Paris – Romance & Revolution

This tour of some of the quieter, less well known parts of the perennially romantic city of Paris actually starts at one of its liveliest, most famous sites - the Place de la Concorde.

But here too we bring you something new - by revealing its names over the centuries as Paris was rocked by revolution and explaining what you’re looking at as you look at it.  We’ll tell you, for instance, why Parisians would once have lived in terror of one of the grand mansions which borders it.

Later you’ll learn about the best food shop in Paris and what monks have to do with cappuccino.  The secrets of the Garnier Opera house are revealed and the tour goes on to show how one speech in the gardens of the Palais-Royal, although peaceful and rarely crowded today, sparked the French Revolution of 1789.

After strolling through the romantic, historic Marais district and exploring one of the most elegant, tranquil squares in Paris, you’ll arrive at the Place de Bastille where you’ll hear why its liberation was actually something of an anti-climax.  Finally you’ll arrive in the charming but overlooked Ile Saint Louis with its quiet streets and excellent cafes and restaurants.