Sarah Bernhardt and the Parisian muses of La Belle Époque (6.5h)

Description

Itinerary

We present a comprehensive 6.5 hour tour that will bring you back to the Belle Époque times of Paris, a city that holds a crucial place within this art style in Europe. You will learn through the life of some great women of the Art Nouveau times, that coincided with the Belle Époque, a period characterized by optimism, regional peace, economic prosperity, an apex of colonial empires and technological, scientific and cultural innovations.

During the tour you will discover some Belle Epoque wonders like the Galleries Lafayette, with its wonderful dome, and Alexandre III bridge, which we will cross to appreciate the beauty of its details. On weekdays our Art Nouveau expert will make you discover a hidden gem, an exclusive Art Nouveau location not included in other tours.

 Some of the Art Nouveau buildings were built for The Exposition Universelle that took place in the capital of France from the 14th April to the 12th November 1900. This world fair took place to celebrate the achievements of the past century and to accelerate development into the next. Art Nouveau was the art style universally present in The Exposition.

Also during the visit, you will go inside two museums and get inspired by the Belle Epoque furniture and jewels displayed there. The Musée des Arts Décoratifs and the Petit Palais museum. will be visited during the private tour. In one of these museums we will have a coffee break in its cafeteria, located in a cozy garden.

We will end the private tour at the café of a fantastic building built for the 1900 exhibition.

To move from one place to another you will walk and use The Metropolitain, where you will appreciate some of the Guimard entrances that have popularised Art Nouveau.

A true icon of the Belle Epoque, Mucha represents the image of Paris from the 1900s. During the tour, your private guide will tell you many stories about the relationship between Sarah Bertrandt and the Czech artist who moved to Paris in 1887 . He was chosen to design a theater poster for the most famous stage actress in France, Sarah Bernhardt. The poster not only brought him a six-year contract with Bernhardt, it propelled him to fame and fortune. His ornate style of illustrating portraits of women surrounded by flowers and wearing flowing gowns became an overnight sensation.

Lunch at an Art Nouveau restaurant of your choice – A great way to feel immersed in the Belle Époque times

While booking this tour, in the options below the calendar, you will be asked to choose if you want us to book a restaurant for your lunch or not. We can book lunch for you in one of the two most attractive Art Nouveau restaurants of Paris. Both have great food and amazing interior decorations:

Option 1 – Le bouillon Racine rue Racine (€€-€€€) is a bit far from the itinerary of this tour and you will have to take a Metro to go there (the ride is around 25 minutes). With his golden glory back, and decorated with the characteristic elements of this style, carved wood and ceramics, with mirrors and glass paintings, it offers an immersion in the Paris of the 1900’s. It has a menu set at a good pricing.

Option 2 – Beefbar (former former Fermette Marbeuf), rue Marbeuf (€€€€) is a an exceptional restaurant with an address closer to the itinerary of this private tour. The premises are in Paris’ Golden Triangle, very near from the Champs-Elysées.

Option 3 – If you don’t want to book it in advance we risk not having table but it is also an option because you can decide any alternative place to go on the spot.

In order to avoid the unpleasant surprise of having the restaurant fully booked we recommend this option. Remember to choose your favorite option when booking.

Pickup & Drop Off

We will meet in front of the Galleries Lafayette in the 9th district.

The tour will end at Le Petit Palais museum  in the 7h district.

Inclusions

Professional fully licensed guiding service.

Le Petit Palais museum is free for the permanent exhibitions. To get more information about the displays and collections taking place in the Petit Palais click HERE.

Exclusions

The price of this private tour doesn’t include transport, museum tickets nor food and drinks.

The metro ticket starts at 2,15€ per person and trip. Alternatively, you can use a taxi.

Entrance to the Musée des Arts Décoratifs. Check prices HERE.

On the day of the tour your private guide will adjust to your interest and budget recommending you a place to have lunch that matches your interests. Alternatively, for added convenience, we offer the option to secure a reservation at one of our two preferred restaurants: Le bouillon Racine rue Racine or Beefbar (former La Fermette Marbeuf) at rue Marbeuf (you can find the MENU by clicking HERE).Feel free to extend an invitation to your guide to join you for lunch, or opt for some leisure time without the guide during your lunch break.

Languages

Our specialised Art Nouveau guide can guide you in English, French and Spanish. Please select the language of your choice in the scroll below the calendar.

Additional Info

This private is not available on Sundays because the Musée des Arts Décoratifs and the Petit Palais don’t open that day.

The tours is private so there are not any other people in the group only those you travel with. Our tours are not just about sightseeing, they are a unique experience of meeting, learning, discovering and understanding different cultures and returning back home richer than when the journey started.

Please note that your tour will take place, rain or shine.

In the event that you have difficulties while booking (not availability for your desired date/time,…) or that you have any additional query please tell us right now visiting the CONTACT section or clicking HERE.