Top Île-de-France Unique Experiences - page 2

Thought France was all about wine? Think again. The country has a long history of brewing beer, and Paris has some fantastic craft breweries. Learn about the forgotten history of brewing in France, why French beers fell off the radar, and the way the craft beer scene is heading today, with tastings as you go.

Spend some quality time in the kitchens of a French bakery to learn the inside secrets of French baking during a boulangerie tour. Join an expert French baker in the back rooms of a well-known bakery in central Paris to hear some of the secrets that make French pastries and breads so special and learn how to make a perfect French baguette.

Flytographer Private Vacation Photoshoot Connect with a local hand-picked professional photographer in Paris and capture your most memorable moments during this private photo shoot. Get insider tips on the best things to do in Paris, including where to eat and what to see from your vacation photographer. Return from your trip with beautiful, high-quality vacation photos — the best souvenir ever. We specialize in: - honeymoons - family trips - engagements - anniversaries - romantic getaways - multi-generational trips - babymoons - solo travellers - and just because! With over 10,000 5-star reviews, Flytographer is the global leader in vacation photography and has captured over 3 million memories for travellers across six continents. We’ve been featured across A-list media, including Conde Nast Traveler, Oprah, Forbes, Travel + Leisure, New York Times, BRIDES, Martha Stewart Weddings, InStyle Magazine, Elle, Buzzfeed, Refinery29, Huffington Post, & many more.

Left off of most tourist itineraries, the covered passages of Paris are one of the city’s most fascinating, in-the-know locations. Popular with Parisians, the arcade passageways are lined with bustling bars, bistros, and boutiques. Discover the trendy, centuries-old pedestrian quarter—located just off the main boulevards—with your own private guide, who knows all the hidden hotspots. Tours include complimentary pastry and wine tastings along the way.

Learn to shop and eat like a real Parisian on a small-group walking tour of the Marché d’Aligre. Located in the less touristy 12th arrondissement, this energetic market is a favorite with locals and is bursting with vendor stalls selling all manner of goods and gourmet treats. Follow your guide to the best shops to chat with vendors and taste with choice chocolates, cheeses and wine. Group size is limited to eight people for a more personalized experience.

Get swept up in the charm of ‘Old Paris’ on a walking tour of the fashionable Le Marais district, home to stately mansions, cutting-edge galleries, rich Jewish heritage, and a thriving LGBTQ scene. Hear the rich history behind one of the oldest quarters of Paris from a guide who knows its streets well, popping into hand-picked bistros, bakeries, art centers, and wine bars that line the cobblestone streets.

Train your taste buds to appreciate some of France's finest chocolate with a private chocolate tasting experience in Paris. With the help of a gourmet guide, explore the history of the delectable desert in Europe and learn how to identify top-notch cocoa products. Put your new skills into practice as you taste a hand-picked selection of fine dark chocolate bars on a delicious journey toward becoming a true chocolate connoisseur.

Discover the Paris fashion scene with a professional on a private shopping tour. This customized experience is perfect for travelers who want to expand their wardrobe with the help of an expert opinion. Depending on your tastes, your guide will take you to the showrooms, stores, and boutiques that compliment your unique style. Along the way, you'll explore trendy neighborhoods like the Marais, Saint-Germain-des-Prais, and the Golden Triangle.

Explore the scenic streets of Saint-Germain-des Prés in the sweetest way possible. This family-friendly pastry and chocolate tour features a treasure hunt and several tastings. Visit the oldest chocolate shop in Paris, choose from a wide variety of macaron flavors, sample salted butter caramel, and end with delicious ice cream or hot chocolate, depending on the season.

With iconic landmarks and beautiful riverside scenery, Paris is a photographer’s dream destination—but knowing where to find the best angles requires local knowledge. On this tour, explore Paris with your guide to lead the way, and head straight to the vantage points with the finest views. Customise your itinerary to capture must-see sites like the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre, and capture the best of Paris on camera.

Benefit from personalized attention from the chocolatier during this 1.5-hour private chocolate-making workshop. Focus on the technical details of chocolate making and learn about the workshop's various methods of chocolate production. You'll make some sweet creations to take home after the class.

