Lourdes & Rocamadour
This unique and peaceful itinerary centers around two of the greatest Marian destinations in France: Lourdes and Rocamadour. Several days of leisurely kayaking down the Dordogne River from one quaint French village to another is an incredible experience in itself, and, combined with the pilgrimage destinations, this trip is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You will get a chance to escape the classic touristy areas and enjoy the beauty of the French countryside with profound spiritual encounters, delicious food, and excellent company all along the way!
HIGHLIGHTS
- Kayaking to the village of Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne and its beautiful abbey
- The cliff-side sanctuary of Rocamadour
- Praying at the apparition site of Our Lady to St. Bernadette
ITINERARY
The Dordogne River
Days 1-6: Meet in Brive-la-Gaillarde and discover the Caves of St. Anthony of Padua before our welcome dinner I Transfer to Monceaux to begin kayaking after an introduction I Paddle to the village of Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne and visit the beautiful abbey I The next day’s paddle brings us to Carennac with its stunning architecture I Creysse the next day will blow you away with its small streams, rural farmhouses, and the Church of Saint-Germain towering over it all I Finally, after skipping a section with a van, the castles on the way to Beynac will take your breath away
Rocamadour
Days 6-8: Rocamadour, one of the oldest and most visited pilgrimage destinations in France, little known today outside of France, was founded by Zaccheus, the tax collector from the Gospel of St. Luke, according to tradition I Pray in the basilica of Saint-Sauveur and the crypt of Saint-Amadour which are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites I Try the local Rocamadour cheese which also brings some fame to the town
Lourdes
Days 8-10: Transfer to Lourdes with a stop in Toulouse to visit the tomb of St. Thomas Aquinas I In Lourdes, pray at the grotto where the Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bernadette I Discover the places associated with St. Bernadette’s life and learn the story of the apparitions I Participate in the candlelight rosary procession in the evening and bottle up some Lourdes holy water to bring home to family and friends
*Itinerary subject to change
LODGING
Religious Houses & Hotels
We will be staying mainly in hotels, but we may spend a couple of nights in the guest accommodations of religious houses (monasteries, convents, sanctuaries, etc.). The faith, culture, and history of these places adds a unique element to the character of our pilgrimage. The rooms are clean, comfortable, and nice, but not “luxurious'”. Normally 1 or 2 roommates of the same gender. Air conditioner is generally not available.
EATING
We eat mainly at restaurants. Menus may be limited to fixed options or set menus. Some meals may be picnics. Breakfasts provided are in the local style (typically not as hearty as American style). We can accommodate most food allergies.
BACKPACKS
All of your belongings must fit in a backpack. We will be using luggage transfers while we are kayaking and will provide a dry-bag for your items in the boat. No rolling suitcases or other types of luggage are allowed on this trip. We will provide a detailed packing list.
PRAYING
Prayer is at the heart of the pilgrimage. Daily mass, the liturgy of the hours, the rosary, and other prayer opportunities are available throughout the pilgrimage for you to join as you like. A few of the days along the Dordogne may not have daily mass depending on local schedules.
LOURDES & ROCAMADOUR
$1,990
INCLUDES
• 9 nights lodging
• All breakfasts
• All dinners
• Ground transportation
• Outdoor activities (guides, rental equipment, tips)
• Pilgrimage materials (reading packet, prayer booklet, maps, group gear)
• Masses and other spiritual activities
• All tips and service charges to drivers, restaurants, etc.
DOES NOT INCLUDE
• Flights
• All lunches
• Travel to and from the airport
• Single room supplement ($600)
• Fee if paying by credit card
• Anything else not listed
DATES
june 26 - July 5, 2025
Sign-up Deadline: March 15, 2025 I Max Capacity: 20
OPTIONAL ADD-ON
PARIS & NORMANDY
France
OPEN ENROLLMENT: To Paris, the tomb of St. Therese of Lisieux, Mont St. Michel, and more!
THE DORDOGNE RIVER
Information about your kayaking experience
The sections of the Dordogne we will be paddling are suitable for beginners and tourists. The river will be mainly flat water but there will also be some small rapids. The river is typically shallow with the bottom varying between rocks, mud, and grass. The water is clear, and given the time of year this trip is scheduled for, the water should not be very cold. There are many beaches along the way where we will stop for swimming and relaxing. The kayaks will be “sit-on-top” and you may have the option of a single or a tandem.
ACTIVITY LEVELS
Day 2: Kayaking
Level 3: 12 miles, 4 hours.
Day 3: Kayaking
Level 3: 12 miles, 4 hours.
Day 4: Kayaking
Level 3: 14 miles, 4 hours 30min.
Day 5: Kayaking
Level 3: 10 miles, 3 hours 30min
Day 6: Hiking
Level 1: 2.7 miles, 2ooft elevation gain. Backpack. Optional
Click here to learn more about how we determine our activity levels. “Optional” means it is easy for you to skip the activity. Skipping or modifying other routes may be possible but not in an easy manner. All activities are weather dependent. Distances may vary from the information given above.
Details
Arrival
Meet at the train station in Brive-la-Gillarde by 5pm on June 26, 2025. You may reach Brive-la-Gillarde from Toulouse, Paris, Bordeaux- or whatever fits with your travel plans. We recommend arriving in France on June 25 and taking the train on June 26 in order to minimize the risk of flight delays causing you to miss a train.
Departure
This pilgrimage ends in Lourdes. You may fly out of the Lourdes airport or take a train to Toulouse, Paris, Bordeaux, or wherever fits with your travel plans.
Transportation
We will be using a variety of transportation on this pilgrimage, both public and private. We will be using some trains, private taxis, and shuttles.
Eligibility
This pilgrimage is open-enrollment: anyone can sign up. Must be comfortable with the activities and activity levels listed. Must know how to swim in order to kayak. Must be able to handle your own luggage (except when using a luggage transfer for kayaking) and have a sense of adventure.
trip leaders
Christopher Baker
Founder and Director of ALP
SIGNING UP
Step 1: Sign up & Deposit
Fill out our short online form and make the $500 deposit required to reserve your place
Step 2: Registration
We will send you the trip info and registration packets to complete and send back to us
Step 3: Payment & Confirmation
Please wait to buy your plane ticket until you receive a trip confirmation