Hosted by Dr. Christopher Seitz
Join Christopher Seitz of French Affaires for this exclusive and personal holiday week in Paris! This festive journey to the French capital will include everything that sparkles in Paris at holiday time—Christmas lights, holiday markets, Christmas windows and all manner of decorations, gourmet Parisian dining, French champagne, French foodie tours and tastings, French music and art, nativity scenes, specialty gift shopping, and much more. We’ll also get a personal Parisian touch with private events such as our own Choux Pastry cooking class, special activities and parties with local Parisian experts and hosts, and a fabulous French holiday dinner at an exquisite gastronomic restaurant. A once-in-a-lifetime immersion into the holiday spirit – French style. Sign up soon to reserve your place – our trip size is limited for the best possible French travel experience. It will be so festive and French – we’ll be wishing each other ‘Joyeux Noël’ and ‘Bonnes fêtes’ every day of our trip…and beyond!
Just Some of Our “Paris at the Holidays” Trip Highlights!
- Six nights at the beautifully appointed & authentic Hôtel Le Duc de St. Simon
- Holiday Choux Pastry cooking class at a renowned Paris culinary school
- Gourmet Christmas dinner at our favorite Michelin-starred Paris restaurant
- Amazing Christmas lights tour of Paris at night
- Louvre Museum private guided tour of Nativity scenes in art
- Paris Left Bank and Right Bank insider shopping, foodie and cultural visits
- Hotel de Soubise and Place des Vosges in the Marais
- Private guided tour of Paris’s Palais Garnier opera house
- Paris Fashion Insider Visits!
Day 1: Thursday, November 28, 2024
Depart your home city and fly to Paris on your chosen airline. Suggested arrival on Friday, December 3, 2022, at approximately 9:30am (TBA) at Paris CDG airport. Dinner and breakfast en route provided by your airline.
Day 2: Friday, November 29
Arrival in Paris, Transfer to the Hôtel Duc de St. Simon, Welcome to Paris Lunch
Morning arrival in Paris! Gather your bags and our private transfer will take you to the charming and well-appointed Hôtel Duc de Saint Simon on the Left Bank, an 18th century Parisian mansion decorated with lovely antiques. We’ll then be off for our welcome to Paris lunch with wine at a terrific French bistrot on the Right Bank. After lunch, we’ll be off on our fascinating private guided walking tour of Paris’s first ‘shopping malls’ created in the 19th century. These historic iron and glass covered passageways then housed – and still do today – a variety of boutiques and merchants for the emerging middle class’s buying pleasure and are absolutely fabulous during the holidays. Plenty of time for questions and shopping during our tour. We’ll also browse the beautiful holiday windows on the chic Rue du Faubourg St. Honoré and nearby, time permitting. Be sure to bring your camera for the great photos. We’ll also give you a shopping tote for all the Christmas gifts and treasures you might find! Late afternoon and evening free to enjoy Paris and have dinner on your own – great suggestions provided. (Lunch)
Day 3: Saturday, November 30
Right Bank Insider Shopping Tour &Holiday Windows, Choux Pastry Cooking Class at La Cuisine, Fun French Bistrot Dinner, Paris Holiday Lights Tour
After a lovely buffet breakfast at our hotel, we’ll head to the Right Bank to see the fabulous holiday windows and displays at one of the most famous and oldest department stores in Paris. This will be an absolute Parisian treat! We’ll see the best decorated Christmas tree in Paris and their famous Art Deco dome with the store all decked out for the holidays! After continuing on to discover more Right Bank gems, you’ll have time to have a bite for lunch. Then our group will meet at the Right Bank Cooking School, La Cuisine, where we prepare hors d’oeuvres (sweet and savory pastries) Then we’ll sit down and taste the fruits of our labors with a glass of champagne! You’ll also get to take your own freshly prepared pastries back to our hotel (can keep refrigerated) to enjoy your holiday sweet treat later on. This evening, we gather again for a fun dinner with wine at a fun Parisian bistrot. Following dinner, we’ll be treated to a marvelous tour of holiday lights in Paris via our private transport. You’ll want to take lots of pictures of these unforgettable images of sparkling Paris dressed up for Christmas! (Breakfast, Champagne and Dessert, Dinner)
Day 4: Sunday, December 1
Louvre Museum Nativity Scenes & Christmas Themes in Art Tour, Casual French Lunch, Christmas Market Visit
