Clients On the Go: Paris Through an Architectural Lens
When a group of architects jets off to a foreign land together, you would expect their eagle eyes to take in all the details. That’s just what happened when a Poe Travel group recently headed to Paris. . .
All photos courtesy of SCM Architects Group
We love planning a specialist trip, and a group of architects discovering Paris together definitely qualifies! When our clients at SCM Architects Group came to us for an in-depth look at Paris over a few days this winter, we reached out to our trusty on-the-ground partners at Decouvertes to plan something special and bespoke for the group: Paris with a focus on architecture.
Here’s a look at what lead traveler, Jeff, and his group got up to. . .
Day 1
Arrival Day
The group of architects and their traveling companions, 21 in total, arrived in Paris today from all over the world. When this group trip was planned, many in the group decided to extend before and after in other parts of Europe, such as London, Belgium, Austria, and Milan. Who doesn’t love combining some independent travel with a big group journey?!
On arrival, everyone transferred to the Hotel Bel Ami, located in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, for check-in and time at leisure to rest up after long flights for those who traveled in directly from the States.
That night, the group met for a three-course welcome dinner at Brasserie Lipp, only a two-minute walk from their well-located hotel.
Day 2
Notre Dame & Sainte Chapelle
Keen to make the most of their time in Paris, the group was at it right away on their first morning, starting with a private tour of Notre Dame and Sainte Chapelle.
Their privately guided tour included an interior look at Notre Dame with knowledgeable Bertrand followed by an exterior tour with one of the expert sculptors who worked on restoring Notre Dame after the fire in recent years. It was a cold November day, so once the group had had a look around, they proceeded to a nearby cafe and warmed up with delicious coffees while the sculptor told his fascinating stories.
“He really made an impression on the group,” John tells us.
After the tour, the group went for a two-course lunch at Comme Chai Toi. John said its location, right across the river from Notre Dame, was perfect. The group chatted about everything they’d learned on their informative morning tour while looking at the iconic building from across the water. They could even observe workers still toiling away on that side of the legendary church.
The rest of the day was spent at leisure exploring independently. Some of the group went to Le Grand Vefour for dinner and said it was “very good with exceptional service.”
Day 3
Independent Explorations
After a group breakfast together, the architects spent this Friday exploring independently, making time for their varied interests. In a city like Paris, there is never a shortage of interesting things to explore, whether you’re visiting for the first time or the fiftieth.
Day 4
Le Marais & Opera Garnier
After breakfast at their hotel, the group was met by their private motorcoach for a half-day tour of Le Marais with a local guide, Dina.
Before becoming the dynamic area of art galleries and pop-up stores that it is today, the Marais was once home to the greatest aristocratic mansions during the Renaissance. The result you see today in terms of architecture is a splendid mix of historical buildings and modernism. The Marais gathers what Paris does best, from the Jewish Quarter to the Pompidou Center of Modern Art, and from the local bars to the iconic Place des Vosges.
About their tour, John said, “Dina did a good job on the tour of Le Marais. . . That also was very informative and the work that has been done there since the 1980s is unbelievable.”
Afterwards, the group headed to the Opera Garnier to meet their lecturer guide, Tatiana.
The Palais Garnier, an architectural masterpiece inaugurated in 1875 at the request of Napoleon III, is without doubt one of the most dazzling monuments in Paris. A showcase for dance and opera, the building dazzles with its balconies in onyx, its luxurious marble, its delicate frescoes, and its rich gilding—a real gem in the heart of Paris. From the monumental staircase to the majestic Grand Salon, each room of the Palais Garnier is full of elegant details that compose a magical decor. It is an architectural symphony that was created by using several styles.
John described this tour as “the best” because the group was allowed to go underneath, into the depths of the Opera House, and backstage.
“We are architects,” John said, “so we are always interested in how buildings are built and how they work to serve the purpose for which they were built. Good stuff.”
As this was their last night together as a group, they gathered for a farewell dinner at Le Precope, which John said was “excellent.” The group was treated very well as they enjoyed their four-course feast.
Day 5
Retail Therapy
Many in the group departed for their onward travels this morning, whether that was a homeward bound flight to the States or onward travels to other European destinations, including some of the group who went on an entirely separate exploration of England and Scotland!
John and his family stayed on in Paris and spent this wintry Sunday morning “keeping the French economy humming” by shopping up and down the Champs Elysees and the West Bank. They even found some of that delectable French butter at a department store, where the kind staff members vacuum-sealed the delicacy so that it could be brought home and enjoyed Stateside.
If you would like to Go Away to France or plan your next group travel anywhere in the world, contact us. We will take care of the logistics every step of the way and tailor everything to your specific interests.