Other than the fact that I love Paris, I was there to attend a retreat with my Mastermind Group, which is led by my personal coach, Gina DeVee.
We come from different parts of the US and Europe, various ages, professions, and stages in life, but we all share a passion for growth, expansion, and supporting the dreams of others.
Three of our days were spent together being trained by Gina and sharing our challenges, goals and receiving coaching on getting from where we are to where we want to be. Even with three days of coaching, we had plenty of time for exploration, dinners, and shopping!
I arrived in Paris on a Tuesday afternoon and was greeted by my concierge who whisked me through baggage claim, customs, and into my G7 taxi so quickly my head was spinning. I checked into my quaint little boutique hotel near the beautiful Jardin du Luxembourg and the Sorbonne and spent the afternoon shopping and checking out the neighborhood—I’m always on the lookout for where I might want to call home one day (or at least my part-time home).
Wednesday a few of the ladies checked out the magnificent Le Galerie Dior. This place is stunning, and one can clearly see how the French’s eye for beauty and their attention to detail has earned them the top spot in the world of art and fashion.
Later a stroll through le Petit Palais and Musée Beaux-Arts and onto Les Tuileries in the sweltering Paris summer heat. Honestly, we were all melting by the time we reached the gardens, but it was all so worth the effort.
We topped off the evening at Le Meurice, another iconic site and venture one should include on their next trip to Paris (sidenote, Pablo Picasso held his wedding there in 1918)..
Other highlights of the trip included a Maxim’s dinner cruise on the Seine, a champagne and cheese pairing with Champagne Expert, Cynthia Coutu, founder of Delectabulles (I thought I knew a thing or two about champagne but I learned so much more about the delightful art of bubbly and have a new found appreciation for the art of the French claim to the world of fine wine), and a Macaroon making class hosted by Cordon Blu trained pastry chef Molly Wilk in her Versailles apartment located steps away from the historic and stunning les Jardin de Chateau Versailles.
I’d love to say that I arranged for all the interesting and unique places and experiences we enjoyed, but that credit goes to sister Mastermind member, Wendy Harrop. Wendy owns and operates Phineas Wright House, a 238-year-old home and farm turned bed & breakfast in rural Massachusetts. Wendy also plans and leads luxury private experiences in Franch for small groups and knows a thing or two about Paris. She enthusiastically planned and booked many of the group’s extracurricular activities while in Paris.
These are just a few of the highlights of my trip. It doesn’t quite capture the magic of Paris but it’s a little glimpse into my world at this point. I have a whole new list of places I’d like to visit next time!
Salute!