We are a group of four in search of a private tour guide in Paris in mid-May 2016. We are 70ish, capable of walking distances, and are interested in tours of city sights, not inside museums. We prefer tours of about 4 hours. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. We are staying at the Hotel Relais Bosquet, near the Eiffel Tower.

Michael Osman comes VERY highly recommended

http://parisfind.info/heritage/

Michael wasn't available when we were in Paris several years ago,so he arranged for us to tour with Scott Emerson, who was
great. We would highly recommend him, and Michael always earns raves.

We have done several free and low cost walking tours in Paris on 3 previous trips (and other cities worldwide) which have all been excellent with just 1 exception.

We have signed up for a tour with Paris Greeters ( have gone on tours with them in Marseille). We will be doing a tour in 2 weeks, I will post back and let you know how it turned out. You do have to request 2weeks in advance and give them a few dates.

http://www.greeters.paris/?lang=en

I am sure the above tour guides are excellent but they are also costly.

Viator is another place to look, but again, expensive.

If you would like in-depth information about the city - or about different aspects, like food, architecture, etc - I would recommend Context Travel. You can either arrange a private tour tailored to your interests, or can choose from a "ready-made" version and go with a small group or individually. I've been on 4 of their tours, and highly recommend them, especially if you're looking for more than just a stroll around the city.

Sorry, forgot the link:
https://contexttravel.com/city/paris

Another vote for Michael Osman and Scot Emerson. We've done several tours in and out of PAris and all have been delightful and informative.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...n-171892-2.cfm

We used Michael on our last trip and loved him. Trying to get him for our summer trip with kids. Have sent him 2 e mails (about 3 weeks ago) and have still not heard back...

<I am sure the above tour guides are excellent but they are also costly>.

If this refers to Michael, I would say, not true, maybe from lack of knowledge?. I don't know what he charges now--and I have always refrained from posting his fee because I thought it unfair if and as he changed it. BUT he gives a FULL day personal tour and for our group of 8 (family) it was a BARGAIN plus, it was incredibly personal. We had him with us for 2 days--one for the city and one for museums. Our folks wanted him to come along with us for a third day, he was so much fun. I will mention that I had originally met him at an AOL board GTG in Paris one time!!

I commented to him (all our family were adults) that he should be a teacher--he would be terrific with kids in engaging them and teaching. He is an artist in his own right and his accompanying us for spots in the Louvre and Orsay were VERY instructive.

Sometimes cost can be quite subjective-- for example, I think bus tours of Paris are very "costly"--"here is the outside of the Invalides built in __, by __. Inside you will find......"
That ain't Michael!!

I don't think fees should be a big secret if he is in business.

But what is expensive to one is not to another, you never know. If someone wants a private guide, I would guess they kind of know what that sort of things costs.

Another recommendation for Michael Osman; we spent a day with him in Paris in March, and cannot wait to go back and book him again.

I wouldn't post his fee because it has been some time since we went with him. It's not a secret if it is current and on his website perhaps.
But there is also the fact that some guides charge per head--so it might be expensive for one but not a family.

And personally, when I looked at other guides fees out of curiosity, I WAS shocked!!

Used Michael in September and it was $150.00 for the day. As always, he was fantastic!

how long did it take him to get back to you? I know we paid for his lunch and wine and wine bar when we went.

At times he can be lengthy in getting back as reported here sometimes.
That is a bargain price--not much different from many years ago. And yes, lunch and a glass of wine at the end of the day.

Context Travel charges 88 EU per person for a 6-person group, the tours last 3 hours, no wine or lunch required.

So, for $350 the 4 people plus 2 other strangers will get a 3 hour tour.
Michael--8 hours with a 20E lunch and maybe 10E wine--and good company.
I think I can do that math!! LOL

$150 for the day is an incredible bargain - if that's what it is. He must be doing it for love - since it certainly isn't for the money.

I find that figure difficult to believe. Sorry.