Best of Paris Tour

April 18-24, 2027

 

 

Join us for a delightful walking tour of Paris as we focus on Food, Art, and History!  We’ll experience the excitement of Paris through its museums (large and small), first-rate restaurants (famous and neighborly), architecture (from the medieval to the Belle Epoque to the present day) and chocolate! (yes, chocolate.) Our inside contacts will tease your tastebuds and introduce you to fresh French produce with a tasting tour of the fabled French cheeses, a workshop on the taste and smell of fine chocolate, a private wine-tasting in a Parisian home.  We’ll spend time at the Petit Palais, one of those quintissential landmarks still shining from the Belle Epoque epochs, and stroll down le Champs Elysees, known to the French as la plus belle avenue du monde.  (They’re only just a bit proud of it!)  We’ll dazzle you with specialty chocolate shops near the Palais Royal and introduce you to iconic Art Nouveau buildings still standing in Paris 16th arrondissement.

This walking tour of Paris is in English.  Knowledge of the French language is always a plus, but not necessary.  We’ll teach you the one magic French word that will open doors!  This tour requires the ability to walk without assistance, sometimes for 2-3 hours per day. We use public transportation (buses and metros) to get around the city; this means steps to climb and descend.  Attention, hips and knees!  They need to be in good working order.  You will have your own metro/bus card to use throughout the week.  Taxis and/or Ubers and even private drivers are readily available as an alternative at your expense if you prefer. 

As a special bonus, you may extend your tour by a full day to explore the royal city of Versailles. * Wander through the famous antiques market, stroll the elegant streets and enjoy the gardens of the château and the Hameau de la Reine.  We’ll savor lunch in a charming local restaurant.   On our return to Paris, we’ll pause for a final aperitif on the Seine with a view of both the Statue of Liberty+ and the Eiffel Tower before heading back to our hotel for one final night in the capital. (+Yes, there is a copy of the famous lady, also by Bartholdi, in Paris.)

We strongly suggest arriving early to get over jet lag before starting our wonderful tour, and staying a day or two later after the tour has ended to continue your exploration of Paris.  The hotel is happy to have you as long as you’d like to stay, as we’re sure this short tour will only whet your appetite for more.

—————————————ITINERARY 2027————————————

Sunday, April 18
          Arrive at your leisure and ease into the rhythm of the City of Light. Stroll through the neighborhood’s charming streets—or simply unwind in your room after your travels. This evening, we’ll take a leisurely dinner cruise down the Seine so you can experience la ville lumiere first-hand and marvel at its beauty.        DINNER

Monday, April 19
          We’ll wander through the storied hilltop neighborhood of Montmartre today, taking in its legendary cafés, quirky bookshops, artists’ studios, elegant churches, pocket-sized museums, and the monuments and leafy squares that give this district its unmistakable charm. After lunch at a beautifully preserved hôtel particulier tucked quietly away behind the streets of Montmartre, we’ll make our way to the romantic Parc Monceau, where we’ll uncover the history of the neighborhood and the fascinating figures who shaped these enchanting gardens.            LUNCH

 Tuesday, April 20
          Beginning at the Arc de Triomphe, we’ll stroll the legendary Champs-Élysées, tracing the history of France from the imperial era to the present day. Our destination is the magnificent Petit Palais, one of Paris’s finest museums and itself an architectural masterpiece from the Belle Époque. Following lunch at a celebrated brasserie, we continue on foot through the formal beauty of the Tuileries Gardens, crossing the Place de la Concorde before ending our afternoon beneath the graceful arcades and gardens of the Palais-Royal.          LUNCH   

Wednesday, April 21
         Enjoy a leisurely morning at your own pace, or try your hand at la cuisine française with a special cooking class in the home of a French chef.   After lunch at your leisure, we’ll meet to explore the elegant 16th arrondissement, where Paris proudly displays some of its finest examples of Art Nouveau and Art Deco architecture. The day concludes in true French fashion with a relaxed wine and cheese gathering in a Parisian apartment, hosted by an authentic cheese specialist. If schedules permit, those wishing may continue the evening with a jazz concert at a jaunty jazz hall in the 15^th.  OPTIONAL CHEESE TASTING, LUNCH at LEISURE

 Thursday, April 22
          This morning we immerse ourselves in authentic Parisian life at the vibrant Marché d’Aligre, one of the city’s liveliest neighborhood markets. Overflowing with seasonal produce, cheeses, flowers, extraordinary strawberries and local specialties, it offers a colorful glimpse into everyday Paris. After lunch nearby, we turn our attention to one of the world’s most beautiful opera houses, discovering the outstanding architecture and history of the Palais Garnier.      LUNCH

Friday, April 23
         Today offers the freedom to explore independently or to join one of our optional small-group museum visits. Art lovers may reserve a place on an intimate guided morning visit today to the Louvre Museum with our very own talented Pascale, while others may prefer the afternoon with her discovering the remarkable collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces at the Musee d’Orsay. (Each visit is limited to 6 people.  If interested, please choose one or the other.)                                   DINNER

Saturday, April 24
          Departure is always difficult after such an incredible week, and we highly encourage you to spend more time in Paris or explore other parts of France if you have time.  Or, if you like come along with us to…..

Saturday, April 24* Extension
          Versailles! We’ll browse its lively antiques market, celebrated as one of the finest in France, before enjoying lunch at a starred restaurant near the famous chateau. Afterwards, we’ll visit the remarkable gardens of the chateau, the intimate world of Louis XV’s Petit Trianon and Marie-Antoinette’s hameau de la reine, offering a more personal perspective on life at Versailles than the grandeur of the palace itself.    LUNCH incl. in excursion

Sunday, April 25
          Final departure this morning for those who opted for the Versailles outing.

