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The Julia Child Voyage: French Cooking from Cambridge to Paris

Program Number: 19222RJ
Start and End Dates:
9/19/2013 - 10/5/2013; 10/24/2013 - 11/10/2013;
Duration: 17 nights
Location: France/England/United States
Price starting at: $5,791.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Adventure Afloat Study Cruise; Ocean Cruises Activity Level: t (see description)
Meals: 43; 17 Breakfasts, 12 Lunches, 14 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian    

Julia Child’s story is also the story of French cuisine’s introduction to everyday Americans. Delve into Julia’s fascinating life and legacy on this voyage from her longtime home of Cambridge across the Atlantic to France via London, along the way tasting the food that inspired her and learning the techniques she perfected. You’ll benefit from the knowledge of a culinary historian, author and a personal friend of Julia's, and during the Paris portion, a well-known French chef and teacher.




Activity Particulars

Walking up to two miles per day and standing for up to two hours at a time; some stairs without railings and uneven terrain.



Please note that the Oct 2013 departure is 1 night longer - the cruise portion is 8 nights long.



Itinerary At-a-Glance

Boston, Mass., 3 nights; aboard Queen Mary 2, 7 nights; Paris (France), 6 nights.



Days 1-3:
Arrival Boston, Massachusetts:

Enjoy a lecture by a culinary historian and personal friend of Julia's. Learn about her culinary philosophy. Experience one of Boston’s most famous neighborhoods during an expert-led walk, making stops to sample delicacies and meet shopkeepers. Learn how to bake perfect French bread and dine at well-known Boston restaurants, plus a restaurant of your choice.



Days 4-10:
Coach to Brooklyn, NY / Embark Queen Mary 2 / At Sea:

Enjoy a series of onboard talks on Julia’s life, from her discovery of French cuisine to her training to her popularization of French cooking in America. A Cunard chef shows you how to prepare one of Julia’s favorite dishes: boeuf bourguignon.





Days 11-17:
Train to Paris (France) / Departure:

Take a field trip to Rouen and the famous restaurant La Couronne to enjoy the same lunch that Julia called “an opening up of the soul and spirit for me.” Practice your cooking skills at Marie-Blanche’s school, located in her Paris apartment, plus visit the famous Le Cordon Bleu academy. A local expert shows you Julia’s favorite places in Paris, including the E. Dehellerin cookware shop. Dining experiences include an “underground” restaurant hosted by French Canadian chef Claude Cabri and the restaurant Les Ombres, featuring a stunning view of the Eiffel Tower through its glass ceiling.



Queen Mary 2

At 1,132 feet long and 131 feet wide and cruising at 28.5 knots, the Queen Mary 2 can carry 2,592 passengers. Public areas linked by elevators include restaurants, bars, library, theater, casino, gym, pool and more. Dining in the Britannia Restaurant.

Road Scholar Instructors
These instructors are participating on at least one date of this program. Please note that changes may occur.
Barbara Haber
Barbara Haber, culinary historian, served as curator of books at Radcliffe’s Schlesinger Library at Harvard University where she developed a major collection on cooking and food history. She is the author of “From Hardtack to Home Fries: An Uncommon History of American Cooks and Meals,” and the co-editor of “From Betty Crocker to Feminist Food Studies: Critical Perspectives on Women and Food.” She is a contributor to the Cambridge World History of Food, and served as a senior editor and contributor to the Oxford Encyclopedia of Food and Drink in America. Equally at home in the practical world of food and cooking, Haber has been a director of the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) and currently serves on the Awards Committee of the James Beard Foundation, and chairs its Who’s Who in American Food and Beverages Committee. Barbara is a frequent speaker on food history and sees recipes as documents that offer insights into our history and culture.
 
Marie Blanche De Broglie
Marie-Blanche's personal school, La Cuisine de Marie-Blanche, teaches French cooking methods and culinary traditions, with valuable tips on entertaining à la Française. Marie-Blanche asserts that, without Julia Child's gentle influence and push, La Cuisine de Marie-Blanche would never have had the impact and prestige in the U.S. that it now enjoys. Marie-Blanche was introduced to Julia Child and Simone (Simca) Beck in the late 1970s. Having graduated with the Grand Diplôme from the Cordon Bleu, Marie-Blanche was just getting launched on a culinary career of her own, in Paris. As Julia always encouraged cooking enthusiasts and professionals, she warmly encouraged Marie-Blanche to expand her relationships and courses right into the U.S.A., an idea Marie-Blanche seized on joyously. As both Julia and Marie-Blanche were writing their several books on French cuisine, Marie-Blanche was also thrilled to have a preface on her book, “The Cuisine of Normandy,” written by Simone Beck.
 
