" Paris Through the Ages" is a series of sixteen walking tours one or more of which will let you experience facets of the fabulous history of the "City of Light," including fascinating facts little- or unknown even to most native-born Parisians.

¤ Each stroll lasts about two hours to two-and-one-half and focuses on a single historical period, theme or geographical area, in some cases on one, very important monument. (A café break along the way is, of course, possible.)

¤ Groups are personalized and kept small, unlike most other tours: usually up to six people, a party of family or friends. So there is ample opportunity to ask questions and exchange impressions and information.

¤ Commentary is historically correct, and includes anecdotes that bring history alive. The Los Angeles Times has called the guide's remarks "witty and incisive." Other media include: The Discovery Channel, Delta Airlines in-flight entertainment, and such Websites as Jack-Travel ("crispy"), Franceonyourown ("delightful and easy") and AuChâteau ("insightful"). Favorable French coverage has included Le Monde, Le Figaro, L'Express, Le Point, Télérama, Libération, Paris Match, and the France-Culture and France-Inter national radio networks.

¤ Paris Discovery stroll themes (and these are just some highlights!):

1. "Lutetia": Roman Paris – this walk takes you back 2000 years to a sports/theater arena and other human and imperial vestiges.

2. A Medieval Sampler – including the famous St. Germain des Prés Abbey originally built in the 6th century and a 13th century monastery refectory.

3. Learning in Paris – university and student life (not always very calm!) from the 12th through the 16th centuries.

4. The 12th Century City Wall – on the Right Bank of the Seine: through streets and lanes and visiting an impressive free-standing stretch with two towers; the first Louvre Castle was built as part of this rampart.

5. The 13th Century City Wall – on the Left Bank, the rampart wends its way through courtyards, mews and even one underground parking lot.

6. Notre Dame Cathedral – a reading of its amazing "stone comic strip" sculptures, and exploration of very curious and still unsolved mysteries surrounding the Grand Old Lady of Paris, begun in 1163.

7. Cradle of the Capital: Ile de la Cité – a sampling of vestiges and major events that have shaped the history of Paris, and France, during 2,300 years of uninterrupted habitation.

8. Around rue de la Huchette: Heart of the Latin Quarter – this walk takes in architectural reminiscences of Renaissance King François Ier, 19 th century poet Charles Baudelaire, a 16 th century Royal Prosecutor who O-D’d on opium, and… the oldest tree in Paris.

9. The "Grand Century" on Ile St. Louis – an intimate round-island look at the architecture and (hi)stories of some of Paris's most impressive 17th century mansions, not forgetting the home for many years of From Here to Eternity author James Jones.

10. The Naughty Marais – feats of derring-do plus some hanky-panky, whose ghosts still haunt the exquisite architecture of what was once THE place to live in the French capital. (Not for children ;-)

11. “Atmosphère” Along The Canal St-Martin – A look at what’s left of the Bastille’s story and reality, the handsome (!) early-17th-century St. Louis plague hospital, and Paris’ main “inland waterway” – a strollers’ delight.

12. The Mouffetard Quarter: “Quaint” PLUS – A highway leaving Paris for Rome 2,000 years ago, Rue Mouffetard still boasts a street market that has functioned since about 1350, not to forget a church that briefly hosted a convulsionist sect (“barkers,” “meowers,” “jumpers,” etc.) in the 1700s.

13. "Smiling Architecture": Parisian Art Nouveau – an on-the-spot review of original masterpieces of metro entry-builder Hector Guimard and other ca. 1900 architects who were considered "kinky" but who were certainly rich in humor.

14. Meet the Marne – Along the weeping-willow-bordered Marne River banks you’ll discover famed 1900s guinguette dancehalls, some crazy turn-of-the-century houses worthy of Charles Addams, and the capital of France’s rowing champions.

15. “Cool, Clean and Angular”: Art Déco Architecture in Paris – visits to and background on some of the best Parisian products of the movement that inspired such great American creations as New York’s Chrysler Building, with memories of F. Scott Fitzgerald and Josephine Baker. And Hemingway.

16. 19 - 25 August l944: The Liberation of Paris – a walk-through of that glorious week's political and military highlights and anecdotes - some serious, others a real laugh - and pinpointing aspects of American involvement.

Strolls on other themes (including further nature/history rambles outside Paris, but reachable by public transport) can usually be arranged by prior request.

¤ Your guide is Arthur Gillette, an American Harvard Magna cum laude French studies graduate based mainly in Paris since 1958. He was for many years an official at the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for which he edited Museum International magazine. He has written many articles on Parisian history and contributes to the Paris Eiffel Tower News Website and France Today monthly magazine. He authored Paris Through The Ages, a series of nine pocket map-guides you can view (and order safely) on the publisher's Website: www.media-cartes.fr - click on the British flag for English, then go to the page “Publishing, Innovation, Communication.”.

¤ Prices: Currently, each tour costs 55 Euros for one person, 70 Euros for two, 90 Euros for three, 110 Euros for four, and so on. Persons taking three or more tours benefit from a reduction. (N.B. “Guidees” are responsible for their insurance.)

¤ Languages: These strolls are available in English, French, Spanish and Russian.

¤ Interested? If so, contact Arthur Gillette for more information or to reserve.
Telephone: + (33.1) 45.34.51.67
From France: 01.45.34.51.67
Email: Armedv@aol.com

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^* Paris-based Arthur Gillette guides theme- and period-specific strolls to help visitors discover “Paris Through The Ages.” If interested in taking one, or more, contact him on Armedv@aol.com.