France with Friends
A Cultural Journey
Voyage to discover French Art, Gardens & Gastronomy
Embark on an enriching and exciting cultural exploration of art, gardens & gastronomy with a French art historian by your side! In the Loire, we'll be awed by cutting-edge garden design at the International Garden Festival at Chaumont-sur-Loire. We'll explore majestic castles, savor regional cuisine in superb restaurants and taste magnificent wine at artisanal vineyards. In the French capital, we'll immerse ourselves in the work of women artists, past and present, with specialized visits curated by art experts. We'll explore world-renowned museums from the Louvre & Musée d'Orsay to the exquisite Musée Rodin & gardens, Marmottan-Monet, MAM (Musée d'art Moderne), Quai Branly, the new Pinault Collection & more. At each site, we'll venture off the beaten path to uncover hidden gems that most visitors never see. Then, while strolling through the Tuileries, jardin du Luxembourg & Versailles with garden specialists & scholars, we'll learn about the history of French gardens. You'll even have the opportunity to take sketching classes with contemporary figurative sculptor, Melanie Furtado.
We'll savor the best that the city of light has to offer with New York Times travel journalist and food critic, Seth Sherwood. Luxuriating in Parisian elegance, we'll dine at top restaurants, including the Michelin-starred La dame de pic headed by the world-renowned chef, Anne-Sophie Pic. With plenty of time to relax, shop and explore, we'll enjoy each other's company. Each day, we’ll take time to discuss all that we've seen, tasted and experienced together. After all, this trip is as much about friendship as it is about art!
This unique voyage is curated for an intimate group of women who wish to travel tastefully, while deepening their connection to art, culture and each other.
Experience the premier art destination like never before with specialized tours of the greatest museums, cutting-edge foundations, and dazzling art exhibitions, with a focus on women artists,
past and present.
Travel with an intimate, congenial & like-minded group of art & culture lovers to create enduring memories & friendships.
Immerse yourself in the splendors of the Loire valley, from magnificent castles to historic gardens to contemporary garden design at the legendary International Garden Festival.
Savor the best food & wine France has to offer with flavorful experiences guided by down to earth scholars & experts, including a
New York Times Travel Journalist.
Expand your knowledge of French art & culture with a passionate & friendly art historian & national licensed guide
by your side.
France with Friends
In October, 2023, we'll come together as an intimate community of women to experience the art, gardens gastronomy and wine of France! A balance of city and country, we'll immerse ourselves in the rich cultural happenings of Paris and also enjoy the beautiful landscape, majestic chateaux and historic gardens of the Loire Valley. All along the way, we'll savor inventive cuisine in the capital and distinctive terroir of the Loire, an unspoilt region that will charm you with both its beauty and its welcome.
This voyage is hosted by Lauren Jimerson, an art historian, author, and French national licensed guide. Along the way, you will meet other friendly experts! We'll take an art class with a contemporary artist, and a pastry or cooking class with a French chef. Parisian food & wine experiences will be led by New York Times Travel Journalist, Seth Sherwood. On this journey, you'll be guided through an uplifting and enlightening journey that will ignite all the senses!
Here are the key places we'll visit & the artists we'll discover:
PARIS MUSEUMS, GARDENS, CONCERTS, EVENTS, AND MORE!
Louvre (Elisabeth Vigée Le Brun, Marie-Guillemine Benoist, Anne Vallayer-Coster, etc.)
Musée d'Orsay (Mary Cassatt, Berthe Morisot, etc.)
Musée Rodin (Camille Claudel)
MAM Musée d'art moderne de la ville de Paris (Sonia Delaunay, Suzanne Valadon, etc.)
Musée Marmottan-Monet (Berthe Morisot, Marie Laurencin)
Musée des arts décoratifs (female fashion designers from Chanel to Schiaparelli)
Bourse de Commerce-Pinault Collection (contemporary women artists)
Versailles - private tour of the gardens
Private tour of parks and gardens in Paris, such as the jardin du Luxembourg & Tuileries
Classical music concert in an historic venue
Live jazz concert
Art class with contemporary figurative sculptor, Melanie Furtado (no prior experience necessary)
Cocktails at Cercle Suédois Private Swedish Club
And more!
