France
Paris at a Slower Pace: Art & Culture in the City of Light
Program No. 2223560MEADV-1116-60
Only Paris is Paris. Enjoy an easy-paced discovery as you join local experts to learn about the museums, art, architecture and renowned cuisine that make this city one of a kind.
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800-454-5768
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Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
Mar 21 - Mar 29, 2025
Starting at
3,349Apr 4 - Apr 12, 2025
Starting at
3,699May 2 - May 10, 2025
Starting at
3,699May 9 - May 17, 2025
Starting at
3,699DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
Mar 21 - Mar 29, 2025
Starting at
4,019Apr 4 - Apr 12, 2025
Starting at
4,479Apr 18 - Apr 26, 2025
Starting at
4,479Apr 25 - May 3, 2025
Starting at
4,479May 2 - May 10, 2025
Starting at
4,479May 9 - May 17, 2025
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4,479May 16 - May 24, 2025
Starting at
4,789Sep 12 - Sep 20, 2025
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4,789Sep 19 - Sep 27, 2025
Starting at
5,009Sep 26 - Oct 4, 2025
Starting at
5,009Oct 3 - Oct 11, 2025
Starting at
4,789Oct 10 - Oct 18, 2025
Starting at
4,789Oct 17 - Oct 25, 2025
Starting at
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At a Glance
From the spires of Notre Dame to the masterpieces of the Louvre, discover the cultural treasures of Paris at a leisurely pace that allows you to savor your discoveries. View artwork by the masters at some of the world’s finest museums, stroll the Latin Quarter alongside students at the nearby Sorbonne and get a taste of life as a Parisian at street-side cafes and at an open- air market. Experience extraordinary full days exploring the “City of Light” via motorcoach, accompanied by local experts and enhanced with in-depth lectures. Discover the best of Paris at your own pace.
Activity Level
On Your Feet
Walking up to 2 miles per day and standing up to 2 hours; cobblestone streets and uneven terrain.
Looking for the same great program but more challenging? Check out "Independent Paris: People, Places, Culture" (#10034).
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Be introduced to the medieval art and architecture of Paris by a local Road Scholar expert as you explore Sainte-Chapelle and Notre Dame on Île de la Cité.
- Examine and discuss the art of Paris at the Musée d’Orsay, Rodin Museum and the Louvre.
- Explore the elegant Palais Royal and stroll the famed Rue Saint-Honoré.
General Notes
You may be interested in a more active version of this program, "Independent Paris: People, Places, Culture" (#10034). Current Events in Paris: Due to the fire at Notre Dame, the cathedral is closed to visitors. Road Scholar programs that visit île de la Cité will be able to see the outside of the cathedral, but we will not be able to go inside.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Agathe Godard
Originally from La Rochelle, France, Agathe has always been fascinated by foreign cultures. She directed her studies towards international art, history and literature and received her bachelor’s after studying in Spain and the U.S. She led groups in every corner of France before becoming a full-time instructor at Versailles. She quickly fell in love with Paris—its way of life, architecture and history. Agathe has a soft spot for the Middle Ages and the Belle Époque’s arts, so she loves to explore Paris' neighborhoods and museums.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Agathe Godard
View biography
Originally from La Rochelle, France, Agathe has always been fascinated by foreign cultures. She directed her studies towards international art, history and literature and received her bachelor’s after studying in Spain and the U.S. She led groups in every corner of France before becoming a full-time instructor at Versailles. She quickly fell in love with Paris—its way of life, architecture and history. Agathe has a soft spot for the Middle Ages and the Belle Époque’s arts, so she loves to explore Paris' neighborhoods and museums.
Josephine Lurie
View biography
Jo Lurie has been a Group Leader since 1989. She has a passion for travel as that is when she is happiest. She speaks several European languages fluently and enjoys traveling through Europe with American participants. She has a strong affinity for France, Spain and Italy and can't wait to share her knowledge. She has extensive experience in ensuring that travelers' expectations are met and exceeded. In her spare time, she enjoys independent travel, listening to music and playing chess.
Suggested Reading List
(16 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Paris at a Slower Pace: Art & Culture in the City of Light
Program Number: 22235
A Moveable Feast
A treasure for anyone interested in Parisian cafe society and its luminaries circa 1925. Hemingway includes sharp portraits of Gertrude Stein, Ezra Pound, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ford Maddox Ford and others who idled on their way to greatness.
My Life in France
The touching and famous story of Julia Child in France, where she learned to cook and fell in love with French cuisine, all in her own words.
The Most Beautiful Walk in the World: A Pedestrian in Paris
Australian critic and writer Baxter draws on his second career as a literary tour guide in his adopted city for this witty memoir, laced with terrific tales.
The Hotel Majestic
The most famous fictional detective in France, Maigret, tackles a case in the heart of Paris.
Paris Pratique Par Arrondissement
This pocket atlas contains detailed maps of every neighborhood in Paris, as well as details about bus and metro stops.
A Traveller's History of Paris
A fast-moving, short survey of French history with a focus on Paris from its foundation, through the heady days of revolution and up to modern times.
