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We reveal an unexpected Paris...
in ways that offer new perspectives
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 - The doors we open are both figurative and real.
Privileged entries into France, or PEF, is a non-profit organization whose proposals go far beyond what you can discover on your own or the pasteurized culture that mass tourism presents.
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Our activities reveal sites that are important but overlooked. Or we decode legendary places.
Our brochure gives Notre Dame Cathedral as an example. Here is another.
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- Versailles the Sun King's way
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 - We often use works of art or photos to illustrate our suggestions, on this website and during visits.
Few tours mention the grandiose perspective around which all elements of the complex are planned. Yet this perspective, more than the château in itself, that tht that announces the king's message: by merging with the horizon, it symbolizes endless royal might.
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So skip the audio-guides, which won't give the information that counts. Instead, rent bikes and explore the magnificent domain. Use your eyes and your imagination – let the Sun KIng take over.
For more hints, please CLICK.
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- Another difference from commercial tourism: money isn't the main thing. In fact, many pages here
can serve as a guidebook. If we are with you, of course we do more
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 - The story of the dazzling Marquise de Montespan's rise and fall reveals another epoch...
That might be telling stories.
At Versailles, we evoke the men and women for whom grounds and palace were but the august background for their intrigues, pride or passions.
But our tales go beyond mere anecdote. For example...
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The fate of this gorgeous favorite leads us to explain the institution of the official royal mistress. As nobles (until the 18th century), they gave their clans hope of power without the risk of revolt. And, because often hated, they acted as lightning rods, drawing the peoples' anger away from the king.
Louis XVI had no such mistress. Fury concentrated on Marie Antoinette...
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- As well, we show French art de vivre, which one finds mainly in places where tourists don't go
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 - Shopping in the little-visited 9th Arrondissement (that is, district)
Visitors may be disappointed in seeing few examples of the legendary Parisian elegance.
But that is mainly true of places mass tourism promotes – because tourists go there, not Parisians!
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 - Wiindow of a milliner's workshop, in the 10th Arrondissement
For the walk that includes this workshop, please CLICK. In focussing on the excellent and unadvertised, it is typical of all our visits.
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- "Real Parisians" are part of our activities
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 - This former computer programmer is explaining how he founded his shop, for products from his part of Italy.
We choose establishments where owners love what they do, and take pleasure in sharing it. Here is another example.
As well, walks can conclude in a convivial artist's studio or private home.
Or we have delightful hosts invite you personally, in a simple way so that you can talk.
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For groups, we create soirées in venues that reinforce the ambiance the organizers wish.
One example: "chansons françaises" in a bistro. We can invite our local members to add to the conviviality.
Another example: please scroll down.
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- Our explorations and network of resources have developed in an organic way, over years.
That explains why there seem to be no other proposals comparable in variety or depth
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 - Concert for "le Club" in a private salon, 2001
The "Club Culturel Franco-Américain", which we founded in 1985, organized over a hundred visits, excursions, weekends and soirées until 2002, all through private contacts: please CLICK.
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Those contacts and that experience are at the origin of what we do now.
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- That background also explains why we can open so many doors...
- ... and why our price-quality ratio is outstanding. Please CLICK
- For the moment I'm your guide...
using French and English. We are training other cicerones, to propose tours in more languages and to enrich our programs.
- This website is exceptionally detailed
As well, our blog, http://unexpectedparis.blogspot.com, describes ongoing explorations. The site give the basis to walking tours, and the blog refreshes them or adds to their human interest.
We hope they will encourage you to explore, with us or on your own, a culture that is often different, and even richer, than its legend suggests.
"A bientôt",
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Catherine Loveland Aubin
President, trip advisor, tour guide
B.A. Vassar, M.A. Harvard, Pḧ.D. Columbia
All degrees in History
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- Member, Paris Convention and Visitors' Bureau
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- We propose "privileged entries" elsewhere too ...
when personal contacts permit them.
That's the case for some of France's regions, and for Geneva, Barcelona and New York (please CLICK).
We are gradually developing "privileged entries" in other destinations. If you are preparing a trip to a place where "privileged entries" would be useful, please let us know.
We don't put everything on the website.
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Credits: webmaster / David Worms; banner / Julien Debure ; Versailles / Patel (Versailles museum); favorite / anonymous (Pitti palace); hats / Camilla Macfarlane; salon / Claude Abron; other photos / Catherine Aubin
Most of the photos and original drawings on this site have a copyright, but we may allow you to use them if you ask us. |
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