Join St. Mary Magdalen on a Pilgrimage to Southern France

Itinerary

Day 1: Sunday, July 18 - Depart USA

Depart the USA on flights to Nice, France.

Day 2: Monday, July 19 - Arrive in Nice

Arrive in Nice, where you will be greeted by your French tour manager. Transfer to the hotel, then enjoy a leisurely afternoon in the city. Celebrate Mass at the Cathedral of St. Réparate, then conclude your day with a welcome dinner and overnight in Nice.

Day 3: Tuesday, July 20 - Cannes | Lerins Island

Begin with a boat ride to Lérins Island, home to the Cistercian Abbey of Saint Honorat. Celebrate Mass, followed by a guided abbey tour and a Lectio Divina session with a resident monk. Enjoy a private wine tasting of the monks’ renowned vintages before returning to Nice for a group dinner and overnight.

Day 4: Wednesday, July 21 - Nice

Celebrate Mass at the Basilica of Notre-Dame de l’Assomption, then visit the museum of the Monastery of Cimiez. The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure to explore Nice before rejoining for a group dinner. Overnight in Nice.

Day 5: Thursday, July 22 - Saint-Baume | Feast of St. Mary Magdalen | Brignole

Check out of your hotel and depart for Sainte-Baume, an immense, forest-ridden cliff where, according to tradition, Mary Magdalen lived for 30 years. Enjoy lunch on your own, then have the opportunity to ascend to Saint-Pilon, a small chapel perched at the summit of the massif, where we will celebrate Mass. End the day in Brignole and check into your hotel for a group dinner an overnight.

Day 6: Friday, July 23 - Marseille

Today, depart for Marseille, known for being the first landing point of Mary Madalene, Lazarus, and Martha as they came to spread the Gospel into France. Tour the Abbey of St. Victor, then celebrate Mass at Notre-Dame de la Garde. Group dinner and return to Brignole for an overnight.

Day 7: Saturday, July 24 - Aix-en-Provence

Wake up and depart for Aix-en-Provence, a city traditionally associated with St. Lazarus. Celebrate Mass at the Cathedral of the Saint-Sauveur, followed by a tour of the church. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure before returning to Brignole for a group dinnerand overnight.

Day 8: Sunday, July 25 - Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume | Cotignac

Travel to Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume, where there will be a large celebratory Mass and procession of St. Mary Magdalen’s relics. Enjoy a group lunch, then continue on to Cotignac, the only place in the world where the Holy Family has appeared, and stop at the sanctuary Notre-Dame de Graces. Return to Brignole for an evening at leisure and dinner on your own. Overnight in Brignole.

Day 9: Monday, July 26 -Tarascon | Arles

Check out of your hotel and depart for Tarascon and visit Collegial Royale Sainte-Marthe, the collegiate church that houses the relics of Saint Martha. Tour the crypt of the church, believed to be the house where she lived, and celebrate Mass there. Transfer to Arles for a group lunch, and visit “Café de la Nuit”, the subject of a famous painting by Vincent van Gogh. Tour the Church of St. Trophime, then check into your hotel and enjoy a group dinner. Overnight in Arles.

Day 10: Tuesday, July 27 - Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer

Depart for Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, where according to tradition, Mary Salom and Mary Jacobe are said to have landed. Celebrate Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Mary Major, followed by a tour of the church to see the enshrined skull of St. Lazarus. Enjoy a stunning group lunch overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and the rest of the day here, then return to Arles for an overnight.

Day 11: Wednesday, July 28: Gordes | Avignon

Travel to Gordes, home of the Cistercian Abbey of Senanque, and celebrate Mass, followed by a tour of the church and abbey grounds. Enjoy a lunch on your own, then depart for Avignon, the town that became infamous for being the seat of the papacy from 1309-1423. See the Papal Palace and spend the remainder of the evening at leisure before returning to Arles for a group farewell dinner and overnight.

Day 12: Thursday, July 29 - Return to USA

Check-out of your hotel and transfer to the Marseille airport for flights back home.

Itinerary is tentative and subject to change.