Introduction:

Paris is a city where the past and present intertwine, and where every cobblestone whispers stories of art, love, and transformation. In Midnight in Paris, Gil Pender’s magical journeys with Hemingway, Picasso, and Gertrude Stein remind us that the legends of yesterday can inspire the leaders of today. As you walk the city with storyteller Peter, you’ll explore how art and story can help you become the author of your own legend—or not. This four-hour odyssey blends cinematic locations, the Hero’s Journey, and the 12 archetypes, inviting you to reflect on your creative leadership and the legacy you want to leave.

Timeline & Journey Stages

Time	Stage & Archetype	Location & Film Connection	Reflection & Art/Story Moment
09:00	Ordinary World (Innocent, Everyman)	Place Vendôme (opening sequence, Gil’s present-day comfort zone)	“Where are you living by others’ expectations? What routines define your ‘ordinary world’ as a leader?”
09:30	Call to Adventure (Explorer, Rebel)	Saint-Étienne-du-Mont (Gil is picked up at midnight, first leap into the past)	“What creative longing or bold idea is calling you? What would it mean to step into your own ‘midnight’?”
10:00	Meeting the Mentor (Sage, Creator)	Musée de l’Orangerie (Monet’s Water Lilies, echoes of Gertrude Stein’s wisdom)	“Who are your creative mentors—real or imagined? What wisdom do you need to hear?”
10:40	Crossing the Threshold (Outlaw, Warrior)	Le Polidor Restaurant (Hemingway’s haunt, Gil’s first 1920s night)	“What risks must you take to leave your comfort zone? Which rules or conventions must you challenge?”
11:10	Tests & Allies (Hero, Caregiver, Lover)	Shakespeare & Company (creative community, literary allies)	“Who are your allies and supporters? How do you nurture creative resilience and empathy?”
11:40	Approach to the Inmost Cave (Shapeshifter, Shadow)	Musée d’Orsay (Picasso, Dali, and the art of transformation and doubt)	“What doubts or shadows do you face? How do you move through creative uncertainty?”
12:10	Ordeal & Revelation (Magician, Ruler)	Maxim’s de Paris (Belle Époque, meeting Toulouse-Lautrec, Gauguin, Degas)	“How do you turn struggle into breakthrough? What is your unique vision as a leader?”
12:40	Return with the Elixir (Jester, Sage)	Banks of the Seine (Gil’s final choice, new beginning)	“What story will you now tell about your journey? How will you inspire others to see—and create—differently?”

Descriptions of the Art & Places

• Place Vendôme: The elegant square where modern and historic Paris meet, reflecting Gil’s initial comfort zone and the tension between present and past.
• Saint-Étienne-du-Mont: The magical church steps where Gil is whisked away at midnight, symbolizing the threshold between ordinary life and creative risk.
• Musée de l’Orangerie: Home to Monet’s Water Lilies, evoking the timeless beauty that inspired the Lost Generation and Gertrude Stein’s nurturing of new talent.
• Le Polidor Restaurant: A historic haunt for Hemingway and other literary greats, where Gil first meets his heroes and steps into the world of the 1920s.
• Shakespeare & Company: Legendary bookstore, a haven for writers and dreamers, echoing the creative camaraderie Gil finds in the past.
• Musée d’Orsay: Masterpieces by Picasso, Dali, and others—reflecting the shapeshifting nature of art and the courage to experiment and transform.
• Maxim’s de Paris: The heart of the Belle Époque, where Gil and Adriana meet artists who remind us that every era longs for another golden age.
• Banks of the Seine: The place of Gil’s final awakening—choosing authenticity, rain, and a new story over nostalgia.

Conclusion:

Midnight in Paris teaches us that true creative leadership isn’t about escaping to a golden past, but about embracing the beauty and challenge of the present. As you finish this journey, ask yourself: Will you remain a spectator, or become the author of your own legend? Like Gil, real transformation comes when you choose to see your life—and your leadership—with new eyes.

Takeaway Questions for Creative Leaders

• Where are you clinging to nostalgia instead of embracing your creative present?
• Who are your mentors and creative allies, and how do they shape your courage?
• What is your “midnight car”—the opportunity or risk you must take to grow?
• How do you transform doubt or adversity into creative breakthroughs?
• What legacy or “elixir” will you bring back to your organization or community?

Practical Details

• Duration: 4 hours
• Price: €590 per person (includes guided walk, reflection workbook, and coffee at a historic Parisian café)
• Group Size: Max 10 leaders for deep dialogue
• Includes: Peter’s “Hero’s Journey & Archetypes” map, film-inspired reflection prompts, and post-journey leadership insights

This is not a sightseeing tour—it’s an invitation to step into your own midnight, and to create a legend worthy of Paris and your own creative spirit.