Paris Group Experiences at Engage!23

Guests immersed themselves in the Impressionist galleries of the Musée d’Orsay. First, the tour gave an insight into the diversity of the artist’s techniques. Then guests visited the ground floor galleries to discover the early pictures of Monet, Cézanne, and other major works by Manet, Courbet, Delacroix and Ingres. In these less crowded rooms – drawing exercises with a guide. And everyone left with a unique souvenir of the experience!

A unique look at the Musee d’Orsay to discover the paintings and sculptures that were once scandalous! In the 19th century. French society was certainly not ready for such an artistic revolution. Realism steadily broke all the contemporary rules and thus caused many scandals. Time had come to paint everyday life and the human body as they had never been in the past.

Attendees walked through the stunning Parisian scenery to discover some of our favorite spots to get the full ‘Emily in Paris’ experience. From her apartment to the little bakery where you can say: “Pour moi un pain au chocolat s’il vous plaît!” Attendees learned why Parisians are Parisians, their habits, likings, sense of style…

Initiated by Napoleon III after an attempted attack and inaugurated in January 1875, it was after 15 years of work carried out by Charles Garnier, an architect unknown at the time, that the Palais Garnier was born. Today, this building, also called Opéra Garnier, is one of the most emblematic monuments of the 9th arrondissement. Spread over an area of 11,000 square meters, this eclectic style building will charm you with its many influences: Louvre Museum, Palace of Versailles, and many others. Our small group got to enjoy France’s largest opera house and its famous grand staircase, the Bassin de la Pythie, or its sumptuous grand foyer and lounges.

A lucky few in our group got to dive into the world of the greatest French designer in the place where he set up his first workshop, 30 Avenue Montaigne! The Galerie Dior is like a veritable living museum devoted to the couture house and the history of Parisian fashion. Scenic designer Nathalie Crinière has created a pure marvel, starting with the entrance to the gallery. Featuring a unique scenographic narrative, La Galerie Dior is a testament to the visionary boldness of Christian Dior and his six successors: Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Bohan, Gianfranco Ferré, John Galliano, Raf Simons, and Maria Grazia Chiuri. The self-guided tour allowed guests to fully immerse themselves in the incredible artistry and life of Christian Dior and view the amazing collection created throughout his lifetime and by those who carried on his legacy.

The area of Les Halles or Montorgueil was called the Ventre de Paris, the “Belly of Paris” after the novel by Emile Zola. It’s a place dedicated to good food for nine centuries. Picturesque, authentic, and typically Parisian, this Gourmet tour was a perfect occasion to discover the real taste of Paris. We saw a famous brasserie and the oldest pastry shop on the way to discover delicious fresh bread, pastries, farmhouse cheeses, foie gras, Paris ham, rillettes, snails, seasonal fruits, and more!

In France, we find snippets of floral art among the Gauls who adorned their helmets with flowers. The tradition was perpetuated in the Middle Ages, with the birth of the profession of bouquetière-chapelière, the ancestor of the current florist. Floral art is integral to French heritage. France shines in international competitions, prepares the best at regional competitions, and even trains Meilleurs Ouvriers de France. During this workshop, we invited guests to create with a floral designer. (One who works for fashion week, among other things.) They design in the purest French style, one of the only two Parisian florists to work with fragrant flowers. The first traces of floral art date from ancient Egypt. In particular, to emphasize the ceremony’s sacred aspect, pay homage to the gods, and enhance weddings.

We discovered the secrets of one of the most famous delicacies in France: the croissant! Attendees stepped on the other side of the dough kneader in an authentic Parisian bakery. The competition winner for making the best croissants in Ile-de-France in 2013 and 2014 taught techniques for baking baguettes and croissants. Guests got their hands dirty (literally)! What better experience than this to be initiated to the French ancestral know-how?

Guests learned the secrets of Paris by making the traditional French Baguette in the amazing hotel of the Plaza Athénée. Crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. The French baguette is the ultimate luxury in everyday life in Paris.

Attendees had the opportunity to be part of a floral workshop by Mademoiselle Emma and her experts that brought out our creativity and allowed us to create a work of floral artistry. No better place than in one of the historical rooms of the Shangri-La.

Guests discovered the science of wine and winemaking in this incredible course of enology. This is the best way to learn about the most famous French wines and the art of tasting. In this experience, attendees were immersed with a fabulous sommelier from the Meurice.

Inspired by the Guerlain Square bottle (1870), the L’Art & La Matière bottle is an exceptional object whose design exudes modernity. Made by Pochet du Courval—historic glassmaker of the House—it is infinitely refillable at selected Guerlain Boutiques. Attendees learned about the history of the House and ways in which to wear perfume best. At the end, bottles of beauty were given as a take-home gift.