Religious & Cultural Heritage of France

Exploring Paris and Environs

France has expressed its deep spirituality through rich artistic, architectural and cultural works, captivating the imagination and soul of countless pilgrims, students, and visitors over the centuries. We would like to welcome you to explore this rich legacy—exploring fascinating lessons from history, nurturing your spirit with soaring cathedrals and religious art, and savoring the rich artistic, culinary and cultural heritage of the French people.

This program focuses on historical, cultural and religious sites in Paris with those that can be reached with comfortable day excursions. The itinerary can be customized to include visits to shrines and birthplaces of historic saints for pilgrimage groups or to more academically focused sites for college/university groups. We offer program descriptions for other regions of France as well.

Program Objectives

Introduction to the art & architecture of Christianity in France

While Gothic religious architecture flourished in other parts of Europe, France has some of the greatest examples of the development of this religious art form—from early transitional churches where Romanesque and Gothic styles blend—to those that express the apex of Gothic technological and artistic finesse. The program explores the underlying theological and spiritual values that gave rise to these great cathedrals and how they continued to influence the development of Christianity in France.

Exploration of the theological and cultural heritage of Christianity in France

The program includes visits to historical sites that represent important developments in French and European philosophy and theology—notably great Parisian universities and outlying abbeys and monasteries. The program can be customized to include visits to birthplaces and shrines of great French saints who shaped the French religious spirit.

Savor the artistic, cultural & culinary richness of France

Explore the intellectual and cultural forces that gave rise to the Enlightenment and to the French Revolution and consider how these shaped world events. Experience great developments in French painting. Enjoy the charm of French villages and countryside and savor the ever inventive French cuisine.

Guided visits include:

Ile de la Cite', Notra Dame, Ste. Chapelle, Latin Quarter, Abbaye de Fontenay, Rouen, Jumieges, Chartres, and Versailles. There is free time to explore Paris at leisure or to organize excursions or extensions to other sites in France.

Extend program to visit Taize' (ecumenical community), Avignon (medieval papal palace), Arles (Roman ruins), Carcassone, Toulouse and Albi (medieval towns with rich Dominican heritage), and Lourdes (pilgrimage destination and site of great healing).