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Market Day

[Photo: © Cold Spring Press 2000-2010]

FRANCE On Your Own © is pleased to offer this page of interesting offerings that may be of help when you are planning your next visit to France.  It includes 
  • properties for sale are currently either bed & breakfast accommodations or properties rented by the week for vacations.  In most circumstances, the owners had their own rooms in the château.
    • a Medieval château bed & breakfast with weekly self-catering gîtes just south of the Loire River 
    • a magnificent château in the département of the Vendée that sleeps up to 55 guests
    • an exquisite 10-bedroom château in the Creuse near Aubusson, move-in ready
    • a small château near the River Creuse at a great price!
    • a well-loved and cared for château in Brittany just outside of a famous village
  • Fractional Ownership of fine Paris apartments
  • a Retreat to France for Women this May!  Read about it below!
  • elegant note cards with pen and ink drawings of French châteaux ~ for yourself or as a gift for others
  • truly easy online booking for hotels in Paris and other French cities ~ at great discounts!
  • modern and lovely apartments for rent in Paris' best neighborhoods
  • personal guide for historic walks in Paris
  • accommodations accompanied by creative workshops in Provence
We hope you find just what you are looking for in our MARKETPLACE!

Although we are very selective about the offerings we accept for this page, we regret that
 we cannot guarantee satisfaction nor be held responsible for any transactions between parties to these ads. 

To place an ad in MARKETPLACE, click to email us:  advertise@franceonyourown.com


France Travel For Women – A Unique Retreat for Women

May 28 – June 3, 2012
“Have joy and peace in the temple of your senses.”

Summary of retreat details:

Cost per person: $2950 -  The Retreat Package includes 6 nights lodging (see accommodations below), all  breakfasts, two dinners, labyrinth walks, two private guided tours of  Paris and Chartres, private, chauffeur-driven transport to Giverny Gardens and Monet’s house, entrance fees to Monet’s house and gardens, fabulous evening cruise on the Seine in Paris, daily centering, guided conversations and focused activities.

  • When:Arrive Paris on Monday, May 28- Depart Chartres by train for Paris, Sunday, June 3, 2012
  • Where: Paris for two nights in a three star hotel, then depart in a private van with driver for a day at Monet’s House and Gardens in Giverny, and on to Chartres, France for four nights.
  • For Whom:Women who want to experience the transformational blend of beauty, heart and spirit in a uniquely planned retreat in France.  Limited to 6 women.
  • Why: To celebrate in a very special way a new decade in your life, acknowledge an important transition, or treat yourself to well-deserved time away from your daily routine and responsibilities.
Please contact Barbara (barb@barbarababkirk.com) or Susanna (susanna@susannaliller.com) with your questions about this retreat for women.

P-042012


MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS ONLINE. . .
     with EasyToBook.com

EasyToBook.com would like you to visit their web site.  EasyToBook is the booking service for hotels that offers the best discounts making online hotel reservations simple, easy and secure giving the traveler access to a vast choice of carefully-selected and superb discounted hotels. The site offers thousands of discounted rooms, all of which may be booked (and canceled) instantly.  No waiting!

Save money because every hotel room offered is guaranteed to have the best rate available on the Internet; you pay no reservation fee and have a wide choice of fine hotels in Paris as well as throughout France and elsewhere in Europe and the world  ~ at all price levels from 1 to 5 stars!  And, because there are no 3rd and 4th parties involved in your reservation, the hotels can provide the lowest rates through EasyToBook.com.

What makes EasyToBook.com your best choice for online booking?  One thing might be the Dutch approach of high quality customer service.  Your satisfaction is their goal.  They designed their web site to be easy to find on the Internet, easy to use and to contain accurate information about hotels, their surroundings and local tourist attractions.

For example, EasyToBook was one of the first companies to use Google Maps and provides customers with 360 degree pictures to give a total view of the hotel and the room.  This avoids customer disappointment later.  Since the founding of the company in 2004, it has expanded yearly, moved the head office to Switzerland in 2006, and it has plans to cover the world very soon.

