Monday 7th June: Marseille

Arrive in Marseille, where our journey begins.

Time to settle in and enjoy our first evening together in the South of France.

ON Marseille

Marseille → Sainte-Baume

Tuesday 8th June

This morning we spend some time in Marseille before leaving the city behind and travelling into the beautiful landscape of Sainte-Baume.

Approximate drive: 45–60 minutes

Nestled beneath soaring limestone cliffs and surrounded by ancient beech forest, our peaceful mountain inn becomes home for the next four nights.

This evening we gather to ground our arrival in one of southern France's most revered sacred landscapes.

ON Sainte-Baume

Wednesday 9th June

The Sacred Forest & Grotto of Mary Magdalene

Today we enter the ancient forest of Sainte-Baume, where towering beech trees have sheltered pilgrims and hermits for countless generations.

Walking time: approximately 45–60 minutes each way

Our sacred path winds through the ancient beech forest of Sainte-Baume, one of the oldest and most protected forests in southern France. Sheltered beneath towering trees, rich mosses and a remarkable diversity of native flora, the mountain has long been regarded as a place of peace, healing and contemplation.

High within the limestone cliffs lies the Grotto of Mary Magdalene, a natural sanctuary dedicated to her for centuries.

According to ancient Provençal tradition, she spent the final years of her life here in prayer, contemplation and devotion after arriving on the shores of southern France.

Pilgrims and devotees of Mary Magdalene from around the world continue to make this sacred ascent, drawn by the mountain's timeless beauty, profound stillness and enduring spiritual presence.

ON Sainte-Baume

Thursday 10th June

Today will include the magnificent Basilica of Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume and the delightful Provençal village of Cotignac.

Further details to come.

ON Sainte-Baume

Friday 11th June

Plan to come.

ON Sainte-Baume

Sainte-Baume → Arles

Saturday 12th June

Today we leave Sainte-Baume and travel west through Provence to Arles.

Approximate drive: 1½ hours

Ancient and beautiful, its narrow streets, cafés and create wonderful Provençal atmosphere.  Arles is renowned for its remarkable Roman heritage and its connection with Vincent van Gogh, who lived and painted here during one of the most prolific periods of his life.

ON Arles

Sunday 13th June

A full day to explore Arles.

Plan to come.

ON Arles

Arles → Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer & the Camargue

Monday 14th June

Today we travel south into the extraordinary landscape of the Camargue, staying in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer.

Approximate drive: 45 minutes

The Camargue is a unique landscape of shimmering lagoons, salt marshes, white horses, pink flamingos and black bulls. A place where rich heritage and ancient legends abound, yet its spirit remains wild.

According to Provençal tradition, this is where the boat carrying Mary Magdalene, Mary Jacobe and Mary Salome, together with their companions, came safely ashore after being set adrift across the Mediterranean.

Their legendary arrival gave the little town its name, Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, and its ancient church became a place of pilgrimage for countless generations.

Hidden within its crypt rests the mysterious Sara la Kali — Sara the Black, the beloved patron saint of the Romani people, whose annual procession to the sea remains one of the region's most moving and colourful traditions.

Over our time here we will explore the historic Church of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer and its remarkable pilgrimage heritage, dip our toes in the sparkling Mediterranean, enjoy a wildlife safari through the beautiful wetlands.

ON Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer

Tuesday 15th June

Camargue programme to come.

ON Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer

Wednesday 16th June

Camargue programme to come.

ON Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer

Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer → Rennes-le-Château → Bugarach → Couiza

Thursday 17th June

This morning we leave the wild landscapes of the Camargue and travel west towards one of the most intriguing areas of southern France.

Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer → Rennes-le-Château: approximately 3 hours 10 minutes

Set high upon a hilltop, the tiny village of Rennes-le-Château is an intriguing destination.

Here, Abbé Bérenger Saunière began a remarkable transformation of his parish, creating a legacy that continues to inspire curiosity and speculation.

Steeped in mystery and symbolism, at the heart of the village stands a beautiful church dedicated to Mary Magdalene. The energy here is rather special.

Following lunch and time to explore, we continue deeper into this mysterious landscape towards Mount Bugarach.

Rennes-le-Château → Mount Bugarach: approximately 20 minutes

Rising dramatically above the surrounding countryside is the extraordinary Pic de Bugarach. Known as the inverted mountain, its ancient rocks lie mysteriously above younger layers below.

