Eiffel Tower Engineering in Paris

You’ll be met at the airport by your guide who will get you on board your transfer van to take you to your hotel. Once you’ve had some time to settle in, you’ll meet up for a short orientation stroll in the area surrounding your hotel, followed by a delicious dinner featuring classic French cuisine and a discussion about your upcoming adventures!

You’ll get an early start today to beat the crowds at the gorgeous Sainte Chapelle, where you’ll get to climb the amazing spiral staircase surrounded by stunning stained-glass walls. The Church-related relics on display will amaze, with jewel-encrusted goblets and more bathed in the colorful light a great way to begin your morning and your trip. Be sure to walk over to Pont Neuf, literally “New Bridge,” but actually the oldest bridge in Paris!

Next, you’ll make your way to Notre Dame, which was of course tragically stricken by fire in 2019 and currently isn’t open to visitors. However, it is well worth a look from the outside, and your knowledgeable guide will explain the history behind the construction of this13th-century cathedral, as well as some of the engineering challenges that await the teams assessing the best ways to rebuild this unique landmark of human history.

After lunch, a stroll through the Latin Quarter along the Seine is in order, where you can take in the bohemian atmosphere that has inspired poets, writers, artists and actors for centuries. As you walk along the banks of this historic river, your guide will point out the high-water marks on the bridge abutments and the rings along the walls lining the Seine that were used to pull barges along before the invention of the steam engine. Finally, head over to the Pantheon, an inspiring 18th-century mausoleum where you’ll marvel at the colonnades and impressive facade before enjoying dinner.

You’ll get another early start and hit the Louvre, the magical museum featuring the iconic engineering feat of a huge glass pyramid plunked down on the grounds of the former Louvre Palace. Originally constructed as the Louvre castle in the 12th century, this most-visited museum in the world houses artworks like the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and thousands of other artworks. You’ll want to get lost in here and spend at least half a day wandering its impressive corridors.

After the museum, stop for lunch at a cafe near the Place de Concorde. You can stroll past the fountains featuring a massive Egyptian obelisk, and enjoy the scenic beauty of the area – but remember you’re near the spot where the revolting mob executed Marie Antoinette!

Next, you’ll stroll up the Champs-Elysees, known for its elegant shops and boutiques. But your guide will also steer you toward the Champs-Elysees Gardens, where you can wander among the exquisite hedges before heading up the street to the Arc de Triomphe. This architectural and engineering marvel dating to 1809 marks the spot where 12 avenues radiate outward creating a star. At 164 feet tall, the Arc de Triomphe was the world’s tallest triumphal arch until 1938.

Today you’ll head up one of the most impressive engineering and architectural feats in all of Europe if not the world, the Eiffel Tower. Your guide will explain how the 1,063-foot tall tower was completed in 1889 for the World’s Fair, and that during its construction it became the tallest man-made structure in the world, beating out the Washington Monument, a title it held until the Chrysler Building was completed in 1930. Hike up the stairs or take the elevator to enjoy the spectacular view, and then enjoy lunch from the tower’s cafe, or in the park below.

Next, you’ll head over to Montmarte, where your guide will explain the history of the hill dating back to the Roman times. Perhaps most famously today the area is known as the haunt of artists during the belle epoque period in the 19th century, where it was home to artists like Renoir, Picasso, and Toulouse-Lautrec. A visit to the Sacre Coeur, the famed basilica with its Roman-Byzantine design, spiral staircases and gorgeous mosaics is a great way to top off the afternoon and early evening.

Finally, cap off your night after dinner with a visit to the famed Moulin Rouge for a cabaret show!

You’ll start the day heading underground to view the famed Catacombs of Paris, a unique series of tunnels from a former limestone mine that is lined with the bones and skulls of millions of disinterred corpses. Your guide will explain – in the hushed tones appropriate for such a place – how planning for this ossuary first began in 1774 following a series of collapses at Paris’ overcrowded cemeteries, creating a unique, creative if somewhat morbid engineering solution to a dire problem facing the city.

You’ll rejoin the land of the living above ground with some lunch then a trip to gorgeous Luxembourg Garden. There you can visit the original Statue of Liberty that served as a model for the larger one sent to the U.S., as well as visiting the Palace of Luxembourg, the 17th-century former royal palace that now serves as the meeting place for the French Senate.

After that head up to the Centre Georges Pompidou to visit the National Modern Art Museum, the largest modern art museum in Europe, as well as the massive public library.

Today you’ll take the 30-minute train ride to spend the day at Versailles, the breathtaking palace that was home to Louis the XIV, Louis the XV, and Louis the XVI. You’ll get to tour the famous Hall of Mirrors and the incredible, sumptuous gardens at this UNESCO recognized site, which was the seat of royal power in France until thousands of revolutionaries stormed the palace in 1789. During your day trip to the palace grounds, you’ll also get to see other amazing rooms in the compound, as well as visiting Marie Antoinette’s nearby Queen’s Hamlet which features even more gardens and amazing rooms. Don’t forget to pass by the stunning Canals of Versailles, a lovely place for a walk or a picnic alongside the swans.

Then it’s back to Paris for dinner and a discussion of all you’ve learned about this amazing city and the brilliant engineers who created it with your new friends as you prepare to say goodbye to the City of Light.

An early breakfast and a last croissant with coffee and then it’s off to the airport and home. But you’ll have the memories you created here with your new mates – you’ll always have Paris! Bonjour!