Sacred Sites Tour of France - The Mystery of the Four Heresies

A spiritual adventure where we 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 Siobhán Houston author of Invoking Mary Magdalene: Accessing the Wisdom of the Divine Feminine, and Finbarr Ross. Finbarr is a facilitator on Mary Magdalene and the Grail legends. Absorb the energies of this ancient European culture and its Celtic roots, where later Christian, Gnostic, Jewish, and Muslim traditions recognized the 'Sacred Feminine Ethos' with equal enthusiasm. Although you journey within the 21st Century, you will discover the threads of universal 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, Montsequr, Albi, the mystical Languedoc and the stunningly beautiful Chartres Cathedral.

September 18th - Tuesday - Day 1:
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 steep 30 minute ascent to 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 your hotel in Arles for dinner and overnight.

September 19th - Wednesday - Day 2:
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. You visit St. Trophimus church starting point of the journey to St. James in Compestillo. There was also a major Templar stronghold here.

Noon 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.

Visit 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. Picnic lunch and paddling in the Mediterranean.

Return to your hotel in Arles.

September 20th - Thursday - Day 3:
Today you experience Avignon, 'ancient city of Cathars and Popes, watched over by a Black Virgin' includes the 12th century Cathedral of Notre Dame de Doms, 14th century Papal palace and city ramparts. The Celts association with Avignon go back to Neolithic times. Their sacred ceremonial site was where the Rhone and Durance rivers merge.

Drive on to your hotel in Carcassonne.

September 21st - Friday - Day 4:
You will spend a full day exploring in the Old City of Carcassonne, a unique example of a fortified Medieval city, known for it's Cathar beliefs and history. In ancient times, 600 BC, Carcassonne was a major commercial and ceremonial center for the Celts/Druids and the Phoenicians.

Return to your hotel in Carcassonne.

September 22nd - Saturday - Day 5:
Today you drive to the small, unchanged town of Minerve, place of Cathar burning where 150 'Parfaits' were burned as heretics on the feast day of Mary Magdelaine in 1210. You experience the Dove of Minerve.

Return to your hotel in Carcassonne.

September 23rd - Sunday - Day 6:
Today you have an early start for our day at Montsegur, Cathar citadel of last resistance and their seminary. In May 1243, to appease the Pope, the King of France commanded a blockade at Montsegur. The seige lasted 10 months and in March 1244 a 15 day truce was negotiated, at the end of which the Cathars had to choose: renounce their faith, or perish at the stake (220 Cathars chose to perish.)

Drive to your hotel in Couiza.

September 24th - Monday - Day 7:
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 and its symbology. Visit Mount Bugarach site of an ancient Essene community in the afternoon.

Return to your hotel in Couiza.

September 25th - Tuesday - Day 8:
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. You will lunch in the village.

In the afternoon you travel to 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.

Tonight you stay in Albi.

September 26th - Wednesday - Day 9:
Today you experience Albi, whose cathedral was built to symbolize the Roman Church's power and victory over the 'Albigensian Heresy'. You visit the beautiful church of Saint Salvi, then journey to experience two Black Madonnas and a Roman well at Notre Dame La Dreche.

You continue on to Lourdes arriving there in the afternoon.You explore Lourdes and this evening you may participate in ceremonies including the Vigil and Procession.

Overnight in Lourdes.

September 27th - Thursday - Day 10:
This morning you continue to experience Lourdes with noon departure for Paris by express train and on to Chartres arriving there early evening spending two nights in Chartres.