smallhotel-header-4.gif (60731 bytes)

Small and Elegant Hotels is proud to offer Paris Tours!

To book a tour please email Antoinette Azzurro at the email address below:

aazzurro@hotmail.com

Please scroll down to see examples of tours such as:

The Perfume-making tour

The Versailles tour

The D Day Normandy tour

The Architecture of Paris tour

And the

Bakeries of Paris tour.

 

 

 

In 1615, the secret of hot chocolate was taken to France, where Anne, daughter of Philippe II of Spain, married King Louis XIII.  The French court adopted this new exotique drink with fervor and it was considered to have medicinal benefits as well as being a nourishing concoction.

If it was good for the Royal court of France, then it's good for your clients!  Here are some addresses which, I believe serve the best hot chocolate in Paris.

Les Deux Abeilles

189 rue de l'Université

75007  Paris

Metro: Alma Marceau

This small tea salon near the Eiffel Tower serves the most stunning home-made cakes (marron glacé cake being my favorite!) and thick dark hot chocolate.  Don't order the two at the same time, otherwise a small bed may be required at the local hospital for a heart check up!

Charles le Chocolatier

15 rue Montorgueil

75002  Paris

Metro: Les Halles

The tiny chocolate shop in the bustling rue Montorgueil serving a cup of very thick bitter hot chocolate (sugar required!) from their well-polished pot belly copper cauldron.  They don't always have the chocolate prepared, only "when they feel like it".  Don't be disappointed if the copper pot is not there, try again another day.

Comme à la Maison

Village St Paul/Court Vert

9 rue St Paul

75004  Paris

Metro: St Paul

Sensational hot chocolate served in a generous white ceramic jug on a platter with a glass of water (de riguer with these type of hot chocolates!)  It is poured out with glistening cocoa butter bubbles frothing down into the cup.  Excellent.

Arnaud Larher

53 rue Caulaincourt

75018 Paris

Tel: 01 42 57 68 08

Metro: Lamarck-Caulaincourt

Behind the Sacre Coeur, high up over Paris, this chocolatier/patissier is worth the trek to find.  The chocolate drink here is served cold in bottles which are great to take away and sneak home (makes a great gift).  Either drunk cold or heated up later, it is a historical drink.  Available in vanilla, chocolate orange, bittersweet chocolate and chocolate cinnamon.

Buy a bag of dark chocolate-coated freshly sliced ginger while you are there!

Steiger

20 rue des Capucines

75002  Paris

Metro: Opera

This unassuming chocolatier near Place Vendôme, Madame Constantin creates a hot chocolate so thick and rich, you need a spoon to scoop out the last bits:  She melts a tablet of quality dark chocolate made of pure cocoa butter from the Ivory Coast and adds a cloud of milk and cream.  She hand whips the mixture in an old-fashioned chocolate pot and serves immedicately.  Takes about 20 minutes to prepare, so be patient and leave plenty of time!

 

Rose Thé

104 Avenue Ledru Rollin

750011  Paris

Metro: Ledru Rollin

Situated in the pretty cobbled Passage de l'Homme, the home-made cakes are the most delicous and sublime.  Apple, cinnamon, honey and caramel encrusted walnut tartes with a tall glass of hot chocolate.  The hot chocolate is made from milk rather than cream, so it is dark and not so thick as the others mentioned.  A cake and hot chocolate can be married together quite well.  Friendly service, local neighborhood crowd.

 

If you wish more of a description of these day tours, please ask for the latest WORD document listing updated tours and newly designed walks.

For any questions, please e-mail: aazzurro@hotmail.com

Menu of Historical Walks of Paris and Beyond 
(Descriptions below)

Fantastic Things Which Can Be Organized 

For the follwing tours, a private driver guide is organzied for a fabulous day outing: 

                                                                A la Carte - Paris Gourmet Adventures 

·          Chocolate and Bakery Walk of Paris – Discover the Secrets of Parisian Chocolatiers and Bakeries through this behind-the-scenes Tour (available Tuesdays to Fridays)

·         Cheese + Foie Gras Tour – half day (available Tuesday to Thursdays)  

Description of Historical Walks of Paris and Beyond 

Highlights of Paris Walk – Full day.  (Can also be a half day)

Learn about the history of Paris starting from the Roman era to the ancient French Kings, through the ages to the occupation of World War II and how Paris evolved today.  It’s an easy to follow commentary with interesting details and many anecdotes.  

