More info for Paris!
FALL 2026: September 9 to September 17 (Note: This is before the European Patchwork Meeting if you want to plan for that too)
Please fill out this form to register your interest! Sam will reach out for a zoom conversation to make sure we will be great travel partners, and to answer any questions you might have. Places on the tours are offered in priority of who fills out the form first 🙂
The Embroidered Journey Paris tours are small, bespoke tours in Paris led by Sam Hunter. With only 8 guests per tour, our group is friendly and intimate, allowing for custom programming based on the group’s interests! This tour is ALWAYS single occupancy in a sweet, centrally located hotel. You never have to share with a stranger! My aim is for you to grab your passport, show up, and let me do the rest!
What people have said about the Embroidered Journey:
I just wanted to let you know that I had a fabulous time in Paris. I was blown away by the impressive credentials, knowledge and passion about Paris, fibre arts and art in general that you and your colleagues possess and shared so readily. I cannot use enough superlatives to describe what an extraordinary experience you provided me. I learned so much during the tour, most especially that I want to return soon!!!
You took us to so many amazing places! And the price? AMAZING.
I knew if Sam was in charge it would be well organized and fun!
It has been a dream to go to Au Ver à Soie!
Sam created a well thought out and organized trip that made you feel safe so far from home. Her special little touches such as transportation to and from the airport, weekly travel tips so you don’t get overwhelmed made the trip memorable and stress free. Her attention to the little details made this trip stand out from any other tour.
What convinced me to take this tour was the group size. This is more like being out with friends than “on a tour”. The mix of planned and free time allowed for down-time or added adventures as desired
This trip gave me the great curated view into the Paris I had been hoping to experience. I’ve been to Paris before, but never felt I was finding the corners and experiences that showed me the textile side of Paris. This was a great way to learn about historical references that connect directly to current day trends in threads, haberdashery and textiles from common everyday uses to haute couture.
Registration Details for 9 days, 8-nights retreat:
- First come first served in order of interest form sent and deposit received (only 8 places available)
- When you apply to the trip, I’ll reach out for a zoom convo to answer any questions (and to make sure we’re good travel pals!) and then send you all documents, contracts, and an invoice 🙂
- Pricing: $6975
- Non-refundable deposit of $1500 to secure your place, balance due 4 months before tour starts
What’s included:
- 8 nights/9 days in a charming hotel, single occupancy at no extra charge + breakfast
- Paid transportation to and from the airport, plus a loaded metro card to start your week
- A custom, personalized kit of creative goodies for our café sessions, including embroidery supplies and a Moleskine travel journal
- A comprehensive email series of travel information to help you with all aspects of planning your trip
- Hotel breakfast every morning
- A “Hello!” welcome dinner
- A “Goodbye!” farewell dinner
- All coffees and teas during our café times, and spontaneous treats when we find them!
- Entrance fees to all scheduled classes, tours, museums, cathedrals, classes, river tours, and activities
- A Boutis Embroidery class with renowned instructors Kumiko Nakayama Geraerts and Rebecca Devaney, where you’ll make an embroidered keepsake.
- A photography class to help you make better photos of your trip
- Exclusive, private access to Au Ver à Soie and Sajou, makers of the best French Embroidery threads
- Planned visits to: The Cluny Museum, The Dior Musuem, St. Denis, Montmartre, the Haberdashery district, the largest Flea Market in Paris, Versailles, beautiful shops, and more!
- The schedule includes a full day to yourself for additional wandering, museums, shopping, or day trips!
- Go to “What’s an Embroidered Journey?” to read more!
What’s not included:
- Your airfare and any other travel expenditures to and from Paris
- Travel Insurance (required)
- Any meals not listed as included (most lunches and dinners)
- Any alcoholic beverages
- Any hotel incidentals or supplementary services (such as laundry)
- Tips
- Optional excursions or entrance fees
- Any items not specifically mentioned as included
Other terms:
- There are no refunds after 12 weeks before the tour starts. If you fail to make the final payment by the posted date for your tour, your deposit will be forfeited, and your spot will be offered to another guest on our waiting list.
- There is no refund for leaving the retreat early, or arriving late. There are no refunds for any portion of the program you choose to opt out of.
- We reserve the right to postpone or cancel Embroidered Journey Paris up to eight weeks prior to its start in the unlikely event that we don’t have enough registrants, or an act of God, and will refund all monies (less a $500 administrative fee) in such case. We require travel insurance.
- We strongly recommend a current COVID vaccination at time of travel, as well as any other vaccinations required by France and the EU to travel.
- Best airport is Paris/Charles De Gaulle (CDG)
- Feel free to contact Sam with any questions: hello@embroideredjourney.com
Embroidered Journey Paris Information to Consider:
Walking
Paris is a walker’s paradise, so please be honest about your fitness capabilities. We’ll be walking and using the metro to get to our activities, so you’ll want to be up for it. You’ll easily cover 15,000 steps per day.
Using the Metro usually involves lots of stairs, and most stations don’t have an elevator (Paris is not as ADA-aware as the USA). They rarely have escalators, so you’ll still have stairs to navigate. FYI, Paris has taxis (and Uber) for the days that you just can’t go another step, but this tour is not for you if you plan to rely on them daily.
Art Skills
We’re not kidding when we say its OK if you don’t stitch or draw! We’re here to help with that! Embroidery is a very simple skill to learn, and our art kit includes everything you need to make a few stitches. We’ll also show you examples of travel journals that range from zero drawing or painting in them (all collage), up to full-on watercolor sketching. We’ll help you make the version that makes YOU happy.
Hotel
We’ve chosen an updated, contemporary, Parisian hotel that will treat us well without breaking the bank. Its amenities include an elevator, continental breakfast, WIFI, and air conditioning. Like most European hotels, you might find the rooms small by American standards, but they are creatively efficient! It’s also close to the Metro for easy access to our activities. If you plan to extend your trip we will put you in touch with the hotel to make direct arrangements.
Eating
Food-wise, you can eat pretty much any way you want to in Paris. If you have some dietary restrictions to work around, we’ll get you together with my Parisian colleague Zoe to work out the language you might need to ask for food specifics. And if you’re too shy to attempt speaking a little French, there’s always Google Translate!
Travel skills
We’ve put together a program that is designed to ease travel anxiety as we want you to feel relaxed and cared for! You’ll be shuttled and/or guided throughout all the scheduled activities, but you’ll also have plenty of unstructured time to explore on your own. You should be comfortable and willing to wander solo/with tour friends once we show you how to navigate the metro!
Allergies
Due to us being in close quarters throughout the tour, no smoking/vaping and no perfumes or colognes for the comfort of all, especially those with sensitivities.
Itinerary
We reserve the right to make slight changes to the activities in the itinerary based on weather and availability, and will do our best to keep them to a minimum.
We will send an individualized contract to you once we’ve invited you to the trip.