“Fall in Love with Belleville”
Highly recommend the Belleville tour with Allison. She is a walking encyclopedia of this funky, passionate neighborhood. A short hop from Hotel de Ville on metro line 11 gets you there. Allison is a long-time resident who generously shares her in depth knowledge and, by doing so, preserves Belleville’s identity. As with most neighborhoods on the outskirts, gentrification has its sights on Belleville, and someday it will no longer exist in the way you will see and learn with Allison. You will learn about Belleville’s humble beginnings as a village surrounded by vineyards, eventually becoming part of Paris. You will learn about Belleville’s political passion and its rich artistic atmosphere, evident throughout the neighborhood. There is a richness here that cannot be understood without seeing it for yourself. Take the tour with Allison and catch her passion. You will not be disappointed. Merci Allison. Until next time.
- Tom, Boston, Massachusetts

"Take this tour !"
Allison is an enthusiastic guide who will charm you with this wonderful part of Paris. We met her at the Jourdain station on the 11 line. The next 2 hours involved a walk through Belleville with stories, local art work and illustrations. She is warm and knowledgeable and an excellent conversationalist.
- Ann and Ed, New Jersey

“Great experience at a local level !”
The walk through Belleville offered by Allison is a really great experience. She brings a real feeling of being in the presence of a local as you walk around the area. The shop-keepers wave to her and it is obvious that she is really committed to telling the story of the history, the art and the food of the area.
- John, Paris, France

“A Different View of Paris”
The tour was a terrific taste of Belleville. Allison offers interesting, historical insights that defy the typical touristic view of Paris. As a historically developing neighborhood and the crossroads of the rich and the poor, Allison did a magnificent job in tying the challenges that Belleville is experiencing today to the questions and issues that affected the area two to three hundred years ago.

Make sure you wear walking shoes ! If you like Chinese food, there are plenty of options at the end of the tour, but I would recommend the one that comes from Allison herself.
- Jimmy, Kabul, Afghanistan

“Walking tour of Belleville Paris very informative, interesting and full of surprises”
My wife and I have visited Paris many times since 1963 and have always focused our tours on the usual highlights of Cathedrals, museums, towers, shopping districts, and river cruises. This time we wanted a different view from the point of view of where the average Parisian works, creates, eats and lives. We were not disappointed. From the artwork displayed on public walls to the diverse residents and their shops to the original churches, it was an adventure we would recommend to anyone who enjoys experiencing French culture from the perspective of average citizens.

In addition Allison did a wonderful job presenting the history of Belleville, its raucous beginnings and its hilly geology including gypsum formations and natural water supplies. A memorable trip for our entire adult family. One we will definitely do again.
- Thomas, South Barrington, Illinois

“Awesome tour of secret Paris”
Allison was a great guide. Her personality coupled with her knowledge of Paris, French history, art and food really made for an awesome tour... not an easy review coming from someone who worked in the guiding industry ! I actually live right near the area and still learned about so many cool places I’d never heard of. She has such an expansive knowledge of French culture which really makes this tour dynamic - not just straight history or art but a really nice combination of it all. And you get to see a Paris not many tourists know about. I’d definitely recommend Allison to any of my friends or family.
- Sarah, Paris, France

“A Fun Adventure in Belleville”
Belleville was made all the more interesting this morning by the charming and wonderful personality of our American tour guide, Allison, who has lived there for more than 20 years. It’s a very interesting tour which highlights historic events that took place there, famous people who lived there as well as identifying the popular attractions of Belleville today. I have lived, studied and worked in Paris many years and never toured this neighborhood. Now, I’m glad I did. It shouldn’t be missed !
- Bill, Paris, France

“Excellent tour through a fascinating neighborhood”
Allison was wonderful ! We spent about two hours walking through Belleville, one of the neighborhoods away from the center of Paris. She regaled us with stories about the neighborhood’s sometimes seedy past, and showed us what makes the neighborhood unique. On top of it all, she gave out some really good restaurant recommendations along the way.
I lived in this neighborhood for a while, and I thought I knew it well, but I learned a lot from her. This was a great tour for someone like me, who already knows a bit about Paris, or is looking for a new perspective on the city.
- Lava, Paris, France

This walk was one of the best Parisian experiences of my stay here this summer. Allison is a knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide. I learned a lot and saw a part of Paris I never would have seen otherwise.
- Kimberly, Missouri

It was wonderful ! Allison is a knowledgeable, charming and bubbly Paris lover and she makes you share her love for Belleville. I’ve learned a lot. Thank you !
- Saba, Paris, France

“Great way to spend a day in Paris”
This was a surprise gift that I got for my (now) wife for our honeymoon. She loved it.

We did a joint market tour with a cooking class to follow up and cook all the ingredients we picked out. Allison’s knowledge of the history of the market, the neighborhood, and all the different sights and smells of the market was outstanding. We were able to ask her tons of questions and got to go a bit off script to try some things we had never seen before.

The cooking class was also very fun. She taught us some basic techniques and told us ways that we can vary the recipes to mix things up and try new things at home. I have to say that the celery root soup was I think each of our favorite things that we ate, not just in Paris, but across our 3 week trip all over Europe. Don’t worry if you don’t like stalk celery, it is nothing like that.

This experience was unique and personal, and getting to spend half the day with Allison was one of the highlights of our trip. Don’t miss this !
- Joey, Ohio

“If my family hears me say ‘Allison said...’ one more time...”
My husband surprised me with a French cooking class with Allison. My sister-in-law and I were treated to a fantastic two + hour cooking class in Allison’s home.

