Gabriela set a meeting spot for us that was near the Metro and easy to find. We took the train and found the spot easily. We were a few minutes late, but stayed in contact by text, and Gabriela was very sweet and accommodating. And when we met: there was a spark! We loved her immediately! We loved the fact that she prefers not to do rote introductions, but instead would rather know your favorite movie or your favorite color because it is a way more fun and effective way to get to know a person. So true! We did eventually discuss what we do as part of our intros, but it was already much more conversational. Gabriela doesn't wish to pigeonhole somone or have preconceived ideas of what you are like because of your career. A great way for a tour guide to begin. Very refreshing! So then we headed out, and based on our conversations about what we had expected to see/do in Montmartre, Gabriela customized a few things for us to see - namely the locations of where Vincent and Theo Van Gogh had lived. Our walk continued up through the streets, and Gabriela told us the stories of the neighborhoods, the history of this region, the history of the and some of its most recognizable people, as well as the various architectural styles. We leaned the story of the gallette, and since we love food she also went into the difference between a gallette and a crepe. Gabriela also painted a picture of early periods, with a dramatic (and quite funny) story about Saint Denis, and a quiz about whether the area was named for a Roman god or the martyrs. Gabriela is a great spokesperson for Suzanne Valadon - and we had a great conversation about how she was an excellent artist in her on right, but also quite an entrepreneur. It was nice to talk about some history that was female-centric, since so much focuses on the famous men who built or influenced the history of Montmartre. When we got to the top of the neighborhood, Gabriela took us to some beautiful spots to view Paris and we took some time to sit and talk and appreciate the view. Then we strolled the top, with all its more touristy shops. Gabriela gave us insights into the artist who work in this area, explaining the licensing required for each spot, and how the artists paint here, but also have studios elsewhere where they do more personal work. These types of local insights are what set Gabriela apart as a great guide - it's her depth of knowledge in this community that she shares so openly, and you feel like you have learned something deeper than just historical dates or events. Gabriela bubbles over with information, detail, juicy stories, humor, and she won't shy away from sharing her opinions. She talks fast, is incredibly smart and articulate, and has a great laugh. We would highly recommend Gabriela as a guide. As a tribute to her, we would put it up there as one of our best days in Paris even though it was the one day we had with rain.
