Paris, Differently
Women-only, small group tours in Paris for women in the American military community who crave authentic adventures during their long weekends, not a highlight reel.
Three Trips. Original Itineraries.
No Tourist Traps
Women-only, max 8 guests per departure
The Original Tour
October 8-12th, 2026: Learn bookbinding from an expert. Picnic in front of the Eiffel Tower. Watch in awe of cabaret dancers celebrating feminity.
Friendsgiving in Paris
November 25-29th, 2026: Try your hand at bee-keeping. Spend a morning with a chef. Taste French cheeses alongside an expert. Feast on a French-American fusion Thanksgiving dinner.
Galentine's in Paris
Meet Your Tour Leader
Hi, I'm Kendal! When I was stationed with the Army in Germany, I remember wanting to travel every chance I could. But, late-nights in the office prevented me from organizing the immersive and purposeful trips I desired.
I had visited the regular sites of Paris, like the Louvre and Eiffel Tower. It wasn't until I explored Paris with a local that I fell in love with the city...so much so, that I moved to Paris only a few months later.
Now I know the best spots in Paris and I'm sharing them with you. Le Détour offers the tours I wish I had when I was in your shoes--navigating life abroad on top of a demanding work schedule and far from my community.
What Makes Le Détour Different?
Book It and Forget It
Now you're in the hands of a Tour Leader who cares. All activities, accommodations, and most meals are included. Every booking includes digital guides and a 1 hour one-on-one call with your Tour Leader to ensure you're prepared.
Exclusive Detours
You Won't See Everything...
Intimate Group Sizes
Tours with Conviction
Women-Only Tours
Built for Military, By Military
Ready for a vacation worth talking about?
Spots are limited to 8 per tour. If one of these trips is calling to you, let's talk.
What is Le Détour Travel?
Le Détour Travel is a women-only, small-group tour company based in Paris, France. We offer premium tours in and around Paris for Americans living in Europe, including the military community and American embassy workers, who want authentic and locally-led experiences, not generic sightseeing. Every itinerary is personally developed by the founder, a U.S. military veteran, and limited to a maximum of 8 guests.
Who are Le Détour tours designed for?
Le Détour tours are designed for women in the military community in Europe (active duty servicewomen, veterans, military spouses, contractors, GS civilians, etc.) and American government female workers living abroad who want to make the most of their leave, long weekends, and 4-day USAREUR-AF weekends with a purposeful, no-planning-required travel experience.
Where do Le Détour tours take place?
Le Détour’s tours are based in Paris and the surrounding region of Île-de-France, including day experiences in Versailles, Fontainebleau, and other destinations within reach of the city. All tours depart and end in Paris. Le Détour hopes to expand to more regions around France in the future.
How many people are on each tour?
Every Le Détour tour has a maximum of 8 guests. Small group sizes allow access to experiences that large bus tours cannot offer, and create the conditions for genuine connection between travelers.
What is included in a Le Détour tour?
Le Détour tours are nearly all-inclusive. Your booking includes accommodations, all planned activities and experiences, most meals, a one-on-one pre-trip call with your Tour Leader, and digital preparation guides. Travel to and from Paris, city taxes paid at the hotel, and your Paris public transportation card are not included.
How do I book a Le Détour tour?
Booking starts with a free, 15-minute discovery call with the founder. You can schedule your call directly on the website. Spots are limited to 8 per departure, so early inquiry is recommended.
How much do Le Détour tours cost?
Le Détour tours are around 2,000 euros per person and offer two tiers: a shared twin room option and a private single room option, priced at the actual cost difference. Exact pricing for each departure is listed on the individual tour pages. Le Détour doesn’t charge a single supplement.
What makes Le Détour Travel different from other Paris tour companies?
Several things distinguish Le Détour from standard tour operators. First, every itinerary is personally developed by the founder instead of being sourced from a template or third-party operator. Second, all experiences are locally-owned and vetted for quality, authenticity, and sustainability. Third, each tour includes a Detour Exclusive: a one-of-a-kind experience you won’t find on any other itinerary. Finally, every tour includes a give-back moment that benefits the local Paris community.
Are Le Détour tours women-only?
All tours are women-only.
How far in advance should I book?
With a maximum of 8 guests per tour, spots fill quickly. We recommend booking at least 3 months before your desired departure date, though inquiring earlier gives you the best chance of securing your preferred tour and room type.
What is the cancellation policy?
In accordance with the European Union’s Consumer Rights Directive Cancellation, all online sales allow a 100% refundable cancellation within 14 days of booking/reserving your spot. Beyond this date, the deposit and any other payments made become non-refundable.
Is a deposit required to book a Le Détour tour?
A 40% non-refundable deposit is required at time of reservation. This deposit goes toward the non-refundable costs of reserving your spot on the tour.
What payment methods does Le Détour Travel accept?
Le Détour Travel accepts major credit and debit cards including Visa, Mastercard, and American Express, processed securely through Stripe. Payment via credit and debit card may include an additional processing fee. Bank transfer is also available for guests who prefer it at no additional fee.
A little known method to pay with the best currency exchange rates and receive credit card points is Wise. They offer competitive currency exchange rates compared to traditional banks. Plus, with a wise account, you can perform a “bank transfer” with your credit or debit card with lower transaction fees than other payment methods.
