in conjunction with Ubiquity International
August 2 - 16, 2010
This incredible opportunity is an invitation for you to experience the pilgrimage sites renowned in the Middle Ages, those popular stopping points on the trail to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. This is a region rich in history—religious and political. England and France both claimed this land as their own, and rightly so. The two countries began fighting over the land that Eleanor of Aquitaine brought to her first marriage in 1337 to the King of France and took with her to her second marriage, this time to the King of England. The feuding did not stop until 1453, when a young French girl, Joan d’Arc had a vision. Dressed as a youth, Joan made the Aquitaine, French for good. A century later, Calvinists brought their religion to France and the Wars of Religion between Catholics and Protestants ensued, taking their toll, especially in the Protestant Périgord.
August 2
Depart US for Bordeaux, France.
August 3
Arrive Bordeaux where we settle into our hotel for the night. We’ll explore the area around our hotel in preparation for tomorrow’s Guided Walk of this beautiful City.
August 4
Bordeaux to Petit Rousset, a restored 17th century farmhouse, our home in “La France Profonde”. Welcome Dinner.
Daily
Mass, sacrament of reconciliation, prayer, reflection and music
Nearby churches: Cogulot 15 mins walk; Eymet 45 mins walk
Eymet, our hometown which was founded in the 13th century. Welcome to rural heart of France.
Eymet, our hometown village. We’ll learn something of the rich and complicated history of this village, with ample time to enjoy the market, which has been held in Eymet every Thursday morning since 1287! At the market, we’ll gather some of the bounty of the countryside for an aperitif at Le Petit Rousset before dinner. Before returning to Le Petit Rousset, enjoy lunch on your own in Eymet. A perfect day with lunch, wine and fellowship in reflection and prayer.
Cadouin
The Abbey of Cadouin originally founded as a monastery in 1115 by Gerard de Salles. In 1119, the monastery became affiliated with St Bernard of Clairvaux’s Cistercian order, and a vast Romanesque church and cloister was the result. The cloister collapsed 300 years later and was lavishly rebuilt in the Flamboyant Gothic style. We’ll visit the solemn church and wander at leisure in the serene cloister, the highlights of which are the beautifully sculpted column capitols. How it is that there is such a sumptuous church in such a tiny, remote spot? In 1117 the Abbey acquired the Saint Suaire, the sacred cloth thought to have wrapped the head of Christ. Among the vast number of pilgrims who stopped here on their way to Santiago de Compostela in NW Spain (the destination of pilgrims when the Holy Land was not possible to visit) to pay homage to the holy relic, include Eleanor of Aquitaine and her son, Richard the Lion Heart.
Bergerac, the town made famous by the poet-Musketeer, Cyrano, now the capitol of the Perigord’s wine-growing region. At an earlier time, its fame rested upon its tobacco production. A museum of this now much maligned weed documents 15th century globalization. We’ll visit Old Town, with its medieval houses clustered along the banks of the Dordogne River.
Chateau de Monbazillac – a fairy tale Renaissance chateau. We’ll tour the chateau, then taste the golden, mellow Monbazillac wine which gives the region its name and for which it is acclaimed.
Issigeac, the summer residence of the Bishops of Sarlat, is a tiny hill town with a Bishop’s
Palace and grand Church where we’ll attend Mass. Normally deserted, this little hamlet’s
meandering streets, alleyways and pedestrian paths are filled with activity every Sunday morning
for the village’s Farmer’s Market. We’ll have time to join locals at the market today, too, and
gather supplies for a scrumptious meal that we prepare tonight.
Monpazier, hailed as the most perfectly preserved bastide (fortified town) in Southwest France. The 13th century houses surrounding its totally intact market square are identical in size yet unique in appearance.
Sarlat, the capital of the Périgord Noir. When Charlemagne visited this abbey town, he brought a fragment of the True Cross. During the 100 Year’s War, neither the English nor the French really wanted the town, but during the Wars of Religion, Sarlat remained staunchly Catholic. Nearly all of Sarlat’s restored town houses were built during its years of greatest prosperity, from 1450-1500, giving it a rare architectural unity.
Souillac and the church of Ste. Marie, a pilgrimage church and one of the jewels of Romanesque sculpture and architecture. We’ll explore this most Romanesque of churches inside and out. We’ll also take time to examine what is left of its sculptural program, chief amongst the fragments, the ‘dancing’ prophet Isaiah.
Rocamadour where we’ll spend the night and take in its rich history.
Tradition tells us that Zaccheus of Jericho, an early hermit was buried here after his death in 70AD. In 1166 a grave was found that contained an undecayed body and this is associated with
Zaccheus or perhaps St. Amadour. Zaccheus is said to have been married to St. Veronica.
Zaccheus brought a statue of the Black Madonna. Thereafter the site became popular as a
pilgrimage site and one of healing and conversion. Pray here and feel the power of this holy
place. Climb the steps to the top of the cliff where the Chapel of Our Lady is located. Often,
pilgrims will climb this hill on their knees. The site has been visited by St. Bernard of Clairvaux,
St. Dominic, St. Louis, King Louis XI and (some say) Charlemagne making his way to defend
against the Moors in Spain. Here too we see the legendary Sword of Roland, Durandal.
Moissac, home of the Abbey of St. Pierre, one of the most important stops on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. Much of the church’s sculptural program survives - including the tympanum with Christ sitting in the Judgement of Nations surrounded by the symbols of the four Evangelists. Below sit the 24 Elders, each in his throne, each gazing up at Christ. Much, much more awaits - including the abbey’s stunning cloister, which became the standard for abbeys everywhere. Seventy six columns, of which 46 recount moments in the lives of various saints, among them the Martyrdom of St. Lawrence as well as those of St. Stephen, St. Martin and St. Peter.
15 August
Depart for St. Emilion, an UNESCO World Heritage site, the first wine growing area to achieve
this status. Settled since Gallo-Roman times, in the 8th century a Benedictine hermit from
Brittany arrived whose name was Emilion. He and his followers lived and prayed in natural
shelters and caves. The largest of these caves was their church, which over time became theÉglise Monolithe. Next to the Église is the 13th century Chapelle de la Trinité, built by
Augustinian monks in the 13th century. Also preserved is the Grotte de l’Ermitage, where the
hermit Emilion lived, a cave that was worked over the centuries to form a chapel in the shape of
a Latin cross. St. Emilion is renowned as a pilgrimage destination and for its wine.
Enjoy a tour of f the hermit caves before relaxing for your final dinner in France.
16 August
Departure for US
