April 25 – May 3, 2027
NICE | COTIGNAC | MARSEILLE | LYON | ARS | LA SALETTE
Bastions of Faith in Southern France
Join Toya Hall, Julian Placino, and Fr. Sam Medley on an adventure exploring the Bastions of Faith in Southern France. Our pilgrimage begins in Nice, where we will pray and drink wine with the monks on Lerins Island and enjoy peaceful days along the Côte d'Azur. From there, we travel to St. Maximin to see the relics of St. Mary Magdalen, Cotignac to visit the only apparition site of the Holy Family, and Le Thoronet Abbey to gatherwith the Sisters of Bethlehem. After stopping in Marseille, we head north through the Alps to see La Salette Shrine. The trip concludes with visits to the incorruptible body of St. John Vianney and Paray le Monial, the epicenter of the Church's devotion to the Sacred Heart.
TOUR INCLUSIONS
• Seven nights’ accommodations at 4-star hotels
• Two nights in Nice
• Two nights in Brignoles
• Three nights in Lyon
• Meals
• Continental breakfast daily
• Two lunches
• Four dinners with wine, including a welcome and farewell dinner
• One wine tasting
• Local guides according to the itinerary
• Sightseeing and entrance fees according to the itinerary
• Arrangements for daily Mass including donations in unique and historic churches
• Luxury motor coach in France for specified sightseeing and airport transfers
• Local, Catholic tour manager while in France
• Personal audio devices for group tours
• Hotel & city taxes and porterage for 1 piece of luggage
• Gratuities payable to the tour manager, guides, and motorcoach drivers
THE TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE:
• Airfare; this package is sold land only
• Airport transfers for travelers not on group flights
• Tour manager from the USA
• Beverages with meals unless specified
• Other personal expenses
• Items not specifically mentioned above
• Travel insurance
ITINERARY
Day 1: Sunday, April 25 - Depart USA
Depart on independent flights to Nice, France.
Day 2: Monday, April 26 - Arrive in Nice
Arrive at Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, where you will be greeted by your professional English-speaking tour manager. Transfer to the hotel, then enjoy a leisurely afternoon exploring the city on your own, including the famous Promenade des Anglais and picturesque Lympia Harbor. Celebrate Mass at the Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate, then conclude the day with a group welcome dinner. Overnight in Nice.
Day 3: Tuesday, April 27 - Lérins Island
Set out on a serene boat ride to Lérins Island, home of the Cistercian Abbey of Saint-Honorat. Celebrate Mass at the abbey, followed by a guided tour and a session of Lectio Divina with a resident monk. Afterward, enjoy a private wine tasting featuring one of the monks’ renowned vintages. Return to Nice for the remainder of the day at leisure and overnight.
Day 4: Wednesday, April 28 - Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume│Cotignac | Le Thoronet
After breakfast, check out and travel into the heart of Provence to Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume, home to the Basilica of St. Mary Magdalene, where you will venerate her relics. Continue to Cotignac, the only place in the world where the Holy Family has appeared, and stop at the sanctuary of Notre-Dame de Grâces. Enjoy a group lunch and an encounter with the St. Jean community, then celebrate Mass at Le Thoronet Abbey with the Sisters of Bethlehem. Continue to Brignoles for hotel check-in, a group dinner, and overnight.
Day 5: Thursday, April 29 - Marseille
Wake up and depart for Marseille, a stunning seaside city known as the first landing point of Mary Magdalene, Lazarus, and Martha as they came to spread the Gospel throughout France. Tour the ancient Abbey of Saint-Victor, then enjoy lunch on your own and an early afternoon at leisure. Celebrate Mass at Notre-Dame de la Garde before returning to Brignoles for dinner on your own and overnight.
Day 6: Friday, April 30 - La Salette│Lyon
Check out of your hotel and journey north into the French Alps to the shrine of La Salette, where the Blessed Virgin appeared to two shepherd children in 1846. Celebrate Mass at the shrine, followed by a guided tour of the church. Enjoy lunch on your own and the early afternoon at leisure to explore the breathtaking mountain grounds or walk the Stations of the Cross. Continue to Lyon for hotel check-in, a group dinner, and overnight.
Day 7: Saturday, May 1 - Lyon
Spend the morning at leisure in the town of Lyon, followed by a special group lunch. This afternoon, enjoy a walking tour of Lyon’s historic Old Town, then celebrate Mass at the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, overlooking the city. Dinner on your own and overnight in Lyon.
Day 8: Sunday, May 2 - Ars-sur-Formans│Paray-le-Monial
Transfer to Ars for a guided tour of the Basilica of Ars. See the incorrupt body of St. John Vianney, with time for prayer at his tomb and to enjoy the local town. After some time at leisure, depart for Paray-le-Monial and celebrate Mass at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, followed by a guided tour of the church. Visit the Chapel of the Visitation Monastery, where Our Lord revealed His Sacred Heart to St. Margaret Mary and where her relics are located today. Return to Lyon for a group farewell dinner and overnight.
Day 9: Monday, May 3 - Return to USA
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and transfer to the Lyon airport for return flights home.
Itinerary is tentative and subject to change
PRICES STARTING AT
$4,799* - per person, double occupancy
*This price reflects a $200 per person Early Booking Discount for deposits received before 08/15/2026 and an $150 per person Check Discount for those paying the total cost of the tour by cash/check. Payment must be received on or before the final payment due date.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT + $1,600
TRAVEL PROTECTION:
Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) travel protection is highly recommended.
PAYMENT SCHEDULE AND CANCELLATION TERMS:
Deposit: $500 per person due upon registration
Second Deposit: $1,250 due on or before 11/26/2026
Final Payment: Balance due on or before 1/25/2027
Please note late payments will incur a $50 late fee.
All cancellations must be received in writing. Payments are non-refundable and subject to CTS Terms and Conditions, including the CTS Liability Release. CTS reserves the right to cancel any reservation if payments are not made according to the payment schedule. A $25 fee will be added to any reinstated reservation.
BY REGISTERING FOR THIS PILGRIMAGE YOU UNDERSTAND AND AGREE TO CORPORATE TRAVEL’S TERMS & CONDITIONS
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