"My biggest surprise was the village at Montmarte. Our guide was amazing, the hotel was beautiful and everything was so well organized! Spending 7 day in Paris was a special time for both my husband and me but Rebecca's enthusiasm, professionalism and obvious love for Paris, France and what she does was contagious. I loved every minute and plan to do another Rick Steves tour in the future. Sadly, we were canceled for the Louvre tour which was a big disappointment. Hotel was in the ideal location to access all of the popular sites of Paris and the staff was amazing. There were many little and big details that were thought out for us and made my first experience in Paris a great one. Joseph Bouvard, we came to the middle of the park with a direct view of the tower.Just then, the sparkling lights on the tower lit up as if just for us - Paris magic!". Another wow was the food. The tour guides Rolinka and Claire were different but both terrific. It was educational, exciting and overall Outstanding!!! ", "Enjoying the neighborhood around our hotel". Great tour: well managed; fun experiences; valuable free time scheduled into tour. My first Rick Steves tour was excellent - all I hoped for and more. Expect More. This was my first tour ever and it far exceeded anything I could have imagined! The hotel staff also provided excellent service. We had a very good guide inside the museum. Had just the right amount of activity with our tour group and free time. I had visited Paris very briefly in the past, and this tour gave me a deeper experience through the guided museum and neighborhood tours. "The tour we had with Brad through the Jewish corner in the Marais section of Paris. Our guide, Rolinka Bloeming, was amazing and easy-going! There was a concert to listen to and lots of people to watch. We had such a wonderful time in Paris. We are proficient European travelers and have traveled throughout Europe on our own and with tour groups, and found the price of the tour to not correlate with the value received (hotel, length of daily tour, sites included). But, really, as a Renaissance art educator, so much of the Louvre & Orsay art thrilled. 2. "Our group included a family (dad, mom, their teenaged daughter, maybe 14-15 years old). I learned so much about the city and its history and culture from being a part of this tour. "Walking to the le de la Cit on the first morning and taking in the most beautiful sunrise on a bridge over the Seine. Excellent tour overall - our guide Rolinka was terrific, the hotel was very nice in the perfect location. The tour was interesting and well-organized. Pay Less. I also enjoyed walking around Antoinettes Hamlet at Versailles; so peaceful and charming. We visited the Orsay & Le Orangerie Museums. "My favorite wow moment was seeing the Eiffel Tour sparkle after dark.". I have been to Paris several times, but this time It was different, historically and inspirationally. Under the guidance of our tour leader, Rebecca, all went smoothly. This 3D Experience should be Added to ALL the Paris Tours. Los Angeles. As older travelers my wife and I, in our 70s, enjoyed being in the heart of Paris and with in walking distance of the Metro and many of the sights that we wanted to see and visit. "Two very memorable moments were the walking tour through Montmartre and the Seine river cruise at night. A great tour with a great tour director, Patrick. The stain glass windows.". Opportunity to spend Thanksgiving in Paris! Strenuous walking: 28 miles throughout the day with lots of hills, stairs, and uneven terrain. No bus. Sacramento, California U.S.A. 11/26/21 12:04 PM. It's so good to be able to dream about making travel plans again. She took us up the hill a different way and told many interesting stories about the artists in this area.". We were not impressed with value received for the money. Learning how to use the metro and buses was an added plus - it gave us confidence to try something new! I appreciated the guides efforts to educate us about the history. I enjoy history, and I definitely received a crash course in Frances history. "My "wow" moments included looking up into the stained glass at Sainte-Chapelle, and seeing The Orangerie at the Gardens of Versailles for the first time.". "Napoleon's Tomb in Paris and Omaha Beach.". But it was all the things. Our tour guide Jennifer was excellent. "My wow was the tour of the Musee dOrsay. It was not my first time in Paris, and I found some of the historic neighborhoods fascinating.". Our tour director exemplifies the quality of a great leader. Tour was well organized with museum passes and Metro pass & reservations to all the art museums and Versailles. It was nice to have some free time to have dinner on our own & do our own thing. I learned a great deal about history, art, culture, food, and more. All the daily guides were extremely knowledgeable and made their presentations interesting. But for me, to see the Eiffel Tower for the first time, brought tears to my eyes.". . She was ver knowledgeable as were the other specialized guides.". We loved our guide who was French but had lived in the US which made her guidance so complimentary. There was nothing that didnt exceed my expectations, "The beautiful night boat ride right at dusk on the Seine was WOW". Rue Cler neighborhood was a great jumping off point. Our guide, Rolinka, was excellent in giving us instruction in all of the above. We toured various districts of the city, multiple and magnificent museums, churches, and enjoyed great group dinners at amazing restaurants. Marie