Pilgrimage to France

A Journey with the Catholic Student Center at USF

May 12 - 21, 2025
Register

About

Join the Catholic Student Center at the University of South Florida 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 the Catholic Student Center at USF

Activity Level

Moderate

Length

10 days, 9 nights

Accommodations

Simple

Cost

As low as

$2,753

Deposit:

$500

What's Included

Local, licensed tour manager throughout the pilgrimage
Paris metro passes
Opportunity for daily Mass
Accommodations in double-occupancy rooms, including taxes (single rooms available on a limited basis)
Train tickets
Tickets for included activities
Verso pilgrimage booklets and pilgrim kits
Meals as indicated on itinerary

Itinerary

May 12
Depart U.S.
  • Depart U.S. (flights not included in the package)
May 13
Paris (D)
  • Arrive Charles De Gaulle Airport and transfer to accommodations (transfers not included)
  • Welcome Mass in local Church
  • Welcome Dinner in a local restaurant
  • Overnight in Paris
  • Accommodations: Hôtel Ibis Paris Clichy Batignolles or similar
  • Meals included: Dinner
May 14
Paris (B)
  • Walking pilgrimage of Paris
  • Visit St. Vincent de Paul Chapel and Miraculous Medal Chapel with Mass (pending availability)
  • Afternoon visit to Sacre Coeur
  • Overnight in Paris
  • Accommodations: Hôtel Ibis Paris Clichy Batignolles or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast
May 15
Paris (B)
  • Celebrate Mass at local church
  • Morning tour of Sainte Chapelle and Notre Dame
  • Free afternoon for exploring
  • Overnight in Paris
  • Accommodations: Hôtel Ibis Paris Clichy Batignolles or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast
May 16
Paris, Lisieux (B, D)
  • Mass in local church and morning free time
  • Afternoon train to Lisieux
  • Hotel check-in and dinner at hotel
  • Overnight in Lisieux
  • Accommodations: Ermitage religious house or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
May 17
Lisieux (B)
  • Morning Mass in local church
  • All day discovering Lisieux with guided tours of Basilica of St. Therese with Mass, Les Buissonets, Carmelite Convent, and time for visiting where St. Therese and her parents – SS. Louis and Zelie Martin – are buried
  • Dinner on your own
  • Overnight in Lisieux
  • Accommodations: Ermitage religious house or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast
May 18
Lisieux, Paris, Lourdes (B, D)
  • Mass in local church
  • Train from Lisieux back to Paris
  • Train from Paris to Lourdes
  • Arrive and transfer to Lourdes hotel
  • Dinner at hotel
  • Overnight in Lourdes
  • Accommodations: Notre-Dame de la Sarte or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
May 19
Lourdes (B)
  • Celebrate Mass at Shrine
  • Discover Shrine on walking tour, including the St. Bernadette’s and Miracles museums, and external views of Chapel of Reconciliation, the Basilica, the Grotto, and Baths
  • Free afternoon to take part in a variety of devotional practices at the Shrine
  • Participate in the nightly Rosary and the Torchlight Procession at the Shrine
  • Overnight Lourdes
  • Accommodations: Notre-Dame de la Sarte or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast
May 20
Lourdes (B, D)
  • Morning Mass at Shrine
  • Explore city, including Boly Mill (birthplace of St. Bernadette) and the “Cachot” (St. Bernadette’s family home), shops
  • 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 Lourdes
  • Accommodations: Notre-Dame de la Sarte or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
May 21
Depart for U.S. (B)
  • Depart France
  • Transfer to Toulouse Airport (TLS)
  • Meals included: Breakfast
Register

Led by

Chaplain
Fr. Kyle Bell
Catholic Student Center at USF

Fr. Kyle Bell was raised in the United Methodist Church, and became a Catholic in 2007.  He holds a Bachelors Degree in Religion from Florida State University, a Masters Degree in Theology and Catechetics from the Franciscan University of Steubenville, a Bachelor of Philosophy from St. John Vianney College Seminary, and a Master of Divinity from St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary.  He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of St. Petersburg on May 19, 2018.  He has been the Director of the Catholic Student Center at USF since July 1, 2021.

Pricing

As low as

$2,753

Package Cost

$2,753

Optional Add-ons

Travel Protection
Quote available upon registration*
Single Room Supplement
$704
Gratuities for pilgrimage director, guide(s), driver(s), hotel staff, and meals
TBD

Pricing listed per person in double-occupancy rooms and does not 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 20 full-paying pilgrims.

  • Roundtrip airfare
  • Gratuities for pilgrimage director, guide(s), driver(s), hotel staff, and meals (optional add-on)
  • Passport, visa, or luggage fees
  • Any personal purchases
  • Any meals not indicated on itinerary, as well as beverages at meals
  • Any required COVID tests or vaccinations Recommended travel protection with Cancel for Any Reason coverage Anything else not explicitly mentioned as included

Designated arrival and departure times

  • Arrival information
    • Arrive by: May 13, 2025
    • Arrival time: Arrive by 12:00 p.m.
    • Arrival airport: Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport (CDG)
    • Arrival transfer: Pilgrims will transfer to the hotel on their own using public transportation or taxi.
  • Departure information
    • Depart on: May 21, 2024.
    • Departure time: Depart at or after 11:00 a.m.
    • Departure airport: Toulouse-Blagnac Airport (TLS)
    • Departure transfer: Pilgrims will be transferred to the airport in one group at 5:00 a.m.

 

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?

Hotel Information – Tentative Accommodations

  • Paris: Hôtel Ibis Paris Clichy Batignolles *** or similar
  • Lisieux: Ermitage religious house or similar
  • Lourdes: Notre-Dame de la Sarte *** or similar

 

Need to get around? Private transfers

  • 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

Deposit due upon registration – $500/person

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. Pricing is based on currency exchange rates as of May 2024. Any drastic fluctuations in currency exchange rates may impact final 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

*To qualify for free cancellation within 2 weeks of deposit, deposit must be made 180 days or more 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.

Register

FAQ

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.

Have a Question?

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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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