Paris in the Springtime
March 24-31, 2008

A magical city at any point during the year, Paris is never more beautiful than in the spring. Join Artists of the World travel program as we explore streets of Montmartre, and view some of the best art collections the city has to offer.

Art New England Magazine invites you to participate in its Artists of the World travel program, a unique pairing of education and travel abroad.

Private Tours - Exclusive Lectures - Guided City Walks

Walking tour of Montmartre
Montmartre, the famous hill at the top of Paris, is best discovered on foot. Beginning at the Moulin Rouge, known for its can-can dancers and immortalized by the painter Toulouse Lautrec, you'll discover the "last village in Paris" by strolling through its twisting streets. The market street of Lepic hums with neighborhood life, its cafés made even more popular by the film Amelie. The nearby Moulin de la Galette provided inspiration for many impressionist painters.

You’ll wander through the narrow passageways and leafy streets where Renoir and Utrillo once painted, and visit the site where Cubism was invented by Picasso, Braque and Gris. But Montmartre isn't only about art; it's also the site of Sacre-Coeur, the striking and elaborate white church overlooking the city.

From St. Denis's martyrdom to the founding of the Jesuit Order, from Gertrude Stein's Lives of the Saints to Eric Satie's bizarre personal church of Christ the Conductor, Montmartre has long been a haven for religious inspiration, eccentric invention and literary genius.

Montmartre is now part of Paris (despite its declaration of independence in 1871). By exploring its less-traveled streets, you'll begin to understand why its residents tend to say, "I don't feel like going into Paris today." Montmartre has everything a Parisian or visitor could possibly want. Your tour will also include a visit to the Musee de Montmartre.

Musée d'Orsay
Your private visit to the Musee d’Orsay will be guided by a lecturer attached to the museum. You'll see some of the world’s most famous and extraordinary paintings, including works by the painters whose homes and haunts you visited while in Montmartre. One of Paris's most beloved museums, the d’Orsay houses modern art from 1848 to 1914 and includes a stunning collection of impressionist and post-impressionist masterpieces. Get to know the real history behind those famous works. The impressionists are so universally admired today that it is difficult to imagine the level of critical hostility they received in late-19th-century France. Look closely at works by Monet, Renoir, Cézanne, Gauguin, Van Gogh, and Toulouse-Lautrec, with an eye for how each artist and generation influenced and challenged the next.

Musée de l’Orangerie
Set in the Tulleries Gardens, Musée de l’Orangerie houses an impressive collection of impressionist and post-impressionist paintings. Your privately guided tour will place you in the center of Monet’s panoramic Water Lillies. Housed in two oval rooms according to the artist’s specifications, the effect of the large canvases is truly breathtaking. We will also view the Jean Walter and Paul Guillaume collection which includes masterpieces by Renoir, Cézanne, Matisse, Monet, Rousseau, Modigliani, Derain, Laurencin, Utrillo, Soutine and Picasso.

All tours include private motor coach transfers from your hotel, admission and services of a licensed guide.

As for the rest of your week in Paris: Enjoy non-stop flights on Air France, a charming, superior three-star hotel in a convenient location, a cocktail hour with Artist of the World travel program members, daily breakfast, and private, assisted transfers. You’ll stay at the newly renovated Hotel Brebant, located in the 9th arrondissement on the Right Bank in the heart of Paris. And, since the Grand Boulevards Metro stop is directly in front of the hotel door, all of Paris is within easy reach. The centerpiece of the 9th arrondissement is the grandiose Opera Garnier, a reminder of the glamorous nightlife of Paris immortalized by writer Gaston Leroux in his Phantom of the Opera. Along Blvd. Haussmann are the great department stores--the Galeries Lafayette remains one of the last bastions of Parisian chic. Built in 1894, this shopper’s paradise has continually reinvented itself. The store stocks all the best designer labels, has its own deluxe grocery counter, six restaurants, fashion shows, internet access and more. Printemps, just next door to its rival Galeries Lafayette, is distinguished by its majestic, 19th century architecture complete with enormous dome. There are numerous cafés and restaurants throughout the stores, including the popular Brasserie Flo and Ladurée tea room. Take time to find and walk through the pretty covered passages off the Grand Boulevards: Passage Jouffroy and Passage Verdeau. The 9th arrondissement is a favorite of travelers because it is so genuinely Parisian and blissfully ignored by most people.

	only $1375 per person double occupancy
	reserve here

INCLUDES:

• Roundtrip, direct flight on Air France
• Six nights’ superior three-star accommodations at Hotel Brebant or similar
• Buffet breakfast daily
• Round-trip private airport/hotel transfers with assistance
• Three private excursions
  • Half-day guided walking tour of Montmartre
  • Half-day guided visit to de l'Orangerie
  • Half-day guided visit to Musee d’Orsay
• Cocktail hour with Artists of the World travel program members

$1375 per person double occupancy
$1759 for single accommodations

Reserve by December 17, 2007
Limited Availability

Add $295 for current air taxes, fees, charges and surcharges (subject to increase)