Ah…Paris.  Is there another city more elegant in its beauty or more fascinating in its history?  Wandering quaint cobblestone streets or strolling along La Seine is a true pleasure that one must undertake at least once in their life.  There is nothing like the dramatic backdrop of Paris after a long flight to re-energize the soul just in time to realize that you are in a place of stunning beauty where you do not speak the language, your skills of orientation dropped off somewhere over the Atlantic and you have no idea what ever possessed you to think this would be so grand.  Ah…yes.  Welcome to Paris.  The City of Light awaits you, along with a company that specializes in making your visit to Paris not only memorable, but just a bit easier too.

Fat Tire Bike Tours-Paris / City Segway Tours has become a priority first stop for many English-speaking tourists. Created in 1999 by an ambitious young entrepreneur, Fat Tire Bike Tours-Paris has evolved into the largest independently owned bike tour company in Europe, guiding over 20,000 tourists last season alone.  In their office you will find everything from internet café (with American keyboards!) and CD burning to loads of information and a truly exceptional level of customer service that will bring a smile to even the wariest traveler.  The Mebanes along with their dynamic guides and helpful office staff have brought tourism in Paris to the ooh-la-la level you imagined when you first thought of discovering the City of Light.  And if Paris is the city you’ve always dreamed of then there is nothing better than hopping on a bike or gliding along on a Segway as the city unfolds before your eyes.

The Paris by Day tour serves as the perfect orientation upon your arrival.  Meeting at the Eiffel Tower (yes, I imagine this was on your to-do list) the group is escorted back to the office where you’ll be custom fit on a California Beach Cruiser -with actual fat tires- and pedaling off into the streets of Paris before you know it.  Riding leisurely you’ll stop occasionally to hear a brief explanation of what it is you’re seeing as well as historical facts about it.  The sites, monuments and museums you will pass grant the perfect orientation to the layout of Paris.  The Champs de Mars, Invalides, Place de la Concorde and the Louvre are just a touch of what you’ll see.  And if you get hungry along the way do not fret, there is a delightful stop for lunch in the Jardin des Tuilluries.

As your day fades into evening why not experience Paris by Night? Many clients take both tours because of the dynamic difference between the two.  Imagine riding your bike in the heart of the left bank, down Boulevard St. Germain and into the Latin Quarter amidst the life and energy of this vibrant section of Paris.  Crossing the Seine you’ll see Notre Dame and stop for ice cream at the world famous Berthillon.  As you continue to ride you’ll pass through the courtyard of the Louvre and listen to the enchanting flutist who serenades almost every tour.  And, of course, how does gazing at the setting sun as you cruise along the Seine sipping a glass of wine sound to you?  Well, it doesn’t sound too bad to me either.

Now, for some riding a bicycle in Paris is not quite enough.  And for these people there is an alternative to the traditional.  Imagine gliding through the streets of Paris effortlessly as you view historic monuments and tourist attractions while often times becoming one yourself.  Imagine if you will Paris en Segway.

Taking tourism to the high-tech level City Segway Tours welcomes you to glide through the City of Light.  Both the Segway day and night tour follow much of the same route as the Paris by Day tour.  But instead of pedaling you will be gliding (and probably digressing to childhood just a bit).  After a 30-minute orientation period to get comfortable and confident on the Segway you are off on a whimsical experience unlike anything you’ve done before.  The obvious- that it’s fun- is far outweighed by the sheer pleasure of gliding.  The ease, comfort and just plain thrill of these technological innovations truly add a new dimension to experiencing Paris.

If getting out of Paris is what intrigues you then you have some great choices.  There is absolutely no other way to see the Chateau de Versailles than on bicycle as you ride through the enormous gardens and hear the incredible history of the Louis’s.  You’ll stop to shop at an open-air market for picnic supplies before riding off to see Marie Antoinette’s private hamlet, the Petit and Grand Trianons and relax with a picnic at the edge of the Grand Canal.  Being on bicycle allows you to see this incredible testimony to indulgence in a way like no other.  And at the end of the day you will enter the Chateau to see for yourself what drove the French Revolution.

Or are you are an art lover?  If so, then the tour to Monet’s Gardens is a perfect choice.  An hour by train through the French countryside takes you to a small town where you get your bikes, shop at an open-air French market for picnic supplies and stop for a decadent rest as you watch the Seine roll by.  Afterwards you will ride along the Seine to Giverny where you will visit Monet’s grave and spend the afternoon realizing the beauty and landscape that so inspired this master of Impressionism.  The Japanese water gardens, the water lilies, even Monet’s home; it all awaits you just an hour from Paris.

But if none of these choices appeal to you then perhaps consider a stroll through the streets of Paris?  Walks of Paris, the newest addition to Fat Tire / City Segway, will enchant you with information-filled guided tours through the most intriguing parts of Paris.  Wander through Montmartre where you will see and hear the history of everything from the majestic Le Sacre Couer to the Moulin Rouge.  Stroll through the Marais, the Jewish section of Paris, and see galleries, boutiques and the stunning Place des Vosges.  If you’re feeling adventurous take a walk around the Latin Quarter where the lively gathering spots of college students creates a vibrant background to the grandeur of Notre Dame and the Jardin du Luxembourg.  Or is it mystery you fancy?  They even offer a Da Vinci Code tour.  Read the book?  Then you know all about it!

But, of course, you cannot come to France without tasting the wine. Olivier, a French wine connoisseur, will host you in a picturesque brasserie as he explains the art of wine tasting.  Sit back and relax as Olivier takes you from one vintner to the next as you discover and learn about the ‘terroirs’ of the various wine regions and the delicate character of the wines before you.

With so many different tours and activities to choose from there is little doubt that Fat Tire Bike Tours-Paris / City Segway Tours offers something for everyone when it comes to discovering Paris.  Whether it be spending a few hours touring on bicycle or gliding on Segway, strolling through quaint cobblestone streets or revealing the mystique of French wine, chances are by the time you leave for home the grandeur of Paris may seem a bit more inviting thanks to a company which prides itself on making it all just a bit easier to understand.

* All photos by Lisa Buros

If You Go

www.FatTireBikeToursParis.com

www.CitySegwayTours.com

www.WalksofParis.com

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