Armchair traveler, well-heeled tourist, avid Francophiles alike are invited to join Valerie Sutter for a visit to the City of Lights and wander through Paris.
Whether you are "visiting" for the very first time, preparing for an actual trip, or reminiscing about a city you fell in love with years ago, join us as we revisit old haunts and discover new ones, renew our knowledge of French history, discover people who have changed the course of French history and delve into some of their dark secrets. We will wander neighborhoods, gardens, and museums along the way, inviting you to discover the ins and outs of what the Parisians know about their quartiers. You might even hear some accordion music in the background to accompany the slides and photos of Paris. While being there in person would be ideal, this is the next best thing. Bon voyage!
Weekly Breakdown:
Week 1: From 1850 to 2050: We will revisit the recent history of Paris, from the monumental works of Haussmann to the future envisioned by Paris’s ambitious “green” mayor, Anne Hidalgo.
Week 2: Iconic Landmarks: Paris’s beauty rests in its stunning architectural landmarks. We will find the secrets to the Eiffel Tower, revisit the newly minted bells of Notre Dame, learn about the ins and out of the Louvre, study the 37 bridges, and take a peek at what makes this city not only so walkable, but so very beautiful.
Week 3: The French Revolution: The revolution that ended the reign of the Bourbon dynasty in Paris was violent, long, arduous, and very tangled. We’ll go through the main events of these 8 years and try to understand how the ideals of the Revolution still enlighten us today.
Week 4: Montmartre and Montparnasse: We’ll explore these two iconic neighborhoods of Paris, both beloved and full of life. Artists, actors, comedians, singers, dancers all frequented these areas throughout the ages, leaving an indelible imprint on them.