5th Mary Magdalene Pilgrimage France 2024 – Sep 11-28, 2024
18 days (17 nights) reconnecting the Magdalene Sisterhood
Max 13 participants – 1 space is open
Itinerary below is subject to minor revisions.
Welcome to this gathering of the Magdalene Sisterhood. If you are feeling drawn to the massive emergence of this energy, then it is likely you are part of what is surfacing on the planet and sensing that there is more for you to do. Magdalenes have been here supporting the evolution of humanity for longer than you can imagine. We are in a time on the planet where the old energies are being cleared in order for humanity to move to a higher vibration. At this time on the planet the Magdalene energy is strong and calling to many to assist in this transition of consciousness. This is not a religious pilgrimage. Our visiting the many cathedrals is to connect to the energy of Mary Magdalene, Mother Mary and Yeshua. None of these had any intention for their powerful teachings to be used to create a religion.
This pilgrimage is dedicated to the powerful energy of Mary Magdalene who is very much honored and deeply loved in France and to calling forth a deeper embodiment of the Magdalene Sisterhood. It is about rediscovering and honoring the divine feminine inside each of us that is being called forward at a time on the planet when it is critical that we hold the energy of loving kindness that was a cornerstone of the teachings of Jesus. It is also about connecting into the imbalance on the planet between the masculine and feminine and looking at what is needed to restore the natural balance between that. The group is intentionally kept small, designed for intimacy and the ability to connect deeply with like-minded souls.
The trip is designed to facilitate a deep inner journey with circles and discussion as well a connection to sisterhood made powerful by the intimacy of a shared spiritual experience. As we journey we will go slowly, taking time to be with ourselves, time to explore the inner journey and what the experience means to us. We will not be jamming in as many sites as possible, instead allowing time for processing and integration.
Travel is kept to a minimum each day with comfortable private buses allowing for laughter and camaraderie while getting to the next destination. When we reach Languedoc it is time to take a breath and relax as we gather in a private retreat center for 7 days. There we will settle into a communal lifestyle where we all participate in organic meal creation at breakfast and dinner. Our leisurely dinners give us the opportunity to connect at a deep level with sharing and discussions. This, as much as possible, is designed to replicate the energy and intention of the early Essene communities which focused on community and collaboration. While in Languedoc we will be doing short drives from our home base, allowing quiet time to journal and meditate. Our evening meals will be leisurely and filled with sharing of the experiences of the day with opportunities for each person to be heard and supported.
We will allow the magic of these ancient sites to permeate our souls and connect deeply to the Magdalene energy and the divine feminine, incorporating ceremony to facilitate the process whenever possible.
2023 Pilgrimage Highlights
Map of the 2024 Pilgrimage
We are starting in Aix-en-Provence. The places we will visit are highlighted on the map below. Note that #7 on the map is Domaine de Mournac, our base for 7 days. We will explore out from there. To zoom in click the box top right. To see the names click on one of the numbers. To see the list click on the box top left.
On Day 1 we begin in Aix-en-Provence, a city imbued with the energy of the early disciples. This is an arrival and jet lag day with time for relaxation or exploration. We will be here for two nights. Aix-en-Provence is well-known for its fountains, architecture and art. A walk around the city will reveal many gems. Cézanne spent part of his life here and was inspired to paint many of his later works. You may want to check out the Atelier de Cézanne to glimpse the setting that inspired the “father of modern painting.” Check out the Cézanne walking path to visit the areas he loved. Cours Mirabeau is the area to visit where locals gather after work. Here you can take a leisurely stroll down tree lined boulevards and fountains. The Musée Granet is a museum in the quartier Mazarin, devoted to painting, sculpture and archeology. You are sure to enjoy these and many other beautiful sites in the city. We will meet for dinner as a group, timing depending on group arrivals.
The Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur is about a 20 min walk from the hotel. This Cathedrale is one of the national monuments in France. Mary Magdalene traveled to Aix with Maximin, one of the seventy-two disciples. Mary Magdalene and St. Maximin preached here and dedicated a chapel to Jesus Christ called “Saint Sauveur.” The 1st century chapel floor still remains inside the Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur which was built over it. Maximin stayed in Aix and became its first bishop. In the sacristy of Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur are the relics of St. Maximin and the foot of the apostle St. Andrew. As well as a beautiful stained glass window with Mary Magdalene and her jar, there is much beauty and history to explore here.
