Check out highlights from Women in Paris, June 2025
〰️
Check out highlights from Women in Paris, June 2025 〰️
Women in Paris
8 Days
Paris, France
Women have long shaped the cultural landscape of Paris, leaving their mark in ways both seen and unseen. This course takes you through time, exploring the lives and legacies of women who lived, created, and thrived in Paris. From historical figures like Sainte Geneviève, the city’s patron saint, who defended Paris against invasion, to revolutionaries, artists, and intellectuals such as Marie Antoinette and Simone de Beauvoir, you’ll discover how each contributed to the city’s vibrant culture.
Beginning with writers, artists, and musicians who made Paris their muse, you will be led through the city to the places where the likes of Gertrude Stein, Edith Piaf, and Coco Chanel left their marks. Along the way, you will encounter women who contribute to Parisian culture today. From sculptors and photographers to chefs and sommeliers, to writers and activists, you will explore how their work intertwines with Paris’s artistic and intellectual fabric, in dialogue with the legacies of the women who came before them.
Through a combination of expert-led discussions, on-site visits, and immersive experiences, this course illuminates the influence of women in Paris, past and present. You’ll leave with a deeper understanding of the ways in which the “deuxième sexe” have played a primary role in shaping the city’s artistic, literary, and social life.
The Elements of Elective
✔️ Field Seminars – Instructor-led sessions that bring the subject to life through on-site learning.
✔️ Self-Guided Study – Dedicated time to explore independently within the course framework.
✔️ Daily Discussions – Small cohorts (max 10 participants) reflect together on what they’re learning and experiencing.
✔️ Expert Instructors – Scholars and practitioners deeply engaged in their fields.
The Elective Approach
✔️ The Destination Is Your Textbook – Understand a place through its ideas, history, and culture.
✔️ Academics, Not Tourism – No lectures, no tests—just serious learning in a setting that connects to the subject..
✔️ Beyond Sightseeing – Travel with intention—leave with insight, not just photos.
✔️ Comfort & Service – A premium experience with thoughtful details and personalized support.
Course Schedule
Sunday
Arrivals
Check into hotel
Meet your cohort for drinks and introductions
Welcome Dinner
Monday
9:00 Daily Discussion
10:30 Field Seminar
Free / Self-Guided Study
Free time for dinner & evening
Tuesday
9:00 Daily Discussion
10:30 Field Seminar
Free / Self-Guided Study
Free time for dinner & evening
Wednesday
9:00 Daily Discussion
10:30 Field Seminar
Free / Self-Guided Study
Optional Extracurricular
Thursday
9:00 Daily Discussion
10:30 Field Seminar
Free / Self-Guided Study
Free time for dinner & evening
Friday
9:00 Daily Discussion
10:30 Field Seminar
Optional Extracurricular
Free time for dinner & evening
Saturday
Free day and/or recommended activities for continued Self-Guided Study
Farewell dinner
Sunday
Depart at your leisure
Itinerary and course schedule are subject to change. A final, detailed program will be shared with participants two weeks before the course begins.
What’s Included
Course materials, including pre-course reading list and suggested continued readings for after the course
All Field Seminar activities, transport, and entrance fees
Single occupancy room in 4-5 star hotel
Breakfast every day
Week-long metro pass
Welcome Drinks & Dinner
Farewell Dinner
Options
DISCOUNT*: Share a Room - Participants who choose to share a room are eligible for a discount of either 10% off one participant’s enrollment or 5% off each. Please contact us before enrolling to confirm availability.
DISCOUNT*: Bring a Friend - Refer a friend who enrolls in the same Elective as you, and receive 5% off your own enrollment fee. You’ll receive 5% off for each friend you refer!
Travel Support - If you’d like to extend your time in France or need help planning travel to or from Paris, we’re happy to provide personalized advice and logistical support.
*Discounts cannot be combined. Any discount is applied as a reduction to your first installment payment, once both participants have enrolled.
Extracurriculars
Your Facilitator will organize two optional activities during your free afternoons or evenings. Details and costs for these Electives will be provided one month in advance, and if you choose to participate, we will handle the booking. For outings such as concerts, performances, or tastings, your Facilitator will accompany you to the event.