Markets of Paris
An in-depth guide to the best markets in Paris. Dive into the heart of French culture and navigate the markets like a local with maps, tips, and handy phrases.
How Paris Became Paris: The Invention of the Modern City
A captivating history of the growth, design, and planning of Paris, telling the story of how the modern city came to be.
Paris Noir: African Americans in the City of Light
A history of black Americans who settled in Paris, France, from 1900 to the present.
Lonely Planet French Phrasebook
This handy phrasebook focuses on pronunciation, basic grammar and essential vocabulary for the traveler.
The Food & Wine of France: Eating & Drinking from Champagne to Provence
Behr seeks out the best of French food, in encounters from Champagne to Provence, to tell the stories of French artisans and chefs who work at the highest level. He shares what he learns from these experts on French traditions and how to best enjoy this food.
F is for France: A Curious Cabinet of French Wonders
An alphabetized catalogue of quirky French culture and history tidbits.
The Flaneur: A Stroll through the Paradoxes of Paris
A 'flaneur' is a stroller, a loiterer, someone who ambles through city streets in search of adventure and fulfillment. Edmund White, who lived in Paris for sixteen years, wanders through the streets and avenues and along the quays, into parts of Paris virtually unknown to visitors and indeed to many Parisians.
Murder in the Marais
Literate and thrilling, with a strong sense of the geography and flavor of Paris, the first in a series of mysteries starring Aimee Ledoc shows off the French-American detective's wit and wile. The series continues with Murder in Belleville (FRN562), Murder in the Sentier (FRN563) and many more.
The New Paris
Move past the clichés and learn about what makes up Paris today. Explore the open-minded sensibility, diverse populations, and hidden corners of The New Paris.
The Secret Life of the Seine
After losing his Paris apartment, Rosenblum, a born storyteller, takes to a houseboat moored on the Seine. The result is this entertaining tour of the places and people he encounters during his explorations along the river.
Program
At a Glance
Duration
9 days
Program Begins
Paris
Program Concludes
Paris
Group Type
Small Group
Meals
18
| 7B |
5L |
6D |
Activity Level
From the spires of Notre Dame to the masterpieces of the Louvre, discover the cultural treasures of Paris at a leisurely pace that allows you to savor your discoveries. View artwork by the masters at some of the world’s finest museums, stroll the Latin Quarter alongside students at the nearby Sorbonne and get a taste of life as a Parisian at street-side cafes and at an open- air market. Experience extraordinary full days exploring the “City of Light” via motorcoach, accompanied by local experts and enhanced with in-depth lectures. Discover the best of Paris at your own pace.)
Best of all, you'll...
- Be introduced to the medieval art and architecture of Paris by a local Road Scholar expert as you explore Sainte-Chapelle and Notre Dame on Île de la Cité.
- Examine and discuss the art of Paris at the Musée d’Orsay, Rodin Museum and the Louvre.
- Explore the elegant Palais Royal and stroll the famed Rue Saint-Honoré.
General Notes
You may be interested in a more active version of this program, "Independent Paris: People, Places, Culture" (#10034). Current Events in Paris: Due to the fire at Notre Dame, the cathedral is closed to visitors. Road Scholar programs that visit île de la Cité will be able to see the outside of the cathedral, but we will not be able to go inside.
Featured Expert
Agathe Godard
Originally from La Rochelle, France, Agathe has always been fascinated by foreign cultures. She directed her studies towards international art, history and literature and received her bachelor’s after studying in Spain and the U.S. She led groups in every corner of France before becoming a full-time instructor at Versailles. She quickly fell in love with Paris—its way of life, architecture and history. Agathe has a soft spot for the Middle Ages and the Belle Époque’s arts, so she loves to explore Paris' neighborhoods and museums.
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
Josephine Lurie
Jo Lurie has been a Group Leader since 1989. She has a passion for travel as that is when she is happiest. She speaks several European languages fluently and enjoys traveling through Europe with American participants. She has a strong affinity for France, Spain and Italy and can't wait to share her knowledge. She has extensive experience in ensuring that travelers' expectations are met and exceeded. In her spare time, she enjoys independent travel, listening to music and playing chess.
Activity Level
On Your Feet
Walking up to 2 miles per day and standing up to 2 hours; cobblestone streets and uneven terrain.
Looking for the same great program but more challenging? Check out "Independent Paris: People, Places, Culture" (#10034).
Small Group
(13 to 24)
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Suggested Reading List
View Full List
(16 Books)
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call
800-454-5768
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
9 days
8 nights
What's Included
18 meals | 7B | 5L | 6D |
3 expert-led lectures
14 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
7 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
In Transit to Program
Location:
In Flight
Day
2
Arrive Paris, Check-in, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Location:
Paris
Meals:
D
Stay:
Les Jardins du Marais
Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m.