Day 2 our private bus transports us to the Grotte de Sainte Marie Madeleine (Cave of Mary Magdalene). Leaving at 8:30 am we will arrive at the base in about one hour, leaving plenty of time for the walk to the Grotte. The walk up is a gradual uphill climb doable in an average time of 45 minutes, depending on fitness level. The energy of the forest on the walk up is powerful. We walk along a tranquil trail through the forest on a path that has been walked for centuries by Kings and Queens and others in Pilgrimage, arriving at the beautiful cave. It is worthwhile to take your time walking up to the Grotte so you can tune into the energies.
This mountain, sacred to Isis, has been considered holy ground for thousands of years. The energy of the divine feminine is strong here. There are
many versions of Mary’s life in Egypt, England, Provence France, Languedoc France and elsewhere – several of which said she was part of the Isis lineage as was Mother Mary. Some say there were sacred ceremonies done in the cave in the traditions of the priestesses of Isis. You are encouraged to let go of what you think to be the truth and allow the divine feminine energy to connect to your heart. The natural water in the spring on the way up the path is reported to have healing properties. Following our visit to the cave we travel to visit the Basilique Sainte-Marie-Madeleine in of Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume. The skull of Mary Magdalene is kept in a crypt on the lower level.
Following the Basilique we will pick up a lunch at Greg and Jay to enjoy on our drive to Marseille, a city imbued with the energy of the early disciples. Mary Magdalene and her brother Lazarus spent time here spreading the teachings of Jesus. We will visit the Basili
que Notre Dame de la Garde (left), famous for the 11 meter high Madonna at the top. The views from here are spectacular. An emblematic figure of the City of Marseille, she
watches over sailors, fishermen and all Marseille residents.
A short walk takes us to the Abbaye Saint Victor (right) where there is incredible history and a stone relief of Mary Magdalene and Lazarus. The crypt holds a sarcophagus of the remains of the martyr St. Victor as well as a Black Madonna – a wooden statute that is dressed up and honored in an annual procession during the celebration of Candlemas. This is only one of the Black Madonna’s we will see during our pilgrimage.
Our bus takes us back to our hotel in Aix-en-Provence arriving approx 5:30. If you did not visit The Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur on your arrival day it is worth a 20 minute walk. See details on Day 1.
Day 3 after a leisurely breakfast, we board our private coach at 9 am for the journey to Sainte-Maries-de-la-Mer. On the way we will stop in Arles for a brief visit to this historic city. We will visit the Church of Saint Trophine in the Place de la République, a Unesco site. The interior has early-Christian sarcophagi, 13th-century plaques and epitaphs, baroque paintings and nine Aubusson tapestries from the 17th century. Leaving Arles we travel through the wetlands of Camargue where we will have glimpses of the flamingos and the famous white horses. This charming historical village on the ocean, is where the three Mary’s: Mary of Bethany, Mary Salome and Mary Jacobe, and Lazarus along with many others are reputed to have come ashore in a boat without oars or a sail.
On arrival after check in we will visit the Eglise Notre-Dame-de-la-Mer which was built as a refuge and fortress to protect the villagers from invasions from the sea.
The Sanctuary is the site of one of the first places of pilgrimage in Provence, to honor Sara, the black Madonna patron saint of the gypsies. The black Madonna in her finery can be seen by taking the steps to the lower level. Check out the relics of St. Mary Jacobe and St. Mary Salome in the reliquaries in the upper chapel above the main alter. Take some time to connect to the energy vortexes in the church. This day is on your own to explore and perhaps take some quiet time to meditate, journal and enjoy the energy of the water before dinner.
The Cathars and the Albigensian Crusade – as we move into Languedoc we are connecting to the energy of the Cathars – a gnostic group who believed more in the direct experience of God, rather than the written word. Their doctrine reflected the spirituality of the Essenes in the Holy Land – which was the community that Jesus and Mary Magdalene were part of. The gnostic groups of France (including the Knights Templar) very much honored both Mary Magdalene and the Divine feminine. This group was very powerful with many of the large land owners following the doctrine of the Cathars. They held views that were very different from those espoused by the Church – going more towards the simplicity of the teachings of Jesus and against the corruption in the Church. The Catholic church was losing power and launched the Albigensian crusade in 1209, a campaign to eliminate Catharism by Pope Innocent III.
