Our Founder
Douglas Arthur Pierce decided to create Vendôme Circle out of a desire to offer unique and exceptional experiences to the curious and discerning traveller, eager to both discover the rich literary, artistic and intellectual history of France and immerse oneself in an art de vivre that leaves one renewed and transformed.
Originally from Minnesota (USA), Douglas moved to Paris in 2013, after having visited numerous times. He has also travelled to 21 other countries in Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia and visited 40 of the 50 states in the US. He has accompanied groups in Italy and Spain and worked for a time as a personal assistant to the vice-president of a major university, coordinating his travel plans and visits for his personal guests.
Vendôme Circle flows out of all these experiences and very much represents Douglas’s vision of travel. For him travel—just as much as life—is something to be savoured. He believes that travel is about memorable and unique experiences: enjoying an excellent meal in good company, visiting the places once inhabited by one’s favourite authors and artists or simply watching the sun set over the Mediterranean.
While travel has always been a major component of Douglas’s life, prior to founding Vendôme Circle he also spent part of his life in academic pursuits. Indeed, it was his decision to pursue graduate studies in France that led him to move to Paris. He is currently writing a dissertation on the literary portraits of Jean-Paul Sartre at The Sorbonne, where he also did a Master’s in Contemporary Philosophy. His academic and cultural interests now provide the cultural vision for Vendôme Circle.
He lives on the Left Bank, a short walk from the Luxembourg Gardens, The Sorbonne and Saint-Germain-des-Prés, his neighbourhood of choice.
