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★ Hosted by Most Rev. Michael J. Fitzgerald, J.D., J.C.D.
Catholic Pilgrimage · 13 Days · France

Pilgrimage to France with Bishop Michael J. Fitzgerald

Join Bishop Michael Fitzgerald on a pilgrimage to France. This trip will visit Paris, Chartres, Versailles, Lourdes, and more!

Dates
October 3-15, 2025
Departs Philadelphia
Duration
13 Days
Trip code 25LD10FRMF
From
$5,995
The Pilgrimage

Walk in the Footsteps of Faith

Join Bishop Michael Fitzgerald on a pilgrimage to France. This trip will visit Paris, Chartres, Versailles, Lourdes, and more!

Most Rev. Michael J. Fitzgerald, J.D., J.C.D.
Your Host

Most Rev. Michael J. Fitzgerald, J.D., J.C.D.

Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Philadelphia and Titular Bishop of Tamallula

Most Rev. Michael J. Fitzgerald is Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Philadelphia and Titular Bishop of Tamallula. Ordained a priest in 1980, he earned degrees in civil and canon law and served the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in legal services, seminary formation, and tribunal leadership, including as judicial vicar. He was ordained a bishop in 2010 and retired from active episcopal office in 2023 while continuing pastoral service. His pilgrimage ministry draws on decades of priestly, canonical, educational, and episcopal experience.

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Know Before You Go

What's included

✓ Included

  • ✓Round-trip airfare Philadelphia- Paris
  • ✓Airline surcharges, fuel, and airport taxes are subject to change until the time of ticketing.
  • ✓City taxes, parking fees, and tolls
  • ✓TGV Tourist Class tickets from Lourdes to Paris
  • ✓First-class hotels for 11 nights
  • ✓Cable car ticket for the Hill of Montmartre
  • ✓Service charges and hotel taxes
  • ✓Buffet breakfast
  • ✓6 Hotel dinners (standard 3-course menu; beverages may be purchased at an additional cost)
  • ✓Seine River (Dinner cruise)
  • ✓All transfers with a private A/C motor coach as per the itinerary
  • ✓Professional English-speaking Christian tour guide throughout
  • ✓Farewell dinner with wine
  • ✓Entrance fees are included to sites specifically listed (outside view means no entrance is included)
  • ✓Luggage handling at hotels (one piece per person in/out)
  • ✓Select International Tours Travel Portfolio
  • ✓Confirmation of daily private Mass
  • ✓Whisper sets

× Not included

  • ×Travel Protection Insurance (highly recommended)
  • ×Tipping /Gratuities for the guide(s), driver, and wait staff (please refer to the suggestions we will provide for you with your final documents). Suggested budget $250.00
  • ×Any items not explicitly mentioned in the list of inclusions
  • ×Beverages at meals,s unless otherwise noted
  • ×Meals not specifically listed at the end of each day (B.L.D.)
  • ×Church donations (budget $2.00 - $5.00 per Mass)
  • ×Airport transfers for land-only passengers unless they are at the airport at the same time as the group
  • ×Personal expenses
  • ×Any airline baggage charges
  • ×Baggage handling at train stations, airports, and hotels in excess of one suitcase per person
  • ×Any charges incurred due to excessive luggage including the cost of an additional baggage vehicle or porterage charges

Tipping /Gratuities for the guide(s), driver, and wait staff (please refer to the suggestions we will provide for you with your final documents). Suggested budget $250.00.

Day by Day

Your pilgrimage, mapped out

Tap any day to explore. Meals: B breakfast · L lunch · D dinner.
Day 1October 3, 2025
DEPART FROM USA
+

We depart Philadelphia Airport on an overnight non-stop flight to Paris. Dinner and breakfast are served on the plane. Quotes for add-on flights and optional Premium Economy and Business Class upgrades are available upon request. Due to group air restrictions, we cannot request specific flight seats. If this is an essential trip feature, please book land only with us and book your own air.

Day 2October 4, 2025
PARIS
+

Upon arrival in Paris, France, we gather at Charles de Gaulle Airport and are welcomed by our English-speaking Tour Manager, who will accompany us for the entire trip. We are transferred to Paris, where we begin our journey with a private Mass at the Miraculous Medal Shrine. We may have a panoramic tour of Paris by bus before our hotel checkin. The tour includes an overview of the main city center sites, with picture stops at the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe, Dinner, and overnight at the hotel.

D
Day 3October 5, 2025
CHARTRES – SEINE RIVER CRUISE
+

Our excursion to Chartres includes a visit to the magnificent Basilica and the Crypt, followed by time to explore the lovely little town of Chartres and enjoy lunch on your own. In the afternoon, we return to Paris, where you have time at leisure to explore the city on your own, focusing on areas of particular interest to you. Tonight, we will gather at the hotel for a transfer to the boat, which will enable us to view the sights of Paris from the water. Marvel at the beautifully lit-up city, and see the light show at the Eiffel Tower from the upper deck of the ship or the lounge during our evening Seine River Cruise. Overnight in Paris. (B. Special dinner on the Seine River cruise)

BD
Day 4October 6, 2025
MAGNIFICENT CHURCHES OF PARIS
+

After breakfast, we celebrate Mass, followed by a guided tour of the Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris’ most beloved church. We continue to visit the newly restored Church of St. Marie Madeleine, which features non-traditional neo-classical architecture. Following lunch, we see the Montmartre section of Paris to explore the city’s Bohemian quarter and the magnificent Sacre Coeur (Sacred Heart Basilica). For the rest of the day, we have time to explore independently. Dinner is at leisure. Overnight in Paris.