Afternoon:
After checking in to the hotel and getting your room, take some time to freshen up and relax before our Orientation session. Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. The program is staffed with an instructor — a licensed professional “Guide-Conférencier” in Human & Social Sciences — who will give lectures, accompany field trips, and provide expert commentary as well as a Group Leader who will deal primarily with logistics. The program provides each Road Scholar with a Paris Museum Pass (entry to 60+ participating museums for 2 consecutive days). This will make your free time and personal independent exploration easier and more rewarding. For further information on the Museum Pass, please visit: http://en.parismuseumpass.com/. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Note: Due to ecological regulations in France, new motorcoaches do not have restrooms on board, and older models have restrooms but they are not available for use; rest stops will be made for rides that are over 90 minutes.
Dinner:
We will walk to a restaurant near the hotel for a 3-course plated meal featuring traditional French food, plus a glass of wine and water; other beverages available for purchase. In France, restaurants take pride in creating a relaxed atmosphere where patrons can take their time and enjoy every bite. This allows the customer to set the pace of the meal, and means that they have to inform the server when they are ready for the check (“l’addition”) at the end of the meal. It is customary for servers to wait until everyone has finished their dish before clearing the table and bringing out the next course. You may indicate to the server that you have finished your meal by placing your utensils together on the right hand side of your plate. Meals are accompanied by complimentary bread (“pain”) and water (“eau” or “l’eau”), so you need not ask for them. When wine is offered at meals, please note that it is customary to fill your glass half way to allow the wine to breathe.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Day
3
Paris Origins, Île de la Cité, Sainte-Chapelle, Notre-Dame
Location:
Paris
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Les Jardins du Marais
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach. Walking up to 2 miles throughout the day; pavement, cobblestones, gravel paths. Standing for up to 2 hours during site visits. Expect crowded conditions.
Breakfast:
At the hotel, the breakfast buffet offers hot and cold choices such as eggs, breads and pastries, juice, coffee, tea, water.
Morning:
We will gather with our instructor for a lecture on the origins of Paris from Roman development through the Middle Ages. Archaeologists estimate that the area has been inhabited for about 9,000 years. What eventually became Paris began in the 3rd century BCE when members of the Parisii tribe settled on an island in the Seine River. We will then board a motorcoach for a panoramic view of some of the most famous monuments and sites as our instructor continues to present aspects of the city’s history and architecture through the ages. We will also stop for photos as permitted in approved areas. Our motorcoach exploration will conclude on the Île de la Cité in the vicinity of Notre-Dame.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant, we’ll have a plated meal with beverage choices of soda and water included; other beverages available for purchase.
Afternoon:
We will set out on a walking field trip to learn more about medieval art and architecture on the Île de la Cité — the historic heart of Paris — focusing on the Sainte-Chapelle and the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris. The Sainte-Chapelle, one of the glories of Gothic architecture, was begun in 1239 and completed less than a decade later, an achievement in itself almost miraculous given its structure and decoration. Originally part of the royal palace of Capetian monarchs, it was built by King Louis IX (Saint Louis) to house religious relics he acquired from the Holy Land — including the Crown of Thorns! The sense of otherworldliness in the upper church comes from amazing stained glass, held within slender columns in the flamboyant Rayonnant style of architecture, creating the sensation of being inside a jewel box. Construction on Notre-Dame Cathedral began in 1163 and was not completed until 1345. Damaged and restored a number of times — including the disastrous fire of April 2019 — it remains one of the largest and finest examples of Gothic architecture anywhere. We will be able to admire the exterior. The Group Leader will accompany those who wish to return to the hotel. Anyone who wishes to stay out and return independently is welcome to do so.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
4
Latin Quarter, St. Germain des Prés, St. Sulpice, Seine
Location:
Paris
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Les Jardins du Marais
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach. Walking up to 2 miles throughout the day, standing up to 2 hours at a time; pavement, cobblestones, gravel paths. Expect crowded conditions. Timing of Seine River trip subject to change; if scheduling conflicts arise, river trip may be moved to another time or day.
Breakfast:
Hotel buffet.
Morning:
At the hotel, we will have a lecture by our instructor on Paris during the Renaissance period and the 18th century. Next, we will set out on a walking field trip to the Latin Quarter. The University of Paris and its core college, the Sorbonne, were founded on the Rive Gauche (Left Bank) about 1257, one of the first universities in the world. This quickly became the intellectual heart of the city, called the Latin Quarter as Latin was the language of the educated classes. Over succeeding eras, it attracted artists, writers, and bohemians.
Lunch:
At a restaurant in the Latin Quarter, we’ll have a plated meal with beverage choices of soft drink and water included; other beverages available for purchase.
Afternoon:
We will continue exploring the Rive Gauche with visits to St. Germain des Prés and St. Sulpice. The neighborhood known as St. Germain des Prés was once a gritty haven for artists, philosopher, and writers, many of whom frequented the famed Café Les Deux Magots or the Café de Flore. It has become an upscale neighborhood that still retains much of its historic ambience. It is also the home of Café Le Procope, the oldest café-restaurant in France (1686) that was a favorite — at different times! — of Voltaire, Danton, Hugo, Balzac, Rousseau, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson. Église Saint-Sulpice is the second-largest church in Paris after Notre-Dame. In addition to fascinating architecture, interior decoration, and history as a center of esoteric knowledge, St. Sulpice is notable for its rich musical heritage with one of the finest pipe organs in Europe, considered the finest achievement of organ builder Aristide Cavaillé-Coll. The church also figured in Dan Brown’s novel “The Da Vinci Code.”
