T.J.F., New York, New York:
“Joseph planned for me a week in Paris in March 2022.
How do you want to see the most magical city in the world? Give your wish list to Joseph, and like a magician he'll create a bespoke travel experience that you'll never forget.
My interests are varied: I'm a marathon runner, a foodie, a fashionista, and a literary fiend. Somehow, Joseph pulled together an itinerary that fulfilled each and every one of my desires.
No request is too complicated, difficult, or ridiculous for him. Whatever you want to do in Paris, Joseph will help you do it.
I ran the Paris half-marathon. I visited the Museum of Decorative Arts for a spectacular Thierry Mugler exhibit. I rode the carousel and ate ice cream in the Tuileries. I gorged on oysters, whelks, bistec, coq au vin, and pate, accompanied by the appropriate wines and spirits. I purchased my dream lingerie and my dream coat. I took a literary/history tour, loaded me down with books, and finished at Le Procope.
It was a whirlwind, just the way I like my travel, and I couldn't have done it so easily and effortlessly without Joseph.
And he has an uncanny ability to extrapolate from what you know you want to also suggest what you DIDN’T know you wanted, but when you find it, you are thrilled.
Don't land in Paris without a plan.
And don't plan Paris without Joseph.”
Thuan D., Portland, Oregon:
“Joseph helped plan my trip to Paris in summer of 2016.
I highly recommend working with Joseph to plan your Paris trip! He is a thoughtful expert on all things Parisian!
He was so helpful in every aspect of the planning, but I'll limit to the top standouts:
He suggested I stay on Ile Saint Louis, which was such a perfect choice, given the things I wanted to do.
Knowing my interest in cooking he highlighted a few relevant excursions -- including to Rue Montorgueil, which had shops that were so perfect for a serious home cook like me.
And through his guidance, the Paris Metro was made so, so easy!
Do NOT go to Paris without his expert guidance. Worth every penny.”
Sonora J., Seattle, WA:
“I was in Paris for almost a month in May 2024 as part of my sabbatical, and Joseph planned all of it. There's just so much to do and so much to leave to chance! Joseph works with both of these paradoxes.
I would have been totally lost in Paris without Joseph's curatorial flair!
Joseph booked the perfect accommodations for me: first in the Marais, and then the second half of the trip, I was near Monmartre. For both apartments, he kept in mind that I have difficulty climbing stairs.
I am not one for "checklists" of Things To Do in Paris, so Joseph carefully gathered a profile of me as a traveler. He planned such a perfect mix of museums and picnics and dinners and cafes.
I am a writer, so I got to do a literary tour of Paris AND find the time to write in a pretty, light-filled apartment and at cafes where they'd let me sit for hours.
He gave me the perfect mix of window-shopping to know what the major fashion labels were doing and the smaller, affordable stores where I could buy gorgeous yet affordable fashion-forward looks.
He booked tickets at the big museums, yes, but he also unveiled for me the more niche ones like Musee De La Vie Romantique.
Without Joseph's element of surprise, I wouldn't have discovered my new favorite place in Paris - Grande Mosquee de Paris - with its glorious fountain, its luxurious hamam (spa), and its delicious little pastries.
Joseph understands that Paris is a hundred little cities in one, and he loves each one of them.
Could I have done Paris on my own? Sure.
But would I be able to claim Paris as a sweet little secret city of my own? Not without Joseph's magic.”
Gregory K., Houston, Texas:
“Joseph has planned several of my trip to Paris, most recently a weekend in May 2024.
Joseph is an amazing planner!
He is very knowledgeable about all the different neighborhoods in Paris, and I was continually surprised by all the different markets, stores, restaurants, walks and museums he seemed to effortlessly incorporate into my itinerary.
On my last trip, I was only in Paris for a long weekend, but Joseph's guidance on what restaurants, markets and shops to visit -- from formal dinners to food stands, bookstores to clothing shops -- was invaluable, and helped focus my time on what I really wanted to see and do, making my short time in Paris so much more enjoyable.
Years ago, I went to university in Paris for a semester so I know the city fairly well, and in addition, I can speak French.
However, no matter what part of Paris I visited, including the neighborhood of my old university, Joseph introduced me to new restaurants, new history, and new things to see.
He is particularly skilled in picking restaurants, and he knows where you can find every possible kind of French food on earth. Especially pastries!!
Take advantage of Joseph's knowledge and service NOW! You won't be sorry, and I guarantee you will see the value, and have a much more enriching experience.”
Ruhi A., Theodore A., Kate C., New Rochelle, NY:
“Most recently, Joseph organized a week-long trip for us in April 2024 and prior to that, he had planned our week in February 2022.
Joseph’s knowledge of the city and enthusiasm for sharing it is boundless.
