Paris, Differently
Women-only, small group tours in Paris for women in the military community who crave authentic adventures during their long weekends, not a highlight reel.
Original Itineraries.
No Tourist Traps.
Meet women like you in small groups designed to actually allow you to connect.
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
The Her-Story Tour
March 31st-April 4th, 2027: Learn bookbinding from an expert. Picnic in front of the Eiffel Tower. Watch in awe of cabaret dancers celebrating womanhood, and more!
Meet Your Host
Hi, I'm Kendal! When I was stationed with the Army in Germany, I traveled every chance I could. But late-nights in the office meant I rarely had the time to organize immersive and purposeful trips. I ended up on crammed, overnight bus trips rather than the trips I wanted.
Years later, in Paris, I had seen the regular sites, 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, a few months later, I moved to Paris!
Now I know the version of Paris that most visitors never find. I built Le Détour to share it with you. Nothing generic or TikTok famous on my tours. These tours are the local and unique experiences I wish someone had handed me when I was stationed in Germany, short on time, 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 is Le Détour Travel designed for?
Le Détour Travel tours are designed for all women in the government and military community (Servicewomen, veterans, spouses, contractors, GS civilians, etc.), particularly those in Europe who want to make the most of their leave and long weekends with an authentic, unique, and purposeful travel experience.
Where destinations does Le Détour Travel visit?
Le Détour Travel hosts tours in Paris and the surrounding region of Île-de-France. All tours depart and end in Paris. Le Détour Travel hopes to expand to more regions around France in the future. It’s recommended to contact the founder Kendal directly if you want to stay updated on future tours. [email protected]
How many people are on each tour?
Le Détour Travel caps group sizes at 8 guests. Small group tours allow access to experiences that large bus tours cannot offer, and create the conditions for genuine connection between travelers. Most small group tours allow a maximum of 12 guests, so Le Détour Travel is a leader in small group tours with the maximum of 8 guests.
What is included in a Le Détour Travel trip?
Le Détour Travel’s 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 trip with Le Détour Travel?
The booking process includes four steps:
- Email [email protected] with the tour you wish to join.
- We will schedule a 15-minute call to confirm your military or government affiliation and get to know each other.
- The founder will forward you the three necessary forms to complete.
- Pay the tour invoice the founder will forward you.
How much do Le Détour Travel trips cost?
Le Détour Travel 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, booking engine, or affiliate system. 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 Travel's 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?
Your hotel booking and a 30% non-refundable deposit are required at the time of reservation. This deposit goes toward the non-refundable costs of reserving your spot on the tour. You may request that your hotel room is booked at a refundable rate; this rate depends on the hotel.
What payment methods does Le Détour Travel accept?
Le Détour Travel splits its tour cost into two separate payments to offer you the best rates. The payment method differs for each.
The Tour: Le Détour Travel only accepts direct transfers. We suggest using Wise to pay with the best currency exchange rates and with your preferred credit or debit card.
Credit cards and card processing systems charge businesses up to 10% to use these services. In order to keep the tours at the fairest cost, we do no accept credit or debit cards.
The Hotel: Must be paid with a credit or debit card. This information is requested in the hotel intake form and securely stored through Fora’s system.
Is Le Détour Travel a sustainable company?
At Le Détour Travel, we believe nothing is truly sustainable. However, we strive to build environmental and social sustainability into every tour instead of as an afterthought. This is possible with the founder’s Master’s in Environmental Policy and Management and personal and professional experience in the circular economy.
Here are some of the current actions: 1) Preference to “Clef Verte” certified accommodations. 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 on best practices and current environmental issues the destination is facing. 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.
Have suggestions on how to improve the company’s sustainability? Share them with [email protected].
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 Travel's tours a good option for solo travelers?
Le Détour Travel’s tours are a great option for solo travelers. 75% of our guests arrive as solo travelers and 50% left with a new friend. The small group size means you’ll get to know the other travelers and your tour host on a deeper level. You won’t be alone as you explore Paris!
We also respect that sometimes guests need some alone time. You are welcome to skip activities and rejoin the group later.
Does Le Détour Travel charge a single supplement?
No, Le Détour Travel doesn’t charge a single supplement. In fact, we actively help guests find a roommate to make travel more affordable! However, private rooms are available if the traveler chooses. Private rooms are charged at the hotel cost.
Is a Le Détour trip good for me if I've already been to Paris?
Yes, Le Détour Travel offers unique ways to explore Paris whether you’ve been to Paris before or it’s your first time. Your host strives to show you the popular sites in a new way and the 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 to travel to Paris?
A low to moderate fitness level is required to visit Paris. The public transportation system features a lot of stairs since it’s an old city. There aren’t many elevators and escalators. We will also walk a lot on the tours to make the most of the beautiful city. Your tour host will send a fitness guide that can help prepare you before the tour. Comfortable shoes are essential as well!
Can visit Paris tour on a military long weekend?
Yes, Paris is very accessible during the military’s long weekends. It’s only a 2-4 hour train ride from many military bases in Europe. Le Détour Travel schedules its tours around the U.S. military leave schedule, 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 women in the military community. These tours are 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! Paris is much more than its highlights. Le Détour Travel builds tours 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, Le Détour Travel is the company you book with when you’ve already seen the highlights.
What is a small-group tour in Paris?
A small-group tour limits the number of travelers, typically to 12 or fewer, which allows access to venues, experiences, and local experts that large tours cannot reach. Le Détour Travel is a competitor in the small group market because it caps every departure at 8 guests, which means more personal attention from your host, 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 Travel is a multi-day tour with a consistent group, a dedicated Tour Leader, curated accommodations, and a purposeful itinerary that tells a story. It’s the difference between a sampler and a full experience.
Do I need travel experience to travel with Le Détour Travel?
No prior travel experience is needed! Le Détour Travel is designed to be entirely hands-off once you’ve reserved your spot. Your host handles all logistics, accommodations, activity coordination, and on-the-ground navigation. Your only job is to show up and be present in the beautiful city of Paris.
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 Travel adds an additional layer of security because you’re never navigating alone. Your Tour Host is with the group the whole day, 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 traveling with Le Détour Travel?
Yes, guests have arrived a day early or stayed after the tour ends to explore independently. Your Tour Host can extend your hotel reservation to accommodate your travel dates and help plan the rest of your stay.
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 Host as needed.
How old do I have to be to travel with Le Détour Travel?
All guests must be 18 years or older.
Is alcohol included on the tours?
Some alcohol may be included during the tours. Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health–please enjoy responsibly.