Paris and Countryside Palaces: The Ultimate French Escape

Soak it all in at the Musée d'Orsay, a former Beaux-Arts railway station transformed into a stunning showcase of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces.

The Musée d'Orsay, housed in an elegantly converted railway station, offers a world-renowned collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art, featuring works by masters like Monet, Van Gogh, and Renoir. Its unique architecture, with grand clocks and sweeping galleries, complements the diverse array of sculptures, paintings, and decorative arts on display. A visit to the Musée d'Orsay is not just a tour of art history, but an immersive experience in a space where the past and present merge beautifully.

Let your vision swim with Monet's Water Lilies and other Impressionist artwork at the Musée de l'Orangerie

The Musée de l'Orangerie, nestled in a corner of the Tuileries Gardens, exhibits the stunning "Water Lilies" series by Claude Monet. This series of large-scale paintings, designed specifically for the two oval rooms they inhabit, offers an immersive experience into Monet's impressionist vision of his garden at Giverny. Beyond Monet, the museum boasts the Jean Walter and Paul Guillaume collection, featuring masterpieces by renowned artists such as Renoir, Cézanne, Matisse, Picasso, and Modigliani.

Tuileries Gardens & Nearby Museums

Stroll in the Tuileries and attend one of the nearby museums, a classic way to spend your free hours in Paris. Originally cultivated in 1564 as the grounds for the Tuileries Palace, the gardens are the oldest in Paris. Its succession of royal owners ended and the garden became a public park in the 19th century; Parisians congregated to relax and socialize beside the fountains and leafy horse chestnut trees - they still do today. The Musée de l'Orangerie, in the Western corner of the gardens, exhibits many Impressionist and 20th-century artworks, including Claude Monet’s famous water lilies.

Relax in the beautiful Tuileries Gardens, an oasis of manicured landscapes and historic statues in the heart of Paris.

The Tuileries Gardens, located next to the Louvre Museum, offer a peaceful retreat amidst the bustling city. Originally created as the royal gardens for the Tuileries Palace in the 16th century, they represent a classic example of French garden design. Visitors can marvel at the array of statues, including works by Rodin and Maillol, stroll along its perfectly aligned trees and flowerbeds, and enjoy panoramic views of the Seine and the Eiffel Tower.

Paris Highlights Walking Tour

Embark on a captivating 4-hour walking tour of the center of Paris, the City of Lights, where history and modernity blend seamlessly along its enchanting streets. Starting from Odette Pastry Shop (77 Rue Galande), you will explore the heart of this dynamic city and learn how to navigate Paris as a local.

Paris Highlights Walking Tour

Embark on a captivating 4-hour walking tour of the center of Paris, the City of Lights, where history and modernity blend seamlessly along its enchanting streets. Starting from Odette Pastry Shop (77 Rue Galande), you will explore the heart of this dynamic city and learn how to navigate Paris as a local.

Paris Highlights Walking Tour

Embark on a captivating 4-hour walking tour of the center of Paris, the City of Lights, where history and modernity blend seamlessly along its enchanting streets. Starting from Odette Pastry Shop (77 Rue Galande), you will explore the heart of this dynamic city and learn how to navigate Paris as a local.

Paris Highlights Walking Tour

Embark on a captivating 4-hour walking tour of the center of Paris, the City of Lights, where history and modernity blend seamlessly along its enchanting streets. Starting from Odette Pastry Shop (77 Rue Galande), you will explore the heart of this dynamic city and learn how to navigate Paris as a local.

Imagine living like the "peasants" here?

Desiring something different, Queen Marie Antoinette had a hamlet erected where she could supervise servants milking cows, tending pigs, collecting eggs from chickens.  She dressed down to play her part, but apparently never got her hands dirty, as far as we know.  Her peasant cottage only had two living rooms, a billiard room, a dining hall, and a library.  If you are accustomed to palaces, only two living rooms is roughing it.  Lest the queen got tired of it all, she could return to the Petit Trianon, a beautiful chateau built on the grounds of the Grand Trianon, which was the retreat chateau built on the grounds of the Palace of Versailles, which was a retreat from the Louvre Palace in Paris.

Feel like a king, feel like a queen, hopefully you'll feel good looking out across the park

The Parc de Versailles, features some 800 hectares of manicured lawns, stunning fountains, and the Grand Canal, all masterminded by André Le Nôtre. Highlights include the Neptune and Apollo Fountains, the Trianon Palaces, and the Queen's Hamlet. This vast garden symbolizes royal power, but you are welcomed to enjoy yourself on these pleasure grounds.

Palace of Versailles

The Château of Versailles, a symbol of the grandeur of French monarchy, invites visitors to explore its lavish history and architectural majesty. From the spellbinding elegance of the Hall of Mirrors, where the Treaty of Versailles was signed, to the vast, meticulously manicured Gardens the pinnacle of French garden design, every corner tells a story of opulence and power. Discover the intimate escapes of royalty at the Grand and Petit Trianon, and marvel at the divine beauty of the Royal Chapel, a masterpiece of Baroque architecture.

