Andrew Harvey is an author, spiritual teacher, and founder of the Institute of Sacred Activism, dedicated to creating a new world founded in universal compassion and sacred passion for all life.
MOREJoin author, spiritual teacher and advocate for the divine feminine, Andrew Harvey on a journey to the sacred sites of Mary Magdalene and The Black Madonna in France.
On this journey, you will be guided through the sumptuous and varied landscape of France visiting potent and ancient sacred sites associated with the divine feminine. Through transmissions, group discussions and holy practices led by Andrew, discover the hidden history of Mary Magdalene, the significance of the Black Madonna, and an expanded vision of Christ Consciousness that integrates fully the embodied wisdom and passion for compassion and justice of the sacred feminine. From the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, to La Salette where the virgin appeared, to the UNESCO world heritage site of Basilica of Sainte Marie-Madeleine, to Rocamadour, our journey will delve deeply into the mysteries of the mother and of her radiant and radical embodiments, Mary and Mary Magdelene. READ MORE
Andrew Harvey is an author, spiritual teacher, and founder of the Institute of Sacred Activism, dedicated to creating a new world founded in universal compassion and sacred passion for all life.
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Tour Description
This journey is inspired by Andrew Harvey’s pioneering 40 years work on the divine feminine ~ the vision of mother he gave in his book, The Return of the Mother, the vision of Mary as Divine Mother he offered in his book Son of Man: The Mystical Path to Christ, and in his new book out in February 2026, The Magdalene Revolution.
This sacred journey begins in the heart of Paris, where you will arrive and settle into your hotel, with time to explore nearby cultural gems such as the Orsay Museum or the bustling city center. In the evening, you will join your fellow travelers and meet your tour leader, Andrew Harvey, at a welcome dinner in a Parisian Bistro, setting the tone for a journey filled with spiritual discovery and deep reflection.
The following morning brings a guided exploration of Paris’s most revered churches. We will start with the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, the place where the extraordinary apparitions of Mary began. You will witness the serene and mystical energy surrounding the incorrupt body of Catherine Labouré, who is believed to have created the Miraculous Medal at Mother Mary’s request. The journey continues to the grand Eglise de la Madeleine, where the striking statue of angels holding a pregnant Mary Magdalene and the mosaic of her kneeling before Christ evoke a powerful connection to the divine. The day concludes at Eglise Saint-Sulpice, with its profound historical and mystical significance. Saint Sulpice is the church where the greatest of all Marian mystics, Louis de Montfort, held his first mass as a young priest. We will visit and pray at his statue in the holy and serene chapel and to Mary as immaculate conception.
From Paris, the journey moves to the majestic Chartres Cathedral, celebrated for its sacred geometry and feminine symbolism. The energy and history of Chartres, long associated with the divine feminine, will be explored, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in this ancient spiritual center. From there, you will travel to Vézelay, a town rich in Christian heritage, where you will visit the Basilica of Sainte Marie-Madeleine where her relics have been worshipped since the 1200’s. This UNESCO-listed Romanesque Basilica, with its intricate sculptures and powerful spiritual presence, has been a pilgrimage site for centuries, drawing kings, emperors, and countless pilgrims.
Your path then leads to La Salette-Fallavaux, where you will visit the Notre-Dame de la Salette sanctuary, a stark and sublime mountain site of profound Marian apparitions recognized by the Catholic Church. The pilgrimage will then take you into the glowing heart of the south of France, to Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume, where you’ll explore the Sainte-Marie-Madeleine Basilica, home to the relics of Saint Mary Magdalene, and the Sainte-Marie-Madeleine Cave, where she spent her last 30 years in radiant and transfigured solitude.
As the pilgrimage draws to a close, you will visit the village of Saintes-Marie-de-la-Mer, the site of where Mary Magdelene is said to have arrived in France, and the fortified town of Carcassonne, with its extraordinary medieval architecture and it’s deep association with the Cathars who kept Mary Magdalene’s memory intact. The final destination is Rocamadour, the most famous and powerful of all the sites of the Black Madonna and a place where miracles in her name have occurred over many centuries. This journey, rich in sacred sites, deep sacred sharing and tender and passionate spiritual reflection, will leave you with an indelible connection to the divine feminine in all her transformative power, and the timeless alchemy of pilgrimage.
Arrive in Paris. For those arriving Jul 19 or 20, an arrival transfer will be included. Transfer to the hotel to drop off your luggage (if arriving before the check-in time of 3:00 pm). You can enjoy the afternoon at your leisure, perhaps visiting the Orsay Museum which is 800 meters away or wander around the city centre located a short 200m away.
Around 6:00 pm, meet Andrew Harvey, our local guide, and your fellow pilgrims for an introductory meeting, followed by a welcome dinner at a Parisian Bistro.
