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Paris FAQ’s

Paris, Walking Tours, History Of Paris Walking Tour, Highlights, Walking-Tours-History-Of-Paris-Walking-Tour-Gothic-Architecture.

Frequently Asked Questions

General FAQ's

Are reservations required?

Yes, reservations are required for all tours.

What is your cancellation policy?

CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS
We are happy to offer free changes and 100% refunds up to 24 hours before tour departure. Failure to cancel a reservation at least 24 hours prior to scheduled departure may result in forfeited travel funds. Fare difference may apply for activity or schedule changes. Activities including tickets or special entrances may require further notice to be eligible for a full refund. Please see below for specific policies.

CHANGES AND RESCHEDULING
We are happy to modify or change your reservation up to one hour before your activity start time without any rescheduling fees. Any changes are subject to availability, and difference in activity prices may apply.

Within one hour of the activity start time we likely will not be able to rebook or reschedule your booking, however, please contact our customer support staff directly and we will do our best to accommodate you.

*SPECIAL RESTRICTIONS AND EXCEPTIONS
Please note the following exceptions to our standard cancellation and rebooking policies:

“Fat Tire Approved” activities are operated by partner companies with specific rebooking policies. Please consult the specific cancellation policy of any Fat Tire Approved activity for specific refund, rebooking, and rescheduling restrictions. Fat Tire Approved tours can be identified by a red banner towards the top of the tour page.
Activities including tickets or special entrances, such as Versailles or Colosseum, may only be rescheduled for free up to 72 hours in advance*. These activities are also only refundable more than 72 hours in advance of the activity start time. Within 72 hours, we will only be able to issue a partial refund or future credit. Those activities include:

Barcelona
Gaudí Bike Tour with Skip-the-Line Sagrada Família Ticket

Florence
All Skip-the-Line Duomo Tours

Milan
All Skip-the-Line Duomo Tours

Munich
All Oktoberfest Tours

Paris
All Eiffel Tower Tours* (Please see the Eiffel Tower Tour pages for the specific cancellation policy for these tours)
All Versailles Tours
Skip-the-Line All Access Catacombs Tour

Rome
Skip-the-Line Colosseum Tours
Private Tours must be cancelled or rebooked at least 7 days in advance of the activity start time. Reschedulings are subject to availability.

If you aren’t sure if your tour falls under a special restriction, simply get in touch with our team in advance and we’ll be happy to confirm your options.

Is there a place to store luggage or bags while I'm on tour?

Absolutely, you are welcome to bring your luggage along to the meeting point where you may store your bags in our shop while out on tour.

How do I make a reservation?

Reservations for all tours can be made on our website and selecting the tour(s) of your choice.

You can also call our Customer Service team and book your tour over the phone:

North America Toll-Free
+1.866.614.6218
Paris Telephone
+33.1.82.88.80.96

If you decide to not make a reservation in advance, you may pay with cash or credit card on the day of the tour, subject to availability. In the event of too many walk-up guests we will always offer priority to those who have reserved in advance. This happens more frequently from June to August and highly recommend booking in advance during these months.

If you have children that will need smaller bikes, please read the Bike Options FAQ below and select which bike would be best for your child when adding a tour to your cart.

How do we find your office?

Click here to get directions to our office located at 24 rue Edgar Faure.
Not all tours meet at our office so please make sure to check carefully where the meeting point is for your tour in your confirmation email.

Can I purchase a gift certificate online?

Absolutely! You can find our Paris Gift Certificates here.

How early do I need to reserve for a tour to Versailles?

Our Versailles Tours (bike & walking) is wildly popular and we recommend making a reservation as far in advance as possible. Rest assured that you can reschedule or cancel your Versailles tour 72-hours prior to the start time and receive a full refund. It’s always best to reserve and cancel rather than miss out on the tour of a lifetime!

What are the seasonal open dates of Fat Tire Tours?