Dinner:
We will provide meal vouchers known as “tickets restaurant” that can be used at restaurants, bakeries, brasseries, and cafés displaying a TR sticker on the window with messages such as this: “Nous acceptons les Tickets Restaurant.” (Change is not given back if the meal cost is less than the value of the voucher.) The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
We will board a river boat for a late afternoon or evening trip (depending on time of year) along the Seine to view wondrous sites on the Rive Gauche and Rive Droite.
Day
5
Parisian Open Air Market, Marais
Location:
Paris
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Les Jardins du Marais
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach. Walking up to 2 miles throughout the day, standing up to 2 hours at a time; pavement, cobblestones, gravel paths. Expect crowded conditions.
Breakfast:
Hotel buffet.
Morning:
With our Group Leader, we’ll set out via motorcoach to experience the sights, sounds, and scents of a traditional open-air market. We’ll see how Parisians experience Paris.
Lunch:
On your own to have what you like. You might like to assemble a picnic lunch from specialties at the market or dine at a nearby café. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Afternoon:
We will regroup at a designated time and place to rendezvous with our instructor and explore the renowned district known as Le Marais — the Marsh — hearkening back to its medieval identity. This area was once called the Jewish Quarter because it was the most populous Jewish community in Europe. It has more intact pre-Revolutionary structures and streets than anywhere else in the city and is what much of Paris resembled before the vast 19th-century reconstruction designed by Baron Haussmann. We will have some time for independent exploration. You might like to return to the Latin Quarter, explore the Luxembourg Gardens, browse Europe’s largest collection of modern art at the Pompidou Center, or see more of the Marais, whose most striking feature today is the superb Place des Vosges, the oldest planned square in Paris, built by King Henri IV in the early 1600s. The Group Leader will accompany those who wish to return to the hotel. Anyone who wishes to stay out and return independently is welcome to do so.
Dinner:
We will ride to a local restaurant and have a plated meal with beverage choices of wine, soft drink, water included; other beverages available for purchase.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
6
Musée du Louvre, Palais-Royal
Location:
Paris
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Les Jardins du Marais
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach. Walking up to 2 miles throughout the day, standing up to 2 hours at a time; pavement, cobblestones, gravel paths. Expect crowded conditions; large crowds at Louvre may make it difficult to see the most popular works.
Breakfast:
Hotel buffet.
Morning:
At the hotel, our instructor will give us a lecture on masterpieces of the Louvre. We will then go by motorcoach to the Musée du Louvre for our next learning experience. The largest museum in the world, the Louvre’s unrivaled collection includes thousands of masterworks including Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” and the statue of a goddess known as “Vénus de Milo” for the island where it was discovered in 1820. Note: Crowds may make it difficult to get a good look at some of the most popular works.
Lunch:
At a restaurant near the Louvre, we’ll have a plated meal with beverage choices of a soft drink, hot drink, water included; other beverages available for purchase.
Afternoon:
Next, we will walk to the Palais-Royal. This “village in the city” that faces the Louvre was a seat of power and high position for centuries. It was built by Cardinal Richelieu in 1629 and bequeathed to King Louis XIII. It went through a series of royal owners and became the focal point of a lively social scene with notable theaters, restaurants, and promenades that attracted many visitors. The Palais-Royal was also a center of free speech in the period leading up to the Revolution. We will walk along some of the covered passageways and hidden courtyards as we learn about its history through the centuries.
Dinner:
We will ride to a local restaurant and have a plated meal with beverage choices of wine, soft drink, water included; other beverages available for purchase.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
7
Musée d’Orsay, Les Invalides, Musée Rodin
Location:
Paris
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Les Jardins du Marais
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach. Walking up to 2 miles throughout the day, standing up to 2 hours at a time; pavement, cobblestones, gravel paths. Expect crowded conditions.
Breakfast:
Hotel buffet.
Morning:
We will take the motorcoach for a field trip with our instructor to the Musée d’Orsay and explore the world’s largest collection of Impressionist paintings. The first work of art is the building itself, the former Gare d’Orsay railway station, built for the Universal Exhibition of 1900. The collections of painting, sculpture, and decorative objects show the tremendous diversity of artistic creation in the western world from 1848-1914, showcasing many of the most remarkable works of the early modern era including the Impressionist, post-Impressionist, and Art Nouveau movements.
Lunch:
We will ride to a local restaurant and have a plated meal with beverage choices of soft drink, water included; other beverages available for purchase.