(Overnight in Paris at Hôtel Lenox Montparnasse or similar)
This morning, you’ll meet in the hotel lobby for a guided tour of Paris. Your first stop is the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, dedicated to French nun Catherine Labouré, 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. Here, you'll see her incorrupt body near the main altar, in a chapel known for its warmth and blue energy.
Next, you’ll visit the Eglise de la Madeleine, a grand church with Roman-style columns, originally intended to honor Napoleon’s army. Inside, you'll find a striking statue of angels holding a pregnant Mary Magdalene and a mosaic of her kneeling before Christ with her alabaster jar.
After enjoying lunch at your leisure, the tour concludes at Eglise Saint-Sulpice, one of Paris's oldest churches. This church features a brass line linked to the Merovingian Kings' bloodline and the Rose-line, associated with fertility and the matriarchal lineage of Isis. 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. You'll also see a unique statue of Mary Magdalene with four children.
We will then head back to the hotel where the rest of the day is yours to enjoy as you please.
(Overnight in Paris at Hôtel Lenox Montparnasse or similar)
After breakfast, we will make the 90-minute journey to Chartres, 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 dedicated to the Divine Mother as Mary and is filled with imagery, sacred geometry, carvings, stained-glass windows and sculptures of feminine figures. We will plunge into the energy and history of Chartres, long associated with the Divine Feminine from millennia before Christianity and with Mary Magdelene who is said to have visited Chartres with Joseph of Arimathea after the crucifixion. Special attention will be paid to the worship in Chartres of the Black Madonna, both in the statue in the main church and in the Madonna in the crypt.
After our visit we will wander the medieval quarter of Chartres and revel in a local lunch. We'll then embark on the drive to Sens, which takes approximately 2 hours.
Upon arrival, you can have dinner at your leisure and unwind at our hotel for the night—perhaps with a drink on the rooftop terrace overlooking the cathedral. Or, take a short stroll through the charming town to admire the stunning Gothic architecture and soak in the atmosphere.
(Overnight in Sens at Epona Hôtel Sens or similar)
After breakfast, we will depart on our 90-minute journey to Vézelay, a town rich in Christian history and home to a UNESCO-listed Romanesque basilica. The medieval town, with its hilltop location, stunning architecture, and superb natural light, has been a pilgrimage site for centuries, drawing thousands, including kings and emperors, to venerate the relics of Sainte Madeleine before embarking on the Way of St. James or various crusades.
In Vézelay, we will enjoy lunch together at a local restaurant before visiting the Basilica of Sainte Marie-Madeleine. Perched on the "eternal hill," this sublime Romanesque masterpiece is famous for its austere and noble architecture and for the thrilling naturalness and vitality of its sculptures. Take your time to explore and appreciate the basilica's carvings and otherworldly serenity.
At day’s end, we’ll transfer to our hotel for check-in and dinner at your leisure.
(Overnight in Vézelay at Hotel de la Poste et du Lion d’Or or similar
We will enjoy breakfast at the hotel before departing for La Salette-Fallavaux around 6 hours away, with a stop along the way for lunch. Upon arrival, we will visit the Notre-Dame de la Salette sanctuary, erected on the bare mountain where on September 19, 1846, two shepherd children, Maximin Giraud and Mélanie Calvat, encountered a "Beautiful Lady" bathed in light and in tears. She entrusted them with a message of profound warning about the future and of the need for "all her people" to turn to the motherhood of God. After five years of rigorous investigation, Bishop Philibert de Bruillard of Grenoble officially recognized the authenticity of the apparition.
In the evening, we’ll settle in at our hotel and share dinner together at the on-site restaurant.
(Overnight in Ancelle at Hôtel Restaurant & Spa Les Autanes or similar)
Today, you'll depart early for the 3-hour drive to Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume.
Upon arrival, we’ll enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before visiting the Sainte-Marie-Madeleine Basilica—the only large Gothic church in Provence, built at a time when the region was still a separate state from France. The basilica is intimately tied to the rediscovery and veneration of Saint Mary Magdalene, whose presence in Provence had long been part of local legend but lacked official recognition.
After returning from the crusade in 1254, King Louis IX noted the absence of her relics and the lack of devotion to her in the region. In response, excavations were undertaken in 1279 beneath the oratory of Saint Maximin, where remains believed to be hers were uncovered. By 1281, these relics were officially recognized by Charles II, who—with the support of Pope Boniface VIII—commissioned the construction of the basilica in 1295 to honor her. Today, the basilica houses the relics venerated as the remains of Saint Mary Magdalene and stands as one of the most important pilgrimage sites dedicated to her legacy.
Following our time at the basilica, we’ll return to our hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure—perhaps sharing reflections with fellow pilgrims or unwinding in the shared lounge, garden, or on the sun terrace as you prepare for the powerful experiences that lie ahead.
