Paris Walking Tours Company Discover Walks Peports: Americans in Paris Prefer the Marais

Americans give the Marais district two thumbs up - ahead of the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower. Data from Paris walking tour company Discover Walks shows that Americans in Paris seek authenticity and character ahead of just tourist landmarks.

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Having Fun in the Marais

Quote startMany Americans who visit Paris have gotten quite sophisticated. They’ve been to Paris before, they look for authenticity ahead of just landmarks, and authenticity is what they find in the MaraisQuote end

Paris, France (PRWEB) June 27, 2012

Move over Le Louvre, shrink down Eiffel Tower. Out of all tourist districts in Paris, Americans prefer the Marais reported Paris walking tours company Discover Walks. This is in contrast with other English-speaking tourists, who put the Left Bank and Montmartre at a par with the Marais. Americans prefer Marais by a wide margin.

“Many Americans who visit Paris have gotten quite sophisticated. They’ve been to Paris before, they look for authenticity ahead of just landmarks, and authenticity is what they find in the Marais”, commented Discover Walks co-founder Alexandre Gourevitch in Paris.

These facts are based on a Discover Walks survey of 500 American tourists taking part in walking tours in April-May 2012. Guests could choose between walking tours in six different neighborhoods of identical format. Reservation is not required, all tours are 90 minutes in duration, all are neighborhood walking tours led by native Parisians, and all are free of charge – supported by tips from guests.

“The best way to see and enjoy almost any city in the world is walking, especially Paris. And the Marais with its narrow irregular streets can really only be seen by walking around it. We created our Trendy Marais Walking Tour just for that reason. And we found out it was a huge success with Americans,” added Bert d’Aleman, Paris City Manager for Discover Walks.

American travelers chose the Marais ahead of the districts of the Left Bank, Notre Dame/Ile de la Cite, Landmarks/Eiffel Tower, Montmartre and the Louvre. The Marais outpaced second-place Left Bank by a wide margin, attracting 24% more people than the Left Bank.

The Marais is situated on the right bank, east of most tourist attractions. It is home in particular to Place des Vosges, the Jewish pletzl, trendy designer shops, Paris’ gay district and the townhouses of the aristocracy of the 1600’s and 1700’s. Unlike some areas of Paris, the Marais does not contain a major tourist landmark, it draws people with its wonderful Parisian character.

One great thing many Americans comment about the Marais is how ‘full of Parisians’ it is. Unlike some of the more famous Paris attractions, the Marais is still dominated by local Parisians.

About Discover Walks

Travel Company Discover Walks is dedicated to bringing visitors fun times discovering major cities round the world. Native-born guides offer walking tours and authentic local activities – ethnic cooking classes, photo tours, traditional sports and games etc.

Launched in summer 2010, Discover Walks entertained over 50,000 guests in 2011. Discover Walks also has walking tours in San Francisco, Barcelona and Prague.


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Marais Mansion Marais Mansion

Quiet garden on the Discover Walks - Trendy Marais walking tour