I never could imagine the size and pictures don't do it justice. Marmottan MuseumArt museum focusing on Monet. William and the other tour guides were awesome. Situated in the chic 7th arrondissement, between the Eiffel Tower and Les Invalides, this semi-pedestrianised . So amazing.". Arnaud, gathering us and his thoughts, took us on an impromptu walking tour to get us to our destination! : Eiffel Tour at night; expert guide at Musee dOrsay was incredible in telling us the story of the beginnings of modern art.". The garden tour was truly a highlight, wish we had more time to explore it. Orangerie Museum Monet's water lilies, plus works by Utrillo, Czanne, Renoir, Matisse, and Picasso, in a lovely setting. Strenuous walking: 28 miles throughout the day with lots of hills, stairs, and uneven terrain. We experienced so much in one week-The walking tours of different areas of the city gave us insight into the past and present-day vibes. "My favorite wow moment was seeing the Mona Lisa and the evening ride on the Seine even in the light rain.". We experienced as much as possible during our Rick Steves tour. "Taking the night boat cruise on The Seine River and seeing The Eiffel Tower light up and twinkle at night! We were thrilled with the accommodations, the delicious meals, the excursions and our wonderful guides, especially Rolinka! And I still havent found one. Each day our guide, the energetic Rolinka, took us on a new adventure, treating us to "cultural events" (l'incroyable from Aux Merveilleau de Fred) and working her "Rolinka magic" to smooth things out as we explored Paris. Though they were not included in the tour, exploring Pere Lachaise and Les Invalides solo were highlights for me.". Hotel location couldnt have been better. "Eiffel Tower blinking on Seine River cruise.". ", "Finding the hidden 'closet' built into the wall of my hotel room.". The wonderful stermalms Saluhall market hall one of my 10 favorite markets in Europe is just up the street. As a world capital of art, fashion, food, literature, and ideas, it stands as a symbol of all the fine things human civilization can offer. the skills taught by your guide was priceless. If I had to pick one wow moment it would have to be on the last night when Claire, our guide, organized a wine and cheese tasting at a park overlooking the Eiffel Tower and one of our tour participants who happens to be an amazing opera singer sang La Vie en Rose. Notre-Dame Cathedral Paris' most beloved church (interior closed following April 2019 fire). ", Well organized, great hotel, excellent guide, nice group, "Seeing Versailles for the first timeno wonder there was a revolution! Smaller than a studio apartment in the US, it was larger than a typical room in Paris, but didn't cost much more. "Touring the Orsay with Cerise, and seeing the Eiffel Tower sparkle.". The dinner was excellent and the chef honored me with a candle on my desert. Excellent choice and location for HotelVERY accommodating.Tks for the heads-up re: Eiffel Tower not on tour. "Our impressive tour guide Rolinka. The inside and outside of the villa are like a designers dream come true blending the old with the new and the outside with the inside. Specific guides were exceptional and tour support thoughtful and helpful. Breakfast is eaten communally with other guests, and you can meet and talk with an international array of guests. "Once, our train had shut down several stops early. Recently on a return visit, I asked whether that has continued. "The visit to St. Chapelle. Sant! . Yes, why yes! The activities were varied and the special guides were excellent. Thank you! We were busy seeing all the sights and getting good background/history. "Sacre Couer and the Montmartre day was perfect - close second was Versailles on a beautiful spring day to enjoy the gardens.". In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. It had little personalized touches that so many hotels get wrong: Artful sconces providing a warm, even light throughout the space. Her insights into the artworks themselves were extraordinary. Our tour guide Rolinka was incredible, helping us to better appreciate the art, architecture, history, culture, and people of Paris. Food was excellent. Hotel perfectly located and Metro & museum passes invaluable. This was our first time in Paris, and France as well, and we enjoyed every minute of it. Excellent city tour. "For my wife, the Eiffel Tower, specially the River Cruise, me the Versailles. ", Great organization and there was a very solid logistical support, "Versailles was very impressive. The room wasnt huge, but the space was designed so smartly that once I unpacked, I never felt crowded. Her tourist guide was her own, complete with GPS coordinates. SO FUN.". The hotel staff was the