DAY 1

Bonjour! We will welcome you to our Paris tour at our lovely boutique hotel located in Saint-Germain-des-Pres, one of Paris’ most charming neighborhoods. This area abounds with fine food shops, restaurants, markets, and picturesque streets lined with cafés. You will want to wander down the quiet and quaint side streets – this is the best of Paris!

We know that one of the first things on your list when visiting Paris is to see the famed Eiffel Tower! We aim to please and to do so in a unique and memorable way. In the late afternoon, we will make our way to the Tower grounds to share a gourmet picnic dinner in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower. As the sun sets on one of the most iconic landmarks in the world, you’ll pinch yourself. Yes, you are actually here, marveling at the beauty before you!

DAY 2

Let’s begin our day with a walking tour of the City of Lights! Our local guide will fully immerse us in cobblestone streets as well as major sites like Notre Dame (sorry, the interior is closed for renovation). We will explore the little gems that make Paris such a delight, wander down the lesser-known paths, awe over beautiful gardens and courtyards, and stop to admire the art of French pâtisserie.  We will end our morning on the beautiful island of Ile Saint-Louis where you can enjoy lunch at a recommended bistro or head directly to world-renowned Berthillon ice cream.

The balance of the afternoon is at your leisure to explore your personal bucket list of Paris sites or while away the afternoon like a true Parisian enjoying a drink at a local café watching the world traipse by your table. It is simply the best people-watching!

This evening we will make our way to the River Seine and enjoy a splendid dinner cruise featuring authentic French cuisine in a magical atmosphere aboard an all-glass boat. You will gaze in wonder at the beauty of the significant landmarks seen from this unique vantage point as we glide along the banks of the Seine. Raise a glass of bubbles in celebration of a wonderful day in Paris!

DAY 3

Today we head to the grand dame of museums, the Louvre. Once the palace of the kings of France, it is now the world's largest museum. In Hub & Spoke style, we will enjoy skip the line access and a Paris-based guide to help us navigate the immensity of the building. Comprised of over 782,000 square feet, the museum contains pieces from the Neolithic period to the Romantic era. We will be immersed in the stories behind the ancient Roman and Greek sculptures, such as the Nike of Samothrace and the Venus de Milo. We will go on to examine the details of masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci (yes, the Mona Lisa!) and Michelangelo and stroll through rooms where kings and queens once lived and hosted lavish banquets. We will even get the scoop on the drama that unfolded in the halls of this prominent royal residence.

The balance of the afternoon is at your leisure {have you had a crepe yet?!} and explore more of Paris. Perhaps you would like to delve into more museums or head up to Sacre Coeur in Montmartre for a glorious view high above Paris. Many times, just wandering in Paris is time well spent. Or would you like to relax in the Luxembourg Gardens and watch the children pushing their toy boats? What will you do?

DAY 4

Versailles, the de facto capital of the Kingdom of France for over a century before becoming the cradle of the French Revolution, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. The Estate and adjacent town of Versailles covers over 10 square miles and our Hub & Spoke tour will provide a unique, in-depth experience on a grand scale that you will not soon forget!

On the morning of our tour, we will depart our hotel and travel by regional express train to Versailles where we will visit the historic town and local farmer’s market. Here you will have the opportunity to gather tantalizing French delicacies for our picnic-style lunch later in the day.

When your shopping bags are filled with deliciousness, we will head into the nearly 2000-acre Gardens of Versailles, one of the largest gardens in the world. In this highly manicured landscape revel in the classic French formal style adorned with copious topiaries and other symmetrical flora, waterfalls, and over 50 large fountains, decorated with sculptures portraying characters from Greco-Roman mythology. We will have time to admire these historic fountains coming alive in a charming musical show set to baroque music.  We are off to Marie-Antoinette’s Estate set within the grounds of the larger estate. This is where she would escape the stresses of life at court.  These grounds include several chateaux, a classical temple celebrating love, a carousel, a faux mountain, and even an entire peasant village. We will take time during this part of the day to rest near the Grand Canal and enjoy our personally procured picnic lunches.

Once the big tour buses have left for the day, you will experience the beauty of being with a boutique, small-group tour. We will have the luxury of exploring the opulence of the interior of the Palace with far fewer people than you would typically encounter. Inside we will see the King’s State Apartments which include the King’s private, business, and reception rooms. We will stroll through the famed and not-to-be-missed, Hall of Mirrors bedecked with over 350 mirrors and used for dramatic royal events. We will also visit The Queen’s State Apartments where we will be sure to find the secret door where Marie-Antoinette fled when the Palace was assaulted during the French Revolution. We will round out our tour of the interior with a trip through the Gallery of Great Battles. This huge gallery is like an open book of French history with 33 enormous paintings celebrating French victories from 496 to 1809. If a painting catches your eye, make sure to stop along the way to read the short description of the battle it portrays.

After our extensive tour, we will travel by train back to Paris in the early evening. As we arrive back at our hotel your senses will be on overload as you will have experienced a glorious and fruitful day exploring the jaw-dropping grandeur and sheer immensity of Versailles!

DAY 5

What an immersive Parisian experience! After breakfast, we will say au revoir to Paris for now. Today, you may be furthering your adventures with Hub & Spoke to other areas of France. Or perhaps you are striking out for explorations on your own or are headed back home. Regardless of your destination, we are happy to advise with planning your onward journey.