Paris
2nd – 5th November 2026
AHA prides itself in making extraordinary opportunities for small groups of 12 or fewer. In response to the success of our couture trip to Paris last year, we have decided to continue our theme of delving into Parisien glamour. We will see the exhibition 40 years of Fashion at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs. This major retrospective brings together iconic fashion pieces to demonstrate how clothing is transformed into works of art, offering a comprehensive look at the evolution of the fashion collection at the museum over four decades. To complement this at the Palais Galliera there is ‘Weaving, Embroidery and Embellishing. The Crafts and Trades of Fashion’ which will be a wonderful insight into the detail of couture. For dance lovers we will go to Palais Garnier the impossibly glamourous Paris Opera house for a backstage tour before returning to see the ballet Inner landscapes, a contemporary piece in three parts.
We are very lucky to have Olivia Pomp with us. Olivia is an internationally renowned stylist, couturier and costumier – with over 35 years’ experience spanning the breadth and depth of the fashion and dance worlds. Working on projects as diverse as Gucci ad campaigns to the costumes for The Royal Ballet’s performance at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, Olivia will be able to give us an understanding of the world of high fashion and dance.
Itinerary
Monday 2nd November
We will take the 08.01 train to arrive in Paris in good time to leave our bags at the hotel and enjoy a delicious lunch. In the afternoon we will take the metro to the Musée Jacquemart-André a private museum located at 158 Boulevard Haussmann. The museum was created from the private home of Édouard André and Nélie Jacquemart to display the treasures they collected during their lives. For supper we will eat nearby the hotel.
Tuesday 3rd November
In the morning, we will make our way to the Musée des Arts Décoratif to see 40 years of fashion, an exhibition which reveals the skills and techniques of fashion and its progression from the couture workshops to the museum, transforming clothing into works of art. We will then take the metro to the Palais Gallerie to see Weaving, Embroidery and Embellishment an exhibition focusing on the intricate detail of fashion and couture. After a brasserie lunch nearby, we will make our way to the Azzedine Alaia foundation which is a particular favourite of Olivia. It is a 40-minute stroll back to the hotel or a short taxi ride. Supper near the hotel in a favourite restaurant.
Wednesday 4th November
After a relaxed breakfast we will head out to the Palais Garnier where we will have a backstage tour allowing us to see the costume workshops, the ‘Opera lake’, set workshops and other mysteries. After a Brasserie lunch we will make time for shopping but be sure to make time to get back to the hotel to refresh before we head back to Palais Garnier, to watch Inner Landscapes, a contemporary ballet performed in three parts exploring emotion and movement.
Thursday 5th November
After breakfast we will head to the Musee Carnavalet one of the oldest museums in Paris. It is a treasure-trove of Paris with splendid interiors situated in characterful Le Marais where we will have our final lunch. There will be a little time for shopping before we leave to catch our train home.
Further Details
Tutors – The trip will be taken by Olivia Pomp and Cressida Ross. Cressida has taken many AHA groups to Paris and Olivia Pomp is an internationally renowned stylist, couturier and costumier.
Hotel – We will stay at the Le Grand Cayré a lovely hotel in the heart of the city which has been restored with a nod to 20’s glamour.
https://www.miirohotels.com/legrandhotelcayre
Train – We do not book the train thus allowing you to travel with flexibilty. However, we recommend buying the following train with Eurostar:
Monday 2nd November London St Pancras Int’l to Paris Gare du Nord 08:01 – 11:23
Thursday 5th November Paris Gare du Nord to London St Pancras Int’l 18:02 – 19:39
If you would like to travel out the day before to avoid the early start, do let Cressida know and she will check availability in the hotel for you.
Transport – Private transport from the station to our hotel, to the Ballet. While in Paris we will walk or use the Metro.
Ability – There is quite a lot of walking on this trip, as well as slopes and uneven cobbles. As is the case for all our courses, there is a lot of standing while we discuss the works we are looking at.
Lunches and Dinners – Lunches are a set menu of two courses to include drinks. Dinner is by no means compulsory, but we book a table for the group each night at different restaurants and divide the bill equally between everyone. Sometimes these may also need to be a set menu but we try our best to avoid this. We will adjust the bill for those not drinking alcohol.
Cost – The fees are £3,100 which includes accommodation in double rooms for single use, breakfast, four lunches, transfers in Paris for the recommended trains, transport connected with the visits on the itinerary, entrance fees, exhibition tickets, ballet ticket and tuition. There would be a fee adjustment for shared rooms. Not included are the trains, all suppers, travel insurance. The group will not exceed 12.
To register – Please complete the online registration form, having read our terms and conditions and pay a deposit of £600 via bank transfer. Your place is not confirmed until we have received the deposit.
If you have any queries, please email [email protected] or call
01379 871800 (302)
NB you must buy your own Eurostar ticket
