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Best of Paris in 7 Days Tour
Paris is synonymous with the finest things that culture can offer — in art, fashion, food, literature, and ideas. On this tour, your Paris-savvy Rick Steves guide will immerse you in the very best of the City of Light: the masterpiece-packed Louvre and Orsay museums, resilient Notre-Dame Cathedral, exquisite Sainte-Chapelle, and the extravagant Palace of Versailles. You'll also enjoy guided neighborhood walks through the city's historic heart, as well as quieter moments to slow down and savor the city's intimate cafés, colorful markets, and joie de vivre. Join us for the Best of Paris in 7 Days!
Dates & Prices
2023
2024
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- Nov 19–Nov 25 (Su–Sa)
- $2,395 + Air
Opportunity to spend Thanksgiving in Paris!
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- Dec 3–Dec 9 (Su–Sa)
- $2,395 + Air
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- Jun 4–Jun 10 (Su–Sa)
- $2,495 + Air
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- Jun 11–Jun 17 (Su–Sa)
- $2,495 + Air
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- Jun 18–Jun 24 (Su–Sa)
- $2,495 + Air
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- Jun 25–Jul 1 (Su–Sa)
- $2,495 + Air
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- Jun 26–Jul 2 (Mo–Su)
- $2,495 + Air
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- Jul 2–Jul 8 (Su–Sa)
- $2,395 + Air
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- Jul 9–Jul 15 (Su–Sa)
- $2,395 + Air
Opportunity to experience Bastille Day in Paris!
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- Jul 16–Jul 22 (Su–Sa)
- $2,395 + Air
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- Jul 23–Jul 29 (Su–Sa)
- $2,395 + Air
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- Aug 20–Aug 26 (Su–Sa)
- $2,295 + Air
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- Aug 27–Sep 2 (Su–Sa)
- $2,495 + Air
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- Sep 3–Sep 9 (Su–Sa)
- $2,595 + Air
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- Sep 4–Sep 10 (Mo–Su)
- $2,595 + Air
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- Sep 10–Sep 16 (Su–Sa)
- $2,595 + Air
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- Sep 11–Sep 17 (Mo–Su)
- $2,595 + Air
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- Sep 17–Sep 23 (Su–Sa)
- $2,595 + Air
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- Sep 18–Sep 24 (Mo–Su)
- $2,595 + Air
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- Sep 24–Sep 30 (Su–Sa)
- $2,595 + Air
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- Sep 25–Oct 1 (Mo–Su)
- $2,595 + Air
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- Oct 1–Oct 7 (Su–Sa)
- $2,495 + Air
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- Oct 8–Oct 14 (Su–Sa)
- $2,495 + Air
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- Oct 15–Oct 21 (Su–Sa)
- $2,495 + Air
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- Oct 22–Oct 28 (Su–Sa)
- $2,495 + Air
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- Oct 29–Nov 4 (Su–Sa)
- $2,395 + Air
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- Dec 25–Dec 31 (Mo–Su)
- $2,495 + Air
What's Included
You'll get at least 10 group sightseeing events — at no extra cost!
Here's what you'll see and do on our Best of Paris tour:
- 7-day Métro subway and bus transportation pass
- 6-day Paris Museum Pass, allowing free admission throughout the city
- Seine River cruise
- Louvre Museum
- Orsay Museum
- Montmartre walking tour
- Historic Paris walking tour
- Sainte-Chapelle
- Marais walking tour
- Versailles…and more
Plus you'll get all this, too.
- A small, friendly group of 24–28 people — half the size of most tour groups
- Full-time services of a professional Rick Steves guide and local experts who will make the fascinating history, art, and culture of Paris come alive for you
- All group transportation during the week in and around Paris
- 6 nights' accommodations in a memorable, centrally located hotel
- All breakfasts and half your dinners
- All tips for guides and driver
- A tour kit including a guidebook (when available) and a moneybelt
- Guaranteed tour price, locked in the moment you make your deposit
- Tour alum discount of $50 for each tour you've taken with us
- Flexibility should you need to transfer or cancel your tour
Fine print: You are responsible for the cost of your drinks and free-time sightseeing. See our Tour Conditions for important details regarding everything listed above.
Group sightseeing events subject to change.
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Paris
We'll gather at our hotel in Paris at 4 p.m. for a short meeting and orientation stroll around our neighborhood. Then we'll get acquainted with one another over a delicious "Welcome to Paris" dinner together.
Light walking: 2–4 miles throughout the day on mostly level terrain. Sleep in Paris.
Day 2: The Historic Heart of Paris
Let's begin where Paris did, on the Ile de la Cité. Your guide will lead a walking tour of the city's early history, including a pair of the world's most significant medieval Gothic churches: the resilient and legendary Notre-Dame and the exquisite Sainte-Chapelle. After free time for lunch, we'll regroup and stroll through the bohemian Latin Quarter, named for the language you'd have heard on these streets if you'd walked them in the Middle Ages. Then you'll be set free for the afternoon to explore more of the city.
Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. No bus. Sleep in Paris.
Day 3: Montmartre and a Seine Cruise
This morning we'll hop on the Métro, then hike up Montmartre to tour the colorful neighborhood that was the haunt of artistic geniuses a century ago — including Van Gogh, Picasso, and Renoir — and generations of hopeful artists since. We'll end our walk with spectacular views of Paris from the Sacré-Cœur Basilica. After free time for lunch and exploration, we'll regroup this evening to enjoy dinner together before embarking on a dreamy Seine River cruise.
Strenuous walking: 2–8 miles throughout the day with lots of hills, stairs, and uneven terrain. No bus. Boat: 1 hour. Sleep in Paris.
Day 4: The Marais District and the Louvre
We'll begin our day with a walking tour through Paris' diverse, history-layered Marais district. As we walk, we'll learn about enlightened 17th-century urban planning at the beautiful Place des Vosges, the cultural roots of the Jewish Quarter, and how the French Revolution grew from this neighborhood. This afternoon, we'll visit Europe's greatest museum — the Louvre — where you'll come face to face with the works of Raphael, Delacroix, and Leonardo and timeless treasures including the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, Venus de Milo, and hundreds more.
Strenuous walking: 2–8 miles throughout the day with lots of hills, stairs, and uneven terrain. No bus. Sleep in Paris.
Day 5: All Day at the Château de Versailles
Today we'll explore the elaborate palace that Louis XIV, XV, and XVI called home. We'll make the 30-minute train trip to Versailles, where we'll have a guided tour of the dazzling Hall of Mirrors and other sumptuous rooms of the palace. You'll then have free time to wander through the expansive gardens and visit the farm animals at Marie Antoinette's hamlet, or to zip back to Paris early via one of the frequent trains.
Strenuous walking: 2–8 miles throughout the day with lots of hills, stairs, and uneven terrain. No bus. Train: 1 hour. Sleep in Paris.
Day 6: Masterpieces of Paris
This morning we'll tour the Orsay Museum, home to the world's greatest collection of Impressionist art with works from Monet and Degas to Cézanne and Gauguin and beyond. Then you'll be free to visit the nearby Orangerie Museum, featuring Monet's magnificent water lilies and other fine works by Renoir, Matisse, Picasso, and more. Or visit other places covered by your included 6-Day Paris Museum Pass, such as the Rodin Museum or the military museum of Les Invalides. Tonight we'll enjoy a farewell feast together, sharing travel memories and toasting new friends. Santé!
Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. No bus. Sleep in Paris.
Day 7: Tour Over After Breakfast
Breakfast is provided, but there are no group activities today. It's a breeze to reach Paris' airports by taxi, shuttle, or public transportation. Your guide will help you with any post-tour planning, leaving you well prepared for the road ahead. Merci et au revoir!
(This tour does not include the Eiffel Tower. To avoid its long lines, we recommend booking tickets several weeks in advance. For details, see our Eiffel Tower ticket tips for tour members.)
Itinerary specifics subject to change.
Physical Demands
Our tours are physically active! It's an essential part of the Rick Steves tour experience. On our Best of Paris in 7 Days tour — among other things — you'll need to happily…
- Carry your luggage up several flights of stairs to reach your hotel room.
- Be on your feet, walking and standing, for up to three hours, indoors and outdoors, in all weather conditions.
- Sleep with street noise and no (or weak) air conditioning.
- After orientation and transportation lessons, be able to navigate around the city on your own.
Reviews
Robert
Tour: 05/08/23
Overall rating:
The tour gave me exactly what I wanted - access to the sights I hoped to see, and free time to explore.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"I loved the guides and the guided walks through neighborhoods. I would never have found such interesting areas to explore, and the guides added so much history and current information to the experience so I could appreciate the areas even more. The guides at the Orsay Museum and at Versailles were also outstanding; they added more to the experience than I would ever have imagined."
Victoria
Tour: 05/08/23
Overall rating:
Everything, tours, hotel, food excellent
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Gardens of Versailles"
Gary
Tour: 05/08/23
Overall rating:
Loved the location of our hotel. Amazing guides. Excellent choice of locations to visit on the tour.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Can’t choose. They were all wow worthy."
Robert
Tour: 05/08/23
Overall rating:
The sights selected for the tour gave us a superb diversity of Paris in a very short time. Each day was filled with exciting events and venues visited. The hotel was central to all our activities including lots of good eateries. All the daily guides were extremely knowledgeable and made their presentations interesting. The only downside was that Rick could have ordered somewhat better weather!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"A toss up between the d'Orsay and Marais district tour. Loved the description of the houses and stories told while touring the Marais district. Our guide through the d'Orsay was most excellent in her description of the paintings and their history. We got tremendous insight into the lives and times of both the painters and the history of Paris. Were able to see individual paintings up close."
Eugenie
Tour: 05/08/23
Overall rating:
It was fabulous! Our group was composed of interesting, congenial people which contributed to the great success of the tour. There was a good mix of the history, culture, and and atmosphere of Paris with plenty of time for exploration in the neighborhoods. The guides were outstanding which is to be expected in a Rick Steve's Tour.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"There were so many "wow" moments! My favorite was the gathering of our group after our Fair Well Dinner, on the great lawn in front of the Eiffel Tower. We watched, with delight, the sparkling of the Tower and enjoyed a group circle of sharing our "best moments" ending with our group picture."
Joseph
Tour: 05/08/23
Overall rating:
Great organization and there was a very solid logistical support
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Versailles was very impressive. The food was also very good. Gregoire suggested a restaurant: "Bouillon Racine""
Susan
Tour: 05/07/23
Overall rating:
This tour was our least favorite of the 4 Rick Steves tours that we have taken. We liked our guide and thought she did a good job. Unfortunately the weather in Paris was quite poor the week that we were there. It was cold and very wet, making the tour far less enjoyable than it could have been.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The Eternal Notre Dame 3D Virtual Experience was the Highlight of this tour. This experience was Incredible!!! This was by far the absolute Best thing that we did on this tour, and we know that it is not a part of the regular tour. We want to thank our guide Rolinka for making this happen. This 3D Experience should be Added to ALL the Paris Tours. It was educational, exciting and overall Outstanding!!!"
Billee
Tour: 05/07/23
Overall rating:
Fast-paced, interesting, informative and so much fun!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Our group did the Virtual Reality tour of Notre Dame. That was truly a one of a kind experience. All the sights of Paris are wonderful and many had me saying, “wow!”"
