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Live Virtual Tour: Saint-Germain-des-Prés with Gil Soltz

Live Virtual Tour: Saint-Germain-des-Prés 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’ Saint-Germain-des-Prés, as we explore first-hand sites such as the Luxembourg Gardens, the École des Beaux-Arts, and Le Bon Marché. Our live, visual narrative will venture through the Left Bank providing an exclusive look at one of the cities most chic residential neighborhoods, in the shadow of Notre Dame de Paris.

Having been inhabited since the middle ages, this segment of the 6th and 7th arrondissements boasts a tremendous concentration of landmark monuments. After a geographic orientation, we will virtually stroll together through streets that were once open fields with abbeys, monasteries, and royal residences. Today, the classic architecture of this quarter’s famous boutiques and galleries provides the quintessential imagery that comes to mind when we dream of Paris.

The story of Saint Germain, a neighborhood that was once a bustling marketplace and home to clergy, royalty, and the arts, has since the 19th century been the inspiration for the Flâneur and French noble intelligentsia. During our stroll, there will be the chance to dive into its historical context, which is closely intertwined with the Haussmann era, postwar expatriates, and modern-day hip and haute couture.

Led by expert fiction writer, Gil Soltz, this virtual tour will allow participants to experience the rich history and electric energy of this famous arrondissement. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with a sense of the charisma which makes this quarter of Paris so spectacular.

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 18 reviews
83%
(15)
17%
(3)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
G
G.L. (Jersey City, US)
Entertaining and informative

This was my first virtual tour. I enjoyed seeing some of the areas I had visited when a friend and I stayed in an Air B&B in 6/7 arrondissement.
We were two blocks away from the Bon Marche (loved it) and we could walk everywhere. Not sure we knew what we were doing but we walked and seemed to get to many of the wonderful places you helped us to visit today. You are informative and fun! You make it feel like we are all with you and we are having a grand time 😊

J
J.R. (Voorhees Township, US)
Saint Germain des Pres

Another GREAT walking tour with Gil....we love his comments & perspective

A
Alanna Benham Dittoe (Oakland, US)
St. Germaine live tour

Excellent! Very informative on the history, culture, cafe life and recommendations- also very entertaining. Gil is knowledgeable and can think on his feet too

E
Elizabeth Carlson (Minneapolis, US)
Enjoyable as always

I enjoyed the walk through a neighborhood I spent time in during my first trip to Paris in 2019 and I'll be back there someday.

A
Anonymous (Pleasant Hill, US)

Guest did not leave comment

Customer Reviews

Based on 18 reviews
83%
(15)
17%
(3)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
G
G.L. (Jersey City, US)
Entertaining and informative

This was my first virtual tour. I enjoyed seeing some of the areas I had visited when a friend and I stayed in an Air B&B in 6/7 arrondissement.
We were two blocks away from the Bon Marche (loved it) and we could walk everywhere. Not sure we knew what we were doing but we walked and seemed to get to many of the wonderful places you helped us to visit today. You are informative and fun! You make it feel like we are all with you and we are having a grand time 😊

J
J.R. (Voorhees Township, US)
Saint Germain des Pres

Another GREAT walking tour with Gil....we love his comments & perspective

A
Alanna Benham Dittoe (Oakland, US)
St. Germaine live tour

Excellent! Very informative on the history, culture, cafe life and recommendations- also very entertaining. Gil is knowledgeable and can think on his feet too

E
Elizabeth Carlson (Minneapolis, US)
Enjoyable as always

I enjoyed the walk through a neighborhood I spent time in during my first trip to Paris in 2019 and I'll be back there someday.

A
Anonymous (Pleasant Hill, US)

Guest did not leave comment