Ministry to Tourism presents

VOYAGE à PARIS et à LOURDES

Two Pilgrim Cities of Light and Healing May 25-June 2, 2020

With Fr. Ralph Kleiter Celebrating 60 Years of Group Travel!

Paris---City of Light--- Lourdes---City of Healing---

Paris -one simply cannot get too much of Europe’s Cultural Capital.

Lourdes- is the world famous Marian Shrine in the scenic Pyrenées mountains of Southwest France where amazing happenings and all kinds of miracles have addressed millions of pilgrims.

Only 5 hours from Paris via High Speed train (TGV) the setting and witness of faith there can be a “healing experience” for anyone regardless of one’s religious background.

Our Pilgrim Journey to Paris and Lourdes---Villes de Lumière et de Guérison”---will be a perfect introduction to Europe in 2020. This is not an “off the rack” program---all details have been intentionally selected. Our professional tour operators and Guides in Paris will offer time on our own and with them. They will try to exude France’s faith, culture and joie de vivre. Indeed, in that context “It will be truly formidable!”

Our Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1- Mon May 25- Arrival from Canada at CDG Paris. Meet & Greet. Transfer to Hotel with stopover at Montmartre. Guided Walk About Tour- Moulin de la Galette, Paris’ last vineyard, Place du Tertre, Sacre- Coeur Basilica etc.

We check-in at our boutique style hotel 2:00-3:00 PM at Hôtel Millésime**** , 15 Rue Jacob, Paris 75006 , www.millesimehotel.com We have selected this 20 room hotel to be a delightful contrast to most other large hotels used by tour groups. Ideally located on the Left Bank (Rive Gauche) its entrance was one of the gates of the Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Pres. This property was restored in 2016 is now an exceptional and hospitable base for us to easily discover Paris. Dinner is on own and early retirement. * All meals except breakfasts and those indicated are at our own expense. Private vehicle offers wifi, water, phone charger and refreshing wet towels.

Day 2-Tue May 26-Begins at 9:00 AM with a guided Historic Walk of Paris (4-5 Kms approx. 5 hrs)- Notre Dame Façade Hotel Dieu, Square St, Jean XXIII, Rue Chanoinesse, Flower Market, Sainte-Chapelle, Palace of Justice, Conciergerie, Place Dauphines and Pont Neuf often with a focus on saints of importance to Paris. Break for lunch, a Parisian foodie experience. Introduction to Metro and return to hotel. Evening free.

Day 3-Wed May 27- 8:30 Morning drive (30 minutes north of Paris for private tour of Chantilly domain featuring the Chateau , Raphael Collection, Horse museum & Stables (exciting for horse lovers). Lunch on own (have something with Chantilly whipped cream!) & rest break. Return to Paris for guided and reserved tour at the Louvre(2:30-4:00) and Orsay (4:30-6:00)Museums. Drop off at hotel 6:30 and evening free. (Possible to explore museums more on your own).

Day 4-Thur May 28- Depart at 8:15 for Full Day Excursion to Versailles –the glorious residence of French monarchs until the French Revolution of 1789-approx. 7-8 hrs. We visit the Chateau, Gardens including the Petit & Grand Trianon all made possible with our private Guide. Return to Paris 5:15 PM via the Champs Elysées for a photo opt at Arc de Triomphe. Evening free.

Day 5-Fri May 29- Depart 8:00 for a Day Excursion 50 miles southwest of Paris towards the Loire Valley to Chartres (in lieu of Notre Dame!) where we will discover a Gothic Gem built even before Notre Dame de Paris. Besides the structure and rose stain glass windows there is a Labyrinth inlaid in the marble floor where pilgrims meditate on their journey.

We return to Paris and stroll down Rue Cler, a wonderful introduction to a traditional Parisian neighborhood with lots of insight into the local culture. We will want to grab a snack!

No trip to Paris would be complete without a stop at the Eiffel Tower and its surroundings (Champs de Mars,Trocadero, Bir Hakeim bridge). It is the most visited monument in the modern world. Reserved tickets to go to the second level (best view) and return to hotel on your own is an option. Day concludes 6:30 PM at hotel. Dinner is on your own.

LOURDES PILGRIM JOURNEY EXTENSION

St. Bernadette

Day 6-Sat May 30- Store luggage at hotel. We board TGV fast train (included) to Lourdes while we rest and enjoy the countryside of France. Departure approx. 9:52 with arrival 2:40 PM, Transfer to Hotel La Solitude**** www.hotelsvinuales.com. Hotel ideally located to the Shrine. Dinners included during our stay. 4:00 PM Orientation at Pilgrim’s Centre followed by 5:00 PM Mass on the Feast of Mary’s Visitation to Elizabeth. 9:30PM Candle light procession.

Day 7-Sun May 31- Pilgrims’ Day at Sanctuary. 9:30 AM International Mass at St. Pius X Underground Basilica. Balance of the day-Rest & Reflection for Body, Mind & Spirit.

Day 8-Mon June 1- We return to Paris via TGV allowing us time to reflect on our Pilgrim visit. We return to our charming accommodations, Hôtel Millésime, and we prepare to bid “Au Revoir” to the “City of Lights”. We walk to a classic French restaurant for our Farewell Dinner which is included. “La Ville Lumière” is a sparkling nickname that goes back to Louis XIV. Approximately 300 sights are now illuminated and the best way to experience this delight is on the 9:45 PM Seine River Cruise. We will relish many memories of this “City of Light”.

Day 9- Tue June 2 - Private transfer to Paris CDG for a morning flight home or for individual extension in Europe.

Small Party cost per person- in 3000.00 Euros bracket (subject to final #s) Est. Air-Saskatoon return C$1011.00

Contact Fr. Kleiter for details & Booking (4 seats still available)

Rev. Ralph Kleiter Ministry to Tourism 314-619 Saskatchewan Cres. W Saskatoon, SK S7M 0A5, Canada email: kleiter@shaw.ca | www.pilgrimjourneys.ca tel. +13062443747