Paris Interiors Trip: September, 2023

(Please note that this trip has already happened, but you can sign up for the waitlist for the next one and find travel/design/art inspiration here in the meantime.)

Join us for exclusive tours of private homes, a gorgeous house museum and chateau, workshops with local creatives, atelier visits, charming shops, delicious food, making connections and more in the City of Light.

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

• Get an exclusive look into the countryside home of an incredibly creative artist, who decorated her home with hand painted murals, custom made tiles, and more during the pandemic lockdown

• See how luxurious tassels and other trims are made in a magical, old world atelier

• Eat delicious food in thoughtfully chosen restaurants, charming cafés, and boulangeries  

• Learn the charming method of making a French hand-tied bouquet in the oldest floral shop in Paris

• Stay in a beautiful boutique hotel with friendly staff located in a convenient, central location

• Enjoy a home-cooked, cozy brunch in the classic Parisian apartment of a local creative family

• Experience the incredible details of a restored palace right in central Paris

• Go on a tour of a historic interiors prop house——the secret source of period film set decorators

• Visit some of the most delightful local interiors shops

• When traveling outside of the city limits, be driven around by a private chauffeur in a comfortable Mercedes

• Travel with an unusually small group, which makes the experience that much more intimate and special

• Feel the warmth and connection created when traveling with a group of diverse people who come together over their love of travel, art & design, kindness, and curiosity about the world

• Take advantage of the bespoke services of your trip leader, Eva Jorgensen, who absolutely loves finding delightful, under-the-radar places to share with others, hunting for treasure at flea markets, small museums, and local shops, connecting around the dinner table with friends old and new, and taking care of her beloved travelers. (And in case you’re curious about other qualifications——she’s a 17 year design industry veteran with an MFA degree who has learned through hard-won experience how to take good care of her clients and deliver fantastic results. (Hear from past travelers themselves here and here.) Plus, she’s a lifelong Francophile who speaks French and is the author of Paris by Design: An Inspired Guide to the City’s Creative Side (Abrams NY). You can learn more about Eva here.)

In addition to extensive trip planning, leading, and priceless local knowledge and connections, all exclusive tours, activities, local creative host visits, museum entries, hotel lodging, and meals are included (except where mentioned in the below itinerary). Group size is limited to 8-9 participants. Admission by application only. See more details below and feel free to email hello@evajorgensen.com with questions.

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All photos on this page are by either Chaunté Vaughn or Jane Merritt.

A MESSAGE FROM YOUR TRIP LEADER:

This is SUCH a special trip. I’ve never come across anything like it. If you’re obsessed with interiors, too—— whether you’re a professional or just an avid fan——this itinerary is an enormous treat. We will have access to hidden gems you’d never be able to see otherwise. And unlike the classic Paris by Design trip, we’ll also have the opportunity to spend a day in the countryside——visiting an incredible chateau and two of the most delightful homes... All while being driven around by a private chauffeur——ooh la la!

So yes, it’s SO much fun exploring Paris together, seeking out fantastic interiors and architecture. But it also goes deeper than that. We’ll come away feeling inspired and replenished for whatever comes next, having connected and created beautiful memories with fellow travelers and local creatives. What an opportunity to take a breather from our day to day lives and explore the incredible life-giving energy that the City of Light has to offer.

Let’s go to Paris, shall we? 😘 Let me take care of every little detail (so that you don’t have to).

Looking forward to chatting soon…

x Eva

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This trip has already taken place, but you can sign up for the waitlist for the next one and find travel/design/art inspiration here in the meantime.

Quick Links:

“This was my first visit to Paris and it was a magical experience! Eva’s love of Paris and its people, paired with her time spent there, mastery of the language, connections with locals, and knowledge of its history, provided such incredible value. I’m so glad I was able to go and I’d absolutely recommend it.”

— DANIELLE W.

Itinerary

DAY 1

Arrive in Paris and check into our lovely boutique hotel in the central part of the city. Eva will be waiting to greet you in the hotel atrium—with a thoughtfully curated gift bag in hand for each of you. 

Next, we’ll get to know each other while we chat and sip drinks in a sumptuous café.

Afterwards, we’ll visit an incredible 18th century palace that’s been meticulously restored right in the center of the city.

Dinner will be a delicious meal of classic steak frites… And trust me, you’ll be tempted to lick the sauce right off the plate.

