Paris TV Show Tour in a Open Top Vintage French Car Citroen DS

Paris looks especially good from the back seat of a 1960s Citroën DS. This private tour takes you from the Latin Quarter to Montmartre, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and more, while guide Benjamin adds Paris stories and Emily in Paris filming locations along the way.

I like two things right away: the car lets you cover far more ground than a walking tour, and Benjamin can shape the route around your interests. The car is heated, roomy, and fitted with comfortable seats, though the open-top design makes good weather important, and children under 10 are not permitted because the rear seats have no seat belts.

Key points at a glance

• A private Citroën DS for up to four people: You get the whole car, not a seat in a large sightseeing group.
• Benjamin combines television locations with real Paris: Expect show-related stops alongside cafés, churches, gardens, bridges, and major monuments.
• Three to four hours covers a great deal: This is an excellent orientation tour, but most stops are exterior visits of about 15 minutes.
• Central hotel pickup and drop-off are offered: Several central arrondissements and districts are excluded, so check your address before booking.
• The car is part of the attraction: Its vintage French shape draws attention and makes photos more fun.
• Best timing is between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.: The operator recommends these hours to limit delays from traffic.

Why the Citroën DS changes the tour

A standard city tour can leave you staring through a bus window. Here, you sit low in a classic French car with plenty of legroom, and the open top gives you a clear view of façades, monuments, and Parisian street life. The car also attracts plenty of attention. Several passengers felt like celebrities as people photographed the vehicle along the route.

That attention can be amusing, but it is also part of the charm. The Citroën DS feels tied to French design and cinema in a way a modern van does not. You are not simply being moved between sights. The ride itself becomes a small Paris event.

This is a private tour for your group of up to four. That matters if you want to ask questions, pause for photographs, or skip a place you have already visited. Benjamin is described as flexible, and he has adjusted tours for people with different interests, including groups focused heavily on Emily in Paris.

The tour costs $540.95 per group, not per person. For four people, that works out to about $135 per person. That is not a budget sightseeing ride, but it can be fair value if you want a private guide, a distinctive vehicle, hotel transport, and a broad overview in one outing. For two people, the per-person cost is much higher, so the value depends on how much you care about privacy and the vintage car.

Starting among the cafés of the Latin Quarter

The tour may begin near your central hotel, or at the Hôtel Crillon on Place de la Concorde or the Panthéon in Place du Panthéon. From there, the route can move into the Latin Quarter, one of the best parts of Paris for understanding the city’s student and intellectual character.

Place de l’Estrapade is a particularly pleasant early stop. This small square near the Panthéon has classic buildings and a quieter feel than the larger avenues. It is also connected with Emily in Paris, making it a useful bridge between television fantasy and everyday Paris.

The Panthéon is nearby. You will generally see it from outside rather than take a full interior tour, but its neoclassical façade and role as a mausoleum for French heroes give Benjamin plenty to explain. If you have only a short time in Paris, this early sweep helps you get your bearings quickly.

Saint-Germain, Luxembourg, and old movie houses

The route continues toward Saint-Germain-des-Prés, home to Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots. These cafés are famous for their links with writers, artists, and intellectuals. They are also busy, polished places now, so the value here is less about having a quiet coffee and more about seeing two enduring symbols of Parisian café culture.

The Jardin du Luxembourg offers a calmer change of pace. Its formal gardens, fountains, paths, and chairs make it one of the city’s most pleasant public spaces. The Citroën lets you reach it without spending your energy walking between distant neighborhoods, though you should not expect a long garden visit during this tour.

Le Champo cinema adds a film-loving note. It is an institution for Parisian cinema fans, and its presence fits neatly with the television theme without turning the entire tour into a fan pilgrimage.

You may also pass a local meeting point near the Banque de Paris, where street musicians and singers often perform. This is one of the less monumental parts of the route, but it gives the tour a better feel for ordinary street life.

Île de la Cité and the historic center

The trip then reaches the Seine and Île de la Cité, the old heart of Paris. Notre-Dame Cathedral is the main draw, with its Gothic structure and long place in the story of the city. The planned stop lasts about 15 minutes and is primarily for seeing the cathedral from outside.