Just because you can receive the best discounted rate doesn't mean the hotels on EasyToBook.com aren't high quality accommodations.  Here are two examples:

The Millennium Hôtel Opéra Paris on boulevard Haussmann is a 4-star hotel:

The Millennium Hôtel Opéra ParisThe Millennium Hôtel Opéra Paris

The Hôtel Château Les Crayères just east of Paris in the Marne is a 5-star property: 

Hôtel Château Les Crayères, MarneHôtel Château Les Crayères, Marne

Please be sure to visit EasyToBook's France hotels pages using the following links:

Paris Hotels

Hotels in France

Nice Hotels

Bordeaux Hotels
 

and tell them FRANCE On Your Own sent you!

P063011


FRENCH CHÂTEAU NOTE CARDS 

These luxurious, ivory-colored classical note cards present our exclusive pen and ink drawings of magnificent château chambres d'hôtes in France.  An assortment of twelve with matching envelopes will provide you with a unique and elegant
way to drop a few lines to friends or to express yourself with a distinctive thank you message.  Our cards also make very thoughtful and original gifts.  See our prices below which include postage and handling.

Three of the twelve cards (châteaus Canisy, Motte and Foulon) are shown above. 
The actual size of each card when folded is 5 1/2" wide by 4 1/4" high
(14 cms wide by 10 3/4 cms high),  printed on beautiful matte finish card stock. 
They are blank inside, and the name of the château
represented on the face of the card is indicated on the back.

$15.50 to the United States / packet of 12 assorted cards includes first class postage and handling.
$16.00 to Canada or Mexico / packet of 12 assorted cards includes first class postage and handling.
$19.50 to Europe / packet of 12 assorted cards includes air mail postage and handling.
(Please inquire about cost to other destinations by email to watercolors@franceonyourown.com)

Check payments:  Mail your check payable to Cold Spring Press with a note providing your full mailing address to the Post Office Box indicated at the bottom of this page.  For payments by non-US dollar check, please add 5% to the total amount.

Credit card payments: click on the PayPal icon below.  Please provide your full mailing address.

"Make payments with PayPal.  It's fast, easy and secure!"

Currently, please allow for 2 weeks to receive your cards from the date your order is received by FRANCE On Your Own.  If you need the cards in less time, please contact us at watercolors@franceonyourown.com for availability and express shipping costs.

If your complete mailing address is not provided and we do not receive an email address to contact you, we will not be able to ship your cards.  Thank you in advance for remembering!

CSP1231

5 Fine Châteaux for Sale!

Château near the River Creuse
for sale at a bargain price!!

Exquisite château overlooking the valley

A magnificent 14th century château ideal for a B&B or weekly rental

This beautiful château in the Vienne of western France sits high upon a wooded bluff over the River Creuse with stunning panoramic views of the countryside.  Testament to the fact that this has been a sacred site for over 5000 years is a megalith standing in front of the château.  The château itself can be traced to an earlier castle located here in the eleventh century, while the current structure primarily dates back to the fourteenth century when it was home to the Chamberlain to King Louis XI.   Nearby La Roche-Posay has been a renowned spa town since Roman times, and the château's own well is fed from the same aquifer. 

Its new owners will appreciate the lovely gardens surrounding the château and will enjoy the swimming pool, with underwater lighting for use at any hour, offering both privacy and views over the peaceful countryside.  It is a model of thoughtful restoration including the most modern of facilities such as heated floors and a well-equipped modern kitchen -- all achieved by its British and American owners without sacrificing any of the historic integrity of the building.  Guests will experience the medieval mood of the château expressed in massive stone walls, huge fireplaces, heavily-beamed ceilings and a stone spiral staircase uniting the four stories of the château.  The château offers five double bedrooms, a large family room with an additional four beds, a fully-equipped kitchen with dishwasher, and a spacious living/dining room.  The master bedroom, with valley views, even has a Jacuzzi and private access to the East Terrace. 

Elegant bedroomBedroom with terrace
Two of the lovely bedrooms at the château

The location of the château is important as well.  Halfway between the Loire Valley city of Tours and the historic city of Poitiers, it is ideally positioned near the beautiful Creuse River.  Historic sites are abundant in the region, including the prehistoric museum at nearby Le Grand Pressigny, the medieval frescoes at the abbey at St-Savin, and the ruins of the château at Angles-sur-l'Anglin.  Those traveling with children (and even those without children) will thoroughly enjoy a visit to nearby Futuroscope, the popular high-tech theme park.   A bit farther afield is the seaside town of La Rochelle, delightful to visit and perfect for a grand seafood dinner. 