Starting with the gorgeous Jardins du Luxembourg, we continue through medieval streets of the majestic Pantheon and down hidden paths leading to open air markets bustling with commerce, squares with pretty fountains, boutiques, stores, cafés and many more facets of daily life in Paris.  The history of Paris continues while, we make our way to the islands on the Seine.  The highlights include Notre Dame, Île St Louis, Le Marais. 

The Notre Dame, is a fascinating Gothic structure.  Hear about the legend of the carvings in the façade, the flying buttresses, what happened to it during the Revolution and the famous rose windows.  Inside you will see the glorious colours of these windows and the vast internal structure and  perhaps hear the organ play. 

Lunch is on the Île St Louis, the pretty village-like island behind the Notre Dame.  A 17th century wonder of architecture, filled with cafes, creperies, bistros, boutiques, fromageries, hand-made chocolate shops, a store selling exquisite jams and jellies, vinegars and flavoured mustards from Provence and of course, stop off for the famous ice cream made on the island.  We continue our walk into 16th and 17th century Paris while taking one of the stone bridges into the back streets of Le Marais. 

In the heart of Le Marais, a magical area of narrow, medieval streets, cobbled passageways and grandiose mansions, we visit the stunning Place des Vosges.  Along the way, some of the most wonderful local   fashion and accessories boutiques.   Wander through the Jewish Quarters and take in the atmospheric boutiques and gourmet shops finishing on top of the George Pompidou centre for spectacular views over Paris. 

Highlights of the Musee d’Orsay – half day. (Closed on Mondays) Hear the origins of this fabulous, spacious and bright former railway station, detailing how it became one of the world’s premier museums.  Highlights include the ground floor and the Impressionists floor featuring van Gogh, Gaugin, Whistler, Cezanne and Monet.  Admire the paintings and understand their famous details, the stories of the artists themselves, what was happening in Paris during their time and why Paris was the centre of Impressionism.  Learn about the composition, the scandals the works provoked, why the artists died penniless and why their paintings are worth millions today.

 Village of Montmartre Walk – half day. Keeping the theme of Impressionism, we start at the Village, up and behind the Sacre Coeur and take a stroll around the beautiful Village Montmartre. We explore the Village, weaving through the paved streets, noting the hangouts of Lautrec, Van Gogh, Picasso and Renoir.  Winding paths lead through the windmills and vineyards of Montmartre, leading to the central jewel of this area…the Sacre Coeur. Learn about the Art Nouveau movement (and how the Americans saved it!), the architecture and the history of the area.  Discover the fascinating stories of the Moulin Rouge and what was happening in Paris during the famous 1900 World Fair. 

Belleville, Lost Villages of Paris and Artists Walk (very off-the-beaten track!!) - A truly new off-the-beaten track tour, taking one through an area of Paris very rarely visited by tourists.  Discover the "lost village" of Belleville, a colorful multi-ethnic neighborhood famous for its artists, hidden ateliers and garden paths.   Discover why the neighborhood was called "the coupe gueule" the "cut throats".  Its history steeped in the proud working class settling there during the time of Haussmann's wrecking ball, annexing an area famous for its "guinguettes" (country dance cafés) and small family workshops crafting shoes, mattresses, furniture, glass blowing, etc. 

Wander through the passages and cobbled streets of Upper and Lower Belleville, which straddles the 10th, 11th, 19th and 20th arrondissements and visit where the iconic Edith Piaf was born, as well as her friend, the charming Maurice Chevalier.  We stop and admire from gardens breathtaking views over Paris: the highest point in the city. See the whimsical street art (graffiti) and artists' squats and visit a local atelier along the way.  Stop along the way where famous films where shot by the avant-guarde directors of the 1950s and 1960s.  Discover the street life made legendary by photographers Robert Doisneau and Willy Ronin. 

