The Call

We invite you to join us on a modern-day magical Quest, a Journey of the Soul in the Languedoc region of Southern France, also known as Occitania. Surrounded by the natural beauty of mountain peaks, tree-clad valleys, rivers and springs, we will connect with the ancestors of this historic land. Immersed in the Spirit of Place, we are effortlessly transformed as we fall into the natural state of balance with the divine feminine and masculine aspects of our souls. Reaching for the light, we will come closer to our truest nature based in love… 

 

The Journey

As we spend time on this land, we will open to the mysteries long held here. We will be inspired by local stories and learn from our local guides and the ancestors who walked before us. Mary Magdalene, the Knights Templar, the Wise Women, the Cathars and Black Madonnas will speak to us if we listen. The spiritual search that was central to the Arthurian Grail Quest is still alive today, as whispers inside our hearts, and it will empower us on our journey from here through life.  

On our pilgrimage, we’ll be visiting many powerful sacred sites set within the natural beauty of this land and learn of its turbulent history. This journey will take us to Notre Dame de Marceille, Rennes-le-Château, Montségur, Belesta, Cité de Carcassonne, Galamus,  an ancient outdoor Celtic Temple, Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, Mary Magdalene's Basilica in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume and Mary Magdalene's Sanctuary of Sainte-Baume.

Your quest will be a synthesis of how the past and future live on in us now, with time for both inner connection and the extraordinary places we will visit. Be prepared for adventure and for deep nourishment. 

 

Tour price includes

• Collection from Toulouse Airport

• Return to Marseille Provence Airport

• All land transportation

• Accommodation in a medieval chateau and a beautiful town hotel

• ALL breakfasts, 6 lunches & 9 evening meals

• All normal admission charges to sacred sites

• All tour guide fees

• Gratuities & taxes on accommodation & included meals

• Third-party liability insurance

• All rooms have ensuite bathroom facilities, and tour prices are based on sharing a twin/double room. A limited number of single rooms are available for which there will be a single supplement (SS) charge as specified on the Prices & Booking page.

 

Tour Leaders

Cameron Broughton

Glenn Broughton

Guest Presenters

Anke Nolan

Alethia Anaiya Sophia

Isabelle Arlery

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Itinerary

Please note - Breakfasts, 6 lunches and 9 dinners are included in the tour price

 

Day 1 - Fri, May 1st

Your leaders, Cameron & Glenn Broughton, will meet you at Toulouse-Blagnac International Airport and drive you to our beautiful medieval chateau hotel in Couiza. Whether you’ve just arrived or have joined us following your own travel in Europe, you will have the afternoon to rest or relax by the pool before we gather for introductions and our Welcome dinner. 

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Day 2 - Sat, May 2nd

Morning Orientation

Lunch in a beautiful restaurant on the River Aude.  

This afternoon, we drive through the beautiful Aude Valley towards the old market town of Limoux, known for producing the predecessor of Champagne. Just over the hill on the far side of town is a mysterious, large basilica called the Notre Dame de Marceille. As our journey commences, we will join in ceremony connecting to the Spirit of Place, the Ancestors and the Magdalene Energy, asking for a blessing both individually and collectively for our Pilgrimage.
Here we learn of local legends hidden in its gorgeous artwork. Among the statues are a very beautiful and unique Mary Magdalene and a Black Madonna. Historians believe the basilica stands on the location of an old Roman temple dedicated to Mars, but the presence of two wells may indicate that it was actually dedicated to the Mother Goddess, like the very popular Roman goddess Diana or even Isis, the Egyptian goddess who became popular throughout the Roman empire in the 1st century AD. The basilica has many tales to tell... 

Dinner at the hotel

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Day 3 - Sun, May 3rd

Today, we are going on a journey through time, because to understand the enigma of Rennes-le-Château, we must first understand the history of the region. This tiny little hilltop village hides many secrets, including those of the Knights Templar and some not yet discovered.  We will hear the history, the legends and the fiction so that we are able to comprehend the elements that inspired authors (Holy Blood & Holy Grail) and film-makers (‘The Da Vinci Code’). We will visit the museum, the Church dedicated to Mary Magdalene that is at the heart of the Rennes-le-Chateau mystery, the Magdala Tower, and we’ll also see the medieval castle that still stands at the heart of the village. Taking time to meditate in Mary Magdalene’s church, we reach for a deeper understanding of the mysteries that surround Rennes-le-Château.

Our visit will conclude with a sound healing meditation from renowned pianist and healer, David Bailey. 

​Evening presentation on the Gnostic Christian 'Bon Hommes and Bonne Dames' - the Cathars, by historian and author Anke Nolan and special guest, Peter van Deursen.

Dinner at the hotel

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Day 4 - Mon, May 4th

From the top of the world to the Mary beneath the Earth! This day will take your breath away! Today we will be joined by Aleithia Sophia. For those willing and able to make the hike to the top of the Cathar castle of Montségur, you will be rewarded with panoramic views, and for those who choose not to make the hike, you will instead discover the charms of the village that was created after the famous siege of 1244. Today you will hear the story of the Gnostic Christian 'Bon Hommes et Bonne Dames' - the Cathars.  This is a story of political and religious conflict in the 13th century. Stories of heroes and of betrayal, the outcome of which is still affecting us today, all set against the backdrop of beautiful mountain ranges and volcano peaks. Which archetypes are playing out in your life and in our world? We send out healing prayers for all those who suffer and are in conflict, that resolution and peace might be woven into the fabric of a new reality… 

Lunch and afternoon workshop at Aleithia’s retreat centre. 

