The Impressionists and Their Influence
Traveling Seminar for the Arkansas Arts Center
Escorted by Joseph Lampo
September, 2011
We are pleased to propose this exclusive program in Paris and Normandy,
specially organized for The Arkansas Arts Center, paying tribute to the exhibit
“The Impressionists and Their Influence”.
Paris & Normandy Program - Preliminary
Day 1
Morning
Upon arrival in Paris, guests will be met after immigration and customs and transferred
to the Hotel Madison. Housed in a handsome 19th century building, the hotel is
situated in the aristocratic area of the Latin Quarter, across from the Saint-Germain-desPrés Church, and within walking distance of art galleries, museums, antiques shops and
prestigious fashion boutiques. This boutique hotel reveals an arty and cosmopolite
atmosphere with paintings and antiques harmoniously blended with design decor.
Afternoon
Walking visit with our expert guide of
Montmartre, heart of the Parisian artistic
movement, following in the footsteps of
Impressionist artists who lived and found
their inspiration there, including PierreAuguste Renoir, Maurice Utrillo, Suzanne
Valadon, as well as Vincent Van Gogh
(Post- Impressionist), featuring the Sacre
Coeur basilica and Place du Tertre.
Evening
Welcome cocktail and dinner at the Cercle de l’Union Interalliée, one of the oldest and
most exclusive clubs in France, located in an historic mansion adjacent to the residences
of the American and the British Ambassadors, on the aristocratic Faubourg SaintHonoré.
Day 2
Morning
Welcome by the director for a private
visit of the Musée d’Orsay, closed to the
public on this day, with our expert guide, to
study its remarkable collection of
Impressionists.
Luncheon
Luncheon at the Maison de l’Amérique
Latine, formerly a private club, in SaintGermain-des-Près, located in a prestigious
18th century mansion, in the private
gardens, weather permitting.
Afternoon
Welcome by the director for a private visit of the Musée
Marmottan, closed to the public on this day, with our
expert guide, to study their significant collection of
Impressionists, including Monet’s “Impression Sunrise”
and his series of “Water Lilies”.
Evening
Enjoy a private cocktail reception in one of France’s
foremost galleries that specializes in Impressionist art. Followed by dinner at the
private residence of a passionate and prominent member of the art world, author,
sculptor, who also organizes important art exhibits and concerts.
Day 3
Morning
Welcome by the director for a private visit of the Musée de l’Orangerie, closed to the
public on this day, with the curator and our expert guide, to study their extensive
collection of Impressionists, including Monet’s “Nymphéas”.
Luncheon at the Michelin-star rated restaurant 35° Ouest, an intimate setting with
creative cuisine of fresh seafood, in contemporary and tasteful décor.
Afternoon
You will have a private reception in one of France’s foremost galleries specializing in
Impressionist art.
Evening
Private visit at the Residence of the
Ambassador of the United States of
America to France and Monaco, Hôtel
de Pontalba, named after Micaela de
Pontalba from New Orleans. Dinner
free – a list of restaurants will be sent
to participants to make reservations
ahead of arrival.
Day 4 –Private coach transfer to Normandy
Morning and Afternoon – Giverny
In the morning, we will be welcomed by a world-renowned landscape architect to visit
his home in Giverny, formerly owned by Monet. He will guide us through his
remarkable gardens.
After this privileged visit, with our host, we will enjoy luncheon at Baudy, in the center
of the village, famous for its rose gardens and the favorite restaurant of Impressionists,
such as Cézanne, Renoir, Sisley, Rodin, Mary Cassatt.
Following our convivial luncheon, the director of
Claude Monet’s residence, from 1883 onwards, and
its admirable gardens, will welcome us for a private
visit with the curator, followed by tea in the
director’s house.
A coach transfer will take us to the “Villa Josephine”
in Deauville, our home in Normandy. Cited by the
French government as a “remarkable villa of the
region”, it was the residence of the former Mayor of
Deauville. He was a friend of the Duke de Morny, a figure of mythical proportions of
the Second Empire, who created this celebrated seaside resort.
Evening
Dinner free – Guests will enjoy relaxing at our charming residence, a leisure walk in
town, watching the waves, sipping a drink at a boardwalk café and dinner. A list of
restaurants will be sent to participants ahead of arrival.
