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 This is an enriching tour for those who desire to know the City of Light more intimately. We will leisurely retrace Paris’ history starting when it was a small pre-Roman settlement called Lutece. From there, we will explore six distinct neighborhoods highlighting Paris’ tumultuous and colorful past from the Medieval Gothic architecture on the Ile de la Cite and Latin Quarter, to the 17th century aristocratic mansions of the Marais, and from intellectual and artistic St. Germain des Pres to the picturesque and bohemian Montmartre of van Gogh and Picasso. This small group escorted tour will cover art, culture, gastronomy and the Parisian savoir vivre. So… Join us!!
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Testimonial: “I can't say adequately to you what a marvelous experience I enjoyed in Paris. I enjoyed not only your company but also all the fine arrangements you so graciously present to your clients. Everything from our beautiful hotel to convenient transportation, the concerts, our wonderful Danielle, the restaurants you found for us - all was perfection”. Marilyn M, Portland. |
Sunday November 4 - Welcome
The group participants will arrive in Paris and settle in their cozy boutique hotel on the left bank. Time to unwind and explore the neighborhood on your own. We will meet in the evening for a welcome dinner. D
Monday November 5 - Paris Two Islands -
We will begin our exploration of Paris on the Ile de la Cite, the island on which Paris was founded. First settled on a bend of the Seine River by the Parisii tribe, Lutecia, as it was first called, developed as a thriving Gallo-Roman trading post. As the heart of Paris, Ile de la Cite was the center of the French Royalty since the Merovingian Dynasty when King Childebert built a castle. Notre Dame Cathedral was built in the 11th century a stone throw from the King’s Palace on a site of an ancient Roman Temple devoted to Mercury. After lunch we will continue across over the Seine to Ile Saint Louis—Paris’s most romantic island— Along the Quais de Bethune, Anjou and Orleans, you will discover an elegant 17th century architecture ensemble with unbeatable views over the River Seine. Its main street, rue Saint Louis en l’Ile is lined with tantalizing shops .We will make sure to stop at Berthillon, for a taste of Paris “best” ice-cream. Evening at leisure. B/L
Tuesday November 6 - Les Halles and le Marais
We will start our visit today with a exploration of the Halles district. For 800 years and until the late 1960’s les Halles were the Central Market for Paris. Author Emile Zola wrote about it in his 19th century novel the “Ventre de Paris” (The belly of Paris). To alleviate city’s congestion, the market was moved outside of Paris to le Rungis. In its place a large underground mall and a museum- The Pompidou Museum for Contemporary Art were built.
We will soak in the atmosphere of the picturesque market on rue Montorgueuil lined with produce, cheese shops, bakeries, flower shops, restaurants and cafes. After lunch will continue our tour with a visit of le Marais.
Le Marais, an ancient area of marshes was turned into an aristocratic neighborhood in early 17th century. In 1605 the elegant Royal Square, known today as Place des Vosges was built. Many French noble families settled here and built impressive urban mansions like the Hotel de Sens, Hotel de Sully, Hotel de Soubise to name a few. Madame de Sevigne, the famous letter writer, lived in the Hotel Carnavalet from 1677 till her death in 1696. We will also evoke here the Jewish past of this neighborhood, which had been for centuries home to a vibrant community. Once a dilapidated neighborhood, le Marais, has been revitalized in recent years into the trendiest neighborhood of Paris and home to the Gay community. Evening at leisure. B/L
Wednesday November 7 - Secrets Paris- Covered Passageways
In the morning our exploration will take us to the Paris of the 19th century and the Belle Epoque. From Palais Royal to the Grand Boulevards we will uncover the secrets of Parisian covered passageways, early examples of shopping arcades. Strolling through the Galerie Verot Dodat and Galerie Vivienne you will be enchanted by its curious shops from another time.
Lunch and rest of the day free to discover more of Paris on your own—visit a museum, catch up on your shopping or just relax in a park or at a café terrace. B
Thursday November 8 - Literary Left Bank
Today our visit will take us to visit Paris’s intellectual neighborhoods--the Latin Quarter and St. Germain des Pres. Since early middle Ages, the Latin Quarter was a gathering ground for students from around Europe. They would sit outdoors on Place Maubert and nearby rue du Fouarre to listen to teachers like Abelard discourse. In 1253 Robert de Sorbon, Confessor of St. Louis founded a theological school and thus the beginning of the Sorbonne University. Close by is the artistic St. Germain des Pres. Some famous residents included Delacroix, Thomas Paine, Benjamin Franklin, Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, James Baldwin, Gertrude Stein, Serge Gainsbourg to name a few. After WWII, Black American musicians played in the miniscule jazz clubs that populated Saint Germain des Pres in front of eager and appreciative audiences. B/L
The rest of the day will be free for you to explore on your own. B
Friday November 9 - Artistic Montmartre
The morning will be devoted to exploring the atmospheric village of Montmartre where we will retrace the footsteps of painters like Toulouse Lautrec, Renoir, van Gog, Picasso, Utrillo and many others who lived and painted here in late 19th and early 20th century. We will also enjoy a stroll through rue Lepic, a lively market street and visit Montmartre’s small vineyard.
Enjoy an afternoon at leisure. We will meet in the evening for a farewell dinner. B/D
Saturday November 10
Tour ends after breakfast. Au revoir!! B
B= Breakfast; L=Lunch; D= Dinner
Price : $2600 in double occupancy—Single supplement: $560 (S3160)
Inclusions:
6 nights at Hotel: Le Littre – a 4 star hotel in St. Germain des Pres/Montparnasse area
Breakfasts
2 dinners and two lunches
Guided tours as described above
Metro tickets and Museum pass
Tour leader at your disposal throughout the trip
* These rates are subject to availability and currency
rate fluctuations.
For these and other specialized tours call us at 866-313-2856 or email us at contact@enchanted-france.com
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