September in Paris

Sunday, Sept. 9 - Arrival day. As people will be arriving at different times, you will take a taxi (your Uber application works here too) to our hotel in the chic 6th arrondissement, on the left bank.

 

Once you’re settled in to your room, you may want to wander around the neighborhood. You’ll find that you are in a lovely shopping area full of small shops, some of which will be closed because it’s Sunday, but Le Bon Marché, the most understatedly elegant of Paris’s 3 large department stores will be open as will its upscale food store, La Grande Epicerie. You’re also in walking distance of the beautiful Jardin du Luxembourg.  

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We will meet on the hotel terrace or in the gathering area at 6:00pm for the apéro (cocktail hour) in order for everyone to meet and to discuss the next day’s activities. Afterward, Gina will give you some ideas for dinner close by.

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Monday, Sept. 10 - 9:30am - We’ll start where Paris was born, right in the center, on the islands. On the Ile de la Cité, we’ll visit the Marché aux Fleurs, opened here in 1809, then it’s on to Notre Dame, famed Gothic cathedral and current home to the Crown of Thorns. Afterward we’ll wander over to the beautiful Ile Saint-Louis, a lovely island covered with beautiful homes, charming boutiques, and elegant art galleries. You may want to make note of all of the little shops where you can find the famous Berthillon ice cream so you can come back after lunch!

 

Also after lunch, you may want to visit La Conciergerie, Gothic palace then revolutionary prison where Marie-Antoinette spent her last days and/or Sainte-Chapelle, with its stunning stained-glass windows, best seen on a sunny day.

 

The apéro, where we will share a glass of wine and discuss the next day’s activities before separating for dinner, will begin at 6:30 this evening.

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Tuesday, Sept. 11 - 9:30am - Today we visit the Musée d’Orsay, a beautiful former train station and current home to the largest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings in the world. Cézanne, Caillebotte, Degas, Gaugin, Manet, Monet, Renoir, Seurat, Toulouse-Lautrec, and Van Gogh are just a few of the most recognizable names among the impressive collections you’ll see here.

 

Afterward, we’ll walk around the enchanting 6th arrondissement, known stomping grounds of writers and intellectuals from Hemingway to Sartre and de Beauvoir to Baldwin, the 6th is also known for its role in the Revolution of 1789, its chic boutiques, its “see and be seen” cafés, its romantic little cobblestone streets, and of course, the Jardin du Luxembourg.

 

After lunch, you may want to take in the Jardin du Luxembourg or seize the opportunity to participate in Paris’s famed café culture with a coffee or even a glass of Champagne on one of the neighborhood’s chic terraces.

 

Finally, we’ll meet at 6:30pm for the apéro and to discuss the next day’s activites.

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Wednesday, Sept. 12 - 9:30am – This morning, we’ll visit the marché Mouffetard, one of Paris’s famed markets combining both food market and flea market. Immerse yourself in the French market experience, and look for treasures to take home for yourself or as gifts.

 

The afternoon will be free, but don’t overdo it because in the evening we’ll meet for an early dinner then head to the Louvre to take advantage of the extended night-time hours.

 

6:30pm – meet downstairs and go together to an early dinner, then leave directly for the Louvre.

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Thursday, Sept. 13 - 9:30am – Today is all about Montmartre. Montmartre still has a romantic, villagey feel to it, so we’ll wander a bit, visit the Sacré Coeur Basilica and check out the Place du Tertre – a great place to buy original art directly from the artists for yourself or as gifts.

 

After lunch, you may want to visit the Musée de Montmartre, probably the most charming of all Paris’s museum. Renoir and Utrillo were just two of the artists who lived and had their ateliers here. Be sure to visit the beautiful gardens and admire the view of the vineyard. And if you’re in need of a little sustenance, pause for a bit at the Café Renoir.

 

6:30pm – apéro and discussion of tomorrow’s activities

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Friday, Sept. 14 - 9:30am – Today we'll explore the Marais. One of the oldest parts of Paris and one of the most charming, the Marais is an area that Parisians would like to keep for themselves. Here you'll find quaint museums, vintage shops, chic boutiques, hidden squares, delicious food, and more. 

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After lunch, you may want to visit Victor Hugo's home, the Picasso museum, or the Musée des Arts et Métiers, a fascinating museum of technological innovation. You could easily wander around the Bastille area. Wherever you want to spend the afternoon, you'll find it easy to get there from this central locale. 

 

6:30pm – We meet for our final apéro together and a discussion of the week’s events.

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Saturday, Sept. 15 - For those who are leaving, check-out is at 11:00.

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*We'll do our best to stick to this itinerary, but strikes and other unforeseen circumstances can happen. Don't worry though. There's always an equally enticing plan B if we need it. 

 

Check out our Frequently Asked Questions for more information, and if you don't find what you're looking for there, send an email to gina@paris-personally.com. And please be sure to read our Terms and Conditions.

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