DAY 2

After a divine breakfast in the hotel atrium——which will be waiting for us every morning——we’ll learn the charming art of making a French hand-tied bouquet at the oldest floral shop in Paris.

Then we’ll eat a lunch in a soaring, light-filled space that you wouldn’t realize was there if you just walked past it on the street. But inside we’ll find a treasure——with a talented chef and a series of gorgeous, seasonal courses.

Next, it’s free time for the rest of the day to explore a house museum, do some shopping, catch a show, or whatever your heart desires! As with all our moments of free time this week, if you’d like recommendations of what to do, see, eat, etc. we are happy to help.

DAY 3

Our driver will take us around the countryside today for a marvelous adventure.

First, we’ll be whisked away to the enchanting chateau that inspired Versailles. What a dream! We’ll explore the interior as well as the grounds and then sit down to lunch in the chateau’s courtyard.

From there, we’ll visit the colorful home of an artist who spent the pandemic decorating her home with hand painted murals, custom made tiles, and other whimsical touches. Then we’ll visit the nearby studio that she and her husband (a fellow artist) share, which has a completely different——yet equally inspiring——feeling.

We’ll rest our legs in our driver’s comfortable Mercedes on the way back to the city.

After a long day, we’ll have an easy dinner at a nearby, welcoming Mediterranean spot that’s one of my longtime personal favorites.

DAY 4

This morning we’ll visit a buzzy new boutique that everyone’s talking about. The concept is an elevated Parisian drugstore full of high quality, made in France items.

For lunch, we’ll eat at a fresh spot beloved by locals, tucked away from the touristy parts of the city. It’s run by two sisters who bring inspiration from their Filipino and French heritage.

From there, we’ll walk through the atmospheric Père Lachaise cemetary, stopping at the tombstones of a few legendary Parisians along the way.

Next, we’ll get to see how luxurious tassels and other trims are made in an old world atelier. This is truly a magical place.

On to visit a local artist and her interior architect! We’ll see how they beautifully renovated her classic Haussman-style apartment, learn about her fascinating ceramic process using volcanic stones, and get to shop her wares.

Then we’ll have time to rest and freshen up at the hotel before heading out for a casual, cozy evening at the home of a local creative and expert in the French “joie de vivre”.

DAY 5

Always a favorite activity on the itinerary——we’ll be shopping at a lovely interiors shop with goods that are designed in Paris and handmade by artisans in India. The owner will be there to share her inspiring story and about the craftsmanship that goes into each piece.

Then you’ll have free time to explore the amazing shops in the area (I have plenty of recommendations if you’re interested) while I gather supplies for our picnic lunch.

Meet me on the banks of the canal for a fun picnic, with everything sourced from the fantastic local food shops in the area (including my favorite boulangerie in Paris).

In the afternoon, we’ll go on a tour of a historic interiors prop house——the secret source of period film set decorators. We’ll get to see their vast collection of antiques and hear some of the fascinating stories surrounding them.

Time for a little refreshment and people watching at a nearby cafe before having some free time to explore all the shops in this (mostly) locals only area of Paris.

After that, we’ll head back to the hotel to drop off our bags and rest up a bit before having dinner at a nearby Italian spot with killer pasta and tiramisu.

DAY 6

This morning, we’ll take a glass painting workshop in a classic Parisian apartment complete with herringbone wood floors and luscious crown molding. Afterwards, we’ll have the privilege of sitting down to a home-cooked brunch with the two immensely creative women who live there.

For our final outing together, we’ll head to the Left Bank where we’ll meet an endearing mother/daughter duo. We’ll see the mother’s art studio, which is in the historic Montparnasse district where countless artists have worked throughout the years. Then we’ll get to tour their effortlessly chic family apartment, which embodies their deep Parisian roots as well as their years living around the world.

You’ll have the rest of the afternoon and evening free to to soak up Paris’ life-giving energy in whichever way suits you best. Now is the perfect time to return to that shop you spotted earlier in the week, meet up with old (or new!) friends, visit the museum you’ve been itching to check out, or whatever you’re in the mood for!

DAY 7

As with every other morning of our trip, a beautiful breakfast spread will be waiting in the hotel atrium. We’ll come away feeling inspired and replenished for whatever comes next!

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Eva Jorgensen reserves the right to change the itinerary because of local schedules, weather, or if something new and delightful becomes available.

If you have any food allergies, please let us know as soon as you apply so we can make arrangements to accommodate you as best we can. Reach out to hello@evajorgensen.com with any questions.

