OCT 2007
Future programmes can be sent by e-mail. paris@paris-walks.com
(Home) (The Guides) (Next Month) (Other City Walks) (Other Links) (Private tours)
GENERALINFORMATION All tours cost 10 euros per adult unless specified. (Children under 15, 5 euros; students under 21 with ID, 8 euros). The tours last about two hours, and unless stated in the description, there is no need to reserve. Tours run rain or shine. We meet above ground at the metro exit. The guides wear Paris Walks badges.
OUR GUIDES are are a select team who are knowledgeable, professional and qualified. They all have many years experience as guides. They are mostly native English speakers, but have lived in France for years, speak excellent French and know French culture well. They enjoy showing their city to visitors and sharing their expertise and enthusiasm. The tours are very informative but also enjoyable.
PARIS WALKS was founded in 1994 as has always been the quality English language walking tour company in Paris. We are recommended by the Paris Tourist Office.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED Our walks are recommended in all good guide books: Fodor's, Rick Steves', Time Out, Dorling Kindersley, The Rough Guide, Lonely Planet, Kate Muir, Access Guide, Great Sleeps, the Economist, the Michelin Website, NBC's website and many others. "The guides are engaging and well informed and the tours are full of historical gossip and humour" New York Times.
PRIVATE TOURS Our scheduled tours can be arranged for groups large and small. For families or small groups. Make the most of your stay in Paris with our Introduction tour: 3 hours in the company of a guide to show you Paris. A selection of the famous places or some of the typical neighbourhoods, or a mixture of both. We have child friendly guides. THE LOUVRE: our guides will give you an informative and enjoyable tour of this vast treasure-house. PRIVATE TOURS: Price per group:160 euros for two hours and 210 euros for three hours. Price may depend on the number of people. Contact us for more details.
Paris Walks, Peter and Oriel Caine, 12 passage Meunier, 93200 St Denis, FRANCE. Telephone:(33) 01.48.09.21.40 Fax:(33) 01.42.43.75.5
Customer Satisfaction:
A short note to congratulate you on your Paris Walks. We took three tours . They were highly entertaining and informative as well as representing tremendous value for money. Stephen and Wendy Dowd. Adelaide, Australia April 2007
I am a long term veteran of London Walks and recently did my first Paris Walks - Terrific! Fun, informative and interesting. Patricia McBrearty. USA
We always recommend your company as a way to settle down quickly in Paris. Your wonderful informative short courses - not only educational but an introduction to like minded people. Susan Batty. UK. Regular client for 9 years when she lived in Paris.
The programme is in two parts: -
Part 1: REGULAR WALKS THIS MONTH. (these tours run until end October) Tours continue in the winter season but with a slighly reduced schedule
Part 2: COMPLETE PROGRAMME OF TOURS FOR THE MONTH with special visits
Regular weekly programme
|
Every Monday Ile de la Cité and Notre Dame 10.30am This tour will show you the superb medieval architecture and the stories illustrated in the lively sculptures of Notre Dame Cathedral. Hear how this Gothic marvel was built. Ile de la Cité is where the first Celtic inhabitants founded their settlement in ancient times so you will also discover the history and varied styles of architecture as we explore old streets, gardens, hidden courtyards, the flower market and the poignant memorial to those deported during the Occupation. Meet at metro Cité. (Line 4) Price 10 euros The Medieval Latin Quarter 2:30 pm A walk through this atmospheric district to see highlights and hidden details. Roman remains from ancient times, charming old streets, pretty gardens, beautiful mansions and medieval churches, the story of medieval scholars and the famous Sorbonne university, still a place of learning today. This walk takes you away from the more commercialised areas, and will show you how attractive and charming the Latin Quarter still is. Meet metro Maubert Mutualité, by cafe "le Metro". (line 10) Price 10 euros |