Rather than give us a canned list of possible activities, Joseph’s first task was to get to know us as a family and help us decide where to get our AirBNB (he also knows the hotels and all the other lodging options). He followed our lead, was never pushy but also seized opportunities to make suggestions and guide our decision making.
Joseph made the arrangements for all the museums we visited (between frequent stops at cafes that he recommended), and those included Musée d'Orsay, the Pompidou Center, the Rodin estate and Musée de l'Orangerie.
But he did so much more than just recommend museums.
Without Joseph, we would not have found the local thrift stores or the underground jazz clubs.
He recommended the orchestral performance in the well-known (and stunning) Sainte Chappelle chapel which we loved, but he also knew the city well enough to also recommend a classical concert in the lesser-known Saint-Ephrem Church, where we surrounded by local Parisians. (And it was amazing.)
Joseph knew where to get incoming fresh white asparagus and strawberries.
Joseph knows Paris on a granular level; it changes from season to season and month to month.”
Roberta H., Portland, Oregon:
“Joseph organized two trips to Paris for my family: for a week in May 2019 and again for 10 days in March 2022.
Joseph's ability to scout memorable moments is unmatched. Our trips were everything I wanted and more.
Our trip during the pandemic went off without a hitch due to his foresight and in-depth knowledge of the city.
Because of Joseph, I was not intimidated to travel to Paris.
He provided options that were a mix of the big sights and intimate settings that only people who know the city well would provide.
He's charming, hella fun to work with, and delightfully detailed.”
Jessica L., Washington, DC:
“Joseph planned my two short visits to Paris in February 2022 and May 2024.
When I went to Paris, I didn't want to plan a thing. I wanted to visit Paris and relax. Joseph provided the perfect walking tour that led me along quaint carousels, cobblestone streets, jaw-dropping cathedrals, buildings that appear to be sinking, romantic locks, and hip restaurants.
Joseph knows everything you could want to know about Paris: where to buy things that you don't need but can't live without, and where to stand to get the perfect photo (and look gorgeous while doing it).
He knows the charming neighborhoods to visit and why, relevant history (the good parts), and every restaurant / bar / cafe in the city (and the specialties of each).
Joseph ensured that I had recommendations for many restaurants with delicious vegetarian options -- no easy feat in Paris.
Joseph introduced me to the concept of the bouillon restaurant, and I could not have been more delighted. (I think I went to three bouillons that he said I should not miss, and he was right. I was transported back in time in stunning dining rooms where I ate like a queen but only paid like a middle-class person.)
If you want to refresh, have someone else do all the work for you, and be guaranteed a romantic / delicious / interesting / idyllic vacation, talk to Joseph. On my last trip to Paris, I had just one weekend, but he created such a fantastic schedule that I felt like I'd been on vacation for 10 weeks.”
Hye-Kyung K., Seattle, Washington:
“Joseph planned trips for me in April 2022 (one week) and May 2024 (two weeks)
Traveling with Joseph’s consultation and planning allowed me and my partner to do exactly what we wanted: to experience Paris as though we lived there. Joseph was thorough in asking what we wanted in terms of our experience and priorities, and he provided his expert knowledge to create a bespoke Paris experience for us.
He booked us at so many great restaurants, especially Le Procope (the oldest café in Paris!), Le Sirocco (delicious Moroccan food), La Coupole (an art deco dream!), La Rôtisserie d’Argent (yummy roast chicken), and the gorgeous Bouillon Julien.
He also gave great planning advice: Because we had a whole week, he said we should choose only one neighborhood per day and really enjoy its beauty unhurriedly.
Joseph knows all the lovely Paris neighborhoods, and he was spot on in his suggestions about which neighborhoods to prioritize, and in his advice to only do one per day.
He also introduced us to many local gems such as: Rue Martyrs and Rue Mouffetard (two great market streets), Galerie Vivienne, Bon Marche (where we shopped for beautiful gift items at Le Grande Epicerie de Paris), Palais Garnier (the stunning opera house), Musée Pompidou, and the joyous Bateaux-Mouches boat ride at night.
We had bespoke suits made in Paris, which was my personal dream-come-true! Also, picnicking in beautiful parks with the locals was one of my favorite memories.
Be prepared to fall in love with Paris even if you visited it before.
We had been to Paris before but never experienced it like we did with Joseph’s consultation. My partner now refuses to go to Paris without Joseph’s planning!”
Karen W., Los Angeles, California:
“I went to Paris for a week in April 2019.
Joseph suggested a cute little hotel in the Marais. He understood what was important to me and that I was willing to sacrifice some convenience, like an elevator, in order to have charm. The place we picked was perfect.
