Paris
(the local lens)
Meet the Local Experts
Your on-the-ground insiders. The ones who know the enduring favourites, the quiet corners and what’s worth your time.
Douglas Arthur
Paris, Versailles +8
Parisian and American both, I am a tourism professional with a decade of experience. With a rich, varied background and extensive education, I craft unique cultural experiences and tours for individuals and 5-star hotels in Paris. I am the founder of Vendôme Circle, a culturally-focused brand that offers connoisseur-level tours and experiences in Paris and beyond. My love for Paris began as a child, when I immersed myself in French cuisine, history, culture, and language. I have lived on the Left Bank near the Luxembourg Gardens since 2013. My path has been an adventure. I received a classical education in literature, philosophy, mathematics, art history, music theory, and ancient languages. I then entered seminary and was ordained a Catholic priest, serving as vicar of a large parish – where I oversaw and facilitated the growth of the Hispanic community – and as part-time chaplain at a Catholic high school. I later moved to Paris to pursue a Master's in Biblical Studies at the Catholic University of Paris. While here, I realised the priesthood was not for me. I left to start my life over, this time in Paris. As academia was still beckoning, I earned a Master's in Contemporary Philosophy at The Sorbonne, where I also pursued doctoral research on Jean-Paul Sartre and began a dissertation. It was during my time at The Sorbonne that I created my first walking tour of the Latin Quarter in 2017: a success that set me on my current path and ultimately led to the founding of Vendôme Circle. Beyond guiding and travel planning, my passions run deep and inform everything I do. I am an organist and pianist, a devoted foodie who has been cooking French cuisine since the age of nine, and a serious wine enthusiast. I am also a fine art photographer working exclusively in film, and a collector of antiques and porcelain with an intimate knowledge of the Paris market. I look forward to helping you put together a trip you will never forget.
fabienne
Toulouse, Bordeaux +1
Hello, my name is Fabienne, and I like to introduce myself as a Parisian. However, most of my family lives in Bordeaux, and my home is near Toulouse. That is why I have a deep knowledge of these three cities. I am a historian and a licensed professional guide. I have guided tours all over Europe and even beyond. I have been living abroad for the past 25 years, which I believe gives me both an insider’s and an outsider’s perspective on the three cities I am eager to share with you!
nikki
Paris
Hi there! I am a blend of cultures, Chinese and French, shaped by an international upbringing and now based in Paris. While working in finance and traveling the world, driven both by my career and my curiosity, I followed art history class in the most renowned institution in Paris, at the same time, I worked as a freelance journalist, covering fashion weeks, art events, and the city’s most vibrant scenes. These diverse experiences granted me access to some of the most privileged moments in the City of Light and deepened my desire to share my hidden discoveries of Paris while connecting with people from around the world. Eventually, I left my comfortable corporate job to create a bespoke travel agency in Paris, focused on culture, art, and human connections.
Zoe
Paris
I have been living in Paris for the past 6 years through work and study. I’m also married to a Frenchman. As a lover of art and history (I took many courses in the history of art and French literature during my undergrad studies in the USA), it has been a dream come true to call Paris my home and soak in all that the city has to offer. I’m excited to share the experience and my love for the city, as well as my local knowledge of French culture with travelers.