|
Shrines of France
 For those of you who have been to Lourdes before maybe it is now time to explore some of the other beautiful shrines in France.
Marathon Travel have an array of organised tours all of which take you to Lourdes as well as to some of the following towns; Lisieux, Nevers, Rocamadour, Paray-le-Monial, Ars, Valence and Paris. To read about the individual shrines, to see a sample itinerary or the dates on which the shrines trips operate click on the buttons on the left. For further information and reservations contact 01 4790348.
Lisieux  St. Thérèse or “the Little Flower” was born in Alençon on 2 Janurary 1873. Her family later moved to Lisieux where Thérèse spent her time meditating and praying in the cathedral of Lisieux. She discovered the way she had to follow; to save souls through prayer and sacrifice. At the age of 15 in 1888 she joined the Carmelites at Lisieux. Thérèse then died of Tuberculosis at the age of 24 in 1897.
In 1899 France discovered the secret message of the young nun through her autobiography. She was canonised on 17 May 1925 and was proclaimed as the greatest saint of all times by pope Pius X.
Lisieux itself boasts a long eventful history and offers the pilgrim or the tourist the chance to experience the town in the time of St. Thérèse during the 19th century. It is steeped in rich medieval heritage.
 In order to fulfil her desire for a religious life Bernadette joined the Sisters of Charity at St. Gilard in Nevers on 7 July 1866. She remained there for 13 years where she consecrated her entire life to God and others. Bernadette died at the age of 35 on 16 April 1879. After her death her body was buried in the chapel garden. It was later rediscovered intact in 1909 and in 1925 was put into a shrine in the Chapel of St. Gilard where is still rests today. Bernadette was canonised on 8 December 1933 by Pope Pius XI. “Many pilgrims and tourists of all nationalities come to Bernadette…she never ceases to tell us;” ‘God is our father, he has an infinite tenderness for each of us’. This town was built around a monastery in the 970s AD. Hugh of Semur, a famous Monk and builder laid the foundations of the church that stands today. It was here between 1673 and 1675 that Jesus appeared to a young nun, Margaret-Mary from the Visitation Monastery showing her “this heart that has loved men so much”. The town is known world-wide thanks to the popularity of the message of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. For more than 20 years the town and the pilgrimage has been experiencing a renewal, particularly since Pope John-Paul II visited the town and its magnificent Basilica.Paris  This part of the Shrines Tour includes a panoramic tour of a range of Parisian attractions including the Eiffel Tower, L’Arc de Triomphe, The Champs Elysées, The Louvre, The Notre Dame Cathedral and others. We also offer an optional evening cruise on the River Seine. There is also a visit to Rue de Bac, the Shrine of the Miraculous Medal. Rue de Bac is home to the headquarters of the Daughters of Charity, co-founded by St. Louise & St. Vincent de Paul. It was here that Our Lady appeared to Sr. Catherine Laboure on the night of July 18th 1830, where she instructed Catherine on the design of the Miraculous Medal. The body of St Vincent de Paul can be seen nearby in Rue de Sevres. He died on September 27th 1660 and was canonised by Pope Clement on June 16th 1737. Rocamadour  Rocamadour has been carved out amid a dramatic landscape. Suspended majestically over the gorge of the river Alzou is the cliff-village of St. Amadour. It is devoted to the Virgin Mary and has remained for over 900 years a symbol of faith and a place of pilgrimage. In 1166 a discovery close to the little chapel – the miraculously preserved body of a hermit ‘Amadour’, gave a new impetus to the pilgrimage. It inspired the daring construction of 7 churches and a monastery clinging to the cliff-face just above the town. Near the tomb of St. Amadour is the Church of the Black Madonna and the Mircaulous Bell.Sample Itinerary
Day 1 Fly to Lourdes. Coach transfer to hotel for 3 nights full board accommodation. In Lourdes, visit the Grotto, Baths, Basilicas and Stations of the Cross. Take part in the Blessing Sacrament procession and Torchlight procession. Walking tour to Boly Mill, Cachot, Hospice, Parish Church and Cemetery.
Day 4 Drive to Rocamadour, tour the monastic city of St. Amadour visiting the Church of the Black Madonna and the Mircaulous Bell. Dinner and overnight in hotel in Rocamadour.
Day 5 Drive to Nevers. Visit the Convent of St. Gilard, attend Mass and see the body of St. Bernadette. Transfer for dinner and overnight in hotel in Bourges.
Day 6 Drive to Paris. Panoramic tour of Parisian attractions including the Eiffel Tower, L’Arc de Triomphe, the Champs Elysées, the Louvre, the Notre Dame Cathedral. Visit the shrine of the Miraculous medal and see the body of St. Vincent de Paul. Optional nighttime cruise on the River Seine. Dinner and overnight in hotel in Paris.
Day 7
Drive to Lisieux. Visit places associated with St. Thérèse including the Buissonnets, Carmel Chapel, Museum, and attend Mass in the Basilica. Dinner and overnight in hotel in Lisieux. Day 8 Coach transfer to airport in Paris for return flight to Dublin.
SOME TOURS OPERATE IN REVERSE
PRICES & DATES
Date Nights Price 2 - 9 Oct 7 739
Whats Included?14 - 41 Oct 7 699 • Plus tax, tolls + insurance € 95
|
|