Sacred Sites Tour of France - The Land of the Four Heresies.

Experience Mary Magdalene, the legends of the Holy Family, the Black Madonna, The Holy Grail, Cathars, Knights Templar and Troubadours !

Journey to mysterious France to experience a land rich in tradition with Claire Heartsong author of Anna Grandmother of Jesus and Finbarr Ross. Absorb the energies of this European culture and its ancient Celtic roots, where later Christian, Gnostic, Jewish, and Muslim traditions recognized the 'Feminine ethic' with equal enthusiasm. Although you journey within the 21st Century, you will find the threads of consciousness that predated Christianity still alive today. You will experience many wonderful power sites held sacred by those who have sought the Holy Grail and the presence of Mary Magdalene including: Rennes-le Chateau, Grotte de Baume, Maries de La Mer, Arles, Avignon, Carcassonne, Montsegur, Albi, the mystical Languedoc and the stunningly beautiful Chartres Cathedral.

September 18th - Day 1:
Depart from your home city for your flight to Marseille.

September 19th - Day 2:
You begin this sacred journey as we depart Marseille Airport at 10 AM. First you visit St. Maximin Basilica to view the crypt and relics of Mary Magdalene.

Next you journey to the hills to the Grotte de La St Baume for a gentle ascent to approach the cave where the Magdalene is said to have passed the last years of her life and written her memoirs. This mountain was sacred to Isis and has been considered holy ground for thousands of years. The natural water that accumulates here is believed to have curative powers.

On to our Hotel in Arles for dinner and overnight.

September 20th - Day 3:
Experience a walk around Arles, which contains wonderful monuments and remains of the highly developed Roman Empire. These were contemporaneous with the Grail family's arrival in this region, approximately 2004 years ago. We visit St. Trophimus church, starting point of the journey to St. James in Compostela. There was also a major Templar stronghold here.

11am departure for Saintes Maries de La Mer to visit the church associated with arrival of the Grail Family from Palestine and to meet the most beautiful and powerful 'Black Madonna', revered by the Gypsies of Europe as St. Sarah.

The magical village of Saintes Maries de la Mer, set in the dramatic Camargue amidst herds of wild horses, black bulls and flocks of Flamingos. Lunch and paddling in the Mediterranean.

Return to our Hotel in Arles.

September 21st - Day 4:
Today you experience Avignon, 'ancient city of Cathars and Popes, watched over by a Black Virgin'. 12th century Cathedral of Notre Dame de Doms, 14th century Papal palace and city ramparts.

Drive on to our Hotel in Carcassonne.

September 22nd - Day 5:
We will spend a full day exploring in the Old City of Carcassonne, a unique example of a fortified Medieval city.

September 23rd - Day 6:
To the small, unchanged town of Minerve, place of Cathar burning where 140 'Parfaits' were burned as heretics on the feast day of Mary Magdalene in 1210. Return to our hotel in Carcassonne.

September 24th - Day 7:
Today we have an early start for our day at Montsegur, Cathar citadel of last resistance.

Drive to our Hotel in Couiza.

September 25th - Day 8:
It is a short journey to Rennes le Chateau, former Visigoth capital of the region, to visit the Abbe Sauniere's Villa Bethania, Tour Magdala, the church and environs. Absorb the atmosphere of this ancient historical place. Visit Mount Bugarach in the afternoon.

September 26th - Day 9:
You journey through the Black Mountains to Lastours - a steep climb to Cabaret, Surdespine and Quertinheux. In the first decade of the 12th century, Cabaret had become Languedoc’s foremost shrine in the pilgrimage of courtly love. We will lunch in the village.

Tonight we stay in a Hotel in Albi, whose cathedral was built to symbolize the Roman Church's power and victory over the 'Albigensian Heresy'. We visit the beautiful church of Saint Salvi.

September 27th - Day 10:
Today we journey to experience two Black Madonnas and Roman Spring at La Dreche, then onto the small, ancient site of St Julianne, sacred to the Celts and Druids, burial site of 11 Cathar women, ruined chapel of Catholicism and Protestantism.

We then journey on to Lourdes arriving there in the early afternoon. We explore Lourdes and this evening we may participate in ceremonies including the vigil and procession.

September 28th - Day 11:
This morning you continue to experience Lourdes with noon departure for Paris by express train.

September 29th - Day 12:
We have an early departure for Chartres Cathedral, with history dating back to the 4th century. It was erected during a time of religious peace brought about by the Emperor Constantine. Chartres is rich with mysterious sacred imagery and sacred geometry, and is said to hold clues to the secrets of the universe. It was established on a hilltop, where a sacred forest once stood and a well behind the cathedral was a miraculous source and sacred to the Druids. The Cathedral today is one of mystery and majesty. It is a sacred place of architectural beauty, with its stained glass windows, crypt, labyrinth, and unique silhouette above the landscape.

September 30th - Day 13:
We depart for Paris Airport for our homeward journey and bid farewell to France, grateful for all we experienced on this sacred journey.

Trip Includes:
France Tour Fee (Excluding Airfare) US $2780 €2420
Discount for cash/check US $2690 €2350
Single supplement rate US $550 €475 (additional charge)
All entrance fees to sites
All hotel accommodations (11 nights )
All ground transportation
2 meals per day (breakfast and dinner).

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If you have any questions about this tour you can submit them here or you can call 1-877-756-8763 in the United States. If you are purchasing the tour there is also a box where you can submit questions, comments, or information during the check-out process.