Paris and Reims France
October 25 to November 1, 2026
7 Nights
October 25 to November 1, 2026
7 Nights
Do you dream of strolling through Paris eating, discovering, and capturing photos with your phone?
And sipping exquisite champagne in the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Reims where it's created in France?
You're Invited to Escape to Paris and Reims with me
And this is what we'll be doing for 7 days:
Wandering the streets of Paris capturing killer street photos,
eating and drinking thrillingly delicious food and wine in Paris and Reims with a day trip to Epernay.
We'll hop on a train after 3 nights in Paris to Reims (one hour) to sip champagne in the caves it is mysteriously created in.
4 Nights in Reims
This town is cool because it's small and friendly
And below the streets, champagne is bubbling in effervesence inside it's chalk caves, the only place in the world designated officially
a UNESCO world site of Champagne (thanks to Madame Clicquot)
And a one hour train ride day trip to Epernay, in the champagne region
This is for you if:
1. You fail to get riveting shots of your travels and love drinking champagne and eating excellent food
(champagne in France has lower alcohol content so you don't get smashed)
2. You're sick of taking boring travel photos
(And nope, it’s not mastering Photoshop, buying a $5000 camera, or luck)
Bring your iphone or android, 99% of participants bring phones.
No need to carry a heavy camera, you'll still get incredible shots.
3. You returned from a trip to an exotic country and the photos on your phone don’t capture what you’re seeing and experiencing in real life.
But 7 days in October or November 2026 in Paris and Reims will change this.
Accommodation is included and I'll help you with your onward itinerary if you want a longer trip.
Testimony 113 5-star reviews from Airbnb asking me to teach photography in San Francisco to international participants
You can take a direct train from Reims to Charles de Gaulle airport on the last day to fly back to your home or continue your adventures in Europe, many retreat participants do this.
Book A Call Now
Paris is one of the best cities in the world to explore, learning how to take incredible photos with fun people and discovering the secrets of this mesmerizing town.
Fun things to do in Paris
Luxembourg Garden
Street Markets of Food and Parisian Vintage and Thrift items
Pere Lachaise Cemetery
Couvert Vivianne
Baron Rouge: Fun place to sample incredible wine with locals
Reims and Epernay
Veuve Clicquot Caves
Ruinart
Epernay Champagne walking street
You have free hours every day to get a massage, shop, or have quiet time to yourself, this isn't a speedy go go every minute retreat and you'll get relaxing moments to recharge and renew.
Why should you join us?
Only 3 to 6 people.
This is not only photography, but the hidden gems and enchantment I've discovered in my solo travels in France.
Here’s what you get in your premium one on one retreat in Paris and Reims:
You don’t need fancy software, a new camera, or Photoshop skills (I don’t use it)
You learn how to choose the right angle, compose a shot, see light before you shoot, and practice magical timing when taking photos of people and having fun doing it
In the one-on-one commentaries of your work, you’ll learn why some of your photos are amazing so you can keep doing those behaviors and why other shots don't work.
Retreat participants have said this alone is worth coming with me to learn photography.
You can ask questions freely and get your answers pronto as we're shooting.
Your 40-year award winning photographer with my own business from the trenches of Silicon Valley will give you all the secrets. This easy method has helped 1542 people.
Who Am I and how can I help you?
Because after photographing 725 weddings in Palo Alto, wild rhinos in Nepal, family portraits, and the Dalai Lama in India (twice) you'll learn how to shoot with patience and perseverance I guarantee it.
And solo traveling in 35 countries for the past 20 years has taught me how to be a real traveler.
I've been leading my private photography, writing, and yoga retreats in Thailand, India, Nepal, Guatemala, Cambodia, Italy, Bali, and Mexico since 2005.
Paris Photography, Fun, Food Itinerary we discuss our options daily unless we have booked champagne tastings in Reims on specific days
One-on-one guidance on composition, angle, light, and timing
You'll take home incredible photos that you took in Paris!
Meet new friends, escape, and have a thrilling adventure in vetted restaurants and tastings in exhilarating champagne caves.
Prices include hotel accommodation for Paris and Reims
$3400 per person, includes your private room, all guidance before, during, and after for trip planning. I'll make suggestions on flights to take to Paris, and how to do ground transport in Paris when you arrive.
Flights and Champagne tours aren't included but range in price from $25 to $80 per tour with tasting.
Book A Call Now
Are you craving an escape to France?
You'll eat wonderful food, meet new friends, take amazing photos and have a thrilling adventure!