This property would be an ideal investment, whether a private residence or rental property.  For price, details and further information, please contact us at info@au-chateau.com and mention Vienne Château.


Breton Château ~ Lovingly Cared 
for and Move-in Ready

Breton Château

Perfect Location near Popular Historic village ~ Grand Vistas from the Château

In the département of the Morbihan in southern Brittany this authentic sixteenth and seventeenth century listed château is waiting for a new owner.   It is an imposing granite structure dominating the petite Vallée de l'Arz near the most delightful medieval village - once you visit there you will return again and again.

The château was the property of a powerful family since the 16th century, and became the property in 1989 of a young man who dreamed of owning it since he was 8 years old.  He initially spent six months making renovations, personally taking charge of the interior design, selecting fabrics and furniture, and choosing the subtle lighting which underscores the beauty of the décor.  In the years that followed, many renovations, upgrades and improvements have been made, turning this château into one of the most popular destinations in Brittany for those seeking a quality bed and breakfast accommodation with the option of taking dinner in the elegant dining room.

Elegant guest roomEight double en suite bedrooms, and grounds that comprise twenty hectares of lawns, woods and gardens, make this château the perfect opportunity for someone to move in and immediately begin hosting guests.  The prehistoric megaliths found on the site and the ancient chapel make it all the more interesting for guests and owners alike. 

This château is an ideal base for a wide variety of regional activities.    Ferry trips to islands in the Baie de Quiberon such as Brittany's largest, Belle -Île, or day trips to the region's numerous beaches and picturesque fishing ports are only some of the things to do and see in the area.  The Morbihan is peppered with megalithic sites, the most famous of which is Carnac within an easy drive of the château,  considered one of the world's most important prehistoric sites with over 3,000 menhirs and an excellent museum, Musée de Préhistoire. Nearby is the medieval town of Josselin and its Château de Josselin dating from 1407,  as well as Vannes, a city steeped in history as far back as 56 BC when Caesar's troops defeated its Armorican tribe and where you can visit the medieval streets around rue de la Monnaie, the 13th century Cathédrale St-Pierre, or the 15th century Château Gaillard housing the Musée d'Archéologie du Morbihan

Make this your property in France, and welcome guests from around to world who are seeking elegant accommodations in one of the most interesting regions of France.  For detailed information and the asking price of the château, please contact us at info@franceonyourown.com with Breton Château in the subject line.


ELEVENTH CENTURY FRENCH CHÂTEAU FOR SALE
with Gîtes and Bed & Breakfast accommodations

The châteauIn the tourist-rich Loire Valley, on the banks of a tributary of the Loire, is this amazing Medieval château with four self-catering gîtes and a lovely bed and breakfast, too!  For those interested in living in luxury while operating a successful and enjoyable business, this château is perfect!  Currently, a French/English speaking couple are the very capable on site managers.

Fireplace and dining hallDining Hall with Piano

                                       THE GRAND FIREPLACE AND DINING HALL

The 11th century château, gîtes and B&B sit on over 5 hectares of beautiful property, complete with gardens and a heated swimming pool open from May to October.  The château can accommodate up to 14 people in its five spacious guest rooms, and has a dining hall fit for a king!  In fact, Kind Henri IV was a guest here in 1576!

Terraces at GîtesCottages and Pool

COTTAGES AND SWIMMING POOL

Guests of the château will find the area abundant in things to do and see.  They will enjoy late medieval and Renaissance art and culture at the nearby Château d'Angers which is famous for its tapestries of the Apocalypse and Mille Fleurs gobelin tapestries.  The amazing Abbaye de Fontevraud is not far away, nor is the wonderful Château de Saumur and nearby riding center.  Wine lovers will enjoy the appellations and vineyards of Anjou as well as visiting the grand castles of the Loire. 

Window detail Suite Henri IVSuite Henri IV

SUITE HENRI IV

In addition to the château itself accommodating ten adults and four children in 5 guest rooms, the bed and breakfast lodges ten+ people in 4 suites and 1  double guest room; and the four holiday cottages/gîtes will accommodate up to a total of 20 people who are looking for self-catering holidays on the grounds of a magnificent château.  The cottages and bed & breakfast are elegant and comfortable with parquet and stone floors, beamed ceilings and spaciousness and include underfloor heating, air conditioning, satellite television, telephones, and, upon request, Internet connections.  All modern comforts are provided. 

