Tour Guides in Paris, France

Bouledogue cafe in Le Marais http://www.lebouledogue.fr/restaurant-paris-le-bouledogue.html

Our Chicago friends, Jack Schwab (former Lambda Legal Board with me) and his partner David Sandelin were in Paris last fall and did a personalized tour with DIDIER MILLERIOT at privatearttours.com. Didier lived in Chicago for some time so speaks English very well. He arranged for all tickets at sites and for travel in Paris and region. I'm sure he'd be able to take your parents to Versailles without a problem. He is knowledgeable about French history and has interesting stories about all the famous locations. He comes HIGHLY recommended. Didier is also on Facebook. I recommend checking him out. Good luck and I hope your folks really have a wonderful time in one of my favorite cities in the world!

Go on the Viator.com website and select Paris. A number of very good choices. Seine lunch cruise, Bateaux Pairienne. Dinner at Taillevent.

A lot of good advice here. Chez George is amazing. I love their namesake sole. More casual I love or hangar behind the Pompidou where you can get foie gras in many guises. On the high end of vote for le Bristol or grand vefour over Jules Verne but any will be amazing. Also make sure to go to Pierre herme at 10 am when they open for the best croissant and pain au chocolat.

The Laduree Bonaparte is one of the loveliest places for breakfast, the upstairs is gorgeous Asian decor,21 rue Bonaparte, 75006 Paris...it's my only must-do when I'm there over a weekend: http://parisbreakfasts.blogspot.co.uk/2007/11/laduree-bonaparte.html

Agree with David above - Le Jules Verne at the Eiffel Tower was a special experience and not at all the tourist trap we expected. Perfect for Mom and Dad. Also loved Septime for something more casual and lunch at Chez Georges (allegedly Julia Child's favorite) for a wonderful bistro experience.

I can highly recommend Richard Nahem. http://www.ipreferparis.net/

Aux anysetiers du roy. 61 Rue Saint-Louis en l'Île, Paris +33 1 56 24 84 58

Also Hotel Costas

The Patricia Wells suggestion is absolutely brilliant! I used an earlier version of her book when I lived in Paris and her taste and descriptions were almost always spot on. (When she wasn't, it was more a difference in personal preference rather than her being wrong.)

One of the greatest recommendations I got from a friend before my June Paris trip was to take a Paris by Mouth Tour. Stunning. The company is owned by an American woman who turned her restaurant blog into a thriving business. The website has spot on recommendations for restaurants and then foodie tours conducted by the owner. I'd recommend the Taste of Saint Germain foodie tour or the Tour de Fromage but really they are all great. Frenchies is brutal to get into, but directly across the street is Frenchies Bar a Vins, and if they are willing to line up 15 minutes before opening they'll get in no problem. It's the same kitchen and chef so you get the Frenchies experience. Best possible crepes were at Breizh Cafe. L'Office was amazing too. Last favorite experience was taking a cooking class right on the Seine. The Musee de Luxembourg had the greatest Chagall exhibit while I was there too. Not sure if that's still up but I'd recommend to everyone....

we went to Jules Verne on the eiffel tower. Quite a special experience.

Todd, connect with my friend Julie Gunn. She is an expert on all things France, Spain and beyond. Plus she is an exceptionally fantastique! Julie, Todd is a leader in the LGBT community and a tremendous business professional. Enjoy!

Lunch at Les Deux Magots: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Deux_Magots

We had a fantastic guide in Paris in December. His name is David: http://www.toursbylocals.com/TBL/WebObjects/ToursByLocals.woa/1/wo/PhCl7PZYRA3MBtrIbnpVCw/2.19.5.3.13.1.16.3.1.0

We just did a huge story on Paris restaurants in our February Issue. When are they leaving? I can get you a copy. Otherwise, it's based on the newest edition of Patricia Wells' awesome guide book: http://patriciawells.com/