PARIS — Before the film version of "The Da Vinci Code" opened in theaters around the world, Connie Kubicek joked that she would need a megaphone once it did. Kubicek, a guide for Classic Walks of Paris, has taken fans through the Paris of Dan Brown's novel since February 2005. An estimated 8,000 people have participated in the tour during the past 15 months, according to Classic Walks owner David Mebane.
Kubicek's tour begins beneath a statue of Napoleon in front of the Hotel Ritz Paris at Place Vendome. This is a logical start for "Da Vinci Code" fans because it's from the Ritz that the book's hero, professor Robert Langdon, kicks off a frantic race to crack the Da Vinci Code, elude the police and at least hint at getting the girl.
Departing the Place Vendome, Kubicek proceeds to the Louvre museum, relating the "Da Vinci Code" tale, calling attention to scenes described in the book and pointing out, somewhat gleefully, the details that Brown got wrong.
Among these:
— A person can't see the Pompidou Center and the Musee du Jeu de Paume from the esplanade in the Tuileries garden as Brown suggests.
— Not even the police could navigate a car through the Tuileries garden and up the stairs to the entrance of the Louvre.
— Jumping out of a bathroom window — an exciting escape scene in the book — is impossible. The bathrooms don't have windows.
— I.M. Pei's glass pyramid in front of the Louvre does not have 666 panels of glass. How many it has is a debated question.
Liberties with reality aside, the first part of the walk is stunning. It's a short trip along the Rue de Rivoli and into the Tuileries garden, through the esplanade that leads to Pei's glass pyramid, which has served as the entrance to the Louvre since 1989.
Kubicek does not lead her tour into the museum but quickly skips to the end of the novel and the inverted pyramid in the shopping mall below the Louvre. It's definitely a spoiler for anyone who has not read the book, an ever-decreasing number.
From the Louvre, Kubicek takes walkers on the Pont des Arts over the River Seine, through the windy streets of the 6th Arrondisment and to the Church of Saint-Sulpice, where her tour comes to an end.
Access www.classicwalksparis.com.
THE CHURCH OF SAINT-SULPICE
This Catholic church, which dates to the 17th century, is among places braced for an onslaught of "Da Vinci Code" visitors. A plaque contradicts Brown's description of the church history:
"CONTRARY TO FANCIFUL ALLEGATIONS IN A RECENT BEST-SELLING NOVEL, THIS IS NOT A VESTIGE OF A PAGAN TEMPLE."
The note also asks visitors to note that the "P" and the "S" in the windows on each side of the transept stand for Saints Peter and Sulpice, not the keepers of Brown's secret, the Priory of Sion. In addition to an imposing interior with a second story of windows, the church has an obelisk that serves as a sundial of sorts.
Again, a posted note cautions against granting the instrument any special meaning: "NO MYSTICAL NOTION CAN BE DERIVED FROM THIS INSTRUMENT OF ASTRONOMY EXCEPT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT GOD THE CREATOR IS MASTER OF TIME."
The church is beautiful and imposing. I was also charmed by the thoughtful and upscale order of the neighborhood with its narrow cobblestone streets, wonderful shoe stores and cafes whose red awnings glitter after an afternoon rain.
Access www.patrimoine-religieux.qc.ca/ssulpice/ssulpicee.htm.
THE LOUVRE
Last year this celebrated museum welcomed 7.3 million visitors — up from 6.7 million in 2004 — and administrators believe some probably were drawn by "The Da Vinci Code." More tourism growth is anticipated after release of the film, which includes scenes shot within the museum.
"It really is like the Alpha and the Omega in the story," said Elisabeth Guillerm, who has guided tourists, mostly Americans, through the Louvre in search of the code.
Through the centuries, the Louvre has served as a fortress and royal palace. Since 1793, it has been a museum and now offers three wings to view some of its 35,000-work collection of art.
My tour with Guillerm left little time for lingering. "Dan Brown didn't pick Michelangelo as one of the Priory of Sion masters, so we won't stop," Guillerm said with a chuckle as she whisked visitors past walls of masterpieces.
Guillerm's full tour includes a discussion of the mystical feminine in art, a theme of Brown's book. In addition to pieces that illustrate the theme, she focuses on works highlighted in the novel: paintings by Caravaggio, Da Vinci's "Madonna of the Rocks" and his "Mona Lisa."
Access www.louvre.fr/llv/commun/homeflash.jsp.
CHATEAU DE VILLETTE
If following the plot faithfully, the "Da Vinci Code" trail would take visitors next to Chateau de Villette, the fictional home of Sir Leigh Teabing (Ian McKellen). It's the real home of Olivia Decker, a San Francisco-based real estate executive who bought the place in 1999.
Decker's chateau dates to about 1668 when construction started. It is called the "little Versailles" and employed some of the same architects as Versailles, about 20 miles away.
Decker said she was surprised to find her chateau in the book. Director Ron Howard and his cast and crew filmed there about five days in the summer of 2005.
As a rule, the chateau is not open to the public. Decker rents the chateau and its chef for events such as weddings and corporate gatherings at a price about $8,000 per day for a total of 30 guests. But you can book a six-day vacation in one of 15 fancy bedrooms for 3,900-4,300 euros per person (about $4,700-$5,150 U.S.). The package includes breakfast, two dinners, visits to "The Da Vinci Code"-inspired sites in Paris and lunch at the Ritz.
Access www.frenchvacation.com.