< img src="https://www.nomadicmatt.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025-09-09-15.06.20-scaled.jpg"alt ="nomadic matt in front of the luxembourg gardens"width ="675 "height="395"/ > I enjoy strolling trips. Long period of time readers know I always advise doing them very first thing when you’re in a city. It does not matter the type you do. Food, history, art– whatever! Simply do something. They’re an unbelievable method to learn more about a destination, get your bearings, and talk to a regional about life in the city. (Plus, you can ask your regional guidefor pointers on restaurants, destinations, or how to browse the city! Win-win!)
I’ve been taking strolling tours given that my first backpacking journey in 2006 when I signed up with a hostel’s free walking tour around Prague. I was hooked and, over the years, I’ve taken hundreds upon hundreds of tours run by lots upon dozens of companies. There are tons of strolling tour companies out there, but one of my favorites is Context Travel.
Context was founded in 2003 and I have actually been utilizing and suggesting them since 2010 when I first stumbled across among their tours in Rome. I walked with an art historian around the Vatican, where I not just found out about the Vatican itself, however the stories behind the art. Ever since, I have actually done countless tours with them.
What has constantly set Context apart is that instead of utilize routine people trained as guides, they use experts (those with MA- or PhD-level degrees!) in their fields to lead you around. This way, you get someone who really knows w hat they are speaking about. You get someone who can share the little details that just an expert in their field would understand.
Throughout a current journey to Paris, I did Context’s Paris WWII History Trip. Now, I understand a lot about Paris. I’ve been checking out for 15 years, lived there for a short duration, have actually probably done over 50 tours there, and have checked out numerous books on the city that I sometimes seem like I’m studying for a degree in Paris history.
However my interest in the city is mostly based around the 1920s (I love allure Age!) and middle ages times. I don’t understand a lot about The second world war Paris. Sure, I understand some things from my basic studies, but I do not understand a lot of particular understanding, so I was excited to take this trip to discover an essential period in current Paris history.
The trip takes you from St. Germain through the Luxembourg Gardens over to the Latin Quarter then as much as Marias before ending at the Hotel de Ville. It chronicles the start of the Nazi profession, life throughout this time, the resistance movement, what occurred to the Jews, and, lastly, freedom. (It lasts about 3 hours.)
As I discussed previously, what makes Context Travel so special are the specialist guides and my guide, Gil, was no exception. He had actually remained in France for close to twenty years, has a degree in politics and literature, and had actually been a guide for over a years.( Note: There’s a couple of
guides that run this trip, and they are all professionals.)He understood all sorts of arcane information and brought an iPad filled with pictures and first hand material. We began in St. Germain discussing how the Germans went into Paris so quickly and how, in the start, life stayed fairly the same as they set up power. Local Parisians sort of continued their daily life (albeit with restrictions). Given that France fell so rapidly, the combating never got to Paris so the city was never damaged.
As we strolled, we stopped at buildings that were used throughout the war (the existing Mandarin Asian hotel utilized to be the Gestapo headquarters … creepy), and talked about how eventually the resistance formed and operated in the city. The trip moves forward in time as you stroll, and Gil discussed collaborators, the eventual removal of Jews, and how bigger French army wins in Africa caused crackdowns in the city. Finally, we got to the Hotel de Ville (city hall) and the grand finale as Parisians and Resistance fighters liberated the city from Nazi guideline in August 1944. The images of individuals and very first hand files he had really helped paint the photo of life and resistance in WW2 Paris. I walked away seeming like I found out a lot.
And that’s why I Context Travel. You truly get minute details and truths and a deep dive. There are lots of walking tour business out there– and I suggest a wide variety– however Context has actually constantly stood apart for the quality of their trip leaders. You aren’t getting a guide trained in a script, but somebody with deep subject matter understanding. Among my preferred tours was strolling down New York City’s well known 42nd street with an acclaimed designer. From architects to historians to artists to chefs, the guides here are trained experts which’s quite rare.
< img src= "https://www.nomadicmatt.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/context2.jpg" alt="nomadic matt in front of the luxembourg gardens "width =" 675" height= "395"/ > Context is excellent for tourists who want a real deep dive into a subject or location. Whether you are doing a trip of the Louvre or a strolling neighborhood trip like this, you’ll get a level of information not found in other trips. After all, with tours lasting up to 3 hours, there’s a great deal of info covered. Plus, they likewise have full-day and half-day tours you can take in addition to outing outside Paris.
It had been awhile because I ‘d done one of their trips and I’m extremely delighted that the quality that I fell in love with is still there. Context primarily runs private trips, indicating they are best for a group of people or households trying to find a personal trip, however they likewise have a number of tours where you can sign up with existing groups. And, if you just want to do your own thing, they have a lots of audio trips to choose from too. They operate in 70+ cities and cover everything from all the famous places you wish to see to distinct off-the-beaten-path locations.
I’ve enjoyed them since I began using them and, in the last couple of years, they have expanded a lot so I want to re-highlight Context Travel as a company to use on your next trip. Absolutely consider them for your next journey.
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Book Your Journey to Paris: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Schedule Your Flight
Use Skyscanner. They are my preferred online search engine because they browse sites and airlines around the world so you always understand no stone is left unturned.
Book Your Lodging
You can reserve your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the greatest stock and finest offers. If you want to stay someplace besides a hostel, usage Booking.com as they regularly return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.
For suggested hostels, here is a list of my preferred hostels in Paris.
If you prefer to remain in a hotel, these are my favorite hotels.
And if you’re wondering what part of town to stay in, here’s my area breakdown of Paris!
Do Not Forget Travel Insurance Coverage
Travel insurance coverage will safeguard you against health problem, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive security in case anything fails. I never go on a journey without it as I’ve needed to utilize it lot of times in the past. My preferred companies that use the very best service and worth are:
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resource page for the very best companies to use when you take a trip. I note all the ones I utilize to conserve money when I’m on the road. They will conserve you money when you travel too.
Desired More Details on Paris?Be sure to visit my robust destination guide to Paris for a lot more blogging tips!