PARIS

Nixon in China (Dudamel; Fleming, Zhang, Hampson, Kim) Hamlet, 

La fille du régiment, Mozart's Jupiter Symphony & Mass in C, plus

three concerts at the Philharmonie (Strauss/Saint-Saëns/Haydn, Messiaen).

Private tours of the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, Palais Garnier, the Rodin Museum and Versailles. Dinner cruise on the Seine and lunch atop the Eiffel Tower at the Michelin-starred Jules Verne. Hotel d’Aubusson.

We want you to fall in love with Paris—whether it be for the first time or all over again. So an extended stay from a base on the Left Bank, performances that feature some of the greatest singers and conductors on the planet, and some of the finest art, cuisine and wine in the world should do the trick, no?

Creating a comprehensive survey of the countless collections of artistic masterpieces and public spaces here in a nine-night stay is a challenge. We have developed an essential, yet relaxed and engaging itinerary of expert-guided private tours to complement a superb slate of performances in three venues.

We have eighteen premium seats for all performances, including Adams’ Nixon in China (with a star-studded cast) and Ambroise Thomas’s Hamlet at the Opéra Bastille, La Fille du régiment and a Mozart at Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, and three concerts at the Philharmonie including one under the baton of Gustavo Dudamel. 

Our accommodation for 9 nights will be at the hidden gem Hôtel d’Aubusson in the storied and vibrant Saint-Germain-Des-Prés. We will include expert-guided private tours to complement the superb slate of performances, and we will include 7 exquisite meals (at least four of the restaurants have at least one Michelin star) in addition to full buffet breakfast each day.  

ITINERARY

THURSDAY, MARCH 30

Independent departures for overnight flights to Paris.

FRIDAY, MARCH 31 

Upon arrival, you are met and transferred to the charming Hotel d’Aubusson on the famous Saint-Germain-des-Près.

19.00 This evening we meet for a Welcome Dinner cruise on the Seine aboard the luxurious Don Juan II.

SATURDAY, APRIL 1

10.00 Following breakfast (included each day), we meet and depart for a coach/walking tour of the Left Bank (Église de Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Odéon, Sorbonne, Panthéon, then poor Notre-Dame).

19.00 Tonight we depart for our first performance at the Philharmonie: symphonic scenes from Salome and Elektra featuring the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio Francewith Mikko Franck conducting and Asmik Grigorian (soprano). 20.00 start. 1 hr, 50 mins; 1 intermission. With Salomé and Elektra, Richard Strauss marked the history of 20th century opera. One of his lesser-known works is the ballet Josephs Legende (‘The Legend of Joseph’), which Mikko Franck conducted at the Vienna State Opera and presents here in concert version.

22.10 Afterwards, we enjoy a late night snack and tipples at Brasserie Lipp.

SUNDAY, APRIL 2

10.00 This morning we depart for a tour of selected masterpieces at The Louvre.

15.00 This afternoon we return to the Philharmonie as Louis Langrée and the Orchestre des Champs-Élysées celebrate the golden age of French music, brought to delicious heights on organ and piano by Camille Saint-Saëns. Bertrand Chamayou, piano; Vincent Warnier, organ. 16.00 start. 1 hr 45 mins; 1 intermission.

19.00 Afterward, we enjoy a quintessential Parisian culinary experience−dinner at the glorious Lapérouse, a fixture on the Left Bank since 1766.

MONDAY, APRIL 3

10.00 Today we enjoy a guided tour of the Palais Garnier, including a presentation of its history, architecture and what goes on behind the scenes.

13.00 Lunch is included afterward at Café de la Paix.

18.30 Tonight we transfer to Théâtre des Champs-Élysées for a performance of Donizetti’s La fille du régiment. 19.30 curtain. Conducted by Hervé Niquet. Cast includes Jodie Devos, Sahy Ratia and Dame Felicity Lott.

