TRIP ITINERARY
Saturday
The French Traveler welcomes you to Paris. Arrive at your leisure and take a few moments to catch your breath in your new surroundings. Relax this afternoon as you prepare for the excitement that awaits on our Paris itinerary. Share introductions and cocktails this evening, followed by dinner at a well-loved restaurant in the neighborhood.
DINNER
Sunday
We’ll go behind the scenes today at the Paris Opera. Ever wonder what Edgar Degas based his Ballet Dancer paintings on? We’ll bear witness. Then off to a new and different lunch experience before a stroll through a fascinating piece of history: the Père Lachaise cemetery.
LUNCH
Monday
Louis Vuitton started out his career as a trunk maker; we’ll visit the atelier where the trunks are still made, before lunch in a quaint local restaurant. Then a stroll through a magnifique Belle Epoque garden built by a shy, retiring banker at the turn of the XXth century who, at the dawn of photography, amassed an astonishing collection of photographs from around the world to celebrate different world cultures. Optional concert this evening in the Sainte-Chapelle. LUNCH
Tuesday
A leisurely morning will allow you to shop, visit a museum or wander around Paris on your own before lunch on a shaded terrace. An afternoon gourmet foodie tour of the rue du Bac will introduce you to a specialty patissier, a fromager, different wine stores with selections of Armagnac and Cognac, a chocolatier. No need for dinner this evening after all that wonderful tasting, so we’ll finish up with a glass of Champagne at the top of the Eiffel Tower. LUNCH
Wednesday
This afternoon we’ll venture out of the city to a remarkable chateau, Fontainebleau, a favorite of many of the kings, who not only slept there, lived there, hunted, and loved there but also constructed their own private wing, each leaving his own indelible mark. Fontainebleau remains one of Parisians’ most beloved day trips, renowned for its manicured greenery, fine restaurants, and historical chateau. Lunch in the town of Fontainebleau, then a discovery of the chateau and its grounds. LUNCH
Thursday
A morning visit to a one of Paris’s unique museums and art collections. Lunch in the museum, then, up the hill this afternoon to Montmartre for an exploration of this charming area with a former resident, ending with a cocktail on a rooftop terrace with a beautiful view of the city, known only to insiders. LUNCH
Friday
An encounter with the trappings of Coco Chanel is sure to be one of the highlights of this trip. You’ll find out more once you’ve registered; let us just say it’s a visit you won’t forget. Have a leisurely lunch, then a wine-pairing lesson this evening in the Art of the French “apéritif” in a private home with a woman sommelier. MEALS AT LEISURE
Saturday
The Fondation Louis Vuitton has created the most astonishing art gallery in the heart of the Bois de Boulogne, designed by none other than Frank Gehry. Opened in 2014, it promised Paris “an extraordinary space for art and culture to demonstrate daring and emotion”. It does not disappoint. We’ll end our extraordinary adventure in Paris this evening at an unforgettable restaurant, where the chef promises to come out and speak with us. DINNER
Sunday
And yes, it is over today….we’ll supply Kleenexes as you depart for the airport. Or perhaps you’d like to prolong your stay a bit, now that you know the city so well, and invite your other half to show him/her around to some of the new places you’ve discovered. Vive la France!
DETAILS ABOUT THE TRIP
Cost of the Paris Insider Tour | Dates to be announced in 2023
– Double occupancy $3799
– Single supplement $799
– Optional activities (see below)
Your trip includes
– All lodgings in deluxe hotel in center of Paris, single or double accommodations
– All breakfasts and other meals where noted
– All guided tours
– Wine with meals
– Entrance fees and public transportation to scheduled locations
– Individual weekly metro/bus pass
– Tips, taxes, & service charges for all group activities.
*NB: All passengers should plan to take a taxi from the airport to the hotel once they arrive in France. For the return trip to the airport, often travelers leave together and sharing taxi fare is commonplace.
Exclusions
– International airfare
– Land transportion from airport to hotel and back
– Meals on noted days
– Accident/baggage/trip cancellation insurance
– Any activities not scheduled in program
– Other forms of transportation (taxi, private car) where desired
– Optional activities
– Laundry, dry cleaning or valet service
– Phone, fax
Optional Activities
Each traveler has her own rhythm and interests. We offer optional activities to enrich the tour for those who so desire; we seek out excellent guides & chefs for our special activities, but we want you to feel free to use the leisure time as you like. We list the additional activities costs here; be sure to read the itinerary to determine if the activity is a fit for you.
