Paris has always attracted the attention of many thousands of travelers like a magnet. Those who have already had the good fortune to visit it and get acquainted with its history, architecture, museums and sights are eager to return here again. And those who are going to Paris for the first time, usually have a maximum of 5-7 days and should use them to the maximum advantage in order to learn as much as possible about it. Anyway, in both cases you may need the services of a local tour company or just a Russian-speaking guide in Paris. It is best to search for them on the Internet – this will ensure the absence of unnecessary intermediaries and help to optimize costs.
However, such a search is associated with certain risks. So how to find excursions in Paris and where to buy them? To begin with, let’s understand what licenses in France regulate tourist activities related to excursions and transport services for tourists:
1) Travel agency license – is issued in the name of the company, but is related to the qualification of the manager, i.e. the responsible person in the company. In order to obtain it you need to have a diploma of higher education in the field of tourism (or at least 5 years of experience in a travel agency in a management position), as well as a financial guarantee to customers in the amount of 100.000 €, which by definition should cover all possible problems related to the company’s activities.
2) License of a guide-conferencier – a certificate (card) confirming that the guide has been trained and successfully passed the national level exams at a special guide school. This card confirms that the guide has all the necessary knowledge and techniques to lead excursions of any complexity and for any groups. He/she speaks at least three languages (usually French, Russian and English).
Has the right to conduct guided tours with commentary (loud stories) for groups of tourists in the national museums of France(Louvre, Versailles, Orsay, etc.) and to escort tourists without queuing. Holders of such a card are guides with a high level of general culture, knowledge of French history and culture, who are usually also just pleasant conversationalists.
3) Transport license and special insurance – Passenger transportation permit from the Ministry of Transport or Tourism EVTC and professional insurance (the cost of which is many times higher than regular insurance), which covers all accidents related not only to passengers but also to their luggage. Vehicles of “licensed” transport operators are usually more modern, in better condition and undergo annual special technical inspection (VLTP).
Unfortunately, many private guides neglect to have an official transport license and insurance, conducting excursions in private vehicles. And very wrongly! At least, in case of control by special transport police (Boers), the car is “immobilized“, that is, the keys are confiscated and the “grief driver” or guide retreat, tucking tail, and upset tourists are forced to look for a cab. As a maximum – in case of an accident, and even with a complicated outcome, the private insurance of the car owner covers only his risks, and the other passengers of the car do not fall under it, because by law it is impossible to use such a car for tourist or transportation activities. Here you will think twice before entrusting yourself and your loved ones to an unknown carrier.
In the next article we will tell you about the three main groups into which all representatives of the Russian-speaking excursion market in Paris are divided. The continuation follows…
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