best I have ever encountered, a home away from home. Visiting between November and March, the weather is colder and wetter, but the city still feels lively and has the benefit of being less touristy. I was surprised when my shoes that I shoved in the corner of the room were put into matching shoe bags. This was an optional event after our farewell dinner and I think the attendees would all agree that this was a perfect ending to our Paris stay.". This was our second Rick Steves tour, so the bar was set pretty high. It wasnt part of the tour but there was ample free time to visit. She also hosted a dinner and taught us to make pasta. Marie especially! There was a good balance of group time vs alone time. Wonderful tour. We learned so much about French history and culture, which is the reason we travel in the first place. Picasso Museum World's largest collection of Picasso's works. Well organized and planned city tour. First our tour guide Rolinka, she is a Paris specialist. Share your top experiences -- or perhaps a memorable moment -- and help us all dream of future trips! A FIVE star experience! Daniela helped us build confidence in navigating such a big crowded city. Going to a big city like Paris can seem overwhelming so much to see, do, learn about, but walking around with Marie was like traveling with a local friend. We got tremendous insight into the lives and times of both the painters and the history of Paris. "Sitting on the great lawn in front of the Eiffel tower at sunset, simply watching the people live their lives. My husband and I spent two days before the tour wandering through Paris and enjoying the sights. Marie, our guide, and Gregoir, the assistant took very good care of us. Our tour was a balance of having a guide and having free time to explore. Places you'd go back to when you can travel again? Hotel El Convento in Arcos de Frontera terrace with a VIEW! And the small group size allowed us to get to know people from other cities in the US. And I loved seeing it every time we stepped out of our hotel.". Were able to see individual paintings up close.". To avoid its long lines, we recommend booking tickets several weeks in advance. "The sparkling Eiffel Tower and DOrsay Museum!". "The Eternal Notre Dame 3D Virtual Experience was the Highlight of this tour. I would think the group you end up can affect your trip a lot. Our tour guide Claire was phenomenal! Our guide Rolinka was engaging, fun, and caring. Our meals together we at amazing restaurants. In May 2005 we stayed at Hotel de Londres Eiffel for a week during our first trip to France! My husband and I feel confident that we could return to Paris and manage quite well on our own. Loved this 7 day tour of Paris. We stayed at Hotel des Deux-Iles and really enjoyed the location. The ones that make me say, Oh, yeah! The art museums I discovered on my own and the Orsay was the best piece of the trip. Altarocca Wine Resort outside of Orvieto is fabulous. I thought that Rolinka was an awesome guide but I give this wow to Claire.". Strenuous walking: 28 miles throughout the day with lots of hills, stairs, and uneven terrain. I learned so much about the city and its history and culture from being a part of this tour. "I loved the Musee d'Orsay and Versailles. Your email address will not be published. But I'm not a person who's very drawn to group tours this was something my father-in-law wanted us to do. . Then we'll get acquainted with one another over a delicious "Welcome to Paris" dinner together. The hotel was central to all our activities including lots of good eateries. We are just back from Tuscany where we stayed at the Fonteverde Hotel and Spa in San Casiano, a breathtaking location and unique hotel. Gregoire suggested a restaurant: "Bouillon Racine"". This was by far the absolute Best thing that we did on this tour, and we know that it is not a part of the regular tour. 1260 posts I have stayed several times at the Hotel Minerve and the Hotel Familia, both in the 5th and next door to each other on the Rue des Ecoles in the 5th. (And Roberto is a great guy, too.). Thanks for sharing! Short stroll from Ecol Militare metro stop. Rodin Museum Works by the greatest sculptor since Michelangelo, with many statues in a peaceful garden. "My wow moment was seeing the large Monet water lilies pieces at Orangerie. The tour is a great blend of organized activities and free time to explore Paris on your own. Although Estimated Prophet speaks the truth about the reality of Rue Cler neighborhood these days Ill still opt to stay at Hotel Muguet. We are going again for my birthday November 2023 on our own. She really provided us with the ability to navigate Paris comfortably on our own. I would have been overwhelmed by the Louvre, but our guide led us to the highlights and gave us a great experience. At night we sat in the garden and watched the light performance. It was a great experience for my first time in Europe. "My favorite "wow" moments were on the Seine River cruise. See 612 traveler reviews, 625 candid photos, and great deals for The Royal Park Hotel Fukuoka, ranked #5 of 41 hotels in Hakataekimae and rated 4.5 of 5 at Tripadvisor. "Paris has so much to offer, so many spectacular sights to take in, its difficult to pinpoint a favorite. Experiencing the joy and fascination of co-travelers adds to my own experience.". Without skipping a beat, he said, Absolutely still do! And it shows. 