An Exclusive Getaway to Artistic Getaways
Only one hour drive away from Paris is needed, in the direction of Fontainebleau, to discover a part of Île-de-France that has long attracted women and men of letters and arts in search of an inspiring greener area to temporarily withdraw from the Parisian crowd. The proximity of the forest of Fontainebleau and the Seine River gives this region a somewhat gentle and wild elegance, directly radiating from the château de Fontainebleau. For centuries, many nobles or artists have settled here and have marked the territory with their remarkable touch. But while the aura of some still shines to this day, others remain unjustly overlooked.
TheWaysBeyond invites you to a private one-day-long getaway from Paris –in a private vehicle, with driver and guide– in places difficult to reach with public transportation. Follow us and meet inspiring personalities and surprising creations, over three stops marked by the seal of artists that were as talented as they were unique, and who still dazzle us today.
Private Visit of Rosa Bonheur’s Studio
Our first stop will be at Château de Rosa Bonheur, in Thomery. Rosa Bonheur was the greatest and most recognized artist of the 19th century. Today, although she is best known for the homonymous and fashionable bar in the Parc des Buttes Chaumont, in Paris, she does remain a fascinating painter. With her country scenes and her portraits of proud or joyful animals, she once rose above the ones who are now considered as the geniuses of the 19th century– Delacroix and Courbet. The first female artist to receive the Legion of Honor, Rosa Bonheur worked from her castle, on the East of Fontainebleau, which TheWaysBeyond invites you to discover during a private visit. You will also meet there the family who bought the estate in 2017 and embarked on the restoration of the place in order to revive the memory of Rosa Bonheur.
Guided Tour of Jean Cocteau’s House
A key figure in the Parisian artistic avant-garde of the 20th century, Jean Cocteau regularly withdrew from Paris to his house of Milly-la-Forêt. The house, which he bought with Jean Marais in 1947, was a peaceful retreat as much as a lodging for its artist friends. Pierre Bergé saved this magical place after Cocteau’s death, and worked on keeping its special atmosphere alive. After a closure period, Jean Cocteau’s House has recently reopened its doors to the magical and inspiring universe of Jean Cocteau, the most celebrated Parisian poet and dandy!
Before discovering this very unique place, we will make a short detour by the Chapelle St-Blaise-des-Simples, that Jean Cocteau decorated as his final resting place.
Le Cyclop
Finally, our day will end in the middle of the forest of Milly-la-Forêt, where an eccentric and fascinating creature stands, reflecting the singular personality and the fabulous friendships of its creators – artists Jean Tinguely and Niki de Saint-Phalle. Started as a slightly crazy dream, the construction of the Cyclop lasted 25 years and received contributions from many friends of the couple, including Arman, César or Jesús Rafaël Soto. A collective adventure against a backdrop of strong friendships, but also of a real utopia achieved by a team of determined sculptors, around the magnificent personalities of Jean Tinguely and Niki de Saint-Phalle!
During this refreshing excursion in Île-de-France, you will be able to:
– Get closer to the fascinating animal portraits in the studio of Rosa Bonheur;
– Feel by yourself the unique atmosphere of Jean Cocteau’s home;
– Meet the Cyclop, a collective art utopia that became a reality;
– Discover a rich and unknow territory a stone’s throw away from Paris.
Schedule for the day*
09:00 – Departure from paris
10:00 – Visit of Château Rosa Bonheur
12:30 – Free or organised lunch in Milly-la-Forêt
14:00 – Visit of Jean Cocteau’s house
16:00 – Visit at the Cyclop
17:30 – Back to Paris
The excursion includes a guide for the day, as well as the rental of a private vehicle + driver. Lunch is not included but can be organized on request (different menus possible)
* Approximate schedule
Price
€1,300- / group of 7 pax. (i.e. €186 per participant)
TheWaysBeyond is a signatory to the Caring Attitude charter of the Paris Tourist Office.
In this sense, this “one-day getaway with Rosa Bonheur and Jean Cocteau” complies with current health and safety instructions, with the guide wearing a face mask and respecting physical distancing practices and other government-recommended preventive measures.
Participants are asked to please wear a mask and respect physical distancing practices during the activity, and more specifically in closed environments.