Day 5
Morning
Enjoy a private visit with our expert guide of the beautiful white cliffs of Etretat to
discover the sights painted by Courbet, Monet and other artists.
Luncheon
Luncheon at the Manoir de la Salamandre, situated in the heart of Etretat, a few steps
from the cliffs, housed in a charming, historic Norman manor, with traditional, fresh
regional cooking.
Afternoon
Welcome by the director and private visit with curator of the Musée Malraux, housing
France’s greatest collection of Impressionist works outside Paris from the Senn family
and recent (October 16- 2010-January 16, 2011)
venue for the Signac: Ports of France exhibition to
which the Arts Center loaned a number of Paul
Signac watercolors.
Evening
Private visit and cocktails at the sumptuous Villa
Strassburger, a superb neo-Norman manor with
beautiful gardens, rising on the hillside of
Deauville above the sea, former residence of
Gustave Flaubert, Henri de Rothschild, and the wealthy American Beaver Strassburger.
Followed by dinner at the famed, Michelin-star rated restaurant, Auberge du Dauphin, a
favorite of the Queen of England.
Day 6
Morning
Private visit with our expert guide of the scenic, historic fishing village of Honfleur, its
Norman architecture, and picturesque church that inspired many artists to settle here,
including Monet’s mentor and friend, Eugene Boudin. With the curator, we will enjoy a
private visit of the Boudin Museum, and then the church Saint Catherine, painted by
Monet.
Luncheon
Luncheon at “l’Absinthe”, with a splendid
view of the old harbor, a former fisherman’s
bar, housed in a 15th and a 17th century house,
offering delicious, traditional French cuisine
and fresh catches of the day.
Afternoon – Rouen
Welcome by the curator and private visit of
the Musée des Beaux-Arts, housing one of
the largest collections in France, including
European paintings, sculpture, drawings and
decorative arts from the late Middle Ages to
present, featuring exceptional works by
Caravaggio, Velázquez, Poussin, and
Géricault. With the private Depeaux donation,
Rouen boasts one of the most important
Impressionist collections in a museum outside of
Paris, including famous works by Monet and Sisley.
Walk with our expert guide through the old town of
Rouen to visit the Cathedral Notre-Dame, claiming
the highest spire in France, a cast-iron “tour-de-force”, immortalized by Monet in his
paintings that we will admire at the Musée d’Orsay.
Evening
A very Special Farewell Dinner at the Manoir des Evêques with the proprietor and
French-American Friends. A stunning, historic, private residence, the “Manoir des
Evêques”, with its superb park, is a gem of the “Pays d’Auge”. Built in the 15th century,
the manor is remarkably preserved and superbly decorated. This will be a wonderful
way to culminate our Normandy tour before bidding farewell!
Day 7
Morning
After breakfast, we bid each other “Au Revoir”.
Guests may remain in Deauville for the weekend of their own accord or depart at their
choice of time by train to Paris, a 2-hour ride, or to the Charles-de-Gaulle Airport, a 1.5hour limousine drive.
In the event that a visit or reception is changed, it will be replaced by one of equal quality, and
you will be notified immediately.
The price is $8309.00 and is based on a minimum of 14 participants.
The cost includes:
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Incoming airport to hotel transfer upon arrival in Paris (2 per sedan)
Three nights in deluxe rooms at the Hotel Madison in Paris, breakfast and taxes
included
Three nights in superior rooms at the Villa Josephine in Deauville, breakfast and
taxes included
Private visits to Musée d’Orsay, Musée Marmottan, Musée de l’Orangerie, Monet
Museum in Giverny, Musée Malraux, Musée Boudin in Honfleur, Musée des Beaux
Arts in Rouen with curators
Coach transfers in Paris and Normandy
5 lunches and 4 dinners, including wine, mineral water and coffee/tea
Private collection, residence, garden and gallery tours
Private guide who is an art history expert
Tour escort
Not included
 Airfare to/from Europe
 Escort, Guide and Driver tips (discretionary)
 Minibar charges, meals and beverages unless otherwise noted in the itinerary
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