September 17 – 24, 2009

Join astronomy historian and writer, Dr. William Sheehan, author of MARS: Lure of the Red Planet and In Search of Vulcan, for seven nights in Paris, France, and an incredible art, astronomy, and art history vacation. [See our Recommended Reading List]

We will visit the Paris, Juvisy (optional) and Meudon Observatories, during the week of the Societe Astronomique de France and International Astronomical Union’s celebration of Mars observations. Interlaced in the tour will be all things French: French food with wine, tours to nearby villages, and art, with special emphasis on the Impressionists, and personal commentary by Dr. Sheehan relating to art and science.

A journey to France is not complete without memories of sun-dappled paths, amber-colored afternoons, beautiful vineyards, ancient Gothic cathedrals and such vistas immortalized by Monet and van Gogh. Add to the magic and extend your stay for four nights in Nice.

Mars Conference at Meudon Observatory, Paris

Lecturers
Historical Observations of Mars: William Sheehan - ASP, USA
Mars Dust Storms: Masatsugu Minami - Mars Section of the Oriental Astronomical Association. - Japan
Space Missions to Mars: Don Parker - USA

Also...
Audouin Dollfus, discoverer of Saturn's satellite, Janus, and detected water vapor in the Mars atmosphere - France

Your Tour Includes...

Itinerary

Friday, September 18 —Paris
After breakfast in route to Meudon, our Parisian guide introduces us to fabulous sights: 13th century Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral with tales of Quasimodo, and drive through the courtyard of the Louvre to the Place de la Concorde. Continue to Meudon, whose observatory is built on the foundations of a seventeenth century castle badly damaged during the Siege of Paris, 1871, and features the Grand Lunette, Europe’s largest refractor. We will attend a lecture on the work of E. M. Antoniadi, an astronomer-artist who in September 1909 used this telescope to make the Meudon Observatory's first modern observations of the surface of Mars. From Meudon Park, we will enjoy an unrivalled panoramic view of Paris in a lovely setting that inspired the painter Renoir and the sculptor Rodin, who had studios here.. (B/L) Request a Brochure

Saturday, September 19 —Paris
This choice is yours to continue the Mars conference lectures at Meudon or a day of choice in Paris. (B) Request a Brochure

Sunday, September 20 —Paris/Versailles/Giverny/Paris
After breakfast, travel to the elegant town of Versailles to visit the palace built for the Sun King, Louis XIV. Here the members of his court lived in unequalled splendor, enjoying a lifestyle that eventually led to the French Revolution. After a guided tour through the royal apartments there will be time for a stroll through the gardens to see the old roses planted by l’Empereur for Josephine. Continue on to the village of Giverny where Monet lived and painted. (B/L) Request a Brochure

Monday, September 21 —Paris
After breakfast, we are off to the Palais Royal Musee du Louvre, designed under Charles V in the 14th Century. Take the Themematic Masterpiece Trail. Not to be missed are Mona Lisa, Venus d’ Milo, Winged Victory of Samothrace, Psychic Awakening Eros or Flandrin’s Young Man Beside the Sea and many, many more.
Tonight celebrate with a dinner cruise on the River Seine. cruising past the lighted Notre Dame, the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower. A choice of vin-de-pays will be provided for an unforgettable festive evening on board the Bateau Parisien. (B/D) Request a Brochure

Tuesday, September 22 —Paris
Today enjoy a walking tour of the Latin Quarter visiting the Pantheon, St. Sulpice with its Meridian Line, and the interior of Notre Dame Cathedral followed by a leisurely lunch in the Latin Quarter. Those interested may wish also to visit Mt. Parnasse, where many illustrious Parisians are buried, including Le Verrier, the mathematical discoverer of Neptune. (B/L) Request a Brochure

Wednesday, September 23— Paris
An optional visit (by rail) to Juvisy-sur-Orge offers an eighteenth century chateau where the kings of France rested on journeys between Paris and Fontainebleau and where, on March 30, 1814, l’Empereur Napoleon learned of the capitulation of Paris and the downfall of the Empire. This was a long-term residence and observatory of Camille Flammarion, France’s most beloved astronomy writer, and where E.M. Antoniadi cut his teeth as an observer of Mars. We will see a pyramid placed here in 1740 memorializing the work of Jean Packard and Nicolas de Lacaille in measuring the circumference and shape of the Earth. (B) Request a Brochure

Thursday, September 24 —Paris – USA
Extend your stay in France with three nights in Bordeaux or points beyond. Complimentary transfers are provided to the airport. (B) Request a Brochure

OPTIONAL EXTENSION

Nice & Provence

September 24 – 28, 2009

Relax on the French railroad as you journey through the countryside filled with hay bales and lavender from Paris to Nice. Enjoy four nights on the Riviera. Visiting the medieval “perched” villages of Tourette sur Loup, Vence, and St. Paul de Vence which are veritable artist colonies. Matisse lived near Vence and designed and built the Rosary Chapel nearby. Marc Chagall is buried in St. Paul’s cemetery. His mosaics are found including a baptismal font in a church in Vence and the wall of a private garden. Matisse, Picasso and Renoir Museums are all nearby.

• Rail tickets from Paris to Nice
  
• Transfers: Rail station/hotel/airport
  
• 4-nights at Hotel Gounod, Nice
  
• Breakfasts daily
  
• Full day excursion with auberge lunch with wine. Grasse and St. Paul-de-Vence
  
• Visits to Matisse, Picasso, and Renoir Museums

Interested? Request a Brochure