HOLIDAY MAGIC IN PARIS
December 7-13, 2025
Seeking a cultural alternative to black Friday spending? Consider shopping in Paris for the holidays! Plan early and join our engaging walking tour of Paris in December as we experience the excitement of the season through its unique holiday decorations, its iconic museums (large and small), first-rate restaurants (famous and neighborly), architecture (from the medieval to the Belle Epoque) and shopping!
Extraordinary holiday decorations at the big department stores!
We’ll introduce you to fresh French produce and cuisine with a tasting tour at a picturesque marché, a workshop on wine tasting, and wonderful restaurants. We’ll visit two iconic museums to cure your art longings. We’ll walk through history in St-Germain and the Marais, wander the Belle-Epoque passages that are so dear to the Parisians, and browse the Christmas markets. And visiting Paris would not be complete without savoring a variety of meals, settings and ambiances that reflect the unique culture of this great city. Keeping our group small (maximum 10 participants) guarantees a more intimate feel.
Passage Vivienne
You’ll be lodged in a four-star hotel in the mythical St-Germain neighborhood within walking distance of the Musee d’Orsay and the literary cafés that make St-German famous, near shops, restaurants, public transportation and the charming Rue de Buci. Inextricably linked to the historic center of French intellectualism as Medieval Europe’s center of education when Latin was still the lingua franca, this safe and classy neighborhood continued its literary stardom well in the 20th c. with the likes of Samuel Beckett, Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, and Ernest Hemingway. As a center for bookstores, design shops, museums, churches, high-end art galleries, boutique hotels, antiques, historic cafés, jazz clubs and restaurants, you’ll have l’embarras du choix as to eating, shopping, and getting around in your leisure time.
This walking tour of Paris is in English. Knowledge of the French language is always a plus, but not necessary. (The only word to learn is “Bonjour!”) This tour requires the ability to walk without assistance, sometimes for 2-3 hours at a stretch. 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.
The Paris metro & bus system is the best way around the city.
As a bonus, you can extend your tour by one day and come discover the magical Champagne region of France, just under an hour by train from Paris. We’ll visit the renowned Christmas market in Reims (the third largest in France), its famous Gothic cathedral where all the kings of France were crowned, and a prominent Champagne house that was founded by a woman. We’ll savor lunch in an authentic local restaurant before returning to our Parisian hotel for one last night in the capital.
The excitement of the holidays in Reims.
How about the weather, you wonder. Of course, it’ll be chilly, but it’s only the beginning of winter, so it’s not usually freezing yet. Plan for 40-50s F and bring a couple of layers to add or shed. And good warm walking shoes.
We offer the possibility of extending your stay at the hotel by one night either before or after our trip at your expense at our specially-negotiated group rate, so consider arriving early to get over jet lag before starting our wonderful tour, or staying a day later after the tour has ended to continue your exploration of Paris.
Our day-by-day activities
Sunday, Dec 7
Caillebotte: Flâner à Paris
Welcome to Paris! Arrive at your leisure today. Take a stroll around the neighborhood or relax in your room. Welcome dinner this evening at a classic art-nouveau restaurant, as famous for its food as for its stunning décor. DINNER
Monday, Dec 8
After a leisurely breakfast, we’ll tour our new St-Germain neighborhood, admiring its trendy shops, reviewing its revolutionary history, and marveling at its stunning architecture. After lunch at the oldest cafe-restaurant in Paris, we’ll wander over to the newly reopened Notre Dame Cathedral to have a look inside (crossing fingers), then on to explore the Ile St-Louis, one of the many islands in the Seine, just next to its sister island, Ile de la Cité. LUNCH
Tuesday, Dec 9th
We’ll visit a special farmer’s market today, known for its excellent local produce and be introduced to some of the producers themselves. Tastings are permitted and encouraged here to acquaint your taste buds with the freshness of the food. Lunch in the area before a visit to the eclectic Marais neighborhood, with its charming narrow streets, its Jewish history, and its revered monuments. LUNCH
Wednesday, Dec 10
The vestibule of the Jacquemart-André museum
Spend the morning at leisure today. This afternoon, we’ll tour the newly renovated Jacquemart-André museum, a delightful jewel of a museum housed in a very fine private mansion with an iconic stairway, and admire its display of Renaissance Italian, Flemish,and French art. After high tea in their elegant tearoom, we’ll top off the afternoon with a wine-tasting in a private home with a professional sommelier. LUNCH AT LEISURE; HIGH TEA, WINE TASTING
Thursday, Dec 11
We’ll start the day at the magnificent Opéra Garnier before
The stunning Opera Garnier
wandering over to the big department stores to admire their gorgeous holiday windows and do some smart shopping ourselves. You’ll have time for lunch in their Gourmet Food Court, then some free time for more shopping before we begin our walk back to the hotel through the beautiful Belle-Epoque passages that reflect the history, style, and elegance of the 19th century. A great place for more gifts, too. In the early evening, we’ll visit the exclusive exhibit at the Musée d’Orsay, and enjoy a glass of wine in their delightful Belle-Epoque cafe. LUNCH AT LEISURE
Exquisite decorations at all the big department stores
Friday, Dec 12
Take the day at leisure today to revisit some of the haunts we’ve seen or strike out on your own to explore a different area of Paris. We’ll have lots of suggestions for you. One of them is a private museum tour of the Louvre with our very own Pascale, limited to the first six people who sign up. We’ll celebrate our final dinner this evening in a gastronomic restaurant where fine dining and beautiful surroundings combine to give you a sensational send-off. DINNER
Saturday, Dec 13
A most unique Christmas market in Reims
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. If not, then bon voyage as you fly home with all your holiday surprises! Or, stay for one more day to visit…..
