France Pilgrimage

A Journey to Paris, Lisieux, and Lourdes With Forever Learning Institute

October 20-29, 2025

About

Join the Forever Learning Institute and Verso Ministries on a pilgrimage though the heart of France. From the tranquility of Lourdes to magnificent cathedrals, the faith of great saints to the world’s best food, this pilgrimage brings French culture, history, and spirituality to life. This handcrafted journey of beauty and faith will leave you refreshed and inspired by all that France has to offer.

Trip Details

Group Type

Private, Hosted by Forever Learning Institute

Length

10 days, 9 nights

Accommodations

Standard

Cost

As low as

$4,158*

Deposit:

$1,000

What's Included

Licensed, local guides
Custom booklet and pilgrim kit for each pilgrim
Daily Mass
Private transportation on motor coach (Days 1-7 and 10)
All tickets and donations for included activities listed on itinerary
Standard accommodations
Breakfast daily at hotel, 2 lunches and 5 dinners
Airport/hotel transfers
High speed train ticket from Paris to Lourdes
Gratuities for pilgrimage director, guide(s), driver(s), and meals
Audio headsets

Itinerary

October 20
Depart U.S.
  • Depart the U.S. and begin your pilgrimage journey
October 21
Paris
  • Arrive Charles De Gaulle Airport and transfer to hotel
  • Welcome Mass in local Church, followed by dinner in local restaurant
  • Overnight in Paris
  • Accommodations: Hôtel Ampère **** or similar
  • Meals included: Dinner
October 22
Paris
  • Visit St. Vincent de Paul Chapel and Miraculous Medal Chapel with Mass
  • Group lunch in a local restaurant
  • Afternoon visit to Sacre Coeur (funicular ride included) with extended time for adoration and Vespers
  • Dinner on your own
  • Overnight in Paris
  • Accommodations: Hôtel Ampère **** or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
October 23
Paris
  • Celebrate Mass at local church
  • Morning tour of Sainte Chapelle and Notre-Dame Cathedral (anticipated to be reopened in December 2024)
  • Free afternoon and evening for exploring and sightseeing on your own
  • Overnight in Paris
  • Accommodations: Hôtel Ampère **** or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast
October 24
Chartres, Lisieux
  • Morning transfer to Lisieux with en route stop at Chartres
  • Tour Chartres with Mass in the Chartres Cathedral
  • Continue to Lisieux with Calvados tasting
  • Hotel check-in and dinner at the hotel
  • Overnight in Lisieux
  • Accommodations: Grand Hôtel de l’Espérance *** or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
October 25
Lisieux
  • Morning Mass in local church
  • Spend the day discovering Lisieux with guided tours of the Basilica of St. Therese with Mass, Les Buissonets, the Carmelite Convent, and time for visiting both St. Therese and the Basilica where her parents – SS. Louis and Zelie Martin – are buried
  • Free evening to enjoy dinner and exploring the city on your own
  • Overnight in Lisieux
  • Accommodations: Grand Hôtel de l’Espérance *** or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
October 26
Lisieux - Paris - Lourdes
  • Mass in local church (depending on train times, Mass may be in Lourdes that evening)
  • Depart Lisieux, transfer back to Paris
  • Train from Paris to Lourdes
  • Arrive and transfer to Lourdes hotel
  • Dinner at hotel or local restaurant
  • Overnight in Lourdes
  • Accommodations: Mercure Lourdes Imperial **** or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
October 27
Lourdes
  • Celebrate Mass at Shrine
  • Discover the Lourdes Shrine on a walking tour, including the St. Bernadette’s and Miracles museums, and external views of the Chapel of Reconciliation, the Basilica, the Grotto, and the Baths
  • Spend the afternoon at the Sanctuary and take time to participate in prayers at the Grotto, walk the Way of the Cross, visit the healing baths, or receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation
  • Participate in the nightly Rosary and the Torchlight Procession at the Shrine
  • Overnight in Lourdes
  • Accommodations: Mercure Lourdes Imperial **** or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
October 28
Lourdes
  • Morning Mass at Shrine
  • Explore the city, including Boly Mill (birthplace of St. Bernadette) and the “Cachot” (St. Bernadette’s family home)
  • Free afternoon to take part in a variety of devotional practices at the Shrine
  • Farewell Dinner at local restaurant
  • Participate in the nightly Rosary and the Torchlight Procession at the Shrine
  • Overnight in Lourdes
  • Accommodations: Mercure Lourdes Imperial **** or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
October 29
Depart for U.S.
  • Transfer to airport and depart for U.S.
  • Meals included: Breakfast

Pricing

As low as

$4,158*

Package Cost (without savings)

$4,358*

Trip Savings

Early bird (register by TBD)
Save $200/person

Optional Add-ons

Single room supplement (limited availability)
$1,281/person
Travel protection
Quote provided after registration*

* Please note that the current base pricing will be updated to include round-trip flights beginning December 2024.