Every Friday Hemingway's Paris 10.30am Explore this charming neighbourhood in the Latin Quarter with the old houses of the lively Mouffetard market street, an impressive fragment of the medieval city wall, and the beautiful church of St Etienne-du-Mont. Many writers are associated with this quarter. We see where James Joyce put the finishing touches to Ulysses, George Orwell lived in a boarding house, the poet Verlaine, author of 'Clair de Lune' which inspired Debussy, died in seedy lodgings and where Balzac set the chilling story 'Old Goriot '. Hemingway immortalised the streets and local characters in his two novels 'A Moveable Feast' and the 'Sun Also Rises'. Meet at metro Cardinal Lemoine. (Line 10) Price 10 euros The Village of Montmartre 2.30 pm See Wednesday above. Meet at metro Abbesses (Line 12) Take the elevator, the station is quite deep. |
|
Every Tuesday The Marais Circuit 1 10.30 am Saints and Sinners. The Marais is the most beautifully preserved quarter of the city. Discover medieval houses, atmospheric old streets, beautiful classical architecture, two lovely churches, the antiques shops in the Village St Paul, and the royal place des Vosges, Paris' oldest square. A host of colourful characters lived here including dissolute duchesses and aristocratic poisoners. Meet at metro St Paul. (Line 1) Price 10 euros. The French Revolution 2.30pm The historic district of the Latin Quarter, home to students and intellectuals, has many associations with the fateful French Revolution which began in 1789. We see the old Procope Cafe, where the revolutionaries exchanged ideas, and the medieval refectory where the radical Cordeliers Club met. We hear of Danton, a disfigured but brilliant orator, and the rabble-rouser journalist Hebert, nick named the Homer of Trash. We see where the guillotine was first developed and where Marat was stabbed to death in his bath by Charlotte Corday. This exciting moment of French history makes a fascinating walk. Meet at metro Odeon at the statue. (Line 10 or 4) Price 10 euros. |
Every Saturday The Marais Circuit 1 10.30 am Saints and Sinners. (See description for Tuesdays) Meet at metro St Paul. (Line 1) Price 10 euros.
There are always walks on Saturday afternoon, check the daily walks list below for this month. |
|
Every Wednesday The Village of Montmartre 10.30 am A picturesque route to see the local market street, the vineyard, old cobbled streets, artists' studios, where Renoir, Lautrec and Van Gogh painted, quiet gardens, the oldest cabaret in Paris, the lively place-du-Tertre, the famous Sacré Coeur church and a wonderful view over the city. This walk will show you the local neigbbourhood as well as the famous views. Meet at metro Abbesses (line 12). Price 10 euros. Use the elevator, the station is quite deep. The Two Islands 2.30pm A walk to enjoy the essence of Paris on the two islands. The magical Ile St Louis, with its elegant architecture and aristocratic inhabitants. This island was a favourite with the lost generation of the 1920s who savoured its old world charm. We also look at the architecture and sculptures of Notre Dame Cathedral, the history of the Ile de la Cité, where Paris was first founded. We explore the old streets and the hear how Paris developed into the majestic city of today. Meet at metro Pont Marie. (Line 7). Price 10 euros. |
Every Sunday The Village of Montmartre 10.30 am meet at metro Abbesses. (Line 12) See description for Wednesday. Price 10 euros. Use the elevator, the station is quite deep. The Marais Circuit II 2.30 pm In this beautiful historic neighbourhood we hear tales of famous inhabitants and enjoy elegant classical architecture and quaint old streets. We see some splendid mansions: the beautiful Soubise Palace, the Hotel Sale, now the Picasso Museum and the Hotel Carnavalet, where Mme de Sevigné lived, famous for her witty letters telling of life at the time of the Sun King. We walk through the Jewish quarter and finish at the lovely royal place des Vosges, the city's oldest square. Meet at metro St Paul. (Line 1) Price 10 euros. There is always another walk on Sundays, check the daily walks list below for this month. |
|
Every Thursday Saint Germain-des-Prés 10.30am This tour captures the essence of the Left Bank: the ancient abbey church of St Germain, charming streets lined with bookstores and literary cafés, old squares, artists' studios, the famous Paris Fine Arts School, and the hotel where Oscar Wilde died. The walk includes the beautiful church of St Sulpice, its mysterious gnomon, and the Rose Line, all mentioned in the Da Vinci Code. Meet in front of St Sulpice Church, nearest metro St Sulpice (line 4) or Mabillon (line 10) Price 10 euros. The Historic Marais. Circuit 2.. 2.30pm See description for Sundays. Meet at metro St Paul. (line 1) Price: 10 euros |