Afternoon:
Next, we will ride to Les Invalides, the site of Napoleon’s tomb. Founded by Louis XIV and opened in 1674 as a home for disabled French soldiers, the Hôtel National des Invalides was a city within a city consisting of a barracks, hospital and hospice, a factory, a church, and even a convent. The golden dome of the church is one of the most recognized landmarks in Paris. Under Napoleon I, it became a pantheon of French military glories and today houses the Musée de l’Armée. Napoleon’s remains were transferred from the island of Saint Helena in 1861 and reinterred here in a magnificent tomb. We will also visit the nearby Musée Rodin in the Hôtel Biron and its gardens. Auguste Rodin (1840-1917) is considered one of the most remarkable sculptors of his day. In addition to some of the most important works by Rodin himself — including “The Thinker” — the museum also holds significant paintings by Monet, Renoir, van Gogh he collected. The seven acres of gardens around the 18th-century mansion present Rodin’s sculptures in natural settings.
Dinner:
We will provide meal vouchers known as “tickets restaurant” that can be used at restaurants, bakeries, brasseries, and cafés displaying a TR sticker on the window with messages such as this: “Nous acceptons les Tickets Restaurant.” (Change is not given back if the meal cost is less than the value of the voucher.) The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
8
Musée de l’Orangerie, Montmartre
Location:
Paris
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Les Jardins du Marais
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach. Walking up to 2 miles throughout the day, standing up to 2 hours at a time; pavement, cobblestones, gravel paths. Expect crowded conditions.
Breakfast:
Hotel buffet.
Morning:
We’ll board the motorcoach and go on a field trip with our instructor to explore the collections of the Musée de l’Orangerie and view Monet’s magnificent “Les Nymphéas” (Water Lilies). Situated in the heart of Paris at the corner of the Tuileries Gardens, the museum was constructed in 1852 as an actual orangery (shelter for orange trees), with a variety of uses in subsequent eras. When it was repurposed and refurbished after 1921, the great Impressionist artist Claude Monet began work on eight huge panels that are regarded as the ultimate expression of his artistic ideas. They were installed here after his death. The museum also contains works by Cézanne, Matisse, Modigliani, Picasso, Renoir, and other great artists of Impressionism and Modern Classicism.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant, we’ll have a plated meal with beverage choices of a soft drink, water included; other beverages available for purchase.
Afternoon:
We will ride to Montmartre, gain insights into the lives of artists in Paris, and learn about the importance of Impressionism and Post-Impressionism to this community. We will see Place du Tertre — place of the hill — the popular center of Montmartre’s artists; Sacré-Cœur Basilica, built as an expression of national penance for France’s 1870 defeat in the Franco-Prussian War and consecrated in 1919; and many little side streets that inspired artists of the past and continue to inspire those of today.
Dinner:
We’ll ride to a local restaurant, and have a plated meal with beverage choices of a glass of wine or beer, soft drink, water included; other beverages available for purchase. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Day
9
Program Concludes, In Transit From Program
Location:
In Flight
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Hotel check-out 12:00 Noon. See your program’s Transportation Information regarding transfers.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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MEALS
18 Meals
7 Breakfasts
5 Lunches
6 Dinners
LODGING
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Showing Lodging For:
- Oct 17, 2025 - Oct 25, 2025
- Mar 21, 2025 - Mar 29, 2025
- Apr 04, 2025 - Apr 12, 2025
- Apr 18, 2025 - Apr 26, 2025
- Apr 25, 2025 - May 03, 2025
- May 02, 2025 - May 10, 2025
- May 09, 2025 - May 17, 2025
- May 16, 2025 - May 24, 2025
- Sep 05, 2025 - Sep 13, 2025
- Sep 12, 2025 - Sep 20, 2025
- Sep 19, 2025 - Sep 27, 2025
- Sep 26, 2025 - Oct 04, 2025
- Oct 03, 2025 - Oct 11, 2025
- Oct 10, 2025 - Oct 18, 2025
- Oct 17, 2025 - Oct 25, 2025
Participant Reviews
Based on 55 Reviews
Sort By:
Wonnderful seven days spent in the Beautiful city of Paris!
— Review left October 27, 2024
This program is excellent! I have been to Paris several times on my own and love Paris! On this tour, I learned so much from the group leader and tour guide about Paris, the French people, as well as the different sites we saw, even though I had seen many before. Nice hotel, great restaurant choices, perfect transportation. Very good value. I highly recommend.
— Review left October 25, 2024
Paris at a Slower Pace is exactly as stated in the write up, much walking, standing and stairs. It is perfect for the 70-something age group. I feel that had we taken the regular Paris tour, we would have been overwhelmed by the addition of many, many staircases. Our tour did have stairs but manageable for our age, maybe not for ALL 70-somethings!
— Review left October 22, 2024
I request reimbursement for the taxi I had to take from the airport. I could not find the group leader at the airport. The final instructions Road Scholar sent said I would be picked up at baggage. I was told that She was in the middle of the crowd as I came out of passport control. I saw several signs held up for other travel companies out side passport control but nothing for Road Scholar. I tried to call her. Taxi fare was $62.63
Her handouts excluded a Museum pass, eye piece device, her hand written daily schedule for me. Everyone else had them. I had to keep reminding her that I didn’t have them.
