Paris Muse :: Paris Walk of the Month

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Paris Walk of the Month

New Athens: The World of Napoleon's Joséphine
Sunday, October 1, at 2pm

2.5-hour group walking tour
Rates. €40 per person
2 person minimum

In order to reserve a spot on this walking tour, please email us. Your meeting plan will be sent to you via email

This walking tour explores the world of Joséphine Bonaparte before she became Empress of France. We’ll begin in front of the Madeleine, just up from Place de la Concorde, where thousands lost their lives during the Revolution, including Joséphine's first husband. Like many Parisians, Josephine’s life changed dramatically at Revolution’s end. Paris was suddenly filled with parties; women wore diaphanous dresses and tied thin red ribbons around their necks as a reference to their escape from the guillotine. These "merveilleuses" were known for their wit and flamboyance. One of them, Rose de Beauharnais, first met Napoleon when he was a military genius of 26 and she was a widow at 32. It was Napoleon who insisted on calling her "Joséphine.”

You'll discover Joséphine’s old neighborhood of "New Athens" in the 9th arrondissment, where the magnificent homes of wealthy businessmen and officers became famous for intellectual salons. You'll see the plain house where Joséphine and Napoleon were married. Two days after their wedding, Napoleon went off to command French forces in Italy. His passionate letters burn the page even today. We'll also explore the lives of Napoleon's fun-loving sister, Pauline (who sold her jewels in order to furnish her brother with some creature comforts in exile) and Madame de Staël, famous novelist, salon hostess, and dire opponent of Napoleon. We'll finish near the Musée de la Vie Romantique, which makes for an ideal visit after our walk.

The "Joséphine" Walk explores these Paris locations: Madeleine, Opera, the garden and church of Trinite, and the romantic square of Saint-Georges.

In order to reserve a spot on this walking tour, please email us. Your meeting plan will be sent to you via email.

Read more about Lisa Pasold, your guide for this walk.