The Grand Tour of Paris

Paris is considered by many to be the most beautiful city in the world.  It is certainly one of the most romantic and historic as well.  During your memorable stay in the city of light you will see many of the most famous landmarks and monuments in the world.  You will behold great art treasures, extraordinary architecture and romantic gardens.  You’ll delight in gourmet cuisine prepared by celebrated chefs.  You’ll enjoy the exceedingly pleasant ambiance of intimate cafés, elegant restaurants and exquisite hotels.  A wonderfully civilized city of style and comfort, the pleasures of Paris are endless.

SATURDAY - International flight to Paris

SUNDAY - Arrive at Charles De Gaulle Airport near Paris. Quiet afternoon walk in Paris.

Your greeted by your host at the airport near Paris.  After a brief taxi ride we check you in our Parisian hotel and relax before lunch at a local restaurant.  Get acquainted with your hosts and fellow travelers.

We enjoy a quiet afternoon relaxing in Luxembourg Garden. The garden is attractively located in front of the magnificent Palais du Luxembourg, now the home of the French Senate. It’s one of the most beautiful parks in Paris and popular with Parisians.

Close by we visit the monumental St. Sulpice Church, well known for its Delacroix murals and large pipe organ. For those who want to explore further, we offer a 10 minute stroll to the Panthéon.

This evening we enjoy welcome cocktails at our hotel before we savor dinner at an intimate nearby restaurant.

Each evening your escorts can assist you with information about evening entertainment opportunities.  L+D

MONDAY- Cruise on the Seine, Visit to the Ile de la Cite.

This morning we enjoy a relaxing cruise the Seine providing an orientation tour of Paris. WHS

Next, we enjoy romantic Pont Neuf, the oldest bridge in Paris. We enter the Ile de la Cité. Here we visit the Square du Vert Galant, a park shaped like the bow of a ship that juts into the Seine.  Next we visit Place Dauphine.

Lunch is at the rustic Taverne Henri IV. Here we taste vintage wine in an ambiance of rustic charm.

After lunch we see the Palace of Justice, and visit the Conciergerie where Marie Antoinette was imprisoned.

Next we visit La Sainte Chapelle, built by King St. Louis to house Christ’s crown of thorns.  This afternoon we also we visit Notre Dame, the worlds most famous Cathedral, and home of the legendary humpback.  Later this afternoon we stroll along the romantic quays of the Seine. Here you can buy a nice Parisian painting at the quaint Bouquinistes.

Tonight we enjoy dinner near the Seine. B+L+D

TUESDAY - Trocadero, Lunch at the Eiffel Tower, Tomb of Napoleon, Rodin Museum, Alexander III Bridge.

We visit the Tracadéro-Promontary with its large fountain and wonderful view of the Eiffel Tower.  A great place for your picture in front of the worlds most recognized landmark.

We enjoy a fantastic lunch at the restaurant Altitude 95 in the Eiffel Tower. Located at the 400 foot level, its exciting views are unequaled.

After lunch we stroll through the Parc du Champ Du Mars to the Tomb of Napoléon.  It’s a most impressive carved stone and marble building honoring this historic leader.

We continue our afternoon with a visit to the Rodin Museum.

Located in a stately mansion surrounded by a beautiful garden, you will see the most famous works of this celebrated French sculptor including, The Thinker, The Bourgeois of Calais, The Gates of Hell and The Kiss.

We enjoy refreshments at the café in the lovely garden.

From here we cross the Esplanade des Invalides and the Alexander the III bridge, certainly one of the most ornate bridges in the world.  We dine tonight at one of the most famous brasseries in Paris. B+L+D

 

WEDNESDAY – Right bank walking tour. Place de la Concorde, The Tuileries Garden, The Louvre, Samaritaine Store.

We start at the Place de la Concorde. We see the gold toped Egyptian obelisk, grand statues, and fountains

We stroll through the beautiful former royal Tuileries gardens towards the Arch of the Carroussel and enter the Louvre.  The Louvre contains the largest collection of Art in the World.

