“MOST BEAUTIFUL VILLAGES” OF FRANCE ALONG THE PATH OF ST. JAMES PILGRIMAGE (10-DAYS)

A journey back in time to the roots of Christianity and the life of the earliest Christians. France has influenced the world as we know it in so many ways--from art to food and from faith to democracy.

Discover the Way of St. James- an ancient pilgrimage route along the Camino de Santigo through France to the Cathedral in the city of Santiago de Compostela, Spain. It is here, in this cathedral, that the remains of St James, the Apostle is said to lie in rest. For the Christian faith, it is a most sacred site. Along the way experience rich history, quaint villages, beautiful scenic vista’s and some of the best cuisine and wines in the world!

Includes: 

• Round trip airfare.
• Accommodations at First Class hotels.
• Transfers, as per itinerary.
• Tour Escort throughout tour.
• Sightseeing as indicated in itinerary.
• Breakfast daily, Lunch and Dinners – as per itinerary. 
• All service charges and local taxes.

Pricing varies with date of travel and group size. Contact LutherTours 1.844.777.1517 or info@luthertours.com for details.

Itineraries are custom-designed to meet the needs and desires for each individual group. Use this itinerary as is, or for inspiration to collborate with a LutherTours professional tour itineary planner to create a unique journey just for your group.  

Itinerary:

DAY 1:

Depart USA on your transatlantic flight to Paris, France.

DAY 2:

Arrive Paris. Meet your professional tour manager and transfer to hotel. Group Welcome Dinner. Overnight in Paris (D)

DAY 3:

Guided tour of Paris - Visits to Notre Dame, Louvre Museum, Sacre Cour. Overnight in Paris (B/D)

DAY 4:

Worship service St. Sulpice, visit Palace of Versaille. Seine River Illumination Dinner Curise. Overnight in Paris (B/D)

DAY 5:

Train departure from Paris through the splendid countryside to the city of Toulouse. Upon arrival you will be met by a local guide for a walking tour including St. Sernin Basilica : a masterpiece of Roman art, the Saint-Sernin basilica has had significant renovation work done on it over the past 30 years : recovery of the bell tower, extrication of the mural paintings of the 12th Century, revival of the alter from 1096, the crypts and the displays of the treasure trove (with its exceptional works). An important pilgrimage stop on the Way of Saint James, “Routes of Santiago de Compostela”.

DAY 6:

Today we continue our journey and a visit of the Cloitre de Moissac, stone, water and fruit... Moissac is one of the prides of the Tarn-et-Garonne, this Mecca of Romanesque art in France is also a major fruit centre. Moissac, a busy city center enjoys an international reputation and home to Abbey Church of Saint-Pierre and its cloister, listed as a World Heritage site. Afterwards, enjoy a tasting of Chasselas juice and local products at the end of the visit. This afternoon we drive to Cahors.

DAY 7:

Departure by bus from the hotel with our guide, who will be with you all day. Going to the Mont St-Cyr, which overlooks the town below. Visit the Cathedral Saint-Etienne of Cahors and the old quarters. Departure on foot for a walk (45 minutes) on the GR 65 St James Way, with our guide, to learn more about the work made by the local association specializing in renovating the paths and the stone walls along The Santiago de Compostela Pilgrim Way in the Lot. Comfortable clothes and shoes suitable to walk to our destination in Vaylats and a visit to the Maison des Pèlerins Hostellerie du Couvent. After a break for lunch, we continue our journey to the “must see” medival town of Rocamadourour. Along the way we stop in Saint-Cirq Lapopie, a beautiful picturesque village and part of an exclusive group known as the “Most Beautiful Villages” in France; and nominated “the most favorite village” by the people of France. A quaint village with narrow streets and houses dating from the medieval period. The site itself is majestic: a rocky spur standing high above the river Lot. This evening our group will enjoy dinner and wine overlooking the illuminated site of Rocamadour.

DAY 8:

Today we discovery Rocamadour, “Most beautiful village in France” and its sanctuary. The emblematic site of the Lot, vertical and majestic, crowned by its castle, unfolds in several floors, clinging to the cliff which separates the Alzou stream from the Causse de Gramat.  Afterwards we visit a goat farm La Borie d’Imbert and tasting of the Rocamadour cheese. Made with non-pasteurized goat milk and aged for only a couple of weeks, Rocamadour cheese is soft and creamy in taste. Come and discover the secrets of this homemade cheese and taste it with the local producer.  Next, we visit Figeac; along the way a stop in Assier, a village that preserves 2 jewels of the Renaissance times- the Castle and the Town Church, decorated with an exceptional sculpted frieze. Upon arrival in Figeac, we visit the Musée Champollion-Les Ecritures du Monde, housed in part of the birthplace of Jean-François Champollion, the famous decipherer of hieroglyphs, the museum pays homage to the man, to his work and tells us the fascinating history of writing. 

This evening enjoy dinner and in a lovely 18th-century wine-cellar restaurant along the River Le Célé, in the heart of the historical town of Figeac.

DAY 9:

Our guide will lead us on a walking tour of this fascinating town of art and history; possessing remarkable examples of civic architecture from the Middle Ages to the 19th century, and is an important stop on the Santiago Pilgrim Ways. Jean-François Champollion, who deciphered the code of hieroglyphics, was born here: his family home is now “The Writing Systems of the World” Museum, with a replica of the Rosetta Stone (a contemporary art work) in an adjoining courtyard. Nowadays, Figeac is the 2nd most populated city of the Lot and is lively year-round. At the end of the 17th century, the Seminar-College of the Puy was one of the most famous sites of Figeac. Today, the rooms on the upper floor, reveal their rich decoration of carved and painted woodworks, presenting religious compositions, landscapes or countryside paintings made by artists from 17th and 18th centuries. Next, we travel to Grealou and Super-Cayrou- a dry-stone art-refuge work not to be missed, and the first of the “Windows on the Landscape” open-air art trail on GR 65. It consists of two caselle dry-stone tents and a terrace to contemplate an exceptional landscape. This afternnon we depart for Toulouse and check-in to our hotel. Our group will meet for our farewell dinner.

DAY 10:

Tour Ends. Coach transfer to Toulouse airport for flight to USA (B)

QUESTIONS?  

Contact a LutherTours professional tour itinerary planner to find out how easy it is to plan a custom-designed tour itineraray for your family and friends, church group or organization! 

Call 1.844.777.1517 or email  info@luthertours.com