Reformed and Always Reforming
A Pilgrimage through France and Switzerland
October 12-22, 2027
with Pittsburgh Area Churches and Rev. Emily Miller
Our Reformed faith tradition calls us to always be reforming. This 11-day pilgrimage traces the legacy of the Protestant Reformation across France and Switzerland to remind us of where we come from and help us navigate where we are going. We begin in Paris, where Calvin studied, visiting the restored Notre Dame Cathedral and worshiping together. In Chartres, we'll walk the cathedral labyrinth. In Geneva, Calvin's adopted home, we explore St. Pierre's Cathedral, the Reformation Wall, and the International Museum of the Reformation. From our base in Basel, where Erasmus is buried and Calvin first published the Institutes of the Christian Religion, we continue to explore the Reformation in Strasbourg. We conclude in Zurich at the Grossmünster, where Ulrich Zwingli preached. This itinerary is representative and may be adjusted due to opening times and guide availability.
Pilgrimage Highlights
At a glance
Wednesday, October 13, 2027
Thursday, October 14, 2027
Friday, October 15, 2027
Saturday, October 16, 2027
Sunday, October 17, 2027
Monday, October 18, 2027
Tuesday, October 19, 2027
Wednesday, October 20, 2027
Thursday, October 21, 2027
Friday, October 22, 2027
Depart Zurich for US
Tuesday, October 12, 2027
Begin Pilgrimage: Depart Pittsburgh for Paris
We depart Pittsburgh this evening on a connecting overnight flight to Paris. Flight times and details TBD.
Wednesday, October 13, 2027
Arrive in Paris
Walking Tour and Worship
Arrive at Charles de Gaulle and transfer to hotel
We arrive at Charles de Gaulle and transfer to our hotel, leaving our bags before the rooms are ready.
Short walking tour ending at Notre Dame Cathedral
A short walking tour follows, ending at the restored Notre Dame Cathedral for a silent pilgrimage walk.
Afternoon at leisure
The afternoon is your own, including lunch.
Opening worship at the American Church in Paris
We regather at the American Church in Paris for opening worship.
Welcome dinner
DateWednesday, Oct 13, 2027
Included.
Novotel Paris Les Halles
Thursday, October 14, 2027
Free Day in Paris
Free day in Paris
Today is a free day with no group touring. There is more to Paris than a group could see together, so the day is yours to spend however you choose.
Lunch
On your own.
Dinner
On your own.
Novotel Paris Les Halles
Friday, October 15, 2027
Chartres Cathedral and Labyrinth Experience
Train from Paris to Chartres
Guided tour of Chartres Cathedral and crypt
A guided tour of the cathedral and its crypt.
Walk the labyrinth in Chartres Cathedral
The labyrinth set into the nave floor is uncovered on Fridays, and there is time to walk it.
Chartres en Lumières
In the evening, Chartres en Lumières illuminates the cathedral and much of the city.
Return train to Paris
The group returns to Paris together in the early evening.
Novotel Paris Les Halles
Saturday, October 16, 2027
To Geneva
Explore Reformation Sites
Train from Paris to Geneva
We take the train from Paris to Geneva, a little over three hours.
Lunch
Included.
Reformation Walking Tour
Reformation walking tour: the Reformation Wall, the International Museum of the Reformation, and St Pierre's Cathedral.
Visit Espace Madeleine
In the late afternoon, we visit the Espace Madeleine, one of the oldest churches in the city, built on the site of a Roman temple and now an open church welcoming all comers.
Dinner
Included.
Bernina Hotel Geneva
Sunday, October 17, 2027
Worship and Free Time in Geneva
Worship at Auditoire de Calvin
We worship at 11:00am with the Church of Scotland congregation at the Auditoire de Calvin, the lecture hall where Calvin taught.
Afternoon at leisure in Geneva
The afternoon is your own.
Lunch
On our own.
Dinner
On your own.
Bernina Hotel Geneva
Monday, October 18, 2027
Geneva to Basel
Journey from Geneva to Basel with Chillon Castle Tour
Private coach from Geneva to Basel via Chillon Castle
We leave Geneva by private coach for Basel, stopping at Chillon Castle, which dates from 1150 and has been rebuilt and enlarged many times since.
