I enjoy walking tours. Long-time readers are aware that I consistently suggest participating in them as a primary activity when visiting a city. The type of tour you choose isn’t important—be it food, history, art—just engage in something. They’re an amazing way to discover a destination, orient yourself, and converse with a local about their life in the city. (Additionally, you can request recommendations for restaurants, attractions, or city navigation from your local guide! It’s a win-win situation!)
I have been on walking tours since my initial backpacking trip in 2006, during which I took part in a hostel’s complimentary walking tour in Prague. I was captivated, and over the years, I’ve experienced hundreds of tours organized by numerous companies. There are a plethora of walking tour companies, but one of my absolute favorites is Context Travel.
Founded in 2003, I have been utilizing and endorsing their services since 2010 when I initially discovered one of their tours in Rome. I toured the Vatican with an art historian, where I not only explored the Vatican itself but also the narratives behind the artworks. Since that moment, I have participated in countless tours with them.
What consistently distinguishes Context from others is their choice to employ experts (those with MA or PhD degrees) in their respective fields as guides instead of merely trained regular individuals. This ensures you receive insights from someone genuinely knowledgeable. You benefit from their ability to share intricate details that only specialists would be privy to.
During a recent visit to Paris, I experienced Context’s WWII History Tour. I have considerable knowledge about Paris, having visited for 15 years, lived there briefly, taken over 50 tours, and read extensively about the city—as if I were preparing for a degree in Paris history.
However, my main interest in the city revolves around the 1920s (as I adore the Jazz Age!) and medieval history. My grasp of World War II Paris is limited, so I was eager to join this tour to understand a significant era in recent Parisian history.
The tour begins in St. Germain, traverses the Luxembourg Gardens to the Latin Quarter, and continues to Marias, concluding at the Hôtel de Ville. It details the onset of the Nazi occupation, the realities of daily life during this period, the resistance efforts, the plight of the Jewish community, and ultimately, liberation. (The duration is approximately three hours.)
As previously mentioned, the uniqueness of Context Travel lies in their expert guides, and my guide, Gil, was no different. He had been residing in France for nearly twenty years, holds degrees in politics and literature, and had been guiding for over a decade. (Note: Several experts conduct this tour.) He had a wealth of esoteric knowledge and brought along an iPad filled with images and primary source materials.
We commenced in St. Germain, discussing how the Germans swiftly entered Paris and how, initially, life largely continued as they established control. Local Parisians somewhat maintained their routines (with certain restrictions). Given France’s rapid capitulation, there was no fighting in Paris, so the city remained undamaged.
As we strolled, we paused at various buildings linked to the war (the current Mandarin Oriental hotel once housed the Gestapo… eerily fascinating), and explored how the resistance eventually organized within the city. The tour progressed through time, with Gil addressing collaborators, the eventual expulsion of Jewish residents, and how significant victories by the French army in Africa resulted in crackdowns within the city. Ultimately, we arrived at the Hôtel de Ville, witnessing the powerful conclusion as Parisians and Resistance members liberated the city from Nazi domination in August 1944. The visuals of individuals and firsthand documents he shared really illuminated the life and resistance efforts in WWII Paris. I left feeling as though I had gained substantial knowledge.
And that’s why I appreciate Context Travel. You genuinely receive intricate details and facts along with an in-depth exploration. While there are numerous walking tour companies out there—and I recommend a diverse range—Context has consistently excelled in the caliber of their tour leaders. You’re not simply getting a guide reciting a script; you’re engaging with someone who possesses extensive subject matter expertise. One of my favorite experiences was walking down NYC’s iconic 42nd street alongside an award-winning architect. From architects to historians to artists to chefs, the guides here are seasoned experts, which is quite rare.
Context is ideal for travelers seeking an genuine and thorough exploration of a subject or locale. Whether participating in a Louvre tour or a neighborhood walking tour like this, you’ll receive a