Phone: 1.207.251.1802
The Magdalene Gateway - the Path of EnLIGHTenment
Exposing the Wisdom & Truth of the Divine Feminine in the Sacred South of France
August 21 - 29, 2023
NOTE: REGISTRATION CLOSES ON JUNE 30!
Many ancient truths have been hidden from us — NOW is the time to reveal and awaken this powerful and transformative energy within our souls. During these nine days, we will walk through the Magdalene Gateway to experience truth and enlightenment in the emergence and balancing of the masculine and feminine aspects of ourselves. Our trip will reveal the initiation into the Wisdom Circles of the Divine Feminine and its unique place in our present world... the missing link to help bring us into a new paradigm.
This will be an exceptional journey in mysticism, revealed mystery, and miracles. Following the path of Mary Magdalene through Provence, from Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, where she is said to have landed in a boat with no oars and no sails, to the holy mountain and grotto of Sainte Baume, where la Madeleine is said to have lived and ascended. The ancients left us clues to these secrets, and journeying through the South of France, we will learn of the Black Madonna, visit sacred springs and holy caves, explore ancient medieval fortresses, discover secrets hidden in code, and experience sites of great power.
Along the way, we’ll hold ceremony circles, open the spiritual heart, do hypnotic guided meditations, and activate energy alignments. Through it all, the beautiful French countryside holds us as we dive deeply into the sacred balance of Masculine and Feminine so desperately needed in the world today.
This journey is a powerful one, exploring the power of alchemy for ascension and offering Wisdom to support your evolutionary journey. You will never be the same again!
ITINERARY
Sunday, August 20: Fly into Toulouse and stay at hotel
Day 1 - Monday, August 21: Drive from hotel to Carcassonne
From Toulouse, we head off through the sunflower fields of the Languedoc to the medieval fortress of Carcassonne. It is a stunning and unique place to visit with its tiny and twisted alleys that transport you back in time. Testament to the strength and beauty of the Old Occitania, Carcassonne reminds us that while the rest of the world was buried in the Dark Ages, this land shone as a beacon of Light, her people living from values of love, equality, and openness. A local tour guide will share with us beautiful stories of the past as we stroll the cobbled streets and explore the feudal castle. We finish the evening with a delicious French dinner at a Michelin recommended restaurant, where we relax and enjoy the leisurely pace of la vie française as we get to know each other.
Pick up at Courtyard by Marriott Toulouse Airport
Drive to Carcassonne — 1 hour
Lunch at a traditional French crêperie
Guided tour of the medieval walled city
Traditional French dinner at a Michelin recommended restaurant
Day 2 - Tuesday, August 22: Fontfroide / Aix-en-Provence
On the trail of Mary Magdalene, we journey across the South of France to Provence, where local legend says la Madeleine lived and taught after Yeshua’s death. Along the way, we stop at the Abbaye Fontfroide, a stunning and serene abbey nestled in the French countryside. A decadent lunch in the abbey restaurant leaves us feeling peaceful and nourished as we continue to Aix-en-Provence and our boutique hotel in the heart of the old city.
Free time in Aix offers the opportunity to visit the classic South of France from our hotel in the old city. This is a great time to explore and rest, as we are centrally located in a beautiful city. Dining together in French style, we settle even more into the culture and lifestyle of Provence.
Breakfast
Drive to Aix-en-Provence — 4 hours
Abbaye de Fontroide
Lunch at the Abbey restaurant
Aix-en-Provence
Dinner
Day 3 - Wednesday, August 23: Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer
Today, we discover where Mary Magdalene is said to have landed on the shores of Provence in a boat guided only by Divine navigation. In the Mediterranean village of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, we visit the venerated Black Madonna who is worshipped by the gypsies as Sainte Sarah—Mary Magdalene’s Egyptian handmaid. Every year on May 24, Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer welcomes gypsies from all over the world who parade the Black Madonna down to the sea in great celebration. We will see her in the powerful church crypt where she lives most of the year.
After exploring the seaside town, we will meet by the pier in the afternoon for a boat tour of the sea and river that allows us to see France as Mary Magdalene would first have known it. This region is a unique wetlands called the Camargue, famous for wild white horses and flamingos. The Divine Feminine power of the land and sea call to us from every corner of this place. What will She say to you?
