Tour Guide help in Paris
 

I am due to travel to Paris this November if all is well. We are a bit concerned still, but thought that the help of a guide might be of use to us while visiting the city. They could possible help my wife and I to see more of the sites and to avoid areas of the city that we should not venture into. If anyone has used a guide in Paris I would like any information about them. Thanks for your help.

Veronique Jouvance <BR>23, rue de L'Ille <BR>75007 Paris <BR>France <BR>Tel: 011-33-1-42-60-50-34 <BR>Veronique is a lovely, fun French woman who speaks English and specializes in spending a day or half day with women whose husbands are working. She will go shopping with you, sightseeing, and can be your guide during your stay in Paris. <BR> <BR>Christiane Ladon <BR>E-mail her at [email protected] <BR>Chris will pick you up at your hotel and help you get oriented. Your itinerary or hers. She is bilingual and non-smoking. Shopping, restaurants and photos tips too. <BR> <BR>Rachel Kaplan <BR>29, rue Patrice de La Tour du Pin <BR>75020 Paris <BR>France <BR>Tel: 011-33-1-44-64-76-26 011-33-1-45-77-01-63 <BR>Rachel gives private walking tours <BR>For more Paris information e-mail me – [email protected]

Dear Joe: <BR>Hello. I'm an American guide living here in Paris. If you are interested in more information about my services you might check out my website: <BR>www.geocities.com/parisfind/ <BR>Thank you for your consideration. <BR>Sincerely, <BR>Michael

Hello, thanks for the information. Got in touch with everyone mentioned. Just waiting now for responces to my request for assistance while in Paris. <BR>Joe

Hi. Thanks again to everyone on the board for their advice. I have received recommendations for the American guide posted, and I appreciate the support from others about traveling during these uncertain times. This was part of our reason to seek the aid of a guide. We thought we would feel safer with someone more familiar with Paris than we ever would be looking at a book and map. <BR>Thank you all again. <BR>Joe and Rita

Joe, <BR>Could you let me know which one you chose, as I am looking for a guide and one of them was charging $600 a day! without transport or entrance fees. I was hoping for 2 days. Is this normal? I got put off trying the others, but was wondering if you have found someone more reasonably priced. <BR>

Dear PWelch: <BR>We have hired one of the "posters" here on the Fodors board. His name is Michael, and he seems to know what he is talking about when it comes to Paris. We only want him for some walking tours of the city, especially the big museums. He has quoted us a very reasonable price, and says that he will stay with us the entire day. His price for just us as a couple, is 60 dollars. This seems too good to be true, but he sent a list of references that we checked out. Everyone answered and said very nice things. They quoted this price-or something close to this per couple. We just have to pay for his entrance price. We will probably get us all museum card passes as he suggested. We are leaving at the end of this week if all goes as planned. We plan on using his know-how for at least two days while we are there. If we like him we might ask for some extra time. My wife felt that having a guide now would be a good idea. I have come around to her way of thinking, especially since this seems such an easy price to pay. I could never afford 600 dollars! for the day-that to me seems silly. Maybe you should try the guy Michael. He has left his info above. That's where I found it. <BR>When are you planning your trip? If we are back before you have gone I will be happy to write you our reviews. Good luck. Maybe we'll see you over there. <BR>Joe.

Wow. I can't think of any guide in any town ever costing 600 bucks. What kind of service could they be offering that would make the price so high. The 60 dollar deal sounds great, and almost too good to be true. <BR>I wouldn't think you would really need a guide for Paris. Still, with things the way they are in the world now a days, I don't blame you. If the guy knows his stuff he should keep you safe and out of the creepy neighborhoods of Paris. <BR>Good luck. <BR>Pat

Hi. Has anyone else had any experience using one of the tour guides listed here. Thinking of making the trip to Paris in the spring. Thought the use of some sort of a guide could be fun and helpful.<BR>Thanks.<BR>El

I had a guide for one of my earlier trips. He made dinner reservations, chauffeured us around, ordered our meals (then I did not know how to read the menu - then he would come back and pick us up after dinner). It was lovely. He was quite a bit older than we were and his choices were not what we would pick. <BR><BR>I think it is important that the guide be keyed to your interests and tastes. We hired him for three days. Now I would not think of hiring a guide because I can get around quite smoothly.<BR><BR>If you don't know Paris and you don't have time to put in about 100 hours or more planning what to do, I think a guide sounds reasonable.<BR><BR>Seriously, this is my 6th trip and I have put in way over 100 hours in on planning the itenerary. <BR><BR>

Any feedback on the tour guides suggested? Unfortunately Joe's email address does not appear to be functioning. Joe?<BR><BR>Thanks!