Still wondering if this trip is for you? Ask yourself these questions. Are you?

• Open minded and curious about other people and cultures?

• Interested in art and design (especially interiors)?

• Excited about the itinerary and the idea of exclusive meetings with local creatives?

• Prepared to be on your feet, possibly walking on cobblestones, climbing stairs, and navigating narrow sidewalks for most of the day? (Approximately 12,000 - 20,000 steps per day.)*

• Kind, respectful, and conscientious to others around you, in spite of any differences that may exist?

• A Francophile—or open to the idea of becoming one? 😉 

• Willing to go with the flow——even if something unexpected comes up——which is often the case while traveling, of course? 

• Someone who appreciates traveling with a guide——the time and worry this kind of experience saves you, the expertise it brings to your fingertips, and the doors it opens?

• Looking forward to connecting with a small group of fellow design-loving, kind-hearted, adventurous travelers——during long, leisurely dinners, while walking or riding from place to place, during workshops together, etc?

• Able to get around on your own and/or with a buddy during free time. (Don’t worry, we’re always happy to help with recommendations of places to visit, and will help orient you and show you how to get around before setting you loose.)

• Willing to conform to France’s requirements for entering the country, visiting restaurants, museums, etc? As of July 26, 2023, there are no special Covid regulations in place. Please be aware that these rules may change at any time.

If you found yourself nodding yes to each of these questions, then I’m guessing this trip is for you! But feel free to reach out to me personally if you have any additional questions: hello@evajorgensen.com.

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This trip has already taken place, but you can sign up for the waitlist for the next one and find travel/design/art inspiration here in the meantime.  

*For travelers who may not feel up to the highly active nature of our trips, we have some creative retreats in the works that might be a better fit. Sign up here to stay in the loop.

From the beginning, Eva is invested in making this trip work - for you as an individual, for the group as a whole - her commitment shows up in so many ways. Eva gets to know you, creates opportunities for you to meet your fellow travelers and build a rapport, which blossoms once you arrive in Paris.

- Ashley K.

Waitlist for future Paris design trips & creative retreats

FAQ

WHAT SHOULD I DO DURING FREE TIME?

• We’re happy to help give you personalized recommendations so that you can make the most of your free time in each spot! If you email us leading up to the trip, we can provide written recommendations based on your interests and preferences, or feel free to chat with Eva during a meal, a metro ride, etc. during the course of the trip.

• There will also be some curated suggestions of what to do, see, eat, etc. in the detailed itinerary you’ll receive leading up to the trip. Don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of delightful options!

WILL I GEL WITH THE GROUP?

• Short answer, yes! If you’ve read through this entire trip info page and it feels like a great fit for you, then you’ll be a great fit for the group, too. Looking forward to meeting you. ♥️

• For these trips, we welcome a diverse group of travelers——age, race, background, occupation, sexual orientation, gender, location, etc. (More on this below.) This makes our experience more rich as we each bring different skills, experience, knowledge, and more to the table. That said, because we’re all drawn to this kind of trip, we all share a love of travel, beautiful things, artists, creativity, under-the-radar gems, as well as an openness, kindness, and curiosity about the world. So in that sense, we end up finding out that we have much more in common than not. It’s a beautiful thing to see unfold and honestly, you’ll probably be surprised at how quickly the group gels and how much our bonds with our fellow travelers enrich our overall experience. In fact, this seems to always end up being one of our travelers favorite aspects of the trip.

• However, in the interest of full transparency, we should let you know that although our trips are open to all genders, so far only women have chosen to come along. Which means that there’s a lot of wonderful and powerful feminine energy on these trips——which we love! But if you’re a man, a non-binary person, or anyone else who welcomes that energy, then we welcome you and think you’ll have a great time!

• One of our past travelers described our trips as “group travel for people who don’t like group travel”, and we think that’s pretty accurate, ha! There isn’t a typical guide with a microphone and a red umbrella, no tour bus, no pat explanations or memorized speeches you have to sit through. We focus on lesser known (yet utterly delightful) places, connect with locals, and keep the group size small. Of course there are also people who come on our trips who love the more typical group travel experience, too.

• From a practical standpoint, we’ll arrange to have a Zoom call and start a group text thread in the weeks leading up to the trip. This helps to break the ice before our travels even start, so that we’ll be greeted by friendly faces when we arrive.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE TRIP PRICING?

• Everything mentioned in the above itinerary.

