OPERA AND THE FRENCH ROMANTICS 2 NOVEMBER - 4 NOVEMBER   An opportunity to see Ravel's rarely performed work, L'enfant et les Sortileges at the Palais Garnier, as well as Dutch choreographer Mats Ek's stylish contemporary staging of the great classical ballet, Giselle.
Following the theme of the French Romantics of the 19th century, spend a fascinating day on Sunday visiting Ravel's charming Belevedere in the picturesque town of Montfort l'Amaury and the renaissance chateau built by the writer, Alexandre Dumas at nearby Port Marly.

FRIDAY 2 NOVEMBER

Morning departure from London Waterloo on Eurostar. Early afternoon arrival in Paris and transfer by private coach to the 3 star superior Hotel Bedford.

This comfortable hotel, a favourite with Travel for the Arts clients, is located in the heart of Paris near the Palais Garnier and convenient for shopping and sightseeing. Welcome drink at the hotel.

Optional evening performance of GISELLE (Mats Ek) at the Palais Garnier. The Paris Opera Ballet.

SATURDAY 3 NOVEMBER

Full day at leisure for shopping, sightseeing and museum visiting in Paris. Details of current exhibitions, opening times and other information can be provided by your tour manager.

Evening performance of L'ENFANT ET LES SORTILEGES (Ravel) at the Palais Garnier.
C: James Conlon. Cast: Dale Duesing, Felicity Palmer.
Production: Richard Jones/Antony McDonald.

SUNDAY 4 NOVEMBER

Check out of the hotel after breakfast and depart for Montfort l'Amaury on the edge of the Foret de Rambouillet to the west of Paris.

Visit the Belvedere, the wisteria covered home of Basque-born composer, Maurice Ravel. It was here that Ravel wrote the music to Colette's poetic libretto, L'Enfant et les Sortileges (Childhood and the magic spells). The composer created the Japanese gardens including a fountain, miniature trees and a miniature Japanese temple.

The interior is lovingly preserved, virtually unaltered since the composer's lifetime, and is filled with the bric-a-brac that he so loved to collect as well as many personal items, his piano, metronome and spectacles.

After lunch in a restaurant continue to Le Port Marly to visit the fantasy home of Alexandre Dumas, author of The Three Musketeers and the Count of Monte Cristo. Here the swashbuckling writer ordered the construction of a Renaissance château facing a Gothic Pavilion (the Château d'If) surrounded by water.

The château contains private papers, paintings and memorabilia pertaining to Dumas. The bill of sale, dated 1848 indicates the treasures that the chateau once held, but, unfortunately Dumas's debts overcame him and he was forced to sell his property.

The Chambre Mauresque on the second floor was commissioned by Dumas after a visit to Algeria when he developed a passion for moorish art and architecture. Continue to the Gare du Nord and depart on Eurostar.

Evening arrival at London Waterloo.

	PRICE per person 3 Day Tour Price £475.00 Single Room Supplement £80.00 Deposit required £150.00 Booking Deadline 30 JUN Tour Code PAR Tour price includes standard class round trip travel on Eurostar - transfers - accommodation - sightseeing tours as described including guides and entrance fees - buffet breakfast daily - top category ticket for L'enfant et les Sortileges - tour manager or local representative. Dress: Lounge suit Supplements Additional tickets 2 Nov Giselle £105.00