion, death, and removal from the cross before being placed in the tomb. Continue to proceed to the Vatican Museum. At the world-renowned museum, you will see the most impressive of edifices, galleries, and awe-inspiring relics. Additionally, you will observe the Tapestry Gallery, Raphael Rooms, Sistine Chapel, and Michelangelo’s Masterpiece, the restored mural of the Last Judgment. The final stop on your Vatican tour is at the tomb of Saint John Paul II. Continue to Trastevere, famous bohemian neighborhood that clings to its centuries-old working-class roots. It’s known for traditional and innovative trattorias, craft beer pubs and artisan shops in Rome. Visit the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere (Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere). This beautiful basilica is one of the oldest churches in Rome and offers a serene atmosphere for reflection. Enjoy farewell dinner in one of the local trattorias. Overnight in Rome.

After an early breakfast and heartfelt farewells, your group will leave by motor coach and transfer to the Rome Fiumicino airport for return flights home.

*206 Tours Disclaimer:
Though every effort will be made to follow the itinerary, it should be considered as an indication, rather than a contract of places to be visited. Occasionally local religious holidays, national days, weather, traffic conditions and other events may necessitate changes in the sequence of visits or the missing of certain visits.