Tour Details
- Duration
- 2.5 hours
- Product Type
- Tour
- Venues
-
- Left Bank
- Saint-Germain specialty shops
Photos & Highlights
- Taste the essential flavors of the city while exploring the popular Left Bank
- Visit family run shops that focus on the best of Parisian breads, cheeses, pastries, and more with an expert serving as your local ambassador
Tour Description
Ready to unlock the secrets behind French cuisine? Stroll through Parisian food shops with confidence and allow your guide to become your cultural translator for a delightful culinary experience.
Your tour includes a visit to a renowned boulangerie. Let the intoxicating aroma of fresh bread ignite your senses and learn the secrets of a good baguette, from its crusty exterior to its fluffy heart.
You’ll also step into a world of cheese at an artisanal fromagerie. With 400 varieties to explore, where to begin? Your expert will guide you through French staples and reveal the proper way to slice and savor these treats, transforming you into a true connoisseur.
But your exploration goes far beyond the basics. Dive deeper, perhaps venturing into a butcher shop where the rich, savory scents of pâté and homemade rillettes tempt. Indulge in decadent chocolate or fulfill your Parisian pastry dreams with a visit to a patisserie that will leave you starry-eyed.
Time permitting, savor a glass of Armagnac in a charming, generational wine shop, a local favorite since 1905.Â
Throughout your gastronomic adventure, your guide will share the history of these culinary treasures and reveal the traditions and philosophies that have shaped this iconic cuisine. From here, you'll have an excellent foundation in the cornerstones of French gastronomy along with the tools to explore French cuisine with confidence.Â
- It is your first time in France and you are hoping to understand the classics of French gastronomy.Â
- You’ve always wanted to step inside the charming specialty shops of the left bank, but would like guidance ordering and conversing with shopkeepers.Â
- You are dying to try a bit of the baguette, cheese, and other specialties people rave about, but are not sure what you will like or where to start.Â
- Saint-Germain-des-Prés Area
- Left Bank Area
Here’s a quick look at what previous travelers have tasted on this experience:Â
- Samples of french bread and artisanal cheesesÂ
- Freshly baked goodsÂ
- Decadent cheesesÂ
- Charcutier/traiteurÂ
- Pastries or cakes
- ChocolateÂ
- Wine or armagnacÂ
Additional Trip-Planning Resources
Explore the Left Bank further with our Left Bank Audio Guide that can be used at any time and at your own pace.Â
A few things that pair well with this tour:Â
- An appetite for French cuisine and culinary history
- A comfortable outfit that leaves room for all the tasty treats you’ll enjoy on this tour
- A little bit of prep for your time in Paris with our Top 10 Highlights for Curious Travelers pre-trip talk.
Â
Can I participate in food tours if I have food allergies?
Yes. If you have any specific allergies/intolerances please indicate these in the Notes section when you're booking and your guide will do his or her best to accommodate. Vegetarian, gluten-free, and nut-free diets can certainly be accommodated, although the shops we visit do use wheat flour and nuts in the kitchen for other items.
How much food will I taste on this tour?
While exact tastings vary by guide and your tastes and interests, we can guarantee that you will come away from this tour with a full and happy belly. You could likely skip a meal following your tour, but you are in Paris, so why would you? Â
Will this tour include a sit-down lunch in a bistro?
The duration of the tour will not allow enough time for a sit-down lunch in a bistro, however, we will do tastings along the way and we might also stop in a local bakery for a sit-down tasting or end our tour with a picnic.
What if it’s raining?
Tours operate rain or shine, but in the case of inclement weather, your guide will modify the tour so more time is spent indoors. It never hurts to have an umbrella on hand.
There are 7 in my group but your website won't allow me to include more than 6 participants. Can't you make an exception?
Unfortunately not. The mom & pop shops we visit on our tour are small and prefer we keep our group sizes to 6 maximum for the best experience.
We understand that some of our valued guests may have mobility concerns, and we want to ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience throughout your tour. If there are any accessibility concerns that your tour guide will need to be aware of, please let our team know at the time of booking.
Is this tour wheelchair-friendly?
Some of the shops we visit are small and many will have a step up to access them. The general route may include small streets with narrow sidewalks. Please contact us if you have any questions regarding accessibility. We are also happy to design a private, adapted tour for visitors with mobility concerns.
Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.
Where You'll Start
–
867 Reviews
Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.
We enjoyed the tour with Rhona and will recommend to others.
Frances
Nov 11, 2024
Three of us went on this wonderful tour with Marie Alicia and could not be happier with our decision to book this. We learned about the bakeries, pastry shops, laws surrounding food in France, and tasted some delicious bites. We went to a small market and were able to chat with the stall owners and got vegetables, cheese, meats, and wine. Marie Alicia was amazing and talked about her background, our shared love of food, and general information about Paris. All in all I would recommend this tour to everyone!
Kathryn
Nov 9, 2024
Marie was amazing! Ask for her! She is also known as the board lady. She brings boards and knives and everything you nedd to enjoy your food adventure. I was the only person on my tour and she treated me like a dear friend. The food was amazing and her knowledge impressive.
Michelle
Nov 5, 2024
Sample the flavors of Paris with Context
Get to know one of the culinary historians who leads this tour
Meet Preston
