Marais Tour With a Local

Dreamy Marais Paris Tour - 5 stars I just got back to NY from some days in Paris and managed to score a fab tour of the Marais with Richard from Eye Prefer Paris Tours. He offered me a private tour, and I felt like stepping into the past while glimpsing the unfolding future. The Marais is studded with instant-postcard buildings and alleyways;, and 14th-century glorious statues and Richard was full of tidbits about them. He showed me the beautiful, hidden, inner courtyard of a former private palace, which I'd never have found myself, and shared a funny, true story about the owner and her affair with a younger man. Very Marie Antoinette, haha. We stopped by rows of cool, pop-up fashion and vintage clothing boutiques on Rue Charlot and other side streets, plus a stop at the Marche Rouge, a buzzy food court with amazing Moroccan food. He knows all the hot spots. I am a coffee fiend and he didn't disappoint. My favorite part of the tour was a stop for a delish for coffee and the best eclair I've ever eaten at an award-winning bakery/cafe, where I asked about how he’d decided to decamp to Paris and how he’d launched a tour business in a tourist-saturated city. I was very inspired by his interest in French history and curiosity and passion for Paris. Next time I go to Paris, I hope to join him on tours of other secret corners of the city, including Saint Germain, and his Montmartre tour. Let us eat cake!

We spent a morning in the Marais with Richard at the very beginning of a wonderful 3.5 weeks in Paris. Richard did a great job of explaining the history of the Marais district while exposing us to some of the unique parks, restaurants, and shops in this part of Paris. One of the highlights was a visit to Au Petit Versailles du Marais for a hot chocolate and a pastry. We returned over a dozen times during our stay to get a regular supply of baguettes! Richard was also super-helpful following our tour if we needed advice (via email) on something specific we were looking for in the area.

I took 2 wonderful tours with Richard in May, Lower Marais and Palais Royal and the covered Passages. I loved that they were private and we could go at our own pace. Having been to Paris before and seen the usual highlights I wanted to see some places off the beaten track and it was perfect! Richard really knows the history and interesting tidbits about the areas he takes you, very enjoyable and I would highly recommend his tours.

We had a fabulous day with Richard touring The Marais and St. Germain neighborhoods! Richard was knowledgeable, relatable and a lot of fun as he showed us historical landmarks, gardens, architecture, stores, restaurants and other interesting streets and passageways. We saw and learned things we never could have discovered on our own. He had great stories to tell -- never a dull moment! I would highly recommend!

This was my first time in Paris and Richard, showed me sites of Paris that make me want to go back. He is very insightful and knowledgeable. He is such an easy-going person to spend the day with. I highly recommend using Richard and his tour company.

This was my second visit to Paris and my second tour with Richard. I truly would not consider touring with anyone else! From the moment you meet him, Richard makes you feel like you are visiting an old friend. It was such a pleasure to see him again. This time, my husband and I toured the Marais and it was an unforgettable experience. We visited Notre Dame, where Richard brought it's history to life. From its original construction to the remarkable restoration, following the fire. He shared details and context far beyond what you'd hear in the news, giving us a much deeper appreciation for its significance. As we wandered through the Marais, where Richard has lived for over 20 years, his personal connection to the neighborhood made everything feel more authentic. He introduced us to hidden gems, pointed out historic buildings and shared stories about the people who once loved there. Along the way, we stopped at many unique local shops. We then, stopped for a rest at a local cafe for tea, espresso and croissants which felt like the perfect Parisian moment. Richard has a gift for blending history, storytelling and genuine warmth. It never feels like a formal tour. It feels more like spending the day with a knowledgeable friend who loves sharing his city. Richard also arranged seamless tours for us at the Louvre and Versailles through his associate, Isabel who was fantastic. We truly had a wonderful time and couldn't recommend Richard more highly. We are already dreaming of our next trip to Paris, with of course another tour with Richard!

We had a wonderful experience exploring Paris with Richard as our tour guide. He was nice, knowledgeable, and made the whole day enjoyable for our family. He took us through a couple of different neighborhoods and pointed out many interesting details we would have otherwise missed. Thanks to Richard, we got a much deeper appreciation for the city, and it truly felt like a special, personalized experience.

Richard Nahem, who has lived in the Marais for over 20 years, is your ideal tour guide for this neighborhood (and probably for many others)! He will fill you in on history, architecture and . . . food! His small-group tour is wonderfully flexible and accommodates all tastes--and by taste: how about some lavender honey? He is so persuasive that I now consider the Marais my favorite part of Paris!

This was the BEST tour I’ve ever had. Richard was informative, knowledgeable and friendly. He knew the area perfectly, he showed me off the beaten track things, I can’t wait for my next tour with him. I wouldn’t consider anyone else, he was a REAL find, thanks so much RICHARD !!

What a lovely, informative, chill tour! Richard was very knowledgeable and had great stories about the people who inhabited some of the places that we visited. He was also very helpful and patient as we asked questions and got distracted by all the teas in Dammann. The one feature that stood out for me was the pace of the tour. We never once felt like we were being rushed through the area. Also, as a local, he had first hand experience with all of the tasty sweet and savory shops in neighborhood. I would recommend taking a tour with Eye Prefer Paris on your next trip to Paris.