We are open every day of the year except for select Sundays in the winter. Please check our Google Business Listing for the most up-to-date information.

We have a limited tour schedule on Bastille Day (July 14), Fête de la Musique (June 21), and the final day of the Tour de France.

I have a Paris Pass – how do I get my discount?

Paris Pass holders will receive a 15% discount towards our Paris city Bike and Segway Tours. This does NOT include Skip-the-Line Tours (Versailles or Monet) or walking tours.

To receive this discount the Paris Pass must presented at check-in and must be valid for the date of your tour with us. This means customers must pay full price upfront and a refund for the discount will be processed once we verify the Paris Pass in person.

Where do I meet for my reserved tour?

All of our tours have specific meeting locations and times. After making a reservation you will receive a tour confirmation email that outlines all of the important details including meeting point.

How long do the tours last?

BIKE TOURS

Paris Day Bike Tour: Approximately 3.5 hours
Paris Night Bike Tour: Approximately 4.5 hours
Versailles Bike Tour: Approximately 8 hours
Monet’s Gardens Bike Tour: Approximately 8.5 hours
Best of Paris Bike Tour: Approximately 7 hours
VIP Versailles Bike Tour: Approximately 8.5 hours
SEGWAY TOURS

Day Segway Tour: Approximately 3 hours
Night Segway Tour: Approximately 2 hours
SKIP THE LINE TOURS

Skip-the-Line Louvre Tour: Approximately 2 hours
Skip-the-Line Versailles Chateau & Gardens Tour: Approximately 4.5 hours
Behind the Scenes Versailles Tour: Approximately 7 hours
Skip-the-Line All-Access Catacombs Tour: Approximately 1.5 hours
EIFFEL TOWER TOURS

Skip-the-Line Eiffel Tower Tour: Approximately 2 hours
Skip-the-Line Eiffel Tower Tour with Summit Access: Approximately 2 hours
Skip-the-Line Eiffel Tower Sunset Tour: Approximately 2 hours
VIP Access Skip-the-Line Eiffel Tower Tour: Approximately 2 hours
Champagne River Cruise & Skip the Line Eiffel Tower Visit: Approximately 3.5-4 hours
WALKING TOURS

Classic Paris Walking Tour: Approximately 3.5 hours
History of Paris Walking Tour: Approximately 2 hours
French Revolution Walking Tour: Approximately 2 hours
Montmartre Walking Tour: Approximately 2 hours
Père Lachaise Walking Tour: Approximately 2 hours
FAT TIRE APPROVED TOURS

Day Trips
Normandy D-Day Beaches Day Trip: Approximately 14 hours
Loire Valley Castles Day Trip: Approximately 12.5 hours
Champagne Region Day Trip: Approximately 10.5 hours
Food Classes
Wine & Cheese Tasting Lunch: Approximately 2 hours
Macaron Baking Class: Approximately 3 hours
Croissant Baking Class: Approximately 3.5 hours
Market Tour & French Cooking Class: Approximately 6 hours

What is your weather policy?

All tours run rain or shine.

Will we enter the museums and monuments that we see?

Unfortunately, we won’t have enough time during this tour to allow everyone to enter the various museums. We will, however, provide you with the best information to go back and see the places that interest you most following the tour.  This tour is designed to experience the city from a broad perspective.

What is the number to call if I am lost and trying to find the meeting point?

If you are having difficulty finding the meeting location for your tour, please call us at +33 1.82.88.80.94 and our staff will be happy to help you find your way.

How can I work for Fat Tire Tours?

Keep an eye on our employment page for up-to-date hiring information and to submit an application.

Besides tours, what else do you offer?

We want you to fall in love with Paris! That’s why we have a team of local customer support agents ready to help you organize your trip. We’re happy to create custom Paris Welcome Sessions, where you can explore the neighborhood around your place of accommodate with one of our excellent guides, learn how to take the metro, order in a café, and basically live like a Parisian!

