Experience Paris Culture Through Food
Paris, the City of Love, has a rich culture, art, beauty, and history. And one of the exciting ways to discover its hidden gems is by going on a guided tour of Paris restaurants and bars. Indeed, a significant portion of French culture revolves around food. Everywhere you go in Paris, families and friends gather over traditional meals featuring signature wine, cheese, and bread products.
French cuisine has a distinct flavor and texture that varies as you move from city to city. Hence, as you tour Paris, expect French gourmets served on white tablecloths, wine glasses, and flickering candles. Think of dinner at the Eiffel Tower, incredible stops on a chocolate and pastry excursion, or a walking food tour along Montmartre or Le Marais. And, if you like total immersion into the local culture, there are dozens of places where you can eat like a Parisian.
In this quick guide, we’ll go on a guided tour of Parisian restaurants and bars to discover the hidden gems.
Let’s dive in!
The Concept of a Guided Tour and Its Benefits for Travelers
First things first, are you a first-time traveler to Paris? If so, the best way to navigate Paris is with the help of a tour guide. Indeed, a knowledgeable and engaging guide can make your visit to Paris unforgettable. The guide can pick you up and drop you off at your hotel, give you tips to stay safe during the day and at night, and help you avoid well-known tourist scams.
Here are more reasons to book a tour guide for your next visit to Paris:
Immerse Into the Local Culture
Are you embarking on a cultural tour of Paris? Have a local guide by your side to immerse yourself in the local culture. From learning basic French words to help you interact with locals in the streets to fashion, etiquette, and traditions, a travel guide assists in getting a deeper understanding of the local culture. Besides, the agent can identify less frequented sites that promise a wholesome experience.
A Customised Tour Experience
If you are a seasoned traveler seeking to see Paris in a different light, engage a guide from a local travel agency for a tailor-made itinerary. Here, the travel agency can factor in your preferences and interests to create an exciting tour schedule worth your money. A typical personalised experience includes exploring secret Paris neighborhoods, a food and pastry day trip to remote food markets, cheese shops, bakeries, and unique wine bar tastings.
Valuable Local Knowledge & Expertise
Now, if you depend on a tourist guidebook or travel brochure to get around Paris, work with a local guide in Paris for deeper insights into places omitted from the traditional travel circuits. Undoubtedly, tour guides can help you explore places not featured in travel brochures. They know the best shops for souvenirs, how to bargain in the street markets, and quick tips to solve any travel challenges as you go.
Guaranteed Safety
Paris has a safety index of 68%. In turn, it is considered a safe place for locals and tourists. Still, like any other popular tourist destination, there are pockets of areas where you should exercise caution as you go on your city excursion. Besides, travel scams like pickpocketing, the Friendship Bracelet, and the Fake Petition are frequent in Paris. Then, hire a local guide to help identify local tourist scams and avoid dangerous spots around the city.
Save Time
Finally, if you are on a stopover in Paris, in a business meeting, or have limited time to tour the city, engage a local guide to help you plan your time in Paris. The guide can recommend the shortest routes to the most popular tourist attractions. Likewise, they can act as your concierge to help you navigate public transport and avoid long lines at popular attraction sites.
Overview of Iconic Paris Dishes and Culinary Culture
Did you know that France is the most visited country in the world? Aside from the iconic landmarks and rich history, visitors flood the country for its exquisite culinary culture. Their journeys to France may start and end in Paris, where they get to sample the iconic Paris dishes. Here are two famous foods in Paris you must try:
Escargots
Escargots, or simply edible snails, are a national symbol in Paris. They are prepared with herbs and served with bread and sauce. You’ll find escargots on most seafood starter menus in Paris. Still, we recommend trying your first escargot dish at the luxurious and vintage-styled L’Escargot Montorgueil.
Croissants
Tasty croissants are your budget-friendly breakfast meal in Paris. They comprise freshly baked flaky pastries made using certified butter and organic flour. Have them with your morning coffee, tea, or orange juice. Have your first croissants at Sain Boulangerie. Unlike other restaurants and bakeries, the head chef at Sain Boulangerie uses his own starter for the croissants for that homemade, unforgettable taste.
Other iconic Paris dishes include onion soup comfort food, bite-sized macarons, and infamous cheese.
Our Paris Guided Tour Recommendations
Finally, here are three guided tour experiences we recommend for your next Paris visit:
The Best Champagne, Wine, & Beer Tasting Guided Experiences
Organise a day trip with at least twelve champagne, wine, and beer tastings. Visit the historical vineyards, family-run wineries, and champagne estates. We recommend including the village of Hautvillers, a stopover at the UNESCO vineyard of Champagne, and the Avenue de Champagne. You may include a 3-course lunch on your way back. A knowledgeable local guide can facilitate your excursion in under six hours.
Here are more ideas to spice up your guided tasting experience and make it memorable:
- Pair your wine tasting with cheese tasting at a cheese shop in Marais.
- If you are on a strict budget or have limited time, visit the hidden wine-tasting room behind the Roman amphitheater and sample at least six authentic French wines.
- The Champagne region is an hour outside of Paris. If you have time, visit the area to sample signature champagne served directly from ancient limestone cellars.
The Best Paris Neighborhood Guided Walking Tours
One of the best ways to see and experience Paris is touring the city on foot with a local guide. We recommend a 90-minute tour of Le Marais, a historic district in the heart of Paris, famous for its 17th-century architectural display and trending fashion outlets. Your guided walking tour should include some of the best restaurants in Le Marais as well as the following stopovers:
- Have a picnic at Place Des Vosges
- Wander through Victor Hugo’s House
- Take photos next to the Hôtel de Sully, a private mansion
- Tour the Picasso Museum
- Gaze at Paris at the top floor of Georges Pompidou Center
Place Des Vosges
The Best Paris Market Tours & Cooking Guided Experiences
Finally, if you love collecting souvenirs or preparing your meals away from home, here are some street markets and restaurants you should visit in Paris:
- Les Enfants Rouges market
- Raspail Organic Street Market
- Mouffetard street market
- Le Foodist
- La Cuisine Paris
Final Thoughts
As you decide on your Paris-guided tour itinerary, we suggest visiting during the spring or autumn months for the best travel deals. With fewer crowds in most tourist destinations, you are assured an authentic Paris experience.