Claude Cabri
Claude Cabri is a cook and visual artist. She gives cooking lessons from home, concocts culinary performances and artistic installations, and creates new recipes. Her culinary inspiration is mostly cosmopolitan, and her geography has become very gourmand: from her Egyptian grandmother's baklava to her grandfather's South African biltong, she naturally landed in Paris, lured by its renowned gastronomy and the Ecole des Beaux Arts. A diamond hunt across the globe from a Flemish grandfather, a great uncle who got gobbled up by the Shah of Persia's tiger, poetic dinners and musical chairs, tamed mosquitoes and foodie parents (her mother sold her tailored suit in order to be able to taste the lemon tarts of a reputable pastry chef before boarding the boat back home) — this is a brief résumé of fabulous matter that has nourished her all along her life and that she transposes for you in her kitchen.
 
Meals and Lodgings
   Sheraton Boston
  Boston, USA 3 nights
   Queen Mary II
  At Sea, At Sea 7 nights
   Villa Beaumarchais
  Paris, France 7 nights
 Sheraton Boston
Type: Full Service Hotel
  Description: Rise and shine in Boston’s charming Back Bay neighborhood from one of the Sheraton Boston Hotel’s 1,220 guestrooms. Updated, upbeat and refreshingly designed, the new Sheraton Boston guestrooms attractively reflect modern lifestyles.
  Ship Information: n/a
  Contact info: 39 Dalton Street
Boston, MA 02199 USA
phone: 617-236-2000
web: www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=430
  Room amenities: Sheraton Sweet Sleeper Bed, LCD Flat Panel Televisions, Shine by Bliss bath amenities, Handicap Accessible Room, Room Service, Wake-Up Service, High Speed Internet,Individual Climate Control, Hairdryer, Coffee and Tea Maker, Refrigerator, In-Room Movies, In-Room Safes, In-Room Video Games, Iron/Ironing Board, Voicemail
  Facility amenities: Fitness facility, business center, 24-hour front desk, Gifts & sundries shop, 24-hour security, dry cleaning service, indoor passage to 150 shops and dining destinations, non-smoking hotel, concierge service, indoor pool with retractable roof, sundeck, whirlpool, and sauna
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: TBD Please see Road Scholar Travel Services for rates and bookings.
  Check in time: 3:00 PM

 Queen Mary II
Type: Cruise Ship
  Description: Queen Mary 2 is the most magnificent ocean liner ever built. Her every detail harkens to the Golden Age of Ocean Travel, while providing one of the most modern travel experiences on earth. From bow to stern, discover 13 spacious decks on which to relax and unwind; to indulge in pleasures and pursuits you never normally have time for. Opulent public areas, extravagant dining rooms, ballrooms, theatres, lounges...even the only Planetarium at sea.
  Ship Information: Length: 1.132 feet, Beam: 135 feet, Draft: 32 feet 10 inches, Height: 236.2 feet, Gross tonage: Approx. 151,400 gross tonnes, Guest capacity: 3,056 max., Crew: 1253, Cruise Speed: 28.5 knots
  Contact info: Cunard Cruise Lines
24303 Town Center Drive, Suite 200
Valencia, CA 91355 USA
phone: 800-728-6273
  Room amenities: Standard staterooms are spacious (min.155sq.ft.) Amenities: 24hr rm service. Direct-Dial telephone & internet access, refrigerator, safe, hair dryer, daily shipboard newspaper, 220V British 3-pin and 110V 2-pin sockets, nightly turn down service.
  Facility amenities: Art Gallery, Bookstore, Canyon Ranch SpaClub®, Chart Room, Commodore Club, Computer Centre, Empire Casino, Image Gallery, Swimming Pools, Golden Lion Pub, Grand Lobby, Library, Shops, Queens Room, Royal Court Theatre, Sports Decks The Zone/The Play Zone | Veuve Clicquot® Champagne Bar
  Smoking allowed: Yes
  Elevators available: Yes

 Villa Beaumarchais
Type: Hotel
  Description: Nestled at the corner of the Passage du Grand Veneur, the Villa Beaumarchais echoes the charm of typical lanes of the Place des Vosges.
  Contact info: 5 rue des Arquebusiers
Paris,  75003 France
phone: +33 (0)1 40 29 14 00
web: www.villa-beaumarchais.com
  Room amenities: Cable television, complimentary newspaper, air conditioning, phone, internet access, minibar, wake-up calls, private bathroom, bathrobes, hair dryer, pay movies, in-room safe
  Facility amenities: Buffet breakfasts, room service, air conditioning, mini bar, WiFi, safe.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights after: TBA Please contact Road Scholar Travel Services for rates and availability.


