Skip to main content

Overview

A curated journey through an artistic haven

Wander the city that inspired and lent refuge to some of literature’s most prolific writers. Let your imagination roam as you learn about the marriage of Héloïse du Paraclet and French philosopher Peter Abelard—their correspondence formed the foundation of French and European literature and became the primary inspiration for the practice of courtly love.

Discuss and learn the history of African American writers who wrote in the 7th Arrondissement. The Café de Flore, where James Baldwin wrote Go Tell It on the Mountain, and Deux Magots, where he and Richard Wright would engage in vigorous debates, are both stops on our journey. Get ready for an in-depth learning adventure with daily discussions on assigned readings.

Dates

October 15–22, 2024

Duration

8 days

Price

From $9,995 per person

Trip size

24 participants

Minimum age

18 years
Reserve(opens new window)

Faculty leader

A different kind of classroom

With renowned Stanford faculty and scholars leading the way, every Travel/Study trip is a one-of-a-kind educational experience.

Elaine Treharne

English

A member of the Stanford faculty since 2012, Professor Treharne specializes in manuscript studies, archives, information technologies and early British literature.

“Elaine was enthusiastic in sharing with us the history and culture of our destinations. She speaks with emotion and humor, enticing us to appreciate and value the places and people.”

—Margaret Maddock

Itinerary

An in-depth exploration of Paris' literary side

Experience Paris in the autumn, when sites are less crowded, and the weather has cooled. Spend each morning immersed in faculty-led discussions of selected readings of Ernest Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, Edith Wharton, and James Baldwin among others. Then, embark on excursions to the very places these authors inhabited.

  • Paris, France

    Settle into our hotel, centrally located in the 2nd Arrondissement near the Louvre Museum. This evening, gather with fellow travelers for a welcome reception at the hotel followed by dinner at a nearby restaurant.

    Accommodations:

    Hotel Bachaumont

    Included meal: Dinner
  • Paris

    Gather this morning for book discussions with Professor Treharne. This afternoon, embark on a walking tour of the Montparnasse district with its cafes, bars, and restaurants that were frequented by writers of the Lost Generation, such as Ernest Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, and F. Scott Fitzgerald. Visit the Carnavalet Museum, housed in a beautiful and historic 16th-century mansion, and explore its exhibits on the history of Paris, which will help set the context for our week in this dynamic city.

    Accommodations:

    Hotel Bachaumont

    Included meals: Breakfast and lunch
  • Paris

    Enjoy another morning of readings and discussions. Then, get to know some of Paris’s historic libraries and special collections. Walk to the Bibliotheque Nationale de France’s (BnF) reading rooms in the Richelieu Library to view rare manuscripts and admire the baroque architecture. Also see the library’s exhibition of art objects from the Treasury of Saint-Denis in the beautifully restored Mazarin Gallery. Continue to Notre Dame Cathedral where a local restoration expert details the monumental efforts made to recover what was lost in the fire of 2019. Conclude the day with some free time to browse the shelves of the famous Shakespeare and Company bookstore, originally established in 1919 by American ex-pat Sylvia Beach as a gathering place for writers and artists.

    Accommodations:

    Hotel Bachaumont

    Included meals: Breakfast and lunch
  • Saint-Denis

    After breakfast, depart for a full-day excursion focused on medieval history and literature. Begin with an early-hours visit to Sainte-Chappelle and view its exquisite stained glass windows before the building opens to the public. Continue to the Musée de Cluny, built in a 15th-century chateau on the site of ancient Roman baths and renowned for its collection of medieval art and artifacts. After lunch, visit the beautiful Basilica of Saint-Denis outside Paris, once a place of pilgrimage and a necropolis containing the tombs of nearly every king from the 10th century to Louis XVIII in the 19th century. Return to Paris and visit the Père Lachaise cemetery where many famous artists, writers, and musicians lie buried, including Gertrude Stein, Alice B. Toklas, Oscar Wilde, and Molière.

    Accommodations:

    Hotel Bachaumont

    Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Paris

    Return to class for a morning of book discussions. This afternoon, visit the Pantheon where many great French writers and artists are entombed, including Victor Hugo, Emile Zola, and Voltaire. Then explore the history of African American writers in Paris on a guided walking tour. Stop at the Café de Flore, where James Baldwin wrote Go Tell It on the Mountain; Deux Magots, where he and Richard Wright would often engage in heated debates; and other locations significant to these writers in the 7th Arrondissement. Then visit with an African American writer living in Paris for a discussion of literature and culture while enjoying refreshments at a local brasserie.

    Accommodations:

    Hotel Bachaumont

    Included meals: Breakfast and lunch
  • Paris

    After a morning of discussions, venture out to discover the Paris of Edith Wharton and Henry James. Visit the Hotel de Crillon, where Wharton rented an exclusive penthouse apartment and mingled with the city’s cultivated society. Continue to Parc Monceau, where James comingled with such luminaries as Ivan Turgenev, Emile Zola, and Guy de Maupassant in the apartment of Gustave Flaubert. Cap off our tour with wine tasting in a Parisian cellar.

    Accommodations:

    Hotel Bachaumont

    Included meals: Breakfast and lunch
  • Paris

    After our final morning of discussions, enjoy an afternoon at leisure. Then gather to toast our journey at a farewell reception and dinner.

    Accommodations:

    Hotel Bachaumont

    Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Paris / Home

    After breakfast at our hotel, transfer to the airport for homeward bound flights.

    Included meal: Breakfast

Trip details

Start preparing for the trip of a lifetime

From top to bottom, we’ve taken care of all the details, so you can enjoy a no-stress, worry-free travel experience.

Pricing

Secure your spot today

The price of your trip covers a comprehensive educational program in addition to meals, accommodations, tours and excursions. Continue reading for a full list of what’s included.

Have a question for us?

Get in touch with someone at Travel/Study.