E-mail: paris@paris-walks.com |
OCTOBER 2007 day by day listing
Regular tours: full descriptions and meeting points above
PARIS THROUGH THE AGES SHORT SERIES 3 Fridays 10.30-12.30 Follow the development of Paris through the centuries on a series of enjoyable walking tours which will help you deepen your knowledge of the city. Oct 5th, 12th and 19th. Renaissance Paris, Haussmann's Paris, Paris Today. 12 euros per tour. (Please reserve)
Mon 1 10.30am Cité Island & Notre Dame
Mon 1 2.30pm The Medieval Latin Quarter
Tues 2 10.30am The Marais Circuit 1
Tues 2 2.30pm The French Revolution Meet at metro Odeon at the statue
Wed 3 10.30am Village Montmartre
Wed 3 2.30pm The Two Islands
Thurs 4 10.30am St Germain-des-Prés
Thurs 4 2.30pm The Marais Circuit 2
Fri 5 10.30am Hemingway's Paris
Fri 5 2.30pm Village Montmartre
PARIS THROUGH THE AGES SHORT SERIES Fridays 10.30-12.30 Follow the development of Paris through the centuries: Oct 5th, 12th and 19th. Renaissance Paris, Haussmann's Paris, Paris Today. 12euros per tour. (Please reserve)
Fri 5 10.30am RENAISSANCE AND ROYAL PARIS The story of the Louvre as a royal palace, the beautiful royal church of St Germain L'Auxerrois, the city's oldest bridge, the Pont Neuf, Queen Catherine de Medici and the ill fated Tuileries Palace. Meet at the statue of Henri IV on the Pont Neuf, nearest metro Pont Neuf. 12 euros
Sat 6 10.30am The Marais Circuit 1
Sat 6 2.30pm MONTPARNASSE, the Val de Grace Convent and the LUXEMBOURG Gardens This walk explores the Left Bank with the artists' studios of Montparnasse, famous cafés where writers congregated, Rodin's statue of Balzac, the attractive Luxembourg gardens and finishes with the beautiful Val de Grace convent built for the mother of Louis XIV. Meet at metro Vavin, by the Rotonde café.
Sun 7 10.30am Village Montmartre
Sun 7 2.30pm The Marais: Circuit 2
Sun 7 10.15am THE GRAND PARIS MOSQUE Special guided tour of the Grand Mosque, a magnificent structure built in the Hispano-Moorish style in the early 20thC, which stands in attractive gardens. The tour will explain the rites and rituals, and includes the prayer room, library, hammam, souk and tea room, where you may like to take traditional mint tea afterwards. Price 12euros Entrance fee 2euros. Meet at metro Monge, exit place Monge, at the top of the escalator.
Sun 7 2.30pm PARIS DURING THE OCCUPATION and Liberation Hear how the Parisians survived the dark years of the Occupation from 1940-44 in this walk in the area of the Champs Elysées, with stories of daily life, the Gestapo, the Resistance and the Liberation. Meet at metro Tuileries.
Mon 8 10.30am Cité and Notre Dame
Mon 8 2.30pm The Medieval Latin Quarter
Tues 9 10.30am The Marais Circuit 1
Tues 9 2.30pm The French Revolution Meet at metro Odeon at the statue.
Wed 10 10.30am Village Montmartre
Wed 10 2.30pm The Two Islands
Thurs 11 10.30am St Germain-des-Prés
Thurs 11 10.30am THE PARIS CHOCOLATE TOUR Find out about the history of chocolate, and how Paris is the capital of dark Chocolate. We visit a variety of superb chocolatiers on this enjoyable walk which mixes history and architecture with chocolate tastings. The tour will give you some good ideas and introduce you to some secret addresses. Meet at metro Louvre-Rivoli. Reservation and prepayment essential. Price 25euros (Includes tasting)
Thurs 11 2.30pm The Marais Circuit 2
Fri 12 10.30am Hemingway's Paris
Fri 12 2.30pm Village Montmartre
SHORT SERIES Fridays 10.30-12.30 Follow the development of Paris through the centuries
Fri 12 10.30am THE PARIS OF HAUSSMANN (Park Monceau and neighbourhood) This elegant park with its sumptuous town houses was the chic new quarter of Napoleon III's Paris. We hear of the first parachutist, the construction of the Statue of Liberty, personalities of the era (industrialists, philanthropists, art collectors) and the Russian church with its colourful onion domes. Meet at metro Monceau. 12euros
Sat 13 10.30am The Marais Circuit 1
Sat 13 2.30pm EDITH PIAF'S PARIS This quiet neighbourhood on the outskirts of Paris still has the charm of an old village. See where the legendary singer grew up, her tomb, and her statue on place Edith Piaf. We also explore the secrets of the old village of Charonne with its 13thC parish church, the Hermitage manor house, which belonged to Louis XIV's daughter, typical restaurants and cafés and other points of local interest. Paris is the city of 100 villages, and on this walk you will see a good example. Meet at metro Port de Bagnolet (line 3) exit place Edith Piaf.