Point well taken maria callas, I was lucky that my use of a guide in Paris was not an older person, I guess. Our guide did actually do many of the same things that you mention except drive us around. We wanted mostly touring on foot. Can you tell his name? We were lucky probably to find a gentleman that had simular interests to ours, or at least tuned into what we our interests were. <BR>Markus

I just wanted to note that we used Michael's services last week and were quite pleased. He is especially good in the museums as befits an artist and a good source of intown information. Recommended highly.

Michael, Do you have any further information about this guide. What was your experience with him? Has anyone else used his services? I think that I have seen information posted by others recommending his services. But what happened to Joe? I would have liked to hear what he had to say. <BR>Sandy

Sorry, I just noticed he had posted the adress to a webpage. Still, it would be great to hear someone's personal experience with "parisfind"/Michael. Is he as inexpencive as was mentioned here. It seems too good to be true. I wanted some additional information before I write a request.<BR>Thanks again,<BR>Sandy

Just wanted to let you know that we did use Michael for an all day tour of outdoor markets, Samarataine store view, Louvre, Orsay, Mephisto shoe store (9 a.m.-8 p.m.). $60 for the day and well worth it. He is really a go with the flow kind a guy and his knowledge of the art museums are really his forte (helped make these two museums more manageable).

Just wanted to let you know that we did use Michael for an all day tour of outdoor markets, Samarataine store view, Louvre, Orsay, Mephisto shoe store (9 a.m.-8 p.m.). $60 for the day and well worth it. He is really a go with the flow kind a guy and his knowledge of the art museums are really his forte (helped make these two museums more manageable).

There is a Mephisto store in Paris and he did not take us there? He should be flogged.

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I am hoping Joe sees this post - I wanted to know how his your went. We are travelling to Paris in June and I would love a guide for the Louvre

A guide for Paris?? What are you nuts? The best guides are books like GoParis and Frommers. Then get a Metro pass and a Museum pass and some real good walking shoes. Be committed to seeing the different arrondisements in Paris because they all have a distinct character. Eat at street venders as well as restaurants (panini and crepes etc.) Don't miss the coffee. Say "Bonjour" or "Salut" whenever you enter a store or restaurant, hotel, etc as the French always greet when they meet. Don't miss the Musee d'Orsey Musee de Rodin and Musee Picasso. The Louvre is big and cumbersome and you won't be able to remember what you saw except for the obvious. See the Eiffel Tower at night (and day of course). Walk, walk, walk. Unless you are from Houston. Or have tons of money to spend.

Antoinette, at www.parispersnalized.com is one of the best in Paris. It is hard to make recommendations for someone on this board, as it sounds like advertising. But, I have recommended her for over 2 years now, and I have never regretted it as I've heard nothing but rants, raves, and thank you's. She is very specialized in history, neighborhood walks etc...she really enjoys bringing people as close as possible to the 'real' Paris. I've lived between here and there for 12 years, and she is STILL teaching me things...her passion is amazing and contagious. Rachel Kaplan is $600 a day!? Bon voyage! Wendy

Well, I haven't visited this sight in quite a long while. It was a real surprise to me finding my old post still around. Excuse me for my not posting a report sooner than this, but following our wonderful trip things got hectic once home, and then the holidays were suddenly upon us. I finally had a chance to visit this site this weekend. Again, I am very surprised to find my original posting still around. <BR>I can now only give praise for both the city of Paris, and to a wonderful young man that helped us appreciate better all that we saw there. We did hire Michael as our guide. He was a person that was mentioned here on Fodors. We took the chance of hiring him over the Internet after visiting his webpage and frequent emailings. My wife and I felt very lucky to have found him. Michael helped us to see so much more of Paris than we ever could have on our own. Someone has just posted that it is silly to hire a guide for Paris. I must say both my wife and I felt that hiring a guide was the smartest thing we have ever done. We have traveled in the past to other countries, but this time we didn't want to be reading guide books or following maps. We are also not as young and confident as we once were. It was truly a pleasure for both of us not to have any worries walking the streets and riding the subways. Michael was not only protective of us, but had a vast knowledge about everything in Paris. He is an artist so it was most interesting to hear his views on the great art through the ages. <BR>Michael's prices are quite reasonable. It would be complete madness for anyone to pay $600 dollars for a tour guide. I am quite shocked that anyone would charge this amount no matter how many books they have written (I am familiar with Ms.Kaplan's books). Michael shared not only his knowledge of history, and art, but also what it is like to be an American living in Paris. For us a major aspect of our pleasure was the fact that Michael really wanted to share his love of Paris with us. Again, it will be an experience we will never forget. We were thinking of making another trip abroad this year, possibly Italy. We are so tempted to return to Paris after our wonderful time there. We fell in love with the city with Michael's help. I know that if we do return this year, we would definitely want to call Michael if just to spend time with someone we feel became our friend. Please feel free to contact me directly if you have any questions about Michael our guide. <BR>Thank you. <BR>Regards,<BR>Joe and Rita

What a lovely post, Joe. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Glad to hear you had such a wonderful experience.