Saturday, Dec 13*
Reims! Experience the capital of Champagne country. Reims bustles with extraordinary Champagne cellars, excellent restaurants, and a magnificent Gothic cathedral where all the French kings were crowned. And its remarkable Christmas market is the third largest in France. A great place to finish up your holiday shopping and find those very special gifts to take back with you. We’ll come back to Paris for one final night at our hotel before saying Au Revoir tomorrow morning. This outing is limited to 6 participants. LUNCH
Sunday, Dec 15
Final departure this morning for those who opted for the Reims outing.
* = extra cost
Cost and details
Holiday Magic in Paris: Food, Art, Shopping!. Dec 7-13, 2025. $4350 land only. Single occupancy. For people interested in sharing a room, price is $3950 per person. There is a $199 shower upgrade for those preferring a walk-in shower to a bathtub with shower. Maximum number of participants: 10. Note that this historic hotel (celebrating 100 years of successful hôtellerie next year!) will be doing renovations during the time we will be there. We do not expect these renovations to disturb our pleasure in visiting Paris, but you might have a view of scaffolding. However, as night falls early and days breaks late in December, we don’t expect this to be a problem, but we did want you to be aware of it. Renovation noise will only be during the day while we are out, so we do not anticipate noise problems. And as the renovations can only enhance the charm and the efficiency of the hotel in the future, we honor their commitment to providing better service and a “greener” building.
Optional visits may be canceled if the minimum number of people is not attained, in which case participant will be refunded.
- Private Louvre visit with Pascale, 12/12, limited to the first six people who sign up $80
- One-day extension to city of Reims, overnight in our Parisian hotel, 12/13-12/14 $799
Transportation to and from the workshop 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 only before September 14, 2025. Balance may be paid by check or Zelle. Balance due by October 15, 2025. The French Traveler strongly recommends the purchase of trip cancellation insurance to protect your investment in case of an unforeseen accident or incident which prevents you from attending at the last minute. There are several good travel insurance companies on the market. One we have worked with successfully in the past is CSA Travel (now Generali.) Use Producer code 71636881.
Inclusions
All lodgings in single accommodations in deluxe hotel in VIIe arrondissement of Paris ♦ all breakfasts and other meals where noted ♦ all guided tours ♦ introductory & farewell cocktails ♦ entrance fees and transportation to scheduled locations ♦ one week individualized metro/bus card ♦ tips, taxes, & service charges for all group activities.
Exclusions
International airfare ♦ meals on days marked “at leisure” ♦ drinks with meals ♦ shower upgrade ♦ 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
Registration
Print out the registration form from website or sign up on our registration page 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. Deadline for reservations: September 15, 2025. Balance due October 15, 2025. Balance preferred by check but may be made via Zelle.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations must be made in writing before October 14, 2025. Deposits and any paid balance are refundable, less $500 per person, until October 14, 2025. No refunds of either deposit or balance after October 15, 2025 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 (see above.)
Eligibility
This walking tour of Paris is in English. Knowledge of the French language is always a plus, but not necessary. 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; 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 July 2024; if euro/dollar rate reaches or exceeds 1 E = $1.20 by October 15, 2025, a $200 surcharge will be required of all participants, regardless of registration date.