Lafayette 250 Tour
with Iris de Rode and Chuck Schwam
April 17th – 22nd 2026
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Join us for an immersive 6-night, 5-day journey into the life and legacy of Gilbert du Motier, the Marquis de Lafayette, as we commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States. Experience Paris through exclusive guided visits, a landmark conference at the National Archives of France, and a private exploration of Versailles. This exceptional program concludes with elegant evening events celebrating the enduring bond between France and America.
As members and friends of the American Friends of Lafayette, you are invited to take part in a focused Paris-based commemoration honoring the life, ideals, and enduring legacy of Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette. Taking place during the 250th anniversary of the United States, this program centers on Paris—the political, intellectual, and symbolic heart of Lafayette’s public life—where the Franco-American story was debated, documented, and preserved.
Born into French aristocracy in 1757, Lafayette’s early life positioned him for comfort and influence within the royal world of Paris. Yet it was here, in the salons, assemblies, and institutions of the capital, that Enlightenment ideals of liberty and equality took hold and shaped his worldview. These convictions ultimately led him to defy royal authority and commit himself to the American cause, forging a historic alliance with George Washington that would bind France and the United States in a shared revolutionary legacy.
Upon his return to Paris as a hero of the American Revolution, Lafayette became a central figure in the political life of the city during one of its most turbulent eras. As a deputy to the Estates-General, he played a leading role in drafting the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, a document profoundly influenced by American revolutionary principles and now preserved within France’s national memory. His efforts to reconcile constitutional order with individual liberty unfolded within the very institutions and streets that continue to define Paris today.
This Paris-centric program offers members privileged access to the places where Lafayette’s ideas were articulated, challenged, and recorded—from national archives and libraries to monuments and memorial sites dedicated to remembrance. Through curated visits, scholarly exchange, and a landmark conference at the National Archives of France, participants will engage directly with the historical sources and institutional legacy that sustain ongoing research and interpretation.
As the United States marks 250 years since its founding, this gathering in Paris serves as both commemoration and continuation—honoring Lafayette’s singular role in American history while reaffirming the enduring Franco-American friendship rooted in shared ideals of liberty, civic responsibility, and democratic governance. It is a moment to reflect, to study, and to steward a legacy that remains deeply woven into the fabric of Paris itself.
This exclusive Paris-based program invites you into Lafayette’s world at the moment history was made, revealing both the man behind the legend and the revolutionary ideas he helped bring to life. As the United States commemorates its 250th anniversary, join fellow members of the American Friends of Lafayette in Paris to experience history where it unfolded—and to honor a legacy that continues to inspire across centuries.
Your Hosts
Iris de Rode
Dr. Iris de Rode is a Dutch-born historian who specializes in the French-American alliance during the American Revolution. She grew up in France, where a tulip poplar in her family’s Burgundy garden—said to have been brought from America by Lafayette, but in fact planted by his uncle by marriage, François-Jean de Chastellux—first sparked her fascination with the Revolution. Tracing the origins of that tree led her to the Château de Chastellux, where she uncovered more than 6,000 pages of previously unknown manuscripts, including forgotten correspondence with Washington, Jefferson, Madison, and rich material on the American Revolution and Yorktown.
She earned her PhD at Université Paris 8 (2019) and is the author of the first full biography of Chastellux, François-Jean de Chastellux (1734–1788), un soldat-philosophe dans le monde atlantique à l’époque des Lumières (2022), which received the prestigious Prix Guizot of the Académie française in 2023. In addition to this book, she has published another volume on the French campaign in the American Revolution and several academic articles on the Revolution, the Enlightenment, and transatlantic networks.
Dr. de Rode is currently a Gibson Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Virginia’s Karsh Institute of Democracy and the author of a forthcoming trade book, The General and the Chevalier (to be announced soon). She has held research and writing fellowships at Mount Vernon, Monticello, and the American Philosophical Society, taught for over nine years at Sciences Po in France, and advises institutions including the Museum of the American Revolution, Histovery, the French Embassy in the United States, and the National Park Service on the French-American alliance and the global dimensions of the Revolution. She appears as a featured expert in Ken Burns’s PBS documentary series The American Revolution (2025). Learn more at www.irisderode.com.