2023 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | CST# 2086743 . Paris is a vibrant city to visit nearly year-round. There were many little and big details that were thought out for us and made my first experience in Paris a great one. Wonderful! Sleep in Paris. The guides were extremely informative and engaging. Our local guide was phenomenal. The planned tours with Marie and the selected guides on walks and museums was wonderful and well planned out. Additionally, her commentary served as a basis for looking beyond the Orsay's collection to more deeply appreciate other areas of art and sculpture. I would definitely recommend the tour. The city was vibrant, the tour guide was very knowledgeable, and gave us a great sense of the culture, the people and the history behind the culture. Unfortunately the weather in Paris was quite poor the week that we were there. Well organized with excellent guides for all aspects of of the trip which helped to provide an even greater sense of history and perspective. i had a wonderful time. We loved our guide, Rolinka. Loved staying so close to the Eiffel so that we could walk over at night for picnics and lights. What quaint charming hotel do you recommend in London? Rebecca was outstanding. He was always willing to make suggestions and answer all my crazy questions. The Londres Eiffel is run by the Prigent family (who also own the Htel Signature Saint Germain des Prs a mile away). In retrospect, the ease and simplicity of getting around Paris using the Navigo Dcouverte card and public transportation. Every day was a pleasure from the lovely hotel where we stayed to the guided tours and sights to the group dinners and most of all the incredible Rick Steves Tour guide, Jennifer. All of the guides he selected for different sites were wonderful as well - especially his former teacher! If you enjoy medieval art, visit the Cluny Museum. The hotel rooms were a bit small but everyone who worked at H Londre Eiffel were helpful and kind. And then to follow it up with the breathtaking Sainte-Chapelle! Wonderful tour guide who educated and entertained us with history of Paris. When our tour guide, Claire, started the official tour, we learned so much about the city, it's history, the food culture, and its people.Suddenly, Paris came alive in unexpected ways. A few in the group got lost, even me. Rolinka and Claire knowledgeable, professional fun , and just all around great guides. Ninette and Jacqueline bring in fresh croissants and baguettes for breakfast. The outdoor cafes, walkability, liveliness, and feel of Paris is wonderful.". Our tour guide, Rolinka, made all the difference in how much we were able to learn and discover on our own. We were submersed in the early construction and history of the beautiful, spiritual landmark. "There was a moment where the glory of the place and the care of our guide Rolucka resonated together. Our tour guide to Montmartre was especially great. "It's tough to pick out a favorite moment because we had so many of them, but the Palace at Versailles, was just amazing. The tour overall was wonderful. "There were so many "wow" moments! Dinners excellent. I felt safe, empowered and confident. "Cant choose. Everyone on the tour was a joy to be with. Knowledgeable guide and small size group made it easy to travel. The Hotel was charming and in located in a good part of Paris not far from the Eiffel Tower. We stayed on the top floor and felt like we were in Mary Poppins Parisian Getaway. Really enjoyed our guide at the Musee d'Orsay who taught us how to look at paintings.". More diverse than I was expecting, with a huge range of ages, which made it nice. As a solo traveler I found the tour to be family. And I especially enjoyed our walking tour of the Marais district, our visit to Versailles, the guided tour of the Orsay Museum and the Seine River cruise.". There was just the right balance of planned group activities and time for independent exploration of Paris. A truly magical place but not included on the tour. The tour left us enough free time to visit other highlights including