B
Day 5October 7, 2025
VERSAILLES
+

After breakfast, our motorcoach takes us to Versailles, the famous palace of Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King. We are awed by the opulent palace and its manicured gardens before returning to Paris to visit Sainte-Chapelle where we catch the beams of light streaming through its historic stained glass windows. Return to Paris for private time, exploring the city on your own, perhaps visiting the Louvre Museum, the Musée d’Orsay, or another of the city’s great attractions. Be sure to purchase your museum tickets online well in advance to avoid the long ticket lines. Dinner is at leisure. Overnight in Paris.

B
Day 6October 8, 2025
PARIS – NEVERS
+

Today, we travel to Nevers to visit the Convent of St. Gildard, where the incorrupt body of St. Bernadette reposes. After being blessed with eighteen apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Lourdes, St. Bernadette moved to Nevers, where she received her religious habit in 1866. We visit the Convent and the nearby Cathédrale Saint-Cyr-et-Sainte-Julitte, which is still being reconstructed from the damage it sustained during WWII bombing. However, it is worth a visit for its incredible stained glass windows. Our visit also includes the Palais Ducal, the seat of the Dukes of Nevers, now a museum, dinner, and overnight accommodation in the area.

BD
Day 7October 9, 2025
PARAY-LE-MONIAL & ARS
+

We depart for Paray-le-Monial, the cradle of devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Our Lord Jesus appeared to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque to reveal His Sacred Heart. We visit the convent and the parish church. In the afternoon, we travel to Ars for a visit to the Shrine of the “Cure de Ars,” St. John Vianney, who is the patron Saint of Parish Priests. Following Mass at the Shrine, we have time to explore independently. Dinner and overnight in the area.

BD
Day 8October 10, 2025
ANNECY
+

We drive through the vineyard-dotted countryside to the charming town of Annecy to see the Basilica of the Visitation, also known as the Church of St. Francis de Sales, where St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane Frances de Chantal are buried. We continue to the Chateau de Menthon Saint Bernard, perched on the hill overlooking Lake Annecy, where 23 generations of the same family have lived. Settle into our hotel for dinner and overnight. Mass will be celebrated. Dinner and overnight in Annecy.

BD
Day 9October 11, 2025
CARCASSONE
+

After breakfast, we drive to the walled city of Carcassonne, where St. Dominic preached the Rosary. We celebrate Mass in this walled fairytale city. We may also want to visit the Basilica of Nazare and take a walk to Place Marcou to enjoy a coffee or dinner in various cafes and restaurants. Dinner is at leisure. Overnight in Carcassonne.

B
Day 10October 12, 2025
LOURDES
+

Today, we arrive at the great pilgrimage destination of Lourdes. We arrive around 11 a.m., spend the entire day at the Shrine for Mass, and visit various parts, including the healing baths and the Grotto. Tonight, following dinner, we participate in the Candlelight Rosary Procession. Dinner and overnight in Lourdes.

BD
Day 11October 13, 2025
LOURDES
+

Following breakfast, we return to the Shrine, where you may choose to watch a short film presentation about Bernadette’s life, followed by a walking tour of places featured in the movie, including St. Bernadette’s home, the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, the Miraculous Spring, the Shrine of Bernadette, and the 12th-century Castle. You may also choose to spend the morning in prayer at the Shrine and to visit the baths. We pray at the Stations of the Cross and celebrate Mass at the Grotto. The rest of the day is free for private prayer and devotions. Tonight’s farewell dinner is at a local restaurant, and it is served with beer or wine. Overnight in Lourdes. (B. Special dinner)

BD
Day 12October 14, 2025
RETURN TO PARIS
+

Following Mass in Lourdes, we take the TGV bullet train to Paris. Your luggage will be with you on the train. In the afternoon, we are transferred to your hotel near the airport for dinner and an overnight stay. Dinner and overnight in Paris.

BD
Day 13October 15, 2025
RETURN TO USA
+

This morning, we are transferred to the airport for our flight home to Philadelphia.

B
Pricing

Choose how you travel

Land and Air
$6,395per person

Land and Air. Main trip package.

Most popular
Land Only
$5,995per person

Land Only. Main trip package.

Single Room Supplement
$1,495additional

Single Room Supplement. Additional supplement.

ETA Required
Confirm requirements with Select for this destination.
Deposit
A deposit of $500.00 per person should accompany your registration by July 1, 2025.
Final Payment
Final payment is due by August 3, 2025.
Passport Validity
Your passport must be valid through April 15, 2026.
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This pilgrimage has ended

Completed

This departure has ended. Registration is closed.