Virginia Theological Seminary Gothic France: 21-31 May 2021 SAMPLE OF PROGRAM* Day 1: Friday, May 21, 2021 Arrival in Paris on your own Group Welcome Dinner in a restaurant Lodging in a 4 * boutique hotel in the 5th or 6th arrondissement of Paris (Hotel des Saint-Pères or similar) Day 2: Saturday May 22, 2021 Meet your private tour bus and 2 guides at your hotel for a guided day in Paris. Guided visit of the church of St Pierre de Montmartre, one of the oldest extant churches in Paris, and the Sacré Coeur Basilica with its mosaic of Christ in Glory. Lunch on your own in historic Montmartre After lunch, meet your tour bus for a guided visit of the St Denis Basilica to learn about the birth of Gothic architecture Return to the hotel at the end of the day. Dinner on your own Lodging in a 4 * boutique hotel in the 5th or 6th arrondissement of Paris (Hotel des Saint-Pères or similar) Day 3: Sunday, May 23, 2021 Meet your private tour bus and your 2 guides in front of your hotel for a day trip to Chartres. Guided tour of Notre Dame de Chartres Cathedral, a unique example of early gothic architecture, th and its 13 century Labyrinth Group Lunch in a restaurant Free time to explore the town of Chartres Return to Paris with your tour bus at the end of the day Dinner on your own Lodging in a 4 * boutique hotel in the 5th or 6th arrondissement of Paris (Hotel des Saint-Pères or similar) Day 4: Monday, May 24, 2021 Meet your 2 guides at your hotel for a guided day in Paris (transport pass provided) Guided visit of Notre Dame Cathedral (the exterior), an iconic masterpiece of Gothic architecture, ravaged by fire in April 2019. Next you will tour the Sainte Chapelle, commissioned by St. Louis to House the crown of thorns and a piece of the true cross and the St Séverin Church for an explanation of flamboyant Gothic architecture. Lunch on your own * The program is subject to change depending on availability at the 8me of booking Virginia Theological Seminary Gothic France: 21-31 May 2021 Day 4: Monday, May 24, 2021 (Continued) In the afternoon, your guide will take you to the Cluny Museum to view liturgical objects that adorned French Gothic churches, the medieval Unicorn Tapestries and to visualize the link between Romanesque and Gothic architecture. Free time to explore the museum Dinner on your own Lodging in a 4 * boutique hotel in the 5th or 6th arrondissement of Paris (Hotel des Saint-Pères or similar) Day 5: Tuesday, May 25, 2021 Meet your 2 guides at your hotel for a guided day in Paris (transport pass provided) Guided tour of the newly renovated Saint Germain des Prés Church and of Saint Etienne du Mont, a magnificent example of the transition from Gothic to Renaissance architecture Lunch on your own Free afternoon to explore Paris Dinner on your own Lodging in a 4 * boutique hotel in the 5th or 6th arrondissement of Paris (Hotel des Saint-Pères or similar) Day 6: Wednesday May 26, 2021 Meet your private tour bus in front of your hotel for a 3-day excursion to Normandy th Your 1st stop will be Mont Saint Michel, a tidal island and pilgrimage destination since the 8 century, for a guided visit of the Benedictine Abbey of Mont Saint Michel and its magnificent views. Group Lunch in a restaurant on the mount, followed by free time to explore the island Return to your private tour bus to continue on to Bayeux through the Norman countryside Group dinner Lodging in a 4 * hotel in Bayeux (Hôtel du Luxembourg or similar) Day 7: Thursday, May 27, 2021 Meet your private tour bus for a guided day trip in Normandy Your first stop will be Arromanches to visit the D-Day Museum (musée du débarquement) and to view remnants of the artificial port, constructed just after the invasion. Group Lunch Guided tour of this sacred site, the American cemetery in Colleville sur Mer Stop off at la Pointe du Hoc, WWII monument, if time allows. Group Dinner in Bayeux Lodging in a 4 * hotel in Bayeux (Hôtel du Luxembourg or similar) Day 8: Friday, May 28, 2021 Meet your private tour bus for a guided day trip in Normandy Guided tour of Bayeux cathedral, a unique example of Norman Gothic architecture Visit of the Bayeux Tapestry Museum, to learn about the Bayeux Tapestry, a medieval treasure depicting the Norman conquest of England in 1066, and its history. (with audioguides) Group Lunch in Bayeux Meet your private tour bus for a short trip to the Memorial to War Reports, a monument commemorating those who have given their lives to report the news. Group Dinner in Bayeux Lodging in a 4 * hotel in Bayeux (Hôtel du Luxembourg or similar) Day 9: Saturday May 29, 2021 Meet your private tour bus in front of your hotel to begin your return trip to Paris Your First stop will be Le Bec-Hellouin for a guided tour of the Notre Dame du Bec-Hellouin Abbey. Group Lunch * The program is subject to change depending on availability at the 8me of booking Virginia Theological Seminary Gothic France: 21-31 May 2021 After lunch, return to your private bus to continue on to Paris Dinner on your own * The program is subject to change depending on availability at the 8me of booking Virginia Theological Seminary Gothic France: 21-31 May 2021 Day 10: Sunday May 30, 2021 On your last day before your departure, you will have free time to explore the city on your own (transport pass provided) Optional Mass at the American Cathedral in Paris, followed by a guided tour of this Gothic Revival Cathedral. Free lunch Group farewell dinner Lodging in a 4 * boutique hotel in the 5th or 6th arrondissement of Paris (Hotel des Saint-Pères or similar) Day 11: Monday, May 31, 2021 Farewell: Check out of your hotel and make your way to the airport for your departure. Note: All museum and monument entrance fees are included in our proposal Contact : The Rev. J. Barney Hawkins IV Tel +1 864-720-8825 - [email protected] * The program is subject to change depending on availability at the 8me of booking.