Meet Marie, your Paris private guide to the art and history of the city of light.

A native Parisienne, Marie developed her love of art and history early on with the entirety of her childhood and teenage years spent living in a museum. While her father is a sculptor, she has chosen to dedicate her artistic talents to music and her career to art history. Having studied at the University of Dijon, the École du Louvre and the Sorbonne, Marie holds three Master’s degrees in French history, museology, and art history. Her academic work focused primarily on the iconography of European art from the 15th through 18th centuries, with dissertations on the renovation and new scenography of the Musée du Petit Palais, and the iconography of the Crucifix aux Anges by Charles Le Brun. Marie’s ability to read the subject and context that surrounds the creation of a work of art allows her to fluidly mix history, literature, philosophy, and art to illuminate the time and place from which the piece emerged.

A client favorite, Marie has been working with Context since the company launched its programs in Paris in 2005. Her vast cultural knowledge makes her versatile, but she particularly enjoys going in-depth at the Louvre and Versailles, deciphering the iconography secrets of each. From the French Revolution to Nazi occupation, luminous gothic stain glass windows to aristocratic architecture in the Marais, art nouveau to art déco masterpieces, Marie brings to life the smallest details and monumental sites of Paris, imparting a deep understanding of the history and culture of this most fascinating city. Having quite a sweet tooth, she won’t mind making a tiny detour to show you her favorite chocolatier in Paris. 

Marie is a family expert and a great hit with children. She enjoys exploring Paris with travelers of all ages. Marie has been asked to share her expertise in numerous television documentaries on Paris, co-curated an exhibition at the Louvre Museum on 16th century Parma drawings, taught an art history class on American photography at the University of Paris-8, and worked for 8 years at the French Institute of Art History (INHA). Since 2017, she has been living her dream life, traveling around the world, trekking the Himalayas or the Andes, learning new skills such as Thai massage, meditation, Argentinian tango, Indian drums, and Spanish, and discovering iconography secrets outside of European cultures. When in Paris, she enjoys martial arts, jamming with friends (piano, guitar, and voice), salsa dancing, and the amazing cultural life that the city has to offer.

Languages: French, English, German, Spanish

Join Marie on her favorite route through Paris on this full-day exploration of history, art, and French culture, and of course, a stop for lunch in one of her favorite local spots!

Start the day at the origins of Paris, or Lutetia Parisiorum, at the Roman baths that show the reach of the Roman Empire and help tell the foundation story of the capital city of France. Located in the heart of the Latin Quarter, this important archeological site sets the stage for a full-day chronological exploration of the City of Light.  

As we move from ancient history to the Medieval era, we will trace history through important cultural and architectural sites, stopping to admire the Gothic church of Saint Severin, one of the oldest on Paris’ Left Bank, on our way to see the Ile de la Cite and the magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral and Sainte-Chappelle.  The leafy Place Dauphine gives us a moment to pause and discuss 17th-century architecture and urban design and the role of the aristocracy in the development of the city we see today.  

After lunch, we will spend the afternoon on a deep-dive into the incredible collection of the Louvre Museum.  A highlight to any visit to Paris, a tour of this monumental collection with Marie as our guide will help us pick out the most important works to view but also will teach us how this collection came to be assembled and how its layers fit together into the larger history of western art.

Paris Private Guide itineraries include the cost of your time with your private guide and usually include museum or monument entrance tickets.  Lunch and refreshments are at your expense. Accommodation is not included. 

There are 7 in my family, can we take this tour?
Our Louvre tours are capped at 6 due to venue reservation restrictions, this also helps your tour experience in order to best navigate the museum and crowds. Should you have a larger group, we suggest splitting into multiple groups.

Yes. We can adapt the itinerary based on the ages, needs, and interests of travelers in your party.