Expedition Details
Jam-packed with iconic monuments, architecture both elegant and eclectic, and neighborhoods that seem effortlessly picturesque, Paris is a veritable feast for the camera. Catch the romance, elegance, and special light of Paris on assignments to famous landmarks and hidden corners of the city. From our base at the charming Hotel du Pantheon in the heart of the Latin Quarter, photograph teeming street life and vivid markets, historic squares and boulevards, the cafes of Montmartre, and gardens bursting with color at Luxembourg and Tuileries. Focus on the architecture and famous waterworks of Versailles and spend a day in the forests of Fontainebleau.
This workshop is led by a National Geographic photographer and a professional instructor and is designed for amateurs who are interested in improving their digital photography. All participants must bring a digital SLR camera, a laptop computer, and software for organizing and presenting images. The workshop is limited to 25 participants.
The following is our planned itinerary; however, the schedule is flexible to allow for spontaneous photographic opportunities.
Itinerary - 7 Days
Day 1 — Paris, France
Arrive in Paris and check into Hotel du Pantheon, ideally located opposite the 18th-century Pantheon in the Latin Quarter. Enjoy a reception and dinner with your instructors and fellow photographers at a nearby restaurant.
Hotel du Pantheon (D)
Day 2 — Latin Quarter
This morning, gather for an image presentation by your National Geographic photographer and a talk on photography technique. Then venture into the Latin Quarter, the intellectual heart of Paris. Capture the lively sights around the Sorbonne, including baroque fountains, secondhand bookstores, and cafés that have hosted celebrated philosophers and writers. After dinner on your own, return to the classroom for an evening presentation from your instructors.
Hotel du Pantheon (B)
Day 3 — Versailles
Spend the morning editing and critiquing the photos you took yesterday. Depart after lunch for the legendary palace at Versailles. Shoot the château’s gilded apartments, mirrored halls, and sumptuous gardens. Return to Paris to capture its sparkling lights at nightfall.
Hotel du Pantheon (B)
Day 4 — Saturday Markets
At the lively Saturday markets this morning, focus on color and texture. From fishmongers to antiques dealers, there’s no shortage of inspiration as you wander the vibrant stalls. Later, after an edit-and-critique session, explore the neighborhoods along the Seine and capture their beauty in the afternoon light.
Hotel du Pantheon (B)
Day 5 — Fontainebleau
This morning, set out for the forested town of Fontainebleau to shoot the magnificent, 1,900-room château where Napoleon once resided and explore its 16th-century gardens. This evening, work with your instructors to hone your photographic technique.
Hotel du Pantheon (B,L)
Day 6 — Iconic Paris
Start with an early-morning assignment on the Rive Gauche, or Left Bank. Stroll down Boulevard Saint-Germain and capture the morning light in Montparnasse, the bohemian neighborhood where Hemingway and Picasso once mingled. Then explore the Right Bank’s enchanting sights, including Jardin des Tuileries, one of the city’s oldest parks, and the nearby Louvre. After a late breakfast, return to the classroom for our final edit-and-critique session. Later, enjoy a specially-arranged studio visit with a Parisian sculptor in Montmartre. Capture the last light in the Moulin Rouge area, home to the famous cabaret, and then gather for a festive farewell dinner.
Hotel du Pantheon (B,D)
Day 7 — Paris/Home
After breakfast, gather for a presentation of the best images from the week. The workshop concludes at noon.
(B)
For questions on this workshop, please call 1-866-797-4686.
Related Trips
National Geographic Expert
Sisse Brimberg and Cotton Coulson
Sisse Brimberg and Cotton Coulson, based in Denmark, are two highly experienced photographers who have also been partners in marriage for 30 years. They are contributing editors for National Geographic Traveler magazine. Collectively, they have photographed more than 50 stories for National Geographic and National Geographic Traveler magazines during the past 32 years. Sisse and Cotton have spent most of their careers working in Europe, shooting stories from the Arctic and Scandinavia to Italy and France. Having lived in Paris for six months, they shot images for the feature article “Paris: The Longest Sunday" in the July/August 2010 issue of National Geographic Traveler. Both Sisse and Cotton have been awarded prizes by Pictures of the Year International, the National Press Photographers Association, White House Press Photographers Association, and Communication Arts.
Sisse Brimberg and Cotton Coulson will join the following departure:
Oct 24 - 30, 2012Expedition Dates 
Expedition Costs
What To Expect
This workshop is led by a National Geographic photographer and a professional instructor and is designed for amateurs who are interested in improving their digital photography. All participants must bring a digital SLR camera, a laptop computer, and software for organizing and presenting images. The workshop is limited to 25 participants.
