pilgrimage
12 days 11 nights Paris - Noyon - Versailles - Giverny - Chartres - Orleans - Rheims - Strasbourg
An outstanding tour for pilgrims that will take you to holy places in France, Switzerland and the Netherlands.
Day 1
Paris
Arrival and transfer to the hotel.
Day 2
Paris
Guided panoramic tour of the city lights with a walking tour of historic Paris. Visits of Saint Chapelle, Notre Dame and the Latin Quarter. You will hear interesting stories about the Sorbonne and the early Protestant Reformers which taught there and influenced the life of John Calvin who was an influential French theologian and pastor during the Protestant Reformation. Overnight in Paris.
Day 3
Paris – Noyon (107 km/1h3omin) – Versailles (124 km/1h30min) – Paris (24 km/30min)
The day starts with traveling north to Noyon, where John Calvin was born in 1509. Visit to the Museum of Calvin and the reconstructed house where he was born. Much of the city was destroyed during World War I and was rebuild. Return to Paris and visit Versailles palace. Overnight in Paris.
Day 3
Paris – Giverny (74 km/1h) – Chartres (117 km/1h30min) – Orleans (80km/1h) – Paris (133 km/1h30)
The day starts with traveling to Giverny to see the house and gardens of Claude Monet, then turn south to Chartres to see its famous cathedral, which is rich in biblical stories. Then visit Orleans, where Calvin studied law, and return back to Paris.
Day 4
Paris - Rheims (144 km2h) - Strasbourg (350/4h)
Depart Paris towards Rheims, which is famous for its Champaigne and is known as the “Capital of Champaigne”, visiting one of the Champaigne caves and sampling some of the wines. Depart Rheims towards Strasburg, a short stop in Verdun to see the World War I battlefields and visit a cemetery. Arrival in Strasbourg, away from the modern city sites you will visit the medieval section known as “Petite France”. Overnight in Strasbourg.
Day 5
Strasbourg
Strasbourg is called by Anabaptist “City of Hope” or “Refuge of the Righteous”. This is where John Calvin wrote his books on systematic theology and where Martin Bucer, another Reformation leader from Strasbourg is buried in St. Thomas’s Church, which is a principle Protestant Church since 1549. Tour of the Cathedral of Strasbourg, St. Thomas’s Church, the Statue of the Reformers, the University, the Astronomical clock and the historic “La Petite France” quarter. Tour will be followed by some free time in the Old Towne Square. Overnight in Strasbourg.
Day 6
Strasbourg – Basel (140km/2h)
Depart Strasbourg direction Basel. Basel is Switzerland’s third most populous city. It is known that the first edition of “Christianae relogionis institution” was published in Basel by John Calvin in 1536. City tour of Basel, including the Cathedral of Basel and many others.
Day 7
Basel – Bern (98 km /1h) – Geneva (160km/2h)
City tour of Basel and a visit to the Cathedral of Basel. Crossing of the Switzerland border to Bern. Walking tour in the Swiss Capital including a visit to the Bear Pits. Story about how Bern followed Zurich’s lead in breaking away from Catholicism and in cracking down the Anabaptists. Some free time and departure to the city of Calvin. Overnight in Geneva.
Day 8
Geneva
Visit to the Reformation Wall, followed by the Reformation Museum. The museum captures the Reformation from its origins to the present day. Guided tour of St. Peter’s, including the croft below the church and a free afternoon. Overnight in Geneva.
Day 9
Geneva - Chillon Castle (104km/1h) - Geneva
Drive through the canton of Vaud and pass by the famous towns of Vevey and Montreux en route to Castle of Chillon, where we will spend some time on a guided tour. The castle is located on the shore of lake Geneva near Montreux, Switzerland. The castle consist of 100 independent buildings which during the years were connected and now form a single structure, and has more than 1000 years of history. Overnight in Genev.
Day 10
Geneva – Amsterdam (flight)
Transfer to Geneva Airport for your onward flight to Amsterdam. Arrival in Amsterdam, transfer to your hotel. City tour of Amsterdam, including Zuiderkerk (South Church), which was build in 17th century and was Amsterdam’s first Protestant church. Transfer and overnight in Amsterdam.
Day 11
Amsterdam
Visit to the Noorderkerk (North Church), which was build in 17th century and is the city’s first Greek cross-shaped church, designed by Hendrick de Keyser. Built in 1620, Noorderkerk was recently restored but was originally built for the Jordan’s poor Calvinist faithful. Free time and overnight in Amsterdam.
Day 12
Amsterdam
Transfer to the airport for final departure.