Breakfast
Drive to Stes-Maries-de-la-Mer — 1 1⁄2 hours
Notre Dame de la Mer
Crypt & Black Madonna
Explore Stes-Maries-de-la-Mer
Boat tour in the Camargue
Dinner
Day 4 - Thursday, August 24: Saint Maximin / Sainte Baume
We begin the day at the Basilica of Mary Magdalene, an ancient and powerful church filled with the memory of pilgrims through the ages who have come to worship la Madeleine. The crypt here houses a powerful relic—the skull of Mary Magdalene. We will have the opportunity to spend time meditating near the relic and connecting with the incredible energies available here.
A short drive to a nearby mountaintop brings us to the ancient grotto where Mary Magdalene is said to have lived the last thirty years of her life. We pause at the monastery cafe for refreshment and an optional lunch as we prepare ourselves to follow in the footsteps of pilgrims and kings who have climbed this path to honor Mary Magdalene for nearly 1000 years. A forest hike up the mountain leads us to the cave-turned-chapel whose natural energies and stunning views are breathtaking. Each area of the mountain and grotto offers a different energy, different access, different teachings. We are able to spend time finding the places and connections that are right for each of us before returning to Aix-en-Provence to a lovely French dinner.
Breakfast
Drive to St. Maximin — 45 mins
Basilica of Mary Magdalene
Crypt w/ Skull of Mary Magdalene
Drive to Ste. Baume — 30 mins
Optional Lunch at Monastery Café
Climb to Mary Magdalene’s Grotto
Dinner
Day 5 - Friday, August 25: Agde / Alet-les-Bains
Saying farewell to the shores of Provence, we set out early for the journey to the Languedoc, on toward the Pyrenees and the secrets of our ancestors hidden in code throughout the ages. Along the way, we stop at the black basalt cathedral at Agde, standing on the site of an ancient Temple of the Roman Goddess Diana. As much a fortress as a cathedral, Agde Cathedral is architecturally unique both because of the black stone used in its construction and because it was built to withstand attack.
The long drive today proves well worth the effort as we arrive to the surreal lodging at our Castle Hotel. Once the home of the Dukes of Joyeuse, this perfectly preserved and restored castle is a luxurious hotel and restaurant nestled in the foothills of the Pyrenees. Surrounded by stunning landscapes, with history echoing through every corridor, we are invited sink into the arms of the Mother and be welcomed by the powerfully soft Divine Feminine energies of this land.
Only a few minutes up the road, we share refreshments in the garden of the old Bishop’s Palace of Alet-les-Bains which sits in the shadow of the ruins of an ancient cathedral. After exploring the tiny town of Alet, we make our way up a china clay mountainside to a little-known chapel kept secret by locals for centuries. Here, the silence of the ages is palpable... and in that silence, we never know what She will whisper. We end a long day well-spent with dinner back at our castle restaurant.
Breakfast
Drive to Couiza — 41⁄2 hours
Agde Cathedral
Castle Hotel
Alet-les-Bains
Refreshments at L’Evêché
Secret chapel
Dinner
Day 6 - Saturday, August 26: Quéribus / Gorges de Galamus
This region is famed for the sacred springs which dot the landscape, and locals swear that drinking these waters brings long life and good health. We stop this morning to fill our water bottles at Campagne-les-Bains, a small, hidden spot where two springs come together.
Equipped for a day exploring the rich histories of the region, we meet an expert historian for lunch to learn all about the Cathars, a medieval gnostic movement/sect from this region, and why the legend of their faith has survived through the ages. After lunch, we visit one of the famed hilltop fortresses where the Cathars were once given refuge from the Inquisition. Dramatically located, the Château de Quéribus stands high on a rocky ridge with stunning views across the Languedoc countryside from the castle terrace and even more incredible energetic alignments all around.
We finish our adventures today at the troglodyte monastery known as the Gorges de Galamus, a peaceful hermitage in the side of a cliff inhabited since the 7th century. Deep Earth energies and ages of silent veneration come together here to create a powerful experience for those ready and willing to open to it.
Breakfast
Campagne-les-Bains
Fill water bottles at the sacred spring
Drive to Cucugnan — 1 hour
Lunch with Cathar expert
Quéribus with Cathar expert
Gorges de Galamus
Dinner
Day 7 - Sunday, August 27: Esperaza / Rennes-le-Chateau / Lourdes
The coded church of Rennes-le-Château holds many secrets. Our guides at this church and museum are experienced at guiding people to see the Truth beyond the codes and symbols. The Path of Initiation is a winding one, and there are many directions this day may take us. If there is time and we are called to it, we may visit the healing springs of Rennes-les-Bains, which have been used since pre-Roman times.
