Is your idea of the perfect vacation to
explore Paris' best French and multi-cultural markets and fascinating quarters
(with a culinary twist)? To dine in delectable gourmet-bistros? To savor tastings
of French cheese, wines and artisanal chocolates?
Add in a full day to visit Reims to tour Taittinger and Mumm’s historic Caves,
to taste their champagne and visit the glorious Cathedral of Notre Dame in Reims,
and voilà!
This engaging culinary immersion is the creation of Sally Peabody an avid Francophile and
writer about all things French. Her articles have appeared in This City Paris Magazine,
TeaTime, Bonjour Paris, Tea Time Worldwide, International Living,
International Travel News, Tea Experience Digest and the Toronto Globe and Mail.
Her tours have been featured in the Boston Globe and the San Diego Union Tribune, in French
Tourist Board newsletters, in International Travel News and in Bonjour Paris.
Sally has also co-authored Une Semaine á Paris, A Traveler’s Guide With a Novel Twist
with noted French Tutor, Camille Chevalier Karfis (a uniquely informative and enjoyable
way to learn and improve your French). She has also authored Tour de Thé,
Taking Tea All Over Paris and Other Remarkable Places Around the World
and has published two editions of her popular E-Guide, Take Paris Personally,
Your Guide to Discovering Quintessential Paris on her website.
This is an opportunity to spend an unforgettable week in Paris! If you are interested in adding a lesson to your itinerary, please consult our
One-Day Cooking Lessons in Paris.
Paris Culinary Treasures
Paris, Ile-de-France
Itinerary
Day One - Friday, May 8 / September 25
- Arrival on your own and check into your accommodation.
- Afternoon and dinner at leisure (prior to your departure, you will
receive an informational packet that lists several ‘jet-lag friendly’
things to see and do near the hotel, plus restaurants, cafes, bistros nearby).
- Overnight.
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Day Two - Saturday, May 9 / September 26
- Meet at 10:30 AM in the hotel lobby for your welcome and orientation by your tour
leader, Sally Peabody.
- Your day will start with a walking tour, an introduction to the culinary treasures of
St. Germain des Prés.
- After visiting bakers, pastry and chocolate makers, artisanal culinary oil makers,
Kusmi Tea's new shop, you will have time to relax during a one-hour boat cruise on the Seine.
Following the cruise, a tea tasting at Mariage Frères.
- Dinner will be at a gourmet bistro in your quarter.
- Return to your hotel and overnight.
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Day Three - Sunday, May 10 / September 27
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Meet at 10:00 AM for a visit of two vibrant markets: the Marais & Aligre quarters.
You will see the bustling Place d’Aligre and Richard Lenoir markets, followed by a walking
tour of the historic Marais quarter.
- Relaxed lunch at Robert et Louis in the Marais.
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Day Four - Monday, May 11 / September 28
- Breakfast at hotel.
- Meet at 9:00 AM for your day trip to the provincial city of Reims,
the heart of Champagne.
You will visit a noted champagne firm’s cellars (e.g. Taittinger),
the historic and beautiful Reims’ Cathedral of Notre Dame
and shop for champagne and regional gourmet specialties.
- Lunch will be at Brasserie du Boulingrin.
- Afternoon drive through the winegrowing villages and stops at a family producer of grand cru
champagnes.
- Overnight.
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Day Five - Tuesday, May 12 / September 29
- After breakfast, meet at 10:00 AM.
- Your morning will start with a walking tour of the historic Montmartre quater
and afterwards, the So-Pi quarter with its Rue des Martyrs (a newly hip market street) in the ninth quarter.
- Lunch at Le Maquis, followed by a chocolate tasting.
- Return to your hotel.
- Tonight's dinner on your own and overnight.
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Day Six - Wednesday, May 13 / September 30
- After breakfast meet at 10:00 AM for a walking tour of the artisan-filled Viaduc des Arts, the
Promenade Plantee and Bercy Village.
- Lunch/tasting: wine and cheese degustation at Fils O'Fromage.
- Visit to Le Cure Gourmand in Bercy Village to taste Provencal cookies and candies.
- Enjoy a walk in the Bercy Gardens.
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Day Seven - Thursday, May 14 / October 1
- Breakfast at hotel.
- Meet at 10:00 AM for a walking tour of the food and cookware shops on and near the
rue Montorgueil, one of Paris’ best market streets. You will also see the
atmospheric passage couvert named the Galleries Vivienne and the verdant, peaceful Palais Royal.
- Lunch at a classic brasserie, Le Grand Colbert, followed by a tasting of regional French wines at Juveniles Bar a Vins.
- Dinner on your own and overnight.
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Day Eight - Friday, May 15 / October 2
- Morning and afternoon may be at leisure. Otherwise, spend the
day with Sally exploring additional culinary treasures of the sixth arrondissement,
including visits to master boulangers and patissiers, the
Friday Raspail Market, the Rue de Bac
(a wonderful shopping street) and the incomparable La Grand Epicerie of Le Bon Marché.
- Lunch will be a relaxed multi-course gastronomic meal at Ecole Superieur de Cuisine Francaise Ferrandi.
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Day Nine - Saturday, May 16 / October 3
- Breakfast at hotel followed by airport departure, Au revoir!
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Included in the gastronomic tour:
- Eight nights accommodation in a three-star hotel with
early check-in on arrival day (based on double occupancy, single
supplement available)
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Buffet breakfast daily
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Hotel taxes
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Seine cruise
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One multi-course meal (lunch or dinner) daily
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Metro passes
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Transportation to Reims, champagne tour and tasting
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Tea at Mariage Frères
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All market, gourmet and neighborhood tours
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Talks
and tastings with culinary artisans focused on regional French
wines; pairing wine, cheese and other food, and fine chocolates
Other than coffee or tea, wine, aperitifs and other beverages are
not included with meals unless part of a ‘menu.’ Guests are requested to pre-pay an
additional US$150 for a 'wine-fund' for wine, ordered by tour leader, with meals.
Arrival and departure transfers not included, but can be arranged for an additional cost.
Please note:
This is a tour of Paris that incorporates walking and public transportation.
Walks may be up to three miles per day and will include climbing Métro stairs
and being on one’s feet for several hours. Should you choose to leave one of the
daily tour activities for any reason, you are responsible for your own transportation to the
hotel or any later meeting point with the group.
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Cooking Vacations 
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