Marie Illes

"My parents took me to Paris for the very first time when I was 6. I still vividly remember how amazed I felt discovering the city. Now that I’m a guide here, it’s that magic feeling I try to recapture in order to share it with others. Whether I’m with families discovering the medieval walls of the Louvre, or telling then heroic story of a Greek goddess, I feel lucky to be part of creating those memorable experiences. Living abroad has been such a rich and meaningful part of my life, and it’s given me a broader perspective to reflect back on my own French culture and history. But I believe that everyone—no matter where they’re from—has an innate ability to respond to art. When that connection happens, and I see a spark in my visitor’s eye, it’s when I’m reminded that I’m doing exactly what I was meant to do!"