Guests can come for rejuvenation and wellness treatments at the château as well.  There is an infra-red sauna, a Jacuzzi, and massage showers. Currently operating to full capacity, groups can take the entire property for special celebrations, friend and family reunions or group wine tasting visits.

For those interested in learning more about purchasing this property, serious inquiries should be sent to info@franceonyourown.com, please put 'Loire Château' in the subject line.  We can provide further photos, more details about the property, and sale price.  We look forward to hearing from you!

 [Copyrighted photos courtesy of the château owner.  All rights reserved.]

CX2-1231

An Exquisite Château near Aubusson

***  Substantial Price Reduction !! ***

Château in the Creuse

The Creuse département of France's Limousin region draws those seeking fine porcelain in Limoges, exquisite tapestries in Aubusson, and, as it is a land of natural beauty and tranquility, the ideal locale for a relaxing and memorable holiday.  Set in the scenic foothills of the Massif Central,  the Creuse is hilly and wooded with lakes and rivers in abundance ~ and, it is an angler's paradise.  Lac de Vassivière is one of Europe's largest man-made water sports complexes offering 1100 hectares for swimming, snorkeling, wind-surfing, sailing, speed boating, water skiing and fishing. 

In 2008 this exquisite château opened its doors to guests following three years of extensive restoration, and it was renamed after a prominent Aubusson family who kept the tapestry manufacture alive during the trying times of the Empire and Restoration periods. 

Entry HallRestaurantPassageway
The welcoming entry hall, restaurant  with magnificent fireplace, château passageway

The château has been painstakingly renovated, and all efforts were made to retain the period features of the residence.  The basement houses the kitchen, banquet hall and wine cellars.  The ground floor features the Grand Salon with a stunning period fireplace and high ceilings, the Conservatory for breakfast, the Petit Salon for quiet times and reading, a Billiards room, and the Restaurant for the enjoyment of gourmet cuisine in a classical setting. 

BedroomBedroom

Two of the ten en suite bedrooms at the château

A château such as this with ten large suites, all with en suite bathrooms, five of which are on the first floor -  luxurious rooms with high ceilings, and five more spacious and refined guest suites on the second floor - is the perfect château for renting, chambres d'hôtes, or as the private residence of a large and active family. [Furnishings not included.]

Today, the château is being offered for sale.  As you will see in these photographs, it is a truly unique and inviting.  This sophisticated and elegant residence needs nothing more than for a new owner to move in. 

For information please send an email to publisher@franceonyourown.com and put 'Creuse Château' in the subject line.  Merci!

CX3-1231


XIX CENTURY FRENCH CHÂTEAU FOR SALE

Vendée Château for Sale

In  the département of the Vendée in western France, with easy access to the Atlantic shore, a beautiful 19th century château is now for sale.  Currently used as a family residence and bed & breakfast, the château shares its 13 hectares of parkland (32.5 acres) with three small rental cottages, a longère recently completely renovated as a 'dortoir' with facilities for conferences, seminars, weddings and other large gatherings, a heated swimming pool, horse stables and a SwinGolf course.

The château not only provides private accommodations for its resident owners, but it offers two double guest rooms, one twin guest room and two suites, all with en suite bathrooms, for guests, as well as a formal dining room, finely-detailed classical French interiors, exquisite stained glass and other unique attributes.  The château is in excellent,  move-in condition.  The total capacity of the château, cottages and longère is 40 persons. 

STAINED GLASS, HEATED POOL, CLASSICAL ARCHITECTURE

Nearby are many tourist attractions, including the historic city of Nantes (a half hour drive from the Château and two hours from Paris via TGV), Le Logis de la Chabotterie (historic castle of the Vendéen War) fishing, hunting, museums, son et lumière spectacle at Puy de Fou, the seaside resort of St Jean-de-Monts,  La Roche-sur-Yon,  the Île de Noirmoutier, and the Marais de Challans.

Aerial View

AERIAL VIEW OF CHÂTEAU AND DEPENDENCIES 
[Entrance road to estate is at top left center of photo]

The château and its dependencies generate a very substantial annual income for its owners, while maintenance costs and taxes are very low. 

