Here are the stories we tell…
Coffee & the Covered Passages.
"This was SUCH an interesting and educational experience. I didn’t even know Passages and Galleries existed, let alone that there used to be many more than the 17 remaining or why. The tour explains so many of the “why” of the passages and of coffee - I had no idea how much impact this non-alcoholic, social gathering beverage (coffee) had on the history of Paris. Amazing! Sacha was such a patient and generous host. He is a native Parisian and has excellent knowledge to share. He was very patient with questions or pauses for pics. I can hardly believe how much I learned in one morning. I would highly recommend this experience !" — Daniel from Anderson (September 2025)
"Sacha was extremely knowledgeable, articulate and passionate about the topic. He was thoughtful and courteous even with rainy conditions. We saw a side of Paris we have never seen and learned some fascinating history about coffee’s arrival in Paris and the social revolution it spawned. Bravo Sacha for such a unique and memorable experience." — David from Portland (September 2025)
"This was SUCH an interesting and educational experience. I didn’t even know Passages and Galleries existed, let alone that there used to be many more than the 17 remaining or why. The tour explains so many of the “why” of the passages and of coffee - I had no idea how much impact this non-alcoholic, social gathering beverage (coffee) had on the history of Paris. Amazing! Sacha was such a patient and generous host. He is a native Parisian and has excellent knowledge to share. He was very patient with questions or pauses for pics. I can hardly believe how much I learned in one morning. I would highly recommend this experience !" — Daniel from Anderson (September 2025) "Sacha was extremely knowledgeable, articulate and passionate about the topic. He was thoughtful and courteous even with rainy conditions. We saw a side of Paris we have never seen and learned some fascinating history about coffee’s arrival in Paris and the social revolution it spawned. Bravo Sacha for such a unique and memorable experience." — David from Portland (September 2025)
Coffee & the Covered Passages.
"There is nothing to see in Paris except for the Eiffel Tower and the Mona Lisa" ... FALSE! :)
Join us on a lovely morning walk through the magnificent hidden passages of Paris. We will discover all the most notable covered passages and enjoy our freshly-roasted coffee together under the oldest passage in the world!
Stroll as the Parisians did during one of the most epic periods in French history: the post-revolution era. During our walk, we will share insights on the historical and cultural significance of our surroundings.
Coffee played a fascinating role in these spaces. But why? …you will find out! We will grab one premium roasted-on-site coffee inside a passage that is over 200 years old. This is entirely unique to our experience and included in the booking.
Start your day in a productive way!
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A Parisian and and Italian get together to make an experience around coffee and covered passages in Paris — what could go wrong?
Sacha and Giovanni host this experience.
Sacha — I was born and raised in Paris, I am a true Parisian ! I grew up walking through the very streets we’ll explore together. For two years now, I have been leading guided walks across some of Paris’s most iconic neighborhoods—including Montmartre, Île de la Cité, the Luxembourg Gardens, and the covered passages—sharing stories of the people, architecture, and ideas that shaped them. I specialize in creating experiences that blend historical depth with a strong sense of place, and I adapt my approach to engage audiences from all backgrounds. My studies have taken me between Paris, London, Bath, and Boston, where I combined my passions for history and storytelling. After earning a BA in Acting from Bath Spa University and completing additional theatre training in Paris, I co-founded Compagnie Le Nouveau Globe, a theatre company dedicated to reinterpreting classical works such as Hamlet. As a trained actor and director, I have always been drawn to spaces that carry the weight of time—whether on stage or in the heart of the city.
Giovanni — With a master's degree in art management, I've worked at both the Louvre and the Vatican. Recently, I worked on a six-month project to save an artwork of national importance that was at risk of being exported abroad. Now, it hangs in the Louvre. I'm also deeply passionate about coffee and have been ever since my nonno taught me to make my first cup when I was a little boy.
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Journey through the first covered passages in the world, enjoy a freshly roasted coffee, and learn about the important role the drink played in Parisian society. Here is what we’ll do:
Get an introduction to the two main themes of the walk: Coffee and Covered Passages.