Antoinette's Hamlet..a must see for all! Tour guide exceptional as to information on various historical sites & very personal who connected to the group. We saw so much of Paris in one week just the right mix of guided tours and free time. Everything was perfect, guides and other tour members. He managed to get us up the hill almost without effort, charming us with his stories. The museum pass and Metro pass allowed us to explore the City on our own, with guidance from our guide. Our guide was wonderful and told amazing stories. "I loved our morning walking up to Monmarte. Then we saw the Eiffel tower sparkle on our way back to hotel. I will always remember this day.". And that is exactly what we signed up for! The itenerary was busy but still allowed us free time, which I liked. Highly recommend this tour! As someone who speaks decent French and who has had a life long dream of Paris I was nervous that the tour would hold me aloof from the culture and streets I was dying to sink into with all my heart and soul. "Everything was worth a wow, but I particularly enjoyed our local guide in the Muse D'Orsay, Cerise. We had a wonderful time, and the tour was very well planned and executed. A one in a lifetime unforgettable moment that will live in our minds and hearts forever!". We were able to see the highlights of Paris, and it did not disappoint. The dinner was excellent and the chef honored me with a candle on my desert. Most tour members arrange to fly in and out of Paris' Charles de Gaulle (CDG) or Orly (ORY) airports. Now more than ever, you can count on Rick Steves to tell you what you really need to know when traveling through France. From the moment we entered the hotel to our final group dinner, the tour was everything I hoped it would be and more. Everyone on the tour was a joy to be with. It was amazing! My first time to Paris !! The tour was the perfect balance of activities and free time. Pros: We got to see all of the Paris highlights; museum tours, logistics and transportation were pre-arranged; we loved meeting new people in our tour group; all of the local guides for Montmartre, Versailles, the Louvre and Orsay All were Amazing - knowledgeable, engaging and interactive. I've been to Paris twice before, but never with a tour group. "We learned so much about Paris! Terms of Service | Privacy, Eiffel Tower ticket tips for tour members, 7-day Mtro subway and bus transportation pass, 6-day Paris Museum Pass, allowing free admission throughout the city. Rolinka made sure we got breaks from the rain as well as treats to help keep our spirits up. Marie, our guide, and Gregoir, the assistant took very good care of us. I felt safe, empowered and confident. Our group was composed of interesting, congenial people which contributed to the great success of the tour. We had a better hotel than expected, we were thrilled that wine was included with dinner. We arrived at 6 pm and picked our spot sitting on a blanket supplied by our hotel staff and we were joined by Teresa. The free time gave us options to continue or go on our own way. The guide at Versailles and at the Louvre was a great choice as was the guide at MO. "Standing in front of Eiffel Tower with nieces.". Marie, our guide knew exactly what she was doing, how to introduce and keep together more than 25 oohing and awing adults. The tour was packed but left many opportunities to explore solo. A truly amazing experience! On the negative side the cost of the tour was expensive given the fact that our room was the size of a postage stamp. My husband and enjoyed everything about the trip. Amazing experience, and hope it can be included on the tour itself at some point.". "How to pick?! Previous tours had information provided in a more coherent way. Good mix of sites and neighborhoods. I learned so much about not only the history and culture of Paris but also how to use the different forms of transportation and passes needed for those. "Touring Versailles and learning more about Marie Antoinette". I wish it had been longer but I got a terrific impression of this amazing city! I wish we would have had the tour guide waiting for us once in a while. However, the months of April, May, September, and October are best for combining the convenience of peak season with generally good weather and lighter crowds. 9641 posts. "For me it was the village like atmosphere of Montmarte, it was not what I expected.". I had a great time and highly recommend this tour. The Hotel was charming and in located in a good part of Paris not far from the Eiffel Tower. You need to get your Eiffel tower reservations months in advance or walk up -always an option. Honestly cant pick one thing.". Cruising the city.". I loved our room and all the perks our guide provided. Carry your luggage up several flights of stairs to reach your hotel room. Tentative France/Belgium Itinerary Fall 2023 - Rick Steves Sleep in Paris. She made everyone feel safe and her experience and knowledge as a tour guide was evident. I saw art that I had always dreamed of seeing and the guides that came along were so knowledgable and able to keep me involved and interested. The French royalty really had a flair for the elaborate. Our tour leader was outstanding but my experience at the Louvre and Versailles was not good. ", "Eiffel tower, Muse dOrsay, San Chapelle,". We went into it without any expectations. Felt that the guide was more a caretaker than a guide. Actually, it was a joy to be able to do my laundry a couple of times in a modern facility. "My wow moment was seeing