Want to take a bit of France home with you? Be sure to check out David’s Wine Cellar for great deals on some of our favorite French wines (currently only available to guests in the United States).

We like to stay in the loop, so we have our ears to the ground on all things French! Be sure to follow us on instagram so that you can see all of the happenings in Paris, be it the finale of the Tour de France, updates on Paris Fashion Week, or excellent restaurant recommendations.

Bike Tour FAQ's

Is this tour appropriate for children?

Yes! This tour is a wonderful way for kids to discover Paris. You can use this bike chart to help you reserve the appropriate bicycles for your little ones – you can reserve kids’ equipment during the booking process. Please keep in mind that children under 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult on the tour.

  • For children up to 10 years old or weighing under 32kg (70lbs), we have two-wheeled tag-along tandems. The child passenger sits on a seat and can pedal or coast. All riders weighing over 32kg (70lbs) must ride their own bicycle. This is not an option for adults or anyone over the weight or age limit.
  • We have various sized city bikes to accommodate just about every size of rider, from extra small 20 inch wheeled bikes for riders that are 3.3ft (100cm) to extra large for riders up to 6.5ft (198cm).
  • There is no additional charge for trailers, tandems or baby seats. Due to limited availability, please book baby seats, trailers, tandems, 20” and 24” wheeled bikes in advance.
  • Please Note: All extra small 20 inch and small 24 inch bikes are equipped with hand brakes.
  • Our city tours are very casual, with only slight elevation changes on varying surfaces including smooth gravel and pavement. It is necessary, however, that any person participating in our bike tours have at least some bike riding experience, and should be comfortable riding in a group.

What are your bike options?

You can view our bike options here.

Unfortunately, we do not have adult tricycles, adult tandems, or bikes with training wheels for adults or children that may be less confident in their riding ability

How does the Paris Day Bike Tour compare to the Paris Night Bike Tour?

Many customers want to know the difference between our Paris Day Bike Tour and Paris Night Bike Tour. First, the routes and information provided are completely different.

The Paris Day Bike Tour is where you’ll get the most information about Paris. We hear one of two comments most often after the Paris Day Bike Tour. Either, “Wow, I’m so glad I took this because now I know what I’m going to do the next few days while I’m in the city” or we hear, “I can’t believe I’m leaving tonight because there’s so much more in Paris that I didn’t know about and I’ve missed it all.”

The Paris Night Bike Tour is simply beautiful. There is more riding involved and slightly less information than the Paris Day Bike Tour, but the city at night is fantastic! This tour also includes a boat cruise on the Seine with free wine included.

Most of our customers take both of our tours by taking advantage of our Day & Night Bike Tours – and you can save €10 when booking them together! However, if you’re not sure you want to take both, we suggest you take whichever one sounds most interesting to you, and then you can decide at that point if you enjoyed it enough to ride with us a second time. We think we know what your answer will be… 

Is a helmet included?

In France, adults are not obliged to wear a helmet, however they are mandatory for children under 12. We have helmets of all sizes available in our office, free of charge.

How long before my tour should I arrive?

The tour meeting time is 15 minutes prior to the start time. No refunds or re-bookings can be provided for late arrivals or no-shows after tour commencement or departure.

A lot! On our Paris bike tours, we’ll highlight the most well-known museums and monuments, point out the best picnic spots, and cruise through popular neighborhoods. We try to include as much as possible so that you can go back to your favorite sites after the tour!

Our Versailles and Monet’s Gardens Bike Tours delve into the history of France, be it the kings or the artists, and spend the whole day riding through these beautiful villages and towns!

I haven't been on a bike in years; will it be difficult?

While all of our tours maintain a leisurely pace, we want our guests to have fun and be safe, so being able to ride a bike is paramount. Ours is a very bike-friendly city and cars are used to sharing the road with cyclists and pedestrians.