Sun 14 10.30am Village Montmartre
Sun 14 2.30pm The Marais Circuit 2
Sun 14 10.15am THE ACADEMIE FRANCAISE and the French Institute France has five famous academies for sciences and the arts, which meet at the French Institute. To be elected to one of them is a coveted prize. This is an exceptional opportunity to see inside the beautiful building, and sit under the famous 'cupola' beneath which the illustrious academicians meet. Meet 23 quai Conti, facing the Pont des Arts. Nearest metro Odeon or Louvre-Rivoli. Price 12euros (Ent 4euros)
Sun 14 2.30pm PERE LACHAISE CEMETERY This is Paris' most famous and historic cemetery, an atmospheric mixture of cobbled pathways and shady avenues. Hear the stories of the many celebrities who are commemorated here by beautiful elaborate tombs: Chopin, Balzac, Oscar Wilde, Edith Piaf, Maria Callas, Jim Morrison and the ill-fated lovers Abelard and Héloise. Meet at metro Père Lachaise
Mon 15 10.30am Cité Island & Notre Dame
Mon 15 2.30pm The Medieval Latin Quarter
Tues 16 10.30am The Marais Circuit 1
Tues 16 11am THE PARIS OPERA HOUSE See the sumptuous interior decoration of Opera Garnier, the newly restored ballroom, the fabulous grand stairway, and Chagall's ceiling in the auditorium (sometimes closed). Find out the real story of the underground water and why this extravagant theatre inspired The Phantom. Meet inside entrance lobby, at statue of Lully, with entrance ticket (8euros). Nearest metro Opera.
Tues 16 2.30pm The French Revolution Meet at metro Odeon at the statue
Wed 17 10.30am Village Montmartre
Wed 17 2.30pm The Two Islands
Thurs 18 10.30am St Germain-des-Prés
Thurs 18 2.30pm The Marais Circuit 2
Fri 19 10.30am Hemingway's Paris
Fri 19 2.30pm Village Montmartre
SHORT SERIES Fridays 10.30-12.30 Follow the history of Paris through the centuries
Fri 19 10.30am Paris Today in the BASTILLE NEIGHBOURHOOD with its fascinating blend of old and new, and its attractive regeneration of old architecture. The tour combines local history, a street market, secret courtyards, the marina, and the raised garden walkway. After the tour you can watch the craftsmen at work at the Viaduc des Arts. Meet outside Information office of the Opera House, metro Bastille. Price 12euros
Sat 20 10.30am The Marais Circuit 1
Sat 20 2.30pm Paris during the Occupation see Oct 7th. Meet metro Tuileries.
Sun 21 10.30am Village Montmartre
Sun 21 2.30pm The Marais Circuit 2
Sun 21 10.30am The FRENCH REVOLUTION on the RIGHT BANK Palais Royal to place de la Concorde: the Palais Royal, where new ideas were debated, the site of the radical Jacobin club and the ill-fated Tuileries palace. Hear of Marie Antoinette, Equality Philip, Robespierre, and Charlotte Corday, finish at place de la Concorde where the guillotine stood. Meet at metro Palais Royal, at the main exit on the square, place du Palais Royal, beside the rue de Rivoli.
Sun 21 2.30pm ART NOUVEAU ARCHITECTURE WALK The elegant 16th district is famous for its variety of attractive and imaginatively designed houses: by Hector Guimard, (creator of the distinctive plant-form metro exits in 1900), and by Le Corbusier and Mallet Stevens, who built beautiful avant garde villas. Meet at metro Ranelagh.
Mon 22 10.30am Cité and Notre Dame
Mon 22 2.30pm The Medieval Latin Quarter
Tues 23 10.30am The Marais Circuit 1
Tues 23 10.30am The Paris Chocolate Tour See Oct 11. Meet at metro Louvre-Rivoli. Reservation and prepayment essential. Price 25euros
Tues 23 2.30pm The French Revolution Meet at metro Odeon at the statue
Wed 24 10.30am Village Montmartre
Wed 24 2.30pm The Two Islands
Thurs 25 10.30am St Germain-des-Prés
Thurs 25 10.30am MEDIEVAL PARIS and the TEMPLARS Paris' oldest house, the alchemist Nicolas Flamel, the mystery of the Knights Templar, the beautiful medieval architecture of the abbey of St Martin's, the intriguing St Merri church. This walk will take you off the beaten track and reveal some of the secrets of old Paris. Meet at metro Temple.
