Words: Charlotte McManus
The sky is clear and bright as the Eurostar pulls into Gare de Nord, promising a perfect day for sightseeing. I?ve been invited by iconic cognac house Courvoisier to take part in their new luxury guided experience, the Paris Golden Age Tour, which celebrates the crème de la crème of the city?s fascinating Belle Époque heritage.
Between 1880 and 1910, the fin de siécle (?turn of the century?) marked a profound transformation in Parisian culture, as the city?s inhabitants made history with ground-breaking innovations in the fields of architecture, the arts, cuisine, haute couture and even nightlife. Courvoisier, too, came into its own during the Belle Époque; the spirit was chosen as the official drink to toast the grand opening of the Eiffel Tower in 1899, as well as being the named cognac supplier to Napoleon III. With this remarkable era in mind, Courvoisier?s private tour has been designed to take guests into the heart of the Golden Age of Paris, taking in a mix of world-famous landmarks and hidden historic gems around the city. An experience like no other, visitors are immersed in the spirit of the Belle Époque period, introduced to the Parisian way of life at the time when the city?s culture reigned supreme in the world. Outside the station, we are greeted by a sleek Mercedez-Benz, which will be our transport for the three-hour tour. Forget any preconceived notions of jostling camera-swinging tourist groups and packed-out commercial coache...