Join Jason Evert and JP2 Trails on a backpacking retreat in France! Travel and hike through the regions of Normandy, Brittany, and Pays de la Loire visiting monasteries, eating delicious cuisine, and making new friends. Jason will be teaching from St. John Paul II’s Meditation on Givenness & Love and Responsibility in the evenings and there will be plenty of prayer opportunities.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Hiking barefoot through the bay to Mont St. Michel on the Feast of St. Michael
- Praying at the tomb of St. Therese of Lisieux
- The sublime chanting of the monks of Solesmes Abbey
ITINERARY
Lisieux
Day 1 Arrive at the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) and join the group I Transfer to Lisieux I Pray at St. Therese’s tomb in the Carmel where she was a nun I Visit the Basilica of St. Therese and the tombs of SS. Louis and Zelie Martin I Discover St. Therese’ childhood home I Transfer to the Priory of Mont St. Michel where we will set up our tents
Mont St. Michel Hiking
Day 2 Transfer a short ways to do a beautiful hike on the coast between the towns of Cancale and Saint-Malo I Enjoy some free time in the towns before heading back to camp
Day 3 Today we will do the “Grand Traverse” across the bay to reach Mont St. Michel I Attend mass in the Abbey Church for the feast day of St. Michael I Transfer to Solesmes Abbey
Solesmes Abbey
Day 4 Follow the rhythm of the monastic day with the monks of the Abbey of St. Peter of Solesmes I Enjoy the peace and stillness of the Sarthe River and the soaring monastic buildings towering above I Share one last French dinner with the group
Day 5 Transfer to the Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airport in the morning
*Itinerary subject to change
OPTIONAL ADD-ONS
Pre-Trip
SEPTEMBER 26 Arrive a day early in order to walk around Paris, recover from jet-lag, and ensure an on-time arrival the next morning so you don’t miss our coach to Lisieux
Post-Trip
OCTOBER 1,2,3 Spend more time in Paris, explore Versailles and the Chartres Cathedral, and depart in the morning on October 3.
*Jason Evert will not be on either add-on option.
EATING
All meals will be provided. Breakfasts are in the local style (typically not as hearty as American style). Some lunches will be picnics. Dinners will be catered. We can accommodate most food allergies.
LUGGAGE
Your hiking will be with just a daypack. You do not need to hike with a big backpack with all of your belongings, so you are free to bring any time of luggage with you on this trip. We will provide a detailed packing list.
PRAYING
Prayer is at the heart of our pilgrimage. Opportunities include daily Mass, adoration, liturgy of the hours, and the rosary. We will also spend some time in silent prayer. Jason will also be giving some talks on JP2’s Meditation on Givenness & Love and Responsibility.
CAMPING & LODGING
THE PRIORY OF MONT ST. MICHEL
Lodging Level: Camping, 2 nights. You will organize into tent groups before the trip and are responsible for providing a tent and sleeping materials. Bathrooms and showers are available.
SOLESMES ABBEY
Lodging Level: Basic, 2 nights. You will sleep in indoor dormitories divided by gender.
JASON EVERT & JP2 TRAILS
$1,995
INCLUDES
• 4 nights lodging
• All breakfasts
• All lunches
• All dinners
• Ground transportation
• Entrance fee into the Abbey Museum at Mont St. Michel
• 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
• Camping gear
• Train ticket to Pontorson if you arrive late
• Optional add-ons
• Fee if paying by credit card
• Anything else not listed
OPTIONAL ADD-ON 1 ($260)
• Included: 1 night lodging in Paris at Standard Level, 1 dinner, 1 breakfast, ground transportation, staff accompaniment
• Not Included: anything not listed above
OPTIONAL ADD-ON 2 ($500)
• Included: 2 nights lodging in Paris at Standard Level, 2 dinners, 2 breakfasts, ground transportation, entrance fee to Versailles Chateau, staff accompaniment
• Not Included: anything not listed above
DATES
SEPTERMBER 27 - OCTOBER 1, 2025
Sign-up & Deposit Deadline: July 15, 2025
Details
ACTIVITY LEVELS
Day 2: Hiking
Level: 1
Distance: 5 miles
Elevation Gain: Less than 500ft
Type of Pack: Daypack
Optional
Day 3: Hiking
Level: 2
Distance: 4.5 miles
Elevation Gain: Mostly flat
Type of Pack: Daypack
This hike is optional. This hike must be undertaken barefoot due to the mud/sand surface.
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 as easy of a manner. Activities are weather-dependent. Distances and durations may vary from the information given above
ARRIVAL
You are responsible for purchasing your own airfare. Please do not purchase until you receive a trip confirmation from us. We will be recommending a specific USA-Paris flight to get on which will be the one Jason Evert will be on. You are free to book a different flight arriving before this recommended flight, but, unfortunately, if it is delayed past when Jason’s flight arrives, the coach to Lisieux will not be able to wait for you and you will need to take a train to Pontorson to meet the group after the visit to Lisieux. We highly recommend, if you are not able to book the recommended flight, that you purchase the pre-trip optional add-on and arrive in Paris a day early.
Airport: Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)
DEPARTURE
Airport: Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)
You are responsible for booking your own ticket. Please do not book a ticket before 10am as we will not be able to have you to the airport in time.
TRANSPORTATION
We will be using a private coach for this pilgrimage. The post trip add-on will be using a train to get to Versailles and Chartres. Pre and post trips may be taking a taxi or a metro to the airport (sometimes it is faster to take the metro depending on traffic)
INSURANCE
Each pilgrim should have health insurance. We highly recommend purchasing traveler’s insurance as well.
ELIGIBILITY
Must be at least 18 years old
By signing up for this pilgrimage, you agree to our Booking Terms & Conditions
LEADERS
JASON EVERT- Founder and Director of JP2 Trails
CHRISTOHER BAKER– Founder and Director of ALP
PAST JP2 TRAILS TRIPS
SIGNING UP
Step 1: Sign up & Deposit
Fill out our short online form. We will invoice you for the deposit
Step 2: Registration
We will send you more trip information including our online Registration Packet
Step 3: Final Payment & Confirmation
Please wait to buy a plane ticket until you receive a trip confirmation from us