Bienvenue en France! Upon arrival at Marseille Provence Airport, you will proceed through Immigration and Customs. You will be greeted by our local Trinity Tours Travel guide and driver and check into the hotel. A Mass of Thanksgiving will be celebrated at the historic Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde, (known as La Bonne Mère -The Good Mother) the second most visited site in all of Marseille. According to tradition, it is near here (near Arles) that St. Mary Magdalene, along with Martha, Lazarus , Maximin, and other disciples were exiled, set sail from the Holy Land without sails or oars, and left to drown. Miraculously, they survived and began evangelization throughout Provence. Free time this afternoon for lunch, exploring and personal prayer.

This day, we pray for the intentions of all pilgrims on this journey.

Dinner and overnight in Marseille.

Following breakfast at the hotel, we travel to Sainte Baume (1 hour-15 min), to visit the cave and final home of St. Mary Magdalene. During her last 30 years, the great saint led a reclusive life here in the breathtaking wealth of French flora. Protected for centuries, this mountain houses magnificent and tranquil trails accessible only by foot. We visit the basilica within the cave and later walk a path to the top of the mountain to enjoy a panoramic view of the entire massif. We explore “The Kings’ Path” (walked by the greatest monarchs of France -including Louis XIV- to pay homage to St. Mary Magdalene). Mass is celebrated here this day before departing to Arles (2 Hours). A free late afternoon/evening time permitting.

This day, we pray for the intentions of all victims of abuse, persecution, and war.

Check-in, dinner and overnight in Arles.

ATTENTION:  The only way to get to the Saint-Baume Grotto is by foot. It takes approx. 45 minutes and requires a certain level of fitness as you will be walking uphill. 

Following breakfast at the hotel, we begin our day at The Church of St. Trophime. Constructed in the 11th and 12th centuries, this basilica is dedicated to St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr. An important pilgrimage site, this is the starting point of the Via Tolosana to Santiago de Compostela (El Camino). We visit the Cloister of St. Trophime, famous for being one of the most remarkable examples of Provencal Romanesque art. Sacred, beautiful, and conducive to silence, the cloister offers a sweet immersion into the history of our faith. 

Mass is celebrated here this day before heading for lunch and to visit Espace Van Gogh, the courtyard of the “The Hospital at Arles” where the artist was hospitalized after cutting off his ear. The center now houses several of Van Gogh’s masterpieces. Free time this afternoon for exploring Arles on your own.

This day, we pray for the intentions of all artists and creative souls.

Dinner & overnight in Arles.

Breakfast at the hotel, followed by a visit to Les Alyscamps, an ancient cemetery and medieval church. A compulsory stage of the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route, Dante immortalized the Alyscamps in his poem, “Hell” and it is here where Van Gogh painted his “Champs Elysée”. We visit Montmajour Abbey, founded in 938 by Benedictine monks. Known as one of the most beautiful cloisters in Provence, the abbey’s most striking structure is its massive and majestic unfinished church considered to be an architectural marvel. Many artists (including Van Gogh) and filmmakers have found inspiration in these picturesque ruins. We end our tour with a visit to the amphitheater in Arles. The two-tiered theatre which thrived in ancient Roman times was built in 90 AD and held over 20,000 spectators of chariot races and bloody hand-to-hand battles. A visit to Les Cryptoporticus, an underground gallery that served for private communications during the Roman times.

Mass this day will be celebrated at the Abbey. A free afternoon for lunch, exploring, and sightseeing.

This day we pray for the intentions of those suffering from mental illness and oppression.

Dinner and overnight in Arles

Breakfast and check-out at the hotel and drive 45 minutes to Avignon to visit the Palais des Papes. This former fortress and palace was the seat of Western Christianity during the 14th century. Six papal conclaves were held at the “Pope’s Palace” until St. Catherine of Siena urged Pope Gregory (along with the convictions of Pope Urban V & Pope Gregory XI) to return the papacy to Rome at the tomb of St. Peter. As a result, Rome has been the seat of the faith since 1370. We visit the beautiful Rocher des Doms & Jardins des Doms, a charming park that has its feet in the Rhone and overhangs from a cliff 30 meters high. 

Mass is celebrated nearby this day, followed by lunch and a free afternoon for exploring Avignon. 

This day we pray for the intentions of the Holy Father and the Catholic Church

Check-in, dinner, overnight in Avignon

Breakfast at the hotel followed by a tour of Avignon to include Mass, the Fort Saint-Andre, and a ferry ride to Ile de Barthelasse, a picturesque island inhabited by only 1000 residents! Lunch, shopping, and wine tasting this day on the island.

This day, we pray for all families and all souls in purgatory.

Dinner and overnight in Avignon

Following an early breakfast and check-out, we drive 3 hours north to La Salette. We visit the Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette in the French Alps. It is on this site where the Virgin Mary appeared to two young shepherds in 1846. The children’s account maintains that the primary reason for Our Lady’s sorrow was due to a lapse in observing Sunday as a day of rest! Mass, lunch, and free time nearby before our 2-hour drive to Lyon.

This day, we pray for the conversion of sinners.

Check-in, dinner, and overnight in Lyon

Breakfast at the hotel prior to an entire day visiting this historical and profoundly spiritual city in which Christianity took root in the second century. It is considered the second-largest city in France and is known as the 3rd food capital of the world! We visit Cathedral de Lyon, dedicated to St. John the Baptist where Mass is celebrated this day. Begun in 1180, this magnificent cathedral was completed in 1476. We also visit the impressive Our Lady of Fouvievre before lunch and have free time for exploring on our own.

This day, we pray for all people with learning disabilities, and diverse learning styles, and all educators. 

Dinner and overnight in Lyon

Following breakfast at the hotel, a short ride to encounter the patron saint of parish priests, St. John Vianney. Also known as the Cure d’Ars, as a young priest this saint was sent to Ars in 1818 when the population was only 230! Known for his love of stern sermons and his ardent devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, he became internationally known by 1855 when many pilgrims began to visit due to St. Vianney’s great love for the sacrament of Confession and for the conversion of many. At the Shrine of St. John Vianney, we venerate his incorrupt body and heart.

This day we pray for all priests and clergy.

Farewell Dinner, overnight in Lyon

Breakfast and check-out at the hotel. We depart from Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport, France, and bid Au Revoir to this country steeped in our Catholic faith!