Autumn in Paris...an eleven-day leisurely acquaintance with the wonderful French capital by foot, coach and Metro. Delve into its history and architecture, revel in its art and cuisine. Discover its markets, hidden by-ways and back streets, quaint galleries and boutiques all with ample opportunity to pursue one’s own interests. The tour includes a seven-day subway pass, a four-day "front of the line" museum pass, five dinners or lunches in traditional restaurants, a Seine cruise and a classical music concert! Tour escorted by Michael Quinn.
Tour Cost - Land Only $3,995.00 based on double occupancy
September 29 - October 09, 2023
Single supplement: $1,695.00
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*If the tour is SOLD OUT, please contact us to be added to the waitlist.
A full-day tour of the most important monuments of contemporary Mitterand Paris. The morning takes us to the monumental “Grande Arche” in the Défense suburb; the National Library, the Omnisports Stadium and Ministry of Finance in the trendy Bercy District. Lunch then on to the “Cité Scientifique” of La Vilette, with the unusual “deconstructivist” architectural creations of Bernard Tschumi on the site of the old Parisian slaughter houses! Late afternoon return to our hotel and evening at leisure.
This morning we leave the city by rapid transit to the little town of Versailles. A short walk through this former village will begin our self-guided visit to the monumental Palace of Louis XIV; the Royal Chapel, the Hall of Mirrors, the magnificent gardens of Le Nôtre. Time for lunch in the market of Versailles before returning to Paris, where a visit to Les Invalides, the Musée Rodin or perhaps the Arc de Triomphe ends the day. This evening, a classic music concert in 13thC. church of St.-Julien-le-Pauvre.
Today you will receive a four-day museum pass valid for admission not only to the Palace of Versailles, the Louvre, and the Orsay Museum, but also to a host of other Parisian museums, art galleries, and monuments including the following: Cluny Museum (highly recommended!) - Notre Dame Towers and Crypt - Orangerie (with Monet’s Water Lilies) - Sainte Chapelle - Arc de Triomphe - Pantheon - Invalides (with Napoleon’s tomb) - Pompidou Centre - Museum of Modern Art - Picasso Museum - Rodin Museum....three of the major sites over the next four days have been chosen for group visits. The Pass begins to-day and is valid for Thursday, Friday and Saturday when there will be a considerable amount of free time. Michael will be available to assist with planning personal visits to museums and galleries over the next four days.
We travel this morning by Metro to the Louvre Museum, featuring countless superb art treasures including Leonardo’s Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, the Winged Victory of Samothrace. The afternoon allows for personal choices. Again, take full advantage of the Museum Pass ie .see the Champs Élysées from the Arc de Triomphe! But retail therapy can be most enjoyable in the marvelous Grands Magasins of Printemps, Galeries Lafayette and Bon Marché as can an early dinner at any one of their gourmet counters!
A day to relax and savour the city. Will it be the counters and tables of Les Puces de Saint-Ouen (better known as the flea market!) or perhaps just a stroll in the Luxembourg Gardens with its pigeons, manicured trees, groomed pathways, serene atmosphere and Médici Fountain? A late lunch in chic Les Halles before our last view of Paris from the heights of the Eiffel Tower. But this evening, our Au Revoir dinner in a favourite classical setting!
• Airport transfers in Paris; • Accommodation in a typical 3-star hotel, based on double occupancy; the single room supplement is TBA • Meals: daily full buffet breakfast plus four full-course dinners/lunches. • Sightseeing and visits as indicated in the itinerary; • Classical music concert; • Seine River cruise; • Week Metro Pass: city travel is mostly by metro, but...be aware that our Parisian exploration necessarily involves some walking! • Museum Pass valid for 4 days; (Please note that the order of visits may require adjustment to accommodate possible future rescheduling of museum/ shop opening hours; the time and venue of the classical music concert is TBA.)
• Please note that this is Land Only. Once the tour departure is guaranteed (determined by the number of registered participants), the Agency will be pleased to assist in offering personal flight choices as well as a group flight rate based on minimum of 10; • Beverages (wine, beer, mineral water, tea, etc.) with dinners; • All items of a personal nature; • Travel insurance...available upon request.