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★ Hosted by Keith Nester
Catholic Pilgrimage · 12 Days · France

Saints of France with Fr. Aaron Junge and Keith Nester

Join Fr. Aaron Junge and Keith Nester on a pilgrimage to France. This trip visits Lisieux, Rouen, Paris, Ars, Paray Le Monial, Lourdes and more! 

Dates
April 28 – May 9, 2026
Departs Cedar Rapids or New York
Duration
12 Days
Trip code 26RS04FRKN
From
$4,195
The Pilgrimage

Walk in the Footsteps of Faith

Join Fr. Aaron Junge and Keith Nester on a pilgrimage to France. This trip will visit Lisieux, Rouen, Paris, Ars, Paray Le Monial, Lourdes and more!

Keith Nester
Your Host

Keith Nester

Catholic author, speaker, and founder of Down to Earth Ministry

Keith Nester is a Catholic author, speaker, and founder of Down to Earth Ministry. Before entering the Catholic Church in 2017, he spent more than twenty years in full-time Protestant ministry, serving in Methodist, Assemblies of God, and Evangelical Free communities. His long discernment of Catholic teaching now informs his work with converts, seekers, and lifelong Catholics. He is the author of The Convert’s Guide to Roman Catholicism and Unpacking the Mysteries of the Rosary and produces Catholic teaching through podcasts, livestreams, retreats, and parish events.

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Know Before You Go

What's included

✓ Included

  • ✓Round-trip airfare from Cedar Rapids or NYC to Paris, returning from Toulouse
  • ✓Airline surcharges, fuel, and airport taxes are subject to change until the time of ticketing
  • ✓City Taxes, Parking Fees, and tolls for the coach
  • ✓First-class hotels
  • ✓Service charges and hotel taxes
  • ✓Buffet breakfast
  • ✓5 Hotel dinners (standard 3-course menu; beverages may be purchased at an additional cost)
  • ✓Seine River Cruise dinner
  • ✓Special Farewell Dinner
  • ✓Wine tasting and winery visit
  • ✓Cable Car ticket for Montmartre
  • ✓All transfers with a private A/C motorcoach as per the itinerary
  • ✓Professional English-speaking Christian tour guide throughout
  • ✓Entrance fees are included for 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

  • ×Trip Protection Insurance (highly recommended)
  • ×Tipping/gratuities for the guide(s), driver, and wait staff (please refer to the suggestions; we will provide you with your final documents). Suggested budget $200- $220.00 per traveler
  • ×Any items not explicitly mentioned in the list of inclusions
  • ×Beverages at meals, 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 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 you with your final documents). Suggested budget $200- $220.00 per traveler.

Day by Day

Your pilgrimage, mapped out

Tap any day to explore. Meals: B breakfast · L lunch · D dinner.
Day 1April 28, 2026
DEPART FROM USA
+

We depart on an overnight flight from Cedar Rapids or New York 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 are not able to request specific seats on the flights. You may wish to book your own air and purchase the Land Only package if you prefer to be able to pre-arrange your seats on the flights.

Day 2April 29, 2026
PARIS – ROUEN – LISIEUX
+

Welcome to France! Upon arrival, we are greeted by our English-speaking tour manager, who will accompany our group throughout the entire trip. We board our motorcoach for a drive to the medieval city on the banks of the river Seine, Rouen. We see the restored medieval quarter and the magnificent Gothic Cathedral of Notre-Dame, often painted by Claude Monet. Throughout its turbulent history, the city was destroyed several times. During the Middle Ages, it was devastated by fire and the plague. The English occupied it during the Hundred Years’ War when the French heroine Joan of Arc (Jeanne d’Arc) was tried for heresy and burned at the stake in the central square in 1431. We visit the Church of St. Joan of Arc and celebrate Mass. Our day continues with a drive to Lisieux. Settle into our hotel for dinner and a well-deserved night of rest.

LD
Day 3April 30, 2026
NORMANDY BEACHES – LISIEUX
+

After breakfast, we visit Lisieux, the home of St. Therese the Little Flower. We see the Carmel Convent and Les Buisonnets, the humble dwelling of the Saint. Continue to the magnificent Basilica of St. Therese and its crypt. We celebrate Mass at the Basilica. Following lunch (not included), we drive through the beautiful landscape to the historic Normandy Beaches. The 54 miles of the Atlantic stretching from Utah Beach in the west to Sword Beach in the east are littered with WWII museums, monuments, cemeteries, and battle remains left in tribute to the courage of the British, Canadian, and American armies that successfully carried out the largest military operation in history: D-Day. On these serene beaches, at dawn on June 6, 1944, the Allies finally gained a foothold in France. From that historic moment, Nazi Europe was destined to crumble. We visit the American Memorial and Cemetery and place a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Nearby, we visit Omaha Beach and pay our respects to our brave, fallen soldiers with a prayer. Return to Lisieux for dinner and overnight.