As we explore Beziers, Minerve, Montsegur, and other significant places there is a possibility of past life memories connected to the Cathars and being burned at the stake. How many who are drawn to the Magdalene energy are among those who were burned – not just in this crusade but in witch hunts and other crusades designed to get rid of those with powers that were threatening to the patriarchal society, those who were connected to the land, and those who knew how to heal using energy and plant medicine. It is not surprising that so many women today have challenges owning their wisdom and power.
Day 4 leaving by 8:30 am, we begin our journey to the Languedoc region beginning with Béziers. Béziers was a stronghold for the Cathars in the Languedoc region – On July 22, 1209 almost the complete population of Beziers – estimated at about 20,000 men, women and children were massacred by the Crusaders and the town burned to the ground. This included some of the clergy who were burnt in front of their own alter. This marked the beginning of the Albigensian Crusade, which would wipe out the Cathars across Languedoc finishing with Montsegur in 1244. We visit Eglise de la Madeleine a small church dedicated to the Magdalene followed by Saint-Nazaire Cathedral.
The original Saint-Nazaire Cathedral, dating to the 10th Century, was burned by the invaders during the Crusade with thousands of people inside. Very little of the original Romanesque church still remains standing. There is amazing energy in this church and stunning artwork. Rebuilding began almost a century after the Crusade and lasted until the 15th Century. If you are not claustrophobic you may want to check out the spiral staircase to the roof where there are magnificent views of the city. Lunch in Beziers.
Following our exploration of Beziers we continue west to the historical Minerve. We’ll spend a few hours exploring this ancient fortified city where 120 Cathars took refuge after fleeing from Beziers in 1209. They were rooted out and burned at the stake by Simon de Montfort. The history is sad but fascinating. It’s worth having a walk down to the gorge and seeing the cannon the crusaders used to crush the village into submission. The villagers were spared but the Cathar prefects were burnt at the stake. There’s a walk around the town to follow the river (Cesse) that goes underground in naturally carved tunnels. It is stunningly beautiful. While we are here, we also visit the Church of Saint-Etienne, an 11th Century Roman church with an altar dating back to 450 AD.
After our exploration we head further west and south to the Domaine de Mournac. Our bus will stop for our chef to stock up with food before our arrival and you will have an opportunity to pick up some personal snacks. Domaine de Mournac is a 12th century stone coach house, nestled in over 15 acres of woodland and vines, in the glorious Aude department of South West France. It is time to take a breath and relax as we gather in this retreat center for 7 days where we will settle into a communal lifestyle where we all participate in organic meal creation at breakfast and dinner. Our leisurely dinners give us the opportunity to connect at a deep level with sharing and discussions. This as much as possible is designed to replicate the energy and intention of the early Essene communities which focused on community and collaboration. This retreat center has been recently renovated and is in the midst of beautiful land with lots of space to spread out. We are very close to most of the places we will visit over the next 6 days.
Set in the centre of a circle of mountains, it is the scenery and Cathar history that makes it a good base to explore from. As well as exploring we have a free day during this time to begin to integrate our experiences to this point. Our days are flexible as we allow for the divine feminine energy to direct our journeys out from the retreat center. Over the next few days we will be visiting many of the amazing sites that are within a short drive of the Domaine. Depending on the weather the days may be in a different sequence. We have a free day where there will an opportunity to process and spend time connecting to the energy of the beautiful land. There will also be some surprises on this day. This is a little taste of the energy at the Domaine de Mournac created by Dominique Hurley during our last pilgrimage.
Note the sequence of the following days can change – weather and other factors will determine the final sequence
Day 5 we leave at 9 am for Montsegur, noted as being the last refuge of the Cathars during the Albigensian crusade. The mountain is energized by two major ley lines that intersect. It is said the Mary’s fabled Book of Love was held here and was not found after the siege.
We begin the day here climbing up to the top (the bus takes us part way up!!!) and exploring the ruins. If you have Cathar memories they may surface here. It is peaceful at the top with amazing views. In 1244 the attack on the castle intensified and the Cathars were defeated and any who chose to maintain their beliefs were burned at the stake. At the base is an monument to the 210 who chose to die in the fire on March 16, 1244 rather than give up their beliefs. We will be tuning into the energy at the monument and taking a moment to honor those Cathars who refused to give up their beliefs and chose to be die in the fire.
