Paris · HISTORICAL TOURS
Good history tours fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Enter the Louvre with priority access, hear the Mona Lisa’s story, then explore its vast galleries at your own pace for $74.
“This tour was incredible, skip the line was so valuable because it was New Year's, and our guide Sofia was amazing!! I promise, request her and you won't be disappointed.”
Explore Paris after dark on a two-hour walking tour of executions, ghosts, Templars, Notre Dame legends, and grisly city history.
“I would have given 6 stars, but the app doesn't allow me to! The guide was amazing, we learned so much from him! Didn't even feel the 2 hours go by. He has such great energy, very funny jokes, and vast knowledge. Totally recommend it!”
Explore Le Marais with a small-group guide, from Place des Vosges to Jewish and LGBT landmarks, grand mansions, shops, and hidden courtyards.
“We enjoyed the walking tour very much. Our guide Eric was engaged, kind, and knowledgeable. Thanks for a great afternoon.”
Trace Paris fashion from Palais Royal to Chanel’s Rue Cambon with private guide Ivo, a two-hour walk through couture, design, and style.
“Ivo was very informative. The tour was tailored to our interests. Our daughter studies fashion and the conversation between Ivo and her was fantastic. So personable.”
Walk from Notre-Dame to Place de la Concorde with a small-group guide, covering medieval Paris, the Louvre, Pont Neuf, and Tuileries Gardens.
“François was fantastic. Walking Il de citi, we learned of Paris’s history spanning back to the original tribes before 0BC, the attacks by the Romans, the Goths (German’s) and eventually held by the Francs (ie the France people). Stepping forward we walked the streets where Mary Antionette was executed.”
Walk Jewish Paris from Le Marais to Montmartre, with synagogues, the Shoah Memorial, artists’ haunts, and Sacré-Cœur views.
“Our guide was very knowledgeable and personable. He knew the area well as well as the French and Jewish history.”
Walk from Saint-Sulpice to Place des Vosges with Neda, exploring five Paris neighborhoods, Jewish heritage, monuments, and local life in a small group.
“Had the best time with a like minded soul! Lots of great information, history & conversation. Neda was full of interesting facts and showed me so much!”
Explore Paris from Île de la Cité to the Eiffel Tower on a private history walk with Notre-Dame, the Louvre, bridges, and local tips.
“Alberto was very knowledgable and very friendly. He also was easy to understand (English lang.) and very energetic.”
Explore Paris’s Marais on foot, from Saint Gervais and Rue des Rosiers to Place des Vosges, with history, culture, street art, and pastry.
“A great way to experience Marais and indulge in local culture and history. The guide was friendly very knowledgeable. We enjoyed the food samples and wine from various local places we visited as part of the tour. Good value.”
Explore the women who shaped Paris on a two-hour walking tour through Luxembourg Gardens, the Latin Quarter, the Curie Institute, and the Panthéon.
“Pat brought the history of many French women in an exciting and fun manner. The teenage girls loved it (and so did I, their Grandmother).”
A 150-minute English walk through Paris history, from Hotel de Ville to the Louvre, Notre-Dame, Pont des Arts, and Tuileries Gardens.
“Francesca was just amazing! We had truly the best time on this tour. We learned so much, and saw so many otherwise hidden gems. Definitely recommend this tour!”
Explore women writers in Saint-Germain-des-Prés with stories, French pastries, salted caramel, and a small English-speaking group.
“Pat was a terrific storyteller who clearly loves the topic. Truly enjoyed the tour and so interesting, learned a lot. Pat brought a camp chair for me to sit on during the stops as I had a knee injury. So thoughtful! I was very appreciative. A great experience on the Left Bank, highly recommend!”
Walk from the Seine into Paris’s 12th arrondissement with Sophie, then shop for picnic food at the Aligre market.
“Amazing first full day in Paris with Sophie! Not only did we go to neighborhoods we likely wouldn’t go ourselves but learned a lot about French history. She also took us to some great spots for food throughout the day and gave us some cool recommendations for the rest of our stay in Paris. Highly recommend!!”
Explore Montmartre on a 90-minute guided walk with artist stories, historic squares, Sacré-Cœur, maps, and clear English or French commentary.
“Our tour was incredibly enjoyable. Our guide was knowledgeable, interesting, professional yet friendly. We were incredibly impressed with her English and would highly recommend this tour and guide.”
Explore Paris from Île de la Cité to Place des Vosges on a private four-hour walking tour with history, local insight, and personal service.
“I booked two tours with April for my September solo trip. This day was the second tour. I had sent April a very, very long wish list of things I wanted to do or places I wanted to see and April worked her magic!! It was an absolutely perfect day”
Pick a door, a deck or a train west.