Chuck Schwam
Charles Schwam works as an account executive by day and moonlights as an Executive Director by nights and weekends. Known to most as Chuck, he came to the greater Washington, DC area from Philadelphia to attend American University. For more than forty years, he has been a leader in his industry, managing national and local accounts while consistently ranking at the top in
sales and new business development.
Chuck brings the same passion and discipline from his professional career to his involvement with The American Friends of Lafayette (AFL). After discovering the organization in 2009, he quickly became an active member and, in 2011, joined the Board of Governors as Treasurer. Over time, his role expanded to Executive Director, where he also serves as the organization’s primary event planner. From 2022–2025, Chuck served as Chair of the AFL’s Lafayette’s Grand Tour Bicentennial Committee, overseeing more than 40 committees composed of over 400 members across 24 states. During the 13-month reenactment of Lafayette’s historic Grand Tour, he coordinated and supported more than 350 events nationwide, attending many of them in person. These events and educational programs were designed to raise public awareness of General Lafayette’s legacy and France’s critical role in the American Revolution.
Chuck has also led major fundraising efforts, raising over half a million dollars to support the bicentennial and AFL initiatives, including the design, funding, and installation of statues honoring Lafayette and Rochambeau in Yorktown, Virginia.
An experienced event planner, Chuck has organized hundreds of commemorative events in both the United States and France, ranging from intimate gatherings to large-scale public programs with thousands of attendees. He oversees AFL’s annual meetings, heritage travel excursions to France, and numerous historical and social events throughout the year. His speaking engagements have included the United States Capitol, the French Embassy, Federal Hall in New York City, the French Ambassador’s Residence in Washington, DC, Independence Hall, and the French Senate at the Luxembourg Palace. He has also been honored to speak at two naturalization ceremonies.
In addition, Chuck manages the AFL store and serves as publisher of the Gazette—an award-winning, 100+ page semiannual newsletter. He manages the historical interpreters at AFL events, as well as the organization’s annual book donation program for schools and public libraries.
Itinerary
April 17th – 22nd 2026 – 6 nights and 5 days exploring Lafayette’s Paris, commemorating 250 years of American independence
Depart the U.S.
Thursday, April 16th, 2026
Departure day! Double-check that your passport has at least six months of validity. With everything ready, you’re set to embark!
Not included:
– Flight to/from Paris
– Personal expenditures, gratuities, and meals
Day 1 - Arrival
Friday, April 17th, 2026
Welcome to Paris, the world’s cultural capital!
Upon arrival at Charles de Gaulle Airport, private transport will be arranged to your hotel where you can settle in and prepare for the days ahead. The afternoon is yours to explore the charming Parisian neighborhood, get your bearings, and perhaps enjoy a café or boutique along the way.
In the evening, gather with fellow travelers for a Champagne welcome reception hosted by AFL. This relaxed affair, complemented by a “cocktail dinatoire,” sets the stage for an immersive journey into the life and legacy of Lafayette.
Includes:
– Ground transportation from Charles de Gaulle airport to your hotel
– Cocktail dinatoire (heavy hors d’oeuvres) with hand-selected French wines
Not included:
– Other meals
– Personal expenditures and gratuities
Itinerary:
Morning & Afternoon: Transfers to your hotel are offered all day for arrivals on April 17th, 2026. For those who arrive early, feel free to explore the neighborhood at your own pace.
Evening: Enjoy a welcome cocktail reception with delicious bites as we raise a toast to Lafayette at your hotel.
Day 2 - Palace of Versailles
Saturday April 18th, 2026
Begin the day with a guided visit to the Carnavalet Museum, exploring Parisian history during the revolutionary era and gaining context for Lafayette’s life and legacy.
After lunch, continue to Versailles for a guided visit to the Municipal Library of Versailles, where rare archival materials provide insight into the political and intellectual climate of Lafayette’s time.
In the early evening, enjoy an exclusive after-hours visit to the Palace of Versailles*, experiencing the grand apartments and historic spaces in a private, intimate setting once the palace has closed to the public. Dinner to follow.
*After-hours Palace visit subject to confirmation.
Includes:
– Breakfast
– Guided visit of the Carnavalet Museum
– Lunch
– Guided visit to the Municipal Library of Versailles
– Exclusive after-hours visit to the Palace of Versailles*
– Dinner
– Coach transfers
*After-hours Palace visit subject to confirmation.