Legends tell of a vast hidden world beneath the mountain — caves and subterranean passages, even a great underground lake. Esoteric traditions have imagined Bugarach as an entrance to a legendary civilisation within the Earth called Agartha, a hiding place for (Templar?) treasure and even the Ark of the Covenant. Others speak of unusual magnetic energies, UFOs and a portal between worlds. Bugarach is one of southern France's most enigmatic landscapes.

 We will spend time at base of Mount Bugarach experiencing this extraordinary mountain and the surrounding landscape.

From here we make our way to nearby Couiza, to stay at the beautiful Château des Ducs de Joyeuse.

Bugarach → Château des Ducs de Joyeuse: approximately 25 minutes

ON Château des Ducs de Joyeuse, Couiza

Rennes-les-Bains → Fontaine des Amours → Rocamadour

Friday 18th June

After breakfast we leave our château and make the short journey to Rennes-les-Bains.

Château des Ducs de Joyeuse → Rennes-les-Bains: approximately 10 minutes

Set amongst forested hills and natural springs, Rennes-les-Bains has been known for its thermal waters since ancient times.

Here we take the short woodland path to the mysterious stone seat traditionally known as the Fauteuil du Diable and associated in local esoteric tradition with Isis.

Woodland walk: approximately 20 minutes each way

Next we make a short journey to the beautiful Fontaine des Amours — Fountain of Love.

Hidden amongst lush vegetation between Rennes-les-Bains and Sougraigne, the waters of the River Sals form a series of natural pools joined by little cascades.

We will spend some time beside the waters before leaving this mysterious landscape and travelling north towards Rocamadour.

Drive to Rocamadour: approximately 3–3½ hours

By late afternoon we arrive in Rocamadour.

Rocamadour is an extraordinary cliffside village perched dramatically above the Alzou Valley. Clinging impossibly to towering limestone cliffs, it is one of those rare places where history, legend and deep spirituality exist side by side.

For over a thousand years it has drawn royalty and travellers. Pilgrims made their way on foot from across Europe. Today, people continue to make their way there, captivated by its beauty and history and its palpable sense of presence.

At the heart of Rocamadour lies its ancient Sanctuary and the beautiful Black Madonna — Our Lady of Rocamadour.

Due to French family living nearby, I have had the privilege of sitting in her presence several times. She is powerful!

ON Rocamadour

Saturday 19th June - Full Moon 

The Black Madonna & Martel Market

Early this morning, before the day becomes busy, we make our way to the Sanctuary of Rocamadour.

Climbing the historic Grand Escalier and passing through ancient gateways and quiet chapels, we arrive at the heart of Rocamadour.

Here we come before the beautiful Black Madonna — Our Lady of Rocamadour, whose presence has become inseparable from the spirit of this extraordinary place.

Our visit to Rocamadour introduces another thread woven throughout our journey — the Black Madonnas of France. Ancient, enigmatic and deeply loved, each has her own story, her own traditions and her own presence.

Later leave Rocamadour and drive to the beautiful medieval town of Martel for its traditional Saturday morning market.

We will wander through the market and historic streets before enjoying lunch in a local café.

After lunch we return to Rocamadour, with the remainder of the afternoon free to explore the village, its little shops and surrounding area at leisure.

ON Rocamadour

Sunday 20th June

Our final full day in Rocamadour.

Plan to come.

ON Rocamadour

Rocamadour → Paris

Monday 21st June

Today we farewell Rocamadour and the landscapes of the Dordogne.

We transfer to the Souillac railway station to board our train north to Paris, bringing our Mystical France journey to a close.

ROUTE AT A GLANCE (14 nights)

Monday 7th June
Marseille — 1 night

↓

Tuesday 8th – Friday 11th June
Sainte-Baume — 4 nights

↓

Saturday 12th – Sunday 13th June
Arles — 2 nights

↓

Monday 14th – Wednesday 16th June
Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer / Camargue — 3 nights

↓

Thursday 17th June
Rennes-le-Château → Bugarach → Château des Ducs de Joyeuse — 1 night

↓

Friday 18th June
Rennes-les-Bains → Isis Seat → Fontaine des Amours → Rocamadour

↓

Friday 18th – Sunday 20th June
Rocamadour — 3 nights

↓

Monday 21st June
Train to Paris