Tour Guide help in Paris
Feb 9th, 2002, 12:09 PM
#21
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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.
Feb 9th, 2002, 01:14 PM
#22
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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
Feb 9th, 2002, 03:44 PM
#23
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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
Feb 20th, 2002, 07:10 AM
#26
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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!
Feb 20th, 2002, 07:43 AM
#27
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You can contact Michael at [email protected]. He is a great guide and you will love touring Paris with him!
Mar 30th, 2002, 02:31 PM
#30
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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
Apr 1st, 2002, 01:36 PM
#31
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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
Apr 2nd, 2002, 09:04 PM
#32
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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.
Apr 4th, 2002, 07:32 AM
#35
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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.
Apr 8th, 2002, 02:52 PM
#36
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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
Apr 14th, 2002, 12:58 AM
#38
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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>
Apr 25th, 2002, 11:23 AM
#40
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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>
