Live Virtual Tour: The Right Bank from City Hall to Opera with Gil Soltz
Regular price $36.50 Save $-36.50
The urban experience at the core of Paris changes shape significantly from the early 18th to the late 19th century. We move from the river Seine to the Opera district, investigating city planning and architecture - what has animated Paris at the low ground, high ground, “underground,” and above ground - and inspecting today’s haunts and yesteryear's flops and flaunts.
Our exploration starts at the City Hall recalling the past of commercial activity on the river. We walk to the modern Pompidou Center and through the contemporary Canopy in Les Halles, enjoying the newest infrastructure and amenities in Paris. The narrative shifts to the First and Second Empires as we get to the Palais Royal and the covered passages, ending with the boulevards that defined the Belle Epoque.
Led by expert fiction writer, Gil Soltz, this virtual tour will give new cultural meaning to the Right Bank. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with a sense of the life and times of many Paris landmarks, from over and under their rooftops.
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.
Another fabulous virtual tour with Gil! He really outdid himself this time, racing through the streets of Paris to be able to include The Louvre as part of the tour. Gil has a wealth of knowledge about French history and sights.... we can't wait to take a tour in person with Gil on a future trip to Paris.
Once again Gil has done a great job of letting us be in Paris when we can't actually be there - yet! And I really enjoy how he weaves together the past and the present. Today I especially loved "walking" through the covered passages, especially the Galerie Vivienne which was spectacular. Looking forward to Gil's next walk!
Another great tour with Gil Solti. This is my fourth one and I loved it. I have been to Paris many times, but it is so much fun to revisit it. I have learned something new from each tour. Highly recommend!
From the earliest days of the city of Paris to Etienne Marcel and the Hôtel de Ville, to the history of les Halles and the Palais Royal, and on to the Opera (and the Louvre!) -- and a lot more -- Gil covered offered interesting information and some useful hints for future visits.