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

Embark on a Fascinating Journey Through Time with Our Expert Guides

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Duration: 2.5hs Semi-Private Tour

From €49

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Tour Description

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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 Île de la Cité, the historic heart of Paris and the city's birthplace.

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 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!

Come and experience the beauty, charm, and timeless allure of Paris with us!

Highlights generally include:

  • Notre Dame Cathedral: Marvel at the intricate Gothic architecture of this recently restored Parisian icon (Interior visit unguided due to regulations).
  • The Louvre Courtyards (Tour does NOT enter the museum): Stroll through the stunning courtyards of the world’s largest art museum, flanked by grand façades and crowned by the iconic glass pyramid.
  • The Pont Neuf: Paris’s oldest bridge, a masterpiece of masonry offering picturesque views of the Seine and the Île de la Cité.
  • The Tuileries Gardens: Wander through the manicured paths of this historic garden adorned with statues, fountains, and spectacular views of Parisian landmarks.
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Semi-Private Tour
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“Semi-Private” means group size is never more than 8 guests maximum.

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Latest Reviews
Latest Reviews
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  • brittanywinburn brittanywinburn

    Claudia was incredibly knowledgeable and provided a delightful tour!

  • karynrc karynrc

    BELEN, ILIA and LILY were very gracious, extremely nice people and amazing guides on top of that! Thank you for a wonderful experience in Paris. <3

  • Gerar S Gerar S

    I have take the tour in Paris with Babylon Tours and it was great! they showed me places that i didnt know they exist (it was my 3rd time in Paris). They gave me very good recomendations about were to have lunch or about where to go out at night. I serously recomend the tour, besides the price is great!! Gerar.-

  • Poohparis Poohparis

    Ive been living in paris for over 12 years and thiught i knew just about all there is to know. But when I had friends visiting from back home, coming to paris for the first time. I realized its been so long since I had done anything close to touristy and felt lost trying to plan a superb first time visit to my city! I was recommended this walking tour by a friend in tourism as the perfect, simple and low cost way to discover Paris and prepare you for your trip (plans , museums, activities & very helpful info and insights). I cant thank him enough. At first i wasnt even going to join along, but am soooo happy I did. Our guide Tom litterally showed me and teached me of a Paris I never new. Secrets, history, legends, I was totally blown away and my friends called ME the hero of the trip! All thanks to our great walking tours (2 infact) with Tom another expat who will make you lelt for Paris just as i did years ago, and now all over again!!! Highly reccomend Babylon tours (with Tom if you can get him!!! )

  • Gaitlyn K Gaitlyn K

    I loved this tour my friend reccomended it and i was so glad she did!!! A must do right when you get to paris Merci!!!

  • Princeofbk Princeofbk

    Just got back from my Paris city crash course! Babylon was recommended to me at my hotel ibis lobby and I can see why now. A walking tour seemed like a great idea since I was underwhelmed with the hop on / off bus thing in other cities. I was right. Nothing beats an actual human guide especially if they are young fun and interesting at the same time! The 3 hour tour was just enough to get an idea o what this city has onto offer and how amazing it actually is! I would be lost without the knowledge I gained today and I can't wait to see all I have planned out with the help from my guide Tom. I hope I can fit it all in :) at least it will be fun to try! Thanks to Babylon and my wondeful paris expert TOM!

  • Joey A Joey A

    A short trip through paris with only 24 hours but nothing really planned since I was really just delayed for a business meeting. After an Inquiry I made in my lobby, the helpful girl at the desk said I should try a walking tour since the weather was so nice. It began in the center of the city and would just be a short walk from where we were. I though, why not? How many chances will I get to see Paris (even if it was just one day). Honestly I could go on and on about how professional the guide was, how well he handled and interacted with the group. He was charismatic, intelligent, and humorous. It was truly a delightful few hours we spent that now has intrigued me to the point that I have to return as soon as possible to see everything I missed. I only wish I had known in advance what Eric (our guide) had taught us and made me aware of! I think i may be falling in love with Paris and it only took one day and the right person to show me how fantastic it is. many thanks to Babylon Tours and my eye opening experience with Eric. (and thank you for the dinner ideas as well! )

  • AlanMel AlanMel

    whatever we did, ate, saw or explored on this visit to Paris would rest heavily on the advice of our tour guide Tom. He is American originally, but seems to know just about any and everything where Paris is concerned. He has a vast knowledge of the history, culture, politics, FOOD! you name it. My wife and our son thoroughly enjoyed this walking tour and the others in our group were friendly as well. Big thumbs up for Tom and his wonderful city walking tour & Montmatryr visit as well, which was a real treat and quite insightful (Despite the weather!) we loved both our tours!

