I just booked an apartment in Paris. With my confirmation came a listing of small group tours and other 'experiences in Paris.' Some of them look quite good and most are run by licensed guides. Has anyone taken any of their suggested 'experiences?' If so, were you pleased with the recommendation? I have used AirBnB before and don't remember getting a list of suggested experiences. It sounds like a great way for independent tour guides to advertise.
Posted by
Berkeley CA
1321 posts
Laurie, I don't know which guides might be on your list, but I can recommend Corey Frye as an excellent tour guide in Paris. You can find him through Facebook... look for A French Frye in Paris or google him. There are a number of recent recommendations for him on the Forum from just a few days ago. He also does free video live tours of Paris most Saturdays which you can also find on Facebook or youtube. You can watch them live at 4 or 5pm Paris time or catch the replay.
And there is also Paris Walks which has a website and offers scheduled walks in various neighborhoods but the groups can be quite large and impersonal, although it's still informative and fun.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14758 posts
I've done a number of the Paris Walks SharYn refers to. www.paris-walks.com I've had from about 8 people up to maybe 30 - some of whom dropped off after a few blocks. The walk topics are wide-ranging and I've had very interesting guides. No reservations needed, reasonably priced.
Posted by
OP
Twin Cities, Minnesota
2001 posts
Thank you both, but I was not looking for recommendations on walking tours in Paris. I specifically wanted to know if any Paris AirBnB users had taken any of the tours they list under the experiences section when you get your AirBnB confirmation. Really I would welcome comments from anyone who has used AirBnB in Europe and taken their suggestion tour experiences.
Posted by
Los Angeles
305 posts
Laurie Beth,
I uses AirBnB in Paris but did not use the experiences but I recall somebody here did do an experience which was a Friday or Wednesday (?) late tour of the Louvre. As I recall it started in the Guide's home for wine and cheese and then toured the Louvre. The poster loved the tour, if I can find it again I will edit this with a link.
Posted by
Tucson
4183 posts
Hope your rental is legal. Take a look at this Forum posting: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/france/2018-statistics-are-in-for-fines-to-air-bnb-owners-flouting-the-law#top.
Posted by
North Dallas, TX, USA
153 posts
I have booked our family on a few "withlocals" tours since they have family friendly tours. We will be traveling with a 3 year old and 1 year old and their tours are VERY kid friendly! We ware traveling in March, so if you haven't traveled already I can let you know about it!
Posted by
OP
Twin Cities, Minnesota
2001 posts
Yes, @Lo it is a registered apt. Airbnb now shows the certificate number if they have registered and the fees show the occupancy tax.
@Other Bob, thank you. This was exactly the information for which I was looking.
Posted by
42 posts
I have done experiences in several cities and found them to be fantastic ways to make your vacation a deeper and more meaningful experience. I would also recommend Paris greeters.
Posted by
Western Canada
3493 posts
LaurieBeth: would you please review the apartment here when you return?
I, for one, would like to gather a list of legal registered apartment rentals in Paris; and especially ones that meet the renter's expectations and maybe more!
Thanks!
I see the "experiences" on the AirBnB site, but have never used them myself.
(Another vote for ParisWalks, by the way.)
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14758 posts
Above post from "Hubert" seems to be an ad. He's posted the same thing about 8 times this AM - all almost copy and paste for the same tour company (or whatever it is...I didn't click).
I'll remove this post after Webmaster reviews and likely removes it!
Posted by
OP
Twin Cities, Minnesota
2001 posts
Thanks, Pam. I too, noticed that and reported.