Real Paris Tours
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Description
Gare de l'Est
The Gare de l’Est, built in 1849, is one of the largest and the oldest railway stations in Paris. It's been a historical monument since 1984. On 4 October 1883, the Gare de l'Est saw the first departure of the Orient Express for Istanbul. The Gare de l'Est is the terminus of a strategic railway network extending towards the eastern part of France, and it saw large mobilizations of French troops, most notably in 1914, at the beginning of World War I. In the main-line train hall, a monumental painting by Albert Herter, dating from 1926, illustrates the departure of these soldiers for the Western front.
The Recollets convent (17th century - 18th century) . Marie de Medici started the convent with the first stone in 1614. Close to Gare du Nord and Gare de l'Est, it was used during the two world wars, and even during the Algerian war, as a military hospital. The buildings that you see are from the 18th century.
Canal Saint-Martin
Canal Saint-Martin is a 4.5 km long canal in Paris. It connects the Canal de l'Ourcq to the river Seine. The construction of the canal was ordered by Napoleon I in 1802, in order to create an artificial waterway for supplying Paris with fresh water to support a growing population and to help avoid diseases such as dysentery and cholera. Today, the canal is a popular destination for Parisians, tourists, and students, who watch the barges navigate the series of locks and road bridges. There are also a number of popular restaurants and bars along it. Painters, such as Alfred Sisley, were inspired by the canal. The canal appears in the 2001 film Amélie by Jean-Pierre Jeunet. The turning bridge is from 1885.
Hospital Saint-Louis
The hospital was created by Henry IV, in 1607, because the Hotel Dieu (Ile de la Cité) was full during plague epidemics. It had it’s first patiens in 1618. It's like a small « Place des Vosges », built exactly at the same time, and by the same architect, Claude Chastillon.
Rues Saint-Maur
Rue Saint Maur. Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, one of the most famous paintings in the world, was stolen on August 21, 1911, right off the wall of the Louvre. It was noticed missing the following day. Two years went by with no word about the painting. Vincenzo Perugia kept the painting for two years Under his bed, at 196 rue Saint Maur. He hadn't had a plan to dispose of the painting; his only goal was to return it to Italy Then, he made contact with an italian rich merchant, Alfredo Geri. And that’s how we found back the Joconda.
Belleville
Belleville in the 1940’s… Historically, Belleville was a working class neighborhood. In 1871, residents of the incorporated neighborhood of Belleville were some of the strongest supporters of the Paris Commune. When the Versailles Army came to reconquer Paris, it faced some of the toughest resistance in Belleville and in neighboring Menilmontant. During the first half of the 20th century, many immigrants settled there : Ottoman Armenians, Ottoman Greeks, German Jews and Spaniards during the civil war in 1936. Algerians and Tunisian Jews arrived during the 1960s.
Cemetery Pere Lachaise
It is the largest cemetery in the city of Paris. The cemetery takes its name from the confessor to Louis XIV, Pere François de la Chaise (1624–1709), who lived in the Jesuit house rebuilt in 1682 on the site of the chapel. Today there are over 300,000 bodies buried there. Among them : Honore de Balzac, Sarah Bernhardt, Georges Bizet, Jean-François Champollion, Frederic Chopin, Colette, Isadora Duncan, jean de la Fontaine , Theodore Gericault, Ingres, Clarence John Laughlin, Marcel Marceau, Modigliani, Jim Morrison, Edith Piaf, Gertrude Stein, Oscar Wilde, Richard Wright, and many more...
Testimonial
"We had a wonderful time with Azedine !! He is very enthusiastic, sensitive and a good family man... From the beginning it showed that he was interested in letting us know more about "his" Paris and how it was changing. Even though we walked a lot, we enjoyed all the unique cannals and streets he lead us thru. How many tours can say that they included a Hospital and a Cemetery? A suggestion for future similar tours might be to cut down on some of the walking in the areas that were not of any special interest... If you look at the map and see what we did you will be impressed, i'm sure. Not bad at our age... Even so, when we left him my wife wanted to make some quick stops on Av Montaigne, but when we stopped at a caffe near there, we almost never got up. We did, and made it... although I must admit the day finished with room service. Thanks again for being creative ! Best regards,Andres "
Hidden Paris
Our Real Paris tours take you to neihborhoods in the 9th to 20th arrondissement and are led by passionate locals who love to meet new people and show them around. All the tours have been carfeully planned to open your eyes to the unexpected and give you a wow experience.
Paris is full of surprises. When you least expect it you come across a gem.
Take the museums. Everyone goes to the Louvre and d'Orsay but there are so many small and amazing museums. You can easily visit several during the day and not get bored because of their diversity
Real Paris
"While Paris is filled with magnificent monuments and fascinating landmarks, it also boasts hidden gems, that the locals treasure for their charm and beauty.
