Paris Artists & Authors, Yesterday & Today

After settling into the elegant left bank Hotel Le Recamier named after Juliette Recamier, the hostess and muse of Revolutionary Paris, we’ll meet at 7pm for a welcome drink and introductions before heading to dinner at Le Pré Aux Clercs, a short walk from the hotel.

The Female Artists of Paris 

We shall begin our week together with a visit to the Comité Jacqueline Marval to see the exclusive collection of the artist, Apollinaire called her “one of the most remarkable artists of our time."

Lunch will be at La Boite Aux Lettres for a quintessential Montmartre lunch on Rue Lepic where artists from Van Gogh to Degas once lived. 

After lunch we’ll take a stroll back in time through Montmartre ending at the Musée de Montmartre. The museum is where many of the artists lived and painted including Renoir and Suzanne Valadon whose studio is still intact. Walk into her life and get a glimpse into the 19th century. 

Working up a thirst we can enjoy an early apero at the relaxing private hidden Hotel Particulier which will be followed by an early dinner at the Moulin de la Galette, immortalized on canvas by many an artist.

Hemingway in Paris & Saint Germain des Prés

In the roaring 20's, Paris was considered the cultural capital of the world. Artists and writers flocked to the city from all over the world, including celebrated American writer Ernest Hemingway. Today our guide will take you on a journey through literary Paris with Hemingway as our guide. We will learn about a wide range of artists, writers, and thinkers in Hemingway's circle including Fitzgerald, Picasso, Pound, Matisse, and the inimitable Gertrude Stein. Hemingway loved the outdoors which provided him with moments of reflection and connection to the community. Together we will trace his path and begin to better understand his life as a Parisian.

Afterwards we will enjoy lunch at an authentic and wonderful French restaurant Chez Fernand, nestled in the historic Odéon area. The small family-owned restaurant is steep in all the classic French dishes. 

We are in the shadows of the great Romantic artist Éugene Delacroix and so we’ll visit his small museum that resides in his former home and atelier which marked the final years of his life while he worked on the frescos in Saint Sulpice. Afterwards, we will visit the stunning church that holds said frescos as well as so much history. 

For our cocktail hour, we’ll visit one of the hottest places in Paris, once beloved by Anthony Bourdain, the small but mighty L’Avant Comptoir de la Terre. Created by Yves Camdeborde as a way to enjoy a glass of wine or small plate. 

The rest of the night is yours; we will give you a few nearby spots for a casual dinner.

The New Artists of Paris 

On day 4 we’ll step into the atelier of Alison Grace Koehler. Alison is a poet, stained glass artist, and vibrant member of the Parisian artistic community. Mixing poetry into her stained glass gives it a fresh new take on the age-old art that once was only seen in churches and cathedrals.

For lunch, we will dine at the casual artsy French Brasserie L’Arrosoir beneath the Coulée Verse René-Dumont walkway that inspired the High Line in New York.

From the past to the artists of today, we will visit painter Stephanie McKenzie who is just one member of an eight-level atelier Le 100 Establishment a community of painters and artists.

After a proper French sieste, we will head right back tonight to dine at Willi’s Wine Bar near the Palais Royal. Willi’s is one of the first wine bars in Paris, opening in 1980. A personal favorite, the food is fantastic, the wine list is long and the atmosphere and staff are charming.

The Impressionists that changed the art scene

We’ll start the day viewing impressionists' art in the morning light of the upper floor of the Musée d’Orsay. Monet, Degas, and their friends shook the art world back in the day pulling it out of its classical realist tracks. 

From one beautiful piece of art to another we’ll enjoy a classic and amazing crepe at Breizh Cafe before venturing through the Jardin du Luxembourg with our very own artist Krystal teaching you all the best tips and tricks when taking photos in Paris on 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 in French history. 

Relax in the garden or back at the Hotel Recamier before we venture over to the shadows of Notre Dame to the classic Chez Julien for dinner. If you love profiteroles and homemade chocolate sauce, this is your heaven.

The great artists that still inspire today 

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 front of a canvas copying these masters. Manet, Morisot, Valadon, and many more learned how to paint from the artists that came before them. We’ll explore many of these paintings and treasures on our 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 and delicious Croque Madame and some of the nicest servers in Paris. 

Take the afternoon off for some shopping, rest, or take a walk through the lovely Palais Royal before we meet for dinner.

Our last meal will be a celebratory dinner with a view to die for as we roll down the Seine on the famed chef Alain Ducasse’s floating restaurant. The Eiffel Tower sparkles for us as we talk about the discoveries and new memories we made during this magical week in Paris.

Breakfast and depart

“America is my country, but Paris is my home” Gertrude Stein. Paris lives on in the hearts of everyone who has visited. After a morning cafe and croissant, we will bid you adieu or better still à bientôt.