October 4-12, 2024
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Paris – The most-visited city in the world!
Whether you’re biting into a crisp croissant, gazing at the glittering Eiffel Tower or strolling along the Seine, Paris delights your senses at every turn. Join your favorite podcast hosts, Susan and Beckett from The History Chicks, for a delightful romp through the City of Light. Together we will discover the many notable women who have called Paris home: from an inspired teen with a vision to save France; to a widow who built a bubbly empire; to a plucky American who tasted food that would change her life. Don’t miss your chance to see Paris as never before- because, yes- Paris is always a good idea!
Day One- Enchanté and welcome to Paris! Make your way to our 4-star host hotel and settle in. This evening gather at the hotel to meet your fellow travelers over aperitifs- happy hour the French way! Watch the iconic monuments of the grand city light up the night sky on our post- cocktail double decker bus guided tour.
Day Two- Rise and shine and enjoy a full hot breakfast before meeting the group for our Women of Paris walking tour. We meet up with a local guide to hear the stories of notable Parisiennes and American ex-pats while taking in some of the city’s great monuments. Grab lunch on your own at one of the many enticing sidewalk cafés. We will regroup this afternoon for a visit to La Conciergerie. This imposing medieval palace was once home to queens before becoming a prison to another, Marie Antoinette. She was locked up here during the revolution, before meeting her fate at the guillotine. After our guided visit to La Conciergerie, you will admire the unrivaled stained glass of La Sainte- Chapelle. This tiny 13th century chapel was built to house relics including the crown of thorns and was the place of worship for kings.
After taking in the magnificent stained glass, the evening is yours to explore the City of Light. The Marais district is just across the river. Perhaps a visit to Victor Hugo’s home before a stroll around this popular neighborhood? Or maybe do as the Parisians do- find a spot at a little café and watch the world go by.
Day Three- Our day begins with a visit to a world class cemetery, Père Lachaise. Permanent residents include former subjects such as Sarah Bernhardt and Isadora Duncan. Our local guide will help us explore this vast and eccentric cemetery.
No visit to Paris would be complete without a visit the the Bohemian neighborhood of Montmartre. We arrive at this hilltop village and visit the Musée Montmartre, housed in the oldest building on the hill, to get the story of the creatives that once called Montmartre home. A highlight is a look at a recreation of Suzanne Valadon’s studio- apartment. After the museum enjoy dinner on your own and take in the lively atmosphere before meeting the group for the quintessential Parisian cabaret experience at the world famous Lapin Agile. This Montmartre establishment has been the cabaret of choice for all those Belle Epoque artists and has been serenading guests with classic French tunes ever since- think accordions and La Vie en Rose! A night to remember!
Day Four- No palace can rival the opulence that is Versailles and perhaps no other queen can rival its most notorious resident, Marie Antoinette. Today we explore Versailles in the most exclusive way! After the palace closes to the public we take an evening private guided tour just for our group- yes, the whole palace just for us! Marvel at the ornate furnishings and waltz down the hall of mirrors of this former hunting lodge without the crowds of tourists that arrive by the hundreds all day long.
Before having the palace all to ourselves we will take time to explore the vast gardens of Versailles and the Petit Trianon. Tucked away far from the palace you will discover this private getaway where Marie Antoinette sought refuge from the rigors of court life. Here she could be herself and get a glimpse of a simpler life. Do not miss the Queen’s Hamlet nearby- a recreation of a Norman village complete with a working farm!
Day Five- Let’s leave the city behind for a day and venture to Champagne Country! The village of Reims is the heart of the world-renowned region.
Reims has much more to offer than a bit of the bubbly! We begin our day in Reims with a self guided visit of Notre Dame de Reims. This massive ornate cathedral was the site of coronation for French kings for centuries. Tour the cathedral at your own pace, don’t miss the statue of Joan of Arc just outside the cathedral- she did save the city from the English army after all.
After marveling at this massive cathedral, feel free to meander the charming streets of Reims before we meet up once again for a gastronomic experience like no other- lunch in the caves of the Veuve Clicquot champagne house. We will be joined by a brand ambassador to regale us with the incredible story of the widow that turned the champagne industry upside down and changed it forever. After this inspirational story we indulge in a one of a kind seven course lunch and yes- we sample plenty of that oh so sought after yellow label champagne synonymous with luxury.
We return to Paris in a fizzy haze and have the evening to relax before another busy day.
Day Six- This morning we learn all about some of the more trailblazing women that have left their mark on Paris and indeed the world with a visit to the Pantheon and the Musée Curie. Our guided tour of the Pantheon- a grand monument reserved only for the greatest- will lead us to discover the final resting place of women like Josephine Baker and Marie Curie. Afterwards we take a closer look at the life of Marie Curie with a self guided visit of the Musée Marie Curie. Located in her former lab, this small museum tells the story of the accomplishments and discoveries of the Curie family.