We created these tours for those visitors who have been to Paris before and are interested if discovering areas that are off the beaten tourist track and for those who prefer an authentic typically Parisiens experience an interesting local neighborhoods away from the madding crowd. We have several options by minivan, walking, and combination of bike and walking along the canal se we pass the less interesting parts quicker and enjoy the breeze on a hot summer day. Explore Paris off the beaten path as you stroll through the more eclectic parts of Paris. Beautiful waterways and fascinating landmarks await.
If you want to discover these spectacular sites then Real Paris Private Guided Tours are just for you.
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Offbeat Paris on Foot
Explore Paris off the beaten path as you stroll through the more eclectic parts of Paris. Beautiful waterways, fascinating landmarks await and interesting grafitti art.
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Offbeat Half Day Private Walking Tour Paris (Ref#P-SMP9)
Departures: Daily on Request
Time: 9:30am
Duration : 4 hrs
Please use the inquiry form to reserve
Highlights:
Oldest railway station in the city / Breathtaking canals / Chinatown / Menilmontant / Pere Lachaise
Description:
Immerse yourself into the Real Paris culture led by your local private guide as you take a leisurely stroll along the 2 breathtaking canals with working locks, and visit the tranquil gardens of hospital built in the 17th century by King Henry IV, a revitalized rotunda used as a tax collection depot and other fascinating places
On our route we glimpse the oldest railway station in the city which, you may recognize from the film Amelie, explore hidden churches and gardens, stroll breathtaking canals, discover a beautiful hospital and fascinating Belleville where Edith Piaf was born. You may recognize this area either from the fiml the Bourne Identity or if you collect vintage photography you might identify the streets captured by Willy Ronis or Eugene Atget.
like the City of Science where kids can run free and have fun, and Menilmontant, the location of one of my favorite films The Red Balloon.
At the end of your tour you will have several options for lunch - A restaurant with a view to the sky in a revitalized rotunda used as a tax collection depot, a barge that serves crepes on deck, Hotel du Nord made famous by the film of the same name starring French movie idol Arletty, and other interesting and varied restaurants your local guide will recommend.
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Paris Around the Edges
Join us on this magical tour as you ride though the picturesque hills of Paris, along peaceful canals and across exotic gardens while you discover the charming hidden villages of Paris.
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Private Guided Tour by Car
Departures: Daily
Time: 9:30am or 2:00pm
Duration : 3 hrs
Description : When people think of Paris, magnificent buildings and monuments like the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and the Grand Palais usually comes to mind. But did you know that the city once consisted of quaint villages interconnected by narrow, winding medieval streets? Although the city has greatly changed over the centuries, there are still many neighborhoods that contain charming reminders of times gone by. Be on the lookout as hidden vineyards and a 300 year old windmill seem to appear out of nowhere. No matter which route you choose, your journey will be filled with exciting discoveries and panoramic views of Paris.
You may ask yourself which route should I choose? The simple answer is the one closest to where you are staying. Otherwise, revel in the thrill of adventure as you explore hidden sites.
Routes & Highlights:
Option 1. North - Montmartre (Ref# P-R75-VLG1).
Option 2. South - Gentilly/ Ivry /Butte aux Cailles/Montsouris (Ref# P-R75-VLG2).
Option 3. East - Bercy/ Bagnolet/Menilmontant (Ref#P-R75-VLG3).
Option 4. West - Passy/Auteuil (Ref# P-R75-VLG4).
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Parisian Essentials
Discover Paris's beautiful and iconic landmarks and get a taste of what can only be described as synonymous with the City of Lights...Shopping, chocolate and cafes! This tour is more about the experience of being here than history and art. .
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Private Guided Tour by Car
Departures: Daily
Time: 8:30am
Highlights:
Magnificent monuments : Eiffel Tower, Sacre-Cœur Basilica, Opera Garnier / 19th Century Hidden Passages / Stained Glass Ceilings / Great Chocolatiers / iconic cafes / unique shopping boutiques.
Description:
Paris is known for it's amazing food, chic fashion and beautiful monuments. But is it possible to experience everything in one day? The answer is yes!
Start the morning by visiting one of the city's largest department stores renowned for it's exquisite stained glass ceiling followed by an eclectic variety of unusual shops in 19th century covered passages which stretch all the way to the Palais Royal. After exploring the passages, we will go to the Marais to see contemporary boutiques nestled between 17th century private mansions.
Its then time for lunch in a Latin Quarter bistro or Eiffel Tower St Floor and on route we will drive over the Ile St Louis passing Notre Dame Cathedral. As you savor the flavors of the authentic French cuisine don't forget to save room for dessert because you're afternoon will be spent in St. Germain visiting some of Paris's most famous chocolatiers and cafes. We will continue our journey passing some of Paris's magnificent landmarks such as the Musee d'Orsay, Invalides, Eiffel Tower and Alexander III Bridge before returning to your hotel.
Itinerary may change according to lunch choice.
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