Pont Neuf is another 15-minute stop. Despite its name, it is Paris’s oldest surviving bridge, and it offers a fine view of the island and the Seine. This is a place where the car tour works well: Benjamin can position you near a major viewpoint, then give you time for photographs before moving on.

Jardin du Palais Royal and Place de Valois add a more refined side of central Paris. The Palais Royal has arcades, formal gardens, and Daniel Buren’s striped columns. Place de Valois is quieter, with elegant architecture and a location close to the Comédie-Française.

Galerie Vivienne brings you under a beautiful glass roof, among 19th-century details, boutiques, and cafés. These smaller places help keep the route from becoming a checklist of only the biggest monuments.

Luxury, opera, and Montmartre

Place Vendôme introduces grand Paris, with luxury shops and the famous Vendôme Column. Opéra Garnier follows, offering one of the city’s most ornate façades and a reminder that Paris sightseeing is not limited to medieval churches and revolutionary landmarks.

Then the car climbs toward Montmartre, where the tone changes completely. You may see the stairs, Place du Tertre, Rue de l’Abreuvoir, Rue Lepic, La Maison Rose, and the Moulin Rouge. These locations show several different sides of the hill.

Place du Tertre is full of painters and cafés. It can feel busy, but it remains one of the clearest places to see Montmartre’s artistic identity. Rue de l’Abreuvoir is quieter and more picturesque, with old houses that help explain why the area feels like a former village.

Rue Lepic connects the television and film themes with local history. The street includes the Café des 2 Moulins, known from Amélie, as well as old windmills and everyday neighborhood scenes. La Maison Rose is another much-photographed spot, a pink café associated with artists including Picasso and Utrillo.

The Sacré-Cœur Basilica is scheduled for about 15 minutes. Its white domes and hilltop position give you one of Paris’s broadest city views. You should be ready for some walking on Montmartre, especially around the stairs and the basilica. The car gets you close, but it cannot remove every slope and step.

Le Mur des Je t’aime is a lighter stop. The phrase I love you appears in more than 300 languages, making this wall a popular place for couples and families. It fits the romantic side of the show and gives you a clear photo opportunity without requiring a long visit.

The Moulin Rouge is best treated as an exterior sight unless you have a separate cabaret reservation. Its red windmill and Belle Époque image are instantly recognizable, but the tour does not include a show or alcoholic drinks.

From Parc Monceau to the Arc de Triomphe

After Montmartre, the route can pass through Courcelles and Parc Monceau. The park has winding paths, statues, and a quieter feel than the central gardens. It is a good reminder that Paris has peaceful corners even close to major roads.

The Arc de Triomphe is another exterior stop of about 15 minutes. You can photograph the arch and the surrounding avenues, but this tour does not include climbing to the roof. The large traffic circle around it is a place to admire from a safe stopping point rather than wander into casually.

The drive along the Champs-Élysées links the monument with the city’s grand ceremonial side. It is famous, impressive, and lined with luxury businesses, though it is not the most intimate part of Paris. I appreciate seeing it as one chapter of the route, rather than treating it as the whole city.

Eiffel Tower views and military Paris

The approach to the Eiffel Tower includes Rue de l’Université and the École Militaire. Rue de l’Université offers attractive views toward the tower, with elegant townhouses and cafés. It is often better for photographs than standing directly beneath the tower, since you can capture the surrounding street and the monument together.

The École Militaire adds historical context. This grand 18th-century building reflects France’s military tradition and sits close to the Champ de Mars. The Eiffel Tower stop lasts around 15 minutes and is for seeing and photographing the monument, not for going up inside.

That distinction is important. If you want tower access, you need a separate ticket and a longer visit. This tour is designed to show you the tower as part of a wide city circuit.

The route may also include Les Invalides, with its golden dome and connection to Napoleon’s tomb. Pont Alexandre III brings another strong photo stop, thanks to its ornate details, sculptures, and views across the Seine.

