A Pilgrimage to France

with Notre Dame Alumni & Friends

May 26 - June 4, 2024

About

Join Notre Dame Traveling Irish to walk with Verso Ministries on a pilgrimage of faith, beauty, and healing. From Lourdes to magnificent French cathedrals, the faith of the saints to the world’s best food, France is a trip no Catholic would want to miss. With so much to do there, Verso has designed a pilgrimage that’s as intentional as it is infused with rich experiences.

Trip Details

Group Type & Size

Notre Dame Alumni & Friends

Length

10 days, 9 nights

Accommodations

Premium

Cost

As low as

$5,410

Deposit:

$500

What's Included

Dedicated pilgrimage director, supplemented by local guides
Custom booklet for each pilgrim
Catholic Chaplain
Daily Mass
Private transportation on motor coach
All tickets and donations for included activities listed on itinerary
Premium accommodations
Breakfast daily at hotel, 2 lunches and 5 dinners
Gratuities for pilgrimage director, guide(s), driver(s), and meals
Audio headsets

Itinerary

(extension)May 25
Arrival
  • Arrive in Paris, transfer to hotel for check-in
  • Free time to explore city before dinner
  • Overnight in Paris
  • Accommodations: Ampère Hotel or similar
  • Meals included: Dinner
(extension)May 26
Paris, Versailles
  • Half-day at Versailles for tour of the most famous and majestic of all French chateaux, discovering the great apartments, Hall of Mirrors, and exquisite gardens
  • Explore Paris on your own for the rest of the day
  • Overnight in Paris
  • Accommodations: Ampère Hotel or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
(extension)May 27
Champagne Region, Reims, Paris
  • Scenic morning transfer through the French countryside to the Champagne Region to experience world renowned vineyards and enjoy tastings of champagne, only found in this region of the world
  • Afternoon visit to Reims, including Reims Cathedral
  • Meet up with group for Welcome Mass and Dinner
  • Overnight in Paris
  • Accommodations: Ampère Hotel or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
May 26
Depart U.S.
  • Depart U.S. (flights not included in the package)
May 27
Paris
  • Arrive at Charles De Gaulle Airport and transfer to Paris hotel
  • Welcome Mass and  Dinner
  • Overnight in Paris
  • Accommodations: Ampère Hotel or similar
  • Meals included: Dinner
May 28
Paris
  • Celebrate Mass at local church (pending availability)
  • Visit St. Vincent de Paul Chapel and Miraculous Medal Chapel with Mass
  • Group lunch in local restaurant
  • Afternoon visit to Sacre Couer with extended time for adoration and Vespers
  • Dinner on own (supplement for arranging individuals to stay overnight with sisters)
  • Overnight in Paris
  • Accommodations: Ampère Hotel or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
May 29
Paris
  • Celebrate Mass at local church (pending availability)
  • Morning tour of Sainte Chapelle, external view of Notre Dame
  • Free afternoon for exploring and lunch on own
  • Evening group reflection at hotel
  • Overnight in Paris
  • Accommodations: Ampère Hotel or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast
May 30
Chartres/Rouen, Lisieux
  • Morning transfer to Lisieux with enroute stop at Chartres for Mass and tour
  • Continue to Lisieux with Calvados tasting
  • Hotel check-in and dinner at hotel
  • Overnight in Lisieux
  • Accommodations: Grand Hôtel de l’Espérance or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
May 31
Lisieux
  • Morning Mass in local church (pending availability)
  • All day discovering Lisieux with guided tours of Basilica of St. Therese with Mass, Les Buissonets, Carmelite Convent, and time for visiting both St. Therese and the Basilica where her parents – SS. Louis and Zelie Martin – are buried
  • Lunch at local restaurant or hotel
  • Dinner on own
  • Evening group reflection
  • Overnight in Lisieux
  • Accommodations: Grand Hôtel de l’Espérance or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
June 1
Lisieux, Paris, Lourdes
  • Celebrate Mass at local church (pending availability)
  • Depart Lisieux, transfer to Paris and then to Lourdes
  • Arrive and transfer to Lourdes hotel
  • Overnight in Lourdes
  • Accommodations: Grand Hotel Gallia et Londres or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
June 2
Lourdes, The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes
  • Celebrate Mass and discover the Shrine on walking tour, including the St. Bernadette 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
  • Evening group reflection and dinner
  • Participate in the nightly Rosary and the Torchlight Procession at the Shrine
  • Overnight in Lourdes
  • Accommodations: Grand Hotel Gallia et Londres or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
June 3
Lourdes
  • Morning Mass at Shrine (pending availability)
  • Explore the city, including Boly Mill (birthplace of St. Bernadette), the “Cachot” (St. Bernadette’s family home), and  shops
  • Free afternoon to take part in a variety of devotional practices at the Shrine
  • Evening group reflection
  • Farewell Dinner at local restaurant
  • Overnight in Lourdes
  • Accommodations: Grand Hotel Gallia et Londres or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
June 4
Departure
  • Depart Toulouse (flights not included in the package)
  • Meals included: Breakfast

Pricing

As low as

$5,410

Package Cost (without savings)

$5,610

Trip Savings

Early bird (first 10 pilgrims to register)
Save $200/person

Optional Add-ons

Single room supplement (limited availability)
$1,288/person
Travel protection
Quote provided after registration*
Paris extension (May 25-27)
$2,241/person
Extension single room supplement (limited availability)
$436/person

Optional

“As low as” price includes savings for early bird and pay balance by check.
Pricing listed per person in double-occupancy rooms and does not include airfare.
The number of available single-occupancy rooms is limited.