You’ll see the most famous masterpieces ever created, Mona Lisa, Vénus de Milo, Winged Victory, Raft of the Medusa... Lunch is enjoyed at the Louvre.

Our next stop is the famous Samaritaine store, a great place to purchase anything French. Perfumes, scarves, accessories, gifts abound in this beautiful store.  A break from shopping is enjoyed at the Samaritaine’s roof top café with one of the best views in Paris. Free for dinner. B+L

THURSDAY - Excursion to Versailles Palace and Gardens

We leave Paris for spectacular Versailles, home of many French kings including Louis XIV and Marie Antoinette. This is the largest, most famous, and most ornate of all château’s. WHS   We tour  the Palace interior and also enjoy the extensive gardens.

After our tour of the palace, we enjoy a delicious lunch in Versailles.

This afternoon we return to Paris where you dine at your leisure this evening.   Why not enjoy some of the night life in Paris.   B+L

 

FRIDAY - Museum d’ Orsay, Village of Montmartre,

This morning we visit the Musee d’ Orsay. It’s the best art museum in Paris after the Louvre. Orsay presents great works from 1848 to 1914 from famous artists including Whistler, Monet, Renoir, Degas, van Gogh, Cezanne, Gauguin and Picasso to name a few.

Lunch is enjoyed at the elegant restaurant in the Museum

This afternoon we visit the picturesque hill top village of Montmartre with its windmills and the Place du Tertre where artists wait to paint your portrait. You will enjoy another panoramic view of Paris from the church Le Sacré Coeur.

 

We visit the inside of Sacré Coeur Basilica and get another view of Paris from the dome.

Nearby we also see the church St. Pierre de Montmartre and the Lapin Agile cabaret. Then we enjoy refreshment at one of the numerous cafés on Place du Tertre.

Tonight we enjoy the pleasures of a gourmet dinner while cruising the seine. The night lit scenery is magically romantic. B+L+D

SATURDAY- Arch de Triumph, Les Champs Elysées, a Parisian café and Shopping

This morning  we visit the famous Arch of Triumph, and enjoy the panoramic view of Paris from the top.  We continue our tour down Les Champs Elysées once the widest avenue in the world. It’s now home to luxury shops, shows and cafés. We stroll down this famous avenue, and enjoy the ambiance of this wonderful destination.  Stop and relax at a café and enjoy refreshment as we watch the Parisian world go by.

Lunch is enjoyed at the Le Cercle Ledoyen on the terrace near the Petit Palais. This afternoon we go to the famous stores the Galeries Lafayette and Printemps. For those less interested in shopping, an optional visit is made to the Garnier Opéra and La Madeleine church.

We visit the Opéra where we find the grand foyer, and the grand staircase of white marble and with red and green marble balustrade. The five tier auditorium is decorated in red velvet and gold leaf.

We walk to La Madeleine and visit this unique church. It looks like a Greek temple with its Corinthian columns encircling the entire building. Inside we see the lavishly decorated interior of marble, gilt, and fine sculpture.  We return to our hotel to relax before dinner. This evening, we visit the French train station the Gare de Lyon and get a close up look at the fastest train in the world, the French TGV.

We enjoy cocktails before a gourmet dinner at the magnificent Train Blue restaurant with its fine example of Belle Epoque architecture.  After dinner we go to the Eiffel Tower to see its display of lights at night. B+L+D

SUNDAY- Airport Transfers in the morning. Musee Jacquemart Andre in the afternoon.

This tour ends this day and an airport transfer from the hotel to CDG airport is provided. B

For those joining another Splendors of Europe Tour, you’re free to spend Sunday morning in Paris as you choose.

Lunch is enjoyed near our hotel.

This afternoon we offer a visit to Museum, Jacquemart André, one of the most sumptuous residences in Paris.  It’s the former palatial home of a wealthy banker who collected Italian Renaissance and French 18^th century art, tapestries and furniture. The museum is also an architectural masterpiece.

Dinner is enjoyed at an intimate local restaurant where we get acquainted with our fellow travelers.