The Hidden Artisan Tour of Paris – half day.  (Not possible on Saturdays and Sundays or Mondays) This tour takes you into the hustle and bustle of an area very rarely explored by tourists and away from the mass production of goods common today.  Meet Monsieur who restores furniture for the Elysees Palace and take time along the way to visit an atelier (workshop) gilding leather desktops.  Explore the passages, back alleys and courtyards covered in rambling ivy where local artisans still spin their crafts: cabinetmakers, carpenters, gilders, marquetry inlayers, upholsterers, bronze workers and ceramic painters to name a few.  Discover the history of these artisans who have been here since the 15th Century onwards.

This area is rapidly changing into the "design" neighborhood of Paris, with fabulous lofts and sleek design showrooms, inter-mingled with old charming cafés.  Wander through a most vibrant covered market with its' origins dating back to the 12th century.   Experience a colorful explosion of spices, truffle oils, tapenades, fresh produce, cheeses and flowers. Along the way, perhaps a stop off at a local Auvergnat café sampling their speciality cheeses and wines. We visit ateliers along the way, for example focusing on  hand-painted Limoges porcelain exclusively sold through a US luxury boutique. 

19th Century Courtesans and Belle Epoque Paris Walk – half day. Visit an exceptional and rare hôtel particulier (private mansion), once designed and owned by one of the most outrageous 19th century courtesans.   Wander through the rooms where the greatest courtesan entertained the elite of high society during the reign of Napoleon III.  The extraordinary life of her and other "grandes horizontales" will be recounted inside this stupendous dwelling opened exclusively for our visit.

The Walk winds through a neighborhood of beautiful pavilions and sights along the way portraying the Belle Epoque (Beautiful Years): Paris at the turn of the 20th century.   Discover the 1900 World Exposition, the fascinating story of the Eiffel Tower and the avante-garde lifestyle setting trends throughout the world, the fashion of the day, politics and scandals. This Walk would be enhanced with the Behind-the-Scenes Eiffel Tower Tour, or a guided tour of the Opera Garnier.  * Please note the visit of the hôtel particulier is upon appointment only and will need prior arrangements. 

In the Footsteps of Napoleon and Josephine -This walk traces those parts of the lives of Napoleon and Jpsephine that are still to be found on the streets and in the quartiers of present day Paris. Follow in the footsteps of Napoleon's youth and rise above the ranks to become the most famous military person in French history. The walk follows their courtship, coronation, military haunts and great monuments built by the Emporer. Visit the sites and have a glimpse into their daily lives where they lived, dined and dazzaled society in their hey-day. This walk traces those parts of the lives of Napoleon and Jpsephine that are still to be found on the streets and in the quartiers of present day Paris. Follow in the footsteps of Napoleon's youth and rise above the ranks to become the most famous military person in French history. The walk follows their courtship, coronation, military haunts and great monuments built by the Emporer. Visit the sites and have a glimpse into their daily lives where they lived, dined and dazzaled society in their hey-day.

To continue the theme, we can organize the following:  A private visit of the stunning private mansion, Hotel de Bourrienne.  This small 18th century palace is open by appointment only.  Behind its ordinary façade, the mansion retains its original (and thus slightly musty) Empire décor. You'll be able to imagine what it was like to be Napoleon's wife, as Josephine did indeed sleep here in one of the delicately ornate bedrooms. 

Highlights of the Louvre – half day.  (Closed Tuesdays) See the best the Louvre has to offer, no wasting time getting lost in the myriad of halls and passages!  Starting with the medieval foundations, we work our way through the Ancient Egyptian hall, onto the charismatic Venus of Milo, Goddess of Beauty and Love, then Diana the Hunter, silver objects found at Pompeii, the Winged Victory poised majestically on her own, the French Crown Jewels and the Apollo Gallery. Discover the greatest and most famous French paintings in the world, such as Napoleon’s inauguration at the Notre Dame and the famous Delacroix, Liberty Saving the People (better known as the poster for Les Miserables).  See the intricate details of the Dying and Rebellious slaves by Michelangelo, Paolo Veronese, the royal stables and OF COURSE the Mona Lisa! We end up at the stunning apartments of Napoleon III. 