Pricing listed per person in double-occupancy rooms and will eventually include airfare. The number of available single-occupancy rooms is limited.

*Travel protection price is calculated based on a variety of factors and optional plans are provided by Travel Insured International.

Rates assume a minimum of 30 full-paying pilgrims.

  • Verso Pilgrimage Director (included for groups of 30+ pilgrims)
  • Roundtrip airfare (optional group flights available for groups of 15 or more – pricing available 10 months prior to departure)
  • Passport, visa, or luggage fees
  • Any personal purchases
  • Any required COVID tests or vaccinations
  • Meals while traveling, as well as 6 lunches and 3 dinners
  • Drinks at meals, other than wine at dinners
  • Recommended travel protection (optional add-on)
  • Anything else not explicitly mentioned as included

Group flight information will be available 10 months before departure.

Standard Accommodations

  • Paris: Hôtel Ampère **** or similar
  • Lisieux: Grand Hôtel de l’Espérance *** or similar
  • Lourdes: Mercure Lourdes Imperial **** or similar
  • Deposit due upon registration – $1,000 per person
  • Final balance due 120 days prior to departure – Final Balance

Verso Ministries will administer registration and payment collection from individual pilgrims. Registration can be done directly on the Verso Ministries website whereby pilgrims can make their initial $1,000 deposit using a debit/credit card. All following payments would be accepted via check, money order, or debit/credit card. Customizable payment plans can be discussed depending on the needs of your group.

Cancellation Policy

All cancellations of individual pilgrims must be made in writing (email or letter) to Verso Ministries. Cancellations are possible at any time, but refunds are subject to cancellation fees at the rates listed here. Cancellation fees are for individual pilgrims. Any cancellation charges incurred from other suppliers or vendors (flight, lodging, ground transportation, tickets, etc.) may come in addition to the administrative fees listed here. All group flight airline tickets, optional excursions, trip options, pre/post extensions, private transfers, and additional hotel nights are non-refundable 100 days or less prior to departure unless otherwise noted. We highly recommend the purchase of individual travel insurance.

  • Within 2 weeks of deposit: Free Cancellation*
  • 14 days after deposit & 91 days or more from departure: Deposit is retained
  • 90-61 days prior to departure: 25% of trip cost is non-refundable
  • 60-31 days prior to departure: 50% of trip cost is non-refundable
  • 30 days or less prior to departure: 100% of trip cost is non-refundable

*Free cancellation (if deposit is made more than 180 days prior to departure)

Any cancellation charges incurred from other suppliers or vendors (flight, lodging, ground transportation, tickets, etc.) may come in addition to the administrative fees listed here. All group flight airline tickets, optional excursions, trip options, pre/post extensions, private transfers, and additional hotel nights are non-refundable 100 days or less prior to departure unless otherwise noted.

FAQ

The sooner you register for the pilgrimage, the better! Not only does registering early guarantee you a spot on the pilgrimage before the departure fills up, but you don’t want to miss out on available discounts, including the early bird savings (see “Trip Savings” in the Pricing section above more details). Also, there is no risk for 14-days after you register should you then have to cancel (must register 180 days or more prior to departure). So let’s say you register for a pilgrimage, but then realize you can no longer attend, as long as you cancel your pilgrimage within 14-days of registering and registered more than 180s days prior to the departure, then we will fully refund your deposit no questions asked. Just send us a written confirmation of your cancellation and we will take care of the rest. Plus, the sooner you register the sooner your journey begins. Register today!

There is no risk! Your deposit will be fully refunded as long as you cancel within 14-days of registering and you have registered more than 180 days or more prior to departure. With no risk, why wait? Get registered today!

Registration closes when the pilgrimage reaches the maximum number of pilgrims. If the pilgrimage is filled when you register, you will be added to our waiting list, and contacted in the event that space on the pilgrimage becomes available. Don’t miss your chance, register now and begin your journey.