Talk about what you think defines a covered passage and why they exist as we walk through an original example from 1826 and enter their birth place: the stunning 'Palais Royal'.
As we walk through the 'Jardins du Palais Royal', we will discover the fascinating involvement of coffee as the fuel of the French Revolution.
Step into two of the most important and luxurious original covered passages from the 1800s.
Enjoy a freshly-roasted coffee of your choice in the oldest Covered Passage in the world as we bring the core themes together.
At this point, you are mini-experts, we will see one last covered passage from 1846 as we conclude the entire theme of the walk, caffeinated and happy.
We will pass through the 1st and 2nd arrondissements of Paris, the Galerie Vero-Dodat, Palais Royal, Galerie Vivienne, Galerie Colbert, Galerie des Variétés, Passage des Panoramas, Passage Jouffroy.
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* Includes a gourmet coffee of your choice! Delicious!
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Tour is 1 hour and 30 minutes long.
The tour takes place in the city centre, we meet just next to the Marais, towards the Louvre. Upon booking, your confirmation email will include all relevant meeting information.
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Special occasion? Proposal? Team building? Send us a message through our Contact Form on this website.
Roast your own coffee in a French historical monument.
"Truly excellent coffee in a historic spot. I consider myself a coffee hobbyist and still learned a lot about coffee history and influence in France. I’d recommend this experience as a great start to your day!" — Michelina from the US (September 2025)
"We had both Giovanni and Sacha as our experience guides and it was great. The combination of getting a history of the covered passages and how coffee is roasted is very cool and a very good value. Definitely a unique experience not to be missed while in Paris! Its a great experience to gift to someone who is a coffee lover!" — Leah from New London (September 2025)
"Truly excellent coffee in a historic spot. I consider myself a coffee hobbyist and still learned a lot about coffee history and influence in France. I’d recommend this experience as a great start to your day!" — Michelina from the US (September 2025) "We had both Giovanni and Sacha as our experience guides and it was great. The combination of getting a history of the covered passages and how coffee is roasted is very cool and a very good value. Definitely a unique experience not to be missed while in Paris! Its a great experience to gift to someone who is a coffee lover!" — Leah from New London (September 2025)
Roast your own coffee in a French historical monument!
Step inside a family-run roastery located in the oldest covered passage in the world. Discover how to roast, brew, and taste specialty coffee in a unique historic Parisian setting — for beginners.
Start with a brief overview of the legendary covered passages and their architecture.
Learn about coffee’s arrival in France and the origins of the ‘specialty’ movement.
Roast your own beans under our guidance, see how the dynamic settings effects taste.
Brew your own speciality coffee, then savor it with a flaky treat in the passage.
Take home a bag of your own roasted beans to share with your loved ones.
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This workshop has been crafted by Giovanni, Sacha, and Pierre-Olivier, our master coffee roaster, as a perfect combination of our two interests: coffee and culture. You will be hosted by Sacha or Giovanni.
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This is the only roasting experience in Paris (maybe in the world?) inside a national heritage site. While we enjoy our delicious coffee beverage, we will give you the historical background of our surroundings so you go home knowledgeable and caffeinated :) Here is a brief itinerary:
Introduction to the ‘Passage des Panoramas’, the oldest covered passage in the world, this is where the roasting workshop takes place.
A brief history of coffee, where it originates, and how it got to France.
The three main characteristics that change when roasting coffee.
Roasting our own beans together.
Preparing a specialty coffee using a slow method that allows us to really appreciate the nuances of the beans.
Enjoying a fresh pastry along with our coffee in the Passage.
Wrapping it up and taking a bag of your freshly roasted coffee beans home.
Our goal is that you go home knowing what you LIKE and DON’T LIKE when it comes to coffee. And to decode some coffee world buzzwords!
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* Includes multiple coffees
* Includes a fresh pastry
* Includes a bag of your own roasted coffee beans.
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We will be together for 1 hour and 30 minutes.
The roasting atelier takes place in the Passage des Panoramas in the center of Paris.
