Paris Walks?
 

Has anyone used the services of Paris Walks for guided walking tours of the city? From what I understand, the tours are led by Brits and Americans and include topics such as Hemingway's Paris and Jefferson's Paris. <BR><BR>(I'm almost positive I've seen this topic covered here in the past, but I'll be darned if I can get the search function to work today. So I apologize for the repetition.)

Jane, try putting "Paris Walks" in quotes. Several threads come up. If the search still doesn't work for you, I'll post the URLs.

Sue, would you mind posting the URLs, if it's not too much trouble? For some reason, every time I've tried to do a search on this site recently, my browser "thinks" for a long time, then simply freezes. Perhaps, like me, it's just ready to finally get to Paris.<BR><BR>Many thanks.

These tours seem like such a bargain (10 Euros for 2 hours). Does anyone know how big the groups on the tours are? Has anyone taken any of them recently?<BR>You can access its site at either www.parkingwalkingtours.com or www.park-walk.com.

<BR>This is straight off the site. It is 155 euros for a two hour group tour. Private tours naturally, a more expensive.<BR>"The price of a guide for a two hour tour starts at 155 Euros and depends on the number of people in the group."<BR>Are we talking about the same company here? Paris Walks? They do not say how many people they can accomodate in the group.<BR>The price for the small group 2-8 (depending upon which tour you select is either 195 euros for 2 and a half hours or 195 euros for 3 hours.<BR>Also stated on the site: (Transport and refreshments not included. The guide is your guest for refreshments)<BR>Hope this helps.

Hmm, I just looked at the web site and I also read 10 euros per person. I didn't see anything about 155 euros. I was looking at www.pariswalkingtours.com. 10 does seem cheap, but 155 seems way too expensive per person.

Very confusing site. At the bottom of the page there IS a listing of walks for 10 E. How can you go wrong? The description of the walks at the bottom and the prices are substantially different from the walks mentioned at the top of the page, which must be their "more popular" walks?<BR>Otherwise, why would there be such a difference in the price? If I was interested, I'd write or call them just to make sure.

Gets excellent reviews by people who taken one.<BR>Paris Walking Tours.<BR>Peter and Oriel Caine <BR>12 passage Meunier<BR>93200 St Denis<BR>France <BR>Tel: 011-33-1-48-09-21-40<BR>Fax 011-33-1-42-43-75-51 <BR>E-mail: [email protected]<BR><a hr...gtours.com</a> <BR>about 2 hours - No reservation required.<BR>Adults: 60F <BR>Students (under 25) 40F <BR>Children 30F.<BR>For more Paris information e-mail me: [email protected]<BR>

Hi Evelyn.I was originally looking at the private large group tours.<BR>You must admit, their site could use some organization and designing help.<BR>LOL

Fodors thread which has reviews of paris walks by other fodorites.<BR>http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2

Jane, here are 3 that have a little information. The others involved usually one person recommending them. (sorry, I was off treadmilling--no in-line skating for me!)<BR><BR>http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessages.jsp?fid=2&tid=1319029<BR>http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessages.jsp?fid=2&tid=1293006<BR>http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessages.jsp?fid=2&tid=88079<BR>

Thanks, everyone, for your input. The tours sound like quite a bargain, and the topics are intriguing. We'll have to spring for the 10 euros and take a tour while we're in Paris later this month. <BR><BR>I'll be sure to post my review when we return.

I think the pricing is pretty clear:<BR>10 euros for a group tour that is an unlimited size;<BR>155 euros for a private "group" tour of 2 to 8 people (limited size).<BR>

I understand that, Paule. My question is: Does anyone know exactly how big the groups can be on any tour?

No Paul. That was exactly the reason for my confusion. The "large" group size is not specified and the 2-8 person group is 195 E.<BR>I finally got it (today is not a real clear day for me)LOL and I also realized that my threads were not complete when I sent them out.<BR>Please forgive. Will take ginko beloba tomorrow.

Howard, if you understand Paul- you understand "wrong".<BR>Why not write to them and ask. They have an e-mail address on the site.<BR>

In addition to the guided walking tours you may be interested in, before you go, just FYI, check out www.hemispheresmagazine.com, then go to the bottom column and click on the "Three Perfect Days" link. On the left hand column, point and click on "Paris". Hope it's helpful!

