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.