TRAVEL INSPIRATION
Paris Surprise: This Summer is Rich with Opportunities
By The Kensington Content Team
TRAVEL INSPIRATION
By The Kensington Content Team
With every country on the planet focused intently on the games in Paris this month, you’d be forgiven for thinking that this renowned city was booked solid and completely out of reach for 2024.
Not true! Kensington Tours can make your dream of exploring Paris come true this very summer.
We offer so many ways to create your once-in-a-lifetime experience of the City of Lights, in the company of private guides who will reveal the often-hidden gems that lay beyond the tourist icons.
What could your 2024 journey in Paris entail? Of course, we can create your iconic experience of the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, or Montmartre, and we’ve highlighted many more off-the-beaten-path examples below.
Maybe the better question one of our Destination Experts would ask you is, what do you love most? Or even better, how do you dream of combining several of these experiences together for own deeply personal encounter with Paris? Remember, everything you see here is merely a suggestion, to help spark your imagination.
Paris obviously offers a wealth of possibilities for fabulous architecture. One day you might discover the interiors of the stunning Opera Garnier with a private guide, experiencing the Grand Staircase, loggias overlooking the stage, and the magical ceiling painted by Chagall. Follow that with exploring the historic covered arcades from the early nineteenth century that are hidden off prominent streets – their vintage storefronts and picturesque glass roofs transport you back to the charm of old Paris. Then visit the historic Bourse de Commerce, recently restored and transformed into a wonderful museum by celebrated Japanese architect Tadao Ando.
Stroll the Luxembourg Garden to discover the more than 100 sculptures scattered through this magnificent French formal garden. Then with your private guide, journey to the enchanting Rodin Museum, situated in the elegant 18th-century mansion where the sculptor actually lived and worked, and explore its stunning gardens – home to dozens of his masterworks, including The Thinker, The Kiss, and The Burghers of Calais.
Or, as you wander the cobblestone streets of Butte-aux-Cailles, let your private guide reveal to you the gems of the lesser-visited 13th Arrondissement, where eye-popping murals by French and international artists have transformed the streets and helped create a thriving new art scene.
Experience a potpourri of the best of Paris in Le Marais, a vibrant Parisian neighborhood that combines excellent museums, boutiques, dining, and nightlife, all in a postcard-perfect historic setting. In uncovering Le Marais' hidden treasures with your private guide, you’ll also feel the magic of this fascinating area – and escape the tourist crowds at the same time. Historic private mansions, the neo-Renaissance Hotel de Ville (now City Hall), the Musée National Picasso, and the eternally elegant Place des Vosges are all on the menu. Follow this with discovering the spectacular modern art collection of François Pinault, housed in the remarkable Bourse de Commerce.
Enjoy a luxurious privately guided encounter with the atmospheric Saint Germain quarter. Renowned for its historic café culture, this was the meeting place for the great artists and intellectuals of the 19th and 20th centuries. Today it’s also celebrated for its famous bakeries and excellent specialty shops, which you can roam as you please. Sample the French delicacies you find, including exquisite chocolates and a wide selection of wonderful baked goods. Wandering these quaint streets represents Paris at its quintessential best.
In the company of your private guide, step back in history to a time when Paris was in transition. Your guide will weave tales from high society during Napoleon’s reign over the city. You’ll visit beautiful Monceau Park and feel history come to life as you see how the park played a role in centuries of France’s history. And sitting on the edge of the park, you’ll discover the Nissim de Camondo Museum – honoring the fascinating family of bankers who arrived in Paris from the Ottoman Empire and assembled an impressive collection of 18th century art, sadly perishing in the tragedy of the Holocaust.
For much of the 20th century, Paris was renowned for being at the cutting edge of jazz. Immerse yourself in the city's lively jazz scene on a private experience of two of Paris's most famous jazz clubs. At Duc des Lombards, you’ll be introduced to the history of jazz in the city, feeling the soul of the city come alive before you. After the show, make your way to the Left Bank to spend the rest of your evening at Le Caveau de la Huchette. Its ancient exterior provides a vivid contrast to the stirring music inside, an interior that was featured in the movie “La La Land.”
Explore the juxtapositions of Montparnasse – from the Catacombs, a network of subterranean tunnels holding the remains of millions of Parisians from centuries past, to the lively Rue Daguerre, a pedestrian market street teeming with bakeries, delis, chocolatiers and so much more. Journey back in time to the Roaring '20s as you discover the bistros and brasseries of Boulevard Montparnasse, once frequented by famous Lost Generation writers, including Hemingway, Stein, and Fitzgerald. You’re sure to spark even more passion for Paris.
The 19th Arrondissement is largely undiscovered by tourists but amongst Parisians it’s considered a true haven. For instance, the tranquil promenade that runs along the Canal Saint-Martin lets you watch barges peacefully glide by, walk over intricately designed Venetian-style bridges, and admire the majestic chestnut trees that line the canal on either side. The nearby Pere-Lachaise cemetery is a unique open-air museum, ready for you to discover the graves of Edith Piaf, Oscar Wilde, Chopin, and Jim Morrison. Then the beautifully manicured Parc des Buttes Chaumont, an English-style garden created by Napoleon III, features waterfalls, caves, a suspension bridge, and the enchanting Temple de la Sybille.
Plan your Paris dream – talk to a Destination Expert today.
Remember, these are just some of the possibilities that await you. Whether you want to discover the famous icons, find the hidden gems, or both, let us start creating your dream of Paris for the weeks and months ahead.
Experience authentic travel. Request a custom quote today and get one step closer to your personalized trip.
Speak to one of our Destination Experts at 1-888-903-2001