Private tour in New York City Isabelle G
5.0
(6) reviews
2 hours
1
2 hours
1
Isabelle G.
5.0
Guide rating
53
Reviews
Tours delivered
14 hrs
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I am originally from France, having immigrated to the US in 1984 when I was 17. I moved to New York City in 2002 to go to graduate school to study sculpture at the New York Academy of Art. I fell in love with the city, and have been living here ever since. I am currently a Brooklyn-based artist whose work uses non-traditional materials such as recycled plastic shopping bags with traditional feminine crafts such as knitting, crochet and lace. I make large-scale installations using plastic and detritus as the main materials, and drawing on community-engagement and performance as a major component of the work. I taught as an adjunct professor at Wagner College on Staten Island, (drawing, sculpture, and public art) until 2020. My passion is art, and I want to share my love of New York City through all the wonderful public art that you can see around the city. I will show you iconic New York, and some hidden treasures for a memorable experience. New York City Sight Seeing License Master of Fine Arts - Sculpture. New York Academy of Art, New York, NY
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Isabelle G.
Designed to remind visitors of medieval spaces, the Cloisters' architecture incorporates original elements of medieval European monasteries, churches, and castles. Started with George Grey Barnard's art collection, the Met Cloisters was financed in the 1930's by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. , an avid art collector and philanthropist. Situated in Fort Tryon Park in Washington Heights, the Met Cloisters offers a unique way to view and appreciate Medieval life. Here, the art is displayed in a series of cloisters, chapels, and living quarters, transporting you to another world. In this two hour, we will travel through time visiting indoor and outdoor exhibits, to discover paintings, tapestries, illuminated manuscripts, along with a unique collection of plants, herbs, flowers, trees, and rare medieval species. As an artist, I will put the art collection in the context of medieval time and aesthetics. I will share my knowledge of the collection in its unique setting, for a glimpse of medieval life and culture.
Isabelle is a fantastic guide! Her knowledge and enthusiasm for art and history make the hours you spend with her fly by. We were so lucky to have Isabelle point out the very special items and spaces in the Met Cloisters collection - many of these we would not have noticed had she not been with us to point them out and share both their historical significance or just fun facts. We highly recommend a tour with Isabelle in this beautiful museum!
This was a fantastic tour. Isabelle was knowledgable, enthusiastic, and fun. She really wanted to share her love of this museum, the exhibits, the gardens, the middle ages, the people, and the art. We had a great experience.
A lively, educational tour. Isabelle is a real charmer. Magnifique!!
Wonderful guide, knowledgeable and personable. Highly recommended.
I am reviewing a private 2-hour guided visit to The Met Cloisters for highly educated, well-read, and seasoned travellers - a mother of 50 and her 20-year-old daughter - hosted by the extraordinary guide Art Historian Isabelle Garbani on September 9, 2025. The visitors had a truly wonderful time exploring under Isabelle’s expert guidance. With warmth, passion, and encyclopedic knowledge, she transported them back to the Middle Ages, bringing art, architecture, and history vividly to life. Every detail and story captivated them, making their first visit to The Cloisters unforgettable. What set this experience apart was Isabelle’s rare blend of professional expertise and personal warmth, creating a deeply memorable encounter. I wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone seeking not just knowledge, but a guide who makes history feel alive.
We will start the tour at the Romanesque Hall, where we will see the figures of the Merovingian kings Clovis and Clothar, kings of the Franks from the 6th century. The tour will follow a loose chronology of the medieval period and you will visit: - The Saint-Guilhem Cloister, built from 9th century fragments of an abbey (an indoor space) - The Langon Chapel from the 12th century - The Cuxa Cloister reconstructed from 12th century pieces of a Catalan monastery - The Gothic Chapel, which contains six funeral effigies - The Bonnefont and Trie Cloisters with their unique medieval garden collections - The treasury with illuminated manuscripts and medieval playing cards! - The Merode Room with the famed Annunciation Triptych - The late Gothic Hall, which contains 15th century and early 16th century paintings and sculpture - The Nine Heroes (14th century) and Unicorn tapestries (late middle ages) At the end of the tour, I encourage you to continue exploring the museum on your own after a well deserved lunch break.
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I will meet you at the entrance of the museum. Email me if you need directions from your hotel.
99 Margaret Corbin Drive, New York, New York, 10040, United States
I will meet you at the main museum entrance. (first level)
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If your tour is valued over $200 USD and booked at least 45 days before the tour date, you can book with a 20% deposit!
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