In addition to these optional advance bookings, your Facilitator and your Instructor will provide a wide variety of suggested activities and restaurants for during your Self-Guided Study and free time.
Extracurriculars for this course may include:
Pastry-Making Workshop:
French patisserie is an art form rooted in centuries of culinary tradition, with Paris at its heart. From the perfection of mille-feuilles to the iconic macaron, these confections reflect the precision and creativity that define the city’s gastronomic heritage. Though the métier was traditionally practiced by men, you’ll learn some of the classical techniques from a female pastry chef.
Live Music:
Paris has long been a cradle for musical innovation, from the cabarets of Montmartre to the jazz clubs of the Left Bank. This vibrant tradition continues today, celebrated through intimate performances by women artists who flock from around the world to participate in and contribute to the city’s creative spirit. Depending on what shows are on, the artist(s) you discover may be well known or Paris’s next big thing.
Wine Tasting:
France’s wine culture is a cornerstone of its national identity, shaped by diverse terroirs and centuries-old traditions. This tasting highlights Paris’s role as a hub for exploring the richness of French viniculture, with an opportunity to taste wines that don’t typically make it across the Atlantic.
Evening Arts Walk:
As night falls, Paris’s art scene comes alive with gallery openings, special exhibitions, and creative gatherings across the city. This evening arts walk offers a glimpse into the contemporary art world while weaving through neighborhoods known for their artistic energy. Depending on the night, the walk may lead through the historic galleries of the Left Bank, the cutting-edge spaces of the Marais, or another area of the city, offering a dynamic view of Paris’s ever-evolving art scene.
Accommodation
Hotel Paris Bastille Boutet-MGallery
Hotel des Deux Girafes
Elective aims to provide accommodations in safe, central locations that adhere to our standards of comfort and service. Hotels may not be the ones shown here, but will be of equal or better quality, while also accounting for convenience. Please note that hotels will not all have the exact same amenities. If there are amenities that you require, please reach out to us as early as possible so that we can do our best to help you secure them. Note: if the rooms are not all of the same category, the earliest participants to book will be assigned the higher category.
What to Expect
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You can fly into either Charles de Gaulle or Orly airport. However, it’s not recommended to fly into Beauvais, which is much farther outside the city.
You can get to your hotel via either taxi or metro from both airports.
If you prefer for a car to pick you up, we can help you make arrangements.
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Paris is the ultimate walking city. Expect a good amount of walking, including on cobbled streets, during Field Seminars. Participants should be comfortable walking 4 to 5 miles.
To get farther afield, the metro and bus systems are incredibly easy to use, clean, and the way most locals get around.
Taxis and ride share services are available, but can be hard to come by at certain times.
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April and September in Paris are variable. You can have warm, sunny days or cooler, rainy ones—and often a mix of both. Expect changeable weather, with conditions that can shift from one day to the next. Temperatures typically range from the mid-50s to low 70s°F.
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France uses the Euro. Euros can easily be obtained at ATMs at the airport upon arrival or at any bank in Paris. Visa and Mastercard are taken almost everywhere; AMEX is less widely accepted.
We recommend traveling with only a small amount of cash for tips or small purchases (a cup of coffee or a bottle of water). Check exchange fees with your credit card provider before traveling.
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There are multiple hospitals in Paris, including an American hospital.
Travel insurance is mandatory for participation. Please reach out if you have questions about this or would like recommendations of providers.
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You will need to have a passport that is valid until 6 months after your travel ends. We will ask you to provide your passport information along with health & dietary information, an emergency contact, travel insurance, and your arrival and departure information.
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Paris is generally safe for travelers, especially in popular tourist areas like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Montmartre. The city has a reliable public transportation system, and most neighborhoods are fine to explore during the day. However, petty crime like pickpocketing—particularly on the metro and around major attractions—is common, so it's important to stay alert and keep valuables secure.
As with all international travel, we recommend that participants enroll in the U.S. State Department’s STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) to receive important updates and support while abroad.