Hi all,
I am bringing my sister and her 4 children to France for a week in August. I would love to show them Paris while there, but the thought of bringing all the kids around Paris (youngest is 5) by ourselves is a nightmare. I was interested in looking into a minibus/private guided tour. I've looked on the Internet and there are MANY options and MANY differing prices.

I would very much appreciate any first hand information my fellow fodorites could give me of experience with a Paris private guided tour, prices and reliability of the tour.

Many thanks in advance.

ttt

I've used Context in Rome and they are very good but very expensive.

Paris Walks is a reasonably priced company that does private tours. I've taken at least a dozen of their walking tours plus a bus tour of Vaux.

Michael Osman (I've used him for 1 day and he comes highly recommended on this board).

I think a minibus would be difficult in Paris or any city. It's easier to get around by foot or public buses.

http://www.contexttravel.com/paris/

http://www.paris-walks.com/

http://www.geocities.com/parisfinder/

Michael Osman
Michael Osman
Michael Osman

I've used him many times and he's wonderful. He'll tailor your visit as you wish (once we did a "Hemingway walk through Montparnesse that was great fun!)

I am blanking on his web site, but I have no doubt 50 other people will be able to provide it here.

I've already provided Michael's web site which gives his email address.

Hi all, appreciate your advice on walking tours but we will have two younger children, ages 5 and 9. I think a walking tour would be too much for such young children. I myself have driven around Paris once and while congested, I think that a private mini bus with a/c would be the best and most relaxed way to bring 3 children around Paris. I have a few quotes from different companies, but don't know the reliability of them. The companies are -

Waticar Voyages
Alliance Travel
ComeToParis.com

Any advice from those that may have used these companies or any others would be very much appreiciated.

FYI, All, Yahoo sent a note about geocities shutting down. If this is so, Adrienne that eddress for paris finder might be old?? I didn't pay much attention to the yahoo mailer as I had set up a geocities and never got back to it.

Not a private tour but I thought the hop/hop off bus was very informative and takes you around the most important sights. Get on early for best seats. We use LOpen Tour bus.

Michael's geocities link still works. His tours are not all walking, raather he gets you used to using public transportation. And he is particularly good with children.

<< appreciate your advice on walking tours but >>

pastyp - I have given you 3 recommendations of companies/individuals who will tailor tours to meet your needs. They are all reliable. As I have stated, I have used all 3. These are not exclusively walking tours (as I have stated above). Please read their web sites. You have specific requirements and will have to contact the companies for their pricing.

Paris Walks and Context both do private tours; Michael Osman is an individual who does private tours. If you want to use a car/mini van that will be at your expense. Simply send an email stating your requirements and ask for a quote. They will be able to provide you with information on car rental.

If you don't like these recommendations then I suggest you check Trip Advisor for your own list of companies.

TDudette - Thanks for the heads up on geocities. The site is still active as of the other day when I checked it. Michael's email address is on that site and it should be current.

Just to update, I used a company called Alliance Travel and was very pleased with them. Our party of 8 was picked up from St Lazare station by a smartly dressed unifomed driver. The minibus turned out to be a large 15 seater mercedes van with the all important AC (Paris on the day was very hot at 37 celcius).

The driver who was very knowledgeable, took us on a 5 hour tour stopping at places of intertest and also stopping when requested for photo opps, toilet breaks and an unscheduled picnic in the Jardin de Luxembourg.

All in all the 5 hour tour cost 340 euro. It was a great, hassle free way to see a little of the city with children. I'd highly recommend this company who were professional and effiecient during all my dealings with them.