Paris has long been associated with decadence and romance. Many femme fatales have cast their spell over the city and their names are now infamous. Madame de Pompadour, Marie Antoinette, Coco Chanel and Colette are just some of the ladies of adventure associated with Paris. High society, rather than the court, was often the real centre of power. The shady ladies who dominated the demi-monde often influenced the course of historical events.
Your expert guide, Professor Andrew Lear, will take you on a cultural and historical tour of the city and introduce you to the ladies who shaped Parisian culture. You’ll also attend wine tasting sessions and dine in restaurants fit for queens.
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Group Trip Breakdown
Day 1: Paris
Our tour begins in Midnight In Paris territory. We’ll visit the Paris Hotel where Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald held court in the Jazz Age. In the cemetery of Montmartre, we’ll visit the graves of Degas and Dumas. We’ll then have lunch in a former bordello.
In the evening, we’ll dine at one of the best restaurants in Paris.
Day 2: Paris
In the morning, we’ll head to the Orsay Museum and see some of the shady ladies of Paris as they were depicted in art. Over at the Musée Rodin, we’ll see the artworks of Camille Claudel. We’ll go for a chocolate and pastry tour of St. Germain where we’ll visit the former chocolatier of Marie Antoinette.
Day 3: Malmaison
We’ll spend the morning at Malmaison, the palace of Joséphine, wife of Napoleon and Empress of France. After exploring the final home of Napoleon before his exile, we’ll head back to Paris. Evening at leisure.
Day 4: Paris
Today we’ll head to the Louvre, the world’s most famous museum, and see many depictions of shady ladies. For lunch, we’ll be dining in an establishment favoured by the likes of Marcel Proust and Coco Chanel.
In the afternoon, we’ll visit the courtesan collection at the Decorative Arts Museum. We’ll then visit Paris’ top perfume museum. Evening at leisure.
Day 5: Loire Valley
Today we’ll head to the Loire Valley and explore some of the extraordinary palaces built by France’s kings. There are more palaces in the Loire Valley than any other location on earth.
We’ll have lunch in the shade of Amboise castle. It’ll then be time to head to Chenonceau, once a stomping ground of the ill-fated Mary, Queen of Scots. Overnight in Tours.
Day 6: Burgundy
Over in Burgundy, we’ll visit the Colette Museum, the childhood home of the scandalous author who shocked Paris with her literary depictions of lesbians and courtesans. We’ll head back to the Loire for our final group meal and a wine tasting session.
Day 7: Departure
We can arrange your transfer back to Paris for your return flight. Alternatively, let us know if you’d like to stay for longer or transfer to another European destination.
Sounds good? Call our travel experts:
+44 (0)20 7157 1570