I took their Marais tour on New Year's Day this year - freezing weather, but we had at least 15 people in our group for the 2 hr walk. Very informative and interesting, and yes, a good deal for 10 euros/60 FF. (Our guide had the challenge of making change in francs and euros for the first day of the euro!) I found the tours listed in the Pariscope in their Time Out-Paris section. I'd definitely recommend to others!

First of 2 parts:<BR>Just received a reply from them.<BR>Hope this helps.<BR>PARIS WALKS 2002<BR>General Information No need to reserve, except where specified. Tours go<BR>rain or shine. Prices are indicated on each tour. Tours last about two<BR>hours. Meet your guide above ground at the metro exit. Paris Walks Tel: 01<BR>48 09 21 40<BR><BR>Private Tours Our scheduled tours can be arranged for groups. Contact us<BR>for details. <BR>For families or small groups: make the most of your stay in Paris with our<BR>Introduction tour: 3 hours in the company of a guide to show you Paris. A<BR>selection of the famous sights or some of the typical neighbourhoods, or a<BR>mixture of both. We have child friendly guides. Call us for more details.<BR><BR>The following walks are offered all season from April to October 31st 2002<BR><BR>Walks last about two hours and for these ones there is no need to reserve. <BR>(There are other tours to choose from on the full monthly brochure,<BR>available about two months in advance)<BR><BR>Every Monday 10.30am Ile de la Cite and Notre Dame<BR>Read the stories in the medieval sculptures and hear how this marvellous<BR>gothic cathedral was built. We also look at the history and architecture of<BR>the Ile de la Cite, and visit the poignant memorial to those deported<BR>during the Second World War.<BR>Meet at metro Cite (line 4). Price 10 euros<BR><BR>Every Monday 2:30 pm The Latin Quarter<BR>A walk through this atmospheric district to see highlights and hidden<BR>details. Roman remains from ancient times, charming old streets, the story<BR>of medieval scholars and the famous Sorbonne university, still a place of<BR>learning today.<BR>Meet metro Maubert Mutualite. (line 10) Price 10 euros<BR><BR>Every Tuesday 10.30am The Historic Marais Circuit 1. Saints and<BR>Sinners<BR>The Marais is the most beautifully preserved quarter of the city. Discover<BR>medieval houses, atmospheric old streets, beautiful classical architecture,<BR>two lovely churches, the antiques shops in the Village St Paul, and the<BR>place des Vosges, Paris' oldest square. A host of colourful characters<BR>lived here including dissolute duchesses and aristocratic poisoners.<BR>Meet at metro St Paul. (line 1) Price 10 euros

Part 2 (there may be a part three)<BR>Every Wednesday 10:30 am The Village of Montmartre<BR>A picturesque route to see the unique vineyard, old cobbled streets, <BR>artists' studios where Renoir, Lautrec and Van gogh painted, quiet gardens,<BR>the oldest cabaret in Paris, the lively place du Tertre with its artists,<BR>the famous Sacre Coeur church, and a wonderful view over the city. <BR>Meet at metro Abbesses. (line 12) Price: 10 euros<BR><BR>Every Wednesday 2.30pm The French Revolution<BR>In the historic Latin Quarter, see where the main protagonists lived and<BR>met. Hear the chilling stories: Dr Gillotin's sinister "razor", Marat<BR>stabbed in his bath by Charlotte Corday. See the oldest cafe in Paris and<BR>the radical Cordeliers debating club.<BR>Meet at metro Odeon, at the statue. (Line 10 or 4) Price 10 euros.<BR><BR>Every Thursday 10.30am St Germain-des-Pres<BR>With its wonderful cross section of Paris, this a perfect introduction to<BR>the city: the old abbey church of St Germain, the oldest church in Paris,<BR>the stately St Sulpice with the beautiful murals by Delacroix, charming<BR>streets, old squares, artists' studios, famous literary cafes, the Paris<BR>Fine Arts school, and the hotel where Oscar Wilde died. <BR>Meet in front of the church of St Sulpice, nearest metro St Sulpice (line<BR>4) or Mabillon (line 10). Price 10 euros<BR><BR>Every Thursday 2:30 pm The Historic Marais. Circuit 2. Murderers and<BR>Mistresses.<BR>In this beautiful historic neighbourhood we hear tales of famous<BR>inhabitants and enjoy elegant classical architecture and quaint old<BR>streets. We see some splendid mansions: the beautiful Soubise Palace, the<BR>Hotel Sale, now the Picasso Museum and the Hotel Carnavalet, where Mme de<BR>Sevigne lived, famous for her witty letters telling of life at the time of<BR>the Sun King. We walk through the Jewish quarter and finish at the lovely<BR>place des Vosges, the city's oldest square.<BR>Meet at metro St Paul. (line 1) Price: 10 euros<BR><BR>Every Friday 10.30am Hemingway's Paris<BR>The colourful Mouffetard district of the Latin Quarter. Explore this<BR>charming quarter with the quaint old houses of the Mouffetard market<BR>street, associated with James Joyce, George Orwell, and also French writers<BR>Balzac and the disreputable poet Verlaine. Hemingway lived here and<BR>describes the neighbourhood in his last book "A Moveable Feast" .<BR>Meet at metro Cardinal Lemoine (line 10). Price: 10 euros<BR><BR><BR>

