Join Jason and Crystalina 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 opportunities for fellowship and prayer.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Hike barefoot through the bay to Mont St. Michel
- Pray at the tomb of St. Therese of Lisieux
- Hear 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 – Transfer to Lisieux – Pray at St. Therese’s tomb – Visit the Basilica of St. Therese and the tombs of SS. Louis and Zelie Martin – Discover St. Therese’ childhood home – Transfer to the Priory of Mont St. Michel
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 – 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 – Attend Mass in the Abbey Church – Transfer to Solesmes Abbey
Solesmes Abbey
Day 4 Enter into the rhythm of the monastic life with the monks of the Abbey of St. Peter of Solesmes, as you lodge at the monastery and enjoy a two-day retreat immersed in silence and Gregorian chant – Enjoy the peace and stillness of the Sarthe River and the soaring monastic buildings towering above – 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 PRE-Trip ADD-ON
May 10: PARIS Explore Paris and recover from jet-lag. Visit Saint-Chapelle and Notre Dame. Free time to visit the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum.
May 11: VERSAILLES Discover the famous Versailles Chateau and its gardens. Walk around the downtown area of Versailles. Return to Paris and stroll along the River Seine.
*Jason and Crystalina Evert will not be on the 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 talks on Saint John Paul II, his Meditation on Givenness, and Love and Responsibility.
CAMPING & LODGING
THE PRIORY OF MONT ST. MICHEL
Lodging Level: Choice between Camping or Basic, 2 nights. If Camping, 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.
$1,995
INCLUDES
• 4 nights lodging (Priory Camping & Solesmes Abbey)
• 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
• Optional Basic indoor lodging at Priory of Mont St. Michel ($60)
• 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 ($500)
• Included: 2 nights lodging in Paris at Standard Level, 2 dinners, 2 breakfasts, ground transportation, entrance fees into Sainte-Chapelle and the Versailles Chateau, staff accompaniment
• Not Included: anything not listed above
DATES:
May 12-16, 2026
Sign-up Deadline: February 1, 2026