the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomph, and Napoleon's tomb. I really appreciated the extra free time allowed before or after our guided experiences each day.". The food we ate from nearby restaurants was delightful too. Rolinka, our tour guide, was a gem. Convenient to The Invallides and an easy stroll to the Effiel Tower. This was my second visit to Paris and this even exceeded my initial visit. It builds confidence to return to France and Europe for more traveling adventures. We had a great time on the tour of Paris, and all the people involved were terrific. Amazing guides. "Hard to pick just one but I loved the walking tour of Montmartre because it's such a beautiful neighborhood. I'm amazed the revolution didn't occur sooner.". We had such a great group that it was easy to enjoy each day. "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.". Our guide did her best to help us with this situation . Like other amenities in the neighborhood, the park is quiet and uncrowded. Light walking: 24 miles throughout the day on mostly level terrain. However, this was a day trip and not part of the tour.". Great tour group. I loved every minute and plan to do another Rick Steves tour in the future. 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. Our hotel was also in a great location for touring the city. Every where you looked it was scaffolding - blocked sidewalks, obstructions, etc. The rooms are small; I was able to wedge my suitcase on one side of the bed, but not enough room on the other side. You'll also enjoy guided neighborhood walks through the city's historic heart, as well as quieter moments to slow down and savor the city's intimate cafs, colorful markets, and joie de vivre. Now, even a week after being back home, we are still feeling those good vibes from the experience and Paris seems like an old friend. Happy Travels. I loved our room and all the perks our guide provided. We highly recommend Rick Steves' tours and plan to go on more. Our local guide made it much more informative. Service continues during strikes because it's driverless! At the same time, I feel a sense of pride that I met it. Genius.". My room was practical. We loved our guide who was French but had lived in the US which made her guidance so complimentary. My favorite ones where standing inside Sainte Chapelle while sunlight flooded though the stained glass windows listening to choral music which Rolinka played via our headsets (magical). The tour was packed but left many opportunities to explore solo. I think the bus orientation wasnt very effective and was too long, with traffic and roadwork. You'll then have free time to wander through the expansive gardens and visit the farm animals at Marie Antoinette's hamlet, or to zip back to Paris early via one of the frequent trains. Required fields are marked *. It's been quite awhile, but we loved the Hotel des Grandes Ecoles in the Latin Quarter. Take a trolly then long walk. With a glimmer in his eye, he said, I know just the place.. Cordial and helpful front desk staff and a plated breakfast in the cellar breakfast room each morning. I would have to say the museums. My first wow was that everyone in the group was so friendly and eager to see and learn! This was my first group tour, and I would absolutely travel with a Rick Steves group again in the future. We came away with a better appreciation of the French people, thanks largely to Rolinka. we really enjoyed our free time, to walk around or just relax with a coffee and cold drink. ", "The complete Rick Steves Tours is a rated for me. The view down the Royal Drive was stunning. This was our first Rick Steves tour, and it didn't disappoint! Ever since I was introduced to French culture in high school, I have dreamt of Paris. She knows everything Paris. "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.". We so enjoyed our tour. Great guides, as always. Marie, our guide knew exactly what she was doing, how to introduce and keep together more than 25 oohing and awing adults. Provided meals were excellent. 2023 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | CST# 2086743 | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy. Our accommodations and meals were great. A stones throw from the Eiffel tower made it a breeze to pack a meal, a bottle of champagne and sit under the lights of the tower. Afternoon: Tour the Opra Garnier, and end your day enjoying the glorious rooftop view at Galeries Lafayette or Printemps department stores. Now I am very comfortable taking the Metro & buses in Paris. As usual, Rick Steves delivered a well organized tour with outstanding, fun, and well informed guides. 