Road Scholar : Home
Independent Paris: People, Places, Culture

Program Number: 10034RJ
Start and End Dates:
5/5/2012 - 5/13/2012; 6/8/2013 - 6/16/2013; 6/22/2013 - 6/30/2013; 7/12/2013 - 7/20/2013; 8/3/2013 - 8/11/2013; 9/7/2013 - 9/15/2013; 9/14/2013 - 9/22/2013; 9/21/2013 - 9/29/2013; 9/28/2013 - 10/6/2013; 10/5/2013 - 10/13/2013; 10/12/2013 - 10/20/2013; 10/19/2013 - 10/27/2013; 10/26/2013 - 11/3/2013; 11/2/2013 - 11/10/2013; 11/9/2013 - 11/17/2013; 12/7/2013 - 12/15/2013; 12/14/2013 - 12/22/2013; 1/25/2014 - 2/2/2014; 2/15/2014 - 2/23/2014; 3/29/2014 - 4/6/2014; 4/19/2014 - 4/27/2014; 4/26/2014 - 5/4/2014; 5/3/2014 - 5/11/2014; 5/10/2014 - 5/18/2014; 5/17/2014 - 5/25/2014; 5/31/2014 - 6/8/2014; 6/7/2014 - 6/15/2014; 6/21/2014 - 6/29/2014; 7/5/2014 - 7/13/2014; 7/19/2014 - 7/27/2014; 8/2/2014 - 8/10/2014; 8/16/2014 - 8/24/2014;
Duration: 8 nights
Location: France
Price starting at: $1,850.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Independent City Discoveries Activity Level: t (see description)
Meals: 10; 7 Breakfasts, 0 Lunches, 3 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian    

From a table at a street-side café near the Sorbonne you watch students excitedly discoursing, mothers shepherding children along the sidewalk, the life of a Parisian neighborhood unfolding before you. It’s just one moment in your independent exploration of the Paris behind the postcards. Stroll the grand boulevards, meet local experts who illuminate the city’s most marvelous treasures, compare the city’s diverse quarters and savor every new experience that crosses your path.




Highlights

• A local Road Scholar expert introduces you to life as a Parisian as you explore Ile de la Cite, the center of Paris.
• Examine and discuss the art of Paris at museums, gardens and an open-air market.
• Enjoy ample free time for independent discoveries or choose to follow the group leader to intriguing corners of the city.



Activity Particulars

Walking up to five miles per day. Extensive use of the Paris Métro system, often accessed by stairs.



Included in the Program Only Price: Seven nights hotel accommodation, six-day Métro and museum passes, all breakfasts, five lectures by a local expert, six escorted field trips and an option to join any of six additional escorted excursions at no additional charge. Not included: Airport transfers.




Date Specific Information

6-8-2013, 9-7-2013, 11-9-2013, 3-29-2014, 4-19-2014, 4-26-2014, 5-3-2014, 5-10-2014, 5-17-2014, 5-31-2014, 6-7-2014, 6-21-2014, 7-5-2014, 7-19-2014, 8-2-2014, 8-16-2014

Enjoy the latest in hearing technology — listening devices — on this date.



12-7-2013, 12-14-2013

This program date will visit some of the typical French Christmas markets that open only during December.
Enjoy the latest in hearing technology — listening devices — on this date.



1-25-2014, 2-15-2014

January, February, November and December is the time of year when many new exhibitions opens, it is also a time when the crowds in the museums are thinner, offer a more enjoyable experience.
Enjoy the latest in hearing technology — listening devices — on this date.



Itinerary Summary

Independent arrival Paris, 7 nights; independent departure.



Overnight flight from the U.S.A.
1 night
Arrival Paris
7 nights
Departure

Paris has been a center of European trade and culture since the 10th century. Combining expert guidance with inspired independent adventures, this quest introduces the Paris of Parisians. Begin in Ile de la Cite to trace the history of Paris from its early days as an island in the Seine. Explore Notre Dame and experience the vibrant Latin Quarter as the nearby Sorbonne students do. This intellectual, bohemian neighborhood bustles with cafés and secondhand bookstalls. Explore the Luxembourg Gardens or investigate medieval history at the Musee de Cluny. Experience the splendid Louvre, enjoy a presentation on Picasso and the life of the Parisian artist and take part in excursions to the Carnavalet Museum, Musee d’Orsay and Orangerie Museum. Assemble a lunch of fresh foods at the Parisian open-air market and perhaps venture to the Invalides, Eiffel Tower or the nearby Musee Rodin.