Treasure Hunt at the Louvre (for families with small children) For the family visiting the Louvre with small children, our licensed guide will give an educational tour, enchanting the children (and adults!) of the famous paintings and sculptures of the Louvre.  There will be questions and clues to find the hidden secrets in each artwork with a small prize at the end for each child. 

St Germain-des-Prés, 1930s American Writers, Jazz and Revolution Walk – half day. Explore the ancient abbey of St Germain-de-Prés, charming art galleries, old squares, fabulous home décor shops, literary cafés (the post-war intellectual hangouts, the birthplace of existentialism), the famous Beaux Art, Picasso’s mansion, the hotel where Oscar Wilde died, the cafés of the jazz era and the extravagant zazous.  This takes us to the boutiques and picturesque shopping area of St Sulpice. This Walk also includes the famous Lost Generation and other famous Writers of the area; Balzac, Simone de Beauvoir, Sartre, Hemmingway and Gertrude Stein to name a few.

Jewish Immersion Tour – full or half day (specialized guide) Discover the culture and history of the Jewish community through the ages with a historical walk of the fascinating quarters of Le Marais.  Visit the Museum of Jewish Life, visit a couple of synagogues and Jewish memorials and taste the best falafels! in Paris.  Perhaps a walk of the lesser known Jewish quarters or a visit to the Jewish section of  a famous cemetery dedicated to the extinguished souls during World War II. A tour of the beautiful Nissim de Camondo Museum is also highly recommended. 

19th Century Covered Passages, Palais Royal and Gourmet Walk - half day. (not possible on Sundays.Housing cafés, theatres, shops and apartments, the arcades of Palais Royal during the 17th century became a meeting place for people from all walks of life.  But what was hidden behind those facades?  The cafes saw pre-revolutionary plotting and the Palais Royal became known as a hotbed of  gambling dens and prostitution.  Today the gardens are one of Paris' most elegant and tranquil spots.  Many shops under the arcades sell prints and antiques and still maintain their old world ambience. This walk takes you through tiny streets leading to the charming glass-roofed galleries and enchanting passages that weave their way through Paris’ boulevards.  These galleries were built during the early part of the 19th century and hailed the beginnings of a new type of shopping in Paris.  Afternoon tea is recommended here. We continue the walk into Paris’ most lively open-air market street, filled with an unforgettable gastronomic ambiance. 

Ocupation and Liberation of Paris Walk - half day. This Walk will take you through the events of 1944 and what happened before, during and after the Liberation.  All aspects are coved.  Women and life in Paris during the Liberation, the daily events happening in Paris, the Resistance, the military highlights and Jewish life in the local neighbourhoods.  A relaxing stroll through Paris with fascinating photos and pictures to illustrate the events along the way.

Le Père Lachaise – half day. The world’s most famous cemetery with tightly packed tombs, cobbled lanes and tree-lined streets - a small city of the dead.  See where the medieval lovers Abelard and Heloise were finally lain to rest in 1817 after lying in the same coffin for two hundred years.  Other famous inhabitants include Sarah Bernhardt, Maria Callas, Moliere, Delacroix, Ingres, Chopin, Balzac, Proust, Colette and Edif Piaf.  Why was Oscar Wilde’s tomb considered offensive?  How did Jim Morrison end up here? 

History of Couture Fashion Walk - half day with exclusive visit of a private atelier (not possible on Saturdays and Sundays or during the Fashion Weeks). This discovery tour starts off at an exclusive private atelier or workshop dating back to the 18th century working with the top designer houses in France.  Discover fashion through the ages, in this delightful Walk through stunning gardens, arcades and visit the oldest boutiques to the most fashionable today.  We talk about the legendary Charles Worth, Coco Chanel, Elsa Schiaparelli, the brilliant Yves St Laurent and many more.   

