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

Upon arriving at into Pau or Toulouse airport, make your way to the bag- gage claim area and collect your luggage. Proceed to the arrival's hall, where you will be greeted by your tour guide and/or driver. Embark on scenic drive to Lourdes. Check-in to your hotel and relax or explore be- fore dinner. Following dinner, you will have free time to pray the Rosary and to attend the candlelight procession. (April-October only). These processions are lit by candlelight and guided by the Most Holy Rosary. Following this prayerful experience, you will return to your hotel for an overnight.

Wake up in a small town that is nestled within the Pyrenees Mountains. During your time in Lourdes, you will pray and meditate in yet another site of Our Lady's apparitions. Our Lady first appeared to Bernadette in 1858, and announced herself as "The Immaculate Conception", near the Grotto of Massabielle. At the first two apparitions, little Bernadette prayed the Rosary with Our Lady and left without any exchange of words. During the following apparitions, Our Lady emphasized God's love for us, penance and the necessity of performing acts of penance for sinners. Throughout your time in Lourdes, you will have the opportuni- ty to attend Mass at the Grotto of where Our Lady appeared to Berna- dette; watch a video presentation that explains, in detail, the story of Lourdes; drink water from the miraculous spring that has healed many; and submerge yourself in the healing baths. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to experience Christ's unconditional love as you medi- tate upon the "life size" Stations of the Cross that overlook the Grotto of Massabielle. Also, while in Lourdes, you will walk in and meditate upon the footsteps of St. Bernadette. Your group will have the opportunity to see Boly Mill, the birthplace of St. Bernadette; and the "Cachot," an abandoned prison where Bernadette's impoverish family lived. Each evening following dinner, you will have an opportunity to attend the candle light procession and the Rosary before a restful overnight.

This morning following breakfast depart toward Poitiers, where Joan of Arc met with the heads of the French kingdom and they tested the seri- ousness of her intentions. In Poitiers, we can visit the 11th century Notre Dame La Grande Cathedral with its impressive Romanesque facade. We continue to Loches and visit the Logis Royal and the Donjon, anoth- er place where the Royal court lived during the time of the Hundred Years War. Following visit to Loches we continue to Tours, our final desti- nation for the day. Dinner and overnight in Tours.

After breakfast, we visit the Chinon Castle, an imposing medieval for- tress housing the Museum of Joan of Arc in its clock tower. Following visit we will depart for Nevers by way of the picturesque Loire Valley. After taking the veil in 1867, St. Bernadette lived for 12 years as a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of Nevers. At least three times during her short lifetime, she received the last Sacraments. In addition to asthma, she was gradually struck by other illnesses, among them was tuberculo- sis of the lung and a tubercular tumor in her right knee. St. Bernadette eventually died at the age of 35. See St. Bernadette's incorrupt body at the convent of St. Gildard, miraculously preserved since her death in 1879. Dinner and overnight in Nevers.

Following breakfast we embark on scenic drive to Nancy in Lorraine. Upon arrival, enjoy sightseeing tour of Nancy, Including Stanislas Square from 18th century with its vast fountains and the 18th century Cathedral. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

After breakfast, we will start our journey in the steps of Joan of Arc. We depart for the village of Domrémy, where Joan of Arc was born. We will visit Joan of Arc’s family home; a simple farmhouse, with a museum presenting cards and pictures, the 15th century Saint Remy Church where she used to pray and confess, and the 19th century Bois-Chenu Basilica that was built on one of the places where Joan of Arc heard voices of the Saints. We will continue to the nearby village of Vaucouleurs. It was here that Joan of Arc came to speak to the allies of Dauphin Charles. She told them that she could save France and its King and asked to be brought to him immediately. After some time here, we return to Nancy for dinner and overnight.

This morning we enjoy a peaceful ride to Paris. Upon arrival, we will en- joy a panoramic sightseeing tour of the French capital, passing by all the important sights and monuments, as well as the Pyramide Square where the statue of Joan of Arc has been built. We will also visit Notre Dame Cathedral, where 24 years after the death of Joan of Arc, several trials took place in order to re-establish her good faith. You will also visit and celebrate Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, where you will view the incorrupt body of St. Catherine Laboure. The Saint's guardian angel led her to the Chapel where the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to her. During apparitions, Our Lady repeatedly instruct- ed the making and purpose of the Miraculous Medal as well as, the green scapular. According to the Blessed Virgin Mary, those who wear the Miraculous Medal and scapular will receive special protection and abundant graces. Following your prayerful and reflective experience at this elegant Chapel, you will begin your sightseeing tour of Paris. After Mass we will walk to Saint Vicent de Paul Church. Dinner and overnight in Paris.

This morning we will visit the Notre Dame Cathedral, possibly the most famous Cathedral devoted to Blessed Mother and also a perfect exam- ple of Gothic art. Our panoramic sightseeing tour via motor coach con- tinues on to the most recognizable symbol of the city of Paris, the Eiffel Tower. Historically, the Tower's original intent was to commemorate the centenary of the French Revolution but, later assisted in meteorology, telegraphy of World War I, radio, and television. Pass by the L'Arch de Triomphe, a monument that symbolizes gratitude for those who fought for France. This monument stands at the West end of the Champ- Elysees, one of the world's most famous boulevards and another one of our stops on the sightseeing tour. Continue the day with Mass at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart (Sacre Coeur), offering a spectacular vista of the city. Your fun-filled, busy day ends with a lovely meal and a very comfortable overnight.

Breakfast in the hotel. Today includes an excursion to the amazing city of Rouen. Located less than two hours from Paris, Rouen and the Seine Valley are a haven of peace for locals and foreigners. With its many monuments, the tallest Cathedral in France, its cultural heritage, its gas- tronomy and local products, its events and its central location, only Rouen could be the capital of Normandy! We can't talk about Rouen without mentioning its symbolic figure Joan of Arc, who is given the place of honor in the city of a hundred Spires. The Duke of Bedford, John of Lancaster, bought Joan of Arc her liberty from the Duke of Bur- gundy who had been keeping her in jail since May 1430. She was sent to be tried in the city during Christmas 1430. After a long trial by a Church court, she was sentenced to be burned at the stake. The sen- tence was carried out on May 30, 1431 in the city, and most residents supported the Duke of Burgundy, Joan of Arc's royal enemy. Today, we will follow the steps of Saint Isaac Jogues, one of the North American martyrs, who in 1624, at the age of 17, entered the Jesuit novitiate at Rouen. Here, his Master of Novices was Saint Louis Lallemant who al- ready had two brothers and a nephew serving as missionaries in the colony of New France (Canada). Isaac professed simple vows in 1626, and went to study philosophy at the royal college of La Fleche and became a teacher of humanities for young boys in Rouen. On our way back to Paris we will have the opportunity to visit Giverny, famous for being the location of Claude Monet's garden and home (optional visit). Dinner and overnight in Paris.

After an early breakfast and wholehearted farewells, transfer to the Paris airport for return flight(s) home.