Please recommend a reasonably priced day guide in Paris and/or an excursion company....

[Anonymous]

We are looking for someone who can ferry us around a few of the smaller known sights that are off the beaten track for a day in Paris as well as a company who can help us to arrange day trips to Normandy and/or the Loire Valley. Would love to hear about your experiences and costs.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

This is not exactly what you are looking for, but I had to put in my two cents. Check out the fat tire bike tour company in Paris - they do bike tours and segway tours both in/around Paris and also day trips to Versailles, Normandy (I believe) and other places... I have to tell you, I was a little skeptical but I went on one of their tours when I was in Paris two years ago and I can unequivocally say that it was the best tour I have EVER been on. Interesting, informative, and fun. Next time I go to Paris I will definitely use them again. It's not cheap but well worth the money.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the info though I do not think I can use it -- I should have posted that I have younger elem. kids, one of whom does not yet know how to ride a bike.

Any other ideas???

[Anonymous]

Contact someone at your hotel. What lesser-known sights did you have in mind? Trips to Normandy or the Loire Valle can be very easily arranged once you get to Paris--more choice of company and selecting someone that seems reliable.

[Anonymous]

What sights do you want to see, and why would you want to be "ferried around"?

[Anonymous]

I don't have a specific tour company, but really enjoy the Rick Steve's guides- I don't use all his suggestions, but its helpful for knowing what is useful to spend time on and would probably be helpful for isolating logistics of tours.

Time Out is a good source for food recs.

And, you didn't ask this, but we REALLY loved our meal at L'Epigramme when we were there last. We also enjoyed Dumonet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't have a specific tour company, but really enjoy the Rick Steve's guides- I don't use all his suggestions, but its helpful for knowing what is useful to spend time on and would probably be helpful for isolating logistics of tours.

Time Out is a good source for food recs.

And, you didn't ask this, but we REALLY loved our meal at L'Epigramme when we were there last. We also enjoyed Dumonet.

Did you go with kids? Ours are elem aged and I am scared I won't find enough child-friendly places to go.

[Anonymous]

I went with kids recently and I think there are plenty of places where you can take them (although not necessarily high end). That said, we rented an apartment so we could eat in a couple of nights and I think the kids especially appreciated that. We also did picnic lunches a couple of days with sandwiches and other things from neighborhood bakeries and stores.

[Anonymous]

Ask on the TripAdvisor Paris forum. Last time I checked, it was very active.

Walking tour guide is a pretty popular way to make a buck for American students living there.