CARTE BLANCHE 

Below we offer 11 themes based in Paris and 4 in the Paris region from which you can choose according to your interests.  We will do our best to meet the requirements of your own timetable for visiting Paris, but we strongly recommend that you contact us as soon as possible if you are tempted by one or more of the themes! 

 Annie Bancroft will share tutoring and guiding with Brian for all themes related to the Paris-Flexi Programme

Theme 1 : PARIS PRATIQUE   (One day)

PRACTICAL HINTS FOR GETTING USED TO PARIS!

Whatever your interests, unless you know Paris well and are used to getting round the city, this day is more or less indispensable!

In the morning, you will be introduced to - or be helped brush up  - the basic vocabulary and simple expressions related to daily life in Paris - where to shop (and how to ask for things), where to eat (and how to order and ask questions politely!), how to move round Paris, use Pariscope, avoid long queues for museums and exhibitions, and so on. We will teach you how to use the bus system and to feel totally at ease travelling around Paris - such a pity to spend your limited time in Paris underground in the metro when you can see the city from a bus!

As international capitals go, Paris is quite small : in fact it consists of 20 arrondissements which in turn are each made up of a  number of "villages" (or "quartiers") - you will be helped to appreciate the extraordinary diversity of these different parts of Paris and how each may relate to your own personal interests.

  Theme 2 : LES RUES DE PARIS - leur Architecture liée à l'Histoire  (2 days)  

Walking through the streets of Paris, learn how to recognise the evolution of the city over more than six centuries

There will be no introductory presentation on the first day : instead you will spend both morning and afternoon being guided through various parts of Paris to help you learn what Paris must have looked like in previous centuries, starting from the 15th through to the 19th century which gave Paris the face it has nowadays, and then finishing with the modifications and architectural and urban experiments of the 20th century.

On the second morning there will be a round-table study and discussion session on what has been seen on the first day, and this will be followed in the afternoon by an exploration of more "secret" streets, alleys and passages!

 You will discover some faces of Paris which the average tourist never sees (and of which many French people remain quite ignorant!), but which are hugely interesting.

Theme 3  : HISTOIRE/ARCHITECTURE DE PARIS (1)- Les Romains et le Moyen Age (2 days)        

History & Architecture of Paris (1) : from Roman to Medieval

The morning of the first day will be devoted to a presentation of the history and architecture of Paris, covering the period from the 1st to the 15th centuries, as well as the great churches and cathedrals.

The follow-up guided visits will include the archeological crypt of Paris as well as of Notre-Dame cathedral itself, the Ile de la Cité and the Sainte Chapelle, the Cluny Middle ages Museum housed in what was originally the Roman thermal baths, and to see  the traces of what is left of Lutetia!

Although Paris as it existed in the Middle Ages was very nearly completely destroyed in the 19th century, there are neverthless many interesting traces to be found under the street level, for instance in cellars, and behind the facades of the main busy streets.

   Theme 4 : HISTOIRE ET ARCHITECTURE (2) : 16e et 17e Siècles (2 days)

History & Architecture of Paris (2) : the 16th & 17th centuries

The morning of the first day will be devoted to a presentation of the history and architecture of the 16th (Renaissance) and 17th (Classical) centuries in Paris, but extending to the study of Versailles.

The subsequent guided visits will include the Marais area of Paris, the Ile St Louis, both those areas were built in the 17th century and retain the atmosphere they had then. You will also visit the Invalides, and terminate with Versailles.

If this period is of special interest to you we advise you to visit Vaux le Vicomte and Fontainebleau (item 15 of the Paris Flexi-Programmes).

 

   Theme 5 : HISTOIRE ET ARCHITECTURE (3) : 18e et 19e Siècles (2 days)

History & Architecture of Paris (3) : the 18th & 19th centuries

The morning of the first day will be devoted to a presentation and discussion of the history and architecture of Paris in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The subsequent guided visits will include exploring the Faubourg St Germain, the Palais Bourbon, the Place de la Concorde, the rue de Rivoli, the Palais Royal, the passage couverts, and many other places reflecting these periods.

The 19th century saw the development of the use of iron in building construction, usually hidden for "noble" constructions such as the Paris Opera, but becomes increasingly obvious and decorative in more "useful" constructions such as the grands magasins (the great departmental stores).

 

 Theme 6 : HISTOIRE ET ARCHITECTURE (4) : 20e Siècle (2 days)

History & Architecture of Paris (4) : changes in the 20th century

The morning of the first day will be devoted to a presentation and discussion of the various architectural movements during the 20th century : art nouveau, art moderne, the influence and impact of great international architects, the "Mitterrand Projects", and culminating in the Quai Branly Museum designed by Jean Nouvel.