Those with a serious interest in the possible purchase of this château can contact us at info@franceonyourown.com, (please indicate Vendée Château in the subject line) and we will be happy to provide more details, photos and price information. We promise a prompt response to all inquiries.

CX4-1231


PARIS FRACTIONAL OWNERSHIP &
    BEAUTIFUL PARIS APARTMENT RENTALS

Glenn Cooper of Rentals in Paris can help you find the perfect Paris apartment.  Glenn has lived in Paris for 18 years and worked with many clients to buy their own Paris pied-a-terre worry free.  His inside knowledge of Paris real estate and how one gets things done in Paris has helped him to grow his apartment hunting service over a number of years. 

Fractional Ownership

Paris ApartmentView from Paris Apartment
Fractional Ownership available for this Paris Apartment
with a view of Notre Dame Cathedral

Glenn is now offering buyers the opportunity to own a fixed yearly period of one of his beautiful ideally-located Paris apartments.  His Fractional Ownership properties are located on the Île de la Cité and in the Marais.  You can view his web site which presents his fractional ownership properties at: http://www.paris-fractional-ownership.com . PLEASE MENTION FRANCE On Your Own WHEN CONTACTING GLENN.

For a small fraction of what a Paris apartment would cost if you purchased the entire property outright, you can own a lifetime share of a beautiful, perfectly-located Paris apartment with complete maintenance in place so that you will enjoy the property in a truly care-free manner.  This new concept is perfect for first time buyers in Paris who really want to go ahead but don't want to be bothered with all of the day-to-day concerns that property ownership requires. 

Apartment Rentals

Rental in ParisRental in Paris
Apartments you can enjoy from Rentals in Paris

His long running Paris rental business, Rentals in Paris, offers guests beautiful Paris apartments in perfect Parisian neighborhoods ~ ideal for your next stay in the City of Light.  Guests are offered nicely furnished, completely equipped quality apartments in the heart of Paris' most popular and centrally-located neighborhoods: the Marais, Île de la Cité, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, and the Louvre.

Each apartment ~ and there are nearly 25 from which to choose ~ is stylishly decorated with amazing attention to detail.  There are queen-sized beds, comfortable sofa-sleepers, cable television, and beautiful bathrooms.  Most have washing machines and/or clothes dryers and some have air conditioning, high speed Wi-Fi DSL and telephone lines that include phone calls to the US, Canada, Australia, and most European countries.

Compare feeling at home in one of these great apartments to staying in a Paris hotel, and compare the cost.  Guests have discovered why apartments in Paris are a better solution than Paris hotels in terms of comfort level, space, amenities and value for money when traveling to France. 

One bedroom apartments from Rentals in Paris range from 900 to 1200 euros per week or 2700 to 3600 euros per month, while two bedroom apartments cost from 1400 to 1800 euros per week and 4000 to 5000 euros per month. You will have the convenience of your own kitchen and all the other comforts of home.  Prices are all inclusive, with telephone access and weekly linen changes (for monthly guests) as part of the rate. 

All reservations are handled personally with the added convenience of booking online at the Rentals in Paris web site at http://www.rentals-paris.com.  An English-speaking staff member greets guests at the apartments in Paris and is available during your stay. If you have any questions or need anything, you will always be able to contact a representative in Paris.

For complete details, locations, and more photos, visit the web site or email your American contact in Paris, Glenn Cooper, at coopergl@gmail.com. You can also phone him from the US at 1.516.977.3318. PLEASE MENTION FRANCE On Your Own WHEN CONTACTING GLENN.

P-113011


CREATIVE VACATIONS IN A MEDIEVAL PROVENÇAL VILLAGE:
Maison d'hôtes with charm offers art, writing and creativity workshops

What if your dream of a holiday in a heavenly Provençal perched village could become reality?  And what if it offered spacious yet cozy guest rooms, art or writing classes, or a mix of creative arts including cooking, wine tasting, language, culture and painting?  What if such a place truly existed and was waiting just for you?

Saignon and Lavender, copyright M. Mitchell.  All rights reserved.
Saignon and Fields of Lavender

Well, your dreams have been answered!    In the dramatic yet peaceful medieval village of Saignon in the Luberon of Provence you will find La Maison des Arts et Lettres, a romantic and comfortable home that is designed to warmly welcome guests.  For those interested in painting with Andrew (classes scheduled May through September), the all inclusive 10-day package for one is $3500 US for a week, for two is $5600 US for the week, and $1500 US for a non-painting companion.  Marcia, your hostess, conducts writing classes and keeps your appetite satisfied with fine cuisine and wine.

