France Pilgrimage Chicago ·  September 2026

Our pilgrimage begins as we depart on our overnight flight to Paris. Meals and refreshments will be served aloft.

Upon arrival in Paris this morning we will be met at the airport by our pilgrimage director who will be with us throughout our journey. We then drive to Rouen, where our walking tour will explore its magnificent Gothic cathedral depicting scenes from the life of St. Joan of Arc and the Church of St. Joan of Arc, built near where she was burned to death. Proceed to Lisieux, the home of St. Therese the “Little Flower of Jesus,” where we check into our hotel for dinner and overnight. (D) – Overnight Lisieux

This morning, we spend the day in Lisieux, visiting the home where St. Therese lived as a child, the Carmelite Convent where she was a nun, and the Basilica of St. Theresa. Venerate her saintly parents while praying at their burial site. This afternoon we will take an excursion to the beautiful seaside town of Honfleur. Visit the stunning church of St. Catherine. After some free time, return to Lisieux. (B, D) – Overnight Lisieux

After Mass, depart Lisieux and drive along the Normandy coast to see the beaches where the Allies landed on D-Day. Proceed to St. Laurent to visit the National Cemetery and Omaha Beach, one of the sites where the Americans came ashore that day. Continue to the Pointe du Hoc with its impressive bomb craters. Later this afternoon, continue to Mont-St.-Michel, the principal shrine of the Archangel Michael and one of the medieval wonders of Europe. (B, D) – Overnight Mont-St.-Michel vicinity

Enjoy a full day visit to the majestic Mont-St.-Michel. Our visit here will include the Grande Rue and the Benedictine Abbey which is perched atop the rock island. Celebrate Mass in the Romanesque Church of St. Michael. The balance of the day is free to explore on your own, including dinner out at your leisure. (B) – Overnight Mont-St.-Michel vicinity

Today we journey to Le Mans the home of Holy Cross congregation and the Sisters of Providence, as well as the home for St. Theodore Guerin. We will pray at the Cathedral of St. Julien and have Mass at the Motherhouse of the Sisters of Providence beneath a beautiful stained-glass window display. Later this afternoon drive to Orleans and check into our hotel for dinner and overnight. (B, D) – Overnight Orleans

This morning, we visit sites connected with St. Joan of Arc, who fought her most famous battle against the English here. Visit the Hotel Jacques Boucher which now houses a museum but was where St. Joan once lived. Pray in the Cathedral of Saint Croix of Orleans, where stained-glass windows depict her story, and view her statue in the town square. The remainder of the afternoon is free to enjoy the town center on your own. (B, D) – Overnight Orleans

Following breakfast drive through the scenic Loire Valley to Chartres, home to what most believe to be the greatest Gothic cathedral in Europe. The stained-glass windows of this Cathedral are world-renowned. Over 150 windows illustrate biblical stories and daily life in the 13th century. After some free time in Chartres, journey to Paris, where we will check into our hotel with the balance of the afternoon and evening free. (B, D) – Overnight Paris

Today begins at Saint Etienne du Mont, housing the relic of St. Genevieve, the patron saint of Paris. This afternoon we cross to the Ile de la Cité and visit Notre Dame Cathedral, that reopened at the end of 2024 after a devastating fire in 2019. Just a few blocks away on the same little island in the Seine we will visit Sainte-Chapelle, built in 1248 to house the Crown of Thorns and showcasing one of the world’s most captivating array of stained-glass windows. Afterwards, enjoy some free time, including dinner on our own. (B) – Overnight Paris

Our first pilgrim stop today will be to the Shrine of Saint Vincent de Paul where the saint’s body is on display in a reliquary. From there we go a short distance to the Chapel of the Miraculous Medal at Rue de Bac where Our Lady appeared to St. Catherine Laboure in 1830 and where she is buried. This afternoon, we journey to the top of Montmartre and visit the Basilica du Sacre Coeur. Tonight, we celebrate our farewell dinner and nighttime cruise on the Seine River, passing under 25 bridges and marveling at the illuminated monuments of Paris. (B, D) – Overnight Paris

Today marks the end of a marvelous experience as we transfer to the airport for our return trip home, filled with memories and graces of this pilgrimage that will last a lifetime. (B)