We highly recommend that all pilgrims buy travel protection. Travel protection is not only for peace of mind, but helps protect you and those you are traveling with from unforeseen emergencies, which always seem to happen at the worst possible time. In the event of emergencies, both before and during your travels, as well other circumstances, like travel delay, lost baggage, missed connection(s), and much more, travel protection can help. Upon registration you will receive a travel protection quotation. If you have any questions regarding your quotation, please call the issuing company. If you need an updated or new quotation, please contact us at hello@versoministries.com or call us at 574-383-9396. We are happy to help!

Including optional add-ons with your pilgrimage can really add to your experience whether it is one of the optional extension or arranging an extra night stay beforehand so you are rested when the pilgrimage begins. If you would to add on any optional arrangements, as listed above, please email us at hello@versoministries.com or call us at 574-383-9396.

A pilgrimage, at its simplest, is a trip of faith. Which means a pilgrimage can be anything from a walk around your city to an encounter of Jesus in the Holy Land. For Catholics, it’s a trip of faith that people have been taking for hundreds or even thousands of years, many times in the same exact places you can visit today. It’s an opportunity to experience the spots God has made his presence known most in time and space, whether that’s where Jesus walked, where Mary appeared, or where the saints have lived and worked.

At Verso, we believe in crafting pilgrimages that offer you a view of God’s world and his work in it that you can’t get anywhere else. We believe everything from the holy sites, to the meals, to daily Mass, to your fellow pilgrims are ways God can speak to you, which means we’re intentional about it all. We also believe a pilgrimage isn’t just the days you travel, it’s how you prepare from the moment you sign up, to the days and weeks after you arrive home. Which means it’s our intention to shepherd you through the entire process — before, during, and after — so you can have the best, most transformative experience possible. We’re not just travel experts, we’re experts in Catholic pilgrimage.

We know from experience that preparing for a journey is just as important as the journey itself. Our goal is to make sure you’re physically, logistically, and spiritually ready for your pilgrimage. You’ll receive essential emails that will walk you through the process and give you ways to prepare your mind and heart for what you’ll encounter. A pre-trip webinar will make sure you are in touch with the Verso leader of the trip, can get trip-specific info, and can ask questions. We’ll send you a pilgrim kit that contains a comprehensive booklet for your trip along with some Verso swag (such as a bag, pen, and sticker) that you can bring along with you on your pilgrimage. And of course, we’re always available by phone or email if you have any questions or special needs.

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Activity Level

Easy
This trip’s activity level is easy. It’s recommended that travelers be in good health to enjoy this itinerary and be able to walk and climb stairs on their own. Trips at this activity level may include half or full-day itineraries with 1-3 hours of leisurely walking per day on smooth or slightly inclined terrain. The pace is more relaxed, with opportunities to rest throughout the day.

Moderate
This trip’s activity level is moderate. Travelers must be in good health and be in good physical condition to enjoy this itinerary. Travelers must be able to walk and climb stairs on their own. Trips at this activity level may include full-day itineraries of 3-5 hours of walking at a normal to brisk pace per day on varied terrain including uneven surfaces, stairs, and hills. The pace is faster and more demanding, with some breaks throughout the day.

Difficult
This trip’s activity level is difficult. Travelers must be in good health and physically fit to enjoy this itinerary. Trips at this activity level may include full-day itineraries with up to 5-7 hours of walking at normal to brisk pace per day on varied terrain including uneven surfaces, stairs, and steep hills. The pace is vigorous and demanding, with little down time each day.

Accommodation Level

Simple
For the duration of your trip, enjoy a range of lodging accommodations — from quaint guesthouses to simple-styled hotels. Discover a newfound appreciation for each of these locations which often have a unique character of their own. With your private bathroom and sleeping quarters, these locations will provide you with a clean, comfortable, and cozy place to settle into during your journey.

Standard
Venues at this level will provide you with the best accommodations at a reasonable cost. Not only will you have access to modern amenities and services, but special care is taken to ensure hotels are located in close proximity to the area’s local attractions. Expect your stay at this level to provide you with an added feeling of comfortability and convenience as you experience your pilgrimage.

Premium
Your stay at the premium level will ensure that your travel involves the opportunity to experience some of the most unique and luxurious stays that a destination has to offer. You’ll find that traveling at this level will afford you the opportunity to optimize your experience at each spot. From fine dining to scenic views, anticipate that your pilgrimage will provide you with breathtaking experiences no other location could provide.

How will I know what my stay will be like?
Each of our pilgrimage locations come with their own unique accommodations. From simple to luxurious, you can know that the care and satisfaction of each pilgrim is our greatest priority. While specific amenities will vary, we are sure that each of these handpicked locations will leave you rested, rejuvenated, and ready for each day.

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