There are many walking tour companies in Paris. I took hundreds of them (I reviewed my favorite travel agencies in this article). Besides formal tours, there’s another thing I love doing in Paris: Airbnb experiences.
Airbnb Experiences are like the Holy Grail of tours: they’re unique, off the beaten path, and run by locals who just want to share something they love. These aren’t walking tours or cookie-cutter activities led by a guide holding an umbrella. I absolutely love it Airbnb Experiences. These are one of my favorite things to do in any city and, frankly, I don’t think enough travelers do them. Every time I do a survey about them, half usually say they’ve never heard of them!
Now, I tell you about them and invite you to add them to your itinerary during your next visit to Paris. Paris has a large number of Airbnb experiences and I have probably done between 20 and 25. Here is my list of the best Airbnb experiences in Paris:
Rediscover Jacqueline Marval Jacqueline Marval was an impressionist painter who rubbed shoulders with Matisse, influenced Picaso, then was largely forgotten by history. This exclusive gallery tour hosted by Paris-born curator Camille showcases her family’s 40-year efforts to collect Marval’s art and present his legacy to the world. She takes you on a tour of their gallery, telling you the story of Marval’s life and the history of each piece. I didn’t know anything about Marval before this and it was really interesting to learn about his story and see his beautiful paintings. She was super talented. The experience also culminates with champagne served on a secluded terrace. Overall, it’s an incredible experience to discover a forgotten artist in a beautiful setting. In addition, Camille is well integrated into the Parisian art scene and will be able to give you suggestions on galleries and temporary exhibitions to visit.
Book here!
Savor French wine and cheese in a hidden boutique It was an amazing and intimate wine and cheese tasting hosted by a certified expert, Erwan. In this warm, classroom-free atmosphere, you will taste six unique French wines accompanied by six cheeses and fresh bread. Erwan shares the stories behind each bottle, making this experience both educational and enjoyable. I have taken many wine and cheese courses in Paris and this was one of the best. The wines and cheeses are super unique and tasty and Erwan really gives you a detailed but easy to understand overview of wines and cheeses in France. He’s super friendly and funny and I think it’s one of the best wine and cheese experiences in Paris.
Book here!
A Frenchie food and wine experience If you want something more upscale, check out this tasting experience at Greg Marchand’s Altro Frenchie. He is a celebrity chef from Chef’s Table. You start at Frenchie Caviste with a sparkling aperitif on the terrace, before a head sommelier guides you through a tasting of three distinctive wines from the cellar. Then, you’ll move next door for a tasting lunch prepared by the chef. I think this gives you a lot of value for the price. You get four glasses of wine, cheese and a flatbread to start, followed by a huge tasting menu (six courses) with even more wine. It’s definitely great value for money if you’re looking for a high-end dining experience.
Book here!
The secrets of the Tower with the Descendant of Eiffel In this experience, you join Savin Yeatman-Eiffel, filmmaker and direct descendant of Gustave Eiffel, at the base of the Eiffel Tower for a look at the construction of the Eiffel Tower through the eyes of his family. You will discover the scandalous debates that surrounded its creation, discover rarely seen family photos, sketches and family heirlooms from the private Eiffel archives. I think this is a really interesting way to learn about the Effiel Tower. Not only do you get the historical information that every other tour will give you, but you also get a special family perspective that you definitely won’t find anywhere else. (Note: You are not going up the tower on this tour.)
Book here!
Black presence in Paris: a historical visit This is a wonderful tour that teaches you about the contributions of black people in France, a subject that few classic history walks cover. From the Pantheon, host Binkady shares the lives of pioneers like Joséphine Baker, Félix and Eugénie Éboué, as well as a former slave who triumphed over Napoleon. Along the way, you’ll learn about the influence of black women writers at the Sorbonne, then finish in front of the Palais du Luxembourg, where you’ll hear about pioneering black leaders such as Severiano de Heredia and Gaston Monnerville. I learned a lot during this tour and X is a really engaging and interesting guide. He worked for the Opera and therefore has a great knowledge of performances throughout the city.
Book here!
In the first microbrewery in Paris I think it’s a great experience that ticks all the right boxes. It’s unique (first microbrewery in Paris), in a part of the city that most tourists don’t visit, and run by a passionate local (the owner, Antoine). Antoine tells you his story, the history of microbreweries in Paris, the brewing process, what they sell and why. He was engaging, funny and told good stories. We also had a nice sample of beer. This is a 5-star experience that exemplifies exactly what makes Airbnb experiences so special.
Book here!
*** While there are tons of options for walking tours and experiences in Paris, I think you’ll be doing yourself a disservice if you don’t have at least one Airbnb experience during your visit. For me, these are the best of the best!
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For more detailed information, check out my Paris guide written for budget travelers like you! It eliminates the unnecessary content of other guides and provides direct access to the practical information you need to travel around Paris. You’ll find itinerary suggestions, budgets, ways to save money, things to see and do on and off the beaten path, non-touristy restaurants, markets, bars, transportation and safety tips, and much more! Click here to learn more and get your copy today!
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Book your trip to Paris: logistical tips and tricks Book your flight
To use Skyscanner. This is my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines all over the world. So you always know that nothing is left to chance.
Book your accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld because they have the largest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Reservation.com because they consistently offer the cheapest rates for budget guesthouses and hotels.
For suggested hostels, here is a list of my favorite hostels in Paris. If you prefer hotels, these are my favorite hotels.
And if you’re wondering which part of town to stay in, here is my distribution of the districts of Paris!
Don’t forget travel insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft and cancellations. This is complete protection in case something goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it, as I have had to use it several times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
Security wing (for budget travelers) Nomads of the world (for mid-range travelers) Insure my trip (for those over 70) Medjet (for additional repatriation coverage) Looking for the best companies to save money with?
Check out my resources page for the best companies to use when traveling. I list everyone I use to save money when I’m on the go. They will also save you money when you travel.
Would you like more information about Paris?
Be sure to visit my Robust destination guide to Paris for even more blogging tips!