The grand western and central sights

The Élysée Palace, official home of the French president, is viewed from outside. It sits among polished streets and historic institutions, offering a glimpse of modern French government rather than a public palace visit.

The Grand Palais and Petit Palais show Paris at its most decorative. The Grand Palais is known for its glass roof, while the Petit Palais combines fine architecture with art collections and a garden. The Church of La Madeleine brings a bold neoclassical façade, and Place de la Concorde adds fountains, statues, and the ancient Luxor Obelisk.

Pont de la Concorde connects this historic area with the Tuileries Gardens. From the bridges and river roads, you get a different view of Paris, with the Seine providing a recurring thread through the tour.

Ending at the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay

The Louvre section centers on the glass pyramid at the Pyramide du Louvre. The museum itself is enormous, but you will not have time to explore its galleries during this drive. Think of this as a grand exterior introduction, useful for deciding where to return later.

The Tuileries Gardens lead toward Place de la Concorde and make a good visual connection between the Louvre and the western monuments. The Musée d’Orsay may also appear on the route, housed in a former railway station and famous for Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art.

Again, the key is expectation. You will see an impressive amount of Paris from the car, but you are not receiving museum admission or extended interior visits. The tour is best used as a first-day orientation, a photo expedition, or a way to revisit favorite television locations.

Timing, comfort, and practical limits

The tour lasts about three to four hours. The operator recommends starting between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to reduce traffic delays. Paris traffic can still affect the route, so do not schedule a tight airport transfer, train connection, or timed museum entry immediately afterward.

Pickup and drop-off are available at central Paris locations, but not in the 3rd, 4th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 19th, or 20th arrondissements. Le Marais, Bastille, République, and Gare du Nord are also excluded. If your address is outside the service area, use the Hôtel Crillon or Panthéon meeting point.

The car has heating, comfortable seats, and generous legroom. Bottled water is included. Service animals are allowed, and the tour is near public transportation. Children under 10 cannot participate because the rear seats do not have seat belts, so confirm your family’s needs before paying.

The open top is wonderful on a clear day and less appealing in rain. Poor weather can cancel the outing, with a different date or full refund offered. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but later changes and cancellations are not refunded.

Who will get the most from this Paris ride

I would choose this tour for a first visit, a short stay, or a final afternoon when you want to see parts of Paris you missed on foot. It also suits couples, families with older children, and small groups who want privacy rather than a standard bus.

Emily in Paris fans get plenty of recognizable places, including Place de l’Estrapade, café locations, Montmartre streets, and romantic landmarks. You do not need to know the show to enjoy the route. The history, architecture, gardens, bridges, and views make up most of the outing.

The tour is less suitable if you want long museum visits, interior access to monuments, or a low-cost way to reach one attraction. It is also not ideal in uncertain weather or when your schedule has no room for traffic delays.

Should you book the Citroën DS tour?

Book it if the vintage car matters almost as much as the sightseeing. Benjamin’s role as both licensed driver and guide gives the outing a personal feel, and his flexibility is useful when you want photographs or a stronger focus on the show.

For four people, the group price makes the private format easier to justify. For two people, consider how much you value the car, personal attention, and door-to-door service. If your answer is yes, this is a stylish and efficient way to see a wide slice of Paris without treating the city like a series of disconnected stops.

FAQ

How long does the Paris TV show tour last?

The tour lasts approximately three to four hours.

How many people can join the private tour?

The price covers one private group of up to four people.

Who is the guide?

Benjamin is the self-employed local guide and professional licensed driver for Classic 60’s Paris Tours.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are offered at locations of your choice inside eligible central areas of Paris.

Which pickup areas are excluded?

Pickup and drop-off are not available in the 3rd, 4th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 19th, or 20th arrondissements. Le Marais, Bastille, République, and Gare du Nord are also excluded.

Can children join the tour?

Children under 10 are not allowed because the rear seats do not have seat belts.

Does the tour enter the Louvre or Eiffel Tower?

No interior admission is included. The route visits exterior viewpoints and photo stops, including the Louvre pyramid and Eiffel Tower.

Is bottled water included?

Yes. Bottled water is included. Alcoholic beverages are not included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.