Friday Tour Group
Full tour details · Season 2026–2027
Membership
The Friday Tour Group (FTG) is composed of English-speaking women and men residing in the Paris area. The group exists solely to enhance members' artistic, historical, and cultural appreciation of France and its people. There is no affiliation with any other organization. FTG does not make any profit on its activities. All tours and activities are conducted in English.
FTG offers weekly events from September through May, except during school holidays. There are three kinds of tours: walking tours in neighborhoods and gardens, museum visits, and video lectures.
Priority access to all FTG events. Higher dues up front, but activities are either free or discounted.
May request to join any event. The week of the tour, available spaces go to WL members in order of request. Lower dues, higher per-tour fees.
Access to all Zoom video-conferences including replays. May join museum or walking tours when visiting Paris.
If you attend more than six tours per year, consider becoming a Regular Member. It's the easiest way to enjoy everything FTG offers — while helping sustain the group. Regular Members' dues make it possible to maintain a full and varied programme, book expert guides, and experience unique sites.
It's the most rewarding way to experience FTG — and to help ensure it continues to thrive.
New Members
An existing RM, WL, or VM may sponsor new members. Contact the Co-Directors for details.
Departing Members
Departing members should inform the Co-Directors that they will leave the group. No refunds will be given.
Alumnae Members
Members who have completed at least one full year and move away from Paris become Alumnae members automatically. They may attend tours when visiting Paris if space is available, paying the guest fee, and may bring one paying guest.
All dues are paid directly to the Co-Directors or Treasurer. Annual membership dues must be paid no later than the first in-person event of the season.
Applied toward the cost of activities for the season. Must be paid prior to or at the Season Opening. Arrangements may be made with the Treasurer if needed.
Same annual dues for both WL and VM, but with different options for attending live tours. WL members pay higher per-tour fees; VM members attend live tours as guests when visiting Paris.
Co-Directors, Treasurer, and Membership Coordinator coordinate all FTG activities. Tour guides are selected to organise and present tours. The Co-Directors oversee all FTG activities.
Co-Directors & Contact
Paul GAVORA
Lee HUBERT
General enquiries: ftg.membership@gmail.com
Guidelines
To make every tour enjoyable for everyone, we ask all members and guests to follow these guidelines. By signing up for a tour, you agree to the terms below.
The Season Opening Welcome Meeting is held each September. During this event, the tours for the new season are presented and the FTG guidelines and other important information are reviewed.
Tours are posted twice a year: in September for tours through to the winter break, and in January for tours to the end of the season.
May register as soon as tours are posted. Confirmation email sent immediately upon registration. Some tours are free; extra fees apply for museum visits and full-day tours.
May register as soon as tours are posted. Confirmations are sent the week of the tour if spaces are available. Higher per-tour fees apply.
Video tours are open to all members — no sign-up required. The link is sent to all members a few days before the event.
The Membership Coordinator sends a Last Chance email on Monday of the week before the tour if spaces remain. A final attendance list is then sent to the Co-Directors and Treasurer.
All members (RM, WL and VM) are welcome to bring guests, space permitting. People who live in the Paris region may attend one activity as a Guest. If they wish to attend more, we encourage them to join as a Waitlist Member. A Guest may not attend a tour in place of a member and must be accompanied by a member. Alumnae members are an exception — they do not need to be accompanied by a Regular or Waitlist Member.
Fees vary by membership level and what is included (guide, entrance, lunch). The amount is shown on the website and in the reminder email. Payment is due in cash on the day of the tour. No coins accepted.
One of the FTG officers pays the guide, restaurant, tips, and other expenses as required.
Arrive on Time
Tours start on time. Arrive by the Meet Time at the latest — this allows time for attendance, fee collection, headset distribution, and security checks so the tour can begin at the Start Time.
Running Late or Cancelling
Please notify the Day-of Contact Person as a courtesy — this helps speed up roll-taking and fee collection for the whole group. The Day-of Contact Person's mobile number is included in your confirmation email — please save it before the tour. For museum tours, reservations may include a fixed timeslot or special access — arriving on time is essential to pass through security, coat-check, and distribute headsets before the tour begins.
Courtesy to the Group
Please refrain from talking while the guide, Co-Directors, or another member is addressing the group.
Dress & Comfort
Wear proper walking shoes and dress for the weather. Carry an umbrella — Paris weather can be variable. An indication of walk difficulty is shown in each tour description.
Cancellation deadline: No later than noon on Tuesday before the Friday tour, for live half-day tours. After this time, you are responsible for all applicable tour fees.
No-Show Fee
If you fail to attend an event for which you are registered, a No-Show fee equal to the cost of the tour is due. For tours offered free to Regular Members, the No-Show fee equals the amount that would have been collected had the RM's space been used by a Waitlist Member. This applies to all members and guests, regardless of reason.
Exceptions: If someone from the waitlist takes your place, no cancellation fee is due. If there is no waitlist but you find a replacement yourself, no fee is due either.
The same timetable applies for tours not on a Friday: 14 days before / 11 days / 8 days / 3 days / 2 days.