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. For two introverts, the social aspect was sometimes intense, but the people on the tour were great. Friendly group and very knowledgeable and helpful guide, Armond. We had an amazing group of tour members, and we had a lot of fun together. In Krakw, Poland, Ive enjoyed the Donimirski Boutique Hotels since the days when the very first Rick Steves Eastern Europe tours stayed at one of their branches. "First day walking tour crossing one of the bridges on to Ile de la Cite and looking around at all the sights--I teared up! Thoughtfully planned. For details, see our Eiffel Tower ticket tips for tour members. Seeing all the gold leaf, marble, statues, and pictures everywhere. Highly recommend this tour! Eiffel Tower Paris' soaring exclamation point. This trip is a dream come true. It was amazing! We were able to see the highlights of Paris, and it did not disappoint. Loved the description of the houses and stories told while touring the Marais district. Like Jarek, the rooms are quirky but sophisticated. I also really enjoyed Monmartre and our guide. "That's hard to decide. It's my first tour experience so I had nothing to compare it with But it went beyond my expectations in a very good way. This trip was a high school graduation gift to my granddaughter and her mom from rural Indiana (How you gonna keep 'em down on the farm). This was our first RS tour and it far exceeded our expectations. "For me it would be the Eiffel Tower. Rolinka was our tour guide; she was lovely and amazing. I have been to Paris several times, but this time It was different, historically and inspirationally. As for tour members surprisingly we got along very well, there was a genuine warmth among us in spite of diversity. We had a blast! I thought that the tour had a nice itinerary. The moment I stepped into the Htel de Londres Eiffel, I knew I was in for a great stay. A wonderful villa in a town of 300 friendly souls. Overall, I enjoyed everything we did.". On the negative side the cost of the tour was expensive given the fact that our room was the size of a postage stamp. We were not impressed with value received for the money. The itenerary was busy but still allowed us free time, which I liked. Thanks for the experience of a life time, again. Well done. To be inside and to be up in the rafters, and so close to the spire and flying buttresses takes your breath away. "Wow moment for me was seeing the Eiffel Tower. I thought everything about the tour was very well done, the tour guide was excellent. So beautiful and eclectic. This was our second tour and we were very happy with both. Her excitement made all of us smile!". "ABSOLUTELY the first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower. Its was a vacation experience, not a vacation trip. "There was no wow moment - it was more of a wow week for me. The group meals were all delicious and memorable. This place is such a class act, it almost seems too good to be true. "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!". Paris is amazing! That pamphlet "furnished every thought which now glitters in the Declaration of Independence." "Standing in front of Eiffel Tower with nieces.". This tour was our least favorite of the 4 Rick Steves tours that we have taken. We learned so much about French history and culture. No longer as charming as it was. Having museum and metro passes is great. Our guide, Gregoire, was friendly, knowledgeable & helpful. Tour guide covered everything clearly, helpful tips with being on our ownexcellent! The Hotel Londres Eiffel was outstanding. "Emerging from the spiral stair case inside the Sainte-Chapelle into a room of seemingly mile-high medieval stained glass was unexpected and amazing!". Wonderful experience all around. Family owned and operated. "The St. Chappelle cathedral was fabulous. Actually, it was a joy to be able to do my laundry a couple of times in a modern facility. You can sit and contemplate under the tree canopy. 1-3-70 Momochihama, Sawara-ku, Fukuoka 814-0001 Fukuoka Prefecture. If you take full advantage of the free time, it is a very full, fast paced tour. It was not my first time in Paris, and I found some of the historic neighborhoods fascinating.". Wonderful guides. We are finally headed back to France in two weeks, and once again have our RS guidebooks marked up, sliced into small sections, and ready to tuck into my purse! Excellent guide and itinerary. Great itinerary. The boat tour was moved to our last night together and it was a perfect send off. Because the hotel caters to long-stay clients, there's a small coin laundry in the basement. The metro card we got proved invaluable. Charming. Sleep in Paris. Getting to places on the metro was ok but trying to navigate back to the hotel on our own was confusing at times. The light shimmers and photos cant reproduce that feature. Our guide made