Our family of 5 flies to Paris on June 1. Looking for help on a couple of things

1. We would like to do a private tour of the Louvre. Really just want to hit the high points, not spend the entire day there

2. Want to take a day trip to see Chateaus in the Loire Valley.

Any recommendations for companies to go through?

I can't help with any tour companies, but I will caution you about The Louvre. We couldn't believe how enormous that place is, with so many interesting things to see. We took full advantage of that, going back several times for extended visits. I have no idea what your group's interests are, so maybe a "Been there, done that" type of tour will work just fine for y'all. It truly is an amazing place.

An easy day trip that we took, via train, was to Versailles. That place just blew us away. I'd highly recommend looking into it, if time permits.

We expected the French to be rude, from everything we'd heard. Surprisingly, the only rude people we encountered were Americans. My wife speaks French, but she let me hang myself out to dry with my attempts to learn the language on the go. It was amazing what a smile and a friendly "Bon jour" to everyone we met accomplished. They got a kick out of my efforts, and were always willing to help me along. We just remembered that we were guests in their country, and got along fine with all the locals.

Enjoy your trip! I'm sorry I couldn't help with the tour companies.

Although I have never used a private tour for any of my travels, these tour companies gets great reviews.

https://babylontours.com/paris-city-tours/ (Private tour of The Louvre)

https://www.clewel-travel.com/tours (Private day tour from Paris to the Loire Valley)

Our family of 5 (kids 6, 9 and 13) did a tour via Meet The Locals (https://meet-thelocals.com/) last summer and it was fantastic. It was not of the Lourve as we handled that ourselves (download must see highlight sheet-1/2 day tour) but would recommend the company.

It has been 16 years since I visited, but the Louvre had free pamphlets to guide you quickly through major attractions. I don't recall if it was 2 or 3 hours to hit those but we rushed and made it. Unfortunately for us we were very short on time, so that "quick map to the big ticket items" was very helpful.

We have used some of Rick Steves' audio walking tours including the one for the Louvre.

I recently visited.

On the Lourve, they have a self guided tour inside where you get audio guide/headphones and a map that hits several important pieces of art, e.g. the Mona Lisa.

I did not get the headphones. I simply followed the map and visited each piece listed. I then read a bit about the piece online.

Just doing that took 4 hours. That place is like 9 miles total, it's huge.

Unless you are really into art, I would recommend doing that and getting the headphones instead of a private tour. Save the money.

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They are like Americans who get their panties in a wad when people don't know how or try to speak English in America

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Never in my life have I met or heard of any American getting their panties in a wad with some tourist/visitor not knowing the language.

ATM9000 said:

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Logos Stick said:

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They are like Americans who get their panties in a wad when people don't know how or try to speak English in America

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Never in my life have I met or heard of any American getting their panties in a wad with some tourist/visitor not knowing the language.

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Haha. Ok. You are right. Americans are incredibly tolerant of people who don't speak English.

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Are you talking about immigrants? Especially illegal immigrants? Ok, perhaps. If I go live in Italy, for example, I'm going to learn the language. Why would I expect another country to accommodate me? Yet you think it's wrong of Americans to expect that from immigrants.

But that does not apply to visitors.


Anyway, good luck OP. Paris is outstanding imo.

Logos Stick said:

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ATM9000 said:

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Logos Stick said:

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Quote:

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They are like Americans who get their panties in a wad when people don't know how or try to speak English in America

---

Never in my life have I met or heard of any American getting their panties in a wad with some tourist/visitor not knowing the language.

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Haha. Ok. You are right. Americans are incredibly tolerant of people who don't speak English.

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Are you talking about immigrants? Especially illegal immigrants? Ok, perhaps. If I go live in Italy, for example, I'm going to learn the language. Why would I expect another country to accommodate me? Yet you think it's wrong of Americans to expect that from immigrants.

But that does not apply to visitors.


Anyway, good luck OP. Paris is outstanding imo.

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Lord. Nobody said it's right or wrong.

I've simply pointed out how it tends to work in France, how it really isn't THAT different than other nations and used America as an example… and you took it to a weird place and created a weird loophole exception to the rule to make some point.

Paris has a rep for sure but don't thinks it's all that applicable anymore… been there a few times, most recently with my family last summer and didn't have a single issue. Everyone was nice and accomadating. Personally I think the people that created the bad rep are older generations long out of the service/tourist type industries and the younger people are a bit more worldly and also understand fully that with good service, Americans will tip! They absolutely understand this point and will do what they can to get a little extra in their pocket.