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
This program begins at 5:30 p.m. with an orientation meeting at the program hotel in Boston. You will be staying at Sheraton Boston that night.
  End of Program:
This program ends after breakfast at the program hotel in Paris. You will be staying at Villa Beaumarchais the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. **PLEASE NOTE: Cunard requires that you register online in order to receive your E-ticket(s) and cruise documents. You should do this when you receive your final program materials about 5 weeks prior to departure, your booking number and cabin assignment will be included with these materials. Please go to www.cunard.com to register. Click on Already Booked, then click on Voyage Personaliser on the left-hand side, scroll down a little and click on Visit Voyage Personaliser (in red font). That will open a new window where you can enter your first and last name and booking reference number to sign in. Once you have completed your online registration, you will be able to view and print all of your cruise documents. **You must print your own Queen Mary II Luggage Tags, they are required by the ship porters so your bags can make their way safely to your ship cabin.**
  Parking availability:
N/A
Transportation (For Independent Travelers)
  Train or bus availability: The hotel is accessible from the MBTA Orange or Red Lines.
To Start of Program
  Location:  Boston
  Nearest highway: Interstate 90
  Nearest airport:  Logan Airport
  Transportation to site: Participants can take a taxi from Boston Logan Airport to the hotel in Boston for $25. The hotel is also accessible by MBTA (Orange or Red Lines - Downtown Crossing stop). Due to the wide range of arrival times, there is no arrival transfer.
  From End of Program
  Location:  Paris
  Transportation from site: A group departure transfer is organized for all participants who purchased an air inclusive program and depart on the group date. Independent travelers can take a taxi from the hotel to the airport or can ask the hotel for assistance in arranging a shuttle transfer. There is also a designated group transfer available to independent travelers at no additional cost. This transfer is generally scheduled for the early morning for flights departing mid-morning. The transfer time will be confirmed in the final participant mailing approximately 5 weeks prior to departure. Paris Shuttle, a third party service, offers 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 transfer for departure in 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 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: Arrival and Orientation in Boston
(Thursday, October 24)
   
 Afternoon: Arrive in Boston and check into the your hotel which is located near Copley Square. Take some time to settle into your room, and then join your group for an early evening orientation. Meet your Study Leader and discuss the program's theme, itinerary and logistics.
 Dinner: Festive welcome dinner.
   
Accommodations: Sheraton Boston
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Walking Food Tour, Boston University, and a Traditional Boston Clambake.
(Friday, October 25)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at the hotel.
 Morning: This morning we head to the North End where we will enjoy an expert-led walk around one of Boston's most prominent food neighborhoods, stopping to sample delicacies at the shops and restaurants.
 Lunch: On own in the North End.
 Afternoon: Later on this after, we head to Boston University where Julia pioneered the Food and Wine Program. We hear more about Julia's role in Boston and hear from your lecturer, Barabra Haber and the head of BU's program, both who knew Julia well.
 Dinner: Still at BU, we will then enjoy one of Boston's traditional dinners - a clambake - from one of Boston's most well-known seafood restaurants.
   
Accommodations: Sheraton Boston
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3: French Cooking Class
(Saturday, October 26)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at the hotel.
 Morning: This morning we head to the Boston Center of Adult Education where you will learn to perfect your bread-baking skills. You will also learn how to make other French specialties.
 Lunch: Boston Center of Adult Education
 Afternoon: We will depart Boston Center of Adult Education and before heading back to the hotel, we will take a detour to Savenor's, a specialty food market in Camrbidge, where Julia was a regular.
 Dinner: On own to explore Boston's dining scene.
   
