There’s a lot of walking tour companies in Paris. I’ve taken hundreds (I’ve reviewed my favorite tour companies in this post). Besides formal tours, there’s another thing I love to do in Paris: Airbnb Experiences.
Airbnb Experiences are like the holy grail of tours: they are unique, off-the-beaten path, and run by locals who just want to share something they love. They aren’t cookie cutter walking tours or activities lead by a guide holding an umbrella. I absolutely love Airbnb Experiences. They are one of my favorite things to do in any city and, frankly, I don’t think nearly enough travelers do them. Whenever I run polls about them, half usually say they have never heard of them!
Now, I am telling you about them and urging you to add them into your itinerary on your next visit to Paris. Paris has a huge amount of Airbnb experiences and I’ve probably done between 20-25 of them. Here is my list of the top Airbnb Experiences in Paris:
Rediscover Jacqueline Marval
Jacqueline Marval was an impressionist painter who hung around Matisse, influenced Picaso, and was then largely forgotten to history. This exclusive gallery tour hosted by Paris-born curator Camille showcases her family’s 40-year effort in collecting Marval’s art and showcasing her legacy to the world. She tours you through their gallery, telling you about Marval’s life story and the history behind each piece. I didn’t know anything about Marval before this and it was really interesting to learn about her story and see her beautiful paintings. She was super talented. The experience also culminates with champagne served on a secluded terrace. All in all, this is an amazing experience to learn about a forgotten artist in the beautiful setting. Plus, Camille is well integrated into the Parisian art scene and can give you suggestions on what galleries and temporary exhibits to visit.
Savor French Wine and Cheese in a Hidden Shop
This was an amazing and intimate wine and cheese tasting hosted by certified expert, Erwan. In this cozy, no-classroom atmosphere, you’ll sample six unique French wines paired with six cheeses and fresh bread. Erwan shares the stories behind each bottle, making this experience both educational and delightful. I’ve taken a lot of wine and cheese classes in Paris and this was one of the best. The wines and cheeses are super unique and tasty and Erwan really gives you a detailed but easy to understand overview of wine and cheese in France. He’s super personable and funny and I think this is one of the best wine and cheese experience in Paris.
A Frenchie Food & Wine Experience
If you want something more high end, check out this tasting experience at Altro Frenchie by Greg Marchand. He’s a famous chef from Chef’s Table. You start at Frenchie Caviste with a sparkling aperitivo on the terrace, before a head sommelier guides you through a tasting of three distinctive wines from the cellar. Then you’ll move next door for a chef-curated tasting lunch. I think gives you a lot of value for the price. You get four glasses of wine, cheese, and a flatbread to start followed by a huge tasting menu (six courses) with even more wine. It’s really, really good value if you’re looking for a high-end food experience.
Secrets of the Tower with Eiffel’s Descendant
In this experience, you join Savin Yeatman-Eiffel, a filmmaker and direct descendant of Gustave Eiffel, at the base of the Eiffel Tower for a look at the building of the Eiffel tower through his family’s eyes. You’ll uncover the scandalous debates that surrounded its creation, view rarely seen family photos, sketches, and heirlooms from a private Eiffel archive. I think this a really interesting way to learn about the Effiel Tower. Not only do you get the historical information that every other tour is going to give you but you get added insider family perspective you are definitely not going to find anywhere else. (Note: You don’t go up the tower on this tour.)
Black Presence in Paris: A Historical Tour
This is a wonderful tour that teaches you about the contributions of Black people in France, a subject not a lot of standard history walks touch upon. Beginning at the Panthéon, the host, Binkady, shares the lives of trailblazers like Josephine Baker, Félix and Eugénie Éboué, and a formerly enslaved man who triumphed over Napoleon. Along the way, you’ll uncover the influence of Black women writers at the Sorbonne, then finish outside the Luxembourg Palace, where you’ll hear about pioneering Black leaders such as Severiano de Heredia and Gaston Monnerville. I learned a lot on this tour and X is areally engageing and interesting tour leader. He used to work for the Opera so has a lot of insight into seeing shows throughout the city.
Inside Paris’s First Microbrewery
I think this is an excellent Experience that ticks all the right boxes. It’s unique (first microbrewery in Paris), in an area of the city most tourists don’t visit, and led by a passionate local (the owner, Antoine). Antoine tells you about his story, the story of microbreweries in Paris, the brewing process, and what they sell and why. He was engaging, funny, and told good stories. We also got a good sampling of beer. This is a 5-star experience and the exact kind that exemplifies what makes Airbnb Experiences so special.
While there’s tons of walking tour and experience options in Paris, I think you do yourself a disservice if you don’t take at least one Airbnb Experience while you visit. To me, these ones are the top of the top!
Get Your In-Depth Budget Guide to Paris!
For more in-depth information, check out my guidebook to Paris written for budget travelers like you! It cuts out the fluff found in other guides and gets straight to the practical information you need to travel around Paris. You’ll find suggested itineraries, budgets, ways to save money, on- and off-the-beaten-path things to see and do, non-touristy restaurants, markets, bars, transportation and safety tips, and much more! Click here to learn more and get your copy today!
Plan your trip to Europe like a pro
Get all my best Europe travel tips as well as free planning guides sent straight to you and see more of the country for less!
Book Your Trip to Paris: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Use Skyscanner. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.
For suggested hostels, here is a list of my favorite hostels in Paris. If you prefer hotels, these are my favorite hotels.
And, if you’re wondering what part of town to stay in, here’s my neighborhood breakdown of Paris!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.
Want More Information on Paris?
Be sure to visit my robust destination guide to Paris for even more blogging tips!