The first time I went to Paris is etched in my memory. I was 14 years old, and it was a school exchange trip. Coming from London, Paris was like a dream – the boulangeries and patisseries, the historic buildings, the cosy cafés and the Eiffel Tower… I fell head over heels for Paris. And many years later, now living close by in the north of France, I still love Paris – even more!
One of my favourite things in the world is to walk the streets of Paris, explore its secrets, uncover the hidden gems, watch the sparkling lights of the Eiffel Tower, feel the music soak into the walls of the 800 year old Gothic jewel box of a church – Sainte Chappelle, nibble on a croissant made by a master of baking, stroll the gilded rooms of Versailles where you can easily imagine Louis XIV strolling before you in his silk high heels, sip a glass of wine as you admire a Paris landmark, climb the ancient hill of Montmartre to hear the bells of the Basilica of Sacre-Coeur as you look over Paris and be dazzled by its beauty. 101 things to love, no, 1001 things to fall in love with – especially if you know where to look!
And I love to share the places that I’ve discovered, some not so easy to access. You need a little black book of contacts, knowhow and insider knowledge – and that’s what I’m so looking forward to sharing with those who are joining my Perfect Paris Tours in 2025. You’ll meet some of my friends, a famous French comedian who will teach you how to be Parisian in less than one hour (in English), a fabulous photographer who has made Paris her home for many years and knows all of the best places to take photos and to be photographed in. She’ll be taking your photo – the perfect souvenir to take home and cherish the memories you’ll make. We’ll have a most incredible experience at the workshops of one of the most famous chefs in the world, 21 Michelin Starred Alain Ducasse is a living legend whose staff call him “papa” – and we’ll also dine at his restaurant in Versailles in one of the Palace Pavilions overlooking Queen Marie-Antoinette’s Trianon estate. And of course, we’ll tour Versailles with a wonderful guide whose knowledge of the palace and of Paris is unmatched. His unique tour of the Palace and gardens will leave you breathless.
We’ll browse the bookshelves of a legendary bookshop which was once a gathering place for the great expat writers of the early 19th century including Ernest Hemingway and Scott Fitzgerald – and I’m proud to say as an expat writer myself, one of the most incredible moments in my life was seeing my own books on the shelves at this shop!
I can’t wait to share with you my favourite place to nibble on cake, in the shadow of the great Gothic Cathedral of Notre-Dame which we will also visit – and wow does it look amazing now that the renovations are almost complete. I have long had an obsession with this church since as a teenager winning a copy of Victor Hugo’s ‘Hunchback of Notre Dame’ which brought the plight of this once-abandoned cathedral to the public’s notice and saved it. I’ll be sharing with you the amazing facts I’ve discovered about Notre-Dame in the course of my research as we witness the fruits of the rebirth of the “heart and soul”of Paris.
Everything about this tailor-made tour is designed to take you to the heart of Paris through its history and culture, traditions and heritage. There is absolutely nothing ordinary about what we’ll see and do, the gastronomy and wines we’ll enjoy, the legendary places that we’ll visit.
It’s a small group tour so we can get to know each other and share the memorable moments which may also become part of my books! I’m researching for a guidebook to France and of course Paris will feature. Your experiences will be a wonderful inspiration for me and for future readers. My secret ambition is to write a romance set in France and Paris, and our adventures will be yet more inspiration for my characters who may follow in our footsteps. My family say I’m like the ‘Forrest Gump’ of writing! Like Forrest who, once he started running, couldn’t stop, once I started writing, I was hooked, and I’ve never looked back. I loved writing as a kid, won prizes for my poetry and short stories. But life gets in the way sometimes and after working many years in a bank in London I had a chance to move to France and discovered that I had a dream I never even knew about – to be a writer! I feel incredibly blessed to be able to share my writing, and I am utterly thrilled that I’m going to be able to share my Paris with you.
Bisous from France
If you would like to join author Janine Marsh on her Readers’ trip to Paris
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS SPRING TOUR
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS FALL TOUR
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- Admire one the most stunning opera houses in the world, the Opéra Garnier
- Watch dazzling performances at the Moulin Rouge cabaret
- Sip French wines at an exclusive and secret venue
- Attend a classical music concert in the intimacy and splendor of a medieval Sainte Chapelle
- Pose on an exclusive and private photo shoot at Paris landmarks.
- Fall under the spell of impressionism at the Monet Museum
- Learn how to become a Parisian in one hour at a hit comedy show
- Delve into the opulent world of the Sun King Louis XIV with an expert Versailles Palace guide.
Pop in and visit Janine Marsh here:
“See you in Paris mes amies”