You and your fellow students will have daily morning and afternoon sessions, en plein air with countryside and village scenes to choose from -  in orchards, vineyards or fields of sunflowers, poppies, and lavender.  You may also work with live models in the studio and in the landscape. 

You will receive individual attention in a non-competitive environment, working at your own pace and level, to develop your skills, discover new aspects of your talent, and refine your perception of the world. 

Around noon, you'll break to share questions and ideas over a copious lunch of seasonal specialties, with local wines, cheeses and freshly baked bread.

Field trips will take you to places that inspired Van Gogh and Cezanne; to Roman bridges ~ both famous and forgotten; to gardens and chateaux. You can up your experience with an optional cooking class, wine-tasting at a vintner's, or an accompanied visit to one of Province's lively outdoor markets. 

To top off the week, we will host a reception to show off your chosen works to local art lovers in our ancient vaulted gallery space.

Artist at work, copyright M. Mitchell.  All rights reserved.Painting Poppy Fields, copyright M. Mitchell.  All rights reserved.
Artists at Work

For those interested in something other than painting, perhaps just unwinding and enjoying the beautiful Luberon, you can be a guest at La Maison which offers weekly self-catering rentals.  You have a choice of a three-bedroom, three-bath apartment for six or seven at 1700 euros per week, a suite for 4 at 1000 euros per week, a studio for two at 595 euros, or a one-bedroom apartment for a two or three people at 650 euros per week.  All come with thoughtful amenities such as hair dryers, scented bath products, a coffee maker, CD player, Wi-Fi and more.

Your bilingual (English and French) hosts, Marcia and Andrew will make you feel right at home.  The village is located amid the lavender, poppies and sunflowers of a regional park in the magical Luberon, only four kilometers from the market town of Apt.  La Maison des Arts et Lettres was once part of the ramparts of this medieval village, but today, recently renovated,  it offers tranquil rooms overlooking the Place de l'Horloge and is a short walk to the Place de la Fontaine, the village's center of activity.  Guests will appreciate the original features of the building such as the chemin du ronde, the catwalk soldiers used to keep watch over the valley below, and the base of the old signal tower.  Vaulted stone cellars from the tenth century are now home to a wine tasting cave and an art gallery.

Maison apartment, copyright M. Mitchell.  All rights reserved.Maison Guest Room, copyright M. Mitchell.  All rights reserved.
Lovely Guest Accommodations

Regional attractions are not far, with Avignon a mere 45 minutes (home to the Palais du Pape on the Rhône) as well as the famed Cours Mirabeau in Aix-en-Provence.  Famous Luberon hill villages like Gordes and Roussillon are just minutes away.  A bit farther afield, but not out of easy reach, are Nîmes, Arles, Orange and Vaison-la-Romaine.  Your hosts will be more than happy to help you plan your daily itinerary to make the most of your stay.

Past guests have given rave reviews after their stays.   "Almost Heaven!..."  "Far more like staying with friends than staying at an inn..."  "We had an absolutely amazing four days..." and "I felt like Cinderella...it was a totally sublime stay."   You, too, can experience La Maison des Arts et Lettres, as a guest who just wants to relax and soak up the Provençal warmth and fragrances, or as a participant in painting, art or other casual creative pastimes.

For more information on the Painting courses, Creative Workshops or to inquire about guest reservations at La Maison des Arts et Lettres for a week or longer, send an email to info@franceonyourown.com

CX1231


HISTORIC STROLLS IN PARIS

Paris Through the Ages  offers a series of seventeen strolls to help you discover little-known facts about the City of Light (and two guided tours outside the city) which will be revealed to you in a most entertaining and enlightening manner by Arthur Gillette.  He knows Paris. Arthur is an American graduate of Harvard (Magna Cum Laude in French language and literature) with a doctorate from the University of Massachusetts.  He has lived in Paris since 1958 and for many years was an official at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) head quartered in Paris.  At UNESCO he was Editor-in-Chief of Museum International magazine.One delight on the Art Nouveau Stroll