We arrived at a restaurant one evening an hour early. She said she would arrange for us to eat early. A few of us went into the restroom. When I came out everyone was gone. She changed her mind and took everyone to a shopping mall? I wondered around by myself for an hour before dinner.
I loved the itinerary , places we visited,Agatha’s lectures and the people I met on the trip. I have loved traveling with Road Scholar.
This time communication was lacking I would appreciate a credit to my charge card for $62.63. I have a receipt, if you need it.
— Review left October 14, 2024
The hotel Jardins de Marais was not a good choice as it was not accessible. The only entrance to the hotel was 2 steps with no railing. On my first day I had fallen while going up the stair; fortunately someone caught me and broke my fall. Although Penny, group leader, had requested that I be assigned to the Ground/1st Floor, my first room was in Duffy and required going up 3 marble steps with no railing. Therefore, I requested and was assigned to a smaller room in the main building. When I informed Penny that the handicapped elevator to the restaurant was out of order, she informed a hotel staff member who told her that it would not be repaired for a considerable period of time. However, when it was repaired, no one informed her that it was working. I found out from another traveler who saw me struggling down a wet (rained all days of program) stairway to the restaurant.
Although the guide was very knowledgeable, she did not wait for those in the back of the group before crossing busy Paris streets. This was very scary to me! I found that the group leader Penny was very helpful and accommodating.
Prior to this program, I had completed 28 Road Scholar programs in 20 years. By the 6th day in Paris, I was so exhausted that I decided to leave. I contacted the Road Scholar Travel Emergency office, who were very accommodating in booking me the same flights for the following day.
Although I am very able and active in the US, I found it to be very difficult getting around in Paris. There is nothing comparable to our ADA in France!
— Review left October 9, 2024
This trip met all my expectations and more! From our tour guide and excursions to all the wonderful people I met, I would do this trip again in a heartbeat!
— Review left September 18, 2024
Slow does not equal less! Paris at a slower pace just means you will have time to enjoy the city without feeling you are in a rush to get places because the Road Scholar Program takes you where you want to go to see the things you want to see, with no hassle or fighting your way through crowded Metro cars and stations.
— Review left September 17, 2024
Hotel Jardin de Marais - some rooms had deep tubs with no grab bars - dangerous for older folks. Also, not able to put on heat in mid Sept. even though evenings were quite chilly. Breakfast buffet was wonderful and rooms were clean. Not really in Marais but rather on the edge on a dismal street, but near a Metro and some restaurants and laundromat.
— Review left September 15, 2024
“Paris at a Slower Pace” provides a great introduction to this beautiful city, and if you’ve not yet traveled with Road Scholar, a great introduction to their wonderful approach to group travel. The lectures by local experts on French history and culture were comprehensive and well presented, and onsite visits to museums and venues such as a farmer’s market and various areas of the city combined to provide a delightful program. The level of activity kept us on the move, but was a pleasant pace. This was my 15th trip with Road Scholar, and I can’t wait for the next trip!
— Review left September 10, 2024
While the Program itself was a great learning experience, the Oganizer and Guides added so much to the experience, making it entertaining and fun.
— Review left September 9, 2024
Fabulous program.
— Review left May 27, 2024
The staff were amazing. I always felt like Susana and Agatha had the best interests of the participants in mind. They did such a good job addressing issues and I felt like we had advocates at our sides throughout the trp. We are already planning our next Road Scholar excursion.
Here are several thoughts to consider.
1. The hotel was excellent, with wonderful service.
2. The tubs were much too risky for people with poor balance (which represents much of your clientele). The words, “litigation risk” scream out at me. An easy fix: have bathmats in all the tubs. A more substantial solution is to install grab bars.
3. The lecturer was phenomenal! Truly!!! I am also a university lecturer who provides outreach to the public, and I have never seen a lecturer with so much stamina as Agatha: about four days of lecture during a single week. The most I have ever done myself is one day of sustained lecture; she provided four days, accurately and with a love for French history. Do your best to keep her. She is super!
4. The only consideration I would suggest is to break up the lectures somehow, with maybe short discussion breaks to rest the mind. Agatha is such an intellect that I can foresee her experimenting with new ways of teaching. I suggest the following: https://www.apsnet.org/edcenter/foreducators/TeachingNotes/Pages/InquiryBasedApproach.aspx as something to consider. I would be glad to talk to her by Zoom. I have some ideas that I have worked up over the years. But I also want to acknowledge that classroom teaching is a very different environment than standing for hours in a noisy museum. If she considers the suggestion; and then rejects it, I would cede to her judgment. She knows the task and the challenges much better than I do.
— Review left May 22, 2024
Enjoyable, informative and affordable.
— Review left May 12, 2024
This was a wonderful experience my wife and I will remember for the rest of our lives (We'll always have Paris). The cost was not too much more than if I had been able to plan all of these activities on my own, which I never would have been able to do. The guided tours and VIP lines and meals were memorable.
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Breakfast at the hotel, and the hotel itself in Paris, were wonderful.