See Testimony Below from Recent Workshop Photography Enthusiasts
Veuve Clicquot Caves, Reims France
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Shirley's thoughts on her Sicily retreat with me
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What Participants are Saying Recent Testimony on Mary's Photography Retreats:
"I joined Mary's photography workshop in Oaxaca. I learned technical details about photography (exposure, framing, brightness, composition, etc.); but more importantly, I learned the joy of traveling. Mary is a seasoned photographer + travel adviser, who helped me add a new flavor to my senior life!"
- Akiko Kobayashi
"You did it again. You knocked it out of the park. Beautiful city, great food, good company and of course wonderful instruction. Each time a little more sinks in. I learned more about composition and what makes a good photo.
And you have those leadership qualities that we all wish we had. You have certainly found your calling and excel at it. Thanks for a fun learning experience."
- Shirley McClintock (Oaxaca City Mexico Workshop)
"I’ve always wanted to travel internationally on my own, but being a very busy mom/wife/small business owner of several businesses, some of my challenges (beyond finding coverage for my businesses while away) were the following:
1) Making and taking the time to do the research around the specific country, where to go, what to do, how to get there, etc.
2) Learning the requirements/restrictions around COVID
3) Trusting the information you’ve gathered is correct
I felt intimidated, a little fearful of the unknown, and overwhelmed by having to figure things out.
Mary Bartnikowski made the process of traveling internationally, much easier. She took the guesswork out of the pre-travel process and kept me updated prior to my travel date.
Once I reached my destination and connected with Mary, it was all fun, discovery, adventure, and wonder. Mary’s presence of being down-to-earth, relaxed, and funny, made my time with her so easy and enjoyable.
At the same time, Mary is an expert photographer and you get the benefit and knowledge of her 40-year photography career in the heart of Silicon Valley.
Mary makes the process of learning photography fun, light-hearted, and easy.
My photos improved dramatically over the course of my trip of 24 days and 3 primary destinations - Rome, Sorrento/Amalfi/Capri, Sicily.
For me, the most helpful part of the workshop was the day of presenting my photos to Mary and receiving constructive feedback around the photos. We had a session like this for each destination.
I was able to take what I learned from each one of these sessions and apply the feedback to my photography going forward, and the number of great photos just kept increasing.
Thank you Mary for an amazing trip with memories I will cherish for a lifetime!"
- Donna Apilado-Schumacher (Sicily, Amalfi Coast, Rome Retreat)
"I joined Mary's photography workshop in Oaxaca. I learned technical details about photography (exposure, framing, brightness, composition, etc.); but more importantly, I learned the joy of traveling. Mary is a seasoned photographer + travel adviser, who helped me add a new flavor to my senior life!"
- Akiko Kobayashi
"You did it again. You knocked it out of the park. Beautiful city, great food, good company and of course wonderful instruction. Each time a little more sinks in. I learned more about composition and what makes a good photo.
And you have those leadership qualities that we all wish we had. You have certainly found your calling and excel at it. Thanks for a fun learning experience."
- Shirley McClintock (Oaxaca City Mexico Workshop)
"I’ve always wanted to travel internationally on my own, but being a very busy mom/wife/small business owner of several businesses, some of my challenges (beyond finding coverage for my businesses while away) were the following:
1) Making and taking the time to do the research around the specific country, where to go, what to do, how to get there, etc.
2) Learning the requirements/restrictions around COVID
3) Trusting the information you’ve gathered is correct
I felt intimidated, a little fearful of the unknown, and overwhelmed by having to figure things out.
Mary Bartnikowski made the process of traveling internationally, much easier. She took the guesswork out of the pre-travel process and kept me updated prior to my travel date.
Once I reached my destination and connected with Mary, it was all fun, discovery, adventure, and wonder. Mary’s presence of being down-to-earth, relaxed, and funny, made my time with her so easy and enjoyable.
At the same time, Mary is an expert photographer and you get the benefit and knowledge of her 40-year photography career in the heart of Silicon Valley.
Mary makes the process of learning photography fun, light-hearted, and easy.
My photos improved dramatically over the course of my trip of 24 days and 3 primary destinations - Rome, Sorrento/Amalfi/Capri, Sicily.
For me, the most helpful part of the workshop was the day of presenting my photos to Mary and receiving constructive feedback around the photos. We had a session like this for each destination.
I was able to take what I learned from each one of these sessions and apply the feedback to my photography going forward, and the number of great photos just kept increasing.
Thank you Mary for an amazing trip with memories I will cherish for a lifetime!"
- Donna Apilado-Schumacher (Sicily, Amalfi Coast, Rome Retreat)