Hiring a guide for Paris?
 

Does anyone have recommendations on hiring a guide for Paris?

We are visiting for one day and thinking we may want to have a guide. Still thinking about it at this point but wanted to get some recommendations

I tried doing a search and I guess didn't search correctly as I didn't come up with what I was looking for

Thank you

Contact Michael Osman. His website is http://www.geocities.com/parisfinder/. We spent a wonderful day with him in Paris. He will plan the day around what you want to see. Search his name here and you will find many other glowing recommendations.

I second Michael but he is notorious for not answering emails. If you only have one day and he doesn't answer your email until a week before you arrive you might find yourself in a panic about whether he is going to be available.... When he isn't available his friend Scott helps out too.

If that doesn't work and you just want to get a fun overview of the city and a "lay of the land" before heading out on your own you can take one of the Fat Tire Bike Tours which start under the Eiffel Tower.

Thanks everyone

I'll third or fourth Michael...do read Maitaitom's trip report on Paris.

And Nichole...you are really advertising and that's not allowed here!

Here's another HUGE recommendation for Michael Osman.

I have another very highly reccommended guide if you can't get hold of Michael Osman.
If you would like her details please post an email address I can send the particulars to.

Tod: I'd like your recommedation. I've been emailing Michael Osman to no avail (so far). Thanks. [email protected]

Good Lord. Michael Osman isn't the only guide in Paris. Hasn't anybody tried someone else?

There's lots of advertising here. Some people are just more subtle about it than others.

And yes, if one tour guide didn't answer my e-mails in a reasonable time, I would look elsewhere.

Can anyone recommend anyone else beside Michael. I don't like dealing with anyone that isn't answering emails reliably

So sorry everyone! I didn't mean to advertise on the site (I now know the rules and will follow them) and I have emailed Fodor's to have my comments removed from the site. Sorry about that!

try Barbara at www.thefrenchside.com - I originally used her for a photo tour and she was great! She also does other tours...

Here, here, Robespierre - I totally agree. There are other guides & frankly I was not impressed with Michael Osman. He has such a loyal/rabid following here that I've never mentioned it, but since you're inquiring, I'd say look elsewhere.

For sure, there are lots of others, and we've hired more than several. But, Michael is positively superb in many, many ways, and, most definitely the very best.

There are very good reasons why, and also very good reasons why so many are unsuccessful booking him...

You might check parisphototours.com. I have not taken one of their tours but I am familiar with them from when I was on the AOL board. They do more than photo tours and will also customize tours to fit your needs. There is information on the website. One of the women Linda Mathieu is from Texas, married to a frenchman. I remember when she was moving to Paris. She has a blog and I check in on it from time to time..there's a link on the phototours website..it was fun to read her experiences building their house in Provence. She works with another woman who, as I recall is from Belgium and I think lived in Boston for some time and now is in Paris. So, anyway, if you don't get a better suggestion or hear from Michael, you might give them a try. There is an e-mail address on the website to contact them so you could see what they could do for you and the prices.

Suffrock - hope you got my email with the guide info.

ga9497 - I can send details if you give me an email address. This way we do not tread on any toes by advertising.
Regards, Tod

The info that Crefloors posted is quite good and these folks are friends of Michael's (just "friends" not associates, etc.)--through the AOL French board. Michael has a loyal following because he served the purpose he was hired for by those who like him. For us, it was a truly superb experience--and I had met him previously in a social situation. No need to trash him--especially if you have never used his services.

I just reread the thread, and I see no "trashing" of Michael Osman. Obviously, he is doing something right to have such a loyal following. I think what most people were suggesting is that if he doesn't have time to answer e-mails from people looking to use his services, he is quite busy, and there are a number of other excellent options in Paris.

Just to clarify - I mentioned Barbara above - I originally was matched with her through parisphototours.com (which someone else mentioned).

So, basically, I'm also second'ing the recommendation for parisphototours.com

Does anyone know the approximate costs of hiring a private guide for a day or a few hours ?

If you email me at [email protected] I can give you the telephone numbers and email for a friend of mine who has been a tour guide in Paris for 25 years and who is exceptionally knowledgable. She doesn't like me putting her info on message boards, so I don't, but many friends and acquaintances of mine have used and loved her.