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France

Paris at a Slower Pace: Art & Culture in the City of Light

Program No. 22235RJ
Only Paris is Paris. Enjoy an easy-paced discovery as you join local experts to learn about the museums, art, architecture and renowned cuisine that make this city one-of-a-kind.

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Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone? 800-454-5768
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Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Mar 22 - Mar 30, 2024
Starting at
3,249
Filling Fast!
Apr 5 - Apr 13, 2024
Starting at
3,499
Apr 19 - Apr 27, 2024
Starting at
3,499
May 3 - May 11, 2024
Starting at
3,549
May 10 - May 18, 2024
Starting at
3,549
Filling Fast!
May 17 - May 25, 2024
Starting at
3,549
Aug 30 - Sep 7, 2024
Starting at
3,549
Sep 6 - Sep 14, 2024
Starting at
3,549
Sep 20 - Sep 28, 2024
Starting at
3,549
Oct 4 - Oct 12, 2024
Starting at
3,549
Oct 11 - Oct 19, 2024
Starting at
3,549
Oct 18 - Oct 26, 2024
Starting at
3,549
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Mar 22 - Mar 30, 2024
Starting at
3,939
Filling Fast!
Apr 5 - Apr 13, 2024
Starting at
4,379
Apr 19 - Apr 27, 2024
Starting at
4,379
May 3 - May 11, 2024
Starting at
4,569
May 10 - May 18, 2024
Starting at
4,569
May 17 - May 25, 2024
Starting at
4,569
Aug 30 - Sep 7, 2024
Starting at
4,569
Sep 6 - Sep 14, 2024
Starting at
4,569
Sep 20 - Sep 28, 2024
Starting at
4,569
Oct 4 - Oct 12, 2024
Starting at
4,569
Oct 11 - Oct 19, 2024
Starting at
4,569
Oct 18 - Oct 26, 2024
Starting at
4,429

At a Glance

From the spires of Notre Dame to the masterpieces of the Louvre, discover the cultural treasures of Paris at a leisurely pace that allows you to savor your discoveries. View artwork by the masters at some of the world’s finest museums, stroll the Latin Quarter alongside students at the nearby Sorbonne and get a taste of life as a Parisian at street-side cafes and at an open- air market. Experience extraordinary full days exploring the “City of Light” via motorcoach, accompanied by local experts and enhanced with in-depth lectures. Discover the best of Paris at your own pace.
Activity Level
On Your Feet
Walking up to 2 miles per day and standing up to 2 hours; cobblestone streets and uneven terrain. Looking for the same great program but more challenging? Check out "Independent Paris: People, Places, Culture" (#10034).
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

Best of all, you’ll…

  • A local Road Scholar expert introduces you to the medieval art and architecture of Paris as you explore Sainte-Chapelle and Notre Dame on Île de la Cite.
  • Examine and discuss the art of Paris at the Musee d’Orsay, Rodin Museum and the Louvre.
  • Explore the elegant Palais Royal and stroll the famed Rue Saint-Honoré.

General Notes

You may be interested in a more active version of this program, "Independent Paris: People, Places, Culture" (#10034). Current Events in Paris: Due to the fire at Notre Dame, the cathedral is closed to visitors. Road Scholar programs that visit île de la Cité will be able to see the outside of the cathedral, but we will not be able to go inside.
Featured Expert
All Experts
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Agathe Godard
Originally from La Rochelle, France, Agathe has always been fascinated by foreign cultures. She directed her studies towards international art, history and literature and received her bachelor’s after studying in Spain and the U.S. She led groups in every corner of France before becoming a full-time instructor at Versailles. She quickly fell in love with Paris—its way of life, architecture and history. Agathe has a soft spot for the Middle Ages and the Belle Époque’s arts, so she loves to explore Paris' neighborhoods and museums.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Agathe Godard
Agathe Godard View biography
Originally from La Rochelle, France, Agathe has always been fascinated by foreign cultures. She directed her studies towards international art, history and literature and received her bachelor’s after studying in Spain and the U.S. She led groups in every corner of France before becoming a full-time instructor at Versailles. She quickly fell in love with Paris—its way of life, architecture and history. Agathe has a soft spot for the Middle Ages and the Belle Époque’s arts, so she loves to explore Paris' neighborhoods and museums.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
The Most Beautiful Walk in the World: A Pedestrian in Paris
by John Baxter
Australian critic and writer Baxter draws on his second career as a literary tour guide in his adopted city for this witty memoir, laced with terrific tales.
F is for France: A Curious Cabinet of French Wonders
by Piu Eatwell
An alphabetized catalogue of quirky French culture and history tidbits.
Paris Noir: African Americans in the City of Light
by Tyler Stovall
A history of black Americans who settled in Paris, France, from 1900 to the present.
Murder in the Marais
by Cara Black
Literate and thrilling, with a strong sense of the geography and flavor of Paris, the first in a series of mysteries starring Aimee Ledoc shows off the French-American detective's wit and wile. The series continues with Murder in Belleville (FRN562), Murder in the Sentier (FRN563) and many more.
A Moveable Feast
by Ernest Hemingway
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
by Robert Coles
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.
My Life in France
by Julia Child
The touching and famous story of Julia Child in France, where she learned to cook and fell in love with French cuisine, all in her own words.
The Food & Wine of France: Eating & Drinking from Champagne to Provence
by Edward Behr
Behr seeks out the best of French food, in encounters from Champagne to Provence, to tell the stories of French artisans and chefs who work at the highest level. He shares what he learns from these experts on French traditions and how to best enjoy this food.
The Hotel Majestic
by Georges Simenon
The most famous fictional detective in France, Maigret, tackles a case in the heart of Paris.
How Paris Became Paris: The Invention of the Modern City
by Joan DeJean
A captivating history of the growth, design, and planning of Paris, telling the story of how the modern city came to be.
Markets of Paris
by Dixon Long & Marjorie Williams
An in-depth guide to the best markets in Paris. Dive into the heart of French culture and navigate the markets like a local with maps, tips, and handy phrases.
The Secret Life of the Seine
by Mort Rosenblum
After losing his Paris apartment, Rosenblum, a born storyteller, takes to a houseboat moored on the Seine. The result is this entertaining tour of the places and people he encounters during his explorations along the river.
Lonely Planet French Phrasebook
by Marie-Helene Girard, Anny Monet
This handy phrasebook focuses on pronunciation, basic grammar and essential vocabulary for the traveler.
The Flaneur: A Stroll through the Paradoxes of Paris
by Edmund White
A 'flaneur' is a stroller, a loiterer, someone who ambles through city streets in search of adventure and fulfillment. Edmund White, who lived in Paris for sixteen years, wanders through the streets and avenues and along the quays, into parts of Paris virtually unknown to visitors and indeed to many Parisians.
Paris Pratique Par Arrondissement
by Atlas Indispensable
This pocket atlas contains detailed maps of every neighborhood in Paris, as well as details about bus and metro stops.
The New Paris
by Lindsey Tramuta
Move past the clichés and learn about what makes up Paris today. Explore the open-minded sensibility, diverse populations, and hidden corners of The New Paris.





Important registration tip:
If you want to attend the live lecture, please do not wait until the last minute to enroll.
If you enroll after a lecture is complete, we’ll send you a recording of the event.