You can just imagine what a stroll with Arthur Gillette will offer you!  As the author of the Paris Through the Ages series of nine pocket map-guides, and an expert on Paris and her monuments, your time could not be better spent.  Strolls are organized for small groups (and almost always for a party of family and/or friends) to allow people to interact and ask questions along the way, focusing on the vestiges of a single historical period -- in some cases on a single monument. Each stroll takes from two to two and a half hours and is done at a comfortable and leisurely pace.  The themes of sixteen currently offered strolls are: 

  • 1 Lutetia: Roman Paris  (its arena, baths and more)
  • 2 A Medieval Sampler  (Saint Germain de Prés church, the 13th century Cordeliers monastery refectory, the Cluny abbots' "townhouse")
  • 3 Learning in Paris   (university and student life in the Latin Quarter between the 12th and 16th centuries)
  • 4 The Wall Route Right Bank (follow the 12th century rampart from the Louvre to the eastern extremity of the Medieval city)
  • 5 The Wall Route Left Bank (follow the 13th century rampart as it wends its way through courtyards, mews and an underground parking lot!)
  • 6 Notre Dame Cathedral (hear about some unsolved mysteries surrounding the Grand Old Lady)
  • 7 Cradle of the Capital:  Île de la Cité (a sampling of events that marked Parisian history through 2300 years of uninterrupted habitation)
  • 8 Around rue de la Huchette: Heart of the Latin Quarter  (architectural reminiscences of Renaissance King François Ier, 19th  century poet Charles Baudelaire, a 16th century Royal Prosecutor, and Napoleon Bonaparte, as well as the oldest tree in Paris, the intimate 12th-13th century St. Julien le Pauvre church and other medieval memories)
  • 9 The "Grand Century" on the Île St. Louis (an intimate round-island look at the architecture and history of some of Paris's grandest 17th century mansions, including where author James Jones lived for many years)
  • 10 The Naughty Marais (feats of derring-do whose ghosts haunt what was once THE place to live in the French capital)
  • 11 Atmosphère Along The Canal St-Martin  - (A look at what's left of the Bastille's story and reality, the handsome (!) early 17th century St. Louis plague hospital, and Paris’ main 'inland waterway' – a strollers’ delight)
  • 12 The Mouffetard Quarter: “Quaint” PLUS  (a highway leaving Paris for Rome 2,000 years ago, rue Mouffetard still boasts a street market that has functioned since about 1350, not to forget a public fountain erected by Marie de Medici, the house where Ernest Hemingway lived in the 1930s and segments of the Medieval city rampart)
  • 13 Smiling Architecture:  Parisian Art Nouveau (visit some of the masterpieces of Guimard, Chédanne, Sauvage and other Belle Epoque builders) see photo 
  • 14 Meet the Marne - (Along the weeping willow-bordered Marne River banks you'll discover famed 1900s guinguette dance halls, the Ile of Beauty (where 14th century Bastille-builder King Charles V loved and died), some crazy turn-of-the-century houses worthy of Charles Addams, the capital of France's rowing champions and one of the original Paris Halles (central market) Baltard pavilions, dismantled and reassembled as a cultural center in the early 1970s.
  • 15 Cool, Clean and Angular – Art Deco Architecture in Paris (some of the best Parisian samples – Samaritaine department store, Théâtre des Champs Elysées, Palais de Chaillot, La Coupole Café etc. -  of the movement that inspired such great American creations as New York's Chrysler Building, with memories of F. Scott Fitzgerald and Josephine Baker, among other American luminaries) 
  • 16 19 - 25 August 1944:  The Liberation of Paris (military and political highlights of the "glorious week" -- some grave and others humorous -  pinpointing aspects of American involvement) 
  • 17 USA sur Seine – major Parisian roots of the American Revolution.
  • 18 Vaux-le-Vicomte & Senlis: Day-long visits to historical high spots near Paris such as the 'predecessor to Versailles', Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, and Senlis, whose layered vestiges stretch back 17 centuries, can usually be arranged by prior request.  Car transportation provided as needed.
Reservations are necessary, so to schedule your stroll and to obtain prices, contact Arthur Gillette by Email at armedv@aol.comor phone him at  33.1.45.34.51.67.   Ask how you can obtain Arthur's Pocket Guides including maps, too!

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