History Tour to France – The City of Light – In A New Light!

Paris is one of the most iconic cities in the world, filled with culture and history, monuments and museums. Known as the City of Light, Paris is a million things to a million people. No writer has ever been able to truly capture Paris in words, and only the experience of being there can begin to express the grandness and magic of this incredible city.

Experience the perfect introduction to the beauty of Paris on a Seine River Cruise. We will pass under many graceful bridges and view important landmarks on both banks during our trip.

Enjoy an evening meal with your group.

Visit the ethereal Sainte-Chapelle (Holy Chapel) on the Île de la Cité in the heart of the city. Commissioned by Louis IX, the tiny Gothic marvel features 15 of the most spectacular stained glass windows in Europe, depicting over 1,000 religious scenes. It was originally built to house religious relics, including the Crown of Thorns.

Visit the Notre-Dame Cathedral. Work began in 1163 on a spot that had been a holy shrine since Roman times. Over the centuries, the cathedral has been the scene of some of France's most momentous occasions, including the coronation of Napoleon.

Explore the Marais Quarter, whose history stretches back to the beginning of the city. The Marais features magnificent shops and cafes, and is a perfect place to take in the Parisian lifestyle. While here, we will get a view of the La Place des Vosges, the oldest square in Paris.

Visit Maison Victor Hugo, the mansion where the author and statesman lived for 16 years. The museum now houses furniture and mementos from the author, and of particular note are Hugo's 450 drawings of scenes from his own works.

Enjoy an evening meal with your group.

After dinner we will go to the Place Igor Stravinsky to view the fountains, street entertainment, and the exterior of the famous Pompidou Center, which is a colorful combination of steel, glass, pipes and tubes that houses the National Museum of Modern Art.

Spend some time exploring Les Halles, a modern shopping mall built largely underground.

Visit Chartres Cathedral, the jewel in the crown of medieval churches in Europe. The stone church is a testimony to the religious fervor of the Middle Ages. Chartres boasts an unrivaled expanse of sculpture, as well as one of Europe's most impressive collections of stained glass windows.

Experience Versailles, a palace commissioned by Louis XIV around Louis XIII’s hunting lodge. In addition to viewing the spectacular Gardens, our visit includes the ornate State Apartments, highlighted by the magnificent Hall of Mirrors. Versailles set the standard for royal opulence in the 17th century; this over indulgence set the stage for outrage and the ensuing French Revolution 100 years later.

Experience the French Revolution through role play. Using Audio Guides you will find yourself in the shoes of the monarchy, clergy, nobility, bourgeoisie or peasantry to explore the issues underlying the French Revolution.

Enjoy an evening meal with your group.

Discover the Panthéon, a Neoclassical building in the Latin Quarter. With its facade based on Rome’s Pantheon and a dome reminiscent of St. Peter’s, this beautiful work is a fitting resting place for some of France’s greatest minds, including Voltaire, Victor Hugo, and Louis Pasteur.

Experience the Place de la Bastille, where on July 14, 1789, an angry Parisian mob stormed the notorious prison and freed the prisoners.

Visit the Conciergerie, located near the Notre-Dame Cathedral. This splendid gothic palace was named for the king’s official (The Keeper) who maintained order within the palace walls. During the French Revolution, it housed up to 1,200 prisoners, including Marie Antoinette.

Discuss and discover Enlightenment thinkers Voltaire, Montesquieu, and Rousseau and their contributions to revolutionary thinking.

Tonight we will enjoy dinner in a local restaurant in the Latin Quarter, a section of the city that dates back to the Roman times; it is generally associated with artists, intellectuals, and political unrest.

Ascend the Arc de Triomphe, a massive triumphal arch commissioned by Napoleon. Today, it is a symbol of Paris and is home to the tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Walk through the Jardin des Tuileries, the Neo-Classical gardens outside of the entrance to the Louvre and continue to La Place de la Concorde for a magnificent view of the Champs Élysées. Time permitting we will explore the Champs Élysées, which offers a beautiful look at Parisian life and architecture.

Tour the renowned Louvre Museum with a local specialist guide. We will see Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, the imposing Coronation of Napoleon, and many of the finest paintings and sculptures from western civilization.

Visit the Hôtel des Invalides, an imposing building commissioned by Louis XIV in 1670 for his wounded and homeless veterans. We will also visit the gilded Dome Church, one of the finest examples of 17th century French architecture. It is highlighted by the massive Tomb of Napoleon.

Enjoy an evening meal with your group.

Visit the Musée D'Orsay, which is housed in a former railway station. It features mainly French art from 1848-1915, and is best known for its impressionist masterpieces by Monet, Degas, Renoir, and Cezanne.

Ascend to the top of Paris’ most recognizable landmark, the Eiffel Tower, built for the Universal Exhibition of 1889. The wrought-iron tower was not meant to be permanent, and the first permit was only for 20 years. But by that time, it had proved to be a valuable communication device for radio. It is now France’s global icon and has hosted over 200 million visitors.

View the Place de l'Opera, a square located in the 9th arrondissement that is home to the Palais Garnier Opera House. We will then visit the elegant stores of Au Printemps and Galeries Lafayette for a first-hand look at the latest trends in fashion.

Heighten your appreciation of art with an interactive art class in Paris. Learn to appreciate some of the famous famous works of art viewed during your tour. Your teacher will explain the points to look for in a painting, such as line, color, perspective and form and show you how to interpret these, using various examples to illustrate the idea. In the second half of the class, you will have the chance to put these ideas into practice as you create your own painting.

Visit the Sacré-Coeur Basilica, a huge white church that dominates the Parisian skyline. Construction of the church began in 1875 and ended in 1914, just before WWI. Inside, we can admire the stained glass and some of the world’s largest mosaics.

Enjoy an evening meal with your group.