We believe there is a tour for everyone, therefore each of our bike tours fall into one of the following categories, which you can find identified on the individual tour page:

Leisurely Cycling – Perfect for novice bike riders or those that haven’t been on a bike in years. You should have average balance, be able to start and stop comfortably, and be familiar with hand brakes. We will be riding on bike lanes, through parks, and occasionally with traffic. Safety is our number one priority but confidence in yourself is the first step to overall group safety. If you’re not sure how you’ll fare, we invite you to come to our office about 30 minutes prior to your tour start time to try the bikes.

Intermediate Cycling – You should have good balance, be able to start and stop comfortably, and be familiar with hand brakes. Riders should be prepared for small hills, riding single-file behind other riders, and riding in a group. Safety is our number one priority but confidence in yourself is the first step to overall group safety. If you’re not sure how you’ll fare, we invite you to try our Paris Day Bike tour first.

Athletic Cycling – Tours that fall under this category are by no means strenuous, but they cover a greater distance than our other tours and/or spend more time cycling in the roads than our other tours. You should have good balance, be able to start and stop comfortably, and be familiar with hand brakes. We vary between single-file & group riding. Safety is our number one priority but confidence in yourself is the first step to overall group safety. We have children join us on tours at this level all the time so it completely depends on your confidence with a bicycle! If you’re not sure how you’ll fare with this level, we invite you to try our Paris Night Bike tour first.

Is this tour appropriate for children?

Yes! Our Versailles Bike Tour is a wonderful way for kids comfortable on bikes to discover Versailles. We only ask that your children have been riding for a while, or, if they’re under 10, you can reserve a tandem for them. You can reserve kid’s equipment during the booking process.

You can use this bike chart to help you reserve the appropriate bicycles for your little ones. Please keep in mind that children under 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult on the tour.

  • For children up to 10 years old or weighing under 32kg (70lbs), we have two-wheeled tag-along tandems. The child passenger sits on a seat and can pedal or coast. All riders weighing over 32kg (70lbs) must ride their own bicycle. This is not an option for adults or anyone over the weight or age limit.
  • We have various sized city bikes to accommodate just about every size of rider, from extra small 20 inch wheeled bikes for riders that are 3.3ft (100cm) to extra large for riders up to 6.5ft (198cm).
  • There is no additional charge for trailers, tandems or baby seats. Due to limited availability, please book baby seats, trailers, tandems, 20” and 24” wheeled bikes in advance.
  • Please Note: All extra small 20 inch and small 24 inch bikes are equipped with hand brakes.

Is this tour appropriate for children?

Yes! Our Paris Night Bike Tour is a wonderful way for kids comfortable on bikes to discover Paris. Please note that this tour typically returns to our office between 11pm and 11:30pm so it may not be appropriate for riders under age 10.

If you’re unsure of the child’s riding confidence, we often suggest taking the Paris Day Bike Tour first in order to gauge their comfort on tour, and deciding later about the Paris Night Bike Tour. The Paris Night Bike Tour is slightly faster paced and involves more street traffic, whereas our Paris Day Bike Tour has a more leisurely pace and stays mostly on bike paths and sidewalks. Also, please note that children under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult on the tour.
You can use this bike chart to help you reserve the appropriate bicycles for your little ones.

 

  • We have various sized city bikes to accommodate just about every size of rider, from extra small 20 inch wheeled bikes for riders that are 3.3ft (100cm) to extra large for riders up to 6.5ft (198cm).
  • Please Note: All extra small 20 inch and small 24 inch bikes are equipped with hand brakes.
  • Our city tours are very casual, with only slight elevation changes on varying surfaces including smooth gravel and pavement. It is necessary, however, that any person participating in our bike tours have at least some bike riding experience, and should be comfortable riding in a group.

Skip-the-Line FAQ's

What do we see on the skip-the-line tours?

A lot more than if you waited in line! With our expert guide, we will take you into Paris’ most well-known and loved museums and monuments and explain their history, cultural significance, and modern importance. From the Mona Lisa to the Hall of Mirrors, these tours offer you an exclusive view into some of the world’s most cherished historic sites.