Art Nouveau + Architecture through the Ages in Paris Tours Discover the architectural highlights in this diverse neighborhood.  The Walk begins at your hotel which then heads over to a district where the buildings are diverse and dinstinctly unique to Paris.  Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Le Corbusier and Mallet Stevens are just a few of the architectural treasures to explore. Also available is a unique Architectural Tour, exploring a museum dedicated to the urban development of Paris over the years.  Head over to 17th century Paris, through to 20th century Paris and discover the most innovative modern architecture of today.  The Walk strolls through the Botanical Gardens to Roman ruins where the gladiators played their water sports and the recently restored Mosque of Paris.This Walk finishes in a most lively open air market street dating back to the medieval days. 

 

 City of Architecture and Heritage Museum After a decade-long make over (US$114 million) billed as the largest architectural museum in the world, the museum boasts 12 centuries of architecture from Gothic to Le Corbusier. One floor dedicated to a multimedia feast of scale models, plans, maps, film clips, computer-generated imagery, documents, photographs, audio interviews with architects, etc. Exhibits address particular themes (architecture and society, designing and building), invoking the designs of French architects like Charles Garnier, Le Corbusier and Jean Nouvel, as well as foreign-born cohorts who have worked in France, among them Antti Lovag, Rem Koolhaas and Renzo Piano. 

French Revolution Walk – half day.  (Thursday, Fridays and Saturday afternoons only)   We start at the tombs of Marie-Antoinette and Louis XVI, and trace the last footsteps of these two famous figures.  Relive the momentous French Revolution, the uprising of the sans-culottes, the introduction of the guillotine, the Reign of Terror years under Robespierre, the rise of Napoleon and learn how the Revolution shaped Paris as it is today.  Retrace Marie Antoinette's last journey from the Concergerie prison in her wooden tumbrel to her meeting Monsieur le Guillotine. Along the way, there is a short stop at a wonderful old chacuterie place (hams, cheeses from the Basque French region) for tastings and a glass of wine. 

Basilique St Denis –  half day. (Not available Sunday mornings or anytime there is a mass) A private guide and driver are organized for this visit or the Basilique can be easily reached by metro.Burial ground of the ancient Kings of France from Dagobert I (ruled 629 – 639) to Louis the XVIII (ruled from 1814-1824).  Their tombs and mausoleums constitute one of Europe’s most important collections of funerary sculpture.  This Gothic structure changed the face of western architecture and it was, the first major structure to be built in the Gothic style (before the Notre Dame).  It still has its 12th century stained glass (older than La Chapelle) and has a fascinating history, including the burial pit and what happened to it during the French Revolution.  There’s a special surprise if you take this walk! Only my historian can organize this for you, as they have exclusive entry to the part that is not open to the public.  

Fantastic Things Which Can Be Organized 

Behind-the-Scenes Eiffel Tower Tour (which is not available for public access) – Available every day except Christmas Day and New Years Day. View the internal machinery room located under the structure and from which the elevators are controlled.  Enter the old secret military bunkers sited under the Champs des Mars, previously dedicated to radio and telegraph equipment.  Then walk on to the gallery of fascinating hydraulics and intricate mechanics on the first floor of this historic monument.  This is a private tour with historical commentary in English for 1.5 hours.   This tour finishes on the 1st floor of the Eiffel Tower.   

Create your own parfum and learn the secrets of perfume making.  1.5 to 2 hours. This unique workshop will introduce you to the evolution and history of perfume-making.  The essences are from a Grasse manufacturer, the world capital of frangrance making, dating back to 1747.   The course is private and is held in a delightfully decorated atelier/shop with an experienced personal perfume creator. Each participant will create their own parfum and take home their own blended scent in a specially labelled 50 ml bottle. The creation will be kept on file to be recreated for eventual refills.  Also, hand lotions and shower gels can be made to order.  