After breakfast at our hotel, we’ll head to the celebrated Louvre Museum for our special private tour of Nativity scenes and Christmas themes in art. Our expert guide will share the rich historical and cultural significance of various Nativity and Noël motifs for a wonderfully meaningful addition to our Paris holiday tour. Then we will enjoy a lovely French lunch at a nearby Paris favorite restaurant. Following lunch, we’ll visit the famed Hotel de la Marine on the Place de la Concorde. Late afternoon free to explore, shop and enjoy Paris. Evening free to dine on your own with plenty of great dinner suggestions provided. (Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 5: Monday, December 2
Left Bank Holiday Windows and Foodie Tour including private visit to a top Parisian Bakery, Afternoon Tea at a Right Bank Palace Hotel
After breakfast, we’ll be off on a grand tour of the holiday delights and decorations on display on the Left Bank and also see the creative Christmas windows at the chic Left Bank department store Le Bon Marché. Our fun walking tour of specialty shops will include fashion, accessories, home décor, gift and gourmet boutiques as time permits. You’ll definitely want to take your shopping tote and camera with you this morning! We stop for a festive lunch on the Left Bank at the renovated Hotel Lutetia. The option of a special holiday concert is available. Evening free to relax and enjoy the City of Light – you may want to plan on a light dinner after our fabulous French afternoon tea experience! (Breakfast, Champagne Afternoon Tea)
Day 6: Tuesday, December 3
Walking Tour of the Famous Foodie Rue Montorgueil & Les Halles, Champagne & Fabulous French Christmas Dinner at a Gorgeous Michelin-Starred Restaurant in a Paris Mansion
After breakfast at our hotel, we’ll be off for a guided walking tour of the amazing Rue Montorgueil area. Our wonderful expert will be sure to point out key historic and cultural landmarks as well as insider addresses in this fascinating Paris neighborhood. We’ll taste the finest holiday cookies ever and other sweets at Paris’s oldest pastry shop. After our tour, we’ll stop for lunch at the glamorous La Samaritaine followed by a scarf-tying workshop in their private salons. You’ll have the rest of the afternoon free to enjoy the pleasures of Paris. On our agenda tonight – an exquisite French Christmas dinner. You’ll want to dress up for our gourmet French Christmas soirée! We’ll begin with a champagne tasting in the fabulous Grand Salon of this celebrated two Michelin-starred gastronomic restaurant located in a restored private mansion. Then we’ll enjoy our French gourmet holiday dinner – known as the ‘dîner de Reveillon’ – full of wonderful Christmas specialties and flavors paired with fine French wines. Over dinner, your trip host Elizabeth will share many of the wonderful French Christmas traditions. Cheers! Return to our hotel following dinner. (Breakfast, Lunch, Champagne tasting, Dinner)
Day 7: Wednesday, December 4
Paris’s Ornate Opera House Tour, Christmas & Classical Music Concert at a Special Paris Church, French Farewell Dinner at a Great Paris Bistrot
After breakfast, we’ll be off for special tour of the amazing 19th century Paris opera house the Palais Garnier. With our private guide, we’ll admire the ornate architecture, art and décor of this sumptuous Paris living landmark where opera and ballet performances are still held today. Then you will have plenty of free time for lunch and any last Paris shopping and visits. Afterwards, we’ll have a casual farewell dinner with wine at a wonderful Parisian bistrot near our hotel and share our favorite holiday experiences and finds of the week. Return to our hotel after dinner. Pack for departures the next day. (Breakfast, Aperitifs, Dinner)
Day 8: Thursday, December 5
Farewells and Trip Departure – Au Revoir!
After breakfast, check out of our hotel. Pre-arranged transport to Paris Charles de Gaulle airport for the return flights to the U.S. (Breakfast)
The Paris at the Holidays 2024 trip fee is $6250 double occupancy – a great Christmas gift to oneself and/or someone you care about!
France specialist Elizabeth New Seitz personally designed her one-of-a-kind France trips to offer guests deep expertise and interesting commentary throughout the journeys, as well as provide trip-goers ultimate ease and comfort knowing that everything is arranged for the perfect vacation. Our outstanding, upscale France experiences are unmatched in the world of travel. Contact us for the Provence immersion itinerary details and registration information. Her husband, Dr. Christopher Seitz, has been alongside her on this and her many trips. He will be your host, connecting with all of the local specialists Elizabeth had engaged over the last decade. To confirm your space, please click here to make a deposit. There are guest spaces available at this time.