Accommodations: Sheraton Boston
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4: Embark on the Queen Mary 2 in New York
(Sunday, October 27)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at the hotel.
 Morning: Check out of the hotel and transfer to New York City to board the Queen Mary 2.
 Lunch: En route to New York City, enjoy a stop at Salt Water Farms Vinyard for a wine tasting and then lunch.
 Afternoon: Arrive in New York and board the Queen Mary 2. Take some time to unpack and settle into your stateroom before taking a walk around the luxurious ocean liner.
 Dinner: Group dinner at 6:00 PM at the Britannina Restaurant, featuring several choices for each course prepared by award-winning chefs.
   
Accommodations: Queen Mary II
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Crossing the Atlantic: The Life and Times of Julia Child
(Monday, October 28)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on board in the venue of your choosing. Select one of the King's Court dining options on deck 7, go down to the Britannia Restaurant or relax with breakfast in your room as you watch the televised description of today's on board activities.
 Morning: Enjoy a presentation of how French cuisine inspired Julia Child's work and led to her outstanding career.
 Lunch: Lunch on board in the venue of your choosing. Your options include the various King's Court venues, the Britannia Restaurant, Todd English (at additional cost) or a light lunch at the Boardwalk Cafe if the weather permits.
 Afternoon: Gather with your group for a Road Scholar exclusive vegetable carving demonstration. Later, take the opportunity to choose from among an array of afternoon activities. You might take Afternoon Tea in the Queen's Room, attend a lecture presented by one of Cunard's guest speakers, view a planetarium show, join a book discussion, participate in an art auction, compete in a bridge tournament, relax in one of the deckchairs and watch the horizon... just to name a few of your activity choices!
 Dinner: Group dinner at 6:00 PM at the Britannina Restaurant, featuring several choices for each course prepared by award-winning chefs. Discuss the next day's itinerary as you dine with your group leader and lecturer. Following dinner you may choose to return to your stateroom and enjoy one of the movies screened on your TV this evening, attend a show in the ship's theater or practice your dance steps in the ballroom (with gentlemen escorts on hand, eager to dance with the single ladies!).
   
Accommodations: Queen Mary II
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Crossing the Atlantic: The Development of French Restaurants
(Tuesday, October 29)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on board in the venue of your choosing. Select one of the King's Court dining options on deck 7, go down to the Britannia Restaurant or relax with breakfast in your room as you watch the televised description of today's on board activities.
 Morning: Gather with your group for a lecture by Barbara Haber: The history of French cuisine is filled with such luminaries as La Varenne, Careme and Escoffier who shaped what became a cuisine that influenced the rest of the world. We will discuss their individual contributions and the development of French restaurants.
 Lunch: Lunch on board in the venue of your choosing. Your options include the various King's Court venues, the Britannia Restaurant, Todd English (at additional cost) or a light lunch at the Boardwalk Cafe if the weather permits.
 Afternoon: Gather with your group for an exclusive Road Scholar cooking demonstration. Later, take the opportunity to choose from among an array of afternoon activities. You might take Afternoon Tea in the Queen's Room, attend a lecture presented by one of Cunard's guest speakers, view a planetarium show, join a book discussion, participate in an art auction, compete in a bridge tournament, relax in one of the deckchairs and watch the horizon... just to name a few of your activity choices!
 Dinner: Group dinner at 6:00 PM at the Britannina Restaurant, featuring several choices for each course prepared by award-winning chefs. Discuss the next day's itinerary as you dine with your group leader and lecturer. Following dinner you may choose to return to your stateroom and enjoy one of the movies screened on your TV this evening, attend a show in the ship's theater or practice your dance steps in the ballroom (with gentlemen escorts on hand, eager to dance with the single ladies!).
   
Accommodations: Queen Mary II
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Crossing the Atlantic: French Chefs
(Wednesday, October 30)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on board in the venue of your choosing. Select one of the King's Court dining options on deck 7, go down to the Britannia Restaurant or relax with breakfast in your room as you watch the televised description of today's on board activities.
 Morning: Gather with your group for a lecture by Barbara Haber: The traditional training of professional chefs in France was usually by apprenticeships that led to positions in restaurants. In contrast, Julia's goal was to learn all she could in cooking school and from individuals in order to teach French recipes and skills to an American audience of passionate amateurs.
 Lunch: Lunch on board in the venue of your choosing. Your options include the various King's Court venues, the Britannia Restaurant, Todd English (at additional cost) or a light lunch at the Boardwalk Cafe if the weather permits.
 Afternoon: This afternoon gather with your group for an exclusive pastry demonstration, and then take opportunity to choose from among an array of afternoon activities. You might take Afternoon Tea in the Queen's Room, attend a lecture presented by one of Cunard's guest speakers, view a planetarium show, join a book discussion, participate in an art auction, compete in a bridge tournament, relax in one of the deckchairs and watch the horizon... just to name a few of your activity choices!
 Dinner: Group dinner at 6:00 PM at the Britannina Restaurant, featuring several choices for each course prepared by award-winning chefs. Discuss the next day's itinerary as you dine with your group leader and lecturer. Following dinner you may choose to return to your stateroom and enjoy one of the movies screened on your TV this evening, attend a show in the ship's theater or practice your dance steps in the ballroom (with gentlemen escorts on hand, eager to dance with the single ladies!).
   