(Overnight in Rousset at Logis Déjeunez sous l’Arbre or similar)
This morning, lace up your walking shoes for a one-hour ride and then climb up Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume mountain. You'll visit the Sainte-Marie-Madeleine Cave, where Saint Mary Magdalene spent her final years in solitude. The cave, now a sanctuary to some, can only be reached by a one hour and a half hike and houses some of her relics.
According to legend, after the Ascension, Mary Magdalene fled persecution, eventually reaching Marseille. Seeking solitude, she lived in the Sainte Baume massif for 30 years, sustained by roots and water, and visited by angels seven times a day. Before her death, angels carried her to the Via Aurelia near the Saint Maximin shrine. The cave, accessible by a 150-step staircase, can hold up to 1,000 people. A part of her remains is housed here, with her skull displayed in the Basilica of Saint Maximin.
We will enjoy a picnic lunch at the cave.
After rest and prayer, we will begin the hike back to the bus.
(Overnight in Rousset at Logis Déjeunez sous l’Arbre or similar)
This morning we’ll take a one-hour drive to visit the Abbaye du Thoronet, one of the three great Cistercian monasteries of Provence. For Andrew, it is the most beautiful building in France—a true masterpiece of sacred architecture. Built in the late 12th century, the abbey is fashioned from bare golden stone, its design stripped of ornamentation yet radiating an austere elegance. The Romanesque windows flood the interior with pure southern light, illuminating the perfect symmetry of the arches, columns, and vaulted ceilings. The acoustics of the abbey are world-renowned; a single voice or note of music resonates with extraordinary clarity, lingering in the air as if suspended. This fusion of simplicity, harmony, and luminosity creates a space that has inspired centuries of pilgrims, monks, and seekers alike—a place where stone and silence together invite contemplation and awe.
The rest of the day is open for journaling and exploration.
(Overnight in Rousset at Logis Déjeunez sous l’Arbre or similar)
We will start our day with a 2.5 hour journey to Saintes-Marie-de-la-Mer. This village, nestled between the Rhone and the Mediterranean, is rich in tradition and pilgrimage history. It’s said that Marie Jacobi, Marie Salomé, and their handmaid Sarah, persecuted Christians from Palestine, arrived here in a boat without a rudder. The village, with its protective church, offers a mix of history and emotion under an ever-changing light. This is also one of the places where legend says Mary Magdalene came ashore. Visitors can stroll through narrow streets and explore the Romanesque church of Notre-Dame-de-la-Mer, which has stood since the 9th century and dominates the town. Enjoy lunch at your leisure in this charming setting.
We’ll then continue with a scenic 3-hour drive to our hotel in Carcassonne, arriving in the early evening. Take this time to settle in and nourish yourself with a quiet meal and some well-earned rest in preparation for the last few days of the journey.
(Overnight in Carcassonne at Hotel Le Donjon or similar)
Today you’ll visit the fortified town of Carcassonne—an extraordinary architectural landmark and one of Europe’s most iconic medieval sites. Often referred to as the “Cité,” this hilltop fortress rises above the Minervois vineyards and carries the spirit of over 2,500 years of history. Carcassonne is home to two UNESCO World Heritage sites: the Canal du Midi, designated in 1996, and the remarkably preserved Medieval City, recognized in 1997. Situated on the right bank of the Aude River, the citadel is unmatched in scale and preservation, its story shaped by centuries of conquest, Cathar resistance, and the Crusades.
You’ll have time to explore the city’s narrow lanes, imposing ramparts, and atmospheric squares. Lunch is at your discretion in one of the many cafés or restaurants tucked within the fortress walls.
Later in the day, you’ll transfer back to your hotel. The evening is open for rest, reflection, or further wandering as you wish.
(Overnight in Carcassonne at Hotel Le Donjon or similar)
After breakfast, we will depart for Rocamadour (3.5 hours), a revered sanctuary perched high above the Alzou canyon. Famous for its miraculous Black Virgin, Rocamadour has drawn pilgrims for centuries and remains the second most visited sacred site in France after Mont-Saint-Michel. Considered one of the four great pilgrimage destinations of Christendom—alongside Jerusalem, Rome, and Santiago de Compostela—it is a place long associated with healing, devotion, and divine intercession.
Enjoy lunch on your own in the village, surrounded by its ancient chapels and timeworn stone paths, before continuing on to our hotel (1.5 hours).
In the evening, we’ll gather for a shared dinner at a local restaurant—a moment to reconnect and reflect on the sacred thread that has woven through our journey.
(Overnight in Montauban at Abbaye des Capucins Spa & Resort or similar)
After enjoying breakfast you will check out from the hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight from Toulouse (45 min). If you chose to book your flight home from Bordeaux (2 hour drive), a transfer can be arranged for an additional cost.
(B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner)
Note: This itinerary is subject to change due to conditions beyond our control.