This afternoon, we set off on the final leg of our great journey—to Lourdes, where visions and miracles of Our Lady have been occurring for over 150 years. We’ll be staying right in the heart of the old town, at a hotel founded by the niece of Saint Bernadette, the little girl who first had a vision of Mother Mary here at Lourdes.
Every evening, once night has fallen on the town of Lourdes, thousands of people gather to walk and sing, flaming torch in hand, from the Grotto of Apparitions to the esplanade of the Rosary Basilica. You may carry a candle with a wind protector on which the song of Lourdes is printed. It is always a “magic” moment that brings people of faith together from the four corners of the Earth.
Breakfast
Rennes-le-Château
Coded church & museum
Healing springs
Drive to Lourdes — 3 1⁄2 hours
Dinner
Candlelight Procession
Day 8 - Monday, August 28: Lourdes
Our last full day together, we visit the healing and sacred sites of Lourdes with a local guide who shares the stories of this great pilgrimage center. From the Sanctuary of Our Lady, where Bernadette Soubirous first saw the apparition of Mother Mary, to the Basilica of Saint Pie X, a vast underground place of worship, we explore the profound energies of transformation and communion coming through here.
With plenty of free time to visit the old city at our own pace, we meet together in the afternoon at the Sanctuary of Our Lady to bathe in the healing waters that have healed pilgrims from all over the world. Those who chose may here surrender to the power of the Divine Feminine working in us, as we allow ourselves to be truly blessed by these waters and all of the amazing energies we have experienced throughout this journey. This is a time for reflection, prayer, and meditation.
We end the evening with a lovely farewell feast at the Gallia & Londres Grand Hotel restaurant. Here in small town Pyrenean France, we experience an ambiance worthy of Paris, as we enjoy and share the transformational beauty of this adventure together.
Breakfast
Guided tour of Lourdes
Sanctuary of Our Lady
Basilica of Saint Pie X
Free time in Lourdes
Healing baths
Farewell feast at the Grand Hotel
Day 9 - Tuesday, August 29: Lourdes to Toulouse Airport
We end our journey together with a beautiful drive through the French countryside to Toulouse.
Breakfast
Farewell to Lourdes
Drive to Toulouse Airport — 2 hours
Drop-off at Courtyard by Marriott Toulouse Airport
NOTE: REGISTRATION CLOSES ON JUNE 30!
TOUR LOGISTICS
The Magdalene Gateway - the Path of EnLIGHTenment
Exposing the Wisdom & Truth of the Divine Feminine in the Sacred South of France
August 21 - 29, 2023
Cost - $ 5,570.00
Tour includes:
All ground transportation, including pick up and drop off from Courtyard by Marriott Blagnac Toulouse Airport Hotel
All accommodations based on double occupancy including August 21 - 28
Traditional French breakfast each morning
Beautiful 3+ course French dinners each night
Three lunches at amazing restaurants
Boat ride in the Mediterranean
Local tour guides & experts
All entrance fees to castles, churches, museums
Initiations, ceremony circles, guided hypnotic meditations, energy alignment, and holistic spiritual facilitation by healer and teacher Laurie Wheeler
Tour does NOT include:
Round trip airfare from USA (or other place of departure) to Toulouse
You’ll fly from your place of departure (leaving the day of or before August 19)
Many guests choose to arrive on August 19 or 20 to relax from the long trip, as we begin our travels on August 21 @ 9:30 am.
Lunches (many lunches will be picnic style, as breakfasts and dinners are larger)
Deposits and Payments
Your deposit of $2,785.00 is due immediately to secure your place at time of registration. You will receive a registration brochure outlining more details. If you have questions afterward, please contact me with your questions.
Payment in full can be made on booking or in two installments. Please note, late payments jeopardize guest place on the tour.
The final installment of the remaining balance of $2,785.00 is due by June 30, 2023.
Suites are available for some hotels, let me know if you are interested.
Single room supplements are also available for 600 Euro extra per person.
Payments can be made by Zelle, Venmo, bank wire, cashiers check, personal check or credit card (with an additional $250 credit card use fee)
A 400 Euro (or $434.58 USD) per person cash tip is gratefully collected at the start of the tour and presented throughout the tour to the wonderful coach driver, baggage handlers (where available), the staff, and other tour assistants, before our departure, in gratitude for their service throughout the tour.
Payments are made payable to: Laurie Wheeler and for credit cards contact Laurie Wheeler @ 207-251-1802 or laurie@wellnesswithin.net.