Thurs 25 2.30pm The Marais Circuit 2
Fri 26 10.30am Hemingway's Paris
Fri 26 2.30pm Village Montmartre
Sat 27 10.30am The Marais Circuit 1
Sat 27 2.30pm For Hallowe'en: CRIMES AND MYSTERIES A walk on Ile de la Cité and the right bank to see the forbidding Conciergerie prison, the place of public execution at the tip of Ile de la Cité, hear of the curse of the Knights Templar, and some famous mysteries. Meet at metro Pont Neuf.
Sun 28 10.30am Village Montmartre
Sun 28 2.30pm The Marais Circuit 2
Sun 28 11am UNDERGROUND tour of the SEWERS and the story of the River Seine Hear how the river shaped the history of Paris. Walk below ground to see how the Paris sewers function. The need to deal with waste has always been a vital, but unmentionable, aspect of the development of every city. An unusual but fascinating view of the under-side of the city. Children welcome. (Entrance 4euros) Meet at metro Alma-Marceau, beside the golden Liberty flame.
Sun 28 2.30pm ST DENIS BASILICA and the ROYAL TOMBS A beautiful gothic cathedral which is one of the oldest and finest in France, home to the many splendid French royal tombs. Superb sculpture and architecture and stories of some mighty or murderous kings and some scandalous or tragic queens. Meet at entrance to the Basilica. Nearest metro St Denis Basilique (N.B. Trains to St Denis alternate on line 13 ). (Entrance 6euros)
Mon 29 10.30am Cité Island & Notre Dame
Mon 29 2.30pm The Medieval Latin Quarter
Tues 30 10.30am The Marais Circuit 1
Tues 30 2.30pm The French Revolution Meet at metro Odeon at the statue
Wed 31 10.30am Village Montmartre
Wed 31 2.30pm The Two Islands
OUR BOOKS
Peter and Oriel Caine are authors of PARIS THEN AND NOW Thunder Bay Press 23 euros and new, by Peter Caine
The Definitive Guide to DA VINCI CODE PARIS In English or French. Editions Bartillat 12 euros. www.walkingthedavincicode.com
WHAT GUIDE BOOKS SAY:
The Rough Guide: The best walking tours of Paris are those offered by Paris Walks.
Sunday Mail: 9 out of 10 and the best value in Paris. Our guide was unflagging in her enthusiasm. Customer comment: even in the rain this was great!
Rick Steves: Paris Walks are the best. Excellent walks, informative and fun. Thoughtfully prepared, humorous and relaxing walking tours.
The Economist Magazine: enthusiastic guides who educate visitors about the architecture and history of Paris.
Where Magazine: Paris Walks offers fresh insights on traditional tourist itineraries. Our guide had encyclopedic knowledge, well chosen anecdotes and plenty of British wit.
OUR GUIDES are university graduates, who have lived in France for many years, speak excellent French, and know French culture well. They are all experienced, qualified guides. "The guides are engaging and well informed and the tours are full of historical gossip and humour" New York Times.
BOOKSTORES Our brochures are available at the following bookshops in Paris:
The Red Wheelbarrow, 22 rue St Paul, Paris 75004. Nearest metro St Paul.
Village Voice, 6 rue Princesse, Paris 75006. Nearest metro Mabillon.
For second hand books: San Francisco Book Co, 17 rue Monsieur le Prince, Paris 75006. Metro Odeon. (2nd hand)
Tea and Tattered Pages, 24 rue Mayet, Paris 75006. Metro Duroc. (Tea Room and bookshop)
Les Alizés, 74 rue Cardinal Lemoine, Paris 75005. Metro Cardinal Lemoine. New and second hand books in French and English.
Pick up your free copy of Paris Voice magazine and browse amongst the books in a friendly atmosphere. Buy a copy of Hemingway's "A Moveable Feast" to enjoy before or after our Hemingway tour.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Our walks are recommended in all good guide books: Fodor's, Rick Steves', Time Out, The Rough Guide, Dorling Kindersley, Lonely Planet, Kate Muir, Access Guide, Great Sleeps, the Economist, the Michelin Website, NBC's website and many others. "The guides are engaging and well informed and the tours are full of historical gossip and humour" New York Times
Paris Walks was founded in 1994 and is a member of the Paris Tourist Office.
(Home) (The Guides) (Next Month) (Other City Walks) (Other Links) (Private tours)
E-mail: paris@paris-walks.com Internet: http://www.paris-walks.com