– Optional evening concert at the Sainte-Chapelle: $49
Edgar Degas
Pure joy at the chocolaterie
Chateau de Fontainebleau
A green respite in the middle of the city
A la vôtre! Champagne & Friendship
Both Nature & Man contribute to the beauty of Paris
Registration
Deadline for reservations: six months prior to the start of each trip. Balance due 90 days before start of each trip. Registration after deadline will depend on room availability at the hotel. Registration minimum 6, maximum 10 participants. Trip viability to be determined three months prior to start of trip. You can reserve your spot for this trip in two different ways, electronically or by mail.
If you would prefer to do so by mail, please print out this form and fill it out accordingly. You can either choose to pay the NONREFUNDABLE deposit to secure your spot ($750) or the full trip amount. Please include the check with your form and mail them to: The French Traveler, Inc, 1825 Ponce de Leon Blvd #346, Coral Gables, FL 33134 USA.
If you prefer to fill out your information digitally, you may do so by filling out this electronic form. Then you can secure your spot by either mailing a check (as stated above) or through Paypal by clicking here.
Cancellation
Cancellations by participants must be made in writing and postmarked at least 90 days before start of trip. Your $750 deposits are non-refundable; no refunds of balance 89 days or less from start of trip under any circumstances, unless trip is cancelled by The French Traveler, in which case all monies received will be graciously returned with no further obligation. The French Traveler strongly recommends the purchase of trip cancellation insurance (see below). Trip viability will be determined 90 days before start of trip.
Trip Cancellation Insurance
For a relatively small fee, travelers can protect their investment if an unforeseen accident or prevention of travel occurs. There are several such companies on the market, and the traveler is advised to inquire and compare rates. One such company The French Traveler works with is CSA Travel Protection: click here for information. Use producer code 71636881.
Eligibility
PARIS INSIDER TOUR is open to curious, enthusiastic women over the age of 30 who are eager, willing and able to discover Paris on foot. Be aware that this is a WALKING TOUR OF PARIS which entails walking 2-3 hours per day. Bring comfortable shoes and be sure you can walk and stand at length in them. This tour is conducted in English, and no French is required, but if you know any French, we encourage you to use it to your heart’s content.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Participant Responsibility
We will gladly discuss details of the Paris trip cost and each itinerary with you. We expect that you read the pre-departure information and be in sufficient good health to undertake the trip. Paris is an eminently walkable city, and is best seen and appreciated on foot. We use public transportation and walk at length, sometimes on bumpy cobblestone streets or on narrow sidewalks. We take metros and buses inmetro-cite-ii cities and trains for our outside excursions. While this contributes to the charm of the experience, it requires the participant to be in good physical condition; climbing up and down metro stairs, walking and standing during our guided visits is to be expected. Although our hotel is air conditioned, in general, air conditioning in Europe is not as widespread as it is in the US, and hotel rooms are smaller. We hope you’ll choose to appreciate and relish the differences which French culture offers us: vive la différence! If you have certain dietary or other restrictions, please ascertain beforehand that we are able to accommodate you. Vegetarian and gluten-free diets can usually be adapted, but we regret that our restaurants cannot accommodate a vegan diet. If you take any medication, be sure to bring enough to cover your needs during the trip.
Organizer Responsibility
The French Traveler has exercised careful consideration with regard to the safety and well being of participants. We can assume no liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity in connection with the service of any airplane, automobile, train, cable car, motor coach, metro or other conveyance, or for the acts or defaults of any company or person engaged in conveying passengers in carrying out the arrangements of these programs. We accept no responsibility for baggage, losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war, force majeure, or other causes beyond our control; such losses or expenses will be borne by the passenger, as Paris trip cost rates provide for arrangements only for the time stated. We reserve the right to make alterations to our itineraries as deemed necessary, or to cancel either program prior to departure, in which case the entire payment will be refunded without further obligation. We reserve right to decline any person deemed inappropriate for the program, and to change or substitute any activities described above for reasons of inclement weather, unforeseen circumstances, acts of nature or inconveniences or reasons beyond our control. No refund will be made for any unused portion of either program. The French Traveler accepts no liability for any carrier’s cancellation penalty incurred by the purchase of a non-refundable ticket connected with the program. Paris trip cost based on exchange rate in October 2021; if euro/dollar rate reaches or exceeds 1 E = $1.20 by April 15, 2022, a $200 surcharge will be required of all participants, regardless of registration date.