Ivan, your guide in Alsace

Who am I?

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?

Integrity, flexibility and a sense of humor

During my tours, 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 adjust my work to the visitor. In my daily professional life, I welcome clients from all over the world, of all ages, and with diverse interests and knowledge. That's why it's important to know how to adapt your language and your comments so that the tour remains accessible to everyone.

 

✅ 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 visit, 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

My portfolio

Accreditations

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

Academic education

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"

Professional experience

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)

Other experiences

Professional Union of Guides and Interpreters (SPGIC)

since March 2023: Vice-President of the Union

Alsatian Guild of Tourist Guides (Guides d'Alsace)

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)

My main partners