Liz
Tour: 05/07/23
Overall rating:
Our guide, Rolinka, was amazing and the experience of seeing Paris with her guidance was incredible.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"My favorite wow moment was seeing the Eiffel Tour sparkle after dark."
Maria
Tour: 05/07/23
Overall rating:
With our guide, ROLINKA, Paris came alive. ROLINKA was very detailed in a fun way. I brought my daughter and granddaughter and they were just thrilled to experience what the tour gave us. We had wonderful visits to museums and a great metro lesson. Our free time was filled with recommendations from ROLINKA and we felt completely comfortable walking around the city. The beautiful buildings, the people, the food, oh my, we were in a Paris dream and still are!!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"So many WOW moments but one in particular. We had the 3-D experience at Notre Dame. Having never participated in any virtual activities, I was completely blown away by the detail. We were submersed in the early construction and history of the beautiful, spiritual landmark. To be inside and to be up in the rafters, and so close to the spire and flying buttresses takes your breath away. I would do this 3-D experience again, in a heartbeat!"
Judy
Tour: 05/07/23
Overall rating:
Even though we didn’t have the best weather our guide made sure we had a wonderful time
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The 3 D tour of the Notre Dame"
David
Tour: 05/07/23
Overall rating:
Thoroughly enjoyed the tour. Everything I expected and so much more. The tour members were all friendly and enjoyable to be around. The tour guide, Rolinka, was excellent.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"I think just realizing I was in Paris. Definitely a bucket list trip."
Carrie
Tour: 05/07/23
Overall rating:
Absolutely love Rolinka our tour guide, and all the wonderful experiences of Paris!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Last restaurant we ate at Vin et Marée Local guides we met: Brad in the Marais Vincent in Versailles Joelle in the Orsay Extra activity at the 3 D show of Notre Dame Sainte Chapelle All of Rolinka’s wonderful stories about Paris as we walked, and the treats she bought us"
Sheree
Tour: 04/30/23
Overall rating:
I loved seeing so much more of Paris
Favorite "WOW" moment
"After our boat trip we stood on the bridge and watched and waited for the Eiffle Tower to light up and sparkle it was amazing."
Jeannette
Tour: 04/30/23
Overall rating:
Awesome! Our tour guide Claire was phenomenal!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Wow moment for me was seeing the Eiffel Tower. We have expectations of sites we have dreamed of seeing but seeing it in person was my "WOW" moment."
Jo Anne
Tour: 04/30/23
Overall rating:
Our guide Claire was the best guide I have had! Knowledgeable, personable, very accommodating! Our hotel was also in a great location for touring the city. The metro made it very easy to get around!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The sparkling Eiffel Tower and D’Orsay Museum!"
Elizabeth
Tour: 04/30/23
Overall rating:
Our seven day tour in Paris was just amazing! Claire was the most fantastic guide we could have asked for, who provided little extras to our group all week long. The hotel was clean, comfortable, and centrally-located. The staff were all so friendly! Our "expert" guides shared so much fascinating information during our tours of the Marais, Versailles, and Musee d'Orsay. The pace of the tour was well-timed and the group dinners were delightful.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Entering Sainte-Chapelle was breath taking!"
Diane
Tour: 04/30/23
Overall rating:
First of all, our tour guide, Claire made our experience extra special! The tour overall is very informative from the museums, monuments, culture, and with French history.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"I have been to Paris a few times and I have seen the Eiffel Tower before. My "wow" moment is the fact that our hotel was located with walking distance from the Iron Lady. Having the opportunity to walk to the Eiffel Tower every night and seeing her lite up is truly and a "wow" moment for me."
Leonard
Tour: 04/30/23
Overall rating:
Excellent
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Versailles"
Kathleen
Tour: 04/30/23
Overall rating:
My husband and I spent two days before the tour wandering through Paris and enjoying the sights. When our tour guide, Claire, started the official tour, we learned so much about the city, it's history, the food culture, and its people.Suddenly, Paris came alive in unexpected ways. It was priceless.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The cruise on the Seine at night - such a wonderful and unexpected experience that I might never have chosen. So amazing."
Barbara
Tour: 04/30/23
Overall rating:
Loved this 7 day tour of Paris. Hotel was in the ideal location to access all of the popular sites of Paris and the staff was amazing. Our tour guide, Claire, was magnificent. Couldn't have asked for a more friendly, knowledgable, kind person to show us around Paris.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"My favorite "wow" moment was when I realized that everywhere I looked there was immense beauty and such deep history right in front of me."
Gregory
Tour: 04/30/23
Overall rating:
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The stained glass windows in Sainte-Chapelle on a sunny day. They were amazing."
Warren
Tour: 04/30/23
Overall rating:
Everything was perfect, even the weather. Hotel location couldn’t have been better. As older travelers my wife and I, in our 70’s, enjoyed being in the heart of Paris and with in walking distance of the Metro and many of the sights that we wanted to see and visit. Your guides were top notch, personable and very encouraging in our experiencing Europe the “Rick Steves way”. And that is exactly what we signed up for! Thanks for the experience of a life time, again. We look forward more tours!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"A better understanding of why Paris has a “cafe culture”! It wouldn’t have happened without the sharing by our tour guide Claire."
Patricia
Tour: 04/30/23
Overall rating:
Overall, I feel very happy that I chose this tour. I feel like I had a wonderful introduction to perhaps the most beautiful city I have ever seen. Claire, our tour guide, was excellent; the Hotel Londres Eiffel was exceptional; the sites chosen to visit (with the exception of the Louvre) were very good.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"My favorite "wow" moments were on the Seine River cruise. Every moment was just breathtakingly beautiful. Afterwards, many tour participants and our tour guide stood on a bridge over the Seine and waited for the Eiffel Tower to begin to "sparkle.""
Gary
Tour: 04/23/23
Overall rating:
Very Complete and informative !!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Montmarte and the the Boatride at Sundet"
Dale Rogoff
Tour: 04/23/23
Overall rating:
The "Best of Paris" was our 4th RS tour. Great tour group. Daniela, our guide, was wonderful - knowledgeable, with a fun sense of humor, very engaging. Daniela helped us build confidence in navigating such a big crowded city. We had such a nice time!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Our final dinner together, then a boat ride on the Seine, followed by seeing the Eiffel Tower nightly light show as we walked back to our hotel. The 14-year old in our tour group was awed by the twinkling Eiffel Tower lights! Her excitement made all of us smile!"
Denise
Tour: 04/23/23
Overall rating:
Well organized, great hotel, excellent guide, nice group
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Seeing Versailles for the first time—no wonder there was a revolution! Such ostentation when so many were poor and hungry"
Shelaine
Tour: 04/23/23
Overall rating:
Not having been on a tour before, I wasn't sure what to expect but had a good idea of what I hoped to experience. This tour exceeded all of my expectations.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"My "wow" moments included looking up into the stained glass at Sainte-Chapelle, and seeing The Orangerie at the Gardens of Versailles for the first time."
Frederick
Tour: 04/23/23
Overall rating:
The tour was interesting and well-organized.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The Seine River evening cruise."
Anne
Tour: 04/23/23
Overall rating:
Tour guide, Daniela, was exceptional, with background in art history & architecture, her organizational abilities, kindness and great sense of humor. Tour was well organized with museum passes and Metro pass & reservations to all the art museums and Versailles. Food was excellent. Breakfast had superb coffee, pastry, yogurt. Dinners excellent. Hotel very nice, great staff, great amenities. People taking tour with me were gracious and fun.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The last day of the tour was my birthday. It was a perfect day. We visited the Orsay & Le Orangerie Museums. I love Impressionist art, so seeing these masterpieces was incredible. The dinner was excellent and the chef honored me with a candle on my desert. The night ended with a cruise on the Seine & the sunset was breathtaking. It made me feel like I was in an Impressionist painting. Daniela also went out of her way to make my birthday special. I will always remember this day."
Cathye
Tour: 04/23/23
Overall rating:
All the major sites and attractions were covered. Well organized with excellent guides for all aspects of of the trip which helped to provide an even greater sense of history and perspective. Luckily none of the recent demonstrations adversely impacted any part of the trip.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The sunset river cruise was wisely moved to the last evening to take advantage of better weather. What a beautiful evening to complete our trip,"
Bruce
Tour: 04/23/23
Overall rating:
Well done. Thoughtfully planned. So helpful re: learning how to navigate the city on public transit. Hotel was in a great location.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Our group included a family (dad, mom, their teenaged daughter, maybe 14-15 years old). When I heard their daughter gasp loudly with unrestrained joy and delight after seeing a sparkling Eiffel Tower after dark, for the first time, I thought that this trip was worth every penny! Experiencing the joy and fascination of co-travelers adds to my own experience."
Kathleen
Tour: 04/16/23
Overall rating:
Wonderful
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Montmartre"
Jacki
Tour: 04/16/23
Overall rating:
My first time to Paris !! What a beautiful, clean city, and lovely locals.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"If I say the laundromat across the street from the hotel, how silly does this sound? Actually, it was a joy to be able to do my laundry a couple of times in a modern facility. Now, so many things to state were a "wow", but I loved the various neighborhoods away from city centre, especially the Latin Quarter and Montmartre. There is nothing quite like the view from the hilltop of Montmartre."
Edward
Tour: 04/16/23
Overall rating:
I thought everything about the tour was very well done, the tour guide was excellent. I just had trouble keeping up!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"St Chappell, the Mona Lisa"
Thomas
Tour: 04/16/23
Overall rating:
Busy, intense, interesting, tiring, inspiring, educational, nonstop fun.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"View from Montmartre."
Charles
Tour: 04/16/23
Overall rating:
Wonderful. Marie and Gregoir did a great job and we liked our guides at the museums and neighborhoods we toured.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Starry Night specifically and the Orsay generally."
Louise
Tour: 04/16/23
Overall rating:
The tour provided a wonderful introduction to everything Paris has to offer including how to get around on the Metro system, the history of Paris (all the King Louis' and Napoleon), and how to eat like a Parisian! The tour left us enough free time to visit other highlights including the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomph, and Napoleon's tomb. The 6-day Paris Museum pass and the Metro pass were extremely helpful.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Of all the places that we saw including the Louvre, Montemarte, the Orsay Museum, Maraisse District, Santa Chappelle, the thing that stand far and above everything else are the Gardens at Versailles."
Laura
Tour: 04/16/23
Overall rating:
The hotel was lovely and situated in a very good area. Close to the Eiffel Tower and lots of shops nearby. Our trips on the metro and bus went very smoothly. Marie, our guide, and Gregoir, the assistant took very good care of us. Answering questions, giving us history and current events in good measure. We had to change plans due to the strikes but overall, it went quite well.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Entering the second story of St. Chappelle was quite the "wow" moment! We had plenty of time to take pictures and gaze upward. Marie gave us the history in our ear while we looked up in awe."
Tammy
Tour: 04/09/23
Overall rating:
We were thrilled with the accommodations, the delicious meals, the excursions and our wonderful guides, especially Rolinka!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Walking into the exquisite stained glass hall of Sainte-Chapelle was such a stunning experience! Learning so much history from our knowledgeable guides was a special bonus!"
Stephen
Tour: 04/09/23
Overall rating:
Besides seeing the sights around Paris with Rolinka, she taught us how to use the Metro and the commuter trains. In the future, we'd definitely feel comfident going around Paris ourselves.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The second story of Saint Chapelle."
