Five ideas for guided tours in Paris

• The Vivienne gallery

  This is one of the most beautiful covered walkways in Paris, built in 1823 by the architect François-Jacques Delannoy. The Vivienne gallery is located between the Bourse and the Royal Palace gardens. You’ll be immediately charmed by the luxury and fantastic elegance. The floor is covered with mosaic tiles by Giandomenico Facchina, the famous 19th century Italian mosaic artist. And of course, look up to enjoy the magnificent glass ceiling. Over a stretch of 146 meters, you’ll discover 30 luxury boutiques, restaurants, wine caves, interior decorators and art galleries. Don’t hesitate to hire a Parisian tour guide who will take you take you through an extraordinary itinerary.

• The place des Vosges

  This is the most ancient square in Paris. It was unveiled in 1612 in honor of Louis XIII’s engagement with Anne of Austria and named the Royal Square. The space forms a near perfect square of 140 meters, closed on all four sides, with a main pathway running through it and two pavilion-framed openings. This magical area has kept its peacefulness. Come stroll through its archways and discover art galleries, luxury boutiques and many cafés. At the center of the square you’ll find the Louis XII park with its four fountains and statue of the king. And for fans of Victor Hugo, be sure to visit the last home he resided in before being exiled.

• The Mouzaïa quarter

  Upon your trip to Paris, you’ll surely take a stroll about one of the city’s prettiest parks: Buttes-Chaumont, in the eastern 19th arrondissement. While here, take advantage of the neighboring Mouzaïa neighborhood and get a glimpse of the countryside right in the heart of the capital. Get lost in the maze of back alleyways framed by brick houses built in 1979 by stone workers who worked in the area. The charming buildings are often framed by flower gardens. Originally intended to house the working class, this quarter has become one of the most expensive and sought-after in Paris.

• The Musée d’Orsay

  Unveiled as recently as 1986, this museum overlooks the Seine. Built under the roof of an old train station dating back to the 1900 World’s Fair, the building is a marvel. Its collections cover the history of art from 1848 to 1914. For connoisseurs, plan several hours for your visit and you won’t be disappointed. Over three levels, in addition to decorative art housed in the Amont Pavilion, the galleries offer a prodigious collection of impressionist and post-impressionist masterpieces (Cézanne, Monet, Renoir, Manet, Van Gogh, Degas, Gauguin …). Works from great sculptors such as Renoir and Bourdelle are also present in Musée d’Orsay, as are collections of photography, architecture and graphic arts. To avoid waiting in long lines, we recommend that you book your ticket in advance.

• The Saint-Ouen Flea Market

  The origins of the Saint-Ouen Flea Market date back to 1885 when the famous prefect Eugène Poubelle took to cleaning up the capital by forcing ragmen out of the city. They settled in the Malassis plains, the site of today’s market. Situated at the gate of Clignancourt, the flea market is one of the largest in the world today. Don’t hesitate to go walk around on a Saturday, Sunday or Monday. You’ll find no fewer than 3,500 vendors with their goods on display. Everything is organized into 15 individual sectors, each with its own specialty: secondhand goods, vintage clothes, antiques, unusual items, old books, records… A meeting spot for ragmen at the end of the 19th century, this spot is unmissable for the world’s great antique dealers. After bargain-hunting and maybe finding your treasure, enjoy a drink in one of the cafés while listening to some of the best gypsy jazz musicians!!!