Fall in Love with Paris for the First Time

Fly into Paris (either Charles de Gaulle or Orly airports) and hop in a taxi to our home base for the week, the delightful 4-star Hotel Recamier, If you'd like to arrive a day early to rest, relax and get acclimated to the local time, that option is available (see add-ons).

The Recaimer is nestled in the heart of historic Saint-Germain-des-Près (the 6th arrondissement). Once a quaint village, Saint-Germain-des-Près is renowned for its charming cafés, artistic legacy, and elegant boutiques. Later, we'll gather in the hotel’s lobby for a champagne welcome drink and introductions, setting a relaxed tone for the evening ahead.

Afterward, begin a unique sightseeing adventure through Paris in a vintage Citroen 2CV, an iconic symbol of French culture. Feel the city’s pulse as you wind through its streets, passing by landmarks like the Louvre, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Champs-Élysées.

We'll cap off you day with dinner at Restaurant Georgette, a renowned bistro known for its modernized French cuisine sourced directly from local farms. 

Reflecting on the day’s experiences, you’ll find yourself immersed in the timeless allure of Paris, where history meets contemporary elegance at every turn.

After a relaxed morning and breakfast at the hotel, our day begins with a cultural immersion at the Musée d’Orsay. Housed in a former railway station, this renowned museum showcases an exceptional collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art, including works by Henri Matisse, Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Vincent Van Gogh, and Auguste Rodin. We'll be led by an expert guide to gain insights into their revolutionary contributions to modern art.

Following our museum exploration, we'll enjoy a leisurely lunch at Les Café des Musées. Over delicious French cuisine, we'll discuss our favorite pieces and soak in the elegant ambiance of this historical setting.

After lunch, we'll meet with our photographer for a personalized photo shoot across scenic Parisian locations. 

After our photo shoot, we’ll take a trip to the top of the Eiffel Tower tickets. What first trip to Paris would be complete without a ride to the top of La Tour Eiffel for a birds-eye-view of the city? After a great day, we will take the metro back to the hotel for some rest before dinner.

Dinner will be at Le Récamier, renowned for its intimate atmosphere and exquisite French cuisine.

This morning, we’ll drive about an hour from Paris to visit Monet’s home and gardens in Giverny. Monet considered his garden, which he personally planted and tended, to be his greatest masterpiece. His home, now a museum, is filled with the artwork and artifacts he collected over a lifetime, showcasing his passion for beauty. Inside, you’ll find his studio-sitting room and an exceptional collection of Japanese prints.

After exploring the house and gardens, we’ll stroll to the historic Ancien Hotel de Baudy for lunch. Open during Monet’s time, imagine the artist himself dining at the next table. Enjoy a meal steeped in history and ambiance.

Returning to Paris, we’ll visit the jewel-like L’Orangerie museum on the edge of the Tuileries Gardens to witness Monet's masterpieces. Specially designed rooms house Monet’s famous “Water Lilies,” offering a mesmerizing experience. Decide for yourself which is more breathtaking: the gardens or the paintings.

Feeling inspired, we’ll head to the famous Ladurée to savor world-renowned macarons over tea. After a big day, dinner is on your own— order room service or visit a nearby café.

After enjoying a delicious breakfast at our hotel, we’ll embark on a leisurely stroll to the charming and ever-popular Le Marais, one of Paris' most enchanting neighborhoods. Along the way, we’ll visit the iconic Shakespeare and Company bookstore and marvel at the grandeur of Notre Dame. We'll also step into a historic tea shop that has been delighting Parisians since 1854 before arriving at the stunning Place des Vosges. Our journey will also take us through the bustling Marché Bastille, Paris’ most famous outdoor food market, where you’ll be amazed by the variety and presentation of fresh produce, cheeses, meats, and countless other culinary delights. Given the small size of many Parisian apartments and their refrigerators, daily market visits are a cherished routine for many locals.

For lunch, we’ll savor the best crêpes in Paris at Breizh Café, renowned not only for its extraordinary crêpes but also for its commitment to organic, local, and sustainable agriculture from Brittany.

This afternoon, you’ll have free time to immerse yourself in the beauty of Le Marais, home to some of the finest shops in Paris. Stroll down Rue des Rosiers, indulge in fragrances at Buly, relax with a coffee and Pastis in Place Ste-Catherine, or visit the remarkable Picasso Museum or the Carnavalet Museum. Opened in 1880, the Carnavalet Museum is the oldest City of Paris Museum. Its continuously enriched collections have chronicled the story of Paris from prehistory to the present day. Recently revamped, the museum now sparkles with renewed brilliance. You can easily return to the hotel by taxi or Uber, both of which are plentiful.

In the evening, we’ll enjoy a delightful dinner at Mechoui du Prince, where we’ll indulge in traditional Moroccan cuisine, making for a perfect end to our day of exploration and discovery in Paris.

We’ll start our morning with a delightful walking and food tour at Rue Cler, where you'll savor some of the city's finest cheese, charcuterie, and gourmet produce.

After lunch, we'll stroll through the magnificent Luxembourg Gardens with guide Amy Kupec Larue, who will share fascinating stories about its history and point out its stunning sculptures and horticultural treasures.

The afternoon is yours for last-minute shopping or exploring any sites you may have missed. Paris is a city that always leaves you wanting more, so you'll just have to come back again!

Tonight, we’ll enjoy a sumptuous dinner at L'Atelier Rouliere, a contemporary French brasserie known for its classic dishes and chic ambiance.

After breakfast, we will begin our day by visiting the very heart of Montmartre. This charming village in northern Paris is renowned for its painters, cafes, and bohemian ambiance. We will tour the Musée de Montmartre, housed in one of the oldest buildings on the Butte, dating back to the 17th century, where we'll explore its rich artistic heritage.

For lunch, we will dine at Marcel, a delightful spot that perfectly captures Montmartre's unique atmosphere. Afterward, we’ll tackle the Louvre, the world's largest and perhaps most famous museum. Our private guide will navigate us through its vast collection, spanning thousands of years of history and culture, providing us with insights into some of the greatest masterpieces ever created.

Tonight, we'll enjoy a farewell sunset dinner cruise on the Ducasse sur Seine, a spectacular riverboat restaurant along the Seine. The highlight will be witnessing the City of Light illuminate before our eyes, offering a magical conclusion to our Parisian adventure.

Sadly, it's time to say goodbye and head home, but first, we'll enjoy a hearty breakfast together. May this be the first of many trips to Paris and la Belle France.

“America is my country, but Paris is my home,” Gertrude Stein.