Subsequent guided visits will take you to various parts of Paris which will best illustrate these various trends during the 20th C., going as far as the Arche de la Défense, and without forgetting the Louvre!

The Louvre is a perfect example of a magnificent building which spreads over several centuries but which has been able to adapt to modernity a the end of the 20th century.Pei's glass pyramid is not only beautiful and in perfect harmony with the "older" buildings and general vista - appreciated by even more millions of visitors than ever before!

 

 Theme 7 : PARIS, RIVE DROITE / RIVE GAUCHE / LES ILES  (3 days)

Paris : Right and Left Banks & Ile de la Cité / Ile st Louis

The morning of the first day will be devoted to a presentation and study of the history and life in Paris in the seven arrondissements which form the basis of this theme and which represent the parts of Paris you will visit.

On the afternoon of the first day you will explore the first arrondissement which includes the Sainte Chapelle, the Louvre, Tuileries, Palais Royal and the area around what is now known as the Forum des Halles.

 The second day will be given over to an exploration of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th arrondissements, including that part of the Ile de la Cité which includes Notre Dame cathedral.

The third day will concentrate especially on the left Bank 5th & 6th arrondissments, which include the Latin Quarter, together with the 7th arrondissement where you will be helped to understand why it is that you find here most of the seats of French political power! 

  

Theme 8 : PARIS ET LA MUSIQUE : LA MUSIQUE DANS PARIS  (2 days)

 PARIS & MUSIC : MUSIC IN PARIS

Although this programme features as a regular item, we draw attention to the weekend of 20-21 June 2010 on the occasion of the Fête de la Musique. 

There are ample musical events each week in Paris, a number of them free of charge, but the biggest choice is always during the weekend : while the Fête de la Musique is just what it says, a feast of music throughout Paris (France, Europe, the world, so successful has this French initiative of 1983 become!). But if you can't take advantage of the June weekend, don't hesitate to explore other possibilities with us. For various reasons we recommend you choose a weekend, but this is by no means obligatory! Whatever time you choose, we will help you take full advantage of any & all musical offerings available on the days concerned.

The first morning will be devoted to a general presentation of the many aspects of French music in general, and of music in Paris in particular. This will be followed by a series of guided visits : you will see the Opera Bastille (the contemporary opera house built during the Mitterrand period), pass by the Opera Comique (which in spite of its name saw the first performances of all Puccini's great tragic operas in Paris!), and visit at length the great Opera Garnier (still known as the Paris Opera!) in the very centre of the city.

On Sunday mornings you will be guided to the church in which mass is sung in the Gregorian Chant (the choir was created nearly forty years ago to perpetuate the Gregorian tradition), while on Sunday afternoons you will be taken to one of the regular recitals on the great organ of Notre-Dame cathedral.

 

 Theme 9 : CUISINE ET GASTRONOMIE (avec cours de cuisine)  (2 days)

CUISINE - MARKETS - RESTAURANTS - SPECIALIST FOOD SHOPS  and  COOKING CLASS

The first morning will be devoted to a study of the various themes.

This will be followed by an exploration of some of the most striking food shops in Paris - great pâtissiers, poissonniers, traiteurs, chocolatiers and so on.

The second day will start with a visit to a major street market where you will choose (under guidance!) the products to be used in the cooking class which will follow, preparing and cooking lunch under the guidance of a chef, eating the meal and discussing your experiences with the chef.

 

 Theme 10 : PEINTRES ET ARTISTES A PARIS (avec visite à GIVERNY) (3 days)

ARTISTS & PAINTERS IN PARIS (with a visit to GIVERNY)

The morning will be linked to the study or artists and movements associated especially with Paris : starting with the early 19th century, through the impressionists, nabis, fauvists to the cubists!

This presentation will be followed by visits to the Orsay Museum and Montmartre, as well as visits to selected museums determined by the specific interests of the participants : Marmottan, Orangerie, Picasso, Centre Pompidou, Paris Modern Art Museum. Special emphasis will be placed on the best-known of all the French painting movements, namely Impressionism, which is why a half-day visit to Giverny is included in the programme, so that you can visit Monet's house, his garden, the lake with Japanese bridge and waterlilies, as well as the new impressionist museum.

 

 Theme 11 : LES JARDINS DE PARIS (2 days)

GARDENS OF PARIS

 There are so many different types of garden to explore in Paris - from the large parks such as the famous gardens of the Luxembourg Palace and the large "romantic" gardens such as the Buttes-Chaumont - to the small "squares" tucked away all over the city.