On the way home we stop at Les Contes, to visit Notre Dame de Sophia, Our Lady of Wisdom – a chapel consecrated to the continuous lineage of the feminine principle, which these mountains have known since the beginning of time. The power in this simple chapel is immense and you will feel the devotion that has been poured into its creation.
Les Contes is situated at the confluence of two rivers and beside La Source de Belisama, a very holy spring. “People say the Cathars washed the Holy Grail at this spring, and that the Book of Love is hidden deep inside. There are suggestions that Mary Magdalene spent time here, sending word back and forth to the Holy Land, whereas the Cathars used this crossroads to exchange herbs, food and ‘objects’ precious to their tradition.” After visiting the chapel we will spend some time exploring this community, the gardens and the animals that are cared for so consciously. You will want to fill your water bottle with the energized water here before we return to the retreat centre.
Day 6 we take a windy drive up the mountain to a very special small church at St. Salvayre. There is very powerful energy there especially around the altar. Some legends say that Yeshua died here. While there is no documentation on this, you may want to call in his energy and ask for a blessing as you meditate. We will leave a donation in the box as a thank you to the villagers who care for this space. We then visit La Fontaine des Amours, near Rennes-les-Bains. The source is energized by the Pic de Bugarach.
The top pool feeds down into a heart shaped pool. It is a very special place where some say that Mary Magdalene performed baptisms. A popular spot in the summer for locals swimming, in May the water is cold and the spot is not so busy. There is fairy energy in the area as well. We will visit the Chair of Isis in the same area where you can sit in the chair and connect to the energy before we take visit Limoux. In the book Rennes-Le-Chateau, Maria Magdalene and the Master Builders there is a picture of an Ankh on the seat of the Chair of Isis.
We head to Limoux where we will visit the Basilica of Notre Dame de Marceille, a 14th Century Gothic church dedicated to Mary. The basilica is built around a Black Madonna and has been a pilgrimage destination for centuries. She has been known to heal the blind. The water from the spring down the hill from the Basilica is said to have healing powers. There is a shrine down the hill from the church – it is small and on the right. You will have to kneel to put your hand in the water through the grate. If you have a small container you can fill it up here.- it is not drinkable but has powerful energy. There are many beautiful statutes, stained glass windows and a garden.
We then head to the Pic de Bugarach. This upside down mountain, which looks like the top has been broken off, has very strong energies. It is seen as a portal or star gate to other dimensions. It is a major energy vortex and connects to a network of ley lines in the area. There are many reportings of UFO sightings around the top of the mountain. For those highly attuned to energy it will be interesting to see what you perceive. According to some sources this is the 2nd (sacral) chakra of the planet. Some have compared the energy to that of Mount Shasta even though they are not physically alike. Anna, Voice of the Magdalene’s book speaks about the location of the former Essene community at Pic de Bugarach. Another legend states that it is the burial spot of Jesus and Mary Magdalene. We will visit the small church there that seems connected to the mountain. Situated on ley lines it is a powerful place to focus quietly on the energies. The power center seems to be at the base of the cross rather than at the altar. We will spend some time here in meditation as well as taking a walk by the lake.
Day 7 we leave for Tarascon-sur-Ariège to visit the Grotte de Bethleem – a cave famous for Cathar Initiations. It is possible the mysterious treasure of the Cathars was hidden in the caves of the Ariège valley. This was a major highlight of the 2023 pilgrimage. We will take some time to meditate and to connect to the ceremonies done in this cave. Here is a taste of the energy of the Grotte in a video created by one of the participants who is a master of energy.
Video of the Cave of Bethelem – Ornalac, Pilgrimage 2023
After the Grotte de Bethleem, we head to the magical, natural Nebias Labyrinth allowing our systems to reconnect to the land and the energy in this labyrinth and forest. This was a big hit on the last pilgrimage and we will be here longer to meditate, journal, enjoy a picnic lunch and bask in the energy of the forest. If you are sensitive to fairies, angels and the energy of other realms you may find some magic here. Allow yourself to open to feeling the energies of the area and a deeper connection to the land.
