TOUR DESCRIPTION:

 

SUNDAY, Day 1 - Arrival in Paris. Check in to the 5-Star Hotel Pont Royal, on the rue de Montalembert, for five nights. Located in the midst of the stylish Saint-Germain des Prés area, Pont Royal is home to a long literary tradition. By choosing heart of Saint-Germain des Prés, you immerse yourself in literary and artistic Paris. Take a stroll through the small side streets, where the best art galleries are found. The Seine is never far away: You'll discover a treasure trove of culture. After guests check in and have a chance to relax, we will enjoy a private walking tour of the Left Bank area. Afterward, join us for a welcome reception and Champagne tasting. Dinner tonight is nearby at one of Paris' most beloved bistros, Allard, at 41 rue St-Andre des Arts in the 6th arr.

 

MONDAY, Day 2 - After a liesurly breakfast we will take a half-hour stroll to the Pont de l’Alma, for a 70-minute river cruise aboard the Bateau-Mouche. There's nothing quite like seeing Paris up close—its many graceful bridges and the city's most famous landmarks—from a boat on the Seine. Take in views of Notre Dame and the Ile St.-Louis, the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, and many more. Once back at the quay, lunch is just minutes away at L'Ami Jean at 27 rue Malar in the 7th arr. Afterward, guests are free to spend the afternoon and evening exploring some of Paris' many attractions on their own. Visit the Musee d'Orsay, or window shop on Rue Saint-Honoré. The Marais district in the 3rd and 4th Arrondissements is home to a plethora of superb restaurants, cafés, Paris's famous old Jewish quarter, and the Place des Vosges, as well as a number of excellent museums including the Musée Carnavalet, Cognacq-Jay Museum, and Musée Picasso. Dinner today is on one's own with our recommendations.

 

TUESDAY, Day 3 - After breakfast we transfer by coach 90 minutes east to Reims, in the heart of France's Champagne region. We'll be led on a tour of the Thirteenth Century Cathedral at Reims, where the Kings of France were crowned. Our first tasting of the day will be at the Champagne House of Veuve Clicquot. There we will explore Clicquot's crayères (old quarries that date to Roman times) where millions of bottles of their famous sparkling wine matures. Afterward we will enjoy an extraordinary lunch of chef Arnaud Lallement's progressive and passionately prepared cuisine at his Michelin 3-Star restaurant l'Assiette Champenoise. In the afternoon, we will visit Krug, one of Champagne's most prestigious houses. Coach transfer back to our hotel in Paris. Guests will be on their own for dinner tonight to discover one of the city's many wonderful restaurants with our recommendations.

 

WEDNESDAY, Day 4 - Today, after breakfast, guests may join Todd and Peter as they explore some of Paris' hidden vineyards and wine bars, or are free to take in more of Paris' many attractions on their own. Notable points of interest to visit may include the bustling market at Rue des Martyrs in the 9th arr., a Chocolate Crawl in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, and shopping within the arcades of the Passage du Grand-Cerf in the 2nd arr. Guests will be on their own for lunch today. We will all gather tonight for dinner at one of Paris' exceptional bar à vins (i.e. Racines, Le Baratin, Septime, Autour d’un Verre, Au Passage, Le Mauzac, or Juvéniles).

 

THURSDAY, Day 5 - After breakfast we will meet with Susan Herrmann Loomis and begin with an outdoor market tour, where we will shop for fruits and vegetables, meat, bread, cheese, fish and poultry. Then we will take the ingredients into Patricia Well's stunning cooking studio on Rue Jacob in the heart of Saint-Germain des Prés, where Susan will lead us though the preparation of a simple lunch that will include wines and cheeses from small, artisan producers throughout France. As an internationally-recognized expert on food, Susan takes a unique approach to her craft, combining training in journalism with a love for food and the people who produce it. Susan is the author of seven cookbooks including French Farmhouse Cookbook and On Rue Tatin. Lunch will end at approximately 3PM after which guests will have time to relax or get in some last minute shopping before our farewell dinner at the acclaimed restaurant, Spring.

 

FRIDAY, Day 6 - Departures for home or onward travel.