Are you a discreet, techy traveler? Do guided group tours make you cringe? Do you like to seeing things at your own pace? Are you too shy to ask for directions when in a city like Paris where you do not speak the same language? Are you too lazy or embarrassed to learn some French when you’re traveling in Paris? Are you independent and want to figure out where everything is on your own? Have you found those double-decker city tour buses silly? Do you not want to get lost? (because you do not like asking for directions or want to be caught with a big, flopping in wind, touristy map?) Should I quit asking so many questions? Yes.

The digi-guide is probably the best alternative to using a traditional map or taking a tour while in Paris. You’re given a GPS plus a PDA packed with information (photos, spoken and written commentary). Languages available: French, English and Spanish (Italian will be available next week and German will be offered by the end of July) You have 40 “tours” to choose from in three different categories:

“Les Best of” includes 4 tours: 1) Best of Paris – follows a path that takes you to the main landmarks of Paris; 2) Best of Seine – will be a relatively smooth trip along the Seine; 3) Best of Shopping – will empty your purse at the best shopping places on the Rive Droite (right bank); 4) Best of Shopping does the same as 3 but on the Rive Gauche (left bank).

Les Parcours de jour covers 2 areas in which the first will take you through the center of Paris: the 2 islands, le Marais, Bastille, Latin Quarter, Saint-Germain, Left Bank, Paris 1900, Paris Luxe, Around the Louvre, Chatelet les Halles. Part deux takes you farther out from the center and to the les touristy venues: Auteil-Passy, Montparnasse, Alesia – Montsouris, Butte au Cailles, Saint Marcel, Paris Moderne, Promenade plantee, Pere Lachaise, Paris Multiethnic, Paris Populaire, Canal St. Martin, Grands Boulevard, Montmartre, Batignolles, Monceau-Etoile.

Les Parcours de nuit offers a list to liven up your evenings: Bastille, Belleville, Grands Boulevards, Etienne Marcel, Saint-German, Butte au Cailles. For all of the tours you’ll have a selection of restaurants, bars and clubs.

How does it work? (Click here to see the demo)

1. Reserve a digi-guide. Use the online form to begin. The digi-guide can be delivered to you in Paris. Cool!
2. Pick and/or customize your own tour.
3. Start at a designated Metro, set your GPS then forget about it by putting it in your pocket or purse.
4. Follow the pink line on the PDA and you’ll be well on your way to taking a tour of Paris, made by people who live in Paris.

Prices
1-Day Digi-Guide Pack is 30 euros ($38), while the 2-Day Digi-Guide Pack is 50 euros ($63). Additional days cost 15 euros ($19).

For more information: Visit their website: Digi-guide or Contact the Digiguide Team

A Note: I’d sent them an email to ask some questions and they responded within minutes…on a Sunday!! Needless to say, their customer service will probably be excellent. [via gizmodo]

Tags: france, travel, french, paris, gps, digiguide, independent+tours, hate+maps, technology