Introduction:

Art and story are powerful mirrors, revealing not just individual genius but the invisible threads that bind us together. Émile Durkheim, the founder of modern sociology, walked Paris as both a scholar and a reformer, asking: What holds a society together? How do we create meaning and belonging in a world of change? On this 4-hour journey, guided by storyteller Peter de Kuster, you’ll follow in Durkheim’s Parisian footsteps—using the Hero’s Journey and 12 archetypes to reflect on your own leadership story. Will you, like Durkheim, dare to see the deeper connections and become the architect of your own legend—or not?

Timeline & Journey Stages

Time	Stage & Archetype	Location & Durkheim Connection	Reflection & Art/Story Moment
09:00	Ordinary World (Innocent, Everyman)	Place de la Sorbonne (Durkheim’s professorship, the heart of academic Paris)	“Where do you feel part of the collective? What ‘ordinary world’ routines shape your leadership?”
09:30	Call to Adventure (Explorer, Rebel)	Rue Saint-Jacques (Durkheim’s early lectures, challenging tradition)	“What social or organizational ‘facts’ do you need to question? Where are you called to innovate or rebel?”
10:00	Meeting the Mentor (Sage, Creator)	Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève (Durkheim’s research haven)	“Who or what inspires your understanding of community? What wisdom shapes your vision?”
10:40	Crossing the Threshold (Outlaw, Warrior)	Collège de France (site of academic debates, Durkheim’s struggle for sociology’s place)	“When have you faced resistance to new ideas? What risks must you take to lead change?”
11:10	Tests & Allies (Hero, Caregiver, Lover)	Jardin du Luxembourg (Durkheim’s walks, student gatherings)	“Who are your allies in building community? How do you nurture social bonds in your team?”
11:40	Approach to the Inmost Cave (Shapeshifter, Shadow)	Panthéon (Durkheim’s legacy, questions of meaning and anomie)	“What doubts or crises of purpose do you face? How do you confront fragmentation or isolation?”
12:10	Ordeal & Revelation (Magician, Ruler)	Musée d’Orsay (artworks depicting society, solidarity, and modern life)	“How do you transform division into unity? What is your greatest test as a leader of people?”
12:40	Return with the Elixir (Jester, Sage)	Café Procope (reflection, integration, sharing your new story)	“What story will you now tell about your journey? How will you inspire collective purpose and belonging?”

Descriptions of the Art & Places

• Place de la Sorbonne: Where Durkheim became a professor and shaped generations of teachers—reflect on your own influence and the communities you serve.
• Rue Saint-Jacques: The academic corridor where Durkheim challenged tradition and introduced sociology to a skeptical Paris.
• Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève: Durkheim’s sanctuary for research and writing, a symbol of the Sage archetype and the pursuit of deeper understanding.
• Collège de France: A site of intellectual struggle, where Durkheim fought for sociology’s legitimacy—reflect on your own battles for innovation and acceptance.
• Jardin du Luxembourg: Where Durkheim walked and met with students, nurturing the bonds of community and shared purpose.
• Panthéon: The resting place of great minds, and a place to consider legacy, meaning, and the dangers of “anomie”—social fragmentation.
• Musée d’Orsay: Home to masterpieces depicting the changing fabric of French society—pause at works like Courbet’s The Stone Breakers or Millet’s The Gleaners to reflect on solidarity, division, and the collective.
• Café Procope: Paris’s oldest café, a hub for intellectuals and revolutionaries—perfect for integrating lessons and sharing your new leadership story.

Conclusion:

Durkheim’s Paris teaches us that leadership is not just about vision, but about weaving the social fabric—creating meaning, belonging, and resilience in times of change. As you finish this journey, ask yourself: Will you remain a spectator, or become the architect of your own legend? Like Durkheim, true leadership means seeing the invisible bonds that unite us, and daring to strengthen them.

Takeaway Questions for Creative Leaders

• Where are you reinforcing “social facts” that need to be questioned or changed?
• Who are your mentors and allies in building community and meaning?
• What is your “anomie”—the risk of fragmentation or isolation in your team or organization?
• How do you transform resistance or division into unity and collective purpose?
• 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, Durkheim-inspired reflection prompts, and post-journey leadership insights

This is not a sightseeing tour—it’s an invitation to weave your own social fabric, inspired by Durkheim’s Paris and the enduring quest for meaning and community.