<<and her website includes info about her policy on refunds, which isn't generous. I know 4 people who have gone on her tours, and just chalked it up to a less-than-wonderful experience.

It is possible that she intends to refund your money, but many times with French banks, this could take a couple of months.
In the meantime, I suggest you go directly to your credit card company and report fraud. Give them all the pertinent information and let them handle it. You might have enough grounds to get your money back.>>

on the basis of what the OP posted [below] on what basis would she NOT have enough grounds for a refund? if a merchant offers a service which THEY cancel, then it's difficult to see how they could justify not refunding in full.

<<"Wendy Lyn" responded to my messages stating that she had fallen ill and had sent me a message notifying me - I just had not received it. She seemed sincere and promised to refund my payment of $496.85>>

Bookmarking as well!

It's true that any banking matter can take longer in France than the typical American is used to, but it still seems as though this should have been resolved.

But the bigger question, for me, is who in their right mind would book a culinary tour of Paris that cost close to $500? What could you POSSIBLY see or learn about food that you couldn't do perfectly well on your own, with or without French language skills?

And the crying bit is specious at best. A grown adult cries because someone doesn't show up for a food tour? I guess jetlg could be responsible for that, but it does seem off-normal. Call your credit card company, for heaven's sake, and dispute the charge. You paid for something you didn't get. Put on your big-girl panties and make a call.

I agree with annw. Follow her suggestion re cc.

I haven't signed on for a very long time! and do miss the Fodors site! Was busy studying!

I found this old thread and wanted to add a recent recommendation. We were in Paris mid-April and did a wonderful tour with Paris By Mouth. Great tour, really interesting just fun. It was all around Le Marché des Enfant Rouge, the shop Charactere de Couchon in Rue Charlot was fantastic!! The cheese place nearby and the wonderful boulangerie Atour du Pain in Rue, 134 Rue du Turenne, best croissant award for 2015. We went back there later to buy breads for dinner later.

However, there was a couple in the group, very enthusiastic foodies! They had done a tour with Wendy Lyn, Paris Kitchen and were totally disappointed. They paid E160 per person and felt it was a total rip off, boring, she talked about herself most of the time, who she knew and was just fake. The tastings at the market she took them to where free anyway, just a waste of time. The wine bar they ended up at was crowded and felt they were rushed to finish the tour. I felt sorry for them as they were people who genuinely love food and did enjoy very much their tour with Paris by Mouth and wished they had booked this tour only.

We are now in the Lot region and highly recommend the english speaking tour of prehistoric cave drawings of Perche Merle, amazing!!! We are staying at a gorgeous hotel called the hotel St Cirq de Popie with views of the medieval village. We have a couple more days here exploring the region. Happy to get back on Fodors!!