Upon booking, your confirmation email will include all relevant information.
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Special occasion? Proposal? Team building? Send us a message through our Contact Form on this website.
Churches & Coffee with a Parisian
Churches and Coffee with a Parisian.
Step inside some of the oldest and most beautiful churches in Paris and discover how these timeless landmarks have shaped the city’s cultural and architectural landscape.
On this relaxed afternoon walk, we’ll explore centuries of history through architecture, art, and craftsmanship. Paris’s churches are not only places of worship—they are extraordinary witnesses to the city’s evolving artistic styles, community life, and shifting societal values.
As we stroll, we’ll reflect on how these buildings not only shaped the neighborhoods around them but also how their role has evolved in a country where religion once held central influence and where secularism (laïcité) now defines much of public life. This layered relationship between past and present will be a gentle thread throughout our conversation.
Along the way, we’ll enjoy a fresh coffee… but why this drink?… you will find out!
Together, we’ll explore questions such as:
How did architectural styles evolve from Romanesque to Gothic to Baroque in Paris?
What stories are hidden in the sculptures, stained glass, and façades of these churches?
How have the meanings and functions of these sacred spaces shifted over time?
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This tour was created by Sacha:
“I was born and raised in Paris, I am a true Parisian ! I grew up walking through the very streets and churches we’ll explore together.
Paris’s churches have long captivated me as places where art, architecture, and history meet. From the Romanesque pillars of Saint-Germain-des-Prés to the Gothic arches of Saint-Séverin, these buildings offer remarkable insights into the city’s evolving spirit and craftsmanship. I’m fascinated by how these spaces, once central to community life, continue to shape the atmosphere of their neighborhoods today.
For two years now, I have been leading guided walks across some of Paris’s most iconic neighborhoods—including Montmartre, Île de la Cité, the Luxembourg Gardens, and the covered passages—sharing stories of the people, architecture, and ideas that shaped them. I specialize in creating experiences that blend historical depth with a strong sense of place, and I adapt my approach to engage audiences from all backgrounds.
My studies have taken me between Paris, London, Bath, and Boston, where I combined my passions for history and storytelling. After earning a BA in Acting from Bath Spa University and completing additional theatre training in Paris, I co-founded Compagnie Le Nouveau Globe, a theatre company dedicated to reinterpreting classical works such as Hamlet. As a trained actor and director, I have always been drawn to spaces that carry the weight of time—whether on stage or in the heart of the city.
These buildings are not just architectural masterpieces; they are living testimonies to the evolving relationship between community, art, and ideas in French history. I look forward to walking with you, sharing stories, and helping you see these timeless places with fresh eyes.”
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As we wander through the elegant neighborhoods of the Left Bank, we’ll visit four remarkable churches:
Église de Saint-Germain-des-Prés – The oldest church in Paris, with Romanesque architecture and a rich artistic heritage spanning centuries.
Église Saint-Sulpice – A grand 17th-century church known for its impressive façade, monumental frescoes, and one of the most beautiful organs in Europe.
Église Saint-Séverin – A gem of Flamboyant Gothic style, featuring intricate stained glass and mysterious medieval sculptures.
Église Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre – A charming, intimate church with medieval foundations, offering a glimpse into one of the quietest corners of historic Paris.
Our goal is to appreciate how these remarkable buildings reflect the craftsmanship, creativity, and community life of different eras—whether through their art, architecture, or the stories they silently tell. As we do, we’ll also consider how their presence continues to shape Paris today, in a city where history and modern life are constantly in dialogue.
Join me for an inspiring and atmospheric walk through the heart of historic Paris :) !
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* Includes a coffee or water
* Our group will be small and intimate, with a maximum of 8 guests, ensuring a more personal and immersive experience.
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Tour is 1 hour and 30 minutes long.
The tour takes place in the 6th arrondissement of Paris. We meet in Place Furstemberg.
Upon booking, your confirmation email will include all relevant information.
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Special occasion? Proposal? Team building? Send us a message through our Contact Form on this website.