Primary Materials
Paris by Edward Rutherfurd
Our Paris tour is heavily built around Paris by Edward Rutherfurd, which follows the history of the city through the lives of several families over many centuries. As we move through Paris, we will visit places tied to the events and time periods in the book, helping connect what you have read to the city itself. Having the story in mind gives more context to what we'll see and makes the history easier and more fun to follow.
Midnight in Paris by Woody Allen
Our Paris tour also draws on Midnight in Paris by Woody Allen, starring Owen Wilson and Rachel McAdams, which shows a version of Paris where the past and present sit side by side, and imagines being able to step into another era and meet the people who shaped it. As we go through the city, you will see streets, cafés, and neighborhoods that reflect that same feeling, where it is easy to picture earlier periods layered onto what you see today.
Secondary Materials
A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway
Our Paris tour also draws on A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway, which looks back on his early years in Paris, writing in cafés, walking the streets, and living simply. It focuses on small, everyday moments and shows a quieter side of the city that still feels very similar today.
Julie and Julia by Nora Ephron
Lastly, we’ve taken inspiration from Julie & Julia, based on the life of Julia Child, which follows her time in Paris as she falls in love with the city through its food, markets, and daily routines. It’s a reminder that Paris is just as much about simple pleasures as it is about the big sights.
Daily Agenda
Day 1 (Sat Apr 10)
Depart Toronto
Today guests will depart from home, make their way to Toronto, and begin the journey to Paris. The recommended Air Transat flight leaves Toronto Pearson at 9:15 pm and arrives the following morning. If you haven't watched the movies or finished the books yet, this flight is your last chance!
Day 2 (Sun Apr 11)
Arrive in Paris, Explore Batignolle & Welcome Dinner
Guests will arrive in Paris at 10:40 am. Barry will be at the airport and bring our group to the hotel. After dropping off bags, we will head out on an orientation walk of the Batignolle area. After returning to the hotel to check in and take a break, we will go to a local restaurant for our Welcome Dinner.
Meals Included: Dinner
Day 3 (Mon Apr 12))
Heart of Parisian Culture
Today we will visit some of Paris’s most iconic sights, starting outside the Louvre, home to world famous masterpieces, and continuing to Place de la Concorde, one of the city’s most historic squares. From there, we will turn right toward Place Vendôme, known for its elegant architecture, then continue to the Garnier Opera and finish at Galeries Lafayette, where you can admire its glass dome.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 4 (Tue Apr 13)
Latin Quarter & Sorbonne
Today we will explore the Latin Quarter, one of Paris’s oldest neighbourhoods, known for its narrow streets, bookshops, and student life. We will visit the Sorbonne at its heart, dating back to the 13th century, and as we walk, stop at places tied to our books and films, including Rue Mouffetard market, where Julia Child shopped and Hemingway once lived.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 5 (Wed Apr 14)
Notre-Dame Cathedral, Place de la Bastille & Marais District
Today we will visit some of the most historic parts of Paris, beginning at Notre-Dame Cathedral, then continuing to the Place de la Bastille, and into the Marais district. These stops connect closely with Paris, particularly in its portrayal of medieval Paris and the events of the French Revolution, helping bring those periods into clearer focus as we move through the city.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 6 (Thu Apr 15)
Palace of Versailles
Today we will take a full day trip to the Palace of Versailles, the grand royal residence just outside Paris. We will spend time exploring the palace and its gardens, getting a sense of the scale and formality of life at court, and how far removed it was from everyday Paris. Versailles is part of the world described in Paris and appears briefly in Midnight in Paris.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 7 (Fri Apr 16)
Arc de Triomphe, Trocadéro, Eiffel Tower, & Musée d'Orsay
Today we will visit some of the most recognizable sights in Paris, beginning with the Arc de Triomphe, then continuing to the Trocadéro for sweeping views of the Eiffel Tower. After a short break, we will then spend time at the Musée d'Orsay, home to one of the finest collections of Impressionist art, offering a look at the artists who helped shape modern Paris.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 9 (Sat Apr 17)
Free Day & Farewell Dinner
Our last day is free so everyone can do exactly what they want. After seeing the major sights together, today is a chance to do something that suits you, whether you fill the day with plans or keep it relaxed. You might visit a museum, revisit a favorite neighborhood, shop, or simply walk along the Seine and sit at a café with a pain au chocolat and café crème. We will gather in the evening for our farewell dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 10 (Sun Apr 18)
Departure Day
Today our Parisian adventure comes to an end, but we wrap up with an easy journey home. After breakfast, we will check out and head to Charles de Gaulle Airport for our 12:10 flight. Thanks to the time change, we arrive back in Toronto at 3:05 pm.
Meals Included: Breakfast