The first morning will be devoted to studying the different styles of gardens in Paris, and to how their conception and style changed with history and fashion.

The rest of the time will involve visits to various types of parks and gardens in different parts of the city, including the famous Père Lachaise, conceived as a park but which is also the largest historical cemetary in Paris. depending on weather and time of year, the visits can range from the blue-flowering pawlonias in the Square Furstemberg, to the floral displays at Vincennes, or to the great gardens of Bagatelle and especially its world-famous roseraie! And if something more recent tempts you, we can visit the Parc Georges Brassens or the Parc André Citroën

Theme 12 : REIMS : Patrimoine Mondiale et Champagne  (1 day)

RHEIMS World Heritage & Champagne

 Less than an hour by TGV to Rheims. Morning devoted essentially to the great cathedral, considered by many to be the most perfect example of French gothic style.  The town itself became a major religious centre as early as the late 5th century. Most of the French kings were crowned here as from the 11th century up to Charles X in 1825.

Close-by is the Palais du Tau, much of its history being closely linked to the coronations down the centuries as will be revealed during the visit.

After lunch, we visit the great Basilica of Saint Remi (the cathedral, basilica and Palais are all World Heritage sites).

Given that Rheims is known the world over as the Champagne capital,  the afternoon fittingly ends with a visit to the impressive and historic Pommery champagne cellars followed by a tasting.

 

Theme 13 : ROUEN et GIVERNY (sur les traces de Monet  (1 day)

 ROUEN  & GIVERNY (in the footsteps of Monet)

By train direct to Rouen, beautiful and historic capital of Normandy.

Here you will have a guided visit of the historic town, the great cathedral which so inspired Monet and was the subject of so many paintings (you will be shown the site of his workshop, and the vantage points for some of his most famous works)

You will also be taken to see the celebated clock, and of course the old market place where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake (you will have lunch here in the market place!)

Between Rouen and Paris lies Giverny (on the same main railway line), so you will return by leaving the train at Vernon in order to visit Monet's house, garden, and lake with its famous waterlilies and Japanese Bridge.

 Theme 14 : CHARTRES (Patrimoine Mondial)  (one day)

CHARTRES (World Heritage)

Chartres is less than an hour away by train.

First off will, of course, be a guided visit of the World Heritage cathedral, celebrated not only for its superb architecture and sculpture, but especially for its 12th and 13th century stained glass windows. After the visit there should be time to explore briefly a site close to the cathedral which is quite unique in France - the Centre International du Vitrail and its associated Musée du Vitrail.

After lunch, you will explore the historical heart of the town which has plenty of superb buildings to offer the visitor especially those dating from the Renaissance to the 18th century. Its real treasures, apart from the cathedral, are to be found in and around the Rue Chantault, one of the oldest streets in Chartres. The "house" at No.5, for example, contains a bedroom with decoration going back to the time of Henri IV, while No.29 is one of the oldest houses in France, dating back to the 12th century. The Maison de la Voûte offers a superb example of medieval domestic stonework architecture -the façade also dates back to the 12th century.

 Theme 15 :        CHATEAUX DE VAUX-LE-VICOMTE  ET  DE FONTAINEBLEAU (1 day)

VAUX LE VICOMTE and FONTAINEBLEAU

 VAUX-LE-VICOMTE : Fouquet was one of the most powerful figures in France at the beginning of the reign of Louis XIV. He decided to build himself a château, for which endeavour he brought together the most outstanding team possible in France at the time : architect Le Vau, painter Le Brun, landscape gardener Le Nôtre. Together they started to build in 1656 th exquisite château we know today. The work-force was 18.000 strong! The budget limitless. The rest is history! Louis had Fouquet thrown into prison for the rest of his life, and immediately appropriated le Vau, Le Brun, and Le Nôtre to work on Versailles!

FONTAINEBLEAU : The Château of Fontainebleau, in fact a former Royal Palace, is a World Heritage building, and deservedly so. It owes much of its form to the Renaissance monarch François 1er, though important additions and modifications were made by at least four kings from Henri II to Louis XVI. Napoleon far preferred it to Versailles. Fontainebleau bears witness to the styles and tastes of several monarchs spanning some three centuries.

 

PLEASE NOTE :

Attached at the top of this page is a document outlining all cost details

Do not hesitate to contact us directly by email!

Brian McKay : briandonmckay@gmail.com

Annie & David Bancroft (who organise the Paris Flexi-Programmes) cpederf@cpederf.com

You can also contact us directly by clicking on the Contact Us at the bottom of this page, but don't forget to to leave a note concerning your interests! One of us will get in touch with you very quickly!

We are all happy to supply any additional information requested and reply to any queries you may have