Paris Tour 2013
One of the most exciting ways to experience history is by visiting the places where it was made. In July of 2013, I will be leading a tour of historic sites in and around Paris. The tour is called Napoleon Bonaparte's Paris, and EF (Education First) is handling the logistical arrangements.
While the tour isn't specifically focused on cantinières, its focus on the Age of Napoleon means that I guarantee we will be looking at a lot of cantinière paintings, uniforms, objects, and documents. We will also have the opportunity to visit the homes of some of the women discussed in my book.
We will spend a day at the Hôtel des Invalides, which means I will be able to point out a number of cantinière-related objects that did not make it into the book, and we can discuss them and their historical significance on the spot.
We will also spend a day at the Château de Versailles, whose museum holds the original painting featured on the cover of Intrepid Women. I may be able to swing access to some other artwork not normally open to the public, and a visit to the château's archives is a possibility as well if there is interest.
Of course, there will also be lots of time on the plane, over meals, and while traveling around the Ile-de-France to chat about cantinières, the Napoleonic Era, and history in general.
There is an optional Amsterdam extension to the tour that will allow us to visit the little known but impressive Pyramid of Austerlitz, built by bored French garrison troops in 1804 on the polder outside the city. This is one of the most unknown and obscure Napoleonic monuments in Europe, yet also one of the largest and most fascinating. We'll visit the associated museum for a look at the Napoleonic Wars from a Dutch perspective.
If any of this sounds interesting, please visit the tour website: www.cardozatours.com.
Note that while the main tour group will leave from and return to Reno-Tahoe International Airport, you can join the tour from anywhere in the world (including Paris). Just contact EF through the website to arrange for departure from an airport near you. At worst it will cost slightly more for an alternative departure point, but depending on where you are, it might cost a good deal less as well due to cheaper airfare.
I'll be leading more Napoleonic-themed historical tours in Europe over the next few years, so if there is a tour you'd like to see, please contact me through the tour website and give me your ideas. I would be delighted to meet more of you in person and be able to talk about history face to face.