Melissa
Tour: 04/09/23
Overall rating:
This was our second Rick Steves tour, so the bar was set pretty high. Happy to report this tour was every bit the quality and value as the first. Top notch sites, guides (Rolinka, our main guide, is spectacular), group dinners and experiences. We rave about these tours to anyone who will listen - such a great value and learn and see so much more than if we were going it on our own. Perfect balance of structure and independence. Thank you!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The Eiffel Tower shimmering at night and Sainte-Chapelle are among many jaw-dropping sights in Paris!"
Mable
Tour: 04/09/23
Overall rating:
The guides were extremely informative and engaging. There was a good balance of group time vs alone time. Provided meals were excellent.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The beauty of Saint-Chapelle & also seeing the Eiffel Tower sparkle for the first time with my own eyes.??"
Mary
Tour: 04/09/23
Overall rating:
The 7-day Paris tour was more than I could imagine. Our guide, Rolinka Bloeming, was amazing and easy-going! I would highly recommend this tour to others. We toured various districts of the city, multiple and magnificent museums, churches, and enjoyed great group dinners at amazing restaurants. The hotel was in close proximity to the Eiffel Tower, shops, bakeries, cafés, and restaurants. The hotel staff also provided excellent service.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"My "wow" or should I say "Oh la la" moment was touring the Louvre and seeing the Mona Lisa, along with other grand art pieces, and sculptures like the Venus de Milo."
Robert
Tour: 04/09/23
Overall rating:
Our time in Paris was wonderful. We experienced as much as possible during our Rick Steves tour. We will definitely go on another trip with Rick Steves.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"I loved the Musee d'Orsay and the Rodin Museum. I also liked how our guide, Rolinka, showed the group how to use all of the modes of transportation in navigating Paris."
Michelle
Tour: 04/02/23
Overall rating:
This was our first Rick Steve's tour. We went into it without any expectations. The detail into each day and the care our tour guide gave us was outstanding. We can't say enough good things about it. It was an amazing trip and we look forward to doing another tour soon.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The day spent at the Palace of Versailles. The garden tour was truly a highlight, wish we had more time to explore it."
Nalini
Tour: 04/02/23
Overall rating:
I loved it! I enjoyed that we had balance of guided time and free time, utilized the metro and buses, and had a variety of guides in addition to our main guide.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"I really enjoyed the walking tours!"
Maureen
Tour: 04/02/23
Overall rating:
my daughter in law, 13 year old granddaughter and I had a fabulous time in Paris. The planned tours with Marie and the selected guides on walks and museums was wonderful and well planned out. we really enjoyed our free time, to walk around or just relax with a coffee and cold drink.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"I loved the walking tour in Montmarte and in Marais arrondissements, the loved the museum tours guides."
Ann
Tour: 03/26/23
Overall rating:
We really enjoyed our tour. There were many little and big details that were thought out for us and made my first experience in Paris a great one.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Riding bicycles around Versailles!"
Joann
Tour: 03/26/23
Overall rating:
Our guide Julie was fabulous! She guided us through the busy Paris streets, introducing us to the Metro, buses, and trains. It was a full week, with insights into the Paris culture and in-depth tours of neighborhoods and museums. I thought 7 days would be too much . . . it was not enough to get all the sights and experiences in! Luckily, Julie has prepared us to go back to Paris confidently on our own!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Hands down - Versailles, especially Marie Antoinette's charming hamlet."
Addison
Tour: 03/26/23
Overall rating:
Julie is the best tour guide ever- she made it incredible we love her and want her to do all France tours
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The love Julie bestowed on all tour members with champagne and wine tasting events"
Sandra
Tour: 03/26/23
Overall rating:
My first Rick Steves tour was excellent - all I hoped for and more. Our tour guide Julie was exceptional in her breadth of knowledge, her sense of humor and patience, and her ability to get us to where we needed to go despite the pension strikes. The chic little hotel (Londres Eiffel) was close to everything we needed and the staff was extremely helpful. I had a great time and highly recommend this tour.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Our walking tour of Montmartre was extremely informative and we had a great time with our guide and Brad the guest guide."
Yvonne
Tour: 03/26/23
Overall rating:
Julie is wonderful and Orsay
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Orsay, it is a good idea that Julie change the River Senne"
Jillian
Tour: 03/19/23
Overall rating:
Our guide was amazing, the hotel was beautiful and everything was so well organized! It was a great experience for my first time in Europe.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Seeing the Eiffel Tower all lit up from the street while we were walking to our boat tour."
Barb
Tour: 03/19/23
Overall rating:
With strikes, demonstrations and limited garbage pickup in some areas of Paris, I was so impressed with our guide. Virginie was aware of strike days and how it could affect our itinerary. I didn’t care if I saw Versailles on Thursday or Tuesday. She was able to change train tickets, access, … So thankful I was on a Rick Steves tour with our knowledgeable, personable guide.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"My “wow” moment was seeing the large Monet water lilies pieces at Orangerie."
Curtis
Tour: 03/19/23
Overall rating:
Tour guide Virginie was excellent. We were not impressed with value received for the money. We are proficient European travelers and have traveled throughout Europe on our own and with tour groups, and found the price of the tour to not correlate with the value received (hotel, length of daily tour, sites included). We enjoyed Virginie very much and fellow travelers, but will use other tour companies in the future.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Visiting Sainte-Chapelle"
Machelle
Tour: 03/19/23
Overall rating:
This, like other Rick Steves' tours I've taken, was absolutely wonderful. Our tour guide, Virginnie, was a delight and the change in plans so we could see everything on the itinerary was most welcome as seeing these would have been difficult due to planned strikes.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Versailles hands down as well as how nice the French were. I've heard so many stories of them not liking Americans but I did not find that to be the case at all."
Rachel
Tour: 03/19/23
Overall rating:
We learned so much about French history and culture, which is the reason we travel in the first place. We loved our guide who was French but had lived in the US which made her guidance so complimentary.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The stained glass at San Chappelle. Amazing architecture and great workmanship. It was breath taking."
Sandra
Tour: 03/19/23
Overall rating:
We had a wonderful experience. Our guide Virginie was amazing . She made everyone feel safe and her experience and knowledge as a tour guide was evident. We were there during the strikes and she was able to make quick decisions so that our trip was not affected. We had an experience in Paris that we would not have been able to have without being on the tour.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"It is so hard to choose just one . I would have to say the museums. I saw art that I had always dreamed of seeing and the guides that came along were so knowledgable and able to keep me involved and interested. One wow was walking into the room with Monet waterlilies. Virginie secured that reservation for us as well. Another wow was the food. Our meals together we at amazing restaurants. ."
Erick
Tour: 03/19/23
Overall rating:
Our tour guide was great, and took really good care of us. Everyone on the tour was a joy to be with. The hotel staff was the best I have ever encountered, a home away from home. I enjoy history, and I definitely received a crash course in France’s history. We were able to see the highlights of Paris, and it did not disappoint.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"For me it was the village like atmosphere of Montmarte, it was not what I expected."
Daniel
Tour: 03/19/23
Overall rating:
Overall I really enjoyed my experience. We had a very good group and we really enjoyed each other. I would think the group you end up can affect your trip a lot. Our guides were amazing. I can tell they were truly passionate about the subject matter and did a very job managing the group.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The amazing food. The sights and the different tours were great but the food was the best part."
David
Tour: 03/19/23
Overall rating:
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Seeing and photographing the Statue of Thomas Paine in Parc Montsouris in Paris. More Americans will soon learn about Mr. Paine's crucial contributions to their liberties and freedom. We should have a monument and statue honoring Mr. Paine in Washington, D.C by 2026. 250 years after he published a pamphlet in Philadelphia in January 1776 titled "Common Sense." That pamphlet "furnished every thought which now glitters in the Declaration of Independence." Character limit ends comments."
Cynthia
Tour: 03/19/23
Overall rating:
Tour guide was top notch, people in our tour group were wonderful, great hotel and neighborhood. This was my first Rick Steves tour, but it will not be my last.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"This is not really a singular "wow" moment, but I was very impressed by our guide's ability to switch up the schedule and manage to get us to everything originally planned for the tour despite French strikes and demonstrations."
Patricia
Tour: 02/19/23
Overall rating:
It was a well planned, well organized exploration of Paris! Rolinka was a truly excellent guide..great at explaining what was happening and adding her own “flavor” to the days with her interesting stories and antidotes.I’d been to Paris before but now I feel confident enough to be able to say that I do know Paris!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The museums were wonderful but probably my favorite moment or day was the exploration of the Montmartre district. So beautiful and eclectic. The views up by the Sacre-Coeur were truly awe-inspiring."
Christina
Tour: 02/19/23
Overall rating:
This was our first RS tour and we've been very impressed. The tour had a great balance of organized group outings followed by free time to explore Paris. Our tour guide Rolinka was outstanding! She was a great wealth of knowledge, fostered confidence in us to explore Paris safely on our own, and got us passed super long lines and into all the major sightseeings in the blink of an eye. We also had outstanding museum/art history guides for several outings. Highly recommend this tour!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Each day brought new, outstanding experiences. My favorite ones where standing inside Sainte Chapelle while sunlight flooded though the stained glass windows listening to choral music which Rolinka played via our headsets (magical). Seeing Monet's water lily's at l'Orangerie did not realize how large these paintings are and capturing light at different times of the day."
John
Tour: 02/19/23
Overall rating:
When I look back at my trip I think the over all experience was good. However, I don't spear French and I did not expect the people I met to speak English. So I found this challenging. Our tour guide, Rolink, was great. She had quite a job keeping us all together and covering the ground she did. I think if anything their was too many of us. Twenty-five is quite a crowd to be moving along the streets of Paris. Paris was cold. Next time I'll take a warmer jacket.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The hall of mirrors at Versailles and woman sculpture in one of the museums we visited.Going through the Orsay with guide Joelle was excellent."
Sharon
Tour: 02/19/23
Overall rating:
Rolinka, our tour guide, was a gem. She ensured not only we enjoyed our tours, but also ensured our entire stay in Paris was memorable.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Silly though it might be, one of my favorite moments of the tour was watching Rolinka show us the difference between the way American women walk and the way French women walk. During our tour we happened upon a French women who then exactly replicated the walk Rolinka had shown us."
Colleen
Tour: 02/19/23
Overall rating:
This was an art, history, culture and architecture immersion into the City of Paris. Our guide was terrific, and local guides were knowledgeable and enthusiastic. The museum pass and Metro pass allowed us to explore the City on our own, with guidance from our guide.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Walking into Sainte Chapelle, seeing the sunlight through the stained glass windows, made us stand in awe and appreciation of the artisans and engineers who created this treasure for posterity."
Norma
Tour: 02/19/23
Overall rating:
It was wonderful
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Walking around with the tour guide and the group to see so much of Paris"
Neal
Tour: 02/12/23
Overall rating:
Great weather, February is a good month to visit Paris. Less tourists!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Night boat tour"
Lois
Tour: 02/12/23
Overall rating:
Tour itinerary well thought out & always interesting. Best part of tour enthusiasm of director & interested tour members.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Wow!!: Eiffel Tour at night; expert guide at Musee d’Orsay was incredible in telling us the story of the beginnings of modern art."