Accommodations: Queen Mary II
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Crossing the Atlantic: Julia's Personality
(Thursday, October 31)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on board in the venue of your choosing. Select one of the King's Court dining options on deck 7, go down to the Britannia Restaurant or relax with breakfast in your room as you watch the televised description of today's on board activities.
 Morning: Gather with your group for a lecture by Barbara Haber: We will explore the qualities of Julia's background and personality as well as the experiences that contributed to the shaping of her goals and her huge success in accomplishing her life's work.
 Lunch: Lunch on board in the venue of your choosing. Your options include the various King's Court venues, the Britannia Restaurant, Todd English (at additional cost) or a light lunch at the Boardwalk Cafe if the weather permits.
 Afternoon: Following an exclusive wine and cheese pairing class with your group, you will have the opportunity to choose from among an array of afternoon activities. You might take Afternoon Tea in the Queen's Room, attend a lecture presented by one of Cunard's guest speakers, view a planetarium show, join a book discussion, participate in an art auction, compete in a bridge tournament, relax in one of the deckchairs and watch the horizon... just to name a few of your activity choices!
 Dinner: Group dinner at 6:00 PM at the Britannina Restaurant, featuring several choices for each course prepared by award-winning chefs. Discuss the next day's itinerary as you dine with your group leader and lecturer. Following dinner you may choose to return to your stateroom and enjoy one of the movies screened on your TV this evening, attend a show in the ship's theater or practice your dance steps in the ballroom (with gentlemen escorts on hand, eager to dance with the single ladies!).
   
Accommodations: Queen Mary II
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Crossing the Atlantic: "Mastering the Art of French Cooking"
(Friday, November 1)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on board in the venue of your choosing. Select one of the King's Court dining options on deck 7, go down to the Britannia Restaurant or relax with breakfast in your room as you watch the televised description of today's on board activities.
 Morning: Gather with your group for a lecture by Barbara Haber: Why was Mastering the Art of French Cooking such a success? We will look at the history of its creation and discuss its impact on the American public.
 Lunch: Lunch on board in the venue of your choosing. Your options include the various King's Court venues, the Britannia Restaurant, Todd English (at additional cost) or a light lunch at the Boardwalk Cafe if the weather permits.
 Afternoon: Gather with your group for an exclusive cooking demonstration. Afterwards choose from among an array of afternoon activities. You might take Afternoon Tea in the Queen's Room, attend a lecture presented by one of Cunard's guest speakers, view a planetarium show, join a book discussion, participate in an art auction, compete in a bridge tournament, relax in one of the deckchairs and watch the horizon... just to name a few of your activity choices!
 Dinner: Group dinner at 6:00 PM at the Britannina Restaurant, featuring several choices for each course prepared by award-winning chefs. Discuss the next day's itinerary as you dine with your group leader and lecturer. Following dinner you may choose to return to your stateroom and enjoy one of the movies screened on your TV this evening, attend a show in the ship's theater or practice your dance steps in the ballroom (with gentlemen escorts on hand, eager to dance with the single ladies!).
   
