Introduction: What Creative Leaders Can Learn from Renoir

Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s story in Paris is a masterpiece in optimism, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of beauty—despite hardship. His gaze transformed everyday moments into celebrations, his curiosity led him to create a new way of seeing, and his warmth built bridges across artistic circles. For creative leaders, Renoir’s life is a lesson in seeing possibility where others see obstacles, building joy into your process, and staying true to your vision.
As you follow his trail across Paris, reflect on how you shape, color, and illuminate your own leadership story. This journey is about finding delight in your “work of art”—your life.

Timeline & Walking Tour Itinerary

Time	Location & Theme	Reflection & Questions
09:00	Start: Rue d’Argenteuil (Renoir’s childhood home area) The Ordinary World / The Innocent	What “simple joys” ground you? What beauty do you overlook in your everyday?
09:45	Louvre Museum (Copyist days & Artistic roots) Meeting the Mentor / The Sage	Who are your role models? How do you learn from the past while forging your own path?
11:00	Montmartre – Place Pigalle (Café life & Bohemian spirit) Allies and Tests / The Everyman	Who is in your creative circle? When have you felt like an outsider—how did you persist?
12:30	Lunch: Café des Deux Moulins (Montmartre) Support & Renewal / The Caregiver	How do you build and receive support? How do you regenerate joy during challenging times?
14:00	Moulin de la Galette (Painting location) Crossing the Threshold / The Explorer	When did you take a leap into the unknown? How did it feel to “go public” with your vision?
15:00	Musée d’Orsay (Major Renoir works) Ordeal and Triumph / The Creator	When did you face your greatest setback—and how did you bounce back to create something new?
16:30	Seine Riverbanks (Painting en plein air) The Rebel & Magician	How do you break free from tradition? How do you bring fresh perspective to your work?
17:30	Finale: 13 rue Cortot (Musée de Montmartre; Renoir’s studio) Return with Elixir / The Ruler	What legacy are you creating? How will your story inspire or uplift others?

Renoir’s Hero’s Journey & The 12 Archetypes in Paris

• The Innocent: Renoir’s joyful childhood, seeing wonder in ordinary life.
• The Orphan/Everyman: Financial hardship, feeling out of place in the art world.
• The Hero: Defying the Salon, joining the Impressionists.
• The Caregiver: Friendships with Monet, Sisley, and others; supporting each other.
• The Explorer: Painting outdoors, seeking new sensations, new subjects.
• The Rebel/Outlaw: Defying academic painting; seeking color and light above all.
• The Lover: Infusing warmth, affection, and intimacy into his canvases.
• The Creator: Innovating with light, shadow, and movement.
• The Jester: Capturing joy, laughter, and celebration—especially in scenes like the Moulin de la Galette.
• The Sage: Learning from Old Masters at the Louvre, yet forging his own style.
• The Magician: Turning fleeting moments into timeless light.
• The Ruler: Shaping the Impressionist movement and earning respect by the end of his career.

Reflection Moments & Questions at Each Stop

• Rue d’Argenteuil:
  What simple delights inspire you? How do you begin each day with curiosity?
• Louvre Museum:
  Who are your mentors (past and present)? How do you balance tradition and innovation?
• Place Pigalle, Montmartre:
  Who is your creative tribe? How do you handle feeling like an outsider or facing rejection?
• Café des Deux Moulins:
  How do you renew yourself? Who helps you find joy, especially in struggle?
• Moulin de la Galette:
  When have you taken a public risk or shared a radical idea? What propelled you over that threshold?
• Musée d’Orsay:
  What was your greatest challenge? How did you transform difficulty into a masterpiece of your own?
• Seine Riverbanks:
  How do you escape routine to find your own vision? What old habits or systems did you break away from?
• 13 rue Cortot:
  What will your “masterpiece” be—not just in work, but in life? How do you want to be remembered as a leader?

Conclusion: Lessons from Renoir’s Hero’s Journey

Renoir’s journey is painted in resilience, optimism, and the constant pursuit of beauty—even when the world seemed indifferent or hostile. His greatest acts of leadership were the ways he lifted those around him, found joy in adversity, and painted possibility into every scene. By telling himself a story of hope and curiosity, Renoir found creative flow and left a legacy of light.
You are the artist of your own leadership story. By seeking joy, building meaningful alliances, and daring to see the world differently, you can compose a legend that inspires and uplifts. The masterpiece of your life is waiting for each bold, compassionate brushstroke.

Final Reflection:
What story are you painting as a leader? How will you add color, light, and joy to your own legend—and to the lives of others?

Tour Details:

• Duration: 1 day
• Start Time: 09:00 AM
• End Time: 05:00 PM
• Cost: € 595 per person excluding VAT per person

You can book this tour by sending Peter an email with details at peter@wearesomeone.nl

Your Tour Guide

Peter de Kuster is the founder of The Heroine’s Journey & Hero’s Journey project,  a storytelling firm which helps creative professionals to create careers and lives based on whatever story is most integral to their lives and careers (values, traits, skills and experiences). Peter’s approach combines in-depth storytelling and marketing expertise, and for over 20 years clients have found it effective with a wide range of creative business issues.

Peter is writer of the series The Heroine’s Journey and Hero’s Journey books, he has an MBA in Marketing,  MBA in Financial Economics and graduated at university in Sociology and Communication Sciences.