Spiritual Travel to Southern France: Sourcing the Ways of Love and Light
May 20-29, 2022
Itinerary
| May 20 | Arrive in Carcassonne, in the heart of the Languedoc, and settle into our accommodations. Here we base for the next few days in Cathar Country. Late afternoon meet with Carla Woody for our opening circle. Overnight Carcassonne. Dinner included. |
| May 21 | Morning free time in Carcassonne. After lunch we move farther into the heart of the Languedoc where we base through the 22th. Here Cathar esoteric beliefs and practices come alive, as well as the Albigensian Crusade. The stage is set for so much of our journey in the Languedoc, Provence and beyond. Overnight Quillan. Breakfast included. |
| May 22 | We move into the Languedoc countryside for the day. Rennes-le-Château and its mysterious parish priest Bérenger Saunière opened the doorway for much historical research linking the Knights Templar, the Cathars, the Inquisition, the marriage of Jesus and Mary Magdalene…and the resulting Rex Deus bloodline. We will visit this hilltop village and its church dedicated to Mary Magdalene, and hear the historical basis that points to the facts that remain. In the afternoon we venture to Château de Quéribus, poised on a mountaintop. Known as the last bastion of the Cathars, it became a refuge for fleeing knights and Cathars, functioning 11 years beyond Montsegur. Overnight Quillan. Breakfast included. |
| May 23 | Today we leave the Languedoc and enter the Camargue. We travel from Carcassonne to Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer on the Mediterranean Sea. Along the way we stop in the fishing village of Gruissan for lunch. Arrival mid-afternoon with free time as you choose. Overnight Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. Breakfast included. |
| May 24 | Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, a pilgrimage site since the 12th century, is known as the place the Saint Marys (Magdalene, Jacobi and Salome) and Saint Sarah (also known as Sara-la-Kali and the patron saint of the Roma people) landed ashore after setting sail from Alexandria, Egypt. Over two days the Roma and other believers are drawn from around the world, as well as locals and the famous Camargue cowboys. This day is dedicated to Saint Sarah. We attend the ceremony and processional into the sea. Overnight Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. Breakfast included. |
| May 25 | Rituals of veneration continue with this day dedicated to Saints Mary Jacobi and Mary Salome and processional of the boat to the sea. Our time in this area is a wonderful opportunity to experience the heights of Camargue culture, flamingos, others of the 400 bird species, and famous Camargue horses. Overnight Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. Breakfast included. |
| May 26 | Today we leave Saintes-Maries and head to other points in Provence. We take our time to wander “one of the most beautiful villages in France” — as Les Baux-de-Provence was officially named. This medieval village is perched high on a plateau surrounded by a stone fortress. Close by, at the cavernous Carrieres de Lumieres we are treated to an almost indescribable 3-D immersion experience, akin to physically entering art works. We lunch in St. Remy, known for its Provençal charm with squares, fountains, galleries and local products. But its most important feature is the St. Paul Monastery and sanatorium where Van Gogh voluntarily committed himself, remaining until shortly before his death. In this poignant place, we get a real sense of this tragic master and appreciate the beauty in which he sought to surrender himself. We end this day with a tasting at a small family-run, natural winery and enjoy their hospitality. Overnight in Aix-en-Provence. Breakfast included. |
| May 27 | This day is dedicated to The Magdalene and her continuing presence that permeates this area. In the picturesque village of St. Maximin, we take our meditation in the basilica whose crypt contains an important relic of Mary’s. Then a short distance away, we come to the most hallowed of sites, near Sainte-Baume, the grotto in which The Magdalene lived and taught during her remaining years. Here we will immerse ourselves in the energy, so prevalent and strong that the last king passed a law forbidding the villagers to embrace the trees in the surrounding forest. We will disobey. Overnight in Aix-en-Provence. Breakfast and lunch included. |
| May 28 | This morning we undertake a walking experience of Aix-en-Provence known for its markets, cathedral, fountains, shops and restaurants. Additional free time to explore this engaging city on your own. Aix, as it’s called by the locals, was the birthplace and beloved home of the artist Paul Cézanne. In the afternoon we enter his atelier, or studio, and get the feeling that he just stepped out for a moment. For an artist, it’s like a religious experience. Overnight in Aix-en-Provence. Breakfast/dinner included. |
| May 29 | Cézanne chose Mont Saint-Victoire as a consistent inspiration. Between 1902 and 1906 he completed 11 oil paintings and 17 watercolors from this site, most preserved in major museums or in private collections. Today we hike the very paths he took up to his refuge so that we, too, can take in the power of this mountain… directly across the valley from the grotto of Mary Magdalene… and picnic where Cézanne likely took his own meals. Late afternoon we have our closing circle with Carla. Overnight in Aix-en-Provence. Breakfast/lunch included. |
| May 30 | Fly home from Marseille airport (transfer included) or elsewhere on your own. Breakfast included. |
| Note: We build flexibility into the schedule. Activities may be adjusted to accommodate the weather, if required. |
Return to the France Program page.