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 days before Co-Directors finalise tour details |
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| ~11 days before Membership Coordinator sends Reminder email to RM, WL and VM with activity details. RSVP ASAP. |
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| ~5 days before If space still available, all RM, WL and VM receive Last Chance message |
By 12 noon RM, WL and VM deadline to respond or cancel without penalty |
~3 days before Membership Coordinator emails final count to Co-Directors and Treasurer by noon. Co-Directors confirm reservation(s). |
Day of the event All RM, WL and VM who signed up pay for event. Treasurer pays in full for reserved number. No-shows and late cancellations will pay at next event. |
| Position | Name | Responsibilities | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Co-Directors | Paul GAVORA Lee HUBERT |
Plan overall FTG activities, facilitate the season opening and closing events, publish tour descriptions and schedule, act as final arbitrators for any decision required by the group. Coordinate the schedule, communicate with guides, arrange and monitor tours. | ftg.membership@gmail.com |
| Treasurer | Paul GAVORA | Responsible for dues and event payments, develops yearly budget, sets prices for membership and events, collects money, pays guides and entry fees, balances the books. Final authority for financial decisions. | ftg.membership@gmail.com |
| Membership Coordinator | Paul GAVORA | Contacts all members regularly about upcoming events, notifies Treasurer and Co-Directors about attendees, coordinates attendance, disperses news and updates. Final authority for attendance priorities. | ftg.membership@gmail.com |
| Day-of Contact | Paul GAVORA Lee HUBERT |
Person to call only on the day of the event if unable to attend, running late, or lost. Note: the Day-of Contact may vary — verify with the tour invitation email. | Contact details included in your confirmation email |
| Webmaster | Barbara TRIMPI | Designs and maintains the FTG website. | Via Co-Directors |
| Planning & Support Team | Barbara TRIMPI | Participates in planning activities and supports tour activities (attendance or fee collection) when necessary. | Via Co-Directors |
Security & Health
Walk difficulty is indicated in each tour description, including length and number of staircases. Wear proper walking shoes, dress accordingly, and carry an umbrella. If there are any French health guidelines to be observed on walks or in museums, members must respect them.
Video Tour Recordings
FTG Video Tours are recorded with Zoom and stored for future viewing via a private Google/YouTube channel. Members with Gmail addresses can be authorized to view recordings and must agree to Google/YouTube usage rules. A replay link will be provided after the event. Video Tours are private — they may not be reproduced, copied, or shared on any social media platform. If presenters do not give permission to record, the tour will not be recorded. Museum and walking tours are not recorded.
Planning Team
FTG has an active planning team. Members participate in seasonal tour planning, detail preparation, and guide selection. They occasionally arrange transportation, museum scheduling, and guide coordination. When needed, they support day-of-tour activities such as taking attendance and collecting fees. If you would like to help plan one or several tours, please contact the Co-Directors.
Tour Ideas
Tour ideas from members are always welcomed.
Supporting Our Guides
FTG supports our guides by broadcasting their tour information or websites to our members.
Participation: Participation in all FTG activities is entirely at the risk and responsibility of the member or guest who registers. In no case may a registrant hold FTG or its officers liable for any loss, damage, or injury sustained during participation in an FTG-sponsored activity. By registering for an activity and paying the fee, you agree to these terms.
Perspectives & Opinions: FTG does not necessarily endorse the individual opinions of guides or speakers. Their views are their own and do not represent the views of the Friday Tour Group.
Leadership Team 2026–2027
Co-Directors
Paul GAVORA
Lee HUBERT
Membership Coordinator & Treasurer
Paul GAVORA ftg.membership@gmail.com
Webmaster
Barbara TRIMPI
Our Guides
The Friday Tour Group is privileged to work with some of the finest guides in Paris — historians, artists, archaeologists, and passionate experts who bring the city to life.
Debbie Baron
An expert in French gastronomy and the concept of terroir, Debbie is the director of Domaines & Terroirs. She works directly with traditional producers to master the history, production, and classification of French artisanal foods, with a primary specialty in French cheeses.
Mariska Beekenkamp-Wladimiroff
An art historian and educator who earned her BA and MA from the Courtauld Institute of Art in London. Founder of Art Historical London and a specialist in 17th-century Dutch Baroque art, the self-portrait, and the history of the art market.
Chris Boicos
A professor of art history (MPhil, Courtauld Institute; Sorbonne), founder of Paris Art Studies and director of Chris Boicos Fine Arts. Specializes in 19th- and 20th-century European art, contemporary curation, and modern architecture.
Oriel Caine
Co-founder of Paris Walks, guide-lecturer with a Master's in History, Art History & French Literature. Co-author of Paris Then and Now. Specializes in the visual history of the city from the medieval period to the present day.
Noha Escartin
Born in Egypt, Paris resident for 35 years. Studied Egyptology and Physics at AUC, then specialised in Simultaneous Interpretation and Art History. Also teaches at universities including CNAM, Cergy and Nanterre.
