In addition to their participation in ceremonies and the gala dinner, registered accompanying persons were able to enjoy a specially-designed programme throughout the week which included fashion, culture and relaxation, introducing them to the many different facets of Parisian life.

Stroll through the heart of Paris! With both history and contemporary art, the Marais district is where you will find the latest trends, with a mix of artists, designers, shops, restaurants, museums, and much more. The participants had chance to visit the great houses of the 16th century, the Place des Vosges or the Musée d'Orsay, a museum devoted to impressionism.

Visits: Marais district - Musée Carnavalet - Hôtel de Sully - Musée d'Orsay
Languages: French - English - Spanish
Lunch at the restaurant of the Musée d'Orsay included.

The participants visited the Château of Versailles, one of the key sites in France's history, and discovered the main monuments of Paris. A river cruise with commentary enabled the participants to admire Paris's famous bridges and learn about the history of the French capital.

• Departure: 9.0 a.m.
• Duration: 8 hours

Visits: Château of Versailles - the bridges of Paris (river cruise)
Discovery excursions: Trocadéro -the Eiffel Tower - the Invalides - the Arc de Triomphe - the Champs Elysées - the Place de la Concorde - the Louvre - the Garnier Opera House
Languages: French - English - Spanish
Lunch at the restaurant in the grounds of the Château de Versailles included.

The participants visited the Château of the Princes de Condé and then the champagne cellars of the internationally-renowned House of Mumm. The participants then visited Reims Cathedral, a true gothic masterpiece.

• Departure: 7.45 a.m.
• Duration: 12 hours

Visits: the Château of the Princes de Condé - the cellars of a champagne-maker in Epernay - the cellars of the house of Mumm
Discovery excursion: Reims Cathedral
Languages: French - English - Spanish
Lunch at a traditional French cuisine restaurant included.

Departure: 9.30 a.m.

The most famous and most spectacular of all the Parisian department stores welcomed participants! All the leading fashion labels are brought together under its famous domed roof. After a guided tour, the participants were able to do some private shopping or attend specialised workshops (make-up, interior design, etc).

Visits: Galeries Lafayette
Languages: French - English - Spanish
Lunch at a famous Parisian brasserie in the heart of the Opéra district included.

France's wines and cheeses no longer hold any secrets thanks to this workshop on the preparation of French regional dishes, presented by a well-known delicatessen.

Visits: Catering workshops on "France's Great Regional Traditions"
Languages: French - English - Spanish

Departure: 9.30 a.m.

The participants discovered a cemetery which is unlike any other in the world, where art and nature come together. A true "garden of rest", this landscaped cemetery, created along the lines of a landscaped garden, contains the tombs of many famous French and international figures.

Visits: Père Lachaise Cemetry
Languages: French - English - Spanish