This is something to consider for our trip in the spring. Do you think a guide can help make the sites more interesting for teens?<BR>Dan

I just typed in the address given:<BR><BR>www.geocities.com/parisfind/ <BR><BR>And I got an error message that says the page is currently being built. Does anyone have a different address for this gentleman?<BR><BR>Thanks!

You can contact Michael at [email protected]. He is a great guide and you will love touring Paris with him!

Thank you very much Peg! I just wrote him. I also found out that that the correct page is here:<BR><BR>http://www.geocities.com/parisfinder/<BR><BR>I'm anxious to hear from him!<BR><BR>Jennifer

Hello. Thought I had seen this posted months back. Was happy to have found it still here. Will get in contact with Michel tour for my family trip this summer. Thank you all.<BR>

YES!YES! Michael is a real Paris find! We spent five days in Paris last month and the two best days we had were spent with Michael as he guided us through The Louvre, and the areas of St. Germain, The Latin Quarter, Le Marais and to the top of the Eiffel Tower. He is professional, courteous, has a great sense of humor and lets his clients set their own pace and agenda. He met us at our hotel and from there we rode the Metro system and on buses. What a relief it was to have some one know which line to take! When I mentioned the type of shopping I was interested in, Michael knew just where to go and he was also very helpful in menu selection at the restaurants and cafes. We hope to return to Paris next year and we are just hoping Michael will still be there and doing what he is so good at. <BR> <BR>I would be happy to give you any further recommendations for Michael or answer any questions other Paris visitors may have.<BR>Sincerely,<BR> <BR>Nancy

Hello. I've just been in contact with Michael for a future tour while I am visiting Paris in June with my husband. It seems that his price has gone up a bit from the $60 mentioned here to $75. This still is a fair price to my husband and I. I thought I should to mention this update here since I just recieved the letter from Michael with the change. We are still going to use his services through the dates we are in Paris. <BR>I have found other guides while surfing the Internet that cost up to $200. There is even someone mentioned here for an impossible rate of $600! <BR>Anna

Will be spending one day in Paris booked through British Shrinkers. We arrive at 10:30 a.m. and then have a 2 hour tour of the major sites. However, I cannot find out if the tour guide stays with you for the rest of the day and into the evening (will be leaving via Eurostar at 7:30 p.m. returning to London. I have read all the postings regarding Michael and was wondering if anyone on this board knows any particulars on the guide through British Shrinkers. If not, would like to consider hiring Michael for the remainder of our day in Paris. I assume you must pay his admissions to the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, etc. Also, do you pay for his lunch, drinks, etc? Would like to know this beforehand re: an estimate of Euros needed for our day in Paris. If anyone has any knowledge of the British Shrinkers tour, your comments and info would be greatly appreciated. If not, I am seriously considering contacting Michael at his e-mail address. Thank you for any and all info.

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Up for Morrison.<BR><BR>

We just returned from Paris. We spent two days with Micheal. Even though I have been to Paris before, traveling around town with him was a great experience. We went to places that we would have never had found on our own.<BR>COntact Micheal trough Parisfind on the web. You will be happy that you did.

To Scaltreto, if your guide does not stay with you, and you need someone you should try and contact Michael. Spent just half a day with him plus a full one the following day. Did a good deal more with his assistance than we probably could have alone. Good Luck.<BR>Nan

Thanks to all for your replies.

We just returned from Paris. We spent two days with Micheal. Even though I have been to Paris before, traveling around town with him was a great experience. We went to places that we would have never had found on our own.<BR>Contact Micheal through his e-mail address: [email protected]. You will be happy that you did.<BR>

here is that chain of responces

I know the best tourist guide for Paris !<BR>His name is Michael Osman, I have used his services and he was Excelent.<BR>Can not say enough good things about him; he is Knowledgeable about Paris as far as History and Culture goes. And he's got a very good personality, he's polite and most important he is very reasonable.<BR>Here is how to conctact him - e-mail him [email protected]<BR><BR><BR>Please feel free to contact me if you need more information.<BR><BR>Enjoy Paris<BR><BR> <BR>