Accommodations: Queen Mary II
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: Crossing the Atlantic: Julia's Television Career and the Art of Food Writing
(Saturday, November 2)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on board in the venue of your choosing. Select one of the King's Court dining options on deck 7, go down to the Britannia Restaurant or relax with breakfast in your room as you watch the televised description of today's on board activities.
 Morning: Gather with your group for a lecture by Barbara Haber: Julia's television career led to her status as a superstar. How did this happen?
 Lunch: Lunch on board in the venue of your choosing. Your options include the various King's Court venues, the Britannia Restaurant, Todd English (at additional cost) or a light lunch at the Boardwalk Cafe if the weather permits.
 Afternoon: Gather with your group for a lecture by Barbara Haber: We will discuss some of Julia's subsequent books as well as works by other food writers and talk about the qualities that makes some food writing great. Later this afternoon is your chance to prepare for tomorrow morning's arrival in Southampton and perhaps participate in a few final afternoon activities.
 Dinner: Group dinner at 6:00 PM at the Britannina Restaurant, featuring several choices for each course prepared by award-winning chefs. Discuss the next day's itinerary as you dine with your group leader and lecturer. Following dinner you may choose to return to your stateroom and enjoy one of the movies screened on your TV this evening, attend a show in the ship's theater or practice your dance steps in the ballroom (with gentlemen escorts on hand, eager to dance with the single ladies!).
   
Accommodations: Queen Mary II
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11: Disembark and Transfer to Paris
(Sunday, November 3)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on board in the venue of your choosing. Select one of the King's Court dining options on deck 7, go down to the Britannia Restaurant or relax with breakfast in your room as you watch the televised description of today's on board activities.
 Morning: Join your study leader for a morning lecture. Topic to be announced.
 Lunch: Lunch on board in the venue of your choosing. Your options include the various King's Court venues, the Britannia Restaurant, Todd English (at additional cost) or a light lunch at the Boardwalk Cafe if the weather permits.
 Afternoon: Gather as a group for an afternoon activity. Topic to be announced.
 Dinner: Group dinner at 6:00 PM at the Britannina Restaurant, featuring several choices for each course prepared by award-winning chefs. Discuss the next day's itinerary as you dine with your group leader and lecturer. Following dinner you may choose to return to your stateroom and enjoy one of the movies screened on your TV this evening, attend a show in the ship's theater or practice your dance steps in the ballroom (with gentlemen escorts on hand, eager to dance with the single ladies!).
   
Accommodations: Villa Beaumarchais
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12: A Walk Through Julia's Paris
(Monday, November 4)
   
 Breakfast: Early breakfast on board in the venue of your choosing.
 Morning: Disembark the ship. Board a motorcoach bound for London. As you drive through Hampshire and Surrey a local expert will present an introduction to English history.
 Lunch: Take some time to enjoy lunch on your own before continuing on to France.
 Afternoon: Board the Eurostar train and watch the English and French countryside go by as you travel to Paris.
 Dinner: This evening you will dine at Le Train Bleu, a famous restaurant located in the ornate hall of the Gare de Lyon. The restaurant was built for the Universal Exhibition of 1900; it has been featured in several films and was given historical monument status in 1972 by André Malraux. Since its inauguration by Emile Loubet, the President of the French Republic, on 7th April 1901, customers have been flocking to the restaurant. Regulars have included Coco Chanel, Brigitte Bardot, Jean Cocteau, Salvador Dali and Jean Gabin.
   
Accommodations: Villa Beaumarchais
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 13: Echoes of L'Ecole des Trois Gourmandes: Cooking with Marie-Blanche de Broglie
(Tuesday, November 5)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at the hotel.
 Morning: On your first morning in Paris, gather with your group for a visit to E. Dehillerin, the 19th-century store where Julia shopped for cookware. **PLEASE NOTE: After arrival in Paris most fieldtrips and activities will be done in small groups on a rotating basis. All activities and meals in the itinerary below will be included, but the timing and order will vary. Please do not make any reservations for meals or free time activities without first consulting the Road Scholar Program Department. Your group leader will give you your individual itinerary at orientation in Boston.**
 Lunch: Enjoy lunch together with your group.
 Afternoon: This afternoon, enjoy a culinary demonstration and tasting with Marie Blanche de Broglie, followed by an expert-led tour of Julia and Paul's old neighborhood.
 Dinner: This evening, dine with your group at a traditional French bistro.
   