— Review left May 12, 2024
What a wonderful program! Our group leaders were incredibly knowledgeable and helpful. The program was both intense yet so much fun.
— Review left April 23, 2024
Agathe, our tour guide. was the highlight of this trip. "PaaSlowerPace," a comprehensive perspective on the French, their history, art and psyche. Knowledgeable. Patient. Unperturbable. Whoever recruited her deserves a big raise. From the very beginning she was a total delight. Exhaustive trip in terms of seeing and experiencing so many Parisian delights. So many opportunities to solo and just flaneur. Great if it's your first trip to France or if you've been here many times. The hotel, "Les Jardin du Marais"..literally, Hotel in the Swamp, was a terrible choice. Some people had mobility issues and you had to be pole vaulter to get into the bathtub. All in all PaaSlowPace" is great value and chock full of delightful experiences.
— Review left April 22, 2024
Paris at a Slower Pace was an exceptional program. Everyday was filled with adventures and surprises ranging from dinner on the Eiffel Tower to a private concert from our tour guide. Christopher and Agathe were a formidable team. They were very knowledgeable, engaging, enthusiastic, and lots of fun. We saw many museums and monuments and the use of the motor coach to maneuver through the city helped to keep up my energy level during very busy days. I loved this tour so much I’ve already booked Rome and Florence at a Slower Pace.
— Review left April 11, 2024
Paris is astounding and it was even more wonderful with the leadership and guidance of Christo and Agathe. Merci mille fois!J'ai vécu un rêve.
— Review left April 1, 2024
Just returned from this delightful tour. While the weather was cool and rainy our Coordinator Christopher Roche and Instructor Agathe Godard found rainbows around every corner. The quality of information and sites visited were exceptional. The included meals were good, the group mixed in a very comfortable way and the week seemed too short!
— Review left March 31, 2024
Everything you wanted to know about Paris and more! A great trip for first time visitor and for people like me who are returning after multiple visits. Lost of new places to see and new ways to understand them. A fantastic trip.
— Review left March 30, 2024
Paris at a slower pace was exactly what I was looking for as a first-time visitor. I would follow Penny and Agathe anywhere.
— Review left October 9, 2023
If you would like to see some of the most wonderful classic art ever created and enjoy a historical presentation prior to that viewing while having a narration during the viewing by a wonderfully knowledgeable and competent presenter, this is for you. I believe this is as good as it gets! Thanks RS, JJ.
— Review left September 18, 2023
I just returned from "Paris at a Slower Pace: Art & Culture in the City of Light. If you're interested in a very well organized, thorough, educational and enjoyable program in Paris with participants who have similar interests, this is an incomparable program. The experience was invaluable. I would recommend this without hesitation. Vic
— Review left May 29, 2023
I keep coming back to Road Scholar after each trip. Most of details are taken care of, I enjoyed bunch of friendly well travelers. Michele's jazz piano added special memory to all of us. We had a good diversity and ages in our group and that made our trip more enjoyable. Thanks for Penny, Agathe and all the driver who kept us happy and safe in Paris.
— Review left May 28, 2023
This was one of the best experiences traveling I have ever had. All of the details were taken care of, which left me to concentrate on learning about the history, architecture and art in Paris, eating great food, and enjoying the company of interesting and fun traveling companions. Our guides were knowledgeable, competent and fun to be around. I felt safe and our accommodations were amazing! I will travel with Road Scholar from now on!
— Review left May 24, 2023
C'etait merveilleuse.
— Review left May 14, 2023
This was my first Road Scholar program, and it was everything I had hoped it would be. I will be going on another Road Scholar adventure in the future.
— Review left April 30, 2023
What a delightful experience! Paris is stunning, even when it is unseasonably cold, drenched in rain, and subject to demonstrations. Agathe Godard possesses a wealth of knowledge about French art, history, and culture and shares it without reservation. She and Odile Babault guided our small group through a fabulous week of exploration while always ensuring our safety and responding to every question we posed. Although Paris is a popular destination and filled with tourists, even off-season, our guides did a fabulous job of securing rapid admission to museums and avoiding waiting lines. We glimpsed the plight of most tourists briefly when near the Eiffel Tower and boating on the Seine, but the expertise with which we were guided through the city made us feel like the only visitors the city had. And the food! Fabulous. Every meal was delicious and every sip of wine sublime.
— Review left April 20, 2023
I enjoyed the program.
— Review left April 3, 2023
This program provides a great introduction to Paris. My wife and I heartily recommend it. 5 stars!
— Review left April 3, 2023
Visiting Paris has been a lifelong dream of mine. I thoroughly enjoyed my travel experience with Road Scholar. I hope to continue learning French and return to Paris and other parts of France soon.
— Review left April 3, 2023
What a great opportunity to experience Paris for the first time.
— Review left October 24, 2022
Our guides were witty and wise,caring for our every need. Our friendly band of fellow travelers enjoyed a rich experience, feeling Paris truly loves us!
— Review left October 16, 2022
I came back from this tour with great memories and a smile on my face.
