French Culinary Vacations: A Food Tour of Paris

Paris Culinary Treasures
Paris

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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 Itinerary

Day 1

  • 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.

Day 2

  • 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.

Day 3

  • 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.

Day 4

  • 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.

Day 5

  • 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.

Day 6

  • 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.

Day 7

  • 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.

Day 8

  • 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.

Day 9

  • Breakfast at hotel followed by airport departure, Au revoir!

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