Not included:
– Other meals
– Personal expenditures and gratuities
Itinerary:
Morning: Begin the day with a guided visit to the Carnavalet Museum, exploring the history of Paris during the revolutionary era and gaining context for Lafayette’s life and legacy.
Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Continue with a guided visit to the Municipal Library of Versailles, where rare archival materials offer insight into the political and intellectual climate of Lafayette’s time.
Early Evening: Enjoy an exclusive after-hours visit to the Palace of Versailles*, experiencing the grand apartments and historic spaces in a private, intimate setting once the palace has closed to the public. Dinner to follow.
Day 3 - Lafayette Monuments of Paris
Sunday April 19th, 2026
Begin the day with a private coach tour of Lafayette landmarks in Paris, including statues, plaques, and historical sites significant to his legacy. You’ll delve into his role in shaping both French and American history.
Stop for lunch at the historic Café Le Procope, Paris’s oldest café, and a favorite spot for revolutionary thinkers. Afterward, continue the tour to deepen your understanding of Lafayette’s influence during the French Revolution and American independence. Conclude the evening with a private Seine cruise featuring a standing cocktail dinner.
Includes:
– Breakfast
– Coach Tour of the Lafayette Monuments
– Lunch
– Return coach transfers to your hotel
– Cocktail dinner aboard a private boat on the Seine
Not included:
– Other meals
– Personal expenditures and gratuities
Itinerary:
Morning: Explore the Monuments in Paris on a guided bus tour.
Lunch: Indulge in lunch a Le Procope, Paris’s timeless café, where history comes alive.
Afternoon: Continue exploring the Monuments in Paris and capture stunning photos along the way.
Evening: A Cocktail dinner aboard a private boat on the Seine
Day 4 - Conference or Independent Exploration
Monday April 20th, 2026
This day offers a flexible balance between scholarly engagement and personal discovery. Guests may choose to attend the optional conference sessions, with the full program shared in advance, or enjoy a day at leisure in Paris.
A selection of curated à la carte activities will be available for those wishing to continue their cultural exploration, while others may prefer time for independent visits, shopping, or quiet enjoyment of the city at their own pace.
Includes:
– Breakfast
– Optional access to conference sessions (program provided in advance)
– Selection of curated à la carte activities (additional cost may apply)
– Dinner
Not included:
– Other meals and/or snacks
– Personal expenditures and gratuities
Itinerary:
Morning: Optional attendance at the conference sessions (program to be provided in advance), or time at leisure to explore Paris independently.
Lunch: Lunch at leisure.
Afternoon: Optional attendance at the conference sessions; Choice of curated à la carte activities or free time for personal exploration, shopping, or museum visits.
Evening: Dinner at near the hotel.
Day 5 - Lafayette’s Legacy: Archives, Memory, and Commemoration
Tuesday April 21st, 2026
Spend your final day at the Symposium held at the National Archives of France, bringing together scholars, historians, and members of the American Friends of Lafayette to explore Lafayette’s legacy and the enduring Franco-American relationship. The program includes lectures, roundtable discussions, and access to a special exhibition, with a buffet lunch served on site.
Following the conference, the group will visit Picpus Cemetery for a moment of reflection at Lafayette’s grave, honoring his lasting contribution to American independence. The day concludes with a formal dinner at Lafayette’s, offering an elegant setting to continue conversations and commemorate this historic anniversary before returning to your hotel.
Includes:
– Breakfast
– Lunch at Restaurant Lafayette
– Cemetery Tour
– Gala Dinner
Not included:
– Other meals and/or snacks
– Personal expenditures and gratuities
Itinerary:
Morning: Full-day conference at the National Archives of France, featuring lectures, roundtables, and scholarly presentations focused on Lafayette and the Franco-American legacy.
Lunch: Buffet lunch at the National Archives.
Afternoon: Continuation of the conference program, including time to visit the exhibition, followed by a visit to Picpus Cemetery to pay respects at Lafayette’s grave.
Evening: Dinner at Lafayette Restaurant, once Lafayette’s final residence, this refined spot now serves Franco-American fare with a touch of history.
Day 6 - Au Revoir and See You Soon!
