"The History of Paris" City Center Guided Walking Tour & Notre-Dame Cathedral

Details

Thomas Jefferson once said, “A walk about Paris will provide lessons in history, beauty, and in the point of life” and we couldn't agree more!

On our 2.5-hour small group guided tour through the center of the city of lights, you'll begin your day with the newly restored Notre-Dame Cathedral before exploring the Île de la Cité, the historic heart of Paris and the city's birthplace.

Cross the iconic Pont Neuf, Paris's oldest bridge, and enjoy a stroll along the River Seine as your guide points out the landmarks that line its banks. Then, pass through the Louvre courtyards and the elegant Tuileries Gardens, where you can admire their manicured flower beds. From here, you'll uncover the dramatic history of Place de la Concorde, infamous for the guillotine that claimed the lives of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette during the French Revolution.

Throughout the tour, you'll also hear captivating tales of legendary figures like Napoleon Bonaparte, Louis XIV, and Henri IV, while discovering insider tips about Paris' hidden gems. By the end, you'll have gained both a deeper appreciation for the city's history and the confidence to continue exploring on your own!

Itinerary

• Enjoy a 2.5-hour tour of the centre of Paris with one of our expert guides!
• Stops generally include but are not limited to: 
• Île de la Cité — Begin your tour on the Île de la Cité, the island where Paris was first founded. Once called Lutetia by its Roman settlers, this historic site is the birthplace from which the city grew. 30 minutes
•  Cathedral Notre-Dame de Paris —Step inside the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral (Interior visit unguided due to regulations), the world's most beloved church and a masterpiece of medieval Gothic architecture. Newly restored after the 2019 fire, it remains one of Paris' most enduring symbols. 20 minutes - Admission Ticket Not Included
• Palais de Justice de Paris —Admire the gates of the Palais de Justice, once a royal residence and now a courthouse and judicial center. Formerly known as the Palais de la Cité, it houses some of Paris' oldest surviving structures.10 minutes - Admission Ticket Not Included
• Sainte-Chapelle —Marvel at the spire of the Sainte-Chapelle, a 750-year-old Gothic chapel built to house the Crown of Thorns and 21 other holy relics. 10 minutes - Admission Ticket Not Included
• Conciergerie —See the oldest part of the Palais de la Cité: the infamous Conciergerie. Once a notorious prison, it housed over a thousand "enemies of the Revolution, including Queen Marie Antoinette herself. 10 minutes - Admission Ticket Not Included
• Fontaine Saint-Michel — Pass by the monumental Saint-Michel Fountain, commissioned by Haussma
• Under Napoleon III and inspired by a painting by Raphael — It depicts the Archangel Michael vanquishing the Devil — or perhaps Napoleon III vanquishing his enemies.10 minutes
• Place Dauphine — Discover Place Dauphine, a charming historic square at the western tip of the Île de la Cité. Commissioned by King Henri IV.10 minutes
• Pont Neuf —Walk across Pont Neuf, Paris' oldest stone bridge. Now a UNESCO World Heritage site, it remains an iconic feature of the Seine River.10 minutes 
• Statue of Henri IV —View the equestrian statue of King Henri IV located on the Pont Neuf. Learn about the original statue, destroyed during the French Revolution, and its modern replacement. 10 minutes
• Pont des Arts Stop by Pont des Arts before heading to the Louvre. Built between 1801 and 1804, it was Paris' first iron bridge and now links the Institute de France to the Louvre.n10 minutes 
• Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel —Walk through the impressive Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, the smaller sibling of the Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile on the Champs-Élysées. This arch was built to commemorate Napoleon's military victories.10 minutes
• Jardin des Tuileries —Stroll through the manicured paths and historic landscapes of the Tuileries Gardens, the oldest park in Paris, dating back to the 17th century.10 minutes
• Views of the Place de la Concorde —From the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, look down the magnificent "historic axis" and spot the Luxor Obelisk rising from the Place de la Concorde in the distance. This striking monument marks a square once overshadowed by the guillotine — the site of King Louis XVI's execution, followed by Queen Marie Antoinette and hundreds of others during the French Revolution. 10 minutes