Ars is located in the Ain département (01), 30 km north of Lyon (Rhône département – 69) and 7 km east of Villefranche-sur-Saône (69).
When you come to Ars, in addition to the times of prayer and adoration or celebrations offered at the Basilica (see Agenda of activities), the Sanctuary gives you several possibilities for organizing your day.
Whether you only have a few hours, a day or more to spare in Ars, you can also add you can also add other activities to your program:
Watch a film on the life of the saintly priest; visit his house; take a guided tour; play discovery games with the kids, visit the Wax Museum…
Take time to walk to the Monument de la Rencontre. ;
(45-minute round trip on foot); meditate with the Holy Curé (Way of the Cross or Rosary)
; take a children’s/adult’s cultural tour of the village
If you can stay longer, don’t hesitate to meet and talk with our priests or the sisters at reception;
Discover our region in the footsteps of the saints who lived here!
Don’t hesitate to contact us to set up your program!
To help you prepare for your visit to Ars, we’ve prepared a leaflet containing the essentials…
Alone, or with your group, you can join the Masses usually celebrated at the Sanctuary (Schedule of celebrations) or call us to reserve a Mass at another time, depending on availability at the Basilica.
In the village of the Curé d’Ars, experiencing the joy of reconciliation. Single people can meet a priest at the usual times (Schedule of celebrations).
For groups, we offer a time of discovery and preparation for the sacrament (adapted according to age), followed by a celebration of forgiveness with individual absolution.
The Basilica, the Curé d’Ars house and the Chapelle du Coeur are open daily.
For groups, a guided tour of the presbytery and elements for visiting the Basilica are available.
Children can take part in a discovery game (2 booklets for primary and secondary schools).
Everyone can retrace the same path as Jean-Marie Vianney to the Monument de la Rencontre (a statue commemorating the Saint’s arrival in Ars in February 1818).
Alone or in a group, you can discover the life of the Curé d’Ars through a 15 or52-minute video. Information at the Pilgrimage Centre.
For groups, the possibility of an exchange or a teaching on the life of the Curé d’Ars, or a topo related to his life and message.
Many books are also available from the pilgrimage store and the Saint Jean-Marie Vianney bookshop.
The sanctuary offers three evenings of Christian Formation from 8:30pm to 9:45pm.
For groups, you can receive instruction on the theme of your choice, over one or more days.
More detailed leaflets are available for each activity. Don’t hesitate to ask.
Priests, families, young people, scouts, children, pilgrims, groups, parishes, tourists, alone, with family, you can contact us:
Welcome people who come for a spiritual journey at the Ars sanctuary: accommodation, catering, room hire, meeting rooms, chapel
For priests and religious
