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THE VIP EXPERIENCE They say it’s not what you know, it’s WHO you know. After years of diligent research, it took a very short time to appreciate the difference it makes when an expert opens the doors. For the last five years, I’ve been on a continuous search for experts to cater to the VIP traveller in France. Run of the mill guides were not an option, so assembling a team suitable for the most demanding VIP clients has been a challenge. I’m very proud of the wonderful colleagues I have been able to involve in this unique project.
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VIP'S USE EXPERT GUIDES BECAUSE -VIP's DON'T WASTE TIME. With an expert the VIP traveler is free of the stresses involved with waiting in lines, getting lost and seeing things that don’t interest them. VIP’s ARE IN THE KNOW. They employ the best people - top experts with specialist knowledge - because they: make the experience more meaningful, know the options available and how to access them, adapt to unforeseen circumstances or interests. Experts can eliminate the language barrier and open avenues for exploration. VIP’s DON'T FOLLOW THE HERD. One size doesn’t fit all. They prefer tailor-made tours where their own specific interests can be explored with personal attention and immediate feedback. They don’t have to compromise. They enjoy private visits and complete flexibility. |
YOUR PARIS VIP EXPERIENCETo make the VIP program more accessible, we have devised a special “degustation menu”. Each module is around two hours ( 10 am to midday or 2 pm to 4 pm) and the modules can be booked back to back or extended (i.e. Medieval Paris - Right Bank can be booked in the morning and paired with Medieval Paris - Left Bank in the afternoon). All tours are private. (Minimum of 2 people, maximum of 6 people). Museum entries and transport where applicable are additional. |
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DEGUSTATION MENU |
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HISTORY French Travel Boutique specialises in French history, therefore some popular tour options include the history of Paris. We can start with Paris in Roman times and then trace the shift in settlement from the Ile de la Cité and the Left Bank to the development of the Right Bank as the commercial hub of the city in medieval times. We discover the Parisian royal residences including the Conciergerie and the medieval Louvre. Other history tour options might include visits to many medieval vestiges that are situated around the city, especially in the historic Marais or the rich collection of the Museum of the Middle Ages. Former aristocratic residences on both the Right Bank and Left Bank make a delightful itinerary for a walking tour. Another popular theme is to follow the life of any one of the many celebrities of French history. |
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ARTArt tours can focus on specific interests or artists. Impressionism is one of the most popular themes with options including the Musee d’Orsay, Orangerie, or a guided tour through Montmartre in the footsteps of the Impressionists. Claude Monet's garden in Giverny is also a favorite. Other suggested tours outside Paris are Auvers-sur-Oise, with the Impressionism spectacle and Van Gogh’s Tomb. Modern and Contemporary Art tours can also be organized. These could include a private tour of La Ruche with a resident artist. A visit to Paris' many new art galleries or auction houses is also available. |
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ARCHITECTUREJust as Paris has multiple layers of history the same can be said of its architecture. With a VIP expert you can discover hidden details in the many buildings, bridges, avenues, parks and hotels situated around Paris. These may include being able to recognize the various styles of architecture or understanding Haussmann’s redesign of Paris. Tours can include famous monuments or a series of former aristocratic residences (Corbusier’s Villa Savoye at Poissy and Mansart’s Château at Maisons-Laffitte. |
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GASTRONOMY AND ELEGANT DININGHow did the Royal family dine? Gain insight into the "savoir faire" of sophisticated entertaining and the Arts de la Table past or present. Visit various Châteaux kitchens and discover what dining was like as an aristocrat. Learn about the history of Sevres porcelain and see some of the finest examples. Enjoy afternoon tea with enthusiastic collectors who will share their knowledge and show you their wonderful collection of 18th century tableware including porcelain, silverware and crystal. Join our resident gastronomy expert on a mouthwatering tour of the best gourmet shopping areas and specialty shops. |
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OPERA, BALLET AND CLASSICAL MUSICBallet in France dates back to the early 16th and 17th centuries. Even the King (Louis XIV) was known to perform! Our expert guide will help you discover the history of ballet in Paris with a private tour of Opera Garnier. Our Classical Music expert can take you on a tour of Paris in Chopin's footsteps. Information on events and performances can be arranged as well. |
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GARDENS OF PARISThe diversity of gardens in and around Paris allows for numerous possibilities. You may be interested in learning the history behind the gardens of former royal residences, such as Tuileries, Luxembourg and Parc Monceau, while at the same time discovering hidden treasures there. We can also show you the unexpected, often stunning gardens tucked behind the former aristocratic residences or the "secret" small gardens used by locals who want some quiet time out. If you are a keen gardener, we have a professor of garden design who can accompany you. There are a number of options on the outskirts of Paris, including a visit of the King's vegetable garden at Versailles. |
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LIFESTYLEWant to feel like a Parisian? As VIP we can organise practical info for your stay so that you can get settled and feel comfortable in your surroundings. Master public transport, grocery shop and plan your itinerary. Our local residents will tailor a tour to suit your interests. Shopping on the Left Bank, mastering the department stores, finding the big name designers or the up and coming new labels, decorator shops, antique shops - the choice is yours. Our food expert can show you options for dining, whether it is finding the local street markets, nearby gourmet shops and traiteurs, supermarkets or great local restaurants and cafes near your hotel or apartment. |
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FRENCH INTERIORSFind the finest furnishing fabrics, antique and specialist interiors boutiques. We'll help you work out your own personalised shopping map of Paris. If you'd like to see the antique auctions or flea markets, our expert can take you. Learn about French decor styles and see the best displays of fully furnished rooms from various periods. Discover little known gems in museums you've never heard of, with wonderful private collections. See more options on our "Paris Interiors" pages, including ideas for short visits outside Paris, such as Napoleon and Josephine's private residence on the outskirts of Paris with its superb collection of Empire furnishing. |