Wednesday April 22nd, 2026
Your journey with General Lafayette ends here for now, but you’ll take all your new knowledge and experiences home with you! After a noon check out from your hotel, you’ll be transferred to the airport in accordance with your flight schedule.
Safe travels and see you next time!
Includes:
– Breakfast
– Coach transfer from your hotel to Charles de Gaulle airport or Paris train station
Not included:
– Other meals and/or snacks
– Personal expenditures and gratuities
Itinerary:
Morning: Pick up from your hotel and transfers to the airport for those departing on April 22nd, 2026.
Noon: Please check out by 12:00 pm. If you need a later departure, the hotel staff will be happy to store your luggage until you are ready to leave.
Afternoon: Pick up from your hotel and transfers to the airport for those departing on April 22nd, 2026.
Pricing
Double Occupancy:€5 800 EUR per person (approx. 6 746.62 USD as of January 9th, 2026)
Single Occupancy:€7 000 EUR per person (approx. 8 142,47 USD as of January 9th, 2026)
INCLUDED IN PRICE:
– 6 nights’ accommodation at an esteemed hotel in Paris; including breakfast
– 5 days of exploring Lafayette’s legacy in Paris.
– All group dining experiences included each day
– Guided tours and visits, as well as entrance fees
– Transportation between hotel and activities
– Tips, taxes, & service charges for all group activities
NOT INCLUDED IN PRICE:
– Airfare to and from Paris
– Individual dining and purchases
– Beverages beyond what is included in group meals
– Accident/ luggage /trip cancellation insurance
– Activities not scheduled for the group, optional activities
– Laundry, dry cleaning, or other personal services
– International phone plans
– Additional Tips
– Other transportation around Paris not included in the itinerary (taxi, Uber, etc.)
Airline travel is not included in the cost of this trip.
Please be sure to check the validity of your passport.
If you have any other questions, please drop us a line and we’ll be happy to help: contact@bacchusandclio.com.
Optional: Plane Tickets and Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance to ensure peace of mind during your trip. We partner with a trusted provider, Chad Morse with Cap Prive, who not only offers comprehensive travel insurance but can also assist with booking plane tickets. However, you are welcome to arrange coverage and travel plans through your own agent or preferred provider.
Chad Morse | CEO & Founder | Cap Prive
chad@capprive.com
Ready to Join?
You can book this trip in three quick steps :
1. Read the terms and conditions below
2. Fill in your booking form
3. We will send you the link to pay the deposit for all the members of your group within 48 hours
1
Read through the Terms & Conditions before you begin:
terms and conditions of booking
The present General Terms and Conditions (hereafter the “GTC“) govern the terms under which KIRA (Bacchus and Clio), a French joint stock Company with a capital of 8,000.00 euros, registered at the PARIS company under the number 878 994 300, whose registered office is 26 Boulevard Saint-Marcel 75005 PARIS, France (hereafter “KIRA” or “B&C“), offers Services to Clients, including Tourist Packages.
KIRA is also registered at the Travel Agents Registry under number IM075220023 and has taken out a financial guarantee with the APST.
It also has a professional insurance policy, n°AR772877, with the GENERALI insurer. This policy is applicable worldwide and covers risks in compliance with the French Tourism Code. It covers its professional civil liability up to 10,000,000.00 euros.
Pricing & Payment Terms
This trip may be booked either on a fully prepaid basis or with a 50% deposit, with the balance payable 45 days prior to the trip.
- €5,800 per person for double occupancy
- Additional €1,200 per person for single occupancy
At the time of booking, either full payment (100%) or a 50% deposit is required to confirm the reservation. The remaining balance, if applicable, must be paid no later than 45 days prior to the trip. No reservations will be confirmed without receipt of the required payment.
All prices are quoted in euros (€) and are subject to availability at the time of booking.
Tour Cancellation and Alterations
The Bacchus and Clio Travel Company and The America Friends of Lafayette reserve the right to cancel this trip if a minimum number of participants is not reached. In that eventuality, any payments made to the Bacchus and Clio Travel Company for this tour before the cancellation penalties dates begin will be refunded without penalty less non-refundable fees (credit card fees, hotel deposits, etc) and further obligation on the part of the Bacchus and Clio Travel Company or The America Friends of Lafayette.
