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One day in Paris only?

Zoom into the essentials, which are not always the obvious

 

  • A short time together before the tour begins will give you the keys to the city

 

An island, a river and hills. Invisible : winds that blow from west to east

 

We meet you at your hotel (9:30 is a civilized time), with this sketch of Paris's topology, a map of the 13th-century city and a métro map. We show how they reveal the city's structure – and help you find your way.

 

As well, we suggest two major themes: the importance of monarchy and of the high culture and refinement that comes from the Court – and of  the ideals of social justice, which the Revolution inspired.

 

 

 

  • Then we show you the celebrated monuments from their most spectacular angles – as well as sites that are less well-known but as important

 


City Hall, site of festivities, executions and revolutions...

 

Power has emanated from City Hall since the Middle Ages.

 

It is among the usually-overlooked sites that we include, to reveal the town as thoroughly as your energy permits.

 

  •   Lunch: a bistro, or a "déjeuner sur l'herbe"

 

If weather permits, we choose farm products in an open-air market, to savour in a one of the city's lovely parks (in winter, we choose a cozy bistro).

 

 

  • Afternoon – in-depth visit to a chosen site, and its neighborhood : for example, the Opéra

 

 

Major 19th-century monument
A few steps away, a "Covered passage"

 

• Suggested continuation: apéritif with an artist in one lf the remaining covered  passages, vestige from the 1820's.

 

• Or a different site altogether, such as: Notre Dame or Montmartre

 

  

  • Costs for up to five participants

 

• To guide: 290€ (more than 5 hours. The guide remains with you until  the mission is over.) This is the minimum fee that guides' associations recommend and includes the roughly 50% social security deductions. (Opéra entry tickets, 9€ per person, are not included)

 

• PEF: 20% of 290€ plus dues

 

(Optional: apéritif in artist's studio, 50€)

 

• Private car or chartered taxi, 30-55€ per hour (the car may not be necessary in the afternoon)

 

Total: 290 +58 (20% of 290) = 348€ +30€ dues = 378€ (plus car / entry tickets / lunch / apérifif with artist (optional)

 
      • How to proceed

       

      • Propose your dates by email. We will answer within 48 hours. 

       

      • Reservation: Please send 20% of the guide's fee, plus dues, by bank transfer or a check on a French bank.

      °Bank transfer: If you live outside the European Union, please add 15€ to cover transfer charge.

         

        •Remunerations to guide, driver and artist (if included): please prepare in advance and give when their jobs are over.

         

        • Cancellation

         

        We return the fees, minus dues and bank charges, if you tell us of a change of plans two weeks in advance. Should we cancel, of course we return what was paid (we have never yet been obliged to cancel).

         

         

         

        Credits : Topography drawing / Sophie Dressler in Un pont pour le temps, book on Paris's evolution for children, 1986; City Hall / Bill Knight; publication / "Le petit journal", cover, July 11, 1906; Covered passage / Claude Abron