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VIP OVERNIGHT STAYS |
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LOIRE VALLEY Our resident expert can take you on a private, tailor-made tour of the most beautiful and historically significant Loire châteaux and their gardens, including Chenonceau, Chambord, Blois, Amboise, Villandry. |
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FIT FOR A KING Combine a visit to Versailles with a visit to the site of Louis XIV’s favorite getaway at Marly-le-Roi where you can have lunch in the old village. Stay overnight in the fabulous Trianon Palace Hotel overlooking the park of Versailles or where the Sun King was born at St-Germain-en-Laye. |
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PRIVATE LIVES Enjoy a private visit of the newly restored historic kitchens of a privately owned château and be the guest of a French historian in her private home (18th century). It’s a rare opportunity to understand the unique lifestyle combining the past and present. |
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BATTLEFIELDS Guided visits of the Somme, Normandy or Western Front and . See the Battlefields section of this website for more ideas. |
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CHAMPAGNE, WINE AND GASTRONOMY TOURS Can be made to measure. |
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IMPRESSIONISM Itineraries include Giverny, Rouen, Honfleur and Provence and are made to measure. See the Impressionists section of this website for more ideas. |
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Vanessa Medieval Historian, Childrens’ program Vanessa is a Sorbonne graduate with a degree in classics and history. She is a specialist in medieval history and does a wonderful tour on the daily lives of the French Kings in the Middle Ages. Thanks to her passion for both travel and books, she has set up a publishing business specializing in original tours combining History and fiction, often bringing the story alive with the use of actors. She also does wonderful original guided tours especially for children. Her story telling ability brings the French Heritage alive. |
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Danièle Historian, Art History Parisian born Danièle is a graduate of the École du Louvre, Institut supérieur des Arts (specializing in furniture, silverware and jewelry and the École du Tourisme. Danièle lectures in both Paris and the US (subjects such as “The secrets of the Mona Lisa” or “From Academism to Impressionism”) and specializes in cultural tourism. She takes private tours in the Louvre and other museums and various quartiers of Paris - she is also part of the Paris 1 to 8 team. Danièle’s love of French history and vast experience make her a wonderful guide for discovering the hidden secrets of Paris. |
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Ute French Decorative Arts Ute is an MBA and Fulbright scholar, who switched careers from finance to Fine Arts. She holds a post-graduate diploma from Christie’s Education, Paris and gives lectures on French Decorative Arts specializing in the18th and 19th centuries. She is an expert on ceramics, fashion, furniture and textiles during the Empire period and does private guided tours of the Sèvres and Christofle museums. Other fascinating tours include elegant dining, furniture and objets arts of the 18th century. |
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Annie Culture, Architecture Annie is Parisian born and has degrees from Sciences Po and the agrégation in English. She was the foundation director of Creipac, the institution in Noumea which developed into the Université du Pacifique-Sud. For the past 25 years, Annie has been a partner in a company which creates educational and school tours in France, as well as cultural and themed courses and tours, mainly for overseas universities. She is an expert on French politics as well as French history and architecture and she is one of the experts working on Paris 1 to 8. |
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David French Language Born and educated in England, David was a Professor of French at universities in Australia and New Zealand whose academic achievements were honoured by the French government in 1980 as a Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques. Since 1984 he has been the Administrative head of the company he founded with Annie. He travels extensively in France and is an expert on wine and gastronomy, as well as organ, opera and film. A session with David learning to decipher French menus is a must for tourists wanting the experience the best of French gourmet cuisine. |
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Martine Versailles, Opera House Martine is a graduate in History and urban geography. A former ballet journalist, she lectures in Ballet History and is an expert guide at the Opera Garnier in Paris. Martine lives in Versailles and does superb private visits of the Château, gardens and Marie-Antoinette’s domain. She also offers private tours of the King’s vegetable gardens at Versailles (with food tasting of the products) and the Academy of Equestrian Arts where horse lovers can learn all about their unique history at Versailles. For chocoholics, Martine also does private lectures about chocolate. |
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Brian French Language Brian is the former head of French at the University in Auckland and he has been teaching French and visiting France since gaining his doctorate from the Sorbonne in 1970. He is French language coach for Opera NZ and has produced a DVD on Sounding French, as well as other visual and teaching materials. He now spends a large proportion of his time in France where he has an apartment and was recently made a Chevalier des Palmes Academiques for his contribution to the teaching of French. His unique methods produce a quantum leap in confidence and pronunciation and a short session with him is the perfect start to brush up your French (whatever your level!) at the start of your Paris trip. |
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Michèle Modern and contemporary art Michèle is a fine arts specialist who buys on behalf of clients around the world. She is also a Fulbright scholar, MFA Pratt Institute for Design in New York and has a post graduate Masters from l’Ecole Nationale Supérieure du Paysage at Versailles, which makes her an expert in garden design. Michèle specializes in modern and contemporary art and knows the Paris scene intimately. In addition, she is an accomplished artist in her own right who has an atelier at La Ruche. |
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Marie-Anne Opera and Classical Music Marie-Anne’s background is in tourism, but she now devotes a large part of her time to her passion for music, having completed studies at la Cité de la Musique in Paris and the University of Nantes. Although she is a specialist in the music of the Baroque period, she subscribes to all the concerts of chamber music, l’ONPL (symphony orchestra), Opera Garnier, Châtelet, l’Opéra Comique, Théâtre des Champs-Elysées and l’Opéra de Nantes. She has also worked in an art gallery and, just for something different, Mare-Anne is also a great guide for a visit of the flea markets! |
