Writing the Heroine’s Journey
SAINTE BAUME PILGRIMAGE
A 5-Day Sacred Journey into the Heart of the Magdalene
May 25-30, 2026 | September 1-6, 2026
By Application Only
The Invitation
Guided by writers, pilgrims and modern mystics Patricia Russo and Catherine Conners, Writing the Heroine’s Journey is an invitation to rediscover your own myth through the sacred art of story and pilgrimage. Set in the mountains of Sainte Baume, this experience gathers women ready to meet their deeper calling, write from the wild truth of their hearts, and walk the path where Mary Magdalene once walked.
The Journey
From the moment she steps off the train at Aubagne, she senses the invitation - a call to creative adventure. Here begins the pilgrimage of her heroine’s journey, a sacred and transformative passage that will be woven through exploration, discovery, and story. She is met by her guides and a circle of companions, and together they embark upon an adventure in which each step is an opening: to go deeper, to go further, to discover their stories.
Upon arrival in Sainte-Baume, she settles into an intimate bed & breakfast that feels as timeless as the mountains around it. Each morning the view lifts her gaze toward caves and chapels tucked in the cliffs - a landscape where myth, memory, and prayer breathe as one. The forest holds her like a nurturing muse, whispering the stories of women who walked before her: priestesses and prophets, oracles and seekers who tended thresholds and spoke in the language of the land.
As she follows wooded footpaths to sacred grottos and secret caves, she feels the weight - and the power - of her own story press against her heart. She meets a chorus of archetypes: the pilgrim, the seeker, the truth-teller, the healer, the sovereign, the queen. She meets Mary Magdalene, and the keepers of the forest, and the spirit of the ancient mountain of Ste. Baume. Guided by these figures, she undertakes a journey that will catalyze her spirit and bring forward her voice. With a pen in her hand and her heart on her tongue, she begins mapping her personal myth and writing the heroine’s journey that only she can tell.
Her pilgrimage is infused with moments of writing and reflection - time to catch the deep wisdom that stirs within. Each day unfolds like a chapter: journaling beneath ancient trees, storytelling over shared meals, and making space for the insights that surface as she explores the mythic landscape where relics and remembrance intertwine. In these places, challenges become thresholds, thresholds become blessings, and the path clarifies underfoot. By the journey’s end, she is not only walking in the footsteps of heroines - she is authoring her own mythology, one luminous page at a time.
Is she you? Please join us and find out.
The Pilgrimage Path
Each day carries its own rhythm and revelation:
Day One - Arrival + Invocation
We begin in Marseille with a visit to Abbaye Saint Victor, an ancient crypt where early Christian women once prayed. We gather in circle, share intentions, and open the writing journey together.
Day Two - Into the Mountain
We climb to Mary Magdalene’s Cave, entering the forest of Sainte Baume in silence. Writing prompts and reflective ritual invite what is ready to be released and remembered.
Day Three - Relics + Revelation
In Saint Maximin la Sainte Baume, we visit the basilica that holds Mary Magdalene’s relics and then ascend to the Cave of Eggs, a symbol of creation and renewal.
Day Four - Beauty + Remembrance
We journey to Saint Michel du Var, a radiant church known for its painted interior - walls alive with color, saints, and stories. Beneath the sanctuary lies a small, hidden crypt said to contain a lock of Mary Magdalene’s hair, a relic held in quiet reverence. In this space of beauty and devotion, we reflect on the feminine mysteries of embodiment and remembrance. Writing becomes an act of anointing, and each woman’s story begins ot shimmer with her own sacred color.
Day Five - Ascent + Integration
Our final climb leads us to the mountaintop chapel of Sainte Baume, where we write, pray and witness the stories that have been born within us. A closing circle seals the pilgrimage with gratitude and blessing.
Day Six - Departure
Morning reflections, closing writings, and travel onward.
Your Guides
Patricia Russo is the founder of Sacred Paris, a spiritual travel agency curating pilgrimages, retreats, and devotional experiences across France. She is a writer, guide, and mystic devoted to beauty and transformation, she leads journeys that weave sacred story with lived experience, helping others walk as pilgrims of the present moment.
Catherine Conners is a passionate believer in the deep magic of storytelling. A longtime scholar of story, she blends academic expertise in folklore and mythology with a legacy of leadership across entertainment and digital media. As a former head of content and Editor-in-Chief at The Walt Disney Company, Catherine has championed transformative narratives across some of the most important story spaces of our time. The award-winning author of The Feminine Revolution and a dedicated advocate for women and girls, she is a modern fairygodmother of story whose deepest passion is helping women and others unlock their inner storytellers and unleash their magic.
Together, Patricia and Catherine hold a sacred space where writing becomes prayer, walking becomes initiation, and each woman steps into the myth she was born to tell.
Investment Details
(Prices listed in euros with approximate USD conversion for reference)
2 PRIVATE ROOMS - €3,400 ($3,675)
Early Bird €3,100/$3,350 by February 1st for May + June 1st for September
1 SHARED ROOM - €3,000 ($3,250)
Early Bird €2,700/$2,920 by February 1st for May + June 1st for September
Investment Includes
Private or Shared Accommodations in Intimate 5-Star Bed + Breakfast for 5 Nights
Daily Made-with-Love French Breakfast + Wild Forged Privately Catered Picnic Lunches + Intimate Nightly Dinners
All Tours, Guides, Hiking + Exploring for 5 Days of this Holy Experience
All Writing Workshops, Classes, Rituals + Practices
Private Car Pick-Up + Drop-Off (Marseille + Aubagne)
Welcome Tote with Altar Gifts + Sacred Mementos
Daily Guided Meditation Practices + Reflection/Journal Prompts + Circles to Share
Ample Time to Wander + Sit in Stillness on Your Own
Divine Magic + Surprises
Space is limited to 4 guests per pilgrimage
Not Included
Flights or Train to Marseille Train Station (pick-up location), or from Aubagne Train Station (drop-off location), travel insurance and personal spending.
Booking + Payment
A non-refundable €500 deposit secures your place.
Remaining balance is due 60 days before the pilgrimage begins.
Payment Plans are available upon request.
No refunds, possible exchanges on a case-by-case basis.
Terms + Cancellations
This pilgrimage is a sacred commitment - to yourself, to the journey, and to the circle of women walking beside you. Your €500 deposit confirms your place and is non-refundable. The remaining balance is due 60 days before the pilgrimage begins. If you need to cancel after this time, your place may be transferred to another participant only if the retreat is full and your spot can be filled from the waiting list. In the unlikely event that we must postpone or cancel, all payments made will be transferred to a future pilgrimage date. We recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance that includes medial and cancellation coverage. By registering, you acknowledge that you are physically and emotionally able to participate in walking pilgrimages, group activities, and reflective practices, and that you do so at your own discretion and responsibility.
Your Journey Begins Here
Please complete the short application below. This helps us create a balanced, intentional circle of women and ensure that this experience is the right fit for everyone. Once submitted, we will personally review your responses and be in touch within a few days with next steps.