Paris Off The Beaten Path

“My life… What a novel!” — Napoleon reflected as he was writing his memoirs. Let’s travel back in time and understand how the youngest (24!) and most victorious general of the French Revolution rose to power and ultimately crowned himself Emperor at Notre-Dame!

On this journey, I will take you where Napoleon married the love of his life: Josephine; where he took her to dinner; where he saved the French Revolution and became a national hero; where he worked to reinvent and modernize France… You will get a glimpse of his vision as a Head of State, military strategist and architect of Paris.

This tour focuses on Napoleon’s childhood, rise as a young general and early reign up to 1805. I am looking forward to helping you discover one of the most fascinating figure in French history!

In 1789, France put an end to a Monarchy that had ruled the kingdom for centuries… Did Marie-Antoinette really say « let them eat cake » and was Louis XVI a bad King ? Why did the National Assembly that had just proclaimed the « Rights of Man » turn into a dictatorial government ?

Travel back in time and walk in the footsteps of the key figures of the time: Voltaire, Lafayette, Robespierre, Dr Guillotin and more. You will see exactly where the King, the Queen and many other high profile figures were executed with the Guillotine… You will understand why France went to war with the rest of Europe and relive the decisive events leading a young general to power: Napoleon!

It was the worst of times, and then it was the best of times! (I have purposefully reversed Charles Dickens' line).

Throughout this tour, we will cover all aspects of this dark period of history: the context leading up to the World War II and the defeat ; the Nazi occupation and collaboration of the Vichy regime ; their impacts on the French and the Jewish people ; the Resistance movement ; the allies and the liberation.

We will discuss the main figures: Hitler, Roosevelt, Churchill, De Gaulle, and more! We will see major locations where it all happened. For each spot, I will show you pictures of what it looked like back then.

In 1789, France put an end to a Monarchy that had ruled the kingdom for centuries… Did Marie-Antoinette really say « let them eat cake » and was Louis XVI a bad King ? Why did the National Assembly that had just proclaimed the « Rights of Man » turn into a dictatorial government ?

Travel back in time and walk in the footsteps of the key figures of the time: Voltaire, Lafayette, Robespierre, Dr Guillotin and more. You will see exactly where the King, the Queen and many other high profile figures were executed with the Guillotine… You will understand why France went to war with the rest of Europe and relive the decisive events leading a young general to power: Napoleon!