The best Airbnb experiences in Paris

There are 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: unique, off the beaten path, and run by locals who just want to share something they love. These are not walking tours or activities led by a guide with an umbrella. I absolutely love it Airbnb Experiences. It’s one of my favorite things to do in any city, and honestly, I don’t think enough travelers do it. Whenever I take surveys about them, usually half of them say they’ve never heard of them before!

Now, I’m telling you about it and urging you to add it to your itinerary on your next visit to Paris. Paris has a huge amount of Airbnb experiences and I’ve probably done 20-25 of them. Here is my list of the best Airbnb experiences in Paris:

Rediscover Jacqueline Marval

Jacqueline Marval was an Impressionist painter who worked around Matisse, influenced Picasso, and then has been largely forgotten by history. Hosted by Paris-born curator Camille, this exclusive exhibition tour showcases her family’s 40-year effort collecting Marval’s works and showcasing her legacy to the world. She takes a tour through their gallery, telling you about Marval’s life story and the history behind each piece. I knew nothing about Marval before this and it was really interesting to learn about her story and see her beautiful paintings. She was very talented. The experience also culminates with champagne served on a secluded terrace. Overall, it’s a great experience to learn about a forgotten artist in this beautiful place. In addition, Camille is well integrated into the Parisian art scene and can give you suggestions on art galleries and temporary exhibitions to visit.

Sample French wine and cheese in a hidden shop

It was a wonderful and intimate wine and cheese tasting hosted by certified expert Erwan. In this relaxed, non-classroom atmosphere, you’ll taste six unique French wines combined with six types of cheese and fresh bread. Erwan shares the stories behind each bottle, making this an educational and fun experience. I’ve taken a lot of wine and cheese classes in Paris and this was one of the best. Wine and cheese are very unique and delicious, and Erwan gives you a detailed, easy-to-understand overview of wine and cheese in France. It is very elegant and funny and I think this is one of the best wine and cheese experiences in Paris.

Experience French food and wine

If you want something a little more upscale, check out this tasting experience at Altro Frenchie by Greg Marchand. He is a famous chef from Chef’s Table. You start at Frenchie Caviste with an aperitif on the terrace, before the 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 it gives you a lot of value for the price. You get four glasses of wine, cheese and flatbread to start followed by a huge tasting menu (six courses) with more wine. It’s really really good value if you’re looking for a fine dining experience.

Secrets of the Tower with Descendant Eiffel

In this experience, you join Savin Yeatman-Eiffel, director and direct descendant of Gustave Eiffel, at the base of the Eiffel Tower for a look at the Eiffel Tower building through his family’s eyes. You’ll uncover the scandalous debates surrounding its creation, and see family photos, drawings and rare heirlooms from Eiffel’s private archive. I think this is a really fun way to learn about the Eiffel Tower. Not only will you get the historical information that every other tour will give you, but you’ll also get an additional family perspective that you certainly won’t find anywhere else. (Note(Do not go up the tower on this tour.)

Black Presence in Paris: A Historical Tour

This is a great tour that teaches you about the contributions of black people in France, a topic not touched on by many standard historical walks. Beginning with the Pantheon, host, Bencadi, shares the lives of pioneers such as Josephine Baker, Felix and Eugenie Ébouille, and a former enslaved man who triumphed over Napoleon. Along the way, you’ll discover the influence of black women writers at the Sorbonne, then end outside the Luxembourg Palace, where you’ll hear about pioneering black leaders like Severiano d’Heredia and Gaston Monerville. I learned a lot on this tour and X was a really engaging and interesting tour leader. He used to work at the opera house so he has extensive experience seeing shows all over the city.

Inside Paris’s first microbrewery

I think this is an excellent experience that ticks all the right boxes. It’s unique (the first microbrewery in Paris), in an area of ​​the city not visited by most tourists, and led by an enthusiastic local (owner Antoine). Antoine tells you his story, the story of the microbreweries in Paris, the brewing process, what they sell and why. He was engaging, funny and told good stories. We also got a good sample of the beer. This is a 5-star experience and the exact kind that embodies what makes Airbnb experiences so special.

Although there are plenty of walking tours and experience options in Paris, I think you’d be doing yourself a disservice if you don’t get at least one Airbnb experience during your visit. To me, these are the pinnacle!

Get your in-depth budget guide to Paris!

For more in-depth information, check out my guide 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, things to see and do on and off the trail, 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 the best Europe travel tips plus free planning guides sent straight to you and see more of the country for less!