Dr. Sandra (Sandy) Gogel
Founder of La Source Parisienne, an antique consultancy. PhD from the University of Chicago. A recognized expert in antiques and art, known for insider-led visits to the Hôtel Drouot auction house.
Mary Ellen Gogel
Artist and amateur historian, Paris resident for several decades. Contributor to cultural programs at the American Cathedral and Library. Expertise in religious architecture, Gothic history, and the evolution of writing and manuscripts.
Maud Hacker
Maud Hacker has been leading guided tours in Paris since 2006. Trained at the École du Louvre and the Sorbonne, she specializes in French fashion and luxury heritage, having worked with houses including Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Cartier, and Hermès. She is the author of Les Belles Manières (Éditions du Chêne) and teaches at The School of Life Paris.
Ellen Hampton
PhD historian, author, editor, former professor and lecturer at the Paris Institute of Political Science, and occasional journalist. Her book, Women of Valor: The Rochambelles on the WWII Front, is available on Amazon in Kindle or paper formats. The French edition, Les Rochambelles, published in April 2022 by Tallandier, is available at the museum or in Paris bookstores.
Thierry Heil
Licensed guide for over 15 years in Paris and throughout France. A specialist of Paris who combines little-known areas with important historical and cultural facts. Also organizes study abroad programs and first-class stays for international universities. interkultur.fr
Ingrid Held
Graduate of the Ecole du Louvre (Greek archaeology) and Master's in Art History from the Sorbonne. Worked over 10 years at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs as a lecturer and researcher, now a freelance guide and historian.
Lee Hubert
Paris resident since the 1970s. Official guide for the Wallace Fountains Society, long-time volunteer and community organizer. Specializes in the stories behind Parisian landmarks and the literary history of the city's neighbourhoods.
Eric John Kaiser
French-American singer-songwriter and guitarist, born and raised in Paris. Six studio albums; performed at the Smithsonian, De Young Museum, and Solidays festival. Lectures on Francophone music at Portland, Oregon, where he now lives.
Amy Kupec-Larue
30 years living and working in Paris. Guided the NY Botanical Garden and Garden Club of America on tours through French gardens. Permanent member of the Bagatelle Rose Commission since 2009. Author of the Great Trees of Paris map.
Jacky Libaud
Expert in Islamic garden history and Paris parks guide for the City of Paris since 2001. Founder of "Balades aux Jardins" with 66 different visits through parks and neighbourhoods of Greater Paris. baladesauxjardins.fr
Ken Nesbitt
Retired Canadian Air Force officer with a Master's in war studies from the Royal Military College of Canada. Has spent 18 years in Europe providing guided tours of historical battlefields and lectures on military history.
Brad Newfield
French-American historian, Paris resident since 1994. PhD in History from UCLA. Specializes in Franco-American relations, the American Founding Fathers in Paris, the French Revolution, and American expatriate writers on the Left Bank.
Christopher Spence
Licensed guide, 26 years in Paris. One of the main guides for Paris Walks; presents virtual talks with London Walks. Writes on Paris history for newspapers and appears in documentaries. Keen amateur fossil hunter.
Jean-Manuel Traimond
Native Parisian, giving tours since 1990. Published author whose works include a Naughty Guide of the Louvre and the Musée d'Orsay, a history of erotic art, and essays on religion and social history. A true man of letters.
Xenia Ventikou
Art History and Art Conservation graduate (Greece and London). Former sculpture conservator at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Trained Guide-Conférencier National; joined the Musée des Arts Décoratifs team to share the stories, details and secrets of their collections.
Volunteering: The Heart of FTG
Help us write the next chapter.
Every tour you attend is made possible by members like you.
It's easy to get involved and most people help out in small ways:
- Welcoming newcomers
- Helping with attendance
- Sharing transportation tips
- Inviting guests to join
Other steps take a bit more time — like helping to plan a tour.
If you are enjoying spending your Fridays with FTG, one of the most meaningful ways you can contribute is by helping to plan one or two tours a year.
It sounds daunting — but it's not.
- You will work with an experienced guide who tells you everything you need to know.
- You'll fill in a simple online template with the tour description and practical details.
- You'll have a mentor — an experienced planner to walk you through the process.
- No French required! Our guides speak English and most reservations are done online — easy!
You're never on your own — and there's no long-term commitment.
Even planning a single tour makes a real difference.
Why It Matters
Right now, all the planning and coordination is handled by a small team of volunteers. They do it willingly — but when more members get involved, even occasionally:
- the group stays active and varied
- the workload is shared
- planners and organizers get to step back and simply enjoy a Friday like everyone else
A Shared Effort
Remember, there isn't a formal organization running in the background — FTG is something members keep going together.
That might mean arriving early for a tour to help out, or planning a visit.
Think about taking the next step.
Talk to the planner of your next tour or send an email to express your interest today.
Ready to Help?
No experience needed — just enthusiasm!
This area is restricted to FTG planners and administrators.
Use the Planner Tool to create, edit and export tour templates. Your drafts are saved automatically in your browser.
Open Planner Tool ↗Opens in a new tab. Use your planner password to log in.