Are reservations required?

Yes, reservations are required for all tours.

How long before my tour should I arrive?

The tour meeting time is 15 minutes prior to the start time. No refunds or re-bookings can be provided for late arrivals or no-shows after tour commencement or departure.

What is your cancellation policy?

CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS
We are happy to offer free changes and 100% refunds up to 24 hours before tour departure. Failure to cancel a reservation at least 24 hours prior to scheduled departure may result in forfeited travel funds. Fare difference may apply for activity or schedule changes. Activities including tickets or special entrances may require further notice to be eligible for a full refund. Please see below for specific policies.

CHANGES AND RESCHEDULING
We are happy to modify or change your reservation up to one hour before your activity start time without any rescheduling fees. Any changes are subject to availability, and difference in activity prices may apply.

Within one hour of the activity start time we likely will not be able to rebook or reschedule your booking, however, please contact our customer support staff directly and we will do our best to accommodate you.

*SPECIAL RESTRICTIONS AND EXCEPTIONS
Please note the following exceptions to our standard cancellation and rebooking policies:

“Fat Tire Approved” activities are operated by partner companies with specific rebooking policies. Please consult the specific cancellation policy of any Fat Tire Approved activity for specific refund, rebooking, and rescheduling restrictions. Fat Tire Approved tours can be identified by a red banner towards the top of the tour page.
Activities including tickets or special entrances, such as Versailles or Colosseum, may only be rescheduled for free up to 72 hours in advance*. These activities are also only refundable more than 72 hours in advance of the activity start time. Within 72 hours, we will only be able to issue a partial refund or future credit. Those activities include:

Barcelona
Gaudí Bike Tour with Skip-the-Line Sagrada Família Ticket

Florence
All Skip-the-Line Duomo Tours

Milan
All Skip-the-Line Duomo Tours

Munich
All Oktoberfest Tours

Paris
All Eiffel Tower Tours* (Please see the Eiffel Tower Tour pages for the specific cancellation policy for these tours)
All Versailles Tours
Skip-the-Line All Access Catacombs Tour

Rome
Skip-the-Line Colosseum Tours
Private Tours must be cancelled or rebooked at least 7 days in advance of the activity start time. Reschedulings are subject to availability.

If you aren’t sure if your tour falls under a special restriction, simply get in touch with our team in advance and we’ll be happy to confirm your options.

What is your weather policy?

All tours run rain or shine.

How many people will be in my group?

Group size varies by tour but we generally limit the size to no more than 20 guests per tour guide.

Are skip-the-line tours appropriate for children?

Absolutely – these informative tours are great for all ages. Certain tours include discounts for children as well.

If you have a stroller, please note that you may not be able to take it into all of the museums. Please feel free to send a message to our Customer Service team if you have any specific questions about which museums can accommodate a stroller.

Walking Tour FAQ's

What do we see on the walking tours?

We have a range of walking tours that cater to specific interests and neighborhoods. Whether you want to walk along the Seine, through bohemian Montmartre, the historic Latin Quarter, scout out the best falafel in the Marais, or navigate through Père Lachaise Cemetery – we have something for you!

VIEW ALL WALKING TOURS HERE

Are reservations required?

Yes, reservations are required for all tours.

How long before my tour should I arrive?

The tour meeting time is 15 minutes prior to the start time. No refunds or re-bookings can be provided for late arrivals or no-shows after tour commencement or departure.

How many people will be in my group?

For our walking tours, we limit the group size to 16 guests per tour guide.

Are children allowed on this tour?

Of course! We are always eager to host families on our tours.

Will we enter the museums and monuments that we see?

Unfortunately, we won’t have enough time during this tour to allow everyone to enter the various museums. We will, however, provide you with the best information to go back and see the places that interest you most following the tour.  This tour is designed to experience the city from a broad perspective.