France

The epicurious and the curious find much to admire in Western Europe’s largest nation, whose agricultural riches and terrain of beaches, mountains and fertile fields have drawn residents for thousands of years. The northern region hosts the nation’s Parisian capital, as well as unique Breton culture, while the sun-drenched Mediterranean coast sports the chic beach-goers and the terraced vineyards of the interior.
Accommodations
Small Parisian hotel in the heart of the historic Faubourg Saint-Antoine, near the Bastille and Marais districts. See date notes for some variation.

Road Scholar Instructors
These instructors are participating on at least one date of this program. Please note that changes may occur.
Jennifer Burdon
Born and raised in York, England, Jennifer Burdon has been living in Paris for many years. She holds a master’s degree from Durham University where she specialized in 19th century French literature and art history. Jennifer leads educational excursions all over Paris, specializing in Impressionism, the French Revolution, the experiences of African Americans in Paris, Ernest Hemingway and private museums. She has also written for a small British paper focused on the Parisian art scene. Jennifer is the group leader and lecturer for Road Scholar, and enjoys sharing her knowledge of the city with charm and a subtle British wit.
 
Meals and Lodgings
   Villa Luxembourg
  Paris, France 7 nights
 Villa Luxembourg
Type: Full Service Hotel
  Description: The Villa Luxembourg is located in Montparnasse near the Luxembourg gardens, in a district renowned for being a historic haven of artistic and creative life in Paris. Painters, sculptors, writers, poets and composers from all over the world flocked to Montparnasse in the early 20th century. Today you will still find the cafes once frequented by creative minds such as Pablo Picasso, Edith Wharton, and F. Scott Fitzgerald.
  Contact info: 121 boulevard du Montparnasse
Paris,  75006 France
phone: +33 (0) 1 43 35 46 35
web: www.villa-luxembourg.com/EN/
  Room amenities: Room Service, Mini-Bar, Kitchenette, Air conditioning.
  Facility amenities: Each room is equipped with a small kitchenette so you have the option of cooking and dining in the comfort of your own chamber. Wifi is available in the lobby of the hotel. Participants should be aware that hotel rooms in Paris are often considerably smaller than hotel rooms in the United States.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: TBA Please contact Road Scholar Travel Services for preferred rates and reservation.
  Check in time: 2:00 PM
  Additional nights after: TBA Please contact Road Scholar Travel Services for preferred rates and reservation.
  Check out time: 12:00 PM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
This program begins at the program hotel in Paris with an orientation meeting at 5:30pm. Hotel check-in begins at 2pm. You will be staying at Villa Luxembourg that night.
  End of Program:
This program ends after breakfast at the program hotel in Paris. Hotel check-out is at 12pm. You will be staying at Villa Luxembourg the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required.
  Parking availability:
N/A
Transportation (For Independent Travelers)
  Train or bus availability: We do not recommend that participants take the train; this is often difficult to manage with luggage. There are Air France buses available, which will take you to the Gare Montparnasse (about 1 kilometer from the hotel).
To Start of Program
  Location:  Paris
  Nearest city or town:  Gonesse
  Nearest highway: A1
  Nearest airport:  Charles de Gaulle Airport
  Transportation to site: Please note that this is an independent program and there are no group airport transfers. However, Paris Shuttle, a third party service, offers a discounted shared shuttle and private transfer rates to Road Scholar participants. The rate they offer is about 10% discount off their published rate. By using the web link below, you can take advantage of these rates and book your transfers for arrival and departure from Paris. You will need to pay in advance with a credit card to confirm reservations and print your own voucher. www.parishuttle.com/index.php?partner=P60WEN The most convenient, although not the cheapest, means of transportation to your hotel is to take a taxi. The cost should be between 40€ and 80€, depending on traffic conditions and the amount of luggage you have. After collecting your luggage at the airport follow the signs to “Taxis.” A third option is to take an Air France bus. Buses labeled “LES CARS AIR FRANCE” are available to all passengers regardless of your airline. There are several different bus routes, but you should take LINE 4. You can purchase a ticket either at one of the Air France counters in the airport or directly from the driver. One way fare is 16.50 € or you can purchase a round trip ticket for 27 €. Travel time is about one hour but this varies depending on traffic conditions. Buses depart approximately every 30 minutes from four different places at Charles de Gaulle Airport: • Terminal 1 - Exit 34 (Arrivals level) • Terminal 2A-2C - Exit C2 • Terminal 2D-2B - Exit B1 • Terminal 2E-2F - Gallery level, Exit 3 The bus will stop first at the “Gare de Lyon” (20 Boulevard Diderot) and then continue on to the “Gare Montparnasse” train station on Rue du Commandant Mouchotte. You should get off at Gare Montparnasse in front of the Hôtel Méridien, which is approximately 1.5 kilometers from the Villa Montparnasse. From here you can take a taxi to your hotel. This should only cost about 10 euros.
  From End of Program
  Location: Paris
  Transportation from site: To return to the airport, you may take a taxi, a shuttle -- private or shared -- through Paris Shuttle, or the Air France bus. Please see the information above on directions from the airport to the Villa Luxembourg for details.
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Elevation Note: 500 feet is the highest elevation.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Departures from the U.S.
(Saturday, May 5)
   
