Day 1: Sunday, January 18, 2009: Depart
Our journey to France begins with an overnight flight to Paris. IF

Day 2: Monday, January 19, 2009: Paris
Upon arrival in “the City of Lights” our Reformation Tours’ Tour Director will greet us and escort us to our coach. A local guide will join us for a tour of the city as we see the sights for which Paris is famous, such as the Champs Elysées and Arc de Triomphe, Concorde Square, Montmartre Hill, the Cathedral of Notre Dame and of course the Eiffel Tower. This evening we enjoy a welcome dinner at our hotel. IF/D

Day 3: Tuesday, January 20, 2009: Paris
This morning we can choose between free time or a Continuing Education visit to the Lutheran Cultural Center in Paris or the Society of Study of Protestant History (TBD). In the afternoon we depart for Mont St. Michel. B/D

 

 

Day 4: Wednesday, January 21, 2009: Mont St. Michel, Nantes
The spectacular Mont St. Michel awaits us this morning. We take a guided tour of this famous abbey that seems to rise out of the water and is one of France’s most dramatic sights. This has been a place of Christian worship since St. Aubert built an oratory on the site in 708 A.D. and has been added to over the centuries, such as the buildings of La Merveille, built in the 13th century. En route south, we stop to see the Castle of Nantes also known as the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany. It was here in 1598, that King Henry IV of France signed the Edict of Nantes, which granted Protestants rights to their religion. We end the day in La Rochelle, one of France’s most important Huguenot strongholds. B

Day 5: Thursday, January 22, 2009: La Rochelle
This morning a local guide joins us as we explore this city rich in Protestant history. La Rochelle had been a fortified city since the 12th century due to its importance in the salt and wine trades. During the Hundred Years' War it became a refuge for Huguenots, especially after the St. Bartholomew's Massacres in 1572. After a lengthy siege, the city was defeated by Cardinal Richelieu in 1628. Our tour will include the Old Port with its 14th century towers that once guarded the city and protected the Huguenots. The rest of the day will be free to enjoy this delightful town. Some of the options include France's first lighthouse, the Tour de la Lanterne and the Museum of the New World, highlighting La Rochelle's connection to the Americas. B/D

Day 6: Friday, January 23, 2009: Loire Valley, Chartres
Our first stop today is in the Loire Valley where we visit the Chateau d’Angers built between 1228 and 1238 on the orders of King Louis XI. The highlight of the visit will be seeing the Teinture de L'Apocalypse (the Apocalype Tapestry.) Woven in 1375, it depicts seventy scenes from the book of Revelation. This priceless treasure had been used as a covering for transport wagons, but was fortunately rescued by the bishop of Angers and restored in 1996. Then we continue on to Chartres Cathedral to see the inspiring labyrinth built in 1200. We'll spend the night in Chartres. B/D

Day 7: Saturday, January 24, 2009: Chartres, Paris
This morning we will return to the Cathedral, a sermon in glass and stone. Almost thirty thousand square feet of biblical stories are found in the stained glass windows. On our return to Paris, we can choose between free time and a visit to the magnificent Louvre Museum. We’ll enjoy a private guided tour of the masterpieces with plenty of free time to explore the treasures of this museum on our own. Dinner tonight is in the bustling Latin Quarter. B/D

Day 8: Sunday, January 25, 2009: Paris
We have the privilege of worship in French today at the Lutheran Les Billettes church. After the service we will enjoy fellowship with the pastor. The afternoon and evening is free to explore Paris. B

Day 9: Monday, January 26, 2009: Return home
This morning we transfer to Charles De Gaulle International Airport for our return flight home to Washington, D.C.

ReformationTours reserves the rights to alter itineraries without notice should it become necessary. While on tour, if conditions necessitate changes, or if certain features are unavailable or limited, we reserve the right to vary or substitute alternatives. All prices are calculated at the exchange rate in effect at the time of pricing (1 Euro = $1.47). Should currency fluctuations necessitate an adjustment in tour price the adjusted price will be reflected in the final invoice.

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Rev. Dr. Nelson Strobert

The Rev. Dr. Strobert's academic field is religious and specifically Christian education. Christian education concerns itself with assisting the baptized to transmit the tradition of the Christian community and at the same time it has the task of assisting persons to reflect on their lives as baptized men and women of God in the local faith community and the world. Christian education courses in a theological seminary assist students with these on-going tasks in parish ministry.

Rev. Dr. Strobert has been a pastor in St. Croix U.S. Virgin Islands and Cleveland, Ohio. His research interests include Daniel A. Payne, 19th century religious educator; church-related schooling in the United States; Lutheran education in the United States; and global Christian education.