There are palaces, and then there is Versailles...

Enlarged by for Emperor Louis XIV as an escape from the dreary political tension of Paris, Versailles might have been the most luxurious palace in the world.  Even now, the building stuptifies with its grandeur and elegance, a stunning representation of the French monarchy's opulence. The famous Hall of Mirrors is just one of many, many (2300!)  stunning rooms, only a small percentage of which are open for display.  It might be too much, or one visit might never be enough.

Louvre Museum

It might be the greatest art museum in the world; it certainly is the largest with over 380,000 objects; to view every single one for even a minute apiece would take 75 days.  And those descriptions still don't do the building and its collection justice. Marvel at treasures inside, including Leonardo Da Vinci's mysterious woman, the Mona Lisa, and everything from an Egyptian masterpiece of mummification to the famed Hellenistic sculpture, Venus de Milo, to patriotic French masterpieces like Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People. Although the Louvre is vast and ever-crowded, with some strategy and a few helpful tips your visit will take in maximum artworks with minimal hassle.

Louvre Museum

It might be the greatest art museum in the world; it certainly is the largest with over 380,000 objects; to view every single one for even a minute apiece would take 75 days.  And those descriptions still don't do the building and its collection justice. Marvel at treasures inside, including Leonardo Da Vinci's mysterious woman, the Mona Lisa, and everything from an Egyptian masterpiece of mummification to the famed Hellenistic sculpture, Venus de Milo, to patriotic French masterpieces like Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People. Although the Louvre is vast and ever-crowded, with some strategy and a few helpful tips your visit will take in maximum artworks with minimal hassle.

Louvre Museum

It might be the greatest art museum in the world; it certainly is the largest with over 380,000 objects; to view every single one for even a minute apiece would take 75 days.  And those descriptions still don't do the building and its collection justice. Marvel at treasures inside, including Leonardo Da Vinci's mysterious woman, the Mona Lisa, and everything from an Egyptian masterpiece of mummification to the famed Hellenistic sculpture, Venus de Milo, to patriotic French masterpieces like Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People. Although the Louvre is vast and ever-crowded, with some strategy and a few helpful tips your visit will take in maximum artworks with minimal hassle.

Louvre Museum

It might be the greatest art museum in the world; it certainly is the largest with over 380,000 objects; to view every single one for even a minute apiece would take 75 days.  And those descriptions still don't do the building and its collection justice. Marvel at treasures inside, including Leonardo Da Vinci's mysterious woman, the Mona Lisa, and everything from an Egyptian masterpiece of mummification to the famed Hellenistic sculpture, Venus de Milo, to patriotic French masterpieces like Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People. Although the Louvre is vast and ever-crowded, with some strategy and a few helpful tips your visit will take in maximum artworks with minimal hassle.

The Grass is greener at Chateau de Chantilly...

A day-trip to Château de Chantilly offers the elegant repose of this venerable chateau, far from the bustle of Paris, and includes the Condé Museum, renowned for its extensive art collection, featuring works by Raphael, Botticelli, and Poussin. Visitors can explore opulent chambers and wander through immaculate gardens that celebrate both rational and primal sensibilities.

Experience the grandeur of the Grand Stables of Chantilly, a testament to France's equestrian heritage and architectural prowess.

The stables were commissioned by the Prince of Condé, who according to legend wanted to build the perfect new home for himself when he was reincarnated as a horse. They are a masterpiece of 18th-century architecture, and are among the largest and most luxurious stables in the world. They house a fascinating museum dedicated to the art of horseback riding. Visitors can explore the opulent stables, marvel at the exquisite collection of equestrian artifacts, and witness majestic horse performances.

Visit Chantilly

Indulge your noblesse at the historic Château de Chantilly. The château was the former residence of Henri d’Orléans, Duke of Aumale, son of the last King of France, Louis-Philippe. The Duke was one of the greatest art collectors of the 19th-century, and amassed what today makes up the vast majority of the pieces displayed at the chateau's Condé Museum, France's second largest art collection after the Louvre. The broad grounds of Château de Chantilly make for dreams of living endless genteel moments among the French, Anglo-Chinese and English gardens.  What's more, the chateau is complemented by the Great Stables, a magnificent 18th-century structure and one of the largest such buildings in Europe; its Living Museum of the Horse, illustrates our close relationship with this noble animal, and the Stables regularly host riding exhibitions of exceptional quality.

The Grass is greener at Chateau de Chantilly...

A day-trip to Château de Chantilly offers the elegant repose of this venerable chateau, far from the bustle of Paris, and includes the Condé Museum, renowned for its extensive art collection, featuring works by Raphael, Botticelli, and Poussin. Visitors can explore opulent chambers and wander through immaculate gardens that celebrate both rational and primal sensibilities.