JJWAGGIE said:

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Paris has a rep for sure but don't thinks it's all that applicable anymore… been there a few times, most recently with my family last summer and didn't have a single issue. Everyone was nice and accomadying. Personally I think the people that created the bad rep are older generations long out of the service/tourist type industries and the younger people are a bit more worldly and also understand fully that with good service, Americans will tip! They absolutely understand this point and will do what they can to get a little extra in their pocket.

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This has been my experience. Tried to learn a few words my first time there 20 years ago and there was some smugness from a few folks and had a few struggles. But then returning with teen kids in tow a few years ago saw none of that. We even had fun with waiter when he saw us trying to use google image translate on a menu. He was bilingual so we fact checking the translations. But I'm convinced just learning a few words or phases goes A LONG ways with folks even if it something like "I'm sorry I don't really know /insert language/".

ATM9000 said:

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Froppe said:

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We expected the French to be rude, from everything we'd heard. Surprisingly, the only rude people we encountered were Americans. My wife speaks French, but she let me hang myself out to dry with my attempts to learn the language on the go. It was amazing what a smile and a friendly "Bon jour" to everyone we met accomplished. They got a kick out of my efforts, and were always willing to help me along. We just remembered that we were guests in their country, and got along fine with all the locals.

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French aren't rude people by nature but they are incredibly nationalist about their language. They are like Americans who get their panties in a wad when people don't know how or try to speak English in America but supercharged. If you just give French a go, it alleviates 99% of the rudeness you will encounter there and a lot of them know English and will work with you happily if you just show that effort.

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100% this.

Logos Stick said:

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Quote:

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They are like Americans who get their panties in a wad when people don't know how or try to speak English in America

---

Never in my life have I met or heard of any American getting their panties in a wad with some tourist/visitor not knowing the language.

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LMFAOOOOO.

AgCPA95 said:

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JJWAGGIE said:

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Paris has a rep for sure but don't thinks it's all that applicable anymore… been there a few times, most recently with my family last summer and didn't have a single issue. Everyone was nice and accomadying. Personally I think the people that created the bad rep are older generations long out of the service/tourist type industries and the younger people are a bit more worldly and also understand fully that with good service, Americans will tip! They absolutely understand this point and will do what they can to get a little extra in their pocket.

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This has been my experience. Tried to learn a few words my first time there 20 years ago and there was some smugness from a few folks and had a few struggles. But then returning with teen kids in tow a few years ago saw none of that. We even had fun with waiter when he saw us trying to use google image translate on a menu. He was bilingual so we fact checking the translations. But I'm convinced just learning a few words or phases goes A LONG ways with folks even if it something like "I'm sorry I don't really know /insert language/".

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Yep.

The social cadence is pretty set and different in France too. Always greet with Bonjour before just getting down to whatever you are after. That alone goes a long way too because not saying Bonjour is considered incredibly rude. On that note, this is a small thing but when you enter a shop or cafe or whatever, you say open the greeting, not the other way around. That's one we don't think about much but it's opposite how we do it in America.

On the note of rudeness… waitstaff. Waitstaff at restaurants in general in Europe can be jarring if you are used to the States. Waiters are paid a living wage and don't pander for tips like you see in the States. Service is fine but it does tend to be a bit flatter but not 'rude' necessarily… unless they consider you rude. 'Rude' to them is asking them over to the table a bunch, throwing a bunch of picky customizations at stuff and forgetting stuff and asking for it later on.

In my opinion, the Muse d'Orsay is much more interesting than the Louvre.

Also, the Muse de la Chasse et de la Nature (Museum of Hunting and Nature) is pretty cool.

I echo the recommendation above. Just plan to say "Bon Jour" as a friendly greeting every time you walk into an establishment.

ATM9000 said:

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Froppe said:

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We expected the French to be rude, from everything we'd heard. Surprisingly, the only rude people we encountered were Americans. My wife speaks French, but she let me hang myself out to dry with my attempts to learn the language on the go. It was amazing what a smile and a friendly "Bon jour" to everyone we met accomplished. They got a kick out of my efforts, and were always willing to help me along. We just remembered that we were guests in their country, and got along fine with all the locals.

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French aren't rude people by nature but they are incredibly nationalist about their language. They are like Americans who get their panties in a wad when people don't know how or try to speak English in America but supercharged. If you just give French a go, it alleviates 99% of the rudeness you will encounter there and a lot of them know English and will work with you happily if you just show that effort.

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Yep. I have been to Paris 11 times. Planned to go again this summer but because of flight prices decided to do London again. I tell my friends they don't dislike Americans. But one thing is a must. When you walk into a shop say Bonjour or Bonsoir, depending on the time. What some Americans do not realize is that the person greeting them is the shop owner, not a hire. They like to be acknowledged. Just curtesy.