The Bacchus and Clio Travel Company and the America Friends of Lafayette reserve the right to cancel the program if the tour cannot be conducted as outlined. They also reserve the right to make minor alterations that do not significantly affect the tour’s content.
Cancellation Policy – Guest(s)
Due to contractual obligations with hotels, transportation providers, guides, and other suppliers, this trip is subject to strict cancellation conditions.
All bookings require full payment 45 days prior to the trip start date.
Fifty percent (50%) of the total trip price is non-refundable as of the date of payment.
All cancellation requests must be submitted via email and are effective on the date received.
Cancellation fees are per person and apply as follows:
- From the date of booking up to 61 days before departure
→ 50% of the total trip price is non-refundable
→ The remaining 50% is refundable, less any non-refundable or irrecoverable fees (including but not limited to credit card fees, bank fees, and supplier penalties already incurred). - Between 60 and 31 days before departure
→ 25% of the total trip price may be refunded, less non-refundable or irrecoverable fees. - 30 days or less before departure
→ No refund will be issued.
If a replacement guest is found to take the cancelled place, Bacchus and Clio may, at its sole discretion, refund the recoverable amounts, less non-refundable fees and administrative costs.
Cancellation charges also apply to all pre-purchased services, including but not limited to room upgrades, transfers, special events, and optional activities.
Once travel has commenced, no refunds will be issued for unused services or portions of the tour.
Our Responsibility
The Bacchus and Clio Travel Company is your representative in securing the requested arrangements during your tour in France. The Bacchus and Clio Travel Company, its agents, and its employees act only as agents for the passenger regarding travel by road, or by mode of transportation or local conveyance within France and assume no liability for personal injury, property damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity incurred by any person arising out of the negligence of an air carrier, hotel or person engaged in conveying the passenger, providing rental cars, or rendering any of the services or accommodation being offered during these tours; nor shall the Bacchus and Clio Travel Company be responsible for any injuries, death, damages, loss or delay in any means of transportation or because of any event beyond The Bacchus and Clio Travel Company’s actual control. The passenger must bear any such losses or expenses. The right is reserved to substitute hotels of similar category or change schedules without prior notice should circumstances require. In the event of a change of itinerary necessitated by factors or conditions beyond the actual control of the Bacchus and Clio Travel Company, such as strikes, political and social unrest, labor problems, climatic aberrations, or any act of God, no refund can be made, nor will credit be given, provided that in the event of such change, the Bacchus and Clio Travel Company shall offer accommodations and services of comparable quality and standards as outlined in the itinerary.
We have provided the contact details of a recommended air and travel insurance agent. We strongly advise utilizing their services to ensure coverage for any unforeseen issues that may arise.
Changes and Modifications
A service charge per booking may apply for each change made after the initial booking request has been approved by you and the service confirmed by the Bacchus and Clio travel company with the supplier. Airlines and other vendors may assess cancellation fees for cancellations, which will be passed on to you. In some cases, suppliers of services may provide no refund, such as for accommodation. Once travel has commenced, any changes or cancellations are at your expense. Information will be given on request at the time of booking.
2
Complete the form for yourself and any other members of your travel party.
To help minimise international credit card fees, Bacchus & Clio is working with with our trusted U.S. partner, Cap Privé, who securely processes credit card payments for U.S.-based clients. This allows us to offer a smoother and more cost-effective payment experience.
If you have any questions, our team is happy to help.
3
To secure your place, you may choose to pay the full amount of €5800 EUR (approx. 6 746.62 USD as of January 9th, 2026) per person, or a 50% deposit now, with the remaining balance due one month before the trip.
We’ll send you the payment link within 5–7 business days.
4
You’ll receive a receipt via email and your spot will be confirmed. The tour management team will contact you in due course with further travel information and to collect the remainder of your balance.
Additional Information
Fees or activities are subject to change and are payable at time of final payment.
The program is in English. Knowledge of the French language is always helpful, but absolutely not necessary.
Concerning physical health: we will be walking about 2-3 hours per day, and will primarily use coach transportation to get around. If you prefer to use taxis or Ubers, they are readily available but will be at your own expense.
Any dietary restrictions or allergies should be communicated to us through your application form.
For further questions, don’t hesitate to contact us at contact@bacchusandclio.com
Questions?
Drop us a line and we’ll be happy to help: contact@bacchusandclio.com