reservations to avoid the usual long line. "Each day brought new, outstanding experiences. When I heard their daughter gasp loudly with unrestrained joy and delight after seeing a sparkling Eiffel Tower after dark, for the first time, I thought that this trip was worth every penny! Louvre Europe's oldest and greatest museum, starring Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. They even gave us a sweet returning-guest gift. It was even more fabulous than we had remembered! ", Overall I thought it was very organized well run tour. Staying here, you feel completely enveloped by the bustle of one of Europes great walled cities, yet a world apart. Jacquemart-Andr Museum Art-strewn mansion. I wasnt sure what to expect with the itinerary but even the unfamiliar stuff wowed and made it feel well-rounded. The tour guides Rolinka and Claire were different but both terrific. She was fabulous!!!! Yes, definitely. And now Isabella has built her dream hotel, a country-classy splurge resort called La Moscadella. Our tour guide, Claire, was magnificent. The hotel was in close proximity to the Eiffel Tower, shops, bakeries, cafs, and restaurants. "That's hard to say. The pace of the tour was well-timed and the group dinners were delightful. I felt like I was a part of the community and culture. 5 minute walk to the Eiffel Tower. She had quite a job keeping us all together and covering the ground she did. Then you'll be set free for the afternoon to explore more of the city. The guides were outstanding which is to be expected in a Rick Steve's Tour. Loved the location of our hotel. This B & B is close enough to walk to major attractions, but off the beaten path. During our tour we happened upon a French women who then exactly replicated the walk Rolinka had shown us.". "If I say the laundromat across the street from the hotel, how silly does this sound? "All the great food and dining experiences.". I enjoyed that we had balance of guided time and free time, utilized the metro and buses, and had a variety of guides in addition to our main guide. "My favorite wow moment was the Seine cruise and seeing the Eiffel Tower light show!". In the adorable winding streets behind the Pope Palace, this place was perfectly hidden, quiet, and surrounded by a sublime garden. Loved the guides.They were friendly, informative, accessible and patient, especially Claire.The staff at the bed and breakfast were great, as was the location of the b and b, since it was in a great neighborhood with lots of dining choices. Sadly, we were canceled for the Louvre tour which was a big disappointment. Very disappointed that the gardens at Versailles were not planted and it was elbow to elbow in the castle. The Residential Suites Fukuoka. These are beautiful hotels, and reasonably priced, but not for me traveling solo this time and so not splitting the cost. hotel@carondebeaumarchais.com. Great accommodations. Fast-paced, interesting, informative and so much fun! Paris is my new favorite city. Our magical moment was the boat ride along the Seine with a glowing sunset while viewing the beautiful Eiffel Tower. "Touring Versailles and learning more about Marie Antoinette". Stops are far apart and the line runs parallel to the Seine before veering north, so it's a fast way to reach Les Halles, the Louvre, and the Grands Magasins. Our guide, Rolinka, was fun, knowledgeable, and gave us the info we would need to feel comfortable getting around on our own. Best part of tour enthusiasm of director & interested tour members. People overlook Bercy because it's modern and not central. 2023 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | CST# 2086743 | I would highly recommend this tour to others. No bus. And, like any aficionado, I keep a mental list of my all-time favorites. "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.". Made the trip nearly stress free. Champs-Elyses Paris' grand boulevard. The detail into each day and the care our tour guide gave us was outstanding. There's nothing like walking around different parts of the city and having their unique history come alive with an awesome guide.". She showed us how to navigate and get around Paris with ease. I feel at "home" at Montmartre. We enjoyed Virginie very much and fellow travelers, but will use other tour companies in the future. Rick Steves, the rue Cler is without doubt among the most pleasing of the many delightful Parisian streets. Gregoire was a fabulous tour guide. We look forward more tours! "Seeing the Eiffel Tower in all of her glory, lit up at night, the first evening of our tour! Answering questions, giving us history and current events in good measure. A big Thanks to our guide Rebecca. Paris, Ile-de-France 75005, France.

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