The size and ostentatious beauty of Fontainebleau Chateau will awe you

Château de Fontainebleau, a UNESCO site in the eponymous town, hides over 800 years of French royal history in its majestic palace and gardens. Highlights include the opulent Grand Apartments, the Renaissance-rich Gallery of Francis I, vast formal gardens like the Grand Parterre, and the intriguing Horse Carriage Museum. This destination offers a full day's immersion into the splendor of French architecture, art, and history, making it a thrilling visit for those fascinated by France's regal past.

Escape the city with a nearby getaway to verdant forests and dramatic rock formations

The Forest of Fontainebleau, located a short distance from Paris, offers a lush escape into one of France's most enchanting natural landscapes. This vast forest spans over 28,000 hectares (over 69,000 acres) and boasts rich biodiversity amid whimsical geological formations - sandstone boulders shaped by wind and rain to resemble elephants or mushrooms. A plethora of these rock formations also offer themselves to local and international climbers to enjoy a day of bouldering away from the city. A haven for outdoor enthusiasts, walk any number of hiking trails to discover tranquil spots for picnicking amidst ancient oak trees. The area has inspired artists, poets, and photographers for centuries; come and see what it will inspire in you!

Fountainebleau

A visit to Fontainebleau delights both the history buff and the outdoor enthusiast.  Château Fontainebleau, one of most magestic palaces of the the kings and emperors of France, boasts an expansive structure and equally impressive grounds for hunting and other imperial pastimes.  A walk through the chateau is a trip through centuries and the stories of some of the world's most powerful people.  Equally, one may ignore the UNESCO-Heritage site, by exploring the Fontainbleau forests neighboring the palace.  But again you will delight yourself just as royalty did, perambulating among the rich wildlife and whimsical sandstone structures shaped by millennia of wind and rain.  But... distinguish yourself from the emperor and his entourage, try climbing in the forest: it is world-renowned for its bouldering routes.

The size and ostentatious beauty of Fontainebleau Chateau will awe you

Château de Fontainebleau, a UNESCO site in the eponymous town, hides over 800 years of French royal history in its majestic palace and gardens. Highlights include the opulent Grand Apartments, the Renaissance-rich Gallery of Francis I, vast formal gardens like the Grand Parterre, and the intriguing Horse Carriage Museum. This destination offers a full day's immersion into the splendor of French architecture, art, and history, making it a thrilling visit for those fascinated by France's regal past.

Airport Dropoff by Taxi

Paris taxis are generally reliable and honest, so taking a taxi is cheaper than a pre-arranged transfer. Your hotel will be happy to arrange a pick up for you. If you are picked up about 3.5 hours before your departure time, you should arrive at the airport with a little over two hours to spare. If you are leaving during rush hour, you may want to budget an extra fifteen minutes or so. There are also alternative transport instructions for buses and trains in the Full Itinerary if wish you save on the taxi fare.  line-holder  NOTE : If you're leaving from Beauvais Airport you should definitely take a shuttle bus because it's 75km/46.6mi from the city center.

Airport Dropoff by Taxi

Paris taxis are generally reliable and honest, so taking a taxi is cheaper than a pre-arranged transfer. Your hotel will be happy to arrange a pick up for you. If you are picked up about 3.5 hours before your departure time, you should arrive at the airport with a little over two hours to spare. If you are leaving during rush hour, you may want to budget an extra fifteen minutes or so. There are also alternative transport instructions for buses and trains in the Full Itinerary if wish you save on the taxi fare.  line-holder  NOTE : If you're leaving from Beauvais Airport you should definitely take a shuttle bus because it's 75km/46.6mi from the city center.

Airport Dropoff by Taxi

Paris taxis are generally reliable and honest, so taking a taxi is cheaper than a pre-arranged transfer. Your hotel will be happy to arrange a pick up for you. If you are picked up about 3.5 hours before your departure time, you should arrive at the airport with a little over two hours to spare. If you are leaving during rush hour, you may want to budget an extra fifteen minutes or so. There are also alternative transport instructions for buses and trains in the Full Itinerary if wish you save on the taxi fare.  line-holder  NOTE : If you're leaving from Beauvais Airport you should definitely take a shuttle bus because it's 75km/46.6mi from the city center.

Airport Dropoff by Taxi

Paris taxis are generally reliable and honest, so taking a taxi is cheaper than a pre-arranged transfer. Your hotel will be happy to arrange a pick up for you. If you are picked up about 3.5 hours before your departure time, you should arrive at the airport with a little over two hours to spare. If you are leaving during rush hour, you may want to budget an extra fifteen minutes or so. There are also alternative transport instructions for buses and trains in the Full Itinerary if wish you save on the taxi fare.  line-holder  NOTE : If you're leaving from Beauvais Airport you should definitely take a shuttle bus because it's 75km/46.6mi from the city center.