(Experiences & activities will be added over the coming months as the itinerary is perfected & polished. A detailed itinerary will be shared before the trip)
LOIRE VALLEY
International Garden Festival, Chaumont-sur-Loire
Château de Chenonceau
Château de Villandry
Château Azay-le-Rideau
Château d’Ussé
Pastry or cooking class
Wine tasting at a artisanal vineyard
And more!
You're in good hands with Lauren!
Founder of Lauren's Paris & Art With Friends, Lauren Jimerson, is an art historian specializing in modern women artists. She holds a PhD from Rutgers University, an MA from the Courtauld Institute, and a BA from Cornell University. Her research has benefited from grants including a Fulbright fellowship. She recently completed a book entitled, "Painting Her Pleasure: Three Women Artists and the Nude in Avant-Garde Paris," forthcoming from Manchester University Press in 2023. Licensed as a French National Guide, Lauren has over a decade of experience leading scholarly tours in Paris, Rome, and beyond.
Luxurious Accommodation:
4* Lyric Hotel Paris Opera & 5* Les Trésorières in Tours
Choose from hand-selected hotels in each location (4 or 5 star hotels).
Accommodation is kept separate to allow for the greatest flexibility, room choice or room sharing and ease of cancellation.
Connect with an intimate community of like-minded,
art & culture loving women!
Art with Friends journeys in 2022
I just wanted to say thank you for the beautiful journey to France. It was such a magical trip, and it had your personal touch in more ways than I can count! I have had layovers in Paris for many years, but I never got an insider’s look like you gave us. There was just too much to see and do…I didn’t want to leave. It was the perfect trip after 2 long years of Covid lockdown! I could tell you planned and worked so hard to make this trip as special as it could be for each of us. I felt so lucky to be included, and under your guidance, I fell in love with Paris all over again. - Lori
Paris was perfect! I can’t thank you enough for your attention to detail in truly making our journey to France the trip of a lifetime. I loved every minute of it! We had all traveled to Paris before, but you offered new experiences. You opened my eyes to new things. I look forward to more classes and adventures ahead. - Pat
Having studied art history with you for two years, this newly gained knowledge made the trip to France even more meaningful. This was clear to me when I recognized works of art in the Louvre that we had discussed together in class. I have gone from knowing very little about art to being knowledgeable. You have brought out my creativity. - Judy
Thank you for this enlightening and riveting trip to France. Every day was filled with new things and unforgettable moments. I went to bed each night excited to wake up in the morning. You helped me to appreciate art in a new way. - Audrey
Testimonials from France with Friends 2022
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10 Magnificent Days of Private Tours & Experiences with Lauren & Experts
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All Art Experiences, Private Museum Tours and Museum Tickets
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Private food & wine experiences with New York Times Travel Journalist, Seth Sherwood
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Round-trip transportation from Paris to the Loire
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Private transportation to sites in the Loire Valley
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Round-trip transportation to airport (if arriving & departing on designated flights with fellow art explorers)
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Transportation to museums and planned activities in Paris & Versailles
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Daily Meals: the majority of meals are included with some free evenings to explore on your own (breakfast with hotel booking)
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Multi-course gastronomic dining experience at the Michelin starred restaurant, La dame de Pic
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Wine tasting at a boutique vineyard in the Loire valley
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Private pastry or cooking class
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Private art class contemporary artist, Melanie Furtado
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Classical music concert
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Live Jazz concert
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Live French lesson in preparation for the journey
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Live art history lesson in preparation for the journey taught by Lauren
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Taxes, tips and fees on all the above
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Art with Friends Gift Box
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Memories to last a lifetime!
Allons-y! Let's go!
Limited availability Secure your spot today!
10 Day Premium Art Journey to Paris, & the Loire Valley! $6,970
October 1-10, 2023
Promotion: $200 off if you've taken an Art with Friends course
This exclusive & intimate trip is
limited to 6 women.
Non-refundable deposit $500 at time of booking.
Full payment due April 15th 2023.
We understand the unpredictable nature of our times and have worked assiduously to offer the most flexible cancellation policy possible.
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