How strenuous are the walking tours? How much will we be walking?

We like to maintain a leisurely pace during all of our tours, but please plan accordingly for elements outside of our control, such as weather. We recommend bringing along a water bottle for our walking tours.

Our Classic Walk is 4 miles (6.6 kilometers) and lasts approximately 3.5 hours.
Our History of Paris Walk is 1.9 miles (3.2 kilometers) and lasts approximately 2 hours.
Our French Revolution Walk is 2.3 miles (3.7 kilometers) and lasts approximately 2 hours.
Our Montmartre Walk is 1.8 miles (3 kilometers) and lasts approximately 2 hours; this could be considered our most strenuous walk as the majority of the tour is uphill.

Segway Tour FAQ's

Is there an age or weight limit?

For your riding safety, guests must be at least 12 years of age and weigh at least 100 pounds and not in excess of 260 pounds.

Will I need to put down a deposit?

Yes.  Insurance requires that Fat Tire Tours pre-authorize 400€ on a credit card. Please bring your MasterCard, Visa, Amex, or cash with you for this deposit (not Discover).  Your card will not be charged, but we will hold onto the details should your Segway incur any damage while in your possession.

How big will my group be?

Our tours operate in groups of 8 guests or less.  If your party is larger than 8, the group will be split up for safety reasons, each with a guide.  For larger parties, please inquire about a private tour at privatetours@fattiretours.com.

If I am pregnant can I join the tour?

Unfortunately, due to the risk to both child and mother, pregnant women are not allowed to participate on our Segway tours.

If this is my first time to ride a Segway, will I be able to pick it up quickly?

Your safety is always our highest priority. Therefore, we begin each tour with a very thorough orientation of the Segway and its use before going out to enjoy the city

We’ve found that our guests pick up on how to ride a Segway within the first 10 minutes, but we like to take 20-30 minutes to explain the machines, demonstrate the best riding techniques, and then allow time to practice before heading out to see the sites. We like to ensure that every guest feels 100% confident before beginning the tour.

While riding a Segway is fairly leisurely, you will be on your feet for the duration of the tour.

Private & Custom Tour FAQ's

What is your cancellation policy?

Due to the nature of guide scheduling for private tours, cancellations or rescheduling requests must be done at least 7 days in advance of the activity start time to be eligible for a full refund. Reschedulings are subject to availability and fare difference may apply.

*See restrictions here

Is this tour offered in any other languages, or only English?

All scheduled tours are in English, but private tours can sometimes be scheduled in other languages, given we have a tour guide who speaks the language of your choice.

What's included in a private tour?

Virtually anything you’d like! We will include all necessary equipment (i.e. bikes, helmets, tickets, etc.) for your tour, transportation costs (for any of our tours outside of Paris), and a knowledgeable guide. Lunch/dinner is usually not included unless specified. We also have many bespoke options to choose from, which you can see more details about on our Private Tours page.

How much is a private tour?

All of our private tour requests are individually analyzed by our private tours department, and quotes are given based on a number of factors including tour guide availability, booking time, season, ticket availability, bike/Segway availability (if applicable), and group size.

Private group tours will usually cost more than our public tours given the planning time, any special requirements or requests our guests may have, and the privatization of one or a few of our tour guides.

My travel plans won’t allow for me to join your public tour; could I have a private version to fit my schedule?

Absolutely! Our private tours department is happy to work around your existing schedule to help you create a unique experience that fits with your travel plans. Our tours can be shortened or extended depending on your availability.

Click here to get in touch with our Private Tours team

We are traveling for a special occasion! Is there anything that you can do to help us celebrate?

Of course! Whether you’re here for a birthday, anniversary, or another important event, we would love to help you make this a unique memory!

Click here to get in touch with our Private Tours team

How far in advance should I submit a Private Tour request?

We will make every effort to accommodate last minute requests, however we recommend you book private tours no less than two weeks in advance.

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