Alan
Tour: 02/12/23
Overall rating:
My mission was to visit France/Paris to see & pray in cathedrals that I had taught about for years and to view again the art of my desire. This, along with the Paris Holocaust museum/memorial, accomplished my further mission as a Holocaust/Genocide Studies educator. I was alone in the crowd as I intended because I travel alone with a mission to see & do in my discovery of the world.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Caravaggio in the Louvre on my 2nd trip to Paris and for 2 consecutive day’s visits wowed. But, really, as a Renaissance art educator, so much of the Louvre & Orsay art thrilled. The metro card we got proved invaluable. Meals w/group were all delicious. Travelers represented many varied 1st world entitlements w/some interesting stories."
Maria D
Tour: 02/12/23
Overall rating:
Everything we visited was an important site, and I am so glad we had the chance to taste French cuisine by visiting 3 restaurants!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Everything"
Richard
Tour: 02/12/23
Overall rating:
A great tour with a great tour director, Patrick. Nico really made the tour extra special.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Exploring the streets of Paris."
Christianne
Tour: 02/12/23
Overall rating:
The tour guides were so genuine, helpful and educated us to be able to get around to make the most of our free time.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"That's hard to decide. We had such a great group that it was easy to enjoy each day. I did like exploring the food!"
Jennifer
Tour: 10/23/22
Overall rating:
I had a great time in Paris. The other members of the tour were kind and welcoming. Our guides were knowledgeable and accommodating. The restaurants we ate at were delicious. The tour covered the Paris highlights perfectly and gave me the confidence as a first time traveler to see and do things I wouldn't have been comfortable doing on my own.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Walking to the Île de la Cité on the first morning and taking in the most beautiful sunrise on a bridge over the Seine. And then to follow it up with the breathtaking Sainte-Chapelle! Amazing!"
Amy
Tour: 10/23/22
Overall rating:
The art museums I discovered on my own and the Orsay was the best piece of the trip. I made an amazing friend through the tour. The hotel and the hospitality from its employees were amazing. The food we ate from nearby restaurants was delightful too. Rue Cler neighborhood was a great jumping off point.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"I loved the tour of the Montmartre neighborhood and the stories I heard there. Also the Orsay museum contains many fabulous paintings!"
Mona
Tour: 10/23/22
Overall rating:
The Hotel was charming and in located in a good part of Paris not far from the Eiffel Tower. The plans that were in place were good (even though I missed out on one as my knee was hurting.) Getting to places on the metro was ok but trying to navigate back to the hotel on our own was confusing at times. I wish we would have had the tour guide waiting for us once in a while. A few in the group got lost, even me. The food at selected restaurants were fine and wine was provided most times.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"My favorite wow moment was seeing the Mona Lisa and the evening ride on the Seine even in the light rain."
Silas
Tour: 10/16/22
Overall rating:
Viriginie was outstanding. The tour overall was wonderful. I personally would have preferred more time to soak in the feel of the city and different areas and less time cramming things in, more time experiencing art or architecture or the city in my own head, a little bit less time with someone talking in my ear. But I'm not a person who's very drawn to group tours... this was something my father-in-law wanted us to do.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"All the great food and dining experiences."
Tracy
Tour: 10/16/22
Overall rating:
I thoroughly enjoyed the week in Paris!!!!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Just being in Paris after all these years!!!"
Veronica
Tour: 10/16/22
Overall rating:
I really enjoyed this tour. I had visited Paris very briefly in the past, and this tour gave me a deeper experience through the guided museum and neighborhood tours. And I now feel confident in getting around Paris on my own! Right mix of structured tour and free time.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Not one "wow", but the guided tour of the Orsay was outstanding and maybe my favorite. Overall, I enjoyed everything we did."
Jaymie
Tour: 10/09/22
Overall rating:
We had a wonderful time, and the tour was very well planned and executed. Our guide Rolinka was engaging, fun, and caring.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"There are too many wow moments to count! St. Chapelle, Musee D'Orsay, the evening boat ride. I would have been overwhelmed by the Louvre, but our guide led us to the highlights and gave us a great experience. Wow."
Katlyn
Tour: 10/09/22
Overall rating:
This was my first group tour, and I would absolutely travel with a Rick Steves group again in the future. Our tour guide, Rolinka, made all the difference in how much we were able to learn and discover on our own. I was a bit nervous about being the youngest on the tour with my husband (we're 29 and 32) but we had no problem fitting in. It was a perfect mix of group time together, and solo exploration.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"My husband and I both audibly said 'Woah' as we looked up walking inside the Sainte-Chapelle chapel. The stained glass walls are immense to experience in person, but the small quarters of the chapel itself still allow the space to feel intimate and secluded."
Richard
Tour: 10/09/22
Overall rating:
It was great having someone along that kept us informed every step of the way and yet let us go on our own to explore.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Eiffel Tower from the river cruise"
Marcie
Tour: 10/09/22
Overall rating:
Fun and educational tour!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Eiffel tower from the river cruise"
Lori
Tour: 10/02/22
Overall rating:
I have not been back to Paris in over 40 years so I was really looking forward to getting reacquainted with the city. This tour did not disappoint! Our guide, Claire, was outstanding. The local guides, Vincent for the Marais, the Louvre and Versailles, Brigitte for Montmartre and Joelle for the Musee d’Orsay museum were incredible! I learned so much from them! Most importantly, I got to really experience Paris and live like a local. I had the time of my life!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"There was no “wow” moment - it was more of a “wow” week for me. I was thoroughly enchanted the whole week just being in Paris."
Mark
Tour: 10/02/22
Overall rating:
Loved the guides.They were friendly, informative, accessible and patient, especially Claire.The staff at the bed and breakfast were great, as was the location of the b and b, since it was in a great neighborhood with lots of dining choices. On the negative side the cost of the tour was expensive given the fact that our room was the size of a postage stamp.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The tour of the D'orsay.Great museum, given chance to linger, nicely paced.Our guide was great."
Brian
Tour: 10/02/22
Overall rating:
As usual, Rick Steves delivered a well organized tour with outstanding, fun, and well informed guides.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Two very memorable moments were the walking tour through Montmartre and the Seine river cruise at night. Both really showed off the beauty of the city!"
Sylvia
Tour: 09/25/22
Overall rating:
Well-oirganized, well-run.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Finding the hidden 'closet' built into the wall of my hotel room."
Lisa
Tour: 09/25/22
Overall rating:
A strike prevented us from a Versailes visit, and a very wet neighborhood walk (torrential downpour) was not too fun. Our usual tours include different cities and bus rides. This was our first city (in one place) tour.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"My first "wow" was how much of Paris was "under construction"- apparently a city wide clean up for the Olympics in 2024. Every where you looked it was scaffolding - blocked sidewalks, obstructions, etc. But on the positive side was how much we enjoyed the nighttime cruise on the Seine!"
Pamela
Tour: 09/25/22
Overall rating:
This was our second Paris tour (first was in 2005) because friends and a relative wanted us to join them. So, not as special for us this time. But still, a wonderful tour overall.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Sainte-Chapelle, Orsay Museum, and the Seine River cruise were the highlights!"
Kevin
Tour: 09/19/22
Overall rating:
There was my eighth Rick Steves tour and it was amazing. This was my second visit to Paris and this even exceeded my initial visit. Our accommodations and meals were great. Of course, the museums and sights were out of this world. Our main tour guide, Jennifer, was among the best guides I've encountered and the local guides Elizabeth and Brad were excellent.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Versailles! The palace was amazing and the Hall of Mirrors was dazzling. The view down the Royal Drive was stunning. The Gardens and the fountains were beautiful."
Robert
Tour: 09/19/22
Overall rating:
The people and city of Paris, our fellow travelers and especially our guide Jennifer, made our trip most memorable indeed.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Standing under the Arc de Triomphe and looking back down the Champs-Élysées and imagining moments in history and the last stage of Le Tour de France."
Joanne
Tour: 09/19/22
Overall rating:
This tour was our first visit to Paris and it couldn’t have been more organized, time efficient, comprehensive, informational and enjoyable! Every day was a pleasure from the lovely hotel where we stayed to the guided tours and sights to the group dinners and most of all the incredible Rick Steves Tour guide, Jennifer. It far exceeded our expectations but once again proved the first class quality of Rick Steves Tours.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Seeing the Eiffel Tower in all of her glory, lit up at night, the first evening of our tour! We were really in Paris! The wow moments continued throughout the week-the Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysees, Montmartre, Sacre Coeur, Norte Dame, the Louvre, Versailles, the Orsay, the Rodin, Napoleon’s Tomb-all wow, wow, wow moments."
Steven
Tour: 09/19/22
Overall rating:
Paris was beautiful. Our tour guide Jennifer was excellent.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Mina Lisa, Eiffel Tower"
Laurie
Tour: 09/19/22
Overall rating:
This was an active tour that covered key parts and sights of Paris in depth. I think the bus orientation wasn’t very effective and was too long, with traffic and roadwork. A walk around the Paris area, maybe Luxemburg Garden or Rue Cler, or a visit to the Opera Garnier would have been more fun and interesting. Our guided tour of the Louvre on the Best of Paris tour was 100% better than the self-guided tour for the Heart of France had been. Our local guide made it much more informative.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"I most enjoyed the unexpected things: stopping at La Tartine, a little bistro on our Marais walk where we shared coffee, wine and charcuterie; our talented guide entertaining us with her singing and accordion playing during one of our dinners! I also enjoyed walking around Antoinette’s Hamlet at Versailles; so peaceful and charming. The evening Seine cruise was really special, to see the Eiffel and other buildings lit up."
Ann
Tour: 09/18/22
Overall rating:
I thought that the tour had a nice itinerary. I feel like I didn’t miss a thing in Paris. I loved the comfort that I felt on the metro after being taught how to use it by Rolinka. The tour guides Rolinka and Claire were different but both terrific. The guide at Versailles and at the Louvre was a great choice as was the guide at MO. The hotel rooms were a bit small but everyone who worked at H Londre Eiffel were helpful and kind. It really felt like home in Paris!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"We had a great group of people on the tour. My first wow was that everyone in the group was so friendly and eager to see and learn! My second wow was the picnic on the last night by the Eiffel Tower. I thought that Rolinka was an awesome guide but I give this wow to Claire."
Shana Blake
Tour: 09/18/22
Overall rating:
I had no idea what to expect other than the glowing reviews of your Spain tour from my in laws . As someone who speaks decent French and who has had a life long dream of Paris I was nervous that the tour would hold me aloof from the culture and streets I was dying to sink into with all my heart and soul. Astonishingly, this tour gave me the incredible gift of making me feel like both a student and a local. It gave me the confidence to never say adieu Paris, but a bien tot! Dream: overdelivered.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"There was a moment where the glory of the place and the care of our guide Rolucka resonated together. The first time we entered Saint Chapelle, which is already an explosion of light and color for the senses, Rolucka chose to play a beautiful soaring cantata into our headsets from her phone. She had started our day with the mantra of being in the right place at the right time. This added touch sealed that place into my heart forever. She even chose music of the correct historic style. Genius."
Maria
Tour: 09/18/22
Overall rating:
Just amazing!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The complete Rick Steve’s Tours is a rated for me. Rolinka and Claire knowledgeable, professional fun , and just all around great guides. If I had to pick one “wow” moment it would have to be on the last night when Claire, our guide, organized a wine and cheese tasting at a park overlooking the Eiffel Tower and one of our tour participants who happens to be an amazing opera singer sang La Vie en Rose. A one in a lifetime unforgettable moment that will live in our minds and hearts forever!"
