My name is Ivan de la Torre, I am a tour guide graduated from the University of Strasbourg and licensed by the French Departments of Culture and Tourism since 2017.
I started my guide training out of a love for history, languages and human relations. It was my parents who pushed me in this direction, and I am grateful for that. After three years of higher education and an internship at the Belfort Visitors Center (France), I obtained my diploma and was able to practice this wonderful profession.
In my daily work, I welcome clients from very different backgrounds and with diverse expectations and interests. Therefore, this profession requires a great sense of
adaptation
I take tours in French, English, Spanish and Catalan. I want to share as much as possible the love I have for my mother's native region, for its culture, its traditions and
its history so unique in the European landscape.
I will be delighted to show you around. Would you like to come with me?
When I am about to make a tour, it is as if I were in a trance. I forget about my personal or professional problems, and I give the best of myself so that my visitors keep an unforgettable memory of this region that I love so much.
✅ I have a strong sense of ethics, which stops me from giving misinformation to my visitors. If I don't know the answer to a question, I prefer to make speculations or simply admit my lack of information rather than building up stories. Even professional guides don't know the answer to all the questions. We are not walking encyclopedias.
✅ I also try to adapt to the visitors. They say that the eyes are the mirror of the soul. For example, when I talk about architectural styles or art, I find that some visitors look in all directions, as if they want to run away from the situation, as they are usually not interested in the art. I then adapt my comments, reducing or removing anything that might take me away from the visitor's expectations.
✅ Finally, I am a smiling person with a sense of humor. So I try to include in my comments funny little anecdotes, even small jokes in relation to what we see, not always the good ones 😅, but still lightening the mood.
That said, every tour is unique and so is every visitor. My job is not to recite a memorized speech or to give an automated tour, but to pass on knowledge in a friendly and relaxed way.
Since 2020
Strasbourg Notre-Dame Cathedral council
Evacuation training and authorization to lead guided tours
Since 2018
European Parliament in Strasbourg
Authorization to take guided tours in the Louise Weiss building
Since 2017
State's representative office in Strasbourg (Préfet du Bas-Rhin)
National approval for the exercise of the profession of tour guide
2016 - 2017
University of Strasbourg
Vocational degree in "Development and protection of cultural heritage; Specialty: Tour guide"
2015 - 2016
"Alexandre Dumas" Tourism Vocational School, Strasbourg
Senior technologist’s certificate in "Tourism" in the framework of the Erasmus+ program
2014 - 2015
"Hotel Escuela" Vocational School, Madrid
Senior technologist’s certificate in "Tour guiding, information and tourist assistance"
Since October 2017
Freelancer
Local Tourist Guide and Tour Leader
Since December 2017
Strasbourg Tourist Information Centre
Local Tourist Guide (Freelance in partnership)
Since May 2017
Belfort Tourist Information Centre
Since September 2017 : Local Tourist Guide (Freelance in partnership)
May-August 2017 : Local Tourist Guide (internship)
Alsatian Guild of Tourist Guides
October 2019 - March 2021 : President of the Guild
March 2019 - October 2019 : Vice-President of the Guild
"Alexandre Dumas" Tourism and Hotel Vocational School, Strasbourg
2021, 2022 : Examination board for the Technician certificate in Tourism (Customer relationship management)
2019 : Member of the examination board for the Technician certificate in Tourism (Multimedia field)
2018 : Member of the examination board for the Technician certificate in Tourism (Multimedia field)
Students' Union of the Language School of S. Seb. de los Reyes
Oct. 2014 - Sept. 2015 : President of the Union
May 2015 : Tour Leader ex gratia during a cultural trip to Alentejo region (Portugal)
April 2014 : Tour Leader ex gratia during a cultural trip to Basque Country (France)