We meet again in the late afternoon to sample two things that the French do best- cheese and wine! Yes, no trip to France is complete without sampling the delight of le fromage et le vin and we are going to learn from the best! We join two delightful Frenchman at a charming restaurant in the elegant St Germain des Prés neighborhood to sample eight classic French cheeses accompanied by three types of artisanal sourdough breads and seasonal fruit. Our guides will then guide us through the tasting of four unique French wines before concluding the event with a sweet bite. After this lovely afternoon, the evening is yours to enjoy!
Day Seven- Up next- another delightful day trip to the French countryside with a visit to Rouen! As we leave the sprawling city behind you begin to get glimpses of this verdant countryside that has inspired artists and chefs alike! With centuries of history colliding with modern life, Rouen is the perfect town for a relaxed but busy day. Our morning in Rouen begins with time to explore on your own. You will want to check out the medieval clock and cathedral immortalized in a series of Monet paintings, peruse the many shops and pay homage to Joan of Arc at the very spot she was burned at the stake which so happens to be right outside our next stop, La Couronne.
La Couronne is known for one thing- serving up Julia Child’s first ever meal on French soil. A meal so memorable that it changed the course of her life and perhaps a nation forever. Not only do we dine here as a group for lunch à la Julia- we actually have the very same menu she devoured so many years ago. What will it inspire you to do? Bon Appétit!
We depart Rouen after lunch and head to Giverny the small Norman town that Claude Monet made his home. With extensive and very well cared for gardens, it is easy to see why Monet was such a prolific painter. Our visit includes a self guided tour of his home and the garden that houses the water lily pond and Japanese bridge that made Monet a household name.
We return to Paris in the evening for dinner on our own at one the the many bistros in our corner of Paris.
Day Eight- Artists flocked to Paris during the Belle Epoque and forever changed the art world. Today we will visit the museum dedicated to the Impressionists works, Musée D’Orsay. We will join local guides Elisa and Caroline for the Women in Art guided tour. Learn the stories of the many women represented in these once controversial now classic works of art. The afternoon is yours to do with as you wish. Cross the river and visit Paris’ most famous female, the Mona Lisa at the Louvre or sit back and relax in the beautiful Jardin des Tuileries.
The rest of the day is yours to check off those bucket list items- have you been to the top of the tower yet?
Tonight let’s say à tout à l’heure instead of au revoir over dinner on the Seine river. Climb aboard the famed Bateaux- Mouches for a 3 course dinner and watch the most romantic city in the world glide by. The city from this vantage will surely leave you saying “Oh la la!” Let’s shout one final “santé” to the new friends and lasting memories made.
Day Nine- Find yourself one last croissant before you check out of our chic host hotel. We wish you safe travels home!
Living La Vie en Rose with The History Chicks and like-minded travelers will make this an adventure to remember. Whether they came for the kings, cuisine, caves or couture these women left a lasting impression on Paris or Paris on them. Which will it be for you?
Package Inclusions:
- 8 nights 4-star centrally located accommodations
- Daily full hot breakfast
- Welcome cocktail party
- Evening double decker city highlights guided tour
- Women of Paris walking tour
- Guided tour of La Conciergerie
- Visit to Sainte- Chapelle
- Exclusive private evening tour of Versailles
- Petit Trianon and Versailles garden visit
- Guided tour of Pere Lachaise
- Self guided visit to Musée Montmartre
- Classic Parisian cabaret experience at Lapin Agile
- Guided tour of Musée D’Orsay
- Guided visit the the Pantheon
- Visit to Musée Curie
- Authentic French wine and cheese tasting experience
- Gourmet lunch in the caves of Veuve Cliquot
- Julia Child’s lunch at La Couronne
- Visit to Monet’s Giverny
- Seine River dinner cruise
- Private motor coach transportation
- Metro pass
- The History Chicks swag
Package Pricing:
The package price for a single room is $5,700 per person. The package price for a shared room is $4,700 per person. A $800 deposit is required at the time of registration and is non-refundable. The final balance will be due on 8/4/24 and will be paid by invoice to Like Minds Travel and is non-refundable at that time. If you are registering with a roommate, but want to be billed separately, fill out the form individually and place each others name in the space indicated. You will be paired in the same room. Like Minds Travel does not pair solo travelers with a roommate.
Airfare and airport transfers are not included in the package price. Like Minds Travel recommends flying into Charles De Gaulle Airport (CDG) and utilizing ride share services or taxis to transfer to the hotel.
This tour is for guests 16 and older. Group size is capped at 45 people.
Please read our terms and conditions.
