THOMAS. Paris guide Thomas is Discover Walks’ in-house city planner. After initial training in a school located up against the Flea Market (Thomas leads our Flea Market Tour of course), he transferred to Sorbonne-Paris IV University.When you meet with this Paris guide, make sure to congratulate him for he has finally subscribed to Paris’ city-run bike rental program, Vélib. Among Paris’ masterpieces, his favorites are the bridges of Paris – at night in particular.
“So much passion about his city and country,” and a “typical Parisian, really really lovely, perfect accent, great sense of humor, a complete natural. I practically fell in love with him.” Join Thomas on Facebook.
OLEK. At Discover Walks we keep asking ourselves one and the same question: ‘just how does Olek know this? And that? And this again?’ It might help that Olek collects master’s degrees – one in comparative law, another in law history, and yet another in bio-chemistry. Oh, did I mention that Olek speaks fluent Polish?
In short, don’t expect Olek to give you a quick, dispassionate introduction about the Opéra, Notre Dame or the Sacré Coeur – he has studied and observed everything Paris-related in depth! (and he is VERY talkative, too).
On his walking tours (Your Best Day in Paris, Paris Night Tour) Olek will urge you to explore medieval back alleys, to push open hidden doors and to enter dormant mansions. Join Olek on Facebook.
MARION. On her walking tours Marion likely to treat you to some singing – she is our expert-in-residence in French chanson – and a stage performer in her own right. She is also a bottom-less source about Edith Piaf, Aznavour and Joséphine Baker.
Marion was actually born on the French riviera – but soon realized that as a performing artist she would fare better in Paris. In the city of light she seems to have a flair for the districts with soul – she has lived in Montmartre and near Jardin des Plantes.
Our Montmartre, Orsay and Impressionists Tour and Your Best Day in Paris are her specialties. As a guide she is especially well-versed in the artistic and cultural Paris. And always keen on sharing jokes. Join Marion on Facebook.
AUDREY. This emissary of the right bank – whose French accent tastes like croissant or crême brûlée – knows the secret places for unconventional explorations, and enjoys more than anything the view from Paris rooftops.
By trade Audrey is an art dealer in contemporary art – she can make you fall in love with any abstract Picasso painting, or even with the infamous (to most Parisians) Buren’s columns at Palais Royal. Audrey regularly guides our Montmartre, Orsay and Impressionist Tour.
One word to conclude: any of her tours can ‘accidentally’ run into a Pierre Hermé store. Hermé’s macaroons are the surest way to ingratiate yourself with Audrey any day. Join Audrey on Facebook.
ALEXANDRE. Alexandre was among the first Parisians to subscribe to Paris’ city-run bike rental program Vélib – his member ID is 118. He first rode a bike on the pavements of Paris when he was 6.
Alexandre grew up on the island, right alongside Notre Dame, and naturally among his favorite walking tours there is the Jewish Paris Tour.
Alexandre is a founder of Discover Walks. “I can’t recommend (him) enough. It really felt like a personal tour with a friend”. “His enthusiasm, humour and vast knowledge are truly inspiring.” Join Alexandre on Facebook.
MARIE. Before she started leading walking tours Marie was a publisher in Saint-Germain. Naturally she has now also become… a Paris guidebook author! Her latest publication is About Paris in Summer (in French – learn French quickly!).
When she is not sitting at a café in the Latin Quarter, or looking at the spire of Notre-Dame from her window (some people are luckier than others!), Marie can be seen walking around Paris – or leading a walking tour, Montmartre, Orsay and Impressionists Tour in particular.
Beware, Marie “will have you wanting to live in Paris within 15 minutes.” If you join one of her tours, she will welcome you as friends and make you feel at home, but at the end of the day she will put a curse on you: “You’ll fall deeply in love with the city”. Join Marie on Facebook.
EVA. When you join Eva, ask her about what it was like growing up in a ‘banlieue’ neighbourhood in Paris. Or about the musicals she is so crazy about – she has starred in her university productions of Mamma Mia and Grease.
Eva likes showing off Paris so much that if you’re lucky she may even dance and sing her way through her tours with you.
Saint-Germain-des-prés is the area Eva calls home, and she is especially fond of the Paris Night Tour – for its good singing spots, perhaps? Join Eva on Facebook.