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Black Heritage Break

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  • Experience Overview
  • Itinerary
  • Reserve this Experience

GlobeBleu offers only Bespoke programs. We tailor each itinerary to a specific customer's needs and interests. These experiences and itineraries are examples of what we can do.

Paris is known as the City of Lights and is the perfect setting for romantic rendezvous, high fashion, and gourmet cooking. However, few people know that as early as the end of the 18th century, during the tumultuous period following the French Revolution up to today, many African-Americans came to France for more than fine cuisine and haute couture dresses. They came seeking the one thing denied to them in the United States: liberty, equality and brotherhood.

While many famous Black Americans such as Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong and Toni Morrison, among others, visited Paris, some of them took up exile during the 20th century.Ā  Josephine Baker, Sidney Bechet, Richard Wright, James Baldwin, and Chester Himes, to name a few, have graced the city and the world with their talents and have left an indelible mark that attracts lovers and freedom-seekers alike.

Over the course of our journey, we will talk to African-American writers and artists still living in Paris. We will dine and delight in enlightening discussions with people who knew some of these famous people in order to get an authentic taste of the African-American experience in Paris.Ā  Following that, we will visit charming cities and quaint villages in Provence where the likes of James Baldwin and Nina Simone lived and died, and Monaco, where Josephine Baker lived for many years during times of hardship thanks to her friend and admirer, Grace Kelly.Ā 

After visiting the areas where these men and women lived and frequenting the cafes where they congregated, you will be changed forever.Ā  You will never forget your visit as France has not forgotten those who chose her as a home and safe haven.Ā 

Day One.

In the afternoon, we will start the Paris walking tour in the areas where James Baldwin, Josephine Baker, Richard Wright, and Chester Himes once lived. We will also visit several cafes.Ā  In the evening, you will have a time to rest before going to dine in one of the famous restaurants favored by many Black Americans.

Day Two.

You will have the morning to rest up.Ā  In the afternoon, we will resume our walking tour by visiting areas where many jazz musicians, Josephine Baker, and others have visited.Ā  Hear about NAACP co-founder W.E.B. Dubois' early visit to the 1900 Paris Exhibition and later meetings with Black African leaders fighting colonial rule.Ā  Hear about the many former black American activists who sought refuge in Paris during the McCarthy era and inspiration during the civil rights struggles.Ā  In the evening, you will be free to discover Paris nightlife on your own.

Day Three.

We will travel to the south of France to visit the scenic back-country mountain villages of Provence, including where James Baldwin held residence until his death.Ā  That evening you'll enjoy a gastronomic meal in your fine chĆ¢teau-hotel.

Day Four.

After a sumptuous breakfast, you will continue your tour of the back-country to Monaco, where Josephine Baker lived.Ā  The last evening will be in a fabulous palace hotel near the famous Promenade des Anglais in Nice, where Nina Simone lived.

Day Five.

After breakfast, you'll make your way to the Nice airport for your flight home.

Optional night(s) in Nice after the break can be arranged, or you may combine this with another Paris-region luxury break.Ā  We can also extend this by one day to include the ChĆ¢teaux Milandes (Dordogne), where Josephine Baker lived with her ā€œRainbow Tribe.ā€

Includes

ā€¢ Two nights in a lovely chĆ¢teau-hotel in central Paris (deluxe room or junior suite accommodation)
ā€¢ One night in a luxury Relais & ChĆ¢teaux hotel in Provence (deluxe room or junior suite accommodation)
ā€¢ One night in a fabulous palace hotel in Nice (deluxe room or junior suiteĀ accommodation)
ā€¢ Breakfast (4 mornings)
ā€¢ Gourmet multi-course dinners with wine (2 nights)
ā€¢ Walking tours of Paris' rich black heritage with English-speaking guide Ā (two half-days)
ā€¢ Chauffeur-guided tour of Nice, Provence back-country and Monaco with English-speaking guide (two days)
ā€¢ Monoclass flight from Paris to Nice
ā€¢ Limousine transfers to/from Paris airport, railway station or hotel

France Experience Reservations

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