One of the highlights was this adorable little square behind my hotel. I would have a muesli bowl at a cafe there in the morning and quietly sip my tea or coffee listening to the sweet, relaxed sounds of Paris. Joseph understood my need for quiet, non-bustling mornings and this square was sublime.
Joseph's attention to detail is superb.
He knew I liked sweets, so he directed me to some incredible pastries, and arranged a crepes-walking-tour.
He knew all of the best locations to stop and get a crepe. One day I wanted to meet a friend from the States who was visiting Paris as well, and Joseph gave me the recommendation for a sweet cafe to take her, which was perfect.
He talked to me about the trip in advance with such excitement. We discussed areas to walk, museums that interested me, shopping, restaurants and the opera. Knowing I'm a big clothes horse, he directed me to all of his favorite boutiques.
I recall visiting the gorgeous Musée d'Orsay. He knew I loved the opera and arranged for me to see Carmen (one of my favorites) at Opera Bastille. Also, walking through the streets of Montmartre was another highlight. Joseph knew all the best places for stellar Paris views.
Joseph gets pleasure out of seeing people enjoy Paris in whatever way suits them.
Ah, until next time, Paris! Thank you Joseph.”
Uma R., Seattle, Washington:
“Joseph helped me plan for a three day trip to Paris in June 2019.
Joseph has deep love for Paris, and with each trip he takes, we benefit!
He was able to answer my questions -- not just about food (which honestly is divine almost anywhere in Paris), but also VIBE. * Was I wanting a place to talk to strangers and see where the evening took me? * Was I looking for a market to stroll near a park to relax in afterward? * Was I looking for community? Joseph had amazing suggestions for me!
Joseph taught me some basic cultural insights and phrases.
For example, he encouraged me to come to Paris prepared to try to speak a very tiny bit of French. He noted that many locals will appreciate the effort, even if they can speak English. I found this to be absolutely true! He also included some helpful key phrases for me to start with!”
James L.D., Brooklyn, New York:
“Joseph planned a trip for me in January 2022.
There are two primary things I look forward to when I travel: (1) eating and (2) walking around and wandering in neighborhoods I don’t know. Joseph’s planning assistance was perfect on both of those scores.
This was travel-planning for my specific passions for wandering and eating.
He put together excellent self-guided walking tours, with an emphasis on places to eat along the way, for the Canal St. Martin neighborhood, Rue Mouffetard and the wonderful streets off of it, and the really lovely, quiet, and (seemingly) almost untouched by tourists Butte aux Cailles.
Joseph asked questions about my interests, and then put together a set of walks that reflected those interests.
I also really like to go to street markets when I travel – preferably food markets, but not just them. And Joseph put together a list of market streets and when the best days/times are to visit them. And that was incredibly helpful, since I was able to plan when and where to go to them in ways that fit with other things I was doing on the trip.
Joseph also seems to think like a traveler, rather than either a tourist or a local -- if that makes sense. He seems to know the city very well, from his many stays there. And that makes him different from a tourist.
He told me he doesn’t speak French fluently, and that was actually encouraging in its own way.
I don’t speak French, and I knew his travel-planning advice was going to helpful to someone like me.
So, if you’re looking for someone who knows the city of Paris really well, and yet has not lost what it means to be a traveler, then Joseph threads that needle.”
Ben A.N., Portland, Oregon
“We went to Paris for a week in June 2019.
Joseph is a genius when it comes to Paris for visitors! He helped plan a trip for my entire family (my fashionista teenage daughter and five adults, including my 75-year-old mother).
Everyone in our group had different interests in the trip: some wanted museums, some food, some gardens, some shopping, and some simply quiet time on sidewalk cafes.
Joseph found something for everyone and even created documents of activities coded to each person's interests.
Of course, he helped us choose which museums we'd be most interested in, which monuments and tourist attractions to visit when, and which neighborhoods offered the best shopping.
But he also showed us a side of Paris other tourists might miss: including some out-of-the-way streets with shops and restaurants, local weekend markets, and the best bridges to stand and watch the river.”
Miranda M., Portland, Oregon:
“Joseph planned my trips to Paris in June 2016 for two weeks and in May of 2019 for one week.
Joseph is in love with Paris, and it shows.
The itinerary he planned offered useful advice on all aspects of being in Paris (i.e., getting around, eating, exploring).
And he suggested attractions that went far beyond the Eiffel Tower and other famous landmarks. (He's also a great writer, and it was an engaging read.)
Joseph created a customized itinerary specifically for me that was a list of the top seven places in Paris where one could "hang out and attempt to be like Audrey Hepburn" .
He also introduced me to Angelina's hot chocolate (it was incredible).
I also appreciated Joseph's attention to what to pack, including his practical and fashion advice. Part of the thrill of our trip was dressing as the Parisians do.”