Guided tour of Chillon Castle
Lunch
Included.
Free time in Basel before dinner
We continue to Basel, a long day on the coach, with free time before dinner (included).
Dinner
Included.
Hotel Odelya, Basel
Tuesday, October 19, 2027
Strasbourg
Explore Strasbourg's Reformation Sites and Art
Private coach from Basel to Strasbourg
We travel by private coach to Strasbourg for the day.
Visit Strasbourg Cathedral, St Thomas Church, and Church of the Shield
We visit the Cathedral, where many of Luther's ideas were first preached in this city, then St Thomas Church and the Church of the Shield, which replaced Calvin's original church. Touring ends before lunch (on your own).
Lunch
On your own.
Optional: Musée de l'Œuvre Notre-Dame
For the afternoon, consider the Musée de l'Œuvre Notre-Dame and its collection of regional art.
Return coach to Basel
In the late afternoon, we return to Basel.
Dinner
On your own.
Hotel Odelya, Basel
Wednesday, October 20, 2027
Basel to Zurich
Old Town Tour
Walking tour of Basel old town and Münster
We begin with a walking tour of the old town, including the Basel Münster, where Erasmus is buried; his tomb is in the north aisle.
Lunch
On your own.
Private coach from Basel to Zurich
In the afternoon we travel by private coach to Zurich, and the balance of the day is yours.
Dinner
On your own.
Hotel St. Josef, Zurich
Thursday, October 21, 2027
Zurich Churches
Zurich's Churches Tour
Tour of Grossmünster and Fraumünster
We leave the hotel mid-morning for a tour of two famous churches: Grossmünster and Fraumünster. The Grossmünster was Zwingli's church, in use since the 1200s and built on the site of an earlier church possibly commissioned by Charlemagne. From there we visit the Fraumünster for the Chagall windows and the crypt, which houses a museum of the Zurich Reformation. Touring finishes around lunchtime.
Lunch
On your own.
Free afternoon in Zurich
A free afternoon in Zurich after the morning tour.
Closing worship
We gather in the evening for closing worship.
Farewell dinner
Included.
Hotel St. Josef, Zurich
Friday, October 22, 2027
Depart Zurich for US
We fly home from Zurich. Flight times and details TBD.
Map
A. Notre Dame Cathedral
6 Parvis Notre-Dame - Pl. Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris, FranceB. Chartres Cathedral
16 Cloître Notre Dame, 28000 Chartres, FranceC. St. Pierre's Cathedral
Place Bourg-de-Four 24, 1204 Genève, SwitzerlandD. International Museum of the Reformation
Rue du Cloître 4, 1204 Genève, SwitzerlandE. Espace Madeleine
Rue de la Madeleine 15, 1204 Genève, SwitzerlandF. Basel Münster
Münsterpl. 9, 4051 Basel, SwitzerlandG. Strasbourg Cathedral
Place de la Cathédrale, 67000 Strasbourg, FranceH. Church of the Shield (Église du Bouclier), Strasbourg
4 Rue du Bouclier, 67000 Strasbourg, FranceI. Grossmünster
Grossmünsterplatz, 8001 Zürich, SwitzerlandJ. Fraumünster
Münsterhof 2, 8001 Zürich, SwitzerlandPackages and Pricing
What's Included
What's included
Round-trip airfare from Pittsburgh
Currently based on estimated rates. Final airfare pricing will be confirmed on or around December 1, 2026.
Accommodations
Meals
Breakfast daily, 2 lunches, and 4 dinners
Ground transportation in private deluxe motorcoach
Entry fees and local guides
Gratuities
Educational Resources
What's not included
Travel Insurance
Meals not listed
Alcoholic Beverages
or other specialty beverages
Pilgrimage Expectations
Physical Demands on Every Pilgrimage
You should be able to walk, with luggage, for up to half a mile on uneven surfaces, such as cobblestones.
On most days, you will be out of the hotel between 9am and 5pm, with breaks along the way and some free time to rest.
You should be able to walk 12,000 steps per day and stand while listening to our professional guides
You should be able to sleep in hotels located in city centers, which may have road noise. Air conditioning in Europe is less effective than in the US and may not cool your room as much as you're used to back home.
You should, after a brief orientation, be able to navigate towns and cities on your own.