With its myriad cultural wonders, charming neighbourhoods and culinary spoils, Paris is bursting at the seams with fascinating discoveries. It’ll take more than a few days (read: months) to uncover them all, so if you’ve only got a matter of hours to spare, dive right in with a small group or private walking tour. Here are three of the best jaunts hosted by city insiders.
Secrets of Paris
These highly personalised, thematic tours feel more like hanging out with a clued-in, stylish friend than a professional tour guide. Led mainly by writers and journalists who have spent years scribing about the city, the array of popular half-day jaunts includes a guide to the city’s street art, museum meanders minus the queues and by-the-hand visits to boutique, made-in-France labels. Alternatively, customise your own trip. Tel: +331 7120 4227 / email secretsofparis@gmail.com / secretsofparis.com
Context Travel
Whether you’re looking for a general intro to Paree or want to reserve your precious time for sampling some of the city’s most exquisite delicacies, book in for one of Context’s educational city see-arounds. Conceived by exceptional hosts, who are experts in their fields (think: historians, architects and chefs, each tour is limited to six people. Choose from more than 30 geographic or thematic ambles, most of which can be completed in 3-4 hours; should you be travelling en famille, check out their jaunts tailored for budding culture vultures too. Tel +1 800 691 6036 / contexttravel.com
Paris Deluxe & Arty
Anne Muraro is the A-list go-to, but mere mortals can also snag a few hours with the stylish art expert when in town. Combining a deep interest art history with several years experience in hospitality, Anne offers VIP access to the who’s who of art and fashion, and leads neighbourhood tours, personal shopping trips and gallery visits to lesser-known marvels, including the ravishing Musée Jacquemart-André and Musée National Gustave Moreau. Très chic! email amuraro@sfr.fr / annemuraro.com
Originally produced by LUXE for PenCities.
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