Paris Match: Clay Courts and City Lights

Bonjour Paris! Fly into Paris (either Charles de Gaulle or Orly airport) on May 29th. If you're flying to Paris overnight, consider arriving a day early to rest and adjust to the local time. Either way, grab a taxi or Uber from the airport into the city. They are clean and safe, and plentiful. 

We're staying at the exquisite 9Confidentiel. Take the afternoon to unpack and settle into your room. We've arranged optional appointments at the nearby Codage Spa for those who would like to be pampered.

We’ll gather at 6 pm for a welcome drink to set the tone for the journey ahead, then head to dinner at Vin de Pyrenees, a cozy bistro serving old-world cuisine alongside a curated cocktail menu.  

After breakfast, we'll head out on a walking tour of the charming Marais neighborhood with a wonderful local guide. It's one of the oldest neighborhoods in Paris, and our guide will regale us with stories of times past as we stroll by historic mansions and gorgeous parks. 

Lunch today will be at the laid-back Breizh Cafe, a charming neighborhood spot that locals adore.  

After lunch, our journey continues with some free time for shopping. The Marais district offers some of the most charming and eclectic shopping in Paris, where independent boutiques, vintage shops, and high-dollar designers line cobblestone streets. It's a paradise for those who love style with a story.

Later in the evening, we'll reconvene in the lobby for an evening of wine and charcuterie at Le Santé Bonheur. This charming wine bar is well-loved by locals, and we'll enjoy a curated wine tasting and heavy snacks. 

Following dinner, we're in for a treat. A short walk brings us to the Dome des Invalides for an immersive sound and light show. We don't want to spoil it too much, but trust us, it's a sensory dream.

After breakfast, we'll catch a taxi to the Parfums Galimard boutique. Here, a trained perfumer will guide us through the technique of creating our perfect fragrance. With 126 different aromas to mix and match, each of us will walk away with a unique scent that will always remind us of Paris. 

We'll have lunch at Le Verrière under the glass roof of a beautiful modern atrium in the middle of the iconic InterContinental Paris hotel. 

We're in for a treat this afternoon on a guided tour of Musee Jacquemart-André. Édouard André and Nélie Jacquemart turned their private mansion into a showcase of the finest 18th-century art, and we're lucky enough to get an inside look. 

Take some time to relax at the hotel this evening before we walk over to our dinner reservation at Passionné. This moody, minimalist eatery has rightfully earned its spot in the Michelin Guide for its elegantly created French cuisine.

After breakfast, we'll explore the Gustave Moreau Museum, the former residence and studio of the esteemed artist. Immerse yourself in Moreau's world on this guided tour. His captivating artworks, adorning the walls, offer insight into his life and creative process. 

We'll savor lunch at Maison Pinsa, a charming Italian eatery serving Roman-style pizza with a modern twist. 

In the afternoon, we'll take a historical walking tour of Montmartre, the vibrant 18th arrondissement, renowned for its artistic flair. As the day draws to a close, we'll gather on the steps of Sacre Coeur to witness the mesmerizing sunset over the city.

Dinner tonight will be a bespoke wine, cheese, and small plate tasting right in Doni's home! What a treat to end another beautiful day in Paris. 

Tennis enthusiasts can take part in a 1.5-hour GSTT clinic this morning at the Tennis Club de Paris, playing on the legendary Terre Battue clay courts - the same surface used at Roland-Garros! The session blends instructional drills with open play and is led by expert coaches. 

After an energizing workout, we'll relax with a light brunch overlooking the red clay courts. Equipment is provided, but please bring tennis shoes and appropriate attire. There are locker rooms to freshen up and change in before we meet up with the rest of the group for our next morning activity.

If you’re not joining the tennis clinic, take a slow morning to relax or stroll around the neighborhood, perhaps finding a quaint coffee shop to settle into. 

Once we reconvene as a group, we'll meet Patricia Salabi, a native English speaker captivated by the City of Light after more than 30 years in the city, for a private literary tour. With her as our guide, we’ll wander through the storied streets of the Latin Quarter, uncovering the cafés, corners, and histories once frequented by the likes of Hemingway, Stein, and Baldwin.

All of that exploring has probably made us hungry! Let's head to Chanceux for a caffeine pick-me-up and lunch. This quaint cafe is the perfect neighborhood hotspot for relaxing and people-watching. 

We'll split into two smaller groups to keep the experience more intimate as we tour the newly restored Notre-Dame Cathedral. We'll get an up-close look at the intricate stained glasswork of the famous Rose Windows, admire the stunning French Gothic architecture, and revel in the grandeur of the iconic landmark. 

Dinner is just a short walk away at Bar des Maillets d’Argents, a cozy bar that's been serving delicious food and drinks since the 1930s in a 400-year-old building. But first, let's sip on an apéritif at a rooftop bar, Bonnie, overlooking the Seine, Notre-Dame de Paris, and the Île Saint-Louis. What a treat! 

Savor breakfast at the hotel before we gather just after 9 am for a short drive to Elaine Sciolino's humble abode for a guided stroll along the Rue de Martyrs, a bustling street filled with trendy boutiques and cafes that still maintain their historic charm. 

Elaine is a contributing writer and former Paris bureau chief for The New York Times, and has lived in Paris since 2002. It'd be hard to find a better person to show us around this lively arrondissement.

We'll head to Les Canailles for lunch around midday, an authentic French eatery with an old-school feel that's been recommended by the Michelin guide. 

Take this afternoon to relax and unwind. Hang out at the hotel, pop into your favorite boutiques around Marais, or maybe head to the nearby Codage spa for an optional treatment (at an additional cost). 

We'll set off on a culinary adventure tonight, dining at a Corsican restaurant called L'Alivi. Corsica is a small island off the coast of France, known for its unique blend of French and Italian cuisines with an island twist.

Today's the day we've all been waiting for!

The French Open, played at Roland-Garros Stadium in Paris, is one of four major tennis championships and the only "major" played on clay. While the world watches from afar, we'll be there in person!

Our Category 1 tickets to the ladies’ semi-finals include access to L'Orangerie, a 19th-century greenhouse beautifully converted to a VIP hospitality venue, just steps from Center Court Philippe-Chatrier. We'll enjoy a delicious Parisian sit-down lunch and an open bar.

We'll watch the women's semi-finals, but you must also explore the outer courts to see the world's best tennis players compete.

After a fantastic full day at the French Open, we'll return to the hotel to rest before we gather for a light dinner and farewell drinks at JaJa Bistro. 

It's time to say au revoir to Paris and our new friends!

After breakfast, our hotel can help you arrange a taxi to the airport (or you can Uber) for your flight home. Until we meet again...