Allison is a knowledgeable chef and excellent teacher. We thoroughly enjoyed every minute. That being said, Allison’s attention to detail and easy conversation was filled with tidbits and tips for me to take home and use every day. It seems like every time I’m in the kitchen, I’m sharing some-thing "Allison said !"

In two short hours we learned : knife skills, how to select a delicious wine, blanching vegetables, the beauty of French butter, vanilla beans, saffron tips, how to make sorbet, making a fabulous reduction from cooking water, etc. After cooking, the three of us shared our meal, wine and more conversation about Paris and French food. Toward the end of our meal, Allison thoughtfully asked if my husband and three children would like to join us for dessert. This made my surprise even nicer !

What can I say ? Allison is a fun, thoughtful, experienced chef ! We had a great time and definitely recommend Paris on the Edge for food lovers traveling in Paris. You won’t be disappointed !
- Diane, Florida

“A foodie lovers’ paradise !”
I love French food, French cheese, French markets, and French wine. Allison’s market tour and cooking class was the highlight of my three week stay in Paris. I learned how to shop in the market, which cheeses to choose, how to use spices such as espelette, and powdered vanilla.

I worked with sheet gelatin and baby artichokes. What a fantastic learning experience even for an experienced cook ! I cannot wait to share my experiences with my friends and family. I will be returning to Paris next year and will look forward to another cooking session with Allison. If you like to cook, don’t miss a session with Allison.
- Susie, Florida

“The best thing we did in Paris !”
If you’re considering other cooking classes around Paris, stop looking and book with Allison ! She is very responsive, fluent in English and French, very flexible and accommodating, and the price was a steal.

She has a deep knowledge of cooking techniques, wine, cheese, and history. She is a gracious and funny hostess who clearly loves what she does. She’s patient and made sure that we got the experience that was right for us.

We had a really fun evening with Allison, but more than anything I’m grateful to have made a friend in Paris.
- Ryan and Carissa, Cincinatti

"A terrific cooking class !"
Allison is wonderful. I can’t recommend Allison highly enough. She is a great chef and teacher – her cooking class was a highlight of our trip. We wanted to take a cooking class for our entire family. Allison was very accommodating and included our daughter in all parts of the experience. She is personable, knowledgeable and the food was awesome ! Because of Allison, we plan to incorporate French cooking into our lives. We can’t wait to come back ! Search no further – Paris on the Edge is the perfect cooking class.
- Lillian, Pat, and Sarah, California

“Cooking Class”
We really enjoyed our cooking class with Allison. She provided lots of good information and techniques (I learned some proper knife skills) and provided step by step instruction along the way. She also led us through some wine tasting and we all sat down to a lovely lunch to enjoy the food we made together.
It was also great to explore a new neighborhood - it was easy to get to the location from the subway.

I highly recommend Allison’s classes if you are looking to learn more about cooking and want to experience the class from someone very knowledgeable who lives and works in Paris. Great combination of Parisian knowledge with southern hospitality !
- Kim, San Francisco

"Take the walking tour — then take the cooking class !"
Besides the walking tour we took with Allison, we also took a cooking class. In a 2-hour class we made 3 desserts which included orange and mango tarts, Earl Grey ice cream, and granita. We learned a lot at a comfortable pace. She came to our house for the class but usually rents a space where you can meet her. The passion for teaching is infectious and she will coax the chef out of everyone. We all learned new skills and techniques the we will implement at home.
- Ann and Ed, New Jersey

"Learn and lunch"
I attended Allison’s cooking class out of curiosity. I was rewarded by a fun afternoon ! I particularly enjoyed meeting new people with several cultural backgrounds and experiences, exchanging points of views, and learning cooking tips.

Afterwards, having lunch altogether seemed like eating great food and wine with old friends, in a warm and cozy atmosphere. I highly recommend this !
- Yoan, Saint-Denis, France

“Excellent”
I enjoyed her cooking class. You will learn skills, cooking techniques and also some of the French cultural nuances as it relates to food, culture and dining etiquette. Allison’s warm, patient and nurturing personality is infectious and goes a long way when teaching several different personality types. This probably has to do with her many years teaching teenagers.
- Randy, Paris & San Francisco

“Wonderful cooking class with Allison in a rainy day”
Allison was so kind and also offered me a market tour right before the class. The day we met was raining heavily. It was actually very inconvenient for her to show me around. But she showed me four or five different market places and bakery and explained the ingredients very detailed to me.

After that we went to her apartment for the cooking class. I really enjoyed the class as I learnt a lot from her and the class was so much fun. You can hear her laughters all the time because she enjoyed cooking herself too. The food are delicious and easy to make. Not only I can bring this skills home but I also know a new friend Allison in Paris.

I would definitely come back for my next visit to Paris on the edge. So much fun :)
- Rain, Hong Kong

“A Gourmet Cooking Class !"
Don’t miss Allison’s cooking class. I recently took her class and greatly benefited from all the cooking techniques that she clearly demonstrates. This is a hands-on class that shows you how to prepare an excellent three course, French, gourmet dinner. The real treat, however, was when we sat down to enjoy the fruits of our labor along with a wonderful bottle of wine ! Can’t wait to impress my friends with this dinner !
- Bill, Paris, France

This was an enriching experience ! As a beginner, I learned a lot of techniques during the making. Stylé !
- Eric, Paris, France