Tour Guide for Paris
in France
We're taking the Paris to Normandy tour in early September 2025. We've decided to arrive in Paris three days early to take in the sights before the cruise embarks. Does anyone have recommendations for local tour guides who can help us navigate the city and make the most of our time there?
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As the most popular sites should be seen from the inside, it might be better to pre book tickets for you priorities, eg Louvre, Monet, D’Orsay, Versailles, inside the Eifel tower, opera etc etc
I'd recommend purchasing Rick Steves Pocket Paris guidebook. It's small, provides detailed info, recommended walking tours, maps, and his recommendations for tour guides and such. The current volume was printed in 2023 so double check on details like hours, ticket prices, etc. For free you can find a ton of advice on his website that has sections on European cities/countries and a traveler forum that's very active.
I also recommend to google Viator, I used them for Paris once, went with them to Montmartre.
In reality, it depends what your interests are. Do you enjoy the museums or would you rather do a French cooking class, a chocolate tour? A wine and cheese tasting tour? A Seine river cruise (not my favorite since it’s too touristy) The possibilities are endless.
As mentioned, look on Viator or Tours By Locals - I’ve used both in different foreign cities.
Excellent licensed tour guide and company- Flora Goldenberg. She and her company, Jewish Paris tours, https://jewish-paris-tours.com/ specialize in the Jewish quarter/Le Marais district but will take you anywhere and customize a tour to meet your needs. We used her to visit Saint Chappelle, the Conciergerie, and the Louvre.
We did a tour with Anne C. of Tours by Locals…sorry, don’t remember her last name. She was terrific. We did the Left Bank, wanted to go with her to Montmartre but she was booked. Look at the website and see the tours she offers, I’d highly recommend her.
JamesBoyce - Consider sending an e-mail to your hotel’s concierge and ask for assistance in finding someone. I have done this in other cities but primarily when visiting museums. I would much rather pay a college student working on her/his advanced degree than a middleman.
Some thoughts on what you can easily do yourself in Paris…
Hop-on-Hop-off bus. Take the longest route without getting off and make notes of areas of interest. Take the route again and get on and off as you please.
Explore the smaller museums such as Musée Rodin. I am assuming the Louvre is included as part of your tour.
Montmartre is a wonderful place to explore. Take the little train/trolley to go up and then back down the hill. The views of the city are unparalleled.
The Marais area offers museums, Jewish history and wonderful side streets to explore.
And probably the best…just walk…some of our best memories are the unscripted ones.
Enjoy!
We enjoyed ‘Paris Food Tours by Sylvia’. Six people max. We did the one in the Latin Quarter. Sylvia is delightful. And knowledgable.
