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Live Virtual Tour: Classic Paris with Gil Soltz

Live Virtual Tour: Classic Paris with Gil Soltz


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Can't make this time? A video recording will be sent to all participants after the seminar.

Join a local Parisian expert, live from the streets of Paris, as they allow participants to see firsthand the sites and sounds through this virtual tour. From the Bourbon Kings through four Revolutions, two Napoleons, and two World Wars, the Glory of France has changed and the “French Touch” mutated, but the iconic sites remain beautiful, chic, and much-discussed. The video-camera-led virtual tour will weave and wind its way through the vibrant Parisian streets creating opportunities for reflection, dialogue, and an immersive visual experience.

This story of ‘Classic Paris’ starts backward from the time when France was no longer a Kingdom or an Empire and it was searching for a new identity. Some of the most well-known names and faces will be revealed as we walk and talk about the development of the city of Paris. After a brief review of the early Parisi, Roman, and Frankish settlements, we’ll have a perspective on the growth of the city through the Middle Ages to “La Gloire” (“the Glory”) that made France the dominant European power from the time of Louis XIV (mid-seventeenth century) right up to Louis XVI and the 1789 Revolution.

A live, virtual visual narrative will use monuments, architectural highlights, and other physical locations to elucidate the excesses of the Bourbon Kings and animate the events encompassing the Revolution, the rise and influence of the First and Second Empires, and the shifts leading up to the twentieth century. Some of what we see remains from World’s Fairs and all of it was spared from World Wars. The latter part of our walk will address shifts in post-war France and also illuminate the present.

Led by expert fiction writer, Gil Soltz, this virtual tour will fill participants with the emotion and power that comes from experiencing some of the finest scenery in Paris, first hand. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with an increased understanding of the physical makeup of the city and all of our favorite destinations.

This virtual tour is part of a series by Gil Soltz. Each virtual tour can be joined independently and in any order.

A native of San Diego, Gil graduated in Politics and English from Brandeis University and later earned two Master's degrees: the first in Public Administration from New York University, and the second a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. After earning his MFA and producing his first book, Gil moved to Paris for a Parisienne and hasn't looked back. For over a decade Gil has lived, written, worked, and led tours in Paris. His background in literature - both canonized and contemporary - combined with his understanding of the inner workings of cities have enabled Gil to tell his narratives as experiences and provide unique insights into Parisian life.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 54 reviews
70%
(38)
19%
(10)
4%
(2)
4%
(2)
4%
(2)
D
Diana S (Chicago, US)
Great Virtual Tour!

This was a wonderful tour and great to be there virtually. I've been to Paris 5 times, but today I saw parts that I had never walked before. Wonderful to see some places I had been as well. A wonderful start to my day!

J
Joe Reichman (Voorhees Township, US)
Classic Paris

We love Gil’s walking tours of Paris. He brings a wealth of knowledge to a beautiful walk

R
Robyn Leitch (Toronto, CA)
Classic Paris with Gil

Gil really knows the history of Paris and can make you feel like you know it too! He takes you on a live journey and you wait with anticipation for the next POI to appear. I cannot wait to experience his tour in person....and look forward to sending my clients his way! This is truly the best way to see Paris!

W
Whitney Langholz (Maitland, US)
Travel Advisor

I thought it was fantastic. It was wonderful to visit Paris on a Wednesday. He was a great guide. Very knowledgeable and entertaining. I love the little tid bits of information about the city that he gave out...where to have a drink, where a great exhibit might be.

L
L.F. (Studio City, US)
Great tour!

Gil was personable, even funny, while at the same time sharing interesting information about Paris's history - past and present - it's architecture, who commissioned it and why, it's current popular shopping streets...and it goes on. My husband and I have had the pleasure of taking 2 tours with Gil in the past, and although we've been to Paris tons of times, taking tours really brings the city and it's history alive. You don't really know Paris until you've toured it with knowledgable locals.

Customer Reviews

Based on 54 reviews
70%
(38)
19%
(10)
4%
(2)
4%
(2)
4%
(2)
D
Diana S (Chicago, US)
Great Virtual Tour!

This was a wonderful tour and great to be there virtually. I've been to Paris 5 times, but today I saw parts that I had never walked before. Wonderful to see some places I had been as well. A wonderful start to my day!

J
Joe Reichman (Voorhees Township, US)
Classic Paris

We love Gil’s walking tours of Paris. He brings a wealth of knowledge to a beautiful walk

R
Robyn Leitch (Toronto, CA)
Classic Paris with Gil

Gil really knows the history of Paris and can make you feel like you know it too! He takes you on a live journey and you wait with anticipation for the next POI to appear. I cannot wait to experience his tour in person....and look forward to sending my clients his way! This is truly the best way to see Paris!

W
Whitney Langholz (Maitland, US)
Travel Advisor

I thought it was fantastic. It was wonderful to visit Paris on a Wednesday. He was a great guide. Very knowledgeable and entertaining. I love the little tid bits of information about the city that he gave out...where to have a drink, where a great exhibit might be.

L
L.F. (Studio City, US)
Great tour!

Gil was personable, even funny, while at the same time sharing interesting information about Paris's history - past and present - it's architecture, who commissioned it and why, it's current popular shopping streets...and it goes on. My husband and I have had the pleasure of taking 2 tours with Gil in the past, and although we've been to Paris tons of times, taking tours really brings the city and it's history alive. You don't really know Paris until you've toured it with knowledgable locals.