Accommodations: Villa Beaumarchais
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14: Julia in Rouen: An Opening Up of the Soul and Spirit
(Wednesday, November 6)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at the hotel.
 Morning: This morning you will join your lecturer at her famous Paris cooking school, "La Cuisine de Marie-Blanche," which specializes in the art of entertaining à la Française. In the spirit of "L'Ecole des Trois Gourmands," the school is located in Marie-Blanche's Paris apartment and a warm and personal atmosphere prevails. Practice your skills as a French chef using Juila's recipes. NOTE: Participants will divide into small groups and alternate cooking classes to maximize personal instruction.
 Lunch: Following your hands-on cooking class you will join Marie-Blanche for a traditional seated luncheon composed of the dishes you prepared
 Afternoon: Enjoy some free time to explore Paris on your own. Visit one of the many famous museums, stroll on the Ile de la Cite, or climb to the highest hill in the city for an incredible view from Montmartre's Place du Tertre and beautiful Sacre Coeur.
 Dinner: Dinner on your own to further explore Parisian cuisine. This is your chance to visit one of Julia and Paul's favorite restaurants, which include: Le Grand Véfour, one of the city's most elegant restaurants located next to the Palais Royal; Lapérouse on the Left Bank of the Seine at Place Saint-Michel; Brasserie Lipp on Boulevard Saint-Germain; and La Closerie des Lilas on Boulevard du Montparnasse.
   
Accommodations: Villa Beaumarchais
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 15: Parisian Market Tasting and Le Cordon Bleu
(Thursday, November 7)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at the hotel.
 Morning: Journey north from Paris to discover historic Rouen, best known for its cathedral where Monet explored the effects of changing light through painting and for the martyrdom of Joan of Arc in the city's old market square. Stroll the cobblestoned streets with a local expert and gain a deeper understanding of the history and importance of this medieval river town.
 Lunch: Today you will discover the roots of Juila's passion for French cuisine with lunch at the famous 14th century inn La Couronne. Savor the oysters from Saint Vaast and sole meunière just as Julia and Paul did in 1948, and understand why Julia referred to her meal in Rouen as a culinary revelation and "an opening up of the soul and spirit for me."
 Afternoon: Enjoy a few hours to stroll around the city and perhaps taste some of the cheeses or olives from the market, explore the interior of Rouen's beautiful Renaissance clock tower or study some of the masterpieces at the Musee des Beaux Arts.
 Dinner: Return to Paris in the late afternoon and take the opportunity to have dinner on your own, choosing from among one of the scores of gourmet restaurants or family-owned brasseries that are found on nearly every street in the city.
   
Accommodations: Villa Beaumarchais
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 16: A Final Goodbye to the City of Lights / Farewell Dinner
(Friday, November 8)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at the hotel.
 Morning: This morning visit one of the most vibrant markets in Paris with a local expert who will take you on a culinary journey through the incredible variety of fresh local produce and products. Savor the colors and aromas as you taste regional products and learn about the farmers and artisans who created them. NOTE: Participants will divide into small groups and alternate market visits to allow more contact with the producers and personal instruction from the guide.
 Lunch: If you still have room for lunch, select a few specialties from the market and create a picnic if the weather allows. Dine on crusty bread, homemade cheeses and fresh produce as you sit in the sun and you watch local Parisians go about their day.
 Afternoon: Stroll the hallowed halls of the famous Parisian cooking school Le Cordon Bleu, where Julia developed her skills as a chef. Although the school's location has changed since Julia's days in Paris, the culinary philosophy and methods remain the same. Julia embraced the skills she learned but chose a more passionate and informal approach to teaching in L'Ecole des Trois Gourmands, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, and all of her televised cooking shows.
 Dinner: Dinner in a Parisian home: this is your chance to taste real French home cooking and enjoy an intimate dinner with local residents as you talk about life in Paris. NOTE: Participants will divide into small groups and alternate home-hosted dinners in order to fully enjoy this personal meeting and small dinner setting.
   
Accommodations: Villa Beaumarchais
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 17: A Final Goodbye to the City of Lights / Farewell Dinner
(Saturday, November 9)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at the hotel.
 Morning: This morning gather with your group for a lecture on the cuisine of Normandy with Marie Blanche de Broglie.
 Lunch: Enjoy a final meal on your own in the city followed by some free time.
 Afternoon: Take this final afternoon in Paris to squeeze in a visit to the Louvre, the Musee d'Orsay, the Eiffel Tower or one of the many other museum, monuments and fantastic shops in the city.
 Dinner: Farewell dinner at Les Ombres, the gourmet restaurant on the roof of the Musee du Quai Branly along the Seine. Dine by candlelight under the glass ceiling, designed by the famous French architect Jean Nouvel, as you are treated to a stunning up-close view of the Eiffel Tower.
   
