Toulouse, France Few cities in Western Europe boast a religious history as tumultuous as that of Toulouse in Southern France. As home to a long succession of heretical movements, Toulouse experienced more inter-Christian religious strife than almost any other city in Europe prior to the Protestant Reformation. However, the destruction that the city regularly incurred … [Read more...]
CATHEDRAL OF NOTRE DAME DE PARIS
Paris, France The Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris is one of the most storied and famous cathedrals in history. This is due in no small part to the literary achievements of Victor Hugo, who immortalized the edifice in his book The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Because of this, and because of its location in the heart of Paris, millions of tourists flock to Notre Dame every … [Read more...]
PAPAL PALACE
Avignon, France In 1309 AD, Pope Clement V moved the Papal residence from Rome in Italy to Avignon in France, initiating what many Catholics refer to as the Babylonian Captivity, a sixty-eight year period when the Bishop of Rome did not reside in Rome. Although the Papacy was in Avignon for barely seven decades, its presence transformed the tiny town into a major … [Read more...]
ABBEY OF MONT-ST-MICHEL
Mont-St-Michel, France The Abbey of Mont-St-Michel is one of the most amazing architectural and engineering achievements of the Middle Ages. A magnificent edifice perched on the top of an immense rock jutting out of the sea off the northern coast of France; it is one of the most awe-inspiring constructions on Earth. That said, Mont-St-Michel is something of a puzzle. On … [Read more...]
SANCTUARY OF LOURDES
Lourdes, France Of the countless Marian shrines around the world, the Massabielle Grotto in Lourdes is the undisputed reigning champion in terms of fame. Every year, millions of pilgrims visit the place where young Bernadette Soubirous saw eighteen visions of the Virgin Mary in 1858. Most come here just to venerate Mary, while many come for the waters of the grotto, which … [Read more...]
VEZELAY ABBEY
Vezelay, France Exactly how the relics of Mary Magdalene found their way to Vezelay in France is not certain, and in fact Vezelay is only one of a number of cities to claim them. Nevertheless popular opinion supports the Vezelay tradition, which seems to be unofficially recognized by the Roman Catholic Church. While neighboring Spain and Italy claim Apostolic tombs, the … [Read more...]