A Stay in Paris: An Art History Journey from the Medieval to Monet

Board an overnight flight to Paris, where you’ll be met for the transfer to your hotel in the city center. After time to settle in, head out on a short walking tour around the hotel to get acquainted with the neighborhood. Your travel director will be available throughout your stay for suggestions regarding tours, restaurants and independent activities. In the evening, gather for a welcome reception and dinner at the hotel. (R,D)

After a generous buffet breakfast, offered each morning during your stay, step back in time at exceptional Musée Jacquemart-André, housed in an opulent belle époque mansion that was once the grand residence of art collectors Edouard André and Nélie Jacquemart. On a private tour of the home and its remarkable art collection, see the works of Botticelli and Bellini, Fragonard and Rembrandt, and enjoy a rare glimpse into the art world of Paris in the 19th century. Get to know your fellow travelers during lunch together, then head to the Musée Carnavalet, the city’s oldest museum. Set in two elegant Renaissance mansions in the heart of the Marais district, this hidden gem offers a fascinating journey through 2,000 years of Parisian history—from ancient Lutetia and the French Revolution to the Belle Époque and beyond.  The museum features more than 100 rooms filled with period interiors, preserved storefronts, portraits of iconic Parisians, and rare artifacts including the personal items of Marie Antoinette. Dine with the group this evening at a popular brasserie. (B,L,D)

Begin the day with an enlightening guided tour of the Musée d’Orsay, home to the world’s largest collection of impressionist and post-impressionist artwork. Learn how the movement revolutionized the art world, and hear the stories behind famous works by luminaries such as Édouard Manet, Pierre-August Renoir, Edgar Degas, and Claude Monet. After lunch together, venture to the Petit Palais, a stunning beaux-arts building that was constructed for the 1900 World’s Fair and now houses the City of Paris Museum of Fine Arts. On a guided tour, view paintings by Rembrandt, Peter Paul Rubens, Paul Cézanne, and Gustav Courbet; as well as decorative arts, medieval icons, and art nouveau pieces. Be sure to step into the museum’s delightful secret garden, an oasis of peace and beauty mere steps from the bustling Champs-Élysées. In the early evening, join fellow travelers and your Smithsonian Journeys Expert for an informal discussion about the day’s discoveries. Then gather for dinner at one of the city’s wonderful restaurants. (B,L,D)

Set out on a day trip to Giverny, the country estate where Claude Monet lived and worked for more than 40 years. With a private guide, gain insight into the artist’s daily life on a tour of his house, which has been carefully restored to be much as he left it upon his death in 1926. Then stroll through the gorgeous gardens Monet designed, viewing the iconic Japanese bridge and lily ponds he famously painted during his prolific later years. At the Museum of Impressionism, just steps from Monet’s house, examine sketches, paintings, and photographs that attest to the legacy of the art movement. Enjoy lunch in Giverny before returning to Paris, where the remainder of the day is yours to experience the city on your own.  (B,L)

Cuisine is an art form in France, and Paris brims with epicurean shops, brasseries, and bakeries that showcase culinary prowess. Set out on a walking tour that celebrates French gastronomy, stopping in at artisan shops around the Champ-de-Mars and the Eiffel Tower to sample a variety of flavors and specialties.  Then head to the beautiful Musée Rodin, set in an elegant 18th-century mansion where Auguste Rodin himself lived and worked for many years along with other French artists and creatives. On a guided tour, examine a stunning collection of Rodin’s sculptures in various stages of completion, including legendary works such as The Kiss and The Age of Bronze. You’ll also find sculptures by Camille Claudel, Rodin’s student, muse, and paramour, who became a renowned artist in her own right. Your tour continues in the vast manicured gardens, where iconic pieces such as The Thinker are set amid the flowerbeds. In the early evening, gather with fellow travelers and your expert for an informal conversation about the art and experiences of the day. Dinner is at your leisure tonight. (B)

Travel north of Paris for a memorable visit to the Château de Chantilly, a private 19th-century château that houses the remarkable collection of Henri d’Orléans, the son of Louis Philippe, the last king of France. Visit the private apartments and the Musée Condé, and see masterpieces by Raphael, Botticelli, Ingres, Delacroix, and other European artists. The museum also harbors one of the world’s most important collections of medieval illuminated manuscripts, including the famous Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry, a remarkable glimpse into the everyday life in the Middle Ages. While the original manuscript is currently not on display, a reproduction is available as well as a digitized version that allows for a close-up look at the fabulous, detailed illustrations of this 15th-century book. 

Next, tour the lush grounds, which include French formal gardens designed by André Le Nôtre; a picturesque English garden; and the Great Stables, now home to the Living Horse Museum. Cap off your visit to the museum with a spectacular equestrian show. At the chateau’s restaurant, sit down to a leisurely lunch and enjoy a free afternoon and evening back in Paris. You might stop by the Louvre to see an exhibition or stroll beneath the soaring nave of the newly restored Notre Dame Cathedral. (B,L)

Start the day in the historic Marais district with a guided tour of the Musée Picasso, housed in the magnificent 17th-century Hôtel Salé and boasting the world’s largest public collection of Picasso’s work. Take a chronological tour through the artist’s major creative phases—from his melancholic Blue Period to cubism and beyond. Highlights include Self‑Portrait 1901, Portrait of Dora Mar, Two Women Running on the Beach, and Still Life with Chair Caning. In addition to Picasso’s own creations, see his personal collection featuring the art of Matisse, Cézanne, Miró and others. After lunch together, take a guided tour of the Palais Garnier, the city’s ornate opera house, commissioned by Emperor Napoleon III as part of the grand reconstruction of Paris. Admire the Grand Staircase and the richly decorated Grand Foyer, and, schedule permitting, peek inside the auditorium to see its ceiling, colorfully painted by Marc Chagall. In the library-bookshop, view historic costumes, scale models, and archival materials related to opera and ballet. Toast your Paris art immersion at a farewell reception and dinner tonight. (B,L,D)

After breakfast, depart for Charles de Gaulle Airport for your return flight. (B)

Please note that the progression and content outlined in this itinerary may be subject to change due to local operational considerations.