The stunning Chateau de Versailles, the jewel of 17th century France – half day or full day. A full day can incorporate bike touring in the afternoon of the famous Petit Trianon and the Hamlets.  A licensed driver and guide organized. (Closed Mondays) Originally a hunting lodge from 1623, it is now considered the most prestigious ex-Royal residence of any court in Europe.  The visit includes the Royal Apartments, Marie-Antoinette's and Louis XVI bedrooms, the Chapel, Hall of Mirrors and the Royal gardens and fountains. If a full day, a visit of the local open air market in the Versailles village and Potager du Roi to buy picnic food.  If the weather is warm, a picnic could be had at the Petite Venise and rental of bikes to peddle over and visit the Hamlets and the Petit Trianon. (Locks are provided for the bikes for safety while touring these two sights).  

Different options for visiting the Chateau :

·                      Visit of the PUBLIC apartments, Chapel, Hall of Mirrors (all open to the public)

·                      Or visit of the PRIVATE Apartments, not open to the public extra fee: Private Apartments of Marie Antoinette (this is an extra fee).

·                      Visit the Chateau when it’s closed to the public (only on Mondays and after closing hours) 

Combination of Chateau de Versailles and Giverny with Monet’s Gardens A private licensed guide and driver can be organized for this day out.   Visit the Chateau of Versailles in the morning.  A scenic route of Impressionist country to a historical and pretty restaurant. After lunch, visit Giverny and Monet’s Gardens. 

Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte – best visited on the Saturdays from May to mid-October. A licensed guide and private driver is organised for this fabulous tour. Impressed by the work of Le Vau, Le Brun and Le Notre, but furious that mere Finance Steward Nicolas Fouquet could dare to set himself up in such grandeur, Lous XIV commissioned the three illustrious artists to build an even more lavish residence at Versailles (and promptly sentenced the offending official to life imprisonment).  This lesser known chateau is in impeccable condition and the park was the first “French style” garden – geometric patterns being the outstanding feature. Don't miss the candlelit evenings, which transform the chateau into a fairy-tale picture.  

Giverny – Monet’s Gardens – A driver guide is organized for this beautiful day in Impressionist countryside.  (Closed Mondays). In 1883, Claude Monet moved his large personal entourage (one mistress and eight children) to Giverny, a pretty village an hour and half out of Paris.   He died in 1926 leaving behind his famous gardens which have been restored to spectacular proportions today.  See the immortalized flower garden and the water lilies beneath his Japanese bridge.  His charming pink brick home has been meticulously restored, with its pretty blue and white kitchen.  A little tunnel leads one between the  flower-filled Normandy garden to the Japanese water garden, with all the pools, canals, little green bridges, the punt he painted from and romantic willows. Champagne Region – full day.  Your driver guide is the organized for this fabulous day out. Leave Paris and head over to 13th century France, where the French Kings were crowned and see the “Smiling Angel of Champagne”.  Visit the Treasure Museum before heading of to the oldest and most exclusive champagne house and exploring their cellars.  Discover how champagne is made and see their vintage samples. Lunch will be in a typical bistro in the region serving excellent food and of course, Champagne to accompany it. Afterwards, head over to the vineyards and small villages of the region, one where Dom Perignon lived and the abbess where is now buried.  Visit a small family run Champagne house as well and enjoy the tastings. 

Normandy D-Day Beaches – full day. The day will take in the town of William the Conqueror, 11th century France.  This is followed by the most interesting museum in the region:  The Memorial of Caen.  Discover the charming town of Bayeux (first city to be liberated in France), famous for its tapestry and cathedral.  Visit the famous beaches and have lunch in a typical bistro in an old port town nearby.  It’s a long day, but definitely worth it.  

Burgundy Wine Tour – full day.  A driver guide is organized for this day. He knows the region inside out, as he spent his youth there.   Visit the charming wine villages and museums of the region.  Visit old wine cellars and of course taste their latest vintage.  Lunch will be in a restaurant typical of the region, serving excellent Burgundy cuisine   Continue visiting the region visiting a 12th century castle and sweeping vineyards.  A beautiful day to be had before heading into Paris.  