Leah
Tour: 09/18/22
Overall rating:
Wonderful guides. Great accommodations. Amazing places, museums, food. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. I learned how to take the metro. I felt safe, empowered and confident.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"I really loved the Orsay. It took my breath away. But it was all the things. I can’t pick just one."
Susan
Tour: 09/12/22
Overall rating:
Rebecca was totally awesome and made the trip perfect!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Too many to pick one."
Carolyn
Tour: 09/12/22
Overall rating:
Fantastic
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Enjoying the neighborhood around our hotel"
Steven
Tour: 09/12/22
Overall rating:
The tour was fabulous. We had never been to Paris so were looking for a little "hand holding" so that we could fully experience the city. Rebecca was outstanding. She made everyone welcome. We really enjoyed the tour guides for our different slices of Paris.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"We love the Louvre and Orsay but the WOW moment was definitely enjoyed the evening Seine River Cruise."
Juan
Tour: 09/12/22
Overall rating:
First, our guide Rebecca was beyond excellent; enthusiastic and personable and helpful. The specialist guides were the best too. We really enjoyed the hotel and it’s location in a very pleasant, convenient and walkable neighborhood. I wasn’t sure what to expect with the itinerary but even the unfamiliar stuff wowed and made it feel well-rounded. Now, even a week after being back home, we are still feeling those good vibes from the experience and Paris seems like an old friend.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Gotta be honest, I’m a big fan of Gustave Eiffel so we visited the tower twice; once during the day and once at night. It wasn’t part of the tour but there was ample free time to visit. And I loved seeing it every time we stepped out of our hotel."
Stephen
Tour: 09/12/22
Overall rating:
Excellent, except the Metro took a while getting used to.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Eiffel Tower at night!"
Colleen S
Tour: 09/12/22
Overall rating:
Because my husband developed cold symptoms and was diagnosed with COVID19 on the morning of day 4, we got to experience how compassionately and competently our guide, the hotel staff, and the RS tour COVID policies worked to get him diagnosed and treated. And also how to allow me to continue the tour while staying in a separate room. I appreciated the guides’ efforts to educate us about the history. I especially enjoyed the explanations by Elizabeth about the different painting styles,
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Seeing “La Moulin de la Galette” by Renoir at the d’Orsay. The light shimmers and photos can’t reproduce that feature. We previously visited Paris in 2000 and the d’Orsay was closed due to a rainstorm damaged roof during that time so visiting it this time was very special."
Patricia
Tour: 09/12/22
Overall rating:
This was my first tour ever and it far exceeded anything I could have imagined! Rebecca, our guide was so engaged and enthusiastic and fun. My husband and I feel confident that we could return to Paris and manage quite well on our own. There is so much to see and do. The tour was the perfect balance of activities and free time. The expert guides that joined us for Monmartre and Versailles and the Louvre were also top notch with wonderful personalities ! Can;t stop thinking about this great time
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Looking out the hotel window and seeing the Eiffel Tower! That was the "Pinch me,, I'm really in Paris" moment."
Judy
Tour: 09/12/22
Overall rating:
Our tour guide Rebecca, was OUTSTANDING! Spending 7 day in Paris was a special time for both my husband and me but Rebecca's enthusiasm, professionalism and obvious love for Paris, France and what she does was contagious. She made us both feel like temporary Parisians.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Every meal we ate was a wow moment, but the Orsay Museum was our favorite tour destination. The subject matter expert tour guide Elisabeth brought to life the history of all the beautiful works of art we saw there."
Greg
Tour: 09/12/22
Overall rating:
Rebecca was wonderful. She gave me the confidence to return to Paris on my own!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Loved it all."
Gery
Tour: 09/11/22
Overall rating:
What a fabulous tour! We saw all the wonderful sites, had fantastic tour guides, and ate some terrific French food and wine. We met some wonderful fellow tour members who added to our total enjoyment. After waiting 2 years for this tour due to Covid, we were so happy to be standing in person viewing the Eiffel tower sparkle in the night!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Hard to narrow down--everything was very memorable. But loved seeing the Notre Dame reconstruction process, the Louvre, and Versailles! The Hall of Mirrors was breathtaking. We saw the fountains in the gardens dancing to Handel--unforgettable."
Robin
Tour: 09/05/22
Overall rating:
We liked being able to settle into our well located hotel, have daily adventures to learn about the city and history, and then have plenty of free time to explore on our own.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Sainte-Chapelle was clearly a wow"
Daniel
Tour: 09/05/22
Overall rating:
We had a lovely group of people that made the experience even more enjoyable.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Versailles was beyond doubt a most overwhelming display of opulence I could imagine."
David
Tour: 09/05/22
Overall rating:
It was more than a checklist. It was an experience tailored to the moment and the tour guide. We had plenty of time for deeper dives and extras that were not on our itinerary.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"When the tour guide, during our final dinner, serenaded us with a accordion and vocal performance."
Toni
Tour: 09/04/22
Overall rating:
Well organized and planned city tour. Great guides, as always.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"I loved all of the museum visits."
Harvey
Tour: 09/04/22
Overall rating:
Marie was wonderful explaining our travels for the day. She would always answer any questions the group had.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Versailles, Vincent made the palace come alive with his knowledge and manner of sharing his knowledge."
Dwight
Tour: 09/04/22
Overall rating:
Both tours in France where great experiences!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Napoleon's Tomb in Paris and Omaha Beach."
Archie
Tour: 09/04/22
Overall rating:
i had a wonderful time. everyone was very nice to be with. Marie was a great guide.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"it was all just one big wow."
Karen
Tour: 09/04/22
Overall rating:
Going to a big city like Paris can seem overwhelming— so much to see, do, learn about, but walking around with Marie was like traveling with a local friend. Her enthusiasm for the sights, history and culture was contagious, but best of all, Marie conveyed the Parisian spirit of savoring each experience. Each traveling day ended with good food, good wine and ample time to people watch in a sidewalk cafe.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Too many “wow” moments to count, but the specialized tour guides put into context all the exceptional things we were seeing and gave us lots of options for our free time."
Lois
Tour: 09/04/22
Overall rating:
Wonderful tour. Marie, our RS guide was SUPERB!! Saw and experienced all the desired museums. museum guides were interesting & knowledgeable.Enjoyed the free time provided to explore on own. Excellent choice and location for Hotel...VERY accommodating.Tks for the heads-up re: Eiffel Tower not on tour. We arranged to go to the top YES!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"1. The tribute to Princess Diane under the Statue of Liberty torch flame. 2. Marie Antoinette's Hamlet..a must see for all! Take a trolly then long walk. But well worth it! 3.The "love locks" !!"
Paula
Tour: 08/28/22
Overall rating:
As a solo traveler I found the tour to be family. It was easy to meet everyone while we toured the city. The free time gave us options to continue or go on our own way. Our tour guide Marie was so encouraging and helpful. The hotel and staff were so polished. There was nothing that didn’t exceed my expectations
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The beautiful night boat ride right at dusk on the Seine was WOW"
James
Tour: 08/28/22
Overall rating:
Each day was fabulous. Tour guide exceptional as to information on various historical sites & very personal who connected to the group.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The Paris tour had several WOW moments, from the Louvre tour, the guide who was exceptional & educated in the arts to just commuting daily on the trains. The hotel & staff were a pleasure to return to after walking through Paris."
Meagan
Tour: 08/21/22
Overall rating:
We enjoyed our Rick Steves tour overall although a few things could be improved. Pros: We got to see all of the Paris highlights; museum tours, logistics and transportation were pre-arranged; we loved meeting new people in our tour group; all of the local guides for Montmartre, Versailles, the Louvre and Orsay All were Amazing - knowledgeable, engaging and interactive. Cons: group meals were mediocre at best, hotel had minor issues, personal interest from our group guide was lacking at times
Favorite "WOW" moment
"We really loved our tour at the Musee d'Orsay. Our local guide was phenomenal. It was very nice to start the tour just as the museum was opening because there were a lot less people. We did also love our Montmartre guide and our guide for Versailles and the Louvre."
Barbara
Tour: 08/21/22
Overall rating:
I thought the tour guides were fabulous and I loved the hotel.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Musee D’ orsay"
Emily
Tour: 08/21/22
Overall rating:
I enjoyed the structure of the tour with group and individual time as well as the teaching philosophy.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"A delicious chocolate croissant every morning while sharing breakfast with fellow tour members…and sometimes one later in the day, too!"
Janet
Tour: 08/21/22
Overall rating:
This was my first Rick Steves Tour in Europe! Looking back on all the experiences, I am amazed at many great sites! There are so many wonderful moments to enjoy recalling! For me, this city has been my dream trip for nearly 40 years! Ever since I was introduced to French culture in high school, I have dreamt of Paris. I loved the city sites, from the small moments of sitting at sidewalk cafe sipping hot cafe au lait with chocolat croissant and people watching to the large moments at Versailles!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"My trip with my husband was special celebrating our 10 th anniversaire. Our magical moment was the boat ride along the Seine with a glowing sunset while viewing the beautiful Eiffel Tower. After the group tour, we also enjoyed very magical evening on the Eiffel Tour at nighttime when Paris was all aglow! Truly a Magical city of Amour ??"
Stephen
Tour: 08/21/22
Overall rating:
Good hotel, excellent guides, excellent tour director
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Eiffel Tower blinking"
Susan
Tour: 08/07/22
Overall rating:
Overall I thought it was very organized well run tour. The palace of Versailles
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The palace of Versailles"
Debra
Tour: 08/07/22
Overall rating:
Wonderful!!!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Palace of Versailles"
Karen
Tour: 08/07/22
Overall rating:
The tour is a great blend of organized activities and free time to explore Paris on your own. If you take full advantage of the free time, it is a very full, fast paced tour. The Metro and museum passes were an extraordinary benefit. The hotel was perfectly located and the staff was extremely welcoming and professional. Specific guides were excellent as was the tour support.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The guided tour of the Orsay Museum with Joelle (?) was fabulous! She led us through the museum providing a mini art history course that led from the early influences on the Impressionists to the post-Impressionists. Her descriptions created an easily understandable progression through the art world of the time. Her insights into the artworks themselves were extraordinary. She helped me understand and appreciate the works in greater depth than I previously had."
James
Tour: 08/07/22
Overall rating:
Fast-paced, rigorous tour with lots of walking when combining formal tour events with free time sightseeing. Specific guides were exceptional and tour support thoughtful and helpful. Incredible opportunity to experience Paris and environs up close and personal. Hotel perfectly located and Metro & museum passes invaluable. Recommendations for free time activity and dining added to the experience. Staff at hotel friendly, welcoming & professional--went above and beyond to create a great experience
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Visit to the Orsay Museum with our guide Joelle. Her exceptional knowledge of art and art history and an incomparable way of communicating her knowledge made this visit one of a lifetime. She encapsulated a generation of art/history perfectly and in a fascinating and understandable way. Additionally, her commentary served as a basis for looking beyond the Orsay's collection to more deeply appreciate other areas of art and sculpture. Like auditing a graduate course in a new favorite subject."