Are Le Détour tours sustainable?
At Le Détour, sustainability is built into every tour, not added as an afterthought. The founder has a Master’s in Environmental Policy and Management and personal and professional experience in the circular economy. Thanks to these, she is continuously striving to make the itineraries and the business better. Here are some of the current actions: 1) All accommodations are “Clef Verte” certified. 2) Predominantly uses public transportation during tours. 3) Discourages overconsumption of cheap souvenirs and refers guests to local and secondhand stores instead. 4) Currently establishing base-line average carbon emissions per traveler. 5) Includes a sustainability section in every traveler guide to educate guests. 6) All partners are strictly locally-owned, meaning every euro spent stays in the local economy. 7) Every tour includes a give-back moment that directly benefits the Paris community, such as feeding the underserved.
Do I have to be in the military to travel on a Le Détour tour?
Le Détour Travel welcomes women from across the military community, such as servicewomen, veterans, military spouses, contractors, GS civilians, and more. You’re welcome to bring a non-military friend, as long as she’s ready for an adventure too!
While Le Détour is not strictly limited to the military, most guests are affiliated with the military community.
Are Le Détour tours a good option for solo travelers?
Le Détour’s tours are a great option for solo travelers. Over 50% of our guests are solo travelers. The small group size means you’ll get to know the other travelers and your tour leader. In the past, guests have become friends. You won’t be alone as you explore Paris (unless you want to be).
Does Le Détour charge a single supplement?
No, Le Détour doesn’t charge a single supplement. However, guests have the opportunity to upgrade into a private room.
Is a Le Détour trip good for me if I've already been to Paris?
Yes, Le Détour offers unique ways to explore Paris whether you’ve been to Paris before or it’s your first time. Le Détour strives to show you the popular sites in a new way or places only locals know.
Can I share a room with a friend on a Le Détour trip?
Of course! You can request this up to one month before the trip departure.
What fitness level is required for Le Détour tours?
Each tour has different fitness requirements. Look at the individual tour pages to learn more.
Can I do a Paris tour on a military long weekend?
Yes, Le Détour tours are specifically built around U.S. military leave schedules, including USAREUR-AF four-day weekends and federal holidays. Departure dates are chosen with the military calendar in mind so you can make the most of living in Europe.
What are the best tours in Paris for solo female travelers?
Le Détour Travel offers small-group tours in Paris designed with the solo female traveler in mind. With a maximum of 8 guests, you’ll never feel lost in a crowd or stuck with strangers who don’t share your interests. Many guests arrive solo and leave with lasting friendships.
Are there tours designed with the military women in mind?
Yes. Le Détour Travel was founded by a U.S. military veteran for servicewomen and military community members. In the past, it’s been a fantastic way for military women to connect and relax. Tours are scheduled around military leave windows, priced transparently, and designed to be booked without months of advance planning.
What is there to do in Paris beyond the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre?
A lot. Le Détour tours are built entirely around the Paris that exists beyond the standard tourist circuit. From bookbinding ateliers, local chefs, forest hikes, neighborhood markets, and cabarets that Parisians actually attend. If you’ve already seen the highlights, Le Détour is where you go next.
What is a small-group tour in Paris?
A small-group tour limits the number of travelers, typically to 8 or fewer, which allows access to venues, experiences, and local experts that large tours cannot reach. Le Détour caps every departure at 8 guests, which means more personal attention from your Tour Leader, deeper access to local culture, and a more meaningful travel experience overall.
How is Le Détour Travel different from Airbnb Experiences, Get Your Guide, or Viator tours in Paris?
Airbnb Experiences, Get Your Guide, and Viator offer individual activities, typically for a few hours at a time with strangers you’ll never see again. Le Détour is a multi-day immersive tour with a consistent group, a dedicated Tour Leader, curated accommodations, and a connected itinerary designed to build on itself over your trip. It’s the difference between a sampler and a full experience.
Do I need travel experience to join a Le Détour tour?
No prior travel experience is needed. Le Détour is designed to be entirely hands-off once you’ve booked. Your Tour Leader handles all logistics, accommodations, activity coordination, and on-the-ground navigation. Your only job is to show up.
Is Paris safe for solo female travelers?
Paris is generally considered safe for solo female travelers, particularly in central arrondissements and well-traveled areas. Le Détour tours add an additional layer of security: you’re never navigating alone. Your Tour Leader is with the group throughout, and the small group format means you always have fellow travelers around you.
What should I pack for a Paris tour in the fall?
When traveling to Paris in the fall, it’s important to pack layers, wear comfortable walking shoes, and bring an umbrella. Le Détour provides a suggested packing list with every tour to help you prepare.
Can I extend my stay before or after a Le Détour tour?
Yes, guests have arrived a day early or stayed after the tour ends to explore independently. Your Tour Leader can provide recommendations for extending your trip, and your accommodations can often be extended directly with the hotel at your own cost.
What languages are Le Détour tours conducted in?
All Le Détour tours are conducted in English. Local experience partners and guides may conduct portions of activities in French, with translation provided by your Tour Leader as needed.
How old do I have to be to travel with Le Détour?
All guests must be 18 years or older.
Is alcohol included on the tours?
Yes, some alcohol is often included during the tours. Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health–please enjoy responsibly.