Paris Artists & Authors, Yesterday & Today

 Experience the charm of the Île de la Cité by checking into the delightful 4-star Hotel Ducs de Bourgogne, nestled in the heart of Paris. Once a quaint area along the Seine, this historic locale retains its allure, providing a serene backdrop for your stay. Later, we will gather in the hotel’s elegant lobby for a champagne welcome drink and introductions, setting a relaxed tone for the evening ahead.  

We’ll meet in the early evening for a welcome drink and introductions at the hotel before walking to dinner. We will dine at Au Vieux Comptoir, a rustic French classic restaurant sprinkled with global touches in a convivial bistro. They are known for their superb beef Bourgogne, their pate en croute & their magnet de canard. 

Start your day with a relaxed breakfast at the hotel before we head out for a day full of activities and exploration. Get ready to immerse yourself in the vibrant culture and history that surrounds you. From captivating art to stunning architecture, each destination promises to offer a unique experience that will make your day truly memorable. 

Lunch is at Les Deux Musée near the Musée d'Orsay. The furniture will rival the museum's artwork. 

We'll view impressionists' art in the afternoon light of the upper floor of the Musée d’Orsay. Monet, Degas, and their friends shook the art world in their day, pulling it out of its classical realist tracks. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore the museum or spend time shopping. 

Dinner will be a five course feast at Restaurant Tracé. Tracé is the gastronomic restaurant of Chef Clément Vergeat. Located close to Palais Royal and Opéra, it offers a casual chic gastronomic experience in a relaxed and intimate setting.   

After breakfast, we will visit painter Stephanie McKenzie, just one member of an eight-level atelier Le 100 Establishment, a community of painters and artists. 

For lunch, we'll dine at La Closerie des Lilas, a gorgeous classic. Every who's who, from Cezanne to Zola, has dined here.

After lunch, we've planned a Literary Walking History Tour. In the Roaring 20s, Paris was considered the world's cultural capital. Artists and writers from across the globe flocked to the city, including celebrated American writer Ernest Hemingway.

Today, our guide will take you on a journey through literary Paris with an expert guide. We'll learn about a wide range of artists, writers, and thinkers including Fitzgerald, Picasso, Pound, Matisse, and the inimitable Gertrude Stein. 

We are in the shadows of the great Romantic artist Éugene Delacroix, so we’ll visit his small museum in his former home and atelier, marking the final years of his life while he worked on the frescos in Saint Sulpice. Afterward, we'll visit the stunning church that holds his frescos, along with so much history. 

The rest of the night is yours. We'll give you suggestions for nearby spots that serve a casual dinner.

The Musée du Louvre was a former palace of kings that would transform into the largest museum in the world. For hundreds of years, artists have stood in the museum copying these masters. Manet, Morisot, Valadon, and many more learned how to paint from the artists who came before them. We’ll explore many of these paintings and treasures on a guided tour of the Louvre.

After soaking in the beauty of the Louvre, we’ll enjoy lunch close to the Palais Royal at the lovely Le Nemours. The restaurant is famous for its wonderful setting, delicious Croque Madame and some of the nicest servers in Paris.

After a filling lunch, we'll venture through the Jardin du Luxembourg with our very own artist, Krystal, who will teach you all the best tips and tricks for taking photos in Paris with your phone or camera. We’ll explore the gardens and hidden spots while you capture some of the over 100 statues dedicated to the artists, authors and infamous women from French history.

After a lovely day, we will head back to the hotel for a rest before meeting in the lobby to walk to dinner. Tonight, we’ll enjoy a sumptuous dinner at L'Atelier Rouliere, a contemporary French brasserie known for its classic dishes and chic ambiance. 

Today, we’ll step into Alison Grace Koehler's atelier. Alison is a poet, stained glass artist, and vibrant Parisian artistic community member. Mixing poetry into her stained glass gives it a fresh new take on the age-old art once seen only in churches and cathedrals.

For lunch, we will dine at the casual artsy French Cafe de l'Esplenade.

We'll spend the afternoon wandering the streets to our destination, Musee Rodin. The statues and historic building that houses the masterpieces will wow you.

The rest of the afternoon is yours to do as you please. Perhaps shop or browse around the Invalides. 

We'll meet in the lobby at around 5 pm to go to Shakespeare & Company, an English-language bookshop opened in 1951 in the heart of Paris. 

After exploring the bookstore, we'll walk to dinner at Otto by Eric Trochon. With its concept of small shared plates, Otto relies on an unbridled, subdued atmosphere, art direction by Ich & Kar, and attentive service that we applaud.  

After breakfast, we’ll step into the heart of Montmartre, wandering through its cobblestone streets to the Musée de Montmartre. This charming museum once housed artists like Renoir and Suzanne Valadon, whose studio remains beautifully preserved. Peek into Valadon’s world and imagine life in the vibrant 19th-century art scene.

Later, we’ll marvel at the stained-glass wonders of Sainte Chapelle before heading to Le Moulin de la Galette for a quintessential French lunch in an iconic setting.

The afternoon is yours to savor Paris at your pace—whether it’s shopping for treasures, enjoying a café moment, or simply getting lost in the city’s magic.

Our final evening together is one for the books. We’ll embark on a Seine River cruise aboard Alain Ducasse’s floating restaurant, where a celebratory dinner awaits. As we savor exquisite cuisine, the Eiffel Tower lights up the night, a sparkling finale to a week filled with unforgettable memories.

“America is my country, but Paris is my home,” Gertrude Stein once said, and for many, Paris leaves a lasting impression that feels like home away from home. 

After a leisurely morning enjoying a café and croissant at a local Parisian café, take time for one last stroll to soak in the city’s timeless charm. Whether it’s along the Seine, in a tucked-away garden, or on a vibrant boulevard, savor your final moments in the City of Light. With hearts full of memories, we bid you adieu—or better yet, à bientôt, until we meet again.