Mary
Tour: 08/07/22
Overall rating:
The food, hotel and city were amazing but the true standouts of the trip were our tour guides.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The guided tour of the Musée d'Orsay was by far our favorite moment."
Nathan
Tour: 07/24/22
Overall rating:
Our main tour guide was excellent: friendly, knowledgable, patient, and went beyond the essentials. Our hotel and staff, and specialist guides were also first rate.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The streets of Paris. The outdoor cafes, walkability, liveliness, and feel of Paris is wonderful."
Wendy
Tour: 07/24/22
Overall rating:
Lots of sights to see and learn about but plenty of free time for naps (which we needed after all the stimulation of new things). Our guide Veronique was exceptional even while this was her last tour of a lengthy season and she looked forward to going home to sleep in her own bed. This trip was a high school graduation gift to my granddaughter and her mom from rural Indiana (How you gonna keep 'em down on the farm...). I was glad there were other young people with us in the group.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"As I had spent my junior year abroad in Paris and had seen many of the sights, the best part was meeting all the interesting people in our group. We enjoyed their company at meals and laughed a lot. Among them, my granddaughter met the teacher she always wished she had had in high school. We'll be keeping in touch. The "buddy system" was a brilliant way to herd cats. We never lost anybody on the metro."
Chelsea
Tour: 07/24/22
Overall rating:
Loved the tours with local expert guides, the community created in our group, and our host was so gracious and kind.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Touring the Orsay with Cerise, and seeing the Eiffel Tower sparkle."
Deborah
Tour: 07/24/22
Overall rating:
I enjoyed the tour immensely. The accommodations were delightful, both the room and the staff were exceptional. Your tour guide was also first rate. She really provided us with the ability to navigate Paris comfortably on our own. The choice of sights that we saw were good, I liked visiting all of the areas of Paris and the museums.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"I have to say that I loved the hall of mirrors in the Palace of Versailles. I have seen it in pictures but being there was my "wow" moment."
Dolores
Tour: 07/24/22
Overall rating:
Our guide was informative and friendly. We had a better hotel than expected, we were thrilled that wine was included with dinner. I thought the tour was well planned, included history and was a good value. I appreciated being taught how to get around on my own using metro, etc.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Lots of them but more than the places visited I came home with memories of great connections with other solo travelers, lots of laughs and memories made."
Ronald
Tour: 07/17/22
Overall rating:
Perfect blend of local culture and history. Extremely educated guides.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The French way of life."
Kristen
Tour: 07/17/22
Overall rating:
This tour was so unique, that I felt like I was living in Paris, not visiting Paris. I felt like I was a part of the community and culture. It’s was a vacation experience, not a vacation trip.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Visiting Sainte Chapelle"
Denise R
Tour: 07/17/22
Overall rating:
The tour was exceptionally well planned and provided a balance of structured and free time. It was obvious that experience with past tours was used to determine where to place the longer more strenuous activities. I liked having the weekly museum and transportation passes. Veronique did a fantastic job teaching us the Metro system and assisting us to be "pros" before sending us on our own. The group size seemed manageable as well. We were 3 generations and all enjoyed!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"For sure it was seeing so many neighborhoods and the hidden gems. It was not my first time in Paris, and I found some of the historic neighborhoods fascinating."
Gail
Tour: 07/17/22
Overall rating:
The tour guides and the friendliness of the tour group made the Paris tour exceed all my expectations.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"It may sound funny, but I'll never forget the experience of riding and navigating the metro. I thank the Lord for Veronique's guidance in how to relate to Parisians. The guides at Montparnasse, the Louvre, Versailles, and Orsay museums gave me a taste of what I want to go back to see and experience in the future. And I must rave about the French food and the restaurant chefs and service we enjoyed. Some of the courses were almost to pretty to eat!"
Tanya
Tour: 07/17/22
Overall rating:
The experiences I didn't capture in the 3000+ photos I took will forever be remembered every time I dreamily reflect on my tour of Paris!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Every day I experienced "wow" moments. I have always admired Rodin pieces of work from photographs and to be able to steal away after our guided tours one afternoon to the Museum of Rodin, I was overcome with unexpected swells of emotion and a sense of awe while walking through the gardens filled with his work. I really appreciated the extra free time allowed before or after our guided experiences each day."
Susy
Tour: 07/17/22
Overall rating:
It was a wonderful experience for my first trip to Europe, highly recommend it.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Versailles was the wow moment for me so beautiful..."
Laura
Tour: 07/17/22
Overall rating:
We learned so much about French history and culture. Loved traveling like the locals, except at rush hour on the Metro in the mornings! Had just the right amount of activity with our tour group and free time.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Emerging from the spiral stair case inside the Sainte-Chapelle into a room of seemingly mile-high medieval stained glass was unexpected and amazing!"
Susan
Tour: 07/17/22
Overall rating:
This was an Outstanding tour! I cannot say enough good things about our amazing tour guide, Veronique! She was fabulous!!!! I loved every minute and plan to do another Rick Steve’s tour in the future. I love your philosophy to live like a local and how Vero taught us to use the Metro, courtesy phrases, how to order coffee, as well as the history and culture in Paris. I can’t wait to plan my next trip with Rick Steve’s!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"I loved the Montmarte and Le Marais days, loved the Orsay Museum and all the dinners with our group! Met lots of new friends! It will be a trip I will forever remember and cherish!!!"
Sandra
Tour: 07/10/22
Overall rating:
Fantastic - visited so many wonderful places, ate wonderful food, made really good friends, had an amazing guide for the tour as well as great guides for different sights. The Hotel de Londres Eiffel was perfect, everyone who worked there was so helpful and fun and our room was to die for - we could lie in bed and see the top of the Eiffel Tower and feel the cool night time breeze coming in the open window.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Really hard to pick one but the Bastille Day firewords on the Champ de Mars was spectacular. We arrived at 6 pm and picked our spot sitting on a blanket supplied by our hotel staff and we were joined by Teresa. We had a wonderful time laughing and talking, eating our baquette, cheese and macarons. There was a concert to listen to and lots of people to watch. And of course the Eiffel Tower was right in front of us - spectacular."
Patricia
Tour: 07/10/22
Overall rating:
Our guide William was everything we could've wanted and more - knowledgeable, responsive, and helpful. The places we went were amazing. There was a great combination of tour time and our own exploring time. I loved, loved, loved this tour.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"I loved the guided walking tours of the neighborhoods--The Marais, Montmartre, and the historic center. There's nothing like walking around different parts of the city and having their unique history come alive with an awesome guide."
Alane
Tour: 07/10/22
Overall rating:
We so enjoyed our tour. Our guide was very personable. He provided helpful and interesting information. He was always willing to make suggestions and answer all my crazy questions. Our group melded together well and made toGether so much fun! Great experience! I would Definitely recommend a Rick Steve’s tour and hope to go on another one soon!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Loved sitting in the street with your friends and watching the Bastille Day fireworks and lights on the Eiffel Tower."
Nick
Tour: 07/10/22
Overall rating:
This was our first Rick Steves tour, and it didn't disappoint! Our guide, a local Frenchman, was knowledgeable and well verses, the other tour guides were also great, sites were hand picked to help us maximize our Paris experience, hotel and included meals were great. What a memorable, fabulous experience!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"I think touring the historic arts district near Sacré-Cœur Basilica and the Montmartre District was amazing! Seeing where world-famous artists lived and did their work and performances was such an eye-opening, special time. The Basilica itself was breathtaking and fun to go up into the tower and see such a beautiful, commanding view of Paris."
Sandra
Tour: 07/10/22
Overall rating:
William and the other tour guides were awesome. I have been to Paris several times, but this time It was different, historically and inspirationally.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Bastille Day fireworks from the Eiffel Tower."
Marla
Tour: 07/10/22
Overall rating:
William, our guide, was amazing. He was so interesting, told us so much and was so enjoyabel.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Touring Versailles and learning more about Marie Antoinette"
Susan
Tour: 07/10/22
Overall rating:
This is a great tour with lots of time to explore all of Paris - the perfect combination of guided tours and free time. We were able to do much more than what was listed in the itinerary. Our local guides were amazing and having both the museum pass and metro pass were extremely appreciated. We had an amazing group of tour members, and we had a lot of fun together.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Visiting Versailles was an overwhelming wow moment as was watching the fireworks over the Eiffel tour with our new tour member friends on the evening of Bastille Day."
Suzanne
Tour: 07/03/22
Overall rating:
Our tour guide, Virgine More, was fabulous and taught us so much not only about history but French culture. She had an answer for all of our questions. She explained everything so well. I learned a lot and saw so much of Paris.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Going into Saint Chappelle was my wow moment. The interior of that church was indescribably beautiful."
Jill
Tour: 07/03/22
Overall rating:
This tour was a great way to experience Paris for someone like me who is intimidated by big cities. All of the must-see sites were accessed easily and at the best possible time to avoid peak crowds.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Hard to pick just one but I loved the walking tour of Montmartre because it's such a beautiful neighborhood. The Marais tour was so amusing and our Seine river cruise was so much fun thanks to our guide and the other folks on our tour."
Daniel
Tour: 07/03/22
Overall rating:
Once in a lifetime trip. So glad we chose Rick Steves Europe to make the trip memorable.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The gardens at Versailles"
Linda
Tour: 07/03/22
Overall rating:
Everything was perfect, guides and other tour members.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Seeing the Eiffel Tower every day"
Elaine
Tour: 07/03/22
Overall rating:
Overall the trip was fantastic. Having the museum pass and the train pass allowed me to be all over the city when not with the group. Paris being the city of lights and love, the group had a lot of couples celebrating. This was a little different than the other Rick Steves tours I had taken.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Sitting in the Musee De L'Orangerie after being at Giverny. I was able to use the museum pass for a few hours before closing and it was quiet, peaceful and beautiful to just sit surrounded by Monet's beauty."
Larry
Tour: 07/03/22
Overall rating:
Wonderful baptism into one of the world's great cities. Our guide Virginie was very knowledgeable, and her commentary helped put so much of what saw in historical and social context. She really made the tour!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Favorite wow moment was actually the day prior to the tour, when we went to the top of the Eiffel Tower on our own. Amazing experience, and hope it can be included on the tour itself at some point."
Jennifer
Tour: 07/03/22
Overall rating:
Exhausting but wonderful tour through Paris. Our guide, Virginie, was fantastic and our fellow tour mates warm and amusing
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The beautiful evening on the Seine. The boat tour was moved to our last night together and it was a perfect send off. The weather was beautiful, the lighting was perfect, and Virginie popping Champagne corks into the river was priceless."
Tonita
Tour: 07/03/22
Overall rating:
Amazing guide in Virginie Moore, as well as the others who participated at various locations. Guided tour was the way to go to see a lot in a short amount of time.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"How to pick?! For me I guess it was finally getting into the Louvre and to Marie Antoinette’s Hamlet after not being able to see them when I was there 22 years ago. But every moment was “wow”!"
David
Tour: 07/03/22
Overall rating:
Our tour director exemplifies the quality of a great leader. She is knowledgeable and competent. We learned a great deal of the French culture and history from her. She was also a great tour director who patiently making sure we are all taking care of properly.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The visit to St. Chapelle. The stain glass windows."
