- Duration
- 2 hours
- Location
- Paris
- Private evening tour with a local expert
- Discover some of the hidden gems in the chic part of Paris
- Church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Place Saint-Michel, Saint-Germain-des-Près neighborhood, Left Bank, and Latin Quarter
We’ll start our walk in front of the Saint-Germain-des-Prés church, which barely survived the destructive acts of the 18th-century revolutionaries. One of the oldest churches in Paris, Saint-Germain-des-Prés makes for an excellent introduction to the area's religious character. While here, we’ll also delve into the unusual history and diverse identity of the Left Bank, from its time as a Roman settlement 2,000 years ago to a scholarly enclave steeped in intellectualism starting in the 12th century.
We’ll also discuss how Left Bank fostered a growing and lively bohemian community, starting in the 1920s and 30s. We’ll focus specifically on cafés of the Left Bank, the hub of intellectual life, which were home to some of the most beloved artists, writers and philosophers of the 20th century. (To go more in-depth, try our Paris Literary Tour.) Next we’ll continue down some of the back streets to discover the refined restaurants and wine bars that have turned the Left Bank into an epicurean paradise. We might take a peak into some of the most famous jazz clubs in the neighborhood and visit other hidden gems, depending on the group's interests or the guide’s areas of expertise. After traversing parts of the Latin Quarter we will finish our stroll near the Seine river, a convenient place to continue your evening stroll along the river on your own and admire the illuminations of the Eiffel Tower.
FAQ
When would you recommend we schedule the Left Bank orientation walk?
We find this tour is best scheduled at the beginning of your stay so that we can acquaint you with and provide a solid foundation for further explorations of Paris.
The route may include small hills, narrow sidewalks and cobblestoned streets. Please contact us to discuss in more detail your mobility so that we can best advise. You might also look at our Paris by Riverboat tour, an orientation that is done partially seated and is wheelchair-accessible.
Generally speaking, the walk begins near Église Saint-Germain-des-Prés in the 6th arrondissement of Paris and stays in a compact area in the neighborhood. Your confirmation email will have the exact meeting point details along with a map.
Tours operate rain or shine, but in the case of inclement weather, your guide will modify the tour so more time is spent indoors. It never hurts to have an umbrella on hand.
Yes! We have some excellent family friendly guides who can appeal to the learning styles of children. Please book privately if you have children under 13. Feel free to provide us with information about your children such as favorite school subjects, and hobbies. This way we can match you with the best possible guide.
Originally from Canada, Lily is a freelance travel writer who has been living in Paris since 2000. She holds a Fine Arts Degree from the University of Guelph and has extensive experience in tourism and culture having worked for several French universities, museums, cultural sites and previously in the office of Context Travel. Her writing has been featured on the Huffington Post, Business Insider, CondeNastTraveler.com, Frommer's print guides and online, DK Eyewitness, Fodor's and others. She is also the author of two books on looking for romance in Paris and runs an award-winning blog on Paris, travel and romance, <a href="https://www.jetaimemeneither.com">Je T'Aime, Me Neither</a>.
Rebecca was born and raised in London. She fell in love with Paris as a teenager and cultivated her passion for French culture through a study abroad program as an undergraduate art student. She went on to earn her Master’s Degree in History of Decorative Arts and Design at New York's Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, in partnership with Parsons the New School for Design. Her research in French Art Deco brought her back to the City of Light in 2007, where she has lived and worked ever since. She teaches design studies at Parsons Paris, and translates art and design-related texts for publishing houses, museums and cultural organizations in France and the USA. Rebecca is also a singer, performing and recording regularly with her jazz ensemble, The Chamber Jazz Quintet, and with her husband in their electro-pop duo, Wonder Room.
Benjamin is one of the rare Parisians who was actually born and raised in Paris. He studied management and economics at Dauphine University and graduated from the Sorbonne University. He also graduated in Jewish Studies at l’Alliance Israélite Universelle in Paris and at Paideia the European Institute for Jewish Studies in Stockholm, Sweden. Benjamin has been working as a tour guide for 7 years in Paris and specifically at the Shoah Memorial of Paris. He is also working as an expert in Judaica for an art auction in Paris. Benjamin had the opportunity to work abroad in several countries including The United-Kingdom, Belgium, India and Sweden but according to him Paris is a Par(ad)is(e) and he really likes sharing his passion and love for his city with others. Benjamin really likes history, antics, art, cinema and cooking.
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