the large Monet water lilies pieces at Orangerie. Rolinka was a truly excellent guide..great at explaining what was happening and adding her own flavor to the days with her interesting stories and antidotes.Id been to Paris before but now I feel confident enough to be able to say that I do know Paris! Specific guides were excellent as was the tour support. Our main tour guide, Jennifer, was among the best guides I've encountered and the local guides Elizabeth and Brad were excellent. I appreciated that free time was available every day for personal explorations. Train: 1 hour. We'll be keeping in touch. Hotel was in a great location. We should have a monument and statue honoring Mr. Paine in Washington, D.C by 2026. "The Sainte-Chappelle stained-glass windows were unexpected and quite impressive. As a first time visitor to Paris, I thought the tour was a great intro to the city. "Every day had "wow" moments. This tour was a great way to experience Paris for someone like me who is intimidated by big cities. France Guidebook for 2023 | Rick Steves Travel Store It really felt like home in Paris! Paris is amazing! ), Our tours are physically active! Wander the lavender fields of Provence, climb the steps of the Eiffel Tower, and bite into a perfect croissant: Inside Rick Steves France you'll find: We had wonderful visits to museums and a great metro lesson. We liked our guide and thought she did a good job. The Gardens and the fountains were beautiful.". Rick Steves Provence & the French Riviera (2023 Travel Guide) Each day was filled with exciting events and venues visited. "My favorite "wow" moment was when I realized that everywhere I looked there was immense beauty and such deep history right in front of me.". "The last day of the tour was my birthday. She ensured not only we enjoyed our tours, but also ensured our entire stay in Paris was memorable. Your guides were top notch, personable and very encouraging in our experiencing Europe the Rick Steves way. A walk around the Paris area, maybe Luxemburg Garden or Rue Cler, or a visit to the Opera Garnier would have been more fun and interesting. We had never been to Paris so were looking for a little "hand holding" so that we could fully experience the city. The group itself was great, easy to get along with. She even chose music of the correct historic style. ", Well organized, great hotel, excellent guide, nice group, "Seeing Versailles for the first timeno wonder there was a revolution! . Both tours in France where great experiences! The sights we saw were great and hit the list of "must do's" so that was really good and the guides at the various locations (especially the D'Orsay museum) were really good. the skills taught by your guide was priceless. Due to my age, I found the tour to be a challenge. Marie was a great guide. Our guide Virginie was very knowledgeable, and her commentary helped put so much of what saw in historical and social context. We had a wonderful experience. He was always willing to make suggestions and answer all my crazy questions. She knows everything Paris. Rick produces a best-selling guidebook series, a public television series, and a public radio show, and organizes small-group tours that take over 30,000 travelers to Europe annually. We loved our guide, Rolinka. Everything I expected and so much more. I wasnt sure what to expect with the itinerary but even the unfamiliar stuff wowed and made it feel well-rounded. Each traveling day ended with good food, good wine and ample time to people watch in a sidewalk cafe. This was my first Rick Steves Tour in Europe! This was our first city (in one place) tour. "If I say the laundromat across the street from the hotel, how silly does this sound? This is a great tour with lots of time to explore all of Paris - the perfect combination of guided tours and free time. We had a great time in Paris, loved loved loved the hotel. And even though there many other visitors the it felt as though we were the only people there. For more information about transportation options for getting to and from your tour, see your Rick Steves Paris guidebook. Luckily none of the recent demonstrations adversely impacted any part of the trip. What it means. The hotel was clean, comfortable, and centrally-located. Among them, my granddaughter met the teacher she always wished she had had in high school. We fell in love with the beautiful city. This morning we'll hop on the Mtro, then hike up Montmartre to tour the colorful neighborhood that was the haunt of artistic geniuses a century ago including Van Gogh, Picasso, and Renoir and generations of hopeful artists since. I think it was very good. Perfect and most efficient way to see Paris! The local guides, Vincent for the Marais, the Louvre and Versailles, Brigitte for Montmartre and Joelle for the Musee dOrsay museum were incredible! One month prior to the tour departure, you'll find the directions to your tour hotel in the Documents section of your tour account. Truly a Magical city of Amour ??". This experience was Incredible!!! Amazing places, museums, food. The tour overall is very informative from the museums, monuments, culture, and with French history. I really enjoyed this tour. ", Good hotel, excellent guides, excellent tour director. I felt like I was a part of the community and culture. The people and city of Paris, our fellow travelers and especially our guide Jennifer, made our trip most memorable indeed. The night ended with a cruise on the Seine & the sunset was breathtaking. "Too many wow moments to count, but the