Chateaux of the Loire Valley – full day. A lovely day trip out to the Loire Valley.  Once the seat of power of the Valois kings, who preferred to rule from Amboise and Blois rather than Paris.  Highlights include the gorgeous Chateau Blois, Chateau de Chambord and the Chateau de Chenonceau.  Lunch can be eaten in a bistro in one of the villages or a spectacular 3 star Michelin restaurant.  

Record your stay… We can arrange a private photographer to follow us around on any of the walks.  He will discreetly take many enchanting black and white photos capturing you enjoying “le vrai Paris”.  The next day, contact sheets will be delivered and you can choose 20 photos.   Believe me! They are hard to choose!  These will be blown up to 18 x 24, with thick white borders and presented in a beautiful photo book with your personal inscription on the front recording the day.   

Visit the famous flea markets - Visit the largest flea markets in the world and we can help you navigate around this vast rabbit warren of stalls! over 2,500.  This tour will show you the wonderful markets of Marche Biron, Marche Dauphine, Marche Malasses, Marche Serpette, Marche Antica.  You name it, this place has it: furniture, pictures, new and second-hand clothes. There's a jovial fairground atmosphere, with the aroma of food wafting in the air and people crowding round the stalls, hoping to pick up a 1970s leather jacket or rare Louis XV chest of drawers. 

A la Carte – Paris Gourmet Adventures 

The following Gourmet Adventures can be chosen to be incorporated in your itinerary of Historical Walks of Paris and Fantastic Things…    A perfect Gourmet Day! 

Chocolate and Bakery Walk of Paris – Discover the Secrets of Parisian Chocolatiers and Bakeries through this behind-the-scenes Tour. This tour is not just looking into chocolate boutiques and bakeries and buying a few chocolates here and there for tastings.  This walk consists of privileged visits to behind-the-scenes of exclusive places.  It takes you through the gourmet world of Paris, visiting a small private chocolate boutique and tastings with a master chocolatier and a visit to his atelier - depending on the time of the year, seeing how these exquisite chocolates are made in his tiny workshop. We also visit a wonderful patisserie and boulangerie, going back into the kitchens and watching the teams make their exquisite cakes, pastries and breads, especially their famous fougasse! (stuffed savory breads)! The tour continues from gourmet shop to gourmet shop and finishes downstairs at a wonderful bakery using 17th century ovens and watching how their unique bread is made. The history of the  neighborhoods and chocolate and bread making over the centuries will be recounted along the way. This tour includes two if not three visits of private ateliers, behind-the-scenes places not open to the public. Prior arrangements are necesary.  (This tour is not available Saturdays, Sunday, Mondays, the last two weeks of the year, the entire month of August, Christmas and Easter.)  Tours booked a couple of weeks before Easter, Christmas and Valentine's Day may have difficulty visiting the chocolate atelier. 

Gourmet Tour of the Louvre - Our licensed guides will take you on a unique and informative tour in discovering the hidden “gourmet” secrets of the Louvre’s art.   From table manners throughout the ages to the symbolical meaning of ingredients: food for thought… 

Cheese and Foie Gras Tour - Historical Walk of Medieval Markets with Cheese and Foie Gras Tastings - half day. (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons only).  Not available during Easter and Christmas.  Discover charming open-air markets amongst ancient streets and step into one o fthe most famous cheese shops in Paris dating back to 1909.  The Maître Fromager Affineur will greet us into his fromagerie, closed to the public and take us through a discovery of French cheeses.  Includes 5 seasonal 'grand terroir' cheeses, pain de campagne, confit figue-noix or pâte de coing, (quince paté) with a bottle of sweet white wine to accompany the tastings. The Walk continues taking in the historical aspects of the neighborhood, where we stop for a foie   gras tasting as well.  The Walk finishes in a beautiful square lined with cafés.

For more information or to schedule your stay please contact:
Small & Elegant Hotels, International
9425 Whispering Sands
West Olive, MI 49460
TEL: (616) 844-6000 / FAX: (616) 844-6042
E-Mail: res@smallandeleganthotels.com

Please click here to return to the Paris main page.