 

 

 

 

Sounds great!  Sign me up!

——————–COST AND DETAILS OF BEST of PARIS 2027——————–

 

April 18-24, 2027 (with extension, April 18-25, 2027).  $4450 land only. Single occupancy.  For people interested in sharing a room, price is $4150 per person.  

Optional visits may be cancelled if the minimum number of people is not attained, in which case participant will be refunded:

• Cooking class in a chef’s home   4/21 $129
• Private visit to Louvre with Pascale 4/23  $139
• One day extension to Versailles, (includes lunch, extra night at hotel)  4/24-4/25   $899
• Optional shower upgrade at hotel   $199
• Optional upgrade to room with a view of Eiffel Tower (only 2 available!)  $199

Shower upgrade
          All rooms have bathrooms equipped with showers. Some bathrooms have a bathtub with a shower fixture; others have a walk-in shower, but these rooms are slightly smaller than the tub-bathroom rooms. If you prefer a walk-in shower, please select the shower upgrade on the registration form.

Transportation
          Transportation to and from Paris is the responsibility of the individual; closest airports are Paris CDG and Paris Orly.

Payment
          To reserve your space, a deposit of $1000 is due by check or Zelle before December 15, 2026.  Balance, due January 15, 2027, may be paid by check or Zelle or credit card.  Our Zelle address is Paris@frenchtraveler.com. Our mailing address is 1825 Ponce de Leon Blvd #346, Coral Gables, FL 33134.  Balance due by January 15, 2027.  You may pay the balance only by credit card by sending us an email to request a link to payment.  The French Traveler strongly recommends the purchase of trip cancellation insurance to protect your investment in case of unforeseen accident or incident which prevents you from attending at the last minute. See registration instructions below.

Inclusions
          All lodgings in single accommodations in deluxe hotel in VIIe arrondissement of Paris, unless traveler opts for double accommodations ♦ all breakfasts and other meals where noted ♦ all guided tours ♦ introductory & farewell cocktails  ♦ entrance fees and transportation to scheduled locations ♦ one week metro/bus card ♦ tips, taxes, & service charges for all group activities. 

Exclusions
          International airfare  ♦  shower upgrade ♦ meals on days marked “at leisure” ♦ all drinks except at welcome & farewell dinners ♦  taxe de séjour collected by the hotel for the city of Paris (varies each year, count about 9.00€ per day) ♦ accident/baggage/trip cancellation insurance ♦ any activities not scheduled in program ♦ optional activities ♦ laundry, dry cleaning or valet service ♦ phone, fax ♦ transportation around Paris other than metro or bus

Travel Insurance
          There are many companies on the market which are reputable.  We recommend you research and compare.  One company we have worked with successfully in the past is Generali.  You can search for a quote here.

Registration
          Print out the registration form and send it with your deposit check of $1000 made out to The French Traveler to The French Traveler, 1825 Ponce de Leon Blvd #346, Coral Gables, FL 33134.  Or sign up directly on our website here and let us know how you plan to send in your deposit (via check or Zelle). Deadline for reservations:  December 15, 2026. (If you wish to sign up after this date, check with us for   availability.)  Balance due January 15, 2027.  Balance by check, Zelle (see addresses above under Payment), or credit card.

Cancellation Policy
          Cancellations must be made in writing before January 14, 2027.  Deposits and any paid balance are refundable, less $500 per person, until January 14, 2027. No refunds of either deposit or balance after January 15, 2027 under any circumstances, unless The French Traveler cancels the trip.  The French Traveler strongly recommends the purchase of trip cancellation insurance to protect your investment.

Transfer Policy
          A reservation may not be transferred to another person. The original participant may not substitute another traveler in his or her place if the original person is unable to attend.  The French Traveler strongly recommends purchasing trip cancellation/interruption insurance to protect your investment should you be prevented from attending.

Eligibility
          This walking tour of Paris is in English.  Knowledge of the French language is always a plus, but not necessary.  (We’ll teach you the one magic French word that opens doors!)  This tour requires the ability to walk without assistance,  sometimes for 2-3 hours per day.   Attention knees and hips!  They need to be in good working order.  We use public transportation (buses and metros) to get around the city; that means steps to climb and descend.  You will have your own  metro/bus card to use throughout the week.  Taxis and/or Ubers and even private drivers are readily available as an alternative at your expense if you prefer. 

Participant responsibility
          We will gladly discuss details of the tour with you.   We expect you to read the pre-departure information and be in sufficiently good health to undertake the trip.  We use public transportation in France and walk at length, sometimes on bumpy cobblestone streets or on narrow sidewalks.  We take guided walking tours which means walking for 2-3 hours at a time and standing while the guide tells us a story.  While this contributes to the charm of the experience, it requires the participant to be in good physical condition, particularly knees & hips.  Air conditioning in Europe is not as widespread as it is in the US, and hotel rooms are smaller. We focus on absorbing French culture and expect our participants to do their best to adapt to France: vive la différence!  If you have certain dietary or other restrictions, please ascertain beforehand that we are able to accommodate you.  Vegetarian diets can usually be adapted, but we regret that our chefs cannot accommodate a vegan diet.

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 tour rates provide for arrangements only for the time stated.   We reserve the right to make alterations to this itinerary as deemed necessary, or to cancel this program prior to departure, in which case the entire payment will be refunded without further obligation. We reserve the 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 this 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.  Program price based on exchange rate in September 2026; if euro/dollar rate reaches or exceeds 1 E = $1.20 by February 15, 2027, a $200 surcharge will be required of all participants, regardless of registration date.    

Is there still room?? Sign me up!!