Dinner at the hotel

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Day 5 - Tues, May 5th

This morning, we will discover the deep mysticism of the ancient order of the early Benedictines when we visit the Abbey of St Michel de Cuxa, at the foot of the Holy Canigou Mountain in the Pyrénées. We will be able to visit a very special crypt, where an ancient Notre Dame de Sous Terra (Our Lady Beneath the Earth) sits. Several items in this church are rare, and a must-see for those on The Path. It was considered to be a place of pilgrimage. 

Following lunch in the fortified town of Villefranche de Conflent, we will go
to Galamus and visit a tiny hermit’s cave that has a wonderful surprise hidden inside. Not only is this an incredibly beautiful place, hanging on the edge of a cliff halfway up a gorge, its cave chapel also holds important messages if you have eyes to see them. This place is connected to the Franciscan monks who rebelled against the Roman Catholic Church’s persecution of the Cathars. In the 14th century, they were the last to hide scrolls that had been branded as heresy but contained original texts and perhaps even the unedited original gospel of John and the original Lord’s Prayer. In honour of these brave Franciscan monks, Cameron will read the Abwoon (original Lord’s Prayer in Aramaic) in the medieval Franciscan version, the oldest version known. In this special place of the Hermit and Monks, we will take time to meditate, connecting with their unwavering faith and bravery. 

Dinner at the hotel

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Day 6 - Weds, May 6th

Today, we are travelling back 2000 years, while stepping forward into the present, to see the majestic medieval Cité de Carcassonne, where many movies have been shot. The Roman citadel Carcasso is still visible inside the medieval additions and repairs, forming stone layers like pages in a thick stone book. If only stones could speak... This strategic fortified city with its 52 towers is the largest walled medieval city in Europe and is a World Heritage Site. We will browse through the stone book inside the Basilica St. Nazaire, and discover tales of brave knights and enjoy picture postcard views from the Porte d’Aude. There is also time for shopping to pick up a souvenir of this unique historical site. ​

Dinner at the hotel

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Day 7 - Thur, May 7th

We will spend today in nature and not just in any random spot. We will visit an ancient outdoor Celtic Temple, a truly holy place. We’ll hike to the Isis Chair, an old carved seat near a holy well, where Celtic priestesses or the wise women of the woods meditated. These women were asked for advice on many occasions, even by kings. The ancient trail we walk is unchanged except for natural erosion. 

"As we walk on this holy ground, it will allow us to integrate all the lessons we’ve learned on this journey, empowered by the Earth energy currents beneath our feet. Balancing and cleansing our systems, we breathe in the land to be forever part of our bodies and minds, while we leave our footsteps behind in what the Jews, early Christians and Knights Templar called the New Holy Land. We are grateful for the opportunity to connect with our life questions as we ask the spirits of the Celtic Priestesses for clarity. Together we’ll have a ceremony, giving thanks for our Pilgrimage so far, for healing, for the spirits of the land & our ancestors, and for all that we’ve learned on our journey to Occitania."  

Dinner at the hotel

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Day 8 - Fri, May 8th

Today we move hotels to our hotel in Aix-en-Provence, following in the footsteps of Mary Magdelene,. En route, we will stop at Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer to visit the church dedicated to the three Marys on the Mary Magdalene Trail. This town, located in the Camargue region, is named after Mary Magdalene, Mary Salomé, and Mary Jacobé, who are believed to have arrived there after fleeing Palestine. After visiting the church, we’ll have free choice lunch (not included in the tour price) in this seaside village and give you time to walk to the beach and visit some local shops before continuing our journey to our hotel in Aix-en-Provence for three nights.
Dinner at the hotel 

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Day 9 - Sat, May 9th

Today we spend in the town of Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume and visit Mary Magdalen’s Basilica, learning about the tradition that holds the belief of Mary Magdalene’s presence in this land and viewing her reputed skull in a crypt in the basilica. Tradition states that Mary, her brother Lazarus and Maximinus escaped from the Holy Land and landed at Saintes-Mairies-de-la-Mer in the Camargue region of Southern France. From there, she went to Marseille, where she lived and taught local people and finally retired to the cave in Sainte-Baume. Prior to the Basilica being built in 1295, it was a church dedicated to St Maximin. The mystery deepens as in 1279, in Saint Maximin’s crypt, a sarcophagus was discovered which was believed to be the tomb of Mary Magdalene!
You will also have free time to explore this beautiful village.
Free choice lunch & dinner not included in tour price 

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Day 10 - Sun, May 10th

We’ll have a relaxed morning at our hotel and depart after lunch. You’ll have the opportunity to use the hotel facilities, explore the beautiful town of Aix-en-Provence and have lunch before we depart for our final pilgrimage that takes us to the Sanctuary of Sainte-Baume, the cave where it is believed Mary Magdalene spent her last years. Our pilgrimage will commence with a hike uphill to the site of Mary Magdalene’s cave, where our local guide will share her knowledge and allow us time to make our personal spiritual connection to Mary Magdalene.
Free choice lunch not included in tour price
Farewell dinner at the hotel

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Day 11 - Mon, May 11th

To Marseille Provence Airport for flight home or further destination… Bon Voyage!