I never claim to be a Francophile, but Paris has become a second home to me now… it is truly a magical feast for the senses. Running a tourist business there has opened my eyes to so many time-worthy experiences… Understanding art through one of our many amazing, certified guides who specializes in Art and Art History… learning about the Revolution and the connection between ours and theirs by attending an Opera at Marie Antoinette’s Opera House at Versailles and sharing information over several dinners in my hood with a scholar who teaches at Sciences Po University in Paris. I now know from our tour of the Loire who-married-whom amongst the many Royals and have visited their castles… and l learned everything anyone would ever want to know about cheese from a cheese monger who has become a great friend. There was a time when I knew which wine was red or white from looking at the color of it … now I understand grapes, having spent a few evenings with a young man who works with his father in their vineyard in Bordeaux.
Thanksgiving is a time to reflect and give thanks for the good life we’re living. We’ll be celebrating ours in France this year with 2 of my adult children and + 1 spouse and 1 of Ivan’s 2 daughters, sharing with them a lot of what we love when we’re there. That includes a full Itinerary in both Paris where we’ll be taking our Art Gallery Crawl, shopping the Marche aux Puce (Paris’ famous Flea Market) and spending a few hours on tour learning about French History from Napoleon through WWII. Along the way, I’m insisting on them sampling the best hot chocolate, the best pain perdu and the best onion soup –and they’ve signed us up for top foodie restaurants and rooftop bars. For extraordinary entertainment, we’ve got a night at the Opera Garnier in Paris and, for our 3 days in Beaune: an incredible all-day cooking class for our Thanksgiving meal.
We’ve been to a lot of places with our kids during Thanksgiving week over the years…
Thailand, Sweden, Chile, Israel, UK/Scotland, Canada, [on ZOOM in 2020], Germany/Holland, Argentina…
Having adult children who want to travel with us is a blessing we are certainly grateful for. My dad used to tell me ‘Travel” was “the best education” he could give me…he started me off young and it’s become a lifelong habit … but with all the crazy going on in the world right now, we wanted to be someplace we know… someplace beautiful… someplace delicious… There’s something about France that just feels right this time.
I think I might, actually (finally/lol) be a Francophile.
See the classic sights of Paris with this collection of Private Tours and other experiences. Great for New Travelers.
Some parts of France can’t be put into a 2 or 3-hour tour and some just take a while to get to. Venture out of Paris on an exciting Day Trip.
Experience some of the most significant works of art in Paris on a Private Art Tour. Learn about the story’s of the painters behind the works and ask questions along the way.
Taste the latest Paris Food experiences with our personal and tasty private food tours. Learn to make authentic Parisian meals, taste chocolate assortments, or…
From perfume to WW2, our private history tours are a way to see Paris in a different light.
Experience immersive music tours in Paris. Sit and listen up close to an award-winning Master Pipe Organist or learn about the history of Jazz in Paris on a private tour!
Looking for something particular? We’ll help you find it in Paris. Our private shopping tours include Antiques, Wardrobe, and more!
The Château de Fontainebleau, just 35 miles southeast of central Paris, can proudly claim to have been a sovereign residence for eight centuries. Capétiens, Valois, Bourbons, Bonaparte and Orléans, all members of French ruling dynasties, have lived within these walls. The chateau dates back to 1137—and centuries of royals have expanded this former royal hunting lodge to a more than 1,500-room estate. Most of what you’ll see dates back to the 16th century, a combination of Italian Renaissance art and French design, these rooms are some of the most intricate and breathtaking in France. If times allows, you can enjoy lunch in this charming area.
Tour Length: 5 – 6 hours
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