Add some variety to your Paris itinerary and learn to make French macarons from a local chef. Take a cooking class in a private apartment in central Paris, where your chef will guide you through the process of making one of the country's most delightful sweets. Watch how to make the perfect meringues and hear the secrets behind the flavorful layers of cream. Class size is limited to eight people, ensuring more personalized attention.

Stroll through Paris’ Bohemian past with this guided walking tour of Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Latin Quarter. Explore these neighborhoods known as havens for the city’s intellectuals and artists and discover TV and film locations and witness the City of Love light up as the sun descends. See the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral, Pantheon, the Church of Saint Sulpice, the Church of Saint Germain des Pres, and browse the shelves at the Shakespeare and Company Bookshop and enjoy a mouthwatering French pastry.

Treat yourself to an enchanting evening at Vaux le Vicomte, a lavish, 17th-century French castle and estate. Special packages a formal, multi-course dinner, illuminated by over 2,000 castles, plus a late-night fireworks display. You’ll also enjoy intimate visits to the chateau, gardens, and carriage museum, without the rush of daytime crowds.

Take a day trip to Giverny to see the garden depicted in so many of Claude Monet's masterpieces. Tour the artist’s former home, now a museum, and explore his beautiful gardens at your leisure—the water lily garden is particularly famous. Visit the nearby Museum of Impressionism to see more great works from the Impressionists. This half-day, small-group tour from Paris is self-guided, which means you get to see Giverny’s attractions at your own pace.

With a city as large as Paris, it can be overwhelming to know where to find the best Christmas lights and decorations. This tour will save you hours researching your trip by having a local host to take you to a variety of magical festive sites. Learn about Parisian festive traditions as you stroll along the romantic streets with your guide. You’ll see the markets of Le Marais, stop by patisseries and sweet shops, and enjoy a cup of mulled wine or hot chocolate too.

Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Château de Fontainebleau and its nearby town on this easy day trip from Paris. As this is a private tour you can customize it to suit your needs and interests. Suggested activities, aside from the unmissable castle, include local food tasting and a stroll in the woods. This day trip includes a delightful mix of history, culture, cuisine, and gentle activity.

Get a true taste of Parisian life while exploring the culinary delights of the Marais District with a local gourmand. Walking with a private guide for 3 hours, you’re introduced to French culture and cuisine in a way that’s difficult to achieve on your own. Wander into charming boulangeries, fromageries, patisseries, and charcuteries—even a classic creperie—while sampling gourmet specialties at each stop.

Do as the Parisians do: sipping wine along the banks of the Seine or at a chic café. You’ll get a local perspective on this personalized tour of Paris at night. Spend 3 hours exploring Parisian nightlife, including vibrant or tucked-away neighborhood bars. Afterward, your guide recommends trendy clubs and music venues to continue your party until the sun comes up.

Visit the sites of some of the most pivotal American battles in World War I with a day trip to the Picardy region of northern France. Departing from Paris, travel to the historic western front locations of Aisne and Marne with an expert historian guide. Walk among trenches in the Belleau Woods and honor fallen soldiers at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery. Learn more about the causes and repercussions of the conflict at the Museum of the Great War in Meaux.

Indulge in a one-of-a-kind, gourmet meal in Paris—all prepared by a former “MasterChef” winner—with this high-end dinner experience. In the evening, head to the venue (a converted wine cellar) to enjoy the 4-course meal, which celebrates the seasonal truffle. Dine on dishes like truffle-marinated salmon and ostrich with toasted foie gras; indulge in wine and Champagne; and socialize with your small group of fellow diners.

Tick off top landmarks or explore under-the-radar gems—the choice is yours on this personalized, full-day private walking tour of Paris. Experience the City of Lights through a local lens, following a bespoke itinerary through the capital. Head to the Eiffel Tower or Louvre, enjoy a classic bistro meal in a pavement cafe, or even prepare your own picnic lunch.

Celebrate your marriage in special order with this 2-hour package of services in Paris. Renew your wedding vows in the beautiful Luxembourg Gardens (Jardin du Luxembourg), and have this experience photographed and videotaped. A wedding celebrant conducts the ceremony. Then, stroll through the English- and French-style landscaped gardens during a professional photo- and video-shoot. Receive 25 touched-up photos the same day and the remaining pictures and an edited video recording the following day.