 Evening: Overnight flights from the U.S.

Day 2: Arrival in Paris: Welcome and Orientation
(Sunday, May 6)
   
 Morning: Arrivals at Charles de Gaulle airport and independent transfers to the program hotel in Paris. Please note that rooms are not generally available until early to mid-afternoon, so you should plan to drop off your luggage at the hotel and then take some time to explore Paris or relax and have a leisurely lunch. There are Paris maps available at the hotel, and your Group Leader will be present to provide recommendations and directions.
 Afternoon: Check in at your hotel and take the afternoon to unpack and relax. In the early evening you will meet with your group for introductions, a review of the program itinerary and site orientation. You will also receive some expert advice on getting around in Paris.
 Dinner: Welcome dinner at a local restaurant
   
Accommodations: Villa Luxembourg
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 3: Île de la Cité
(Monday, May 7)
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at your hotel
 Morning: Lecture: Meet this morning with your group for a lecture focusing on the origins of Paris from Roman development through the Middle Ages. Then, enjoy a panoramic overview by coach of Paris' monuments and most famous sites, while your Paris Expert continues a discussion of the city's history and its architecture throughout the ages.
 Lunch: Lunch on your own near Notre Dame Cathedral. Your guide will provide suggestions for dining.
 Afternoon: On-site Lecture/ Field Trip: Explore Sainte-Chapelle and Notre Dame cathedral to learn more about medieval art and architecture on the Île de la Cité, the historic heart of Paris.
 Dinner: Dinner on your own and evening at leisure
   
Accommodations: Villa Luxembourg
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 4: The Latin Quarter and the Left Bank
(Tuesday, May 8)
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at your hotel
 Morning: Your Paris guide will help you to experience the Latin Quarter as the students do. An area dominated by the Sorbonne, this special area is generally associated with intellectuals, artists and a bohemian way of life.
 Lunch: Lunch on your own in the Latin Quarter. Your guide will provide suggestions for dining.
 Afternoon: You may remain with your group leader and continue exploring the Left Bank with visits to St. Germain des Prés and St. Sulpice. Alternatively, you can take the opportunity to head off on your own and discover the Jardins du Luxembourg with its puppet show and botanical garden with fruit trees and beehives.
 Dinner: Group dinner at a small brasserie near the Eiffel Tower
 Evening: Group Activity: Enjoy a walk around the illuminated Eiffel Tower to immerse yourself in the "City of Lights."
   
