Sinners To Saints

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- Sinners to Saints: Provence, France
  Join the Sinners to Saints journey through Provence France with Trinity Tours Travels. From Marseille's famous Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde to the peaceful Sainte Baume, where St. Mary Magdalene once lived, every stop holds a special meaning. Explore the ancient city of Arles, home to historic churches like The Church of St. Trophime and the mysterious Les Alyscamps cemetery.
  
  Visit Avignon's Palais des Papes and find peace at the Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette in the French Alps. Dive into Lyon's rich history at the Cathedral de Lyon and the Shrine of St. John Vianney where you'll see his incorrupt body. Be with us on this meaningful trip as we journey from sinners to saints, discovering faith, history, and inspiration along the way.
  
  Interested in a Catholic Pilgrimage to Provence, France?
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- Marseille, France
- Day 1: Depart USA
  Depart the USA from your local airport. Enjoy a full meal and inflight entertainment (movies, music, etc.) on your overnight flight to Marseille, France
- Marseille, France
- Day 2: Arrival | Marseille
  Bienvenue en France! Upon arrival at Marseille Provence Airport, you will proceed through Immigration and Customs. You will be greeted by our local Trinity Tour Travels guide and driver who will accompany you throughout the pilgrimage. A Mass of Thanksgiving will be celebrated at a nearby chapel in Marseille, contingent on arrival time.
  This day, we pray for the intentions of all pilgrims on this journey.
  Check-in, dinner and overnight in Marseille.
- Grotte Sainte-Marie Madeleine
- Day 3: Marseille | Sainte-Baume | Arles
  Following an early breakfast at the hotel, we visit the historic Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde (known as “La Bonne Mère” -The Good Mother), the second most visited site in all of Marseille. According to tradition, it is here, close to Arles, that St. Mary Magdalene, Martha, Lazarus, Maximin, and 70+ disciples landed after being exiled and set sail from the Holy Land without sails or oars and left to drown. Miraculously, they survived and began evangelization throughout Provence. The impressive La Bonne Mère stands guard over the historic harbor. We then travel to Sainte Baume (1 hour 15 min), to visit the cave and final home of St. Mary Magdalene. During her last 30 years, the great saint led a reclusive life here in the breathtaking wealth of French flora. Protected for centuries, this mountain houses magnificent and tranquil trails accessible only by foot. “The Kings’ Path” (walked by the greatest monarchs of France -including Louis XIV- to pay homage to St. Mary Magdalene) is a long, uphill hike to the Basilica of Mary Magdalene. At the top of the mountain, we enjoy a panoramic view of the entire massif and visit the unforgettable basilica carved into the cave. The cave contains the relic of her femur and is where Mass is celebrated this day. Lunch on your own near the foot of the mountain (before or after the hike, depending on time) and we later depart to Arles (2 Hours). A free late afternoon/evening, time permitting.
  PLEASE NOTE: Travel to the Sainte-Baume grotto (Basilica of Mary Magdalene) is accessible by foot only. It is a peaceful 50-minute hike, all uphill, and therefore requires a strong level of ambulatory and cardiac fitness. The hike can take much longer for those with physical limitations.
  Those who choose to not participate are invited to stay at the bus or café at the foot of the mountain.
  This day, we pray for the intentions of all victims of abuse, persecution, and war.
  Check-in, dinner and overnight in Arles.
- Arles, France
- Day 4: Arles
  Following breakfast at the hotel, we begin our day with a walking tour of Arles. We begin at The Church of St. Trophime where Mass is celebrated. Constructed in the 11^th and 12th centuries, this basilica is dedicated to St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr. An important pilgrimage site, this is the starting point of the Via Tolosana to Santiago de Compostela (El Camino). We visit the Cloister of St. Trophime, famous for being one of the most remarkable examples of Provencal Romanesque art. Sacred, beautiful, and conducive to silence, the cloister offers a sweet immersion into the history of our faith. We proceed to Les Cryptoporticus, an underground gallery that served for private communications and markets during the Roman times. Free time follows for lunch and to visit Espace Van Gogh, the courtyard of the “The Hospital at Arles” where the artist was hospitalized after cutting off his ear. Free time this afternoon for exploring Arles on your own.
  This day we pray for the intentions of those suffering from mental illness and oppression.
  Dinner & overnight in Arles.
- Montmajour Abbey
- Day 5: Arles
  Breakfast at the hotel, followed by a guided tour visit of Les Alyscamps, a fascinating ancient historic cemetery and stunning medieval church. A compulsory stage of the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route, Dante immortalized the Alyscamps in his poem, “Hell” and it is here where Van Gogh painted his “Champs Elysée”. We then visit the majestic Montmajour Abbey, founded in 938 by Benedictine monks. Known as one of the most beautiful cloisters in Provence, the abbey’s most striking structure is its massive and majestic unfinished church considered to be a true architectural marvel. Many artists (including Van Gogh) and filmmakers have found inspiration in these picturesque ruins. A stop for lunch on your own and we end our tour with a visit to the amphitheater in Arles. The two-tiered theatre which thrived in ancient Roman times was built in 90 AD and held over 20,000 spectators of chariot races and bloody hand-to-hand battles. Mass is celebrated this day at Notre Dame de Montmajour.
