€10 per hour — Let Paris’s “street friends” take you to hidden gems not found in books

▲Through Vincent’s explanation (the man in the photo), more tourists get to see a side of Paris not shown in travel books. (Photo / FromL'alternative urbaine’s Facebook page)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Who really knows a city best? For Paris, France, the answer might be those often regarded as the “scourge of the city” — the homeless. If you’re tired of the same old sights from travel guides, this alternative “homeless-guided tour” might just show you a different side of the City of Light.

This homeless-guided tour program was initiated by the local NGO “L'alternative urbaine” (Alternative Urban), aiming to help homeless individuals — who have ended up on the streets due to unemployment, health issues, and other reasons, and have been marginalized by society — regain their confidence, reintegrate into society, and earn a living through their own efforts.

Thirty-nine-year-old Vincent is one of the homeless individuals employed through this program. He said that after seeing the job ad from Alternative Urban, he went for an interview, “and then I got hired!” Since then, Vincent has started researching Paris and discovered that the 20th arrondissement, home to many new immigrants, is the place that fascinates him the most — it has since become his personal stage to showcase his expertise.

▲%汲?丝梢蕴魍?ǘ及屠璧谋炊????埃ㄉ贤迹??0th arrondissement’s alleyway graffiti is also a must-see attraction. (Photo / From Wikipedia, L'alternative urbaine’s Facebook page)

Whether it’s a wall, a tree, or an old building in the alleys, through Vincent’s explanations, you can always hear untold stories from seemingly unremarkable lanes — both past and present. Many travelers who have heard his tours say that through Vincent’s guidance, they discovered a side of Paris they had never seen before, or one that felt more authentic. The two-hour tour left them wanting more.

Vincent also mentioned that this street guiding job pays €10 per hour (about NT$395), with a fixed contract of 10 hours per week, giving him a stable income once again. Since February, he has hosted over 200 tourists from around the world. This job has helped him regain his confidence, and his next step is to attend vocational training at an employment center to prepare for his future reintegration into society.

If you’re planning your next trip to Paris and want to see different sights and hear different stories, consider adding a homeless-guided tour to your itinerary. These tours are currently held every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. For details, visitthe “Alternative Urban” official websiteortheir Facebook pagefor more information.