Day 8 we have a day off at the retreat center. A day to catch up with your journaling, relax by the pool, or go for a walk. There are some things in planning stages. These will be revealed once we are at the retreat center. There is a full moon on Sep 17 as well as a partial lunar eclipse on Sept 18 – there will be a ceremony to take advantage of the energy.
Day 9 we begin by visiting Perillos for a meditation at La Grotte de Perillos, reputed to be used by Mary Magdalene as a retreat and for ceremonies. We will spend some quiet time in the sacred place to meditate and sit quietly before heading to the picturesque village of Cucugnan. It is famous from Alphonse Daudet’s Lettres de mon Moulin. It is therefore not an imaginary village, but a real village, planted on a small hill surrounded by vines and guarded by two citadels, high places of the Cathar epic. High above the village you can see the Château de Quéribus, a Cathar citadel watching over the town. Of particular interest is the Eglise Saint-Julien et Sainte-Basilisse which houses a statue of the pregnant virgin.
We then visit The Gorge of Galumus – Ermitage Saint-Antoine de Galamus (Hermitage Saint Antoine of Galamus). The drive is stunning
as we wind up to the top. It is a very simple Hermitage nestled in a cave on the side of a cliff with exquisite wooden sculptures. The energy of Mary Magdalene is said to be very strong here – it may have been a ceremonial place. There is also a sense of heart energy and a lovely blend of the masculine and feminine. Each person will experience the energy differently.
The chapel was built in 1782 in honor of Saint Antoine who saved the nearby village from an epidemic of Suette, the sweating sickness.
In one of the caves a natural basin collects runoff water, which was used as drinking water by the hermits.
Day 10 we visit the famous Rennes-le-Chateau highlighted in the movie “The Da Vinci Code”. There is powerful Earth energy here and in nearby Bugarach. We begin the day at the simple Church of Saint Mary Magdalene, which despite its size has much to explore. Much is hidden for those who have eyes to see. The Magdalene Line Trilogy by Kathleen McGowan is a good read as you are preparing for the pilgrimage.
The original church was dedicated to Mary Magdalene in 1059. Catharism was very strong at that time and had a lot of influence. While there is no evidence that Jesus and Mary Magdalene were married we know that the Catholic church went to great lengths to remove any evidence that did not support their dogma.
The current structure was renovated in the late 19th century by the controversial and well-loved Bishop Saunière who had a deep love for Mary Magdalene. Within the church are many clues to what Bishop Saunière wanted others to know about Mary Magdalene. One of his many gifts to the town was the construction of the Magdalene Tower.
There is much controversy about the surprising wealth the priest Saunière spent creating the Magdalene tower and the home near the church. What is the truth – will we ever really know? Within the church are many clues to what Bishop Saunière wanted others to know about Mary Magdalene. Can we bypass the controversy and instead tune into our own wisdom? Is the Holy grail inside of us? Take enough time in this small church to allow for your own sense of the energies to arise. There is no need to rush as this complete day is set aside for the Magdalene energy to come through.
Following the church visit we move on to the Bérenger Saunière Museum. Entrance to the museum is included in your package and also provides access to the Magdalene Tower, The Oratory, and Saunière’s home and gardens. All of these can be explored at your leisure prior to our lunch at Le Bistro des Amis, a charming restaurant owned by David Bailey who is famous for his Magdalene meditations. The rest of the day is open for exploring.
Day 11 We say goodbye to the Domaine de Mournac leaving at 9 am to transport to Rocamadour. Famous for its sanctuary and more especially for its Black Virgin, Rocamadour has been attracting large number of visitors and pilgrims for centuries. The village of Rocamadour is the second most visited attraction in France after Mont-Saint-Michel. The pilgrimage site became one of the four holy places of Christendom along with Jerusalem, Rome and Santiago de Compostela.
Rocamadour is said to be a place where miracles happen . . .
We will arrive about 1 pm leaving lots of time for exploration – the bus will stop for a break for coffee on the way.
Sunday Day 12 We depart Rocamadour heading north to Paris. We are transported to Brive-la-Gaillarde where we board a high speed train to Paris, enjoying the French countryside. We will arrive in time to freshen up before gathering for dinner.
Day 13 – a free day in Paris. This is a day to enjoy Paris in all of its amazing offerings. The Louvre is open – plan ahead as the lines are long. Notre Dame is not open until December 2024. Some take a cruise. Others explore museums and galleries. There are many beautiful parks and gardens for those who just want to take this time to reconnect with nature.