Accommodations: Villa Beaumarchais
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 18: Departures from Paris
(Sunday, November 10)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at the hotel.
 Morning: Group transfers to airport.
   
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


A Moveable Feast


Author: Ernest Hemingway


Description: A treasure for anyone interested in Parisian cafe society and its luminaries circa 1925. Hemingway includes sharp portraits of Gertrude Stein, Ezra Pound, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ford Maddox Ford and others who idled on their way to greatness.



A Traveller's History of Paris


Author: Robert Coles


Description: A fast-moving, short survey of French history with a focus on Paris from its foundation, through the heady days of revolution and up to modern times.



Accounting for Taste, The Triumph of French Cuisine


Author: Priscilla Parkhurst Ferguson


Description: A penetrating look at the evolution of the food of France into "French cuisine," a benchmark for international cooking and shorthand for high culture. Ferguson explores the history and personalities that brought about this revolution in taste.



As Always, Julia


Author: Joan ( Reardon (Editor)


Description: This dishy and delightful, correspondence between America's queen of food, Julia Child, and her confidante and mentor Avis DeVoto.



Between Meals, An Appetite for Paris


Author: A.J. Liebling


Description: Liebling captures with stylish prose his coming-of-age in Paris in this elegant memoir, which is also a tribute to French cuisine.



Dearie, The Remarkable Life of Julia Child


Author: Bob Spitz


Description: On the centenary of her birth, Julia finally gets the biography she richly deserves. An in-depth, intimate narrative, full of fresh information and insights, Dearie is an entertaining, all-out adventure story of one of our most fascinating and beloved figures.



Eyewitness Guide Paris


Author: Eyewitness Guides


Description: Gorgeous, well illustrated and filled with maps, this compact book provides an excellent overview of the French capital, its history, traditions and sights.



Fodor's Boston's 25 Best


Author: Fodor's


Description: A shirt-pocket guide to Boston, this slim book includes an excellent map of the center of the city and essential information on its highlights.



Fodor's Paris' 25 Best


Author: Fodor's


Description: This shirt-pocket map and guide includes essential information on the city's history, highlights and sightseeing, ideal for a short visit to the City of Light.



Julia's Kitchen Wisdom, Essential Techniques and Recipes from a Lifetime of Cooking


Author: Julia Child


Description: All the answers are close to hand in this indispensable little volume: the delicious, comforting, essential compendium of Julia's kitchen wisdom. A book you can't do without.



Lonely Planet French Phrasebook


Author: Marie-Helene Girard, Anny Monet


Description: This handy phrasebook focuses on pronunciation, basic grammar and essential vocabulary for the traveler.



Madame Bovary


Author: Lydia Davis (Translator), Gustave Flaubert


Description: The landmark novel of a woman who suffers in search of relief from her humdrum life in a provincial village outside Rouen.



Mastering the Art of French Cooking


Author: Julia Child


Description: The 40th anniversary edition of Child's hugely influential (and still very instructive) cookbook on preparing authentic French fare -- in American kitchens with American ingredients.



My Life in France


Author: Julia Child


Description: Child's characteristically ebullient record of Paris and Provence, her many friends, family and memorable meals, in the years after WWII, turned into a movie starring Meryl Streep and Stanley Tucci (as husband Paul).



Paris Map


Author: Borch Maps


Description: A sturdy laminated map of the city center at a scale of 1:12,000 and all of Paris at a scale of 1:15,000.



Paris in Mind


Author: Jennifer Lee (Editor)


Description: With selections spanning 300 years, this wonderful anthology reflects America's long connection to Paris and the French. The 30 American writers tapped include Benjamin Franklin, Ernest Hemingway and David Sedaris.



Paris to the Moon


Author: Adam Gopnik


Description: Gopnik writes with candor and humor about Paris and Parisian ways in these charming reflections on adapting to life in glorious exile.



The Food of France


Author: Waverly Root


Description: An evocative and beautifully written survey of French food. First published in 1958 and revised in the mid-1970s, the book covers the important regions of French cuisine by dividing them into domains of Butter (northern France), Fat (Alsace) and Oil (the south).



The North End, A Brief History of Boston's Oldest Neighborhood


Author: Alex R. Goldfeld


Description: A resident of the North End, Goldfeld writes this comprehensive history from an intimate perspective.



The Way to Cook


Author: Julia Child


Description: Julia's culinary classic, admirably clear, handsomely illustrated -- and indispensable.





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