This is a city that is rich in history and culture, and Paris private tour guides know what they’re doing.
It’s truly the best way to see Paris!
From the iconic Eiffel Tower to the beautiful Notre Dame Cathedral, there are so many amazing sights to see in Paris.
With a private tour guide, you can customize your itinerary to make sure you see all the sights that are most important to you.
Private Tour Guide is the Best Option
A private city tour of Paris is the perfect way to see the City of Light in all its glory.
Your tour guide will be able to take you to all the most popular sights, as well as some of the more hidden gems that you might not have known about otherwise.
With a private tour, you can also be sure to get the most out of your time in Paris. There is no need to worry about waiting in line at popular attractions or getting lost in the city.
Your tour guide will take care of all of that for you so that you can relax and enjoy your time in Paris.
“I’ve been to Paris several times,” says Rachel, an American. “The first couple of times, I kind of skimmed on the whole tour guiding thing,” she adds, explaining she has been visiting the city since the 1990s. “These days, I simply hire a guide for everything.”
Hey, Rachel is onto something here. Why bother going through the headache when someone else gets you “there”?
So, it’s totally worth it to do it!
Pros and Cons of Private Tour Guides
Private tour guides come in all sizes and shapes. Generally speaking, they will either be an individual or a company.
There are pros and cons to hiring tour guides through a company or as an individual. When hiring a tour guide through a company, the traveler can be assured that the guide is licensed and insured.
The company will also have a screening process for their guides, so the traveler can be sure they are getting a qualified guide.
“It just gave me peace of mind,” says Oliver, an Australian who went to Paris for business. “I didn’t speak French, and I honestly didn’t want the hustle of having to worry about everything.”
However, companies usually charge more for their services than an individual guide.
When Leah, an Israeli who says she loves France, first went to the city, she says she was shocked it cost so much.
“I was a poor traveler that was staying at hostels,” she says. “I couldn’t afford those prices. So, I decided to hire an individual guide.”
When hiring an individual tour guide, the traveler can often negotiate a lower price. They may also have more flexibility in terms of schedule and itinerary.
However, the traveler will need to do their own research to make sure the guide is qualified and insured.
Both options have their advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to weigh the options carefully before making a decision.
How to Hire a Private Tour Guide
There are a few ways to hire a private tour guide. One way is to contact a local tour company and inquire about hiring a guide for a private tour.
“That’s exactly what I did,” says Madhu, an Indian traveler. “I found my guide that way, and it was very nice.”
Another way is to search online for private tour guides in the area you will be visiting.
You can also ask your hotel concierge or the staff at a local tourist information center to recommend a private tour guide.
“My hotel arranged for everything,” says Pat, a British ex-pat who travels the world. “I would suggest you book a hotel in the center, and they will have you sorted.”
When hiring a private tour guide, be sure to ask about their qualifications and experience. Also, inquire about the type of tours they offer and whether they can customize a tour to meet your specific interests.
Be sure to discuss your budget for the tour in advance so that there are no surprises later.
The Best Private Tour Guides in Paris
Now that you have learned all about the private tour guides in Paris, you are probably wondering who we recommend.
Some of the individual guides that we absolutely love include:
Michel Faul
Michel is an engaging guide who speaks English and French. This guide was born in Paris and has a lot to offer you about the city. In fact, he has written several books about the City of Lights.
Michel is also licensed and is a graduate of Institut Supérieur du Commerce de Paris (ISC), a popular business school.
To contact him, visit his website, Paris Visites.
Pamela Breit Foncillas
Pamela is an excellent guide who speaks English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese!
This Spanish-born guide arrived in Paris in 2009. She says the city fascinates her and that as a traveler, she knows what others want to see.
Pamela is the founder of StrollsParis, and you can reach her or her team via the website.
Taisir Al Halabi
Taisir is a fascinating tour guide who speaks English, Arabic, French, and Hebrew!
This Lebanese-born guide is an archaeologist who can offer great insight into the city’s physical and cultural history.
A great way to get in touch with Taisir is through LinkedIn.
Now, what about some companies?
Here are the ones we like:
Mon Petit Paris
Hey, who doesn’t want to go grab a picture of the Eiffel Tower and go up on its elevator, right?
And, guess what, Mon Petit Paris is your best solution.
However, they do a lot more than that. From Moulin Rouge shows to Louvre Museum, they have got you covered.
Plus, their customer service is open every single day of the week. Visit their website to learn more.
Big Bus Paris
A great company to use if you intend to do a “semi” private touring of the city.
Just picture it: you’re decked up on the bus, grabbing pictures of iconic attractions as you drive by.
Of course, you could also hop-on and hop-off, allowing you to explore specific sites more than others.
You can choose one day or two, or classic or luxury––all up to you. Visit their website to learn more.
Bateaux Parisiens
Cruise tours are the best way to explore the city––no traffic––and Bateaux Parisiens has the best tickets.
There are a number of different types of cruises that you can take in Paris, depending on your interests.
You can find everything from river cruises to dinner cruises, and there are even some themed cruises available.
Check them out by visiting their website.
Conclusion
So, in this article, we covered the fact that private tour guides in Paris are fantastic.
Even though we gave you the reasons to do it, as well as the pros and cons of doing it, we also shared direct guides.
You got both individuals and companies!
Now you’re truly ready to go explore the French capital!
Bon voyage!
AJ Paris is a travel photographer based in New York. He is the editor of Caravanzers.
More Paris
Love Paris? Here are more awesome Paris articles:
Paris Travel – The Ultimate Guide – Paris From the Eiffel Tower to Disneyland, and from historical architecture to museums, Paris travel has it all. Here is your ultimate guide.
101 Romantic Things To Do In Paris – Ultimate Guide – Because it is the romance capital of the world, there are tons of romantic things to do in Paris! So, what are some of the romantic things to do in Paris? For example, there are things to do for date night, a quick weekend, or Valentine’s Day.
Movies About Paris – Films in the City of Lights – Because it is an incredible city, there are tons of movies about Paris! Here are films that celebrate the French capital.
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