Day 14 We explore L’Eglise de la Madeleine – a church filled with amazing history – it looks more like something that we would find around Rome with massive columns on the exterior. This church is more popularly known as La Madeleine. The
structure of the building links back to the original intention to build something for the glory of Napoleon’s army. There is a powerful statue at the rear of the church depicting angels holding a pregnant Mary Magdalene. Behind the statue is the mosaic Mary Magdalene kneeling before Christ with her alabaster jar. We will take some time in silence to explore and absorb the history of this temple.
Following that we walk to Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal about 15 minutes walk. This is the church that honors the 
French nun Catherine Labouré who was a Marian visionary. The famous Miraculous Medal of our Lady of Graces, worn by millions is believed to have been created by her as requested by Mother Mary. The chapel is small and very warm with lots of blue energy. She is incorrupt and her coffin is located at the top of the Church to the right of the main altar. A good place to pray for a miracle for yourself or others in your life.
Next we walk about 5 minutes to Eglise Saint-Sulpice, one of the oldest churches in Paris. This church gained fame from the Da Vinci Code due to its location on the zero meridian. A brass line runs through the cathedral known as the Rose-Line, said to be symbolic of the royal bloodline of the Merovingian Kings. The old legend claimed the kings were from the bloodline of Mary Magdalene and Yeshua. Also in this church is a large sundial which runs north to south which is used to calculate the dates of Easter and other sacred days that change from year to year. The Rose-line runs through the sundial and then through the church. This line runs down to the south of France and runs through Rennes-le-Chateau. One of the titles of Isis is Queen of Crowns of the North and South. Isis is the Esoteric Queen of the Red Serpent Rose-line. The red line connects to the power of fertility, menstruation and the matriarchal lineage of Isis. In history both Isis and Mary Magdalene had the task to resurrect their dead solar king.
In Saint-Sulpice is an interesting stature of Mary Magdalene with 4 children – one suckling as well as a beautiful statue holding Sophia energy with Grandmother Anna holding a young Mary.
After Saint Sulpice you are free to explore some of the many Paris attractions or spend some time in meditation before we gather again for a leisurely dinner and discussion. Sacre-Coeur is well worth a visit.
If time permits on your own Église Notre-Dame de la Paix de Picpus (35 rue Picpus) houses a very famous black madonna. This little but powerful black virgin has more connection to the Merovingian royal family than any other black Madonna to date. Open from 9-12 and 4-6.
Day 15 we are off early to visit Vezelay, Burgundy to explore the Basilica of St Mary Magdalene. The relics of Mary Magdalene were brought to Vezelay from the Church of Saint Maximum near the grotto of Sainte Baume in the 11th century. In the crypt of the church there are two shrines one dedicated to Mary Magdalene and one dedicated to Christ. “We sat between these two shrines … I felt like I was sitting in the Bridal Chamber of the Divine …. finding the Sacred Masculine and the Sacred Feminine in the silence of the crypt.” Raylene Abbott
Vezelay is the starting point of many pilgrimages in France, the energy of pilgrims that have been visiting this site for centuries is profound.
We arrive at Vezelay about noon. We have several hours to explore the energy of Vezelay before getting back on the bus to Chartres, our final destination.
We arrive at Chartres early in the evening where the centuries old energy of the Chartres Cathedral awaits us. Chartres is said to be on ley lines which link Glastonbury, Stonehenge and the Pyramids in Egypt. The Cathedral is filled with imagery, sacred geometry, carvings, stained-glass windows and sculptures of feminine figures, offering a glimpse into the feminine aspect of God. There is much here to be aware of – and it is often hidden in plain view for those with eyes to see. We’ll have two days to explore the energy and history of Chartres, long associated with the Divine Feminine (millennia before Christianity).
The famous Chartres light show on the Cathedral will begin about 10 pm.
Chartres Labyrinth and Light Show
Day 16 we will enjoy a private tour of the cathedral in the morning. With its 160 stained glass windows, crypt and labyrinth, it is a place of rare architectural beauty with sacred geometry and is said to house the tunic of the Blessed Mother, the Sancta Camisia. Also of interest is the Black Madonna – the subject of controversy as it was lightened as part of the renovation of the cathedral. The remainder of the day the day is open for your exploration. You may want to partake of the rooftop tour. In the evening we jump onto a little tourist train for an amazing tour of the lights that are famous as part of the annual Chartres en Lumière.