BD
Day 4May 1, 2026
CHARTRES – PARIS – SEINE RIVER CRUISE WITH DINNER
+

After breakfast, we have time for private prayer and devotion in Lisieux before departing for Chartres Cathedral. The magnificent Cathedral with its impressive stained glass windows and amazing architecture overwhelms us with its beauty. We celebrate Mass and have a visit, including the Museum and the Crypt. Late this afternoon, we arrive in Paris, the City of Lights, and settle into our hotel. Tonight we have a real treat as we enjoy seeing Paris from the River Seine. Our cruise ship takes us to see the most magnificent sites of the city, including the Eiffel Tower’s fireworks display, while we enjoy dinner accompanied by wine on board. Overnight in Paris. (B. Special dinner)

BD
Day 5May 2, 2026
PARIS
+

Our day begins with a visit to the Miraculous Medal Shrine to celebrate Mass and to view the incorrupt remains of St. Catherine and the heart of St. Vincent de Paul in the Chapel of the Daughters of Charity. Nearby we also visit the Church of St. Vincent de Paul. We continue with a panoramic tour that includes a drive through the city, stopping at the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower for pictures. We tour the incomparable Notre Dame Cathedral before driving to the Sacred Heart (Sacre Couer) Basilica in the Montmartre section of the city. Dinner is at leisure tonight to explore the Parisian food scene. Overnight in Paris.

B
Day 6May 3, 2026
PARIS – NEVERS – PARAY LE MONIAL
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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. Following a visit and lunch, 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 where we celebrate Mass. Dinner and overnight in the area.

BD
Day 7May 4, 2026
ARS - LYON
+

Today, we travel to Ars to visit the Shrine of the Curé d’Ars, St. John Vianney, the patron Saint of Parish Priests. Following Mass at the Shrine, we continue driving to Lyon, where we have a visit to the magnificent Cathedral of Our Lady overlooking the city. Lyon is the center of French cuisine and a great place to try various French delicacies. Explore the old town and enjoy dinner in one of the many bistros there. Overnight in Lyon.

B
Day 8May 5, 2026
ANNECY – LYON
+

We board our motorcoach and head to 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. Mass will be celebrated. In the afternoon, we stop at a local winery for a lesson in French wine production and tasting of local wines. Return to Lyon for dinner and overnight.

BD
Day 9May 6, 2026
CARCASSONNE
+

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

B
Day 10May 7, 2026
LOURDES
+

Today, we drive to Lourdes, where we celebrate Mass upon arrival. Settle into our hotel and walk over to the Basilica complex for a movie about Lourdes. We enjoy a walking tour of the town, which includes visiting St. Bernadette’s home, the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, the Miraculous Spring, the Shrine of Bernadette, and the 12th-century Castle. The rest of the day is free for private devotions, visiting the Miraculous Baths, and other planned activities at the Shrine. Mass will be celebrated with the renewal of our Marian Consecration. After dinner, we join in tonight’s beautiful candlelight procession. Dinner and overnight in Lourdes.

BD
Day 11May 8, 2026
LOURDES
+

We experience Christ’s love as we walk the life-sized Stations of the Cross overlooking the holy Grotto. Following Mass this morning, we have time to visit the grotto and the healing baths, and spend the day in prayer and contemplation. Our pilgrimage draws to an end tonight with a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Dinner and overnight in Lourdes. (B. Special dinner)

BD
Day 12May 9, 2026
TOULOUSE – RETURN TO USA
+

Early this morning, we are transferred to Toulouse airport for our flights home.

B
Pricing

Choose how you travel

Land and Air from New York
$5,495per person

Land and Air from New York. Main trip package.

Most popular
Land Only
$4,195per person

Land Only. Main trip package.

Solo Room (Additional Charge)
$1,195additional

Solo Room (Additional Charge). Additional supplement.

Additional airfare cost from Cedar Rapids is
$390additional

Additional airfare cost from Cedar Rapids is. Additional supplement.

ETA Required
Confirm requirements with Select for this destination.
Deposit
A deposit of $500.00 per person should accompany your registration by January 14, 2026.
Final Payment
Final payment is due by February 27, 2026.
Passport Validity
Your passport must be valid through November 9, 2026.
Pilgrimage Information

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This pilgrimage has ended

Completed

This departure has ended. Registration is closed.