A PILGRIMAGE TO FRANCE WITH FR. NICHOLAS HO
AN 11-DAY PILGRIMAGE: MAY 5-15, 2026
A Pilgrimage to France with Fr. Nicholas Ho
An 11-Day Pilgrimage
May 5-15, 2026
Prices starting at $4,540
TRIP SYNOPSIS
Join Fr. Nicholas Ho on this beautiful 11-day journey to Paris, Nevers, Chartres, Rouen, Ars, Lourdes, and more! In Paris, visit the newly restored Notre Dame Cathedral, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at Montmartre, and the iconic Eiffel Tower. In Chartres, pray before the Veil of the Blessed Virgin inside the magnificent cathedral, famous for its splendid 13th-century stained glass windows. Lay your petitions before the incorrupt St. John Vianney in Ars and St. Bernadette in Nevers. Render homage to St. Joan of Arc in Rouen. And finally, in Lourdes, pray at the Grotto where Our Lady appeared to St. Bernadette and have the opportunity to join the nightly candlelight Rosary procession. Tour with a professional Tour Escort, attend daily Mass, make unforgettable memories, and benefit from the safety and ease of group travel!
HIGHLIGHTS AT A GLANCE
Paris: Notre Dame Cathedral, Sacred Heart Basilica at Montmartre, Eiffel Tower, River Seine cruise
Lourdes: Sites related to St. Bernadette Soubirous, Grotto where the Blessed Virgin appeared to St. Bernadette, Basilica of Lourdes
Nevers: incorrupt body of St. Bernadette Soubirous
Chartres: Veil of Our Lady, Cathedral with world-famous stained glass windows
Ars: incorrupt body of St. John Vianney (the Holy Curé of Ars) and sites related to him
Rouen: St. Joan of Arc
ITINERARY
Day 1. Tuesday, May 5: Transatlantic Flight to Paris
Depart today on a flight to Paris, France.
Day 2. Wednesday, May 6: Paris
Welcome to Paris! Upon your arrival in the City of Lights, meet your tour escort and transfer to your hotel for dinner and your overnight stay. (WD)
Day 3. Thursday, May 7: Paris
Start your day with a panoramic city tour of Paris. Afterwards, enjoy a cruise on the Seine River offering views of the city’s iconic landmarks. Continue to visit Notre Dame Cathedral, rebuilt and reopened to the public after a devastating fire in 2019. It remains an icon of Paris and a magnificent example of Gothic architecture. Dinner and overnight in Paris. (BB, D)
Day 4. Friday, May 8: Paris: Excursion to Chartres
This morning, travel to Chartres to visit its majestic Cathedral and pray before the Veil of Our Lady, miraculously preserved during a fire in 1194. Admire the glorious collection of over 150 stained glass windows, illustrating biblical stories and daily life in the 13th century. Enjoy free time to explore Chartres before returning to Paris for dinner on your own and overnight. (BB)
Day 5. Saturday, May 9: Paris: Excursion to Rouen
Today, journey to Rouen, a city rich in history. View the Place du Vieux Marche, where St. Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in 1431, and visit the St. Joan of Arc Church, completed in 1979, with its flame-inspired roof. Continue to visit the medieval Cathedral, known for its buttresses, towers, and stained-glass windows, and housing tombs of Norman dukes and Cardinals of Amboise. Adjacent to the cathedral, explore the St. Joan of Arc Museum, located in a 15th-century archbishop’s palace, the site of her trials. Return to Paris for an independent dinner. (BB)
Day 6. Sunday, May 10: Paris
A full day in Paris! Begin with a visit to the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at Montmartre, which was built on the site of the martyrdom of St. Denis and his companions. Afterwards, continue to the Eiffel Tower. Built for the Universal Exhibition of 1889 to commemorate the centennial of the Revolution, the 1,046-foot Eiffel Tower was initially intended as a temporary addition to Paris’s skyline. It stood as the world’s tallest building until 1931, when New York’s Empire State Building was completed. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure in this magnificent city. Dinner and overnight in Paris. (BB, D)
Day 7. Monday, May 11: Paris – Nevers
Travel to Nevers to visit the Convent of St. Gildard and pray before the miraculously preserved, incorrupt body of St. Bernadette of Lourdes. She resided here for 12 years as a member of the Congregation and, throughout her life, suffered from and eventually died of asthma at the age of 35 in 1879. Dinner and overnight in Nevers. (BB, D)
Day 8. Tuesday, May 12: Nevers – Ars – Lyon
Today journey to Ars to render homage to St. John Vianney, the Holy Curé of Ars, patron saint of parish priests. Visit the house where he lived, the old 12th-century church where the saint preached, and the confessionals where he spent most of his time. In the Basilica, pray before the glass reliquary containing his incorrupt body. His incorrupt heart is in the Shrine of the Curé’s Heart just outside the Basilica. Continue to Lyon for dinner and overnight. (BB, D)
Day 9. Wednesday, May 13: Lyon – Lourdes
This morning, take a train to Lourdes. Upon arrival, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant, experiencing some of the regional cuisine. Overnight in Lourdes. (BB, D)
Day 10. Thursday, May 14: Lourdes
Today, enjoy a walking tour of the main sites related to St. Bernadette and the apparitions. This includes visits to the Shrine, the Basilica of St. Pius X, and the Grotto where Our Lady appeared to St. Bernadette. Also see the Bolly Mill, St. Bernadette’s birthplace, and the Cachot, the abandoned prison where her family lived. The afternoon is yours for leisure and private devotions. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner with your travel companions to celebrate the end of a beautiful pilgrimage. You may also choose to participate in the rosary and candlelight procession this evening. (BB, FD)
Day 11. Friday, May 15: Homebound Flight from Toulouse
Early transfer to Toulouse airport for your flight home.