Mary
Tour: 07/03/22
Overall rating:
wonderful leader, hotel in good location but not close to metro, main focus of tour on art museums
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Eiffel tower lit up at night"
D'Lene
Tour: 06/26/22
Overall rating:
Our French guide Arnaud, and all of the local guides, were outstanding. The charming family-run hotel was centrally located (with a sweet dog in residence!). It was a treat to stay in the same hotel during the entire tour. The itinerary included all of the sights on my must-see list, with the perfect amount of free time. Highly recommend.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"There were too many wow moments to pick just one. The many opportunities to admire the Eiffel Tower due to its close proximity to the hotel was a dream come true. And I especially enjoyed our walking tour of the Marais district, our visit to Versailles, the guided tour of the Orsay Museum and the Seine River cruise."
Lisa
Tour: 06/26/22
Overall rating:
Wonderful trip. Our first time to Paris, and it was a great introduction to the city. Friendly group and very knowledgeable and helpful guide, Armond.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Going to the top of the Eiffel Tower at night, the sights around the Seine River, Orsay. Loved eating outside at all the cafes, and people watching."
Allan
Tour: 06/26/22
Overall rating:
I have been on several other Rick tours and this one wasn't the same. Felt that the guide was more a caretaker than a guide. Had very little context about the information that was given. Previous tours had information provided in a more coherent way. The sights we saw were great and hit the list of "must do's" so that was really good and the guides at the various locations (especially the D'Orsay museum) were really good.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The sights of Paris from Montmatre."
Bob
Tour: 06/26/22
Overall rating:
Arnaud was extraordinarily knowledgeable about French history and an excellent guide through the bustling world of the Paris Métro.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Everything was worth a wow, but I particularly enjoyed our local guide in the Musée D'Orsay, Cerise. She is extra smart, and she gave us deep insights into the relationship between art and politics."
Debra
Tour: 06/19/22
Overall rating:
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Orsay museum."
Stephanie
Tour: 06/19/22
Overall rating:
Some aspects of the tour were great (e.g. the hotel and its location, the meals, the planned activities and tours not led by our main tour guide). William, our main tour guide, seems like a nice man, but he was not good at leading/guiding the group.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"I loved the Musee d'Orsay and Versailles. I also really enjoyed Monmartre and our guide. She was wonderful."
Megan
Tour: 06/19/22
Overall rating:
Very well organized tour hitting all the highlights we wanted to see in Paris. Made the trip nearly stress free.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"I loved our morning walking up to Monmarte. Our guide was wonderful and told amazing stories. The area is beautiful."
Olivia
Tour: 06/19/22
Overall rating:
We had such a wonderful time in Paris. William was outstanding and did a great job accommodating all of us. The tour was well balanced with enough down time so that you were not exhausted everyday. We enjoyed getting to know everyone in our group.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"We learned so much about Paris! The individual tour guides were outstanding. Our tour guide to Montmartre was especially great. She took us up the hill a different way and told many interesting stories about the artists in this area."
Larry
Tour: 06/12/22
Overall rating:
Our tour leader was outstanding but my experience at the Louvre and Versailles was not good. The crowd was too great for me and we did not have time to personally appreciate what we were seeing.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Maybe the boat tour on the Seine."
Edward
Tour: 06/12/22
Overall rating:
Excellent accommodations with outstanding location and service. Excellent guide and itinerary.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Becoming adept at public transportation use. Cruising the city."
Linda
Tour: 06/12/22
Overall rating:
I learned so much about not only the history and culture of Paris but also how to use the different forms of transportation and passes needed for those. Our guide, Rolinka, was excellent in giving us instruction in all of the above. Our tour was a balance of having a guide and having free time to explore.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Every day was a "wow" moment. Rolinka, our guide, introduced us to sites that varied from day to day; each opportunity was unique to that of the day before."
Lasha
Tour: 06/12/22
Overall rating:
A great week in Paris, loved the hotel and knowledgable and entertaining tour guide.
Maria
Tour: 06/12/22
Overall rating:
Our guide Rolinka and all of the local guides were great. They know so much and I learned so much.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Too many to name, but I loved the Orsay museum, Versailles was incredible also."
Joe
Tour: 06/12/22
Overall rating:
I enjoyed visiting the different neighborhoods of Paris. The hotel was awesome and the location was excellent. I know the Louvre is the flagship museum but the guided tour that covered the "highlights/main attractions" was so crowded and loud it was not enjoyable and bordered on the absurd. A guided tour of a different area in the Louvre or a different less traveled museum would be definitely be more enjoyable. Apply the same recommendation to the Versailles tour.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The St. Chappelle cathedral was fabulous. The gardens and estate at Trianon at Versailles were amazing. Charming and very informative guide."
Joan
Tour: 06/06/22
Overall rating:
Great experience, we got a good sampling of the magnificent city of Paris .
Favorite "WOW" moment
"There were several but our first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower stands out and my favorite museum.was the Orsey."
Randall
Tour: 06/06/22
Overall rating:
Overall everything was well-planned, organized, and easy to participate in. As a first-time visitor to Paris, I felt like I saw all the top experiences and could return on my own and have a successful trip with everything I learned.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"So many brilliant moments, but I think the visit to Sainte-Chappelle in the Île de la Cité was the most breath-taking. I studied art history at college, and that was the first moment on the trip I felt as if I was walking through one of my survey textbooks. Truly remarkable."
Tristan
Tour: 06/06/22
Overall rating:
The tour was a fantastic experience and I was glad to have a group and well educated guide accompany me and my family.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Visiting some of the historical monuments and museums is very interesting because you can't find that type of stuff in the states."
Erin
Tour: 06/05/22
Overall rating:
Overall our tour was very good. Our guide was knowledgeable and helpful. I appreciate how the RS tours always maximize your time to get the most out of the day. Everything that RS could control for the tour was excellent. The only downside of a tour in 2022 was dealing with people’s different levels of Covid comfort. The disappointing part was adults not following the guidelines that were clearly laid out by RS and our guide for the week.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"I loved the guided tour in the Orsay. I’ve been there several times but it was the first with a guide making the paintings come alive with the stories and details of what to notice."
Lisa
Tour: 06/05/22
Overall rating:
This was my first Rick Steve’s tour and my first trip to France. I absolutely loved Paris and the cafes, the history and museums. Learning to use their metro, visiting the different arrondissements and our hotel was so close to the Eiffel Tower that we were able to visit it several evenings. Our guide Marie was lovely and so helpful. Some members were reluctant to mask which made me uncomfortable. No fault of our guide as they did it at every moment that was not monitored and that is on them
Favorite "WOW" moment
"So many. St. Chapelle was AMAZING. Our day at Versailles was beautiful and I appreciated being able to come back on the train on our schedule. The art at the D’Orsay and our guide for that tour was especially memorable. I loved seeing my favorite Renoir paintings!"
Susan
Tour: 06/05/22
Overall rating:
Tour leader Marie was superb. Other tour participants were delightful. Tour was well-planned, but with plenty of time for independent activities. Accommodations were excellent.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Montmartre"
Pat
Tour: 06/05/22
Overall rating:
Exceptional accommodation, active tour, nice group of people
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Versailles!! From seeing the front of the palace, the hall of mirrors to the gardens and hamlet! Unbelievable"
Padma
Tour: 06/05/22
Overall rating:
I am a great fan of Rick Steves-have his books, CD's, T-shirt and watch his show almost every day. I 've been wanting to do his tour for many years and I finally did it. enjoyed the Paris tour very much due to the fact it was well planned. I was traveling alone but my fellow travelers made sure I was not alone and invited me to join them on various outings. I truly appreciated that.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"More than one "wow" moment. My first "wow" moment was looking up at the ceiling at Galeries Lafayette. I was not prepared for the spectacular stained-glass ceiling even after reading about it. Second "wow" moment was entering the Sainte-Chapelle and being overwhelmed by the stained-glass windows."
Greg
Tour: 06/05/22
Overall rating:
This was our fourth RS tour and it did not disappoint. We thoroughly covered Paris during our weeklong tour. Marie our tour guide had us going promptly every morning. Most afternoons were free for exploring on our own. We had really nice group of 25 fellow travelers.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Favorite wow moment was just being in the city of Paris!"
Lynn
Tour: 05/29/22
Overall rating:
Met my expectations
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The ease in moving around the city"
Deborah
Tour: 05/29/22
Overall rating:
Our tour guide, Veronique, was outstanding. She was knowledgeable about Paris history and provided excellent instruction on logistics so that we could navigate the city in our free time.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The quality of our tour guide and the museum tour guides were incredible. Their knowledge created an entertaining, enhancing experience beyond my expectations."
Elizabeth
Tour: 05/23/22
Overall rating:
My overall tour experience was very good! Our guide was very thorough and friendly. She was also very good at staying on schedule. I enjoyed meeting the other members of the tour! Paris was an amazing city and I could easily go back and spend weeks and still see new things every day.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"I loved renting bikes at the Versailles gardens during my free time! It was beautiful scenery and so tranquil."
Teresa
Tour: 05/23/22
Overall rating:
Activities took place according to schedule, nothing unexpected occurred, tour guide was clear on daily activities and expectations, fellow travelers were friendly and cooperative. My partner and I had the information and resources from Rick Steves Tours to experience fulfilling free time on our own.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Visiting Versailles"
Maureen
Tour: 05/23/22
Overall rating:
I wanted to go to Paris as I missed several things on the Best of Europe Tour that included Paris. I enjoyed seeing what I missed but I felt it didn't have the variety I experienced with the tours that move from city to city. The tour was what I expected, I just know now what I like better in some tours.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Montmartre area and restaurants which what part of what I missed on my first visit to Paris."
Stephen
Tour: 05/23/22
Overall rating:
This was my first RS tour. I have watched all RS episodes on PBS at least once each over the years. My expectations were therefore very high for the Paris tour. The tour and Marie fully met my expectations. The experience was memorable and I am grateful to RS for providing me and Liz the opportunity. As an aging person most of my concerns about traveling were alleviated by the general RS travel approach and specifically the kindness and competence of our guide Marie.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"My good impressions were too numerous to mention. However, I was impressed most by the Montmarte tour. Brad was wonderful with his sprinkling of factual and anecdotal history. He brought the area to life in his calm, witty manner. I love hills, narrow streets and quaint venues. The vineyards and windmills were unknown to me an added to the charm of the tour. The view of greater Paris from the steps of Sacre Coeur were definitely a wow moment"
Thomas
Tour: 05/22/22
Overall rating:
Excellent tour to learn about Paris
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Every day was a WOW experience"
Kenneth
Tour: 05/22/22
Overall rating:
The accommodations were excellent, the guide was absolutely professional and a great ambassador for Paris. And as usual Rick Steves Tour‘s offer excellent value for the money. Are used to be a committed solo traveler, but I find your tours give me a much richer experience at a very reasonable price
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Well it wasn’t exactly a “wow” moment, I was again so utterly impressed by the quality of the Rick Steves guide. This is my third Rick Steves Tour and I have always been completely impressed and satisfied with the group leaders."
Kathryn
Tour: 05/22/22
Overall rating:
Loved every minute of it! Well planned group activities yet free time to explore on our own in the afternoon and evenings.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"I don't have just one! Thoroughly enjoyed every part: walking through the Paris neighborhoods with guides and learning French history as we visited various sites. The meals were fantastic, hotel was wonderful with friendly and helpful manager and staff, our Main guide was fabulous! Enjoyed all the people in the group, too! Favorite place to visit was the Palace of Versailles. Vicente did a terrific job guiding us through and enjoyed the expansive grounds on our own."