specialized tour guides put into context all the exceptional things we were seeing and gave us lots of options for our free time.". Great itinerary & very educational. If you take full advantage of the free time, it is a very full, fast paced tour. We never lost anybody on the metro.". I would definitely recommend the tour. Great guides, as always. One of my life goals is to learn how to use local public transportation wherever I go. The guides were extremely informative and engaging. "For my wife, the Eiffel Tower, specially the River Cruise, me the Versailles. "The beauty of Saint-Chapelle & also seeing the Eiffel Tower sparkle for the first time with my own eyes.??". "The visit to St. Chapelle. Paris was beautiful. The crowd was too great for me and we did not have time to personally appreciate what we were seeing. We had such a great group that it was easy to enjoy each day. She explained everything so well. Wonderful. Veronique did a fantastic job teaching us the Metro system and assisting us to be "pros" before sending us on our own. She was a great wealth of knowledge, fostered confidence in us to explore Paris safely on our own, and got us passed super long lines and into all the major sightseeings in the blink of an eye. "That's hard to decide. I thought that Rolinka was an awesome guide but I give this wow to Claire.". Busy, intense, interesting, tiring, inspiring, educational, nonstop fun. Our walks in Monmartre and Marais were both rainy. Meals w/group were all delicious. Strenuous walking: 28 miles throughout the day with lots of hills, stairs, and uneven terrain. The staff was helpful and patient. We were able to do much more than what was listed in the itinerary. Excellent choice of locations to visit on the tour. The itinerary included all of the sights on my must-see list, with the perfect amount of free time. Our Love if Paris is IN SEINE!". Our tour guide to Montmartre was especially great. Amazing!". I just had trouble keeping up! Early May must be one of the busiest times in Paris. Both really showed off the beauty of the city!". The detail into each day and the care our tour guide gave us was outstanding. We watched, with delight, the sparkling of the Tower and enjoyed a group circle of sharing our "best moments" ending with our group picture.". The tour was exceptionally well planned and provided a balance of structured and free time. The tour guide, Rolinka, was excellent. "My "wow" or should I say "Oh la la" moment was touring the Louvre and seeing the Mona Lisa, along with other grand art pieces, and sculptures like the Venus de Milo.". The tour guide made it easy to learn the city so we could explore on our own too. The museums were almost unapproachable. I was amazed by the intricate and endless detail throughout the various structures we visited throughout the city. Our hotel was also in a great location for touring the city. Her descriptions created an easily understandable progression through the art world of the time. Seeing the many things I've only seen photos of or read about - Saint-Chapelle and Notre Dame, the Louvre, Versailles - or being greeted by the Eiffel each morning as we left the hotel was a thrill. Our tour was a balance of having a guide and having free time to explore. "Muse d'Orsay was my favorite. What a beautiful, clean city, and lovely locals. "Seeing the enormous scale of the grandeur of the many architectural feats in Paris (and Versailles) was mind-blowing. The palace of Versailles. The hotel was lovely and situated in a very good area. Our tour guide Rolinka was incredible, helping us to better appreciate the art, architecture, history, culture, and people of Paris. Getting to places on the metro was ok but trying to navigate back to the hotel on our own was confusing at times. Had very little context about the information that was given. We had plenty of time to take pictures and gaze upward. Dream: overdelivered. We'll make the 30-minute train trip to Versailles, where we'll have a guided tour of the dazzling Hall of Mirrors and other sumptuous rooms of the palace. Friendly group and very knowledgeable and helpful guide, Armond. Excellent guide and itinerary. The hotel location was excellent, I find that to be a RS trait, always a great location. St. Chapelle, Musee D'Orsay, the evening boat ride. We had to change plans due to the strikes but overall, it went quite well. I feel at "home" at Montmartre. "Once, our train had shut down several stops early. Description Now more than ever, you can count on Rick Steves to tell you what you really need to know when traveling through France. Having never participated in any virtual activities, I was completely blown away by the detail. We felt safe and well cared for every step of the way. The Week in Paris tour was truly outstanding in all aspects. "When we were on the boat tour, we went by the Eiffel Tower just as the twinkling lights came on!". Getting to know the Paris metro was a game changer and really helped me see more of the city. For details, see our Eiffel Tower ticket tips for tour members. Such ostentation when so many were poor and hungry". Let's begin where Paris did, on the Ile de la Cit. The many opportunities to admire the Eiffel Tower due to its close proximity to the hotel was a dream come true. I enjoyed learning about the French culture and history. "Too many to pick one favorite standing in front of Van Gogh's Starry Night, stained glass windows in Sainte-Chapelle, twinkling lights on the Eiffel Tower at night, fresh and warm crispy croissants, champagne!".