Paris Walks

English-language walking tours in Paris since 1994

Paris Walks runs its own guided walking tours in Paris, in English, and describes itself as "The leading english language walking tour company in Paris. Founded in 1994." The footer names Peter and Oriel Caine, and the homepage says tours are "led by a small team of professional guides with many years' experience." Everything on the site happens in Paris and its immediate region: neighborhood walks, museum visits, and a guided tour of the Basilica of St Denis just outside the city. Prices are in euros.

The homepage is specific about the guides: "They are all native English speakers but have lived in France for years, speak excellent French and know French culture well." It also takes a swipe at "tours misleadingly advertised as 'free'," arguing that with the tips expected "you will pay a similar fee for a tour given by a professional who is really knowledgeable." The site quotes press coverage, including the Mail on Sunday giving its Montmartre walk 9/10 and the Economist describing "enthusiastic guides who educate visitors about the architecture and history of Paris."

Scheduled walks

"From March - November we offer at least one tour a day, at 10.30am costing 25€ per adult." The homepage calls it "Two hours of enjoyment discovering Paris at a gentle pace for 25€." The monthly program is emailed on request or downloadable from a "This month and Next" page. The most popular tours are grouped like this:

• Neighborhoods: Montmartre, the Marais, the Latin Quarter, Saint Germain, Ile de la Cité and Notre Dame, and the Islands and the Marais.
• Thematic tours: the Occupation, the Revolution, Hemingway's Paris, Writers of the Left Bank, Paris Fashion and Jefferson's Paris.
• Off the beaten track: Pere Lachaise, Medieval Paris and the Templars, the Flea Market and Art Nouveau Architecture.
• Museums: the Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, Carnavalet, Rodin and the Cluny Medieval Museum.
• Food tours: Chocolate and Pastry Tasting, and Taste of Paris.

The site says it can "accommodate Sabbath observers on our regular Saturday tours" and offers a Jewish History in Paris tour. The homepage also argues that the mix of fellow walkers is part of the appeal, noting that some will be "people who live here and enjoy learning about their city."

Private tours and museum visits

Any tour can be run privately. Private walking tours start at "240€ for two hours, 270€ for 2 and a half hours," and the private tours page adds that three hours usually costs 300€, all "may depend on the number of people in the group." The Islands and the Marais walk starts on Ile de la Cité, looks at Notre Dame, "which is under restoration," passes the memorial to the deported and Ile St Louis, and ends in the Marais; the site recommends 2.5 hours rather than 2. The Introduction to Paris is "3 hrs starting at your hotel" for 300€, or 400€ for 4 hours with a market visit, with food extra at 25€ per person. A Eurostar day for visitors arriving from London meets at the Gare du Nord and costs 350€ for 3.5 hours or 450€ for 4.5 hours. A guide for a full day is 550€.

The museum tours are priced separately from entry. The Louvre Highlights tour covers the Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory, the Venus de Milo and the Coronation of Napoleon: "Price starts at 270€ plus entrance 35€ per adult. Groups limited to 6 people. The tour lasts 2 and a half hours." Tickets "must be booked through Paris Walks (The Museum Pass is not valid for this tour)." The Musée d'Orsay is 240€ for 2 hours plus entrance. The Opera Garnier, the Rodin Museum, the Cluny Museum and the Basilica of St Denis each start at 230€ plus entrance or reservation fees, and the Carnavalet tour is "Ideal for groups of up to 10, larger groups possible." The descriptions are detailed: the Louvre tour walks "in the castle moat" to show how the building grew from a medieval fortress into a royal palace, the Opera tour includes the grand stairway and "Chagall's beautiful ceiling in the auditorium (sometimes closed)," the Carnavalet visit takes in a complete Art Nouveau jeweler's shop and a collection of old shop signs, and St Denis covers the royal tombs, including a memorial to Marie Antoinette and Louis XVII. The private list also offers the Sewers, a Street Art Tour and Versailles.

Families and practical details

The children's page offers a "Family friendly Introduction to Paris" with guides "experienced with children." The guide collects the family at the hotel and covers Notre Dame's carved figures and gargoyles, the flower market, Ile St Louis, the medieval kings' palace, the oldest bridge and the Louvre pyramid, and "the guide can take you on the metro so that you feel confident about using the excellent Paris public transport on your own." It lasts 3 hours for 300€, "Transport not included. The guide is your guest for any refreshments." Montmartre, the Marais and the Revolution are suggested as family themes, and "the Chocolate tasting tour is very well received by young people!"

Booking is by email, and the phone numbers are +33 1 48 09 21 40 from abroad and 01 48 09 21 40 from France.

What the site leaves open, and who it suits

The homepage and tour pages do not give meeting points for the daily 10.30am walks, and the daily schedule is stated for March to November only, with a separate Winter Walks page in the menu for the rest of the year. Nor do they publish a cancellation policy or a group-size cap for public tours, or describe how accessible the walks are for visitors with limited mobility.

The strengths are real: a long track record, a fixed public price of 25€, published private prices, guides who are native English speakers living in Paris, and a candid explanation of what is and is not included. It suits curious visitors who want to go beyond the main sights, readers drawn to themes such as Hemingway, the Occupation or the Revolution, families who want a gentle introduction to the city, and anyone after a small private museum visit. Booking is by email, so travelers who want to book instantly online will need to write first.