Accommodations: Villa Luxembourg
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5: The Marais Quarter, the Vosges Royal Square and the Carnavalet Museum
(Wednesday, May 9)
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at your hotel.
 Morning: Enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of a traditional Parisian open-air market. Here you will truly be able to experience the Paris of Parisians.
 Lunch: Create a picnic lunch from the specialties you've gathered at the market or enjoy a meal at a nearby café.
 Afternoon: Independent Exploration: Take this opportunity to explore the neighborhoods of the Marais district including what was historically the Jewish quarter, and perhaps browse Europe's largest collection of modern art at the Pompidou Center. Optional In-depth Exploration: Those who wish to remain with the group can enjoy a brief exploration of the Jewish quarter followed by a guided discovery of the Carnavalet Museum.
 Dinner: Dinner on your own and evening at leisure
   
Accommodations: Villa Luxembourg
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 6: The Louvre and the Royal Quarters
(Thursday, May 10)
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at your hotel
 Morning: Free time to enjoy a restful morning in anticipation of an activity-filled afternoon and evening. Optional In-depth Exploration: If you wish you may join your group leader for a guided visit of the Louvre.
 Lunch: Lunch on your own on or near rue St Honoré. Your guide will provide suggestions for dining.
 Afternoon: Independent Excursion: This afternoon is a wonderful opportunity to head off on your own to discover the Champs Elysées or walk the famed Rue St-Honoré and see haut couture. On-site Lecture/ Field Trip: Alternatively, walk along the Place de la Concorde while your local guide talks about Paris as the center of the revolution.
 Dinner: Dinner on your own
 Evening: Your group will reconvene for an evening cruise along the Seine to view the magnificent illuminated monuments lining the river.
   
Accommodations: Villa Luxembourg
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 7: 19th Century Art in Paris
(Friday, May 11)
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at your hotel
 Morning: On-site Lecture/ Field Trip: At the Musée d'Orsay you will discover one of the most extensive collections of Impressionist art in the world. Your local guide will discuss the importance of the works by Monet, Renoir, Pissarro and many others as you walk through the galleries of this former railway station.
 Lunch: Lunch on your own at or near the Musée d'Orsay. The museum itself has three options for dining, or you may choose to eat at a nearby brasserie.
 Afternoon: Independent Excursion: This afternoon is a wonderful opportunity to further explore this area of the Left Bank known as St. Germain des Prés, or if you prefer you may linger at the museum. Optional In-depth Exploration: Those who wish to remain with the group will continue on to Pont Alexandre III, followed by a discovery of Les Invalides and Napoleon's church/ tomb. Then conclude your afternoon's exploration at the Rodin Museum and sculpture garden where you will learn more about 19th century Impressionist masterpieces.
 Dinner: Farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
   
Accommodations: Villa Luxembourg
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8: Montmartre and the Orangerie Museum
(Saturday, May 12)
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at your hotel
 Morning: Field Trip: Led by your local expert, explore the collections of the Musée de l'Orangerie and view Monet's magnificent Nymphéas (Water Lilies).
 Lunch: Lunch on your own in Montmartre. Your guide will provide suggestions for dining.
 Afternoon: On-site Lecture/ Field Trip: In Montmartre you will study the lives of artists in Paris and learn about Impressionism and Post-Impressionism in the community. Independent Exploration: Take this opportunity to explore Place du Tertre, the tourist center of Montmartre, or visit Sacré Coeur Basilica. You may also take this opportunity to simply walk around the neighborhood and discover the streets that inspired so many artists.
 Dinner: Dinner on your own and evening at leisure.
   
Accommodations: Villa Luxembourg
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 9: Departures from Paris
(Sunday, May 13)
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at your hotel (depending on your departure time)
 Morning: Individual departures to Charles de Gaulle Airport for return flights to the U.S. Your group leader will give you helpful information on getting to the airport and be available to assist you with arrangements if needed.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


Eyewitness Travel Guides: Paris


Author:


Description: The Eyewitness series offer guided walks for Paris. You have a choice of five 90-minute walks: around Parc Monceau, along the Canal St.-Martin, around the Ile St-Louis, in Auteuil or in Montmartre--the directions for each are clear, the sites well worth seeing, and each provides you with the best possible way of getting to know the city. Don't be deceived by the book format--this picture book packs a lot of information! We recommend it as a terrific resource for all your free time activities.





You can't find a better value than Road Scholar.


As a not-for-profit organization, we are dedicated to providing all-inclusive educational programs at great value. From lectures to gratuities to field trips to accommodations - the tuition you pay up front is all that you pay.



Specifically, this program includes:

Plus these special experiences...

View the Daily Schedule to see more

And included with all Road Scholar programs:


© Road Scholar 2013 | Call toll-free: 1-800-454-5768