The Team Behind the Tours
At the heart of Picturesque Voyages is the dynamic collaboration between Susan Taylor-Leduc and Julia Leduc, a Franco‑American mother-daughter team whose combined expertise forms the cornerstone of our signature experiences. Susan, a nationally‑certified guide, art historian, and experienced educator, leads our tours with passion and expert insights. Her deep knowledge of French gardens and cultural heritage, which earned her accreditation from the French Ministry of Culture and UNESCO, ensures that every tour is both enriching and engaging. Julia, with her strategic vision and operational expertise, guarantees that each experience meets the high standards of excellence and authenticity our clients expect.
Susan Taylor-Leduc, PhD
Founder & Executive Director
“Picturesque Voyages was born from two enduring passions: my intellectual curiosity about garden history and my desire to share that passion with others. After 25 years teaching art history to American University students in Paris, I founded Picturesque Voyages to share my knowledge about France with lifelong learners of all ages. I am thrilled to pass this vision on to my daughter, who is revitalizing our brand for a wider audience”.
- Susan Taylor-Leduc
Susan is an internationally-recognized art historian with 25 years experience as an educator in Paris and a specialty in garden history. She regularly writes articles and reviews in scholarly journals, having been published in Journal 18, Sense & Society and Sitelines: A Journal of Place among others. Her book, Marie-Antoinette’s Legacy: The Politics of French Garden Patronage and Picturesque Design, 1775-1867 was released by Amsterdam University Press in November 2022 and earned her the J.B. Jackson Book Prize in 2023. She received both a Master and Doctorate degree from the University of Pennsylvania and was awarded several fellowships to support her doctoral research. She is currently a researcher affiliated with the Centre de recherche du Château de Versailles.
Julia Leduc, LLM
Chief Executive Officer
“I joined Picturesque Voyages to expand the company’s mission of sparking travelers’ curiosity and encouraging them to connect deeply with French heritage. Our mother-daughter partnership reflects our commitment to one another and our dedication to passing on our passion for cultural tourism to future generations.”.
- Julia Leduc
With a Masters Degree in Contract Law, Julia has built a robust legal background through internships with bailiffs and law firms and work for a real estate law office. Her legal expertise, combined with a genuine passion for entrepreneurship, enables her to design and deliver travel experiences that are not only unique but also deeply enriching for every client.
She completed an accelerator in entrepreneurship, Action’elles, refining her skills in strategic analysis, leadership, finance, and project management. Working in partnership with Susan, Julia oversees all Picturesque Voyages legal matters and strategic development.
Since launching Picturesque Voyages in 2019, Picturesque Voyages has become a member of the Paris Office de Tourisme and of the Professional Association of French Guides (FNGIC). Susan is one of the FNGIC delegates to the European Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (FEG) to promote professional tour guiding across Europe. She is also certified to guide tours to UNESCO world heritage sites.