Day 17 is our final day and the labyrinth, a perfect reflection of the size of the rose window that looks down on it, awaits us. Although the labyrinth is open earlier we will allow the crowds to thin out before we start as a group about noon, solidifying our intention in the presence of the divine feminine energy of the Cathedral. Taking time for journaling, meditation and intention setting before the labyrinth walk will amplify the energy. You can walk as many times as you want and many participants do.
After the labyrinth walk you are free for lunch and exploration before our final group ceremony and celebration Friday evening.
Day 18 is departure day. Our bus will pick us up in Chartres at 9:00 and we will arrive back in Paris at the Charles de Gaulle airport by 11 am.
Your Tour Facilitators:
Ariana Brackenbury – Leader
Ariana has been leading spiritual pilgrimages since 2015 in Spain and France. In 2018 she was feeling the call to the Magdalene energy and led the first Mary Magdalene pilgrimage in September. She was first attracted to the Magdalene energy Dec. 2005 when she began reading about the early life of Jesus and Mary Magdalene in Claire Heartsong’s book, Anna, Grandmother of Jesus and the sequel Anna, The Voice of the Magdalenes. Witnessing the patriarchal structures on the planet ramping up she has become more aware of the importance of working with women and men to heal the divine feminine/divine masculine balance. The Magdalene energy is one that is calling many to join this healing force. This is her 4th Mary Magdalene Pilgrimage in France.
Ariana is a facilitator, inspirational speaker and heart centered leader who is deeply dedicated to inspiring others to listen to the whispers of their heart and step more fully into what is calling. Ariana offers mentoring programs and spiritual pilgrimage journeys to those who want to live a more fulfilling life and discover a deep connection to spirit and themselves.
June Round – Assistant Facilitator
Many years ago, when June was led to read Mary Magdalene’s journey, intuitively she knew it to be true. In her search for the divine feminine, inspired by Quan Yin, she has traveled worldwide and brought the teachings of Buddhism, Christ consciousness and indigenous culture into her Thai massage practice for over twenty years.
June is now sharing her massive wisdom in Thai Massage and energy work to certify others in providing healing services. She has been guided to facilitate journeys and retreats to share her knowledge. As CEO of Namaste World Music festival her mission is to facilitate, through spirit, a healing of our hearts, souls and physical bodies.
During the tour June is the chef in charge of the fabulous gourmet organic evening meals at the retreat center. Reviews from previous trips said that our evening meals at the retreat center were a highlight. June will also be co-facilitating our ceremonies and assisting with logistics.
Tour includes:
- 18 days, 17 nights hotel accommodations at amazing properties along the route.
- Rooms are double occupancy – if you are not booking with someone you will be matched up during the trip at no extra cost. There is no single supplement. Please note that due to the structure of rooms at the retreat center some of the rooms are triple.
- 17 breakfasts and dinners.
- Ground transportation during the tour
- Ceremonies and group processes.
- Gratuities for drivers and chef.
- Entrance fees to all activities described in this itinerary for places we are visiting as a group.
- Each participant is welcome to an optional soul song session with Ariana. These can be booked before departure or during the trip as time and space permits.
- Bus from Chartres to Charles de Gaulle airport on final day of the pilgrimage
Tour does not include:
- International Airfare and any travel costs to get to Aix-en-Provence
- Lunches
- Any costs incurred on the days when you are exploring on your own during free times.
- Incidentals at hotels such as laundry, valet service, coffee, tea, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages
Note: Men are welcome to allow a balance of masculine and feminine energy. It is only allowed if you come with a partner or if you agree to pay a single supplement. Women will be matched with other women for the double occupancy.
Due to circumstances not known when the itinerary was planned there may be changes to deal with current conditions in France.
It is highly recommended that you purchase travel protection and trip cancellation insurance.
Your investment for the 18 days $6,888 USD CAD pricing on request
1 space is available
Please read our Mary Magdalene Pilgrimages 2024 terms and conditions before requesting a call.
Mary Magdalene Pilgrimages 2024 terms and conditions and waiver
If this resonates with you click below to set up a preliminary call to determine if the trip is a good match or call 403-608-4274 to set up a call.