  This day, we pray for the intentions of all artists and creative souls.
  Dinner and overnight in Arles
- Palais des Papes
- Day 6: Arles | Avignon
  Breakfast and check-out at the hotel. We travel 45 minutes to Avignon to arrive at the Palais des Papes. This former fortress and palace was the seat of Western Christianity during the 14^th century. Six papal conclaves were held at the “Pope’s Palace” until St. Catherine of Siena urged Pope Gregory (along with the convictions of Pope Urban V & Pope Gregory XI) to return the papacy to Rome. As a result, Rome has been the seat of the faith since 1370. We visit the beautiful Rocher des Doms & Jardins des Doms, a charming park that has its feet in the Rhone and overhangs from a steep cliff 30 meters high.
  Mass is celebrated at the Avignon Cathedral or St. Pierre this day, followed by lunch on your own and a free afternoon for exploring Avignon.
  This day we pray for the intentions of the Holy Father and the Catholic Church
  Check-in, dinner, overnight in Avignon
- Ile de Barthelasse
- Day 7: Avignon
  Breakfast at the hotel followed by a walking tour of Avignon. Mass, and then we enjoy the fun exploration of the amazing Fort Saint-Andre! Dating from the first half of the 14^th century, this medieval fortress houses an abbey and is heavily steeped in rich French and Catholic history. Enjoy time for lunch on your own, shopping, and sightseeing. We meet later for a fantastic wine tasting this afternoon! A leisurely day in one of the most charming cities of France!
  This day, we pray for all families and all souls in purgatory.
  Dinner on your own this evening. Overnight in Avignon
- Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette
- Day 8: Avignon | La Salette | Lyon
  Following an early breakfast and check-out, we drive 3 hours north through the breathtaking and winding French Alps to La Salette. We visit the magnificent Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette and tour the grounds where the Virgin Mary appeared to two young shepherds on September 19, 1846. With only one apparition, the accounts of Maximin Giraud(11) and Melanie Calvat (14) were approved by the local bishop. The children, who were tending to their cows on the hillside, saw Our Sorrowful Lady who spoke to them while weeping. Our Lady revealed that the primary reason for her tears was due to her Son’s troubled heart at the lapse in repentance, the people’s rebellion, and the lack of observation of Sunday as a day of rest. Nearby, a spring came forth and till this day runs clear water continually, even in freezing weather. This water is said to have healing properties and many miracles have been documented because of it. Mass is celebrated here this day. Lunch is available at the pilgrim center with free time for prayer and a visit to the gift shop prior to our 2-hour drive to Lyon.
  This day, we pray for the conversion of sinners.
  Check-in, dinner, and overnight in Lyon
- Historic Lyon, France
- Day 9: Lyon
  Breakfast at the hotel prior to a walking day tour of this historic and beautiful city in which Christianity took root in the second century. It is considered the second-largest city in France and is known as the 3^rd food capital of the world! We visit the stately Basilica of Our Lady of Fouvievre where Mass is celebrated this day. Situated in a dominant position looming over the city below, this basilica has become the symbol of Lyon. It is dedicated to the Virgin Mary who is said to have saved Lyon from the Black Plague that swept through Europe in 1643 and is believed to continue to ward off other unwanted maladies from the city, including the Cholera epidemic of 1843! Filled with countless Catholic treasures and colorful glass windows, this exquisite basilica is home to The Crypt dedicated to St. Joseph. Numerous saints, including St. Terese of Lisieux, St. Jean Vianney, and St. Pope John Paul II have visited this marvel of Lyon. We later wander up and down cobblestone roads, taking in numerous historic sites, and end our day at the marvelous Cathedral de Lyon. Begun in 1180, this magnificent cathedral was completed in 1476. It is known for its annual Festival of Lights, dedicated to Our Lady. Have an authentic French café lunch on your own and enjoy free time for sightseeing in this charming city.
  This day, we pray for all people with learning disabilities, diverse learning styles and all educators.
  Dinner on your own this evening. Overnight in Lyon
- Basilica of Ars
- Day 10: Lyon | Ars
  Following breakfast at the hotel, we take a short ride through the French countryside to Ars to encounter the beloved patron saint of parish priests, St. John Vianney. Also known as the Cure d’Ars, as a young priest this saint was sent to the tiny town of Ars (1818) when the population was only 230! Known for his love of stern sermons and his ardent devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, he became internationally known by 1855 when many pilgrims began to visit as a result of St. Vianney’s great love for the sacrament of Confession and for the conversion of souls. A truly most memorable day visiting the saint’s living quarters, his humble first church, the chapel/reliquary containing his incorrupt heart, and of course, venerating his partially incorrupt body in the main church. Lunch is available in the town with free time for visiting the church bookstore and nearby shops, and of course for continued prayer in this holy place.
  This day we pray for all priests and clergy.
  A festive and unforgettable French Farewell Dinner aboard a cruise on the Rhone River! Overnight in Lyon
- Day 11: Departure
  Breakfast and check-out at the hotel. We depart from Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport, France, and bid Au Revoir to this beautiful country known as the eldest daughter of The Church!

Sinners to Saints: Provence, France