*Purchasing travel insurance is highly recommended to protect you, your belongings, and your travel investment. The University of Notre Dame will send you information regarding travel insurance.

Rates assume a minimum of 30 full-paying pilgrims.

  • Airfare
  • 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

Designated arrival and departure times

  • Arrival information
    • Arrive by: May 27, 2024
    • Arrival time: Between 7:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
    • Arrival airport: Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
    • Arrival transfer: Pilgrims will be transferred in groups according to arrival time from Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) to the hotel.
  • Departure information
    • Depart on: June 4, 2024
    • Departure time: Anytime on June 4
    • Departure Airport: Toulouse-Blagnac Airport (TLS)
    • Departure transfer: Pilgrims departing on June 4 will be transferred to the airport in groups according to departure time.
  • Extension arrival information
    • If you have elected to add on the Extension package, please arrange your arrival flight plan according to the following information.
      • Arrive on: May 25, 2024
      • Arrival time: Anytime on May 25
      • Departure airport: Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
      • Departure transfer: Pilgrims arriving on May 25 will be transferred from the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) to the hotel.

 

Want to arrive or depart outside of the designated times?

  • Please note: If you arrive/depart outside of the designated times, private transfers (fee applies) can be arranged on your behalf. Airport transfers outside of the designated arrival/departure times are not included in the package pricing.
  • Private transfer information and pricing can be found in the Additional Information section below.
  • Need to book a private transfer? Contact us at hello@versoministries.com or call us at (574) 383-9396.

 

Want help arranging your flights?

Premium Accommodations

  • Paris: Ampère Hotel or similar
  • Lisieux: Grand Hôtel de l’Espérance or similar
  • Lourdes: Grand Hotel Gallia et Londres or similar

 

Need to get around? Private transfers

  • Private transfer from Paris airport to Paris hotel – $194 per transfer (1-3 pax), $275 (4-8 pax)
  • Private transfer from Lourdes hotel/city center to Toulouse airport – $305 per transfer (up to 8 pax)
  • Private transfer from Lourdes hotel/city center to Pau airport – $415 per transfer (up to 8 pax)
  • Private transfer from Lourdes hotel/city center to Tarbes airport – $729 per transfer (up to 8 pax)
  • Please note: If you arrive/depart outside of the designated times at the designated airport, private transfers (fee applies) can be arranged on your behalf. Airport transfers outside of the designated arrival/departure times and locations are not included in the package pricing.
  • Need to book? Contact us at hello@versoministries.com or call us at (574) 383-9396.

 

Arriving early or staying late? Pre-stay and post-stay options

 

Additional services

  • Half-day tour of Paris (4 hours)
  • Full-day tour of Paris (10 hours)
  • Please note: Tips, meals, and entrance fees are not included in price.
  • Need to book? Contact us at hello@versoministries.com or call us at (574) 383-9396.

Paris Extension
May 25-27, 2024 (3 days / 2 nights)

Price: $2,241/person in double occupancy room
Rates assume a minimum of 4 full-paying pilgrims; pricing listed per person in double-occupancy rooms.

Single room supplement: $436/person
The number of available single-occupancy rooms is limited.

Premium Accommodations:
Paris: Premium hotel

Extension includes:

  • Professional English-speaking local guides in Versailles and Champagne Region & Reims
  • Private transportation
  • All tickets and activities for included activities listed on itinerary
  • Standard accommodations
  • Breakfast daily at hotel, 2 lunches, and wine tasting

Extension does not include:

  • Roundtrip airfare
  • Passport, visa, or luggage fees
  • Any personal purchases
  • Any required COVID tests or vaccinations
  • Dinners
  • Drinks at meals
  • Gratuities for guide(s), driver(s), and meals
  • Recommended travel protection (optional add-on)
  • Anything else not explicitly mentioned as include

 

Curious how this extension will affect your flight arrangements?

  • Please see the Flight Information section above for more information about flight arrangements.

Need to get around? Private transfers

  • Private transfer from Paris airport to Paris hotel – $194 per transfer (1-3 pax), $275 (4-8 pax)
  • Please note: If you arrive/depart outside of the designated times at the designated airport, private transfers (fee applies) can be arranged on your behalf. Airport transfers outside of the designated arrival/departure times and locations are not included in the package pricing.
  • Need to book? Contact us at hello@versoministries.com or call us at (574) 383-9396.

Arriving early? Pre-stay options

 

Deposit due upon registration – $500/person
Final balance due 120 days prior to departure – Final balance

Please note: Payment plans can be arranged if needed. Please contact us if you would like to pay in several installments.

Final package price is estimated. Prices are based on the exchange rate as of January 2023. Any drastic fluctuations in currency exchange rates could affect the final pilgrimage pricing. If you have any questions about pricing and when final pricing decisions will be communicated, please do not hesitate to contact us at any time.

 

Cancellation Policy

All cancellations must be submitted to Verso Ministries in written form and received via email or mail. Any refunds, as applicable, will be processed based on the date stamp of email or mail received. Cancellation fees are for individual pilgrims and fees will be charged per person per booking.

Cancellations are possible at any time, but refunds are subject to cancellation fees at the rates listed here.

  • Within 2 weeks of deposit: Free Cancellation*
  • 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 guarantee you a spot on the pilgrimage before the departure fills up, but if you are one of the first 20 pilgrims to register you will receive the early bird discount. 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 180 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.

Purchasing travel insurance is highly recommended to protect you, your belongings, and your travel investment. Travel insurance 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 insurance can help. Upon registration, The University of Notre Dame will send you information regarding travel insurance. If you have any questions regarding your quotation, please call the issuing company.

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.

Have a Question?

×
×

Cart

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.