(Part 3)<BR>I have also asked them to explain why some posters say that the guides are sometimes NOT at the meeting places at the scheduled times. We'll see what they have to say.<BR>Every Friday 2.30pm The Village of Montmartre<BR>Meet at metro Abbesses (line 12). See description for Wednesday. Price 10<BR>euros.<BR><BR>Every Saturday 10.30am The Historic Marais. Circuit 1 . <BR>Meet at metro St Paul (line 1). See description for Tuesdays. Price: 10<BR>euros<BR><BR>Every Saturday 2.30pm There is always an afternoon tour to choose from,<BR>selected our repertoire. Details are published on our monthly programme. <BR><BR>Every Sunday 10:30 am The Village of Montmartre <BR>Meet at metro Abbesses (line 12). See description for Wednesday. Price: 10<BR>euros<BR><BR>Every Sunday 2:30 pm The Historic Marais. Circuit 2. <BR>Meet at metro St Paul (line 1). See description for Thursday. Price: 10<BR>euros<BR><BR>Every Sunday 2.30pm There is always an afternoon tour to choose from,<BR>selected our repertoire. Details are published on our monthly programme. <BR><BR>

Adding on to Pam's helpful posting, the website lists the tours daily for the month of April, while you can email them for the May day-by-day schedule. It makes it a little easier for planning.<BR>

Hmm, Pam, you're right-- I was a little hasty in my reading of the website. It is a bit confusing, with private tours and group tours all lumped together. And some "private/group" tours start at 155 euros, and then there are are the ones at 195 euros. So, I was wrong-- it wasn't that obvious!<BR>But I'm NOT Paul, I'm Paule! (that's PAULA, with an 'e'....)

Thank you Paule.<BR>Paris walks just replied to the question I had regarding the number of people in the tour as well as an explanation of why one of our poster's complained about not having a guide at the scheduled time and metro station.<BR>Here is their reply which is most interesting (especially the part about the American guide)<BR>

<BR>Thank you for your message.<BR>Our guides always wait for the clients at the metro stop. They always give<BR>an introduction at the meeting point so that there is time for latecomers<BR>to join us. This is our policy.<BR>The group size is very variable. There are sometimes very tiny groups<BR>(perhaps 3 people) but the guide is always there to do the tour and there<BR>are sometimes mega groups of 50 people. Mostly there are about 25 people.<BR><BR>99% of our tours take place without incident.<BR>I have a huge file of compliments and thankyous from hundreds of satisfied<BR>clients.<BR><BR>If there was no one at a meeting place it is for a reason: <BR>1. There was a misprint in information advertising our tours (this is quite<BR>rare but occasionally happens)<BR>2. There was a strike (this is quite usual in Paris but its rare the guide<BR>does not make it)<BR>3. We have an American guide who the clients really like but she has<BR>occasionally not turned up for a tour because she has a disorganised life<BR>style. We have not sacked her because the clients really like her as a<BR>guide. <BR>2. The client is in the wrong place at the time advertised or at the right<BR>place at the wrong time. (This is the usual reason why a client thinks<BR>there is no guide for the tour. We know this because mostly when they call<BR>in and complain there was no guide we know there were in fact tewnty or<BR>thirty clients who did find the guide at the place advertised.)<BR>

2 yrs ago we took their tour of Monmartre; it was wonderful! The guide was informative and charming. There was a bit of confusion as to where to meet the group. We were not sure whether we were to join them in the metro station or where above.