Josephine Baker – An American Hero in France

Day 2. – Paris sightseeing and special dinner event with author, Damien Lewis

Today will meet our local guide and depart by coach for a half-day sightseeing tour of Paris. There will be photo opportunities at various stops during the tour.

Included today is a visit to the church of La Madeleine where Josephine Baker’s funeral, with full French military honors, was held in April 1975. We will also visit the impressive monument, The Pantheon, which is located in the Latin Quarter. Whilst Josephine is buried in Monaco, a symbolic casket was interred in the mausoleum of The Pantheon during a solemn ceremony led by French President Emmanuel Macron, in November 2021. We will see the plaque dedicated to Josephine Baker, along with other notable French ‘greats’ who are interred here.

Enjoy lunch as a group at La Coupole, the traditional art-deco style French brasserie where Josephine Baker was a regular patron.

There will be some free time this afternoon to discover Paris at your leisure.

Special evening event: This evening we will enjoy dinner as a group. Our special guest this evening is Damien Lewis, author, and renowned expert on Josephine Baker, her life and history. Damien will share some insights and be available for questions.

Day 3. – Paris sightseeing and Josephine’s Paris

This morning we will depart for a tour of Les Folies Bergère, one of the main performance venues where Josephine Baker performed. No longer are the traditional revue shows as the venue now welcomes numerous productions of many different genres throughout the year; but you will gain insight into the times of Josephine Baker as she delighted audiences during her time as a performer here.

Following our visit of Les Folies Bergère, we will discover some of the charming hidden passageways as we may our way on foot to the Opéra area (approx. ¾-1 mile leisurely walk total). We will visit the rooftop terrace of Galeries Lafayette for almost 360 degree views across the city. Marvel at the incredible stained-glass dome inside this chic department store.

Lunch and the afternoon at your leisure. 

We will depart the hotel late-afternoon for Montmartre to enjoy a pre-theatre dinner at a chic, local French bistro. Montmartre, the delightful hill quarter of Paris, has a truly unique history of music, art and artists, culture and more! The famous jazz club “Bricktops” may be no longer, but you will gain an insight into the celebrated bohemian atmosphere and gain an understanding of this vibrant artistic area of Paris.

Following dinner we will travel a short distance to the famed “Moulin Rouge” for the 9:00pm cabaret performance.

Day 4. Paris to Limoges

Check out of the hotel and depart by coach for Limoges. (approx. 4-5hr journey today).

We will make a stop in Orleans to stretch our legs and for you to enjoy lunch on your own. The city is well-known for another female icon of French history, Joan of Arc, who led the French army to victory against the English here in 1429.

Continue onto Limoges after lunch. Before we arrive at the hotel, we will visit a local vineyard for a tour and aperitif.

Following our vineyard visit, it is a short drive to our hotel to check-in.

Limoges is famous for fine porcelain and fine arts, such as tapestries and leather gloves. It was also one of the first cities in France liberated during WWII.

There will be some free time before dinner as a group this evening.

Photo credit: Image by Jens, Pixabay

Day 5. Prehistoric times through to World War II

Check out of the hotel and depart by coach for the historical village of Oradour-sur-Glane. Known as the ‘Martyr village”, it was destroyed by the Nazi’s during WWII and is where a massacre occurred. The village remains in a state of destruction, reminding visitors of the war history. One main theory why the village was completely destroyed is the Nazi soldiers wanted payback for a soldier captured by the French resistance. We will also visit the Underground museum.

Return to Limoges for lunch on your own.

After lunch we will depart for the Dordogne.

En route we will visit the Lascaux cave, famous for its prehistoric cave art. We will visit Lascaux IV, a complete and comprehensive reproduction of the actual caves and its interpretive center.

Continue onto our hotel and check-in.

Dinner as a group.

Image credit – mhfasquel-Pixabay

Day 6. Château des Milandes – the home of Josephine Baker

Enjoy breakfast and the morning at your leisure. Discover the medieval town center at your leisure.

Meet at the hotel at noon and depart by coach for the Chateau des Milandes, the home of Josephine Baker.

Our group lunch will be in the brasserie at Château des Milandes.

Following our lunch, we will enjoy an exclusive, private tour of the estate where will learn more about the incredible life and history of Josephine Baker. Enjoy the falconry display and some time exploring the gardens at your leisure.

Return to the hotel late afternoon. There will be some free time before dinner as a group.

Image credit: Bjorn V – Pixabay

Day 7. The Dordogne to Toulouse

Check out of the hotel after breakfast and depart by coach for Toulouse (approx. 2-2.5hrs).

Enjoy lunch at your leisure on arrival in Toulouse.

Meet our local guide for a walking tour of the city. Often referred to as “The Pink City” due to its rose-colored bricks found in many of the historical and also modern buildings, Toulouse is a center for education, aviation technology, science and a great arts and culture scene. We will discover some of the many hidden gems in the city as well as some well-known sights. Visit the stunning Hôtel de Ville with its impressive frescos and view over la Place du Capitole.

Enjoy some free time in the city center before we meet the coach and transfer to our luxury 4-star hotel at Toulouse-Blagnac airport to check in.

Enjoy a dinner as a group.

Image credit – pixelia – Pixabay

Day 8.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel at your leisure.

Check out of the hotel.

The hotel is only a short walk (5 minutes) via an internal walkway connected to the airport terminal. For intra-Europe flights, check-in is two hours prior to departure. For direct flights to non-European destinations, check-in is 2.5-3 hours prior to departure.

Guests departing by train from Toulouse-Matabiau SNCF station – a transfer will be arranged for you.