Hi Adrienne,

I thought both companies (tour guides) did a great job. For me, the French Revolution tour was much more interesting.

Have a great time!

Monica ((F))

Thanks Monica! I already had the French Rev tour w/Paris Walks on my itinerary. They've added quite a few new tours in October which I hope to be able to do.

I was looking at your site and postings from your May trip and got some good ideas - thanks! Leaving this afternoon for a month!

A month, WOW!! Have a great time and be sure to post your trip report. I'm always looking for restaurant suggestions and new sights to see.

Monica ((F))

I'm very lucky to be there for a month. The only reason I can do this is that I'm a contractor for a telecom company and work virtual. I had the bright idea to work in Paris for a month and got permission to do that.

So part of the day I will be working but I'm trying to work US ET hours which will give a good part of each day for sightseeing (up to about 2 or 3 local time). Some days I'll work during the daytime and have the night off since there are a few things I want to do at night.

I've set up a blog and will have a laptop with me so I'll be updating that as I have time. I'll add you to the distribution list. You are one of my favorite people as you inspired me to buy a computer and set up a web site! don't expect you remember that but I do and always will.

No, I don't remember helping you with a computer or web site. Sorry! But yes, please add me to your list. I would love to read about your trip, at least the beginning until I get on the plane on the 8th for my trip!

Monica ((F))

If you love art and like to tour museums, I can recommend Paris Muse:

www.Parismuse.com

The guides are all graduate art students from the US and the tours are limited to 4 people. They offer visits to the Louvre, Musee d'Orsay, Marmottan, Pompidou, Rodin, etc. I have taken about 8 of their tours and have been very satisfied.

another vote for Michael!!!

I just wanted to add that I found a site for free walking tours in Paris. It hits all the highlights and last about 3.5 hrs. They say if you enjoy the tour then you can tip the guide at the end but otherwise there is no cost involved. Tour info can be found here:

http://www.newparistours.com/

Michael Osman might be hard to get in touch with..he's always booked solid..but he gives it his all . will go anywhere , spend as much time as you can stand, and is so reasonable you can't believe it. He's great with kids and loads of fun and info. Really personal and not like some speil from a canned tour.

I can't thank all of you enough. You are a wealth of information. Many of the tours are closed during the Christmas week but because of all the responses I found plenty to do. The Segway tours have reduced hours (only 9:30 - we were gonna go for it) The Paris walks are down for that week but the classic walks emailed me that they will have some tours. So THANKS VERY MUCH

Codergrlli - some nice person also posted a link to this website: http://www.parisgreeter.org/home/ It's something to check out... Volunteer Parisians who love their city!

Gretchen - thanks for the info on Michael Osman. I found his website and bookmarked it. For anyone else interested, it is http://tinyurl.com/2ujz2q

We just returned yesterday from France. We hired Michael's friend, Scott, for a day tour of Paris. Is was the best find we've ever had. He picked us up at our hotel at 9 am and took us on a private tour of Paris that we would never have seen on our own or in a group. He returned us to our hotel late in the day. We bought lunch and paid a very modest amount for his day. Don't even give it a second thought. it is more than worth it. Betty Try: Parisfind

I believe it is on aol.com
Parisfind

Michael has 2 websites. the one posted above by nbbrown and also

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

I've read many good reports on Micheal Osamn (and a few about never hearing back from him). Lately I've noticed a couple of comments that I'd like to understand better. A few people have stated how great a deal it was and well worth the monye....but then say that they can;t reveal the price. May I ask why? If I'm considering hiring someone, I'd like to know ahead of time how much...is it 50E, 100E, 300E...pourquoi pas un prix?

Thanks so much for all the information-I'm planning our tip now!

I don't do it because I don't think it is fair to Michael. He may want to raise his price (it has gone up modestly over a few years).
All you have to do is contact him. I will say it is so much less than the tour buses and the bonjour Paris types that you wil be amazed. And the personal touch and personality is so good. Michael is a great guy-we also met his friend Scott and he is super nice guy also.
Contact him--the fee won't be a secret, for heavens' sake.

We just got back from Paris with our 17-year-old, and we loved the L'Opentour hop-on-hop-off double decker buses.

You pay one flat fee to ride all day from about 10 a.m. to 5 p.m...and a second day is only about 3 euros more. When you pay (you can buy your ticket on the bus), you are given ear buds when you pay that you plug in next to your seat and give a running narration in half a dozen languages. The tour of the main route takes about 1 1/2-2 hours, depending on traffic. Because of traffic, the pace is pretty slow and there's plenty of time to see everything.

There are 3 other loops that you can also ride if you like. What's nice about the hop-on-hop-off option is you can simply get on at the stop closest to your hotel and get off for lunch or whatever wherever you like.

We did this on our first full day as a way to get oriented and also to see the places we wanted to see but not necessarily spend time at (Opera Garnier, Place Madeleine, etc.). We were still a little wiped out with jet lag, so it was nice to sit back on a bus.

The English website is http://www.paris-opentour.com/en/tarifs.htm

We also did the Vedettes du Pont Neuf and loved that too. We went at dusk and saw everything lit up...just magical.