Shrines of France


Joe Walsh Tours are delighted to offer an array of organised escorted tours incorporating some of France’s most beautiful shrines.

All of our Shrines of France tours include Lourdes, the most popular Marian Shrine in the world, and then take you to some of other French shrines including Lisieux, Nevers, Rocamadour, Paray-le-Monial, Ars, Valence and Paris.

With carefully selected hotels and full assistance of a Joe Walsh Tours pilgrimage coordinator, this wonderful escorted tour is a great option for a week of spiritual devotion.

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. Here she discovered her calling to save souls through prayer and sacrifice. At the age of 15 in 1888 she joined the Carmelites at Lisieux. In 1897, at the age of 24, St. Thérèse died of Tuberculosis.

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 and eventful history and is steeped in a rich medieval heritage. It offers pilgrims and tourists the chance to experience the town in the time of St. Thérèse during the 19th century.

Nevers

In order to fulfil her desire for a religious life, Bernadette Soubirous joined the Sisters of Charity at St. Gilard in Nevers on 7 July 1866. She remained here for 13 years where she committed her entire life to God and others.

Bernadette died on 16 April 1879, at the age of 35 and her body was buried in the chapel garden. Her body was discovered intact in 1909 and in 1925 was transferred to rest in a shrine in the Chapel of St. Gilard, where it still rests today.

Saint Bernadette was canonised on 8 December 1933 by Pope Pius XI. “Many pilgrims and tourists of all nationalities come to St. Bernadette. She never ceases to tell us:” ‘God is our father, he has an infinite tenderness for each of us’."

Paray-le-Monial

Paray-le-Monial is known worldwide thanks to the popularity of the message of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. 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 was built around a monastery in the 970’s AD. Hugh of Semur, a famous Monk and builder laid the foundations of the church that still stands today.

For more than 20 years the town has been experiencing a renewal as a place of pilgrimage, particularly since Pope John Paul II visited the town and its magnificent Basilica.

Paris

In Paris we visit Rue de Bac - the Shrine of the Miraculous Medal. Rue de Bac is also 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 18 July 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 27 September 1660 and was canonised by Pope Clement on 16 June 1737.

The Paris section of the Shrines of France Tour includes a delightful sightseeing tour of a range of Parisian attractions including the Eiffel Tower, L’Arc de Triomphe, the Champs Elysées, the Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral and others. We also offer an optional evening cruise on the River Seine.

Rocamadour

Set amid a dramatic landscape, Rocamadour is suspended majestically over the gorge of the river Alzou. Devoted to the Virgin Mary, this village has remained a place of faith and pilgrimage for over 900 years. In 1166 the miraculously preserved body of St. Amadour was discovered close to the little chapel. This gave a new impetus to the pilgrimage and inspired the daring construction of 7 churches and a monastery clinging to the cliff-face just above the town. The Church of the Black Madonna and the Mircaulous Bell are located near the tomb of St. Amadour.