Buffet Breakfast (BB), Dinner (D), Welcome Dinner (WD), Farewell Dinner (FD)
* In case of unforeseen events, this itinerary is subject to change.
CHAPLAIN
Fr. Nicholas Ho is originally from Singapore. Employed in 1965 by the Ministry of Education, Father Nicholas Ho began to discern his call to the priesthood. Receiving his father’s approval, Fr. Nicholas began his formation at the minor seminary for three years before another five at the major seminary in Singapore.
He was ordained a priest in 1979 and was posted to the parish of St. Stephen’s and then to St. Peter and Paul. Then, in obedience to the Bishop, he went to Rome to study liturgy from 1983 to 1986. Upon his return, he went on to be the Initiation Year Director and taught liturgy in the seminary for six years. Later, he went on become the parish priest of St. Francis of Assisi from 1992-2002, while still commuting from Boon Lay to Punggol to teach.
A six months sabbatical leave to study at the Franciscan school of liturgy and the Jesuit school of theology in the University of Berkeley planted the seed of a vocation to serve the Church in America. And so, after renovating and expanding the church of St. Francis of Assisi in 2002, Archbishop Nicholas Chia approved Fr. Nicholas’ desire to serve in the Church in America.
Father Ho is currently stationed at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, the seat of the Diocese of Sacramento, California. He is also the chaplain of the Sacramento Chinese Catholic Community (SCCC), which is the only group of Chinese Catholics (Roman Rite) in the Diocese. The community members embrace both the Catholic faith and the Chinese traditions.
Father Ho has led several pilgrimages to Europe and the Holy Land.
FLIGHT SCHEDULE
The group air reservation is out of San Francisco (SFO) with Swiss Air/Lufthansa. The current group air schedule follows and is subject to change. Please do not purchase any air tickets to connect with the group until we confirm the group is formed. We will notify pilgrims when the time is proper.
05MAY Swiss Air flight 039 San Francisco (SFO) - Zurich (ZRH) 7:40PM - 3:50PM 06MAY
06MAY Swiss Air flight 644 Zurich (ZRH) - Paris (CDG) 5:30PM - 6:50PM
15MAY Lufthansa flight 2217 Toulouse (TLS) - Munich (MUC) 8:55AM - 10:40AM
15MAY Lufthansa flight 458 Munich (MUC) - San Francisco (SFO) 4:30PM - 7:00PM
ACCOMMODATIONS
Accommodations for this pilgrimage will be in first-class hotels.
(5) Paris: Novotel Centre Tour Eiffel or similar
(1) Nevers: Mercure Nevers Point de Loire or similar
(1) Lyon: Hôtel Mercure Lyon Centre Château Perrache or similar
(2) Lourdes: Helgon Hotel or similar
Rooms in double occupancy are for two people to share; they have two twin beds or one double bed. Rooms in single occupancy have a single bed and are for one person to occupy; a “single supplement fee” is added for single occupancy rooms.
TRIP PACE
The pace for this pilgrimage is “on the go”. There is daily walking and standing. Pilgrims must be in active enough condition to walk 3-4 hours and stand for 2-3 hours per day. We strongly recommend preparing oneself by walking before the trip, building up to at least 2-3 miles per day.
Sometimes walking is up or down slopes, and at times sidewalks and terrain will be uneven. Pilgrims must have full mobility and be able to climb several stairs, since many of the visited places have no other access. A certain pace must be kept by all pilgrims in order to cover the scheduled sightseeing.
For their safety, passengers 80 years of age and older are required to be accompanied by a physically able travel companion who can provide assistance if necessary.
Also see the “PHYSICAL HEALTH & FITNESS” section in the General Terms & Conditions. (Specific Terms & Conditions for this trip will be listed in the online registration form.)
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Transatlantic flights (when purchasing an air-inclusive package)
Accommodations in first-class hotels
Meals according to the program
Daily Holy Mass
Private motor-coach services for transfers and sightseeing
Services of a professional English-speaking tour escort during the entire trip
Gratuities to tour escort, motor-coach drivers, and local guides
Admission fees for all included sightseeing
Porterage for one suitcase per person at the hotels, where available
Government taxes and fees
What’s not included:
PRICING INFORMATION
Price per person in double occupancy Land-Only: $4,540
Price per person in single occupancy Land-Only: $5,570
Price per person in double occupancy With-Air: $5,530
Price per person in single occupancy With-Air: $6,560
Single supplement included in above single occupancy pricing: $1,030
Registration is due by: January 28, 2026
Final balance is due by: March 5, 2026
Please do not purchase any air tickets to connect with the group until we confirm the group is formed. We will notify pilgrims when the time is proper.