Sacred Sites and Pilgrimages in France
A spiritual travel guide to France, covering 7 holy places and pilgrimage destinations.
This guide lists 7 sacred sites in France , connected to 4 spiritual traditions: Christianity, Prehistoric Religion, Catharism, Spiritism. 4 of them belong to UNESCO World Heritage Sites. 2 are archaeological sanctuaries of ancient faiths. Each guide covers history, what to see, dress code, opening hours and the best time to visit.
Sacred sites in France
Carnac Stones
Walk among the Carnac stones in Brittany, thousands of Neolithic standing stones in long alignments, one of Europe's great prehistoric sacred sites.
Chartres Cathedral
Visit Chartres Cathedral, a High Gothic Marian pilgrimage church famed for its medieval stained glass, its labyrinth and the Veil of the Virgin.
Château de Montségur
Climb to Montségur in the French Pyrenees, the last great Cathar stronghold, where more than 200 Cathar believers were burned in 1244.
Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey
Cross the tidal flats to Mont-Saint-Michel, the Norman island abbey of the Archangel Michael, a medieval pilgrimage goal rising from the sea.
Notre-Dame de Paris
Visit Notre-Dame de Paris, the Gothic cathedral on the Île de la Cité, reopened after the 2019 fire with its rose windows and Crown of Thorns relic.
Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes
Plan a pilgrimage to Lourdes, the Pyrenean Marian shrine where Bernadette saw the Virgin in 1858, known for its grotto, baths and candle processions.
Tomb of Allan Kardec, Père Lachaise Cemetery
Visit Allan Kardec's dolmen tomb in Paris's Père Lachaise Cemetery, the most visited grave for Spiritists worldwide and a quiet pilgrimage site.