April 28 - May 2, 2025 | Monday at breakfast through Friday after dinner | 10 photo shoots

COVID SAFETY: Please read BCPA's COVID-19 Information and Prep page.

Ahhh, Paris, that wonderful, romantic City of Light, is steeped in culture and history as shown in its architecture, monuments, and museums.

BCPA has always timed the workshop to take advantage of lower rates in the city.

Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements, or districts, and while we can't possibly visit them all in this short time, Margo will show you some of her favorite haunts.

There will be locations with such familiar names as the Latin Quarter, la Rive Gauche (Left Bank) and its Bouquinistes (book stalls), Notre Dame with those amazing gargoyles, The Louvre (note the capital "T"), la Tour Eiffel, always amazing, Saint-Germain-des-Prés (where the workshop will be based near the 5th), Montmartre, to name a few.

There are also the arches, monuments, and wonderful streets, both broad and narrow. We may see toy sailboats racing on the pond in Jardin du Luxembourg where Margo's dad sailed the same-styled boats when he was six, pétanque (a form of boules) being played in the parks, the Bateaux-Mouches and Batobus making their trips up and down the Seine, art exhibits, the bridges with their different characters, and maybe music in one of Margo's favorite areas of the city.

And there is so much more that makes Paris unique. We will try to take in some galleries to introduce you to photographers whose work you may not yet know. That all depends upon what is showing where! Arnie found a great YouTube video that shows many of the spots we know so well right around where we stay. The first 11 minutes or so are what reflect the areas we will visit.

This is where The Barefoot Contessa's English granny took part in café society back in the 20s, and not much has changed since then. Check out the movie "Midnight in Paris." You'll see people gathered in cafés intensely discussing art and the issues of the day. We'll find time to take breaks at these little restaurants, grab a bite to eat, and give our feet a rest, for we will be walking a lot. It is the way to really see and savor the city and, of course, to photograph it.

And if there is enough interest, we may even do a side trip to Giverny where Monet painted his famous water lilies and poppies.

Margo is pretty fluent in French and has been since she was in grade school. If you can manage a "Bonjour" (bon-JHOOR = hello), "S'il vous plaît" (SEAL-voo-PLAY = please), or "Merci" (mare-SEE = thank you), it is always appreciated! The French "r" is made with a gargle without the gurgle.

As always, I will encourage you to seek your own vision and teach you how elements of composition and the magic of light work in concert to make wonderful photographs. You will be inspired by the sights and sounds of this magical city ...

Meanwhile, be sure to carefully read BCPA's FAQs, as well as the various links in the box above. They should hopefully answer almost any question you might have.

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2025 Fees:  Standard $2,380 | Alumni $2,024 | Association $2,144 | Twofer Discount in combination with Taorminat | Early-bird Special @ Association rate — only by check (see parameters)

Travel insurance is highly recommended to ensure protection against any unforeseeable events. BCPA is a small company and cannot be held liable for those who choose not to buy trip insurance.  Sharon Erickson, Margo's trusty travel agent, can help you with that. And, no, BCPA does not get any credit for referring you to her, only a thank you!