You will experience many wonderful power sites held sacred by those who have sought the Holy Grail and the presence of Mary Magdalene including: Rennes-le Chateau, Grotte de Baum, Maries de La Mer, Arles, Carcassonne, Montsequr, Albi, the mystical Languedoc and the stunningly beautiful Chartres Cathedral. The trip's dates are: Sept 8th - Sept 20th.
Your Itinerary:
Day 1: Tuesday - We begin this sacred journey as we depart Marseille Airport at 10 AM. First we journey to the hills to the Grotte de la St Baume for a gentle ascent to approach the cave where the Magdalene is said to have passed the last years of her life and written her memoirs. This mountain was sacred to Isis and has been considered holy ground for thousands of years. The natural water that accumulates here is believed to have curative powers.Next we visit St. Maximin Basilica to view the crypt and relics of Mary Magdalene.On to our hotel in Arles for dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Wednesday - Experience a walk around Arles, which contains wonderful monuments and remains of the highly developed Roman Empire. These were contemporaneous with the Grail family's arrival in this region, approximately 2004 years ago. You visit St. Trophimus church starting point of the journey to St. James in Compostela. There was also a major Templar stronghold here.Noon departure for Saintes Maries de La Mer to visit the church associated with arrival of the Grail Family from Palestine and to meet the most beautiful and powerful 'Black Madonna', revered by the Gypsies of Europe as St. Sarah. Visit the magical village of Saintes Maries de la Mer, set in the dramatic Camargue amidst herds of wild horses, black bulls, and flocks of flamingos. Picnic lunch and paddling in the Mediterranean.Return to our hotel in Arles.
Days 3: Thursday - Today you experience Avignon, 'ancient city of Cathars and Popes, watched over by a Black Virgin' includes the 12th century Cathedral of Notre Dame de Doms, 14th century Papal palace and city ramparts. The Celts association with Avignon go back to Neolithic times. Their sacred ceremonial site was where the Rhone and Durance rivers merge.Drive on to our hotel in Carcassonne.
Day 4: Friday - We will spend a full day exploring in the Old City of Carcassonne, a unique example of a fortified medieval city, known for it's Cathar beliefs and history. In ancient times, 600 BC, Carcassonne was a major commercial and ceremonial center for the Celts/Druids and the Phoenicians.Return to our hotel in Carcassonne.
Day 5: Saturday - Today we drive to the small, unchanged town of Minerve, place of Cathar burning where 150 'Parfaits' were burned as heretics on the feast day of Mary Magdelaine in 1210. We experience the Dove of Minerve. Return to our hotel in Carcassonne.
Day 6: Sunday - Today we have an early start for our day at Montségur, Cathar seminary and citadel of their last resistance. In May 1243, in order to appease the pope, the King of France instigated a ten-month blockade of Montségur. A fifteen-day truce was negotiated in March 1244, at the end of which the Cathars had to choose to either, renounce their faith, or perish at the stake - 220 Cathars chose death on the pyre. Drive to our hotel near Rennes le Chateau.
Day 7: Monday - It is a short journey to Rennes le Chateau, former Visigoth capital of the region, to visit the Abbe Sauniere's Villa Bethania, We will tour the church and the environs of Magdala, the church and environ and absorb the atmosphere of this ancient historical place. In the afternoon we visit Mount Bugarach, site of an ancient Essene community. Return to our hotel near Rennes le Chateau.
Day 8: Tuesday - We journey through the Black Mountains to Lastours - a steep climb to Cabaret, Surdespine and Quertinheux. In the first decade of the 12th century, Cabaret had become Languedoc’s foremost shrine in the pilgrimage of courtly love. We will lunch in the village. In the afternoon we travel to the small, ancient site of St Julianne, sacred to the Celts and Druids. It is also the burial site of eleven Cathar women and a former Catholic and Protestant chapel. Tonight we stay in Albi.
Day 9: Wednesday - Today we experience Albi, whose cathedral was built to symbolize the Roman Church's power and victory over the 'Albigensian Heresy'. We visit the beautiful church of Saint Salvi, then journey to experience two Black Madonnas and a Roman well at Notre Dame La Dreche. We then journey on to Lourdes, arriving there in the afternoon. We explore Lourdes and during the evening hours we may participate in ceremonies, including the vigil and procession.
Tonight we say in Lourdes.
Day 10: Thursday - This morning we continue to experience Lourdes, and then at noon we depart for Paris by express train. We arrive in Chartres by early evening, and will spend two nights in this unique town.
Day 11: Friday - We depart our hotel early to fully experience Chartres Cathedral, with a history dating back to the 4th century. It was erected during a time of religious peace brought about by the Emperor Constantine. Chartres is rich with mysterious sacred imagery and sacred geometry and is said to be encoded with the secrets of the universe. It was established on a hilltop, where a sacred forest once stood. A well beneath the cathedral was sacred to the Druids and is said to be a miraculous source of healing water.
The Cathedral today is one of mystery and majesty. It is a holy place of rare architectural beauty, with its stained glass windows, crypt, labyrinth, and unique silhouette above the landscape. The standout feature at Chartres is the labyrinth, installed into the Cathedral floor in the year 1200. Finbarr will explain the history of the labyrinth and address the path of enlightenment that is opened to us via the 11-circuit Chartres labyrinth. Return to our hotel in Chartres.
Day 12: Saturday - An early departure to Paris where our hotel is splendidly located close to both the Louvre and the lovely River Seine. Optional walking through the picturesque Left Bank to the historic Church of San Sulpice in search of "The Magdalene Line" and much more. Visit the Louvre to view the paintings associated with Mary Magdalene and the Grail legends. Free time to explore this world famous museum on your own and/or shop its gallery stores or the adjacent 'Carousel du Louvre' mall.
Day 13: Sunday - We depart for Paris Airport on our homeward journey and bid farewell to France, grateful for all we experienced on this sacred journey.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- France Tour Fee (Excluding Airfare)
- All entrance fees to sites
- All hotel accommodation
- All ground transportation
- 2 meals per day breakfast and dinner.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
France
Spiritual Odyssey
Pilgrimage/Spirituality
Church Tours
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