— Review left September 27, 2022
Josephine and Agathe are absolutely wonderful - knowledgeable, patient, thoughtful, helpful, and have a great sense of humor.
— Review left September 24, 2022
Jo, our tour guide, was exceptional. She was wonderful in handling problems and making sure all went well. Jo is a conscientious and personable guide. I'm so glad we had her.
Our Hotel, Les Jardins du Marais, was in a prime location, close to several good restaurant and had a wonderful courtyard which our room overlooked. Several times we read in the courtyard after we came back from the touring.
— Review left September 22, 2022
We were not happy campers.
It took us a few days to realize that there was a significant discrepancy in the hotel room assignment. Our room was much smaller in a poor location and lacked many amenities that the others were enjoying. I presented these facts to the group leader on May 25, and she made a rearrangement to a larger one with a kitchenette on the following day. The new room was the similar kind where most members stayed. There were big differences everywhere.
This was discrimination. All participants paid the same amount of money but we were the only nonwhites.
What else could I think?
— Review left June 29, 2022
A wonderful program! We saw so many of the important places and museums of Paris
— Review left May 29, 2022
This program hits the highlights of a short (6-day) visit to Paris. It is "slow and easy" in that you get a good taste of a few sites instead of a small taste of a lot. Though the metro is generally much faster as a method of transportation, buses are used in this program to avoid the many stairs at metro stations and to keep the participants at a comfortable temperature. All of the meals are of good quality, and many take place in interesting restaurants.
— Review left May 15, 2022
Amazing trip! First time in Paris and it will certainly not be my last. We saw and experienced the top museums, sights and churches in the city. The food was great. Penny, the group leader, kept everything running like a clock. James, the guide enriched us with his incredible knowledge about the city and its history. Despite the rain that occurred throughout most of the trip everyone was so friendly and inquisitive on this adventure. Even our coach driver became a part of our Road Scholar “family.” This trip is highly recommended and I gladly give it 5 stars!
— Review left May 6, 2022
Paris is fantastic. Penny James and Mouhi only made it more exciting & vibrant. Roads Scholar should be commended for hiring these 3 to represent them & present one of the great cities of the world through their eyes.
— Review left May 3, 2022
You can provide any my comments. I think it’s important of how Trip insurance works. I’ll leave up to you what to share. You may want to give a contact to see the final outcomes
— Review left May 1, 2022
Road Scholar helped me feel confident as a solo traveler. I felt safe and well cared for and it was easy to make new friends! The program leaders, Emma Leslie & Laurent Guariglia, were fabulous! Their depth of knowledge enriched the experience for me. I’m looking forward to my next Road Scholar adventure!
— Review left October 5, 2021
This program is a superb adventure into the whole of Paris. The program's description is accurate regarding place, time, and amount of physical activity. There is time for individual pursuit while learning as a group. I traveled alone and found like-minded, good-spirited people who were open and engaging. I recommend the program without reservation.
— Review left September 24, 2019
A very nice introduction to Paris - saw more than I expected. Could have used a free afternoon (or another whole day) to do a little private exploring otherwise a good trip. Sylvie Moreau , our Paris guide was excellent as was our Road Scholar Group Leader Penny Old.
— Review left September 20, 2019
After taking Paris at a Slower Pace you'll love Paris even more than you did before!
— Review left June 3, 2019
An excellent introduction to the highlights of Paris
— Review left May 25, 2019
This program is just perfect for those who want to spend a week in Paris, see the great art of the Louvre, and painting after painting from all the Impressionist artists you know. Significant cultural sites are included; it is a nice balance of guided activities and free time, and you can soak up the wonderful Paris cafe culture as well. Highly recommended!
— Review left May 20, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed and would highly recommend "Paris At A Slower Pace: Art & Culture in the City of Light". Be prepared to be dazzled by the Museums, Gardens, and Sights & Sounds of this amazing City! And the food is so delicious that you'll be glad you're staying so active! Susana and Agathe were wonderful, very knowledgeable and very helpful.
— Review left May 20, 2019
We'll definitely look at Road Scholar for our next European vacation.
— Review left April 28, 2019
A wonderful overview of Paris that goes both deep and broad, led by experts .
— Review left April 22, 2019
An excellent overview of Paris. In just a week, we were able to see most of the high points. The group leader and instructor could not have been better, always ready with advice and insights. We ate well -- Road Scholar chose excellent restaurants. My only wish is that we'd spent less time on the bus, but perhaps this could not have been avoided. A week is a good length of time (we've been on two-week trips that felt too long for a group experience). Overall, a terrific, memorable trip.
— Review left April 22, 2019
I can't say enough about our guide and facilitator. Efficient, positive, engaging. Our bus driver was a gem and amazing.
— Review left April 21, 2019
The pace of this program is fast paced but very doable. Penny and Jenny are outstanding group leaders and our bus driver was very good. Wonderful way to see much of Paris.
— Review left April 19, 2019
An exciting way to see the world for retired clientele. All the fun without the fuss.
— Review left April 18, 2019