Ah, even more good stuff. Thanks to for chiming in. Paris Muse Clues was just the kind of thing I had in mind and wondered if it existed. Marsha -- love your second post about the reason we even attempt it! Thanks for the affirmation.

Oh dear, Muse Clues was sounding great until I checked out their website and realized that the 3 hour tour is 380E for a family of four. That's a bit over budget for us.

So, not that he is a second choice by any stretch of the imagination based on the rave reviews, can anyone who has benefitted from Michael Osman's services give me a ballpark on his pricing structure? I didn't see it on his webpage when I linked yesterday. Thanks in advance.

Feel free to e-mail me at [email protected] if you'd rather.

I always suggest not posting Michael's charge because I don't think it is fair to him. But I will say that it is the biggest bargain in Paris. Just ask him.

Molloy95-- I just got a wonderful book in the mail today that sounds like it would be great for you and your kids. It's "Louvre in Close-Up" by Claire d'Harcourt. She takes about 25 works of art from the Louvre, from all different time periods, shows each one in beautiful color reproductions and then in little circles on the page shows details from the art work. You need to find the place on the art work where that detail is. At the end of the book she gives more detailed information on each piece. (Sorry, it's hard to explain the book -- put I think it would be perfect for a 6 and 9 year old. Look it up on amazon.com and you can see sample pages.) I'm planning on looking at it with my 9 year old before our visit in June. I want him to experience the Louvre, but plan to keep it limited so he doesn't get overwhelmed and bored.

Emvic: thanks for the rec, that sounds like a great book and is just the kind of thing I'm looking for -- and I'll bet it doesn't cost 380E ;-0. Funny, I was scrolling through posts looking for this one while you were responding. I got to about 200 and freaked, thinking it had disappeared before I had the chance to print it out. Have a great time in Paris with your 9 year old!

Gretchen: fair enough, I'll take your word for it and e-mail him, as he sounds awesome. I'm getting a little ahead of myself -- we are thinking about a September timeframe, but there's nothing I love more than planning a trip.

As Gretchen mentioned, Michael's fee could not be more reasonable. I never mention it just in case he's decided to increase it a bit since we last engaged him and I wouldn't want to publish an incorrect amount.

Please note that many complain of not receiving an instant response to an e-mail to Michael Osman. When busy and booked solid, Michael is out and about all day and does his best to keep up with e-mail on a not too reliable internet connection. He responds in order of dates of visit (so would reply to those inquiring about next month before many months away) and takes the time to send a comprehensive response, no matter how long and detailed the inquiry.