World-class creations in and around Paris

This tour reveals some of the most outstanding achievements in art and architecture produced in France since the end of the 19th century. During the tour you will admire the Impressionist art of Claude Monet, the Cubism of Pablo Picasso, and the brightly colored sculptures of Niki de Saint Phalle, plus the modern architecture of Renzo Piano, Richard Rogers and Gianfranco Franchini. Paris is the ideal backdrop for such a creative display of art and architecture, but Giverny and Auvers-sur-Oise, where some of these artists lived and worked, are other high points on this fascinating tour.  

TYPICAL ITINERARY
(actual program may vary)

Day 1 - Wed. Departure from the U.S.

Day 2 - Thu. Arrival and transfer to hotel. Welcome dinner at the "Grand Café des Capucines" next to Opéra Garnier.

Day 3 - Fri. "Classical Paris" city tour in the morning, including Opéra Garnier, Madeleine Church, Champs Elysées, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Invalides, Notre Dame Cathedral, Latin Quarter and Montmartre. In the afternoon, "Modern Paris" tour of the recently renovated east district of Paris, Bastille square with the Opera Bastille, Gare de Lyon, National Library and Bercy Village, a new cultural and commercial site located in the old wine market.

Day 4 - Sat. Morning tour of the Paris Modern Art Museum, which has displays covering the main art movements of the 20th century: Fauvism with Matisse, Derain, Vlaminck, Braque and Dufy; Cubism with Picasso and Braque; and "L'Ecole de Paris" with foreign artists, such as Soutine, Modigliani and Zadkine. Continue with visit of the Palais de Tokyo, a contemporary art museum that opened in 2002. In the afternoon, discover the stunning architecture of the "Stade de France" built by architects Michel Macary, Aymeric Zubléna, Michel Regembal and Claude Constantini for the soccer world cup in 1998.

Day 5 - Sun. Morning tour of the business district "La Défense," including the Grande Arche and sculptures by major artists such as Calder, Miró, César, Takis, Morellet and Agam. From the upper floor of the Grande Arche, you can admire the famous Parisian vista stretching from the Arc de Triomphe to Le Louvre, as well as stunning views of the surrounding city. Afternoon visit of Centre Georges Pompidou with its famous modern and contemporary art museum, and the adjacent Place Igor Stravinsky with colorful avant-garde sculptures by Niki de Saint Phalle and Jean Tinguely. Dinner at "Le Procope," the oldest café in Paris, where Voltaire and Benjamin Franklin used to dine.

Day 6 - Mon. Morning visit of the Musée d'Orsay, the largest Impressionist museum in the world. There you will see the works of Monet, Manet, Degas, Renoir, Cézanne, Van Gogh, Gauguin and many others. Afternoon tour of the Cité des Sciences de la Villette, a combination museum and a center for conferences, media and the performing arts, focusing on science and technology.

Day 7 - Tue. Day tour to Giverny, where Monet lived and worked most of his life. In this quiet and pastoral corner of Normandy, you will have the opportunity to walk through the artist's studio and enjoy the garden and the lily pond that inspired so many of his paintings.

Day 8 - Wed. Day tour to Auvers-sur-Oise to discover the surroundings where Daubigny, Van Gogh, Pissarro, Cézanne and Monet worked. This is the place where Vincent Van Gogh ended his days. His bedroom is open for visits, and his grave (next to his brother Theo's) can be seen in the local cemetery.

Day 9 - Thu. Day at leisure for shopping or one of the following sightseeing options: Visit of the Orangerie Museum with Monet's famous water lily paintings, Musée Rodin, Fondation Cartier pour l'Art Contemporain, Mac/Val (a museum of contemporary art) or Musée Marmotan-Monet with more Monet paintings. Evening, farewell dinner at restaurant "Altitude 95," on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower.

Day 10 - Fri. Transfer to the airport for return to the U.S.

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Please note. This is a "suggested" private group itinerary, which can be changed to suit your interests. The tour price will depend on the number of participants, dates, type of hotels and other variables.

    

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