Wayne
Tour: 05/08/22
Overall rating:
Fun! Rolinka is a fantastic guide. She is pleasant, informative and keeps to schedule. The hotel was lovely, the hotel staff was very friendly and very helpful. This was our first Rick Steves tour. Highly likely we will do more.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The hotel location. It could not have been more centrally located."
Deirdre
Tour: 05/01/22
Overall rating:
Wonderful’
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Sunset over the Seine"
Cheryl
Tour: 05/01/22
Overall rating:
Very well organized and flexible! Accomodations etc. were great and our tour leader was wonderful.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The impressionists paintings! Also, the visit to Versailles....everyone needs to see this!"
Violet
Tour: 05/01/22
Overall rating:
Great trip... tour leader Marie was wonderful!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The Orsay!"
Steve
Tour: 05/01/22
Overall rating:
Nice mix of structured tours and free time. Instruction regarding public transportation was clear and allowed us to comfortably tour the city.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Versailles."
Nancy
Tour: 05/01/22
Overall rating:
It was a great mix of museums, neighborhood walks, dinners at local restaurants and seeing the famous sights.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Versailles. Have been to France several times but always avoided Versailles because of horror stories of the crowds. We were there early enough that lines and crowds were manageable. Once we finished the palace tour, it was absolutely delightful to wander on our own through the gardens and visit the Trianon."
Colleen
Tour: 05/01/22
Overall rating:
Overall just OK, I felt we rushed through some things we should not have and spent too much time at others.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Versailles."
Peter
Tour: 05/01/22
Overall rating:
We enjoyed every aspect of our trip.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Visiting the Eiffel Tower. It is an iconic and must do for any trip to Paris."
Loriana
Tour: 04/24/22
Overall rating:
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The Art museums"
Terrence
Tour: 04/24/22
Overall rating:
Wonderful. I noticed that the fellow participants were all rich white people like myself. Even on walks diversity was rare. I would like an extra day in the middle to explore on my own and have some rest.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"I loved the art history give by our guide at d’Orsay, the holocaust and children’s memorials."
Thomas
Tour: 04/24/22
Overall rating:
Days were well planned, plenty of free time, Rolinka provided plenty of support and suggestions. Hotel and staff were wonderful.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The evening boat ride on the Seine. Beautiful."
Kevin
Tour: 04/24/22
Overall rating:
Comprehensive and well-organized; knowledgeable and engaged guide; additional tour group dinner and river cruise were nice extras.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Sitting in Musee de l'Orangerie in the midst of paintings of Monet's lily ponds."
Norman
Tour: 04/17/22
Overall rating:
Veronika ran the tour with expertise, passion, and thoughtfulness.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"I had never been to Paris but had always wanted to visit, so the whole experience was a "wow" moment"
Graig
Tour: 04/17/22
Overall rating:
Good speed. Veronique was very charming and easy to approach.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"When the Eiffel Tower lighting happened as we cruised on the river"
Richard
Tour: 04/17/22
Overall rating:
Well organized very good expert docent
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The inSights from our Dutch docent"
Margaret
Tour: 04/10/22
Overall rating:
Our experience in Paris was amazing. Our guide Daniela was fantastic and fun. She managed to get us to Versailles on time for our tour even after the train broke down. The hotel was great and the staff was so nice and accomodating. Our tour guides were amazing and funny.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Saint Chapelle was beyond my expectations and the stories that go along with the history are attention grabbing"
Walter
Tour: 04/10/22
Overall rating:
It was a wonderful tour of one of the world's greatest cities. Paris is huge and history is everywhere...a week is barely enough for an introduction to its history and its present. But the tour does a great job of providing plenty of scheduled events and free time so you can pick and choose what is most important to your own desires to focus on.
Susan
Tour: 04/10/22
Overall rating:
I thoroughly enjoyed our Best of Paris Tour. Our guide, Daniela, was outstanding; the hotel was excellent - including the staff, accommodations and location; the addt'l guides at Montmartre, The Louvre and Versailles were interesting and engaging. I also very much enjoyed nearly all of our fellow travelers - it was a great group.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"It's difficult to pick 1 - there were numerous surreal moments that I experienced, e.g. seeing the Eiffel Tower the 1st time, standing in front of the Mona Lisa, or walking into Versailles, to name just a few."
Heather
Tour: 04/10/22
Overall rating:
I can’t say enough about our tour guide Daniela or the staff at H. Londres Eiffel. When only one day into the trip my husband’s IBS flared, Daniela and Armor were there to help us in any way they could from arranging a doctor to come directly to room and even heating up soup we bought from the grocery when he could eat nothing else. Thanks to their help, my husband was himself again before the end of the trip which was important to us since we were doing back to back RS tours.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Seeing all the masterpieces in the Louvre."
Laura
Tour: 04/03/22
Overall rating:
I was really happy to participate in this tour. We were two ladies travelling abroad and I felt more secure being in a group. I am also very social and I really enjoyed meeting and traveling with "like minded people." We were all fans of the show and the philosophy. Being able to participate along with others was a great plus.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"We loved our hotel (and staff) and felt very secure and at home there. On my bucket list were Versailles and the Seine cruise. I would say Versailles was my most favorite, especially as we all remarked at how "tacky" the Trianon was compared to Versailles. The proximity of wives and lovers dismayed me. The grounds were lovely even though we were there before the season."
Steven
Tour: 04/03/22
Overall rating:
I loved all of the guides for the tours!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"the Louvre"
Dianne
Tour: 04/03/22
Overall rating:
Enjoyable time. Our guide was very familiar with the itinerary we would be using and knew the special site guides well. We were given a good amount of time at each sights. Items of interest that were not included were pointed out to us and help with getting to those locations was available from our guide for during the free time in our schedule. Very pleasant experience.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Seeing the gates of Versailles Palace. It had been a cloudy morning and the gates just sparkled with the limited sun."
Anne
Tour: 03/27/22
Overall rating:
I booked this tour at a late minute and I am so glad I did. Roelinka (sp) was amazing. Her walking tours were remarkable and so intricate. She made adjustments for the weather fluidly.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Joelle’s lecture through the Musee d’Orsay. SHE was a masterpiece herself!"
Paul
Tour: 03/27/22
Overall rating:
Excellent as an introductory trip to Paris. The hotel was very good - some issues with AC. Rick Steves guide was knowledgeable and helpful. Loved having Metro pass and museum pass. Guide provided good coaching on using public transportation. Our three local guides for Marais, Louvre, Versailles and Orsay were all excellent.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Walking into Sainte Chapelle on a sunny morning! Second wow was our local guide at Musée d’Orsay."
Alan
Tour: 03/27/22
Overall rating:
Exception introduction to Paris. We have rented an apartment and scheduled our RS Tour to preceed our stay. It was perfect. Taught us how to use the metro, how to get around, where the best museums are, etc.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The D'Orsay"
Cristina
Tour: 03/27/22
Overall rating:
As anticipated, this RS tour encouraged new learnings, new insights, new discoveries and new/corrected knowledge of the Parisian culture and ways of life. These made me a more intelligent traveler with a positively clearer impression of Paris and its people. This was my 4th Paris trip and RST made this the most meaningful and enjoyable of all, Shout out to Rolinka and Julie for giving us the best attention and care.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"From a cultural and historical standpoint, Sainte-Chapelle. From a neighborhood standpoint, the way the Montmartre walk was planned with a bonus unscheduled refreshment stop at Roberta. And of course, Rick’s surprise drop-in at our welcome dinner. I have to say though that everything in the itinerary is a “wow” moment."
Janet
Tour: 03/27/22
Overall rating:
All tour guides were excellent.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Delicious hot chocolate on a chilly day"
Angelica
Houston, TX
Tour: 02/13/22
Overall rating:
We very much enjoyed our tour, which offered the perfect balance of planned activity and free time. Patrick was incredibly approachable, helpful, and a fun guide to have on this tour. This was our first Rick Steves tour and we are already looking forward to the next!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"My favorite wow moment during this tour was our incredible tour of Montmartre. The history, Patrick and Chris, and the beautiful landscape had me in complete awe."
Andrew
Houston, TX
Tour: 02/13/22
Overall rating:
This was my wife and I'd 1st a Rick Steeves tour and we were very happy with the whole experience.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The whole trip was a wow moment but for us I think it may have been the louvre but a close second was the rue cler market we spent a huge amount of time there and had a blast."
Rebecca
Hanford, CA
Tour: 02/13/22
Overall rating:
It was a great feeling being on one of the first Rick Steves' tours in nearly two years! We had a great group of travelers paired with a fantastic guide. This was my third Rick Steves' tour, and it has made me look forward to planning my fourth one hopefully in the near future.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Seeing Notre Dame for the first time and being surprised at how massively tall Sacre Coeur is!"
Mark
Elkhart, IN
Tour: 02/13/22
Overall rating:
Well organized. Fantastic hotel with a super friendly staff. Our tour Leader Patrick was awesome. Provided great info and had a wonderful sense of humor.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"I have been to Paris a few times before but I have to say the interior of St Chapelle hits me every time!"
Erika
Salem, OR
Tour: 02/13/22
Overall rating:
I was planning my very first trip to Europe and I had always wanted to go to Paris, France! I had watched Rick Steves for years on PBS and he was always so helpful about European travel tips. I decided to book a tour with his company and I was not disappointed! We hit everything that I had wanted to hit! We even got free to go and explore on our own. I stayed on an extra week after the tour to do some more sightseeing and my guide was so helpful in answering any questions I had.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"My favorite 'wow' moment was probably at the very end of the tour! I had had such a great week meeting new friends, seeing incredible places, and gaining new knowledge about this fantastic and beautiful city. At the very end of the tour we got to have one more dinner together. Afterwards, we walked to the Eiffel Tower and toasted with champagne. As we were toasting together, the lights of the Eiffel Tower started to glitter and we all hugged one another. I actually started to cry!"
Kenneth
Owings Mills, MD
Tour: 02/13/22
Overall rating:
Patrick Vidal was great! He was very informative and funny on our walks. The hotel was lovely, as well. Securing the national health certificate for France was confusing pre-departure. Not sure what can be done about that.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Favorite moment was the evening Seine River Cruise."
When To Go & Weather
Paris is a vibrant city to visit nearly year-round. However, the months of April, May, September, and October are best for combining the convenience of peak season with generally good weather and lighter crowds. Visiting between November and March, the weather is colder and wetter, but the city still feels lively and has the benefit of being less touristy.
France / Paris
Hotels & Flights
Tour Hotels
In case you wish to book pre- or post-tour hotel accommodations, the contact information for the tour hotel is included in your tour confirmation email as well as the Itinerary section of your tour account. One month prior to the tour departure, you'll find the directions to your tour hotel in the Documents section of your tour account.
Flights
Our tours don't include airfare, so your flight arrangements and transfers are completely up to you.
Most tour members arrange to fly in and out of Paris' Charles de Gaulle (CDG) or Orly (ORY) airports.
We suggest arriving a day or two before your tour begins to allow ample time to get over jet lag and be well-rested for the first few days of your tour. For more information about transportation options for getting to and from your tour, see your Rick Steves Paris guidebook.