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 0 (Sat Apr 10)
Depart Toronto
Today guests will leave home, make their way to Toronto, and begin their journey to Paris. The recommended Air Transat flight leaves Toronto Pearson at 9:15 pm . If you haven't watched the movies or finished the books yet, this is your last chance!
Day 1 (Sun Apr 11)
Arrive in Paris, Explore Montmartre & Welcome Dinner
The Air Transat flight arrives in Paris at 10:40 am. Barry will be at the airport and bring our group to our hotel. After dropping off bags, we will explore our home for the week, the Batignolles residential neighbourhood. After returning to the hotel to check in and relax for a bit, we will go to a local restaurant for our Welcome Dinner.
Meals Included: Welcome Dinner
Day 2 (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 the magnificent glass dome.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 3 (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 and Ernest Hemingway once shopped and frequented cafes.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 4 (Wed Apr 14)
Notre-Dame Cathedral, Marais District & Musee de Louvre
Today we will visit some of the most historic parts of Paris, beginning at Notre-Dame Cathedral, then continuing to the Marais district. These stops connect closely with Paris, particularly in its portrayal of medieval Paris and the events of the French Revolution. After returning to the hotel for a break, we will head to Musee de Louvre for a light supper and tour of the galleries in the evening.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 5 (Thu Apr 15)
Montmartre and Pigalle
Today we will explore Montmartre and Pigalle, two neighboring areas that show very different sides of Paris. In Montmartre, we will walk through its winding streets and quieter corners, known for their long association with artists and writers. We will then continue into Pigalle, where the pace picks up and the atmosphere becomes more lively. If "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas", the same could easily be said about the Moulin Rouge and the rest of Pigalle...
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 6 (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
Day 7 (Sat Apr 17)
Free Day & Farewell Dinner
Our last day is free so everyone can do 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 Versailles or another museum in town, revisit a favourite neighbourhood, shop, or simply walk along the Seine and sit at a café with a pain au chocolat and café crème. In the evening, we will gather for our Farewell Dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Farewell Dinner
Day 8 (Sun Apr 18)
Departure Day
Our tour ends after breakfast. Those who have added extra days will head off on their own, with the rest of the group headed to Charles de Gaulle Airport for Air Transat's 12:10 pm flight home, arriving in Toronto at 3:05 pm.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Balancing Activity with Relaxation
Most days on tour are divided into three sessions (morning, afternoon and evening) with lunch and dinner in between. In order to manage our guests' activity loads, we usually orgainize group activites for two of these and leave the other free for guests to relax or pursue personal interests.
We've designed the itinerary this way to suit different travel paces. If you like to stay busy from morning til night, you can fill your free time with activities of your own choice. However, if you enjoy (or need) a little more downtime, you can spend your free time relaxing and recharging. It's up to you!
Extend Your Stay in Paris
If you'd like to extend your stay in Paris, we're happy to help. We can arrange extra hotel nights and recommend day trip itineraries to Versailles, Strasbourg, Giverny, Reims, and more. Or, simply spend another day enjoying Paris. Let us know if you're interested!