• A trip planner (Eva) who is passionate about doing extremely thorough research and scouting to put together a transformative experience for everyone involved.

• A trip leader (also Eva 😘) who is fluent in French, has an MFA in fine art, 15 years experience in the design world, is the author of Paris by Design, and has priceless local knowledge, connections, and experience.

• A VERY small group size. Most guided trips have at least 20——if not 50!——people in the group. We keep our Paris trip group size to 9 participants at most, in order to move around the city in a more nimble fashion and have a more intimate experience.

• All classes, exclusive visits, and tours as listed in the itinerary. These are incredibly unique and valuable experiences with local creatives that most travelers wouldn’t be able to have on their own—often relationships Eva has nurtured for years.

• A group of vetted, fellow travelers who are generous in spirit, up for adventure, appreciative of design, and looking forward to traveling and bonding with each other.

• Tips for servers, guides, and local creative hosts.

• A room with private bathroom in a stylish boutique hotel in the heart of Paris. Either double or single occupancy, based on availability and which option you sign up for.

• All meals and snacks, as mentioned in the itinerary.

• All transportation within the city while we are together as a group.

• All museum entries, as mentioned in the itinerary.

• 6 nights / 5 full days / 2 partial days.

WHAT IS THE TRIP PRICING?

• TBD when we launch the next Paris Interiors trip, due to fluctuating costs from year to year and season to season.

• Note the price is listed in euros, as we price trips according to the currency of our destination. Conversion rates may vary, depending on when you pay.

• Once your application is accepted, you will be asked to pay a 50% deposit. The remainder will be due approximately 90 days before departure. Payment plans available upon request.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE TRIP PRICING?

• Airfare to/from Paris along with airport transfer to/from Paris.

• Any meals, transportation, or activities you do during free time. 

• Any personal souvenirs and other shopping purchases.

• Any additional alcohol beyond what is offered at meals.

• Travel insurance and trip medical coverage (both HIGHLY recommended). You can find more information about this here.

WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY?

• Because of all the up-front costs and labor incurred from planning a highly curated trip like this, we cannot give refunds if you change your mind, become afraid to travel, or if something else comes up. Trip cancellation insurance with a Cancel for Any Reason rider, as well as medical and evacuation coverage is highly recommended for everyone.

• However, if we have someone on our waitlist who would like to take your spot, and/or if you are able to find someone to fill your spot, you may transfer your spot to them, pending our approval and the standard application procedure.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF THERE ARE RENEWED COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS OR A TRAVEL BAN?

• In the event of renewed Covid-19 travel-related restrictions or travel bans imposed by the relevant authorities in the US or in France that make it impossible to travel or to do the majority of the planned activities, we will postpone the trip to a later date, making our best efforts to choose new dates that work for everyone, so that you do not lose your deposit and we all still get to go on the trip.

• If you are unable to make the new dates work, and if we do not have someone on the waiting list to take your spot, you may find someone to fill your spot, pending our approval.

WHAT ARE YOUR VALUES?

• We are committed to cultivating a culture of kindness and connectedness on this trip for all, and ask that all participants do the same.

• We believe in the transformative nature of travel, especially through connections made with people, whether they’re locals or fellow travelers.

• We are able to grow and learn better together with a diverse group of travelers. In recruiting for this trip, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring in terms of education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, gender expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, color, religion, disability, sexual orientation, size, beliefs, etc.

• Supporting, celebrating, and gathering inspiration from independent artists, makers, designers, artisans, chefs, etc. is a critical part of everything we do, including these trips & retreats, the Paris by Design book, Letters from Eva, etc.

• We know that giving back is important to many of you, and it’s an essential part of our ethos, too. A percentage of proceeds from each guided trip is donated to vetted non-profits doing crucial work. Non-profits we’ve donated to include our local food pantry, World Central Kitchen, First Peoples’ Fund, Give Kids the World Village, Active Minds, the United Way, The Trevor Project, International Rescue Committee, and more.

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All photos on this page are by either Chaunté Vaughn or Jane Merritt.

This trip has already taken place, but you can sign up for the waitlist for the next one and find travel/design/art inspiration here in the meantime.

“This trip was absolutely fabulous! I have always wanted a chance to see part of Europe through the eyes of artists, and this was the perfect opportunity. Most of these experiences were things that I could not have arranged on my own and provided a depth that most people don’t get to see when they travel.”

- Rachel J.