TUESDAY, APRIL 4

11.00 Today we enjoy a guided visit of the superb Musée d’Orsay.

14.00 Lunch is at the hidden gem (and Michelin-starred) Les Climats.

19.00 Tonight we return to Théâtre des Champs-Élysées for two sublime works by Mozart: his Mass in C and the Jupiter Symphony. 20.00 curtain. Jean-Christophe Spinosi conducts the Ensemble Matheus. Ekaterina Bakanova, soprano; Ana Maria Labin; soprano; Krystian Adam, tenor; Luigi De Donato, bass. The religious repertoire, for Mozart, was not an exercise in circumstance, an obligatory stage, but a genre in its own right, cultivated with regularity throughout his career. From his very first already promising Masses, he showed a mastery of instrumental polyphony and vocality. The Mass in C is nourished by the influences of Bach and Handel, especially in the great choirs. There are also some Italian influences in the solo parts, straight from the opera as in the brilliant Gloria. This Mass in C, although unfinished, constitutes – Requiem aside – the pinnacle of Mozart’s sacred music. Another peak in its genre, Mozart’s final symphony will introduce this concert.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5

10.00 This morning we stroll through the Jardin du Luxembourg, my favourite spot in the city, and then visit the Rodin Museum, with a chance to wander through the exquisite sculpture garden.

13.00 Lunch is included at the Michelin-starred Auguste.

18.30 Transfer to the Opéra Bastille for Thomas Henglebrock conducts Ambroise Thomas’s Hamlet, featuring Ludovic Tézier in the title role and Brenda Rae as Ophelia. 19.30 curtain. 3 hrs 5 mins; 1 intermission. English surtitles.

THURSDAY, APRIL 6

10.00 Today we offer an excursion to Versailles, where we enjoy a private, guided tour of the most spectacular palace of them all.

13.30 Lunch is included at the Michelin-starred La Table du 11.

Upon return to Paris, the evening is at leisure.

FRIDAY, APRIL 7

10.00 Today we offer some off-the-beaten path touring at The Museum of the 30s and the Musée Historique du Domaine National de Saint-Cloud, both in the Bois de Boulogne area.

14.00 Afterward, we enjoy lunch at the legendary Les Deux Magots.

18.30 Tonight we return to the Opéra Bastille for performance of John Adams’s Nixon in China under the baton of Gustavo Dudamel. 19.30 curtain; 3 hrs with a 30-minute intermission. The superb cast includes Xiaomeng Zhang, Thomas Hampson, Renée Fleming, Joshua Bloom, Yajie Zhang, John Matthew Myers and Kathleen Kim.

SATURDAY, APRIL 8

Enjoy the morning at leisure in Paris.

12.00 We meet for an unforgettable Farewell Lunch atop the Eiffel Tower at Le Jules Verne.

19.00 Tonight we return to the Philharmonie de Paris for our final performance: a concert conducted by Gustavo Dudamel featuring Messiaen: Un sourire; Haydn: Symphony n° 82, in C major; R. Strauss: Rosenkavaliersuite. 20.00 start.22.00 Return to the hotel following the performance.

SUNDAY, APRIL 9

Departure transfers to your airport or rail station are included.

TOUR INCLUDES

• Top Category seats for 3 operas and 5 concerts

• 9 nights in Deluxe rooms at the Hôtel d’Aubusson

• Full breakfast daily, 6 lunches and 3 dinners 

• Private tours as listed

• Airport-hotel transfers 

• On-site Tour Direction

• Comprehensive Tour Guidebook

FLIGHTS

Flights are not included in tour pricing. Return flights should be booked to Paris for arrival on March 31, departure on April 9.

TRANSFERS

We provide airport/rail station—hotel transfers for arrivals and departures within within 3 days of the start/end of our tour from the cities listed above. We also provide transfers for group meals and performances that are beyond a 10 minute walk.

MOBILITY

There is minimal walking with some stairs during the guided tours. As for all of our tours, we are happy to accommodate you regardless of your mobility level. Please make clear your mobility concerns at the time of registration. We provide transfers for group meals and performances that are beyond a 10 minute walk.

INSURANCE

We strongly recommend that all tour members purchase cancellation insurance upon registration. We can assist you with this, though you are welcome to purchase a policy at your own discretion. For more information about our travel insurance, click here.