  • Motley05 Motley05

    Hello Tom! Thank you so much for the wonderfully tour and information. Rebecca and I will always remember our outing. We will see you again on the future! Your passion for Paris and art made our trip!

  • Mosey L Mosey L

    Not my first time in Paris, but definitely the first time I really wanted to really get to know some of the history of the city and its famous sights. So when my hotel concierge requested a group walking tour I thought it might be interesting. I was really blown away by how great my tour ended up being. We were a group 6 people everyone was really friendly and I think we all could easily say our guide was second to none. What I was first afraid of was that like some tours I've done in the past this might be a history lecture on foot. But it wasn't like that at all. The guide was young extremely entertaining and fun, and actually left me will a lot of useful information and crazy knowledge of this tremendous city and its rich history culture. Very satisfied and impressed with how much I saw and learned in just a little stroll along the Seine!

  • Krider11 Krider11

    my TG was Alex - He's the MAN! very knowledgable and very interesting. Took his time with the tour, we never felt rushed. I liked it so much i signed up for a few other tours they have. Def. worth the money and time. No hassel, no confusion, quick start, nice finish! A def. must go! Family Friendly also! great way to meet people as well.

  • Leonardo L L Leonardo L L

    I've been taking a lot of tours all over the world and I've never met a tour guide so awesome as Alex... Funny, energetic, charismatic, cultivated, respectful, friendly, entertaining. it was so amazing learn about french history and having a really cool time. If a friend would ask me tips for his or her trip to Paris, I would summarize everything by saying: Alex's tours!! You're gonna a blast

  • Olin T Olin T

    I went on 4 tours with guide Alex, and saw Paris in a whole new way (I've lived here for years). Friendly, informative, fun, and interesting, these tours are not to be missed.

  • JohninDC7 JohninDC7

    I've been to Paris a few times before, but I never felt like I understood the city very well until this time. My friend and I signed up for the Paris Walk tour, and Laura was our guide. Ask for her if you can--she's amazing. We covered the central part of the city, and Laura tied Paris's renowned features together with fascinating history lessons, a leisurely walk by the Seine, and insights into some of the less well-known but remarkable aspects of the city. Because we were in a small group, it felt almost like a private tour from a very knowledgeable and passionate friend, and we were able to ask questions and chat along the way. By starting our visit to Paris with the walking tour, I got a sense of the city in a way that served me for the rest of my visit. I highly recommend it!

  • LeoShep LeoShep

    My girlfriend and I went on the Paris Walk tour with Laura (our guide) and absolutely loved it! There is just so much to see and do in Paris and having a guide to explain the history, the art, the buildings, the stories, really tied it all together. Laura was energetic and engaging and really brought the history and romance of the city to life! It is clear how much she loves Paris and you feel that you are sharing that with her as you walk around. Overall, absolutely fascinating and Laura was a lot of fun and extremely knowledgeable. The only way to see and experience Paris!

  • Kyle C Kyle C

    I was visiting Paris for only one day/night, and I knew I'd need help seeing it all in short amount of time. I was referred to Babylon through a friend and was lucky enough to have Laura guide me through the city. Not only was she full of the most interesting facts and stories throughout our route, she was very accommodating, polite and very open to customizing the experience to my personal interests. She made the entire guide fun and exciting, and by the end of the tour, you'll probably have a new best friend. I couldn't have had a better experience and very thankful for her taking the time to make the day such a great one. I'd recommend Laura to my family and friends. You'd be very lucky to have her host on a tour!

  • Franck P Franck P

    This tour was amazing, Best Way of discovering the city hands down, I did this tour with a friend from argentina and even though i thought i Would not like it i had a great Time specially thanks to the tourguide, such a nice guy and he knows the city like the palm of his hand! i was impressed even though im parisian

  • Andrea S Andrea S

    Laura, our adorable, friendly, knowledgable tour guide was a delight! We were so happy to have her again the second day! The company was easy to deal with via email and was very accommodating and efficient! Would highly recommend !

  • Stephen C Stephen C

    We met Alex for our guided tour and we were lucky to be the only two on this occasion. Alex instantly provided us historic insight and stories which only a local would know, we learnt so much in a short space of time. I highly recommend this tour and guide as it was the best we've ever been on. Thanks Alex for your humor, quiz comp and lunch recommendations. First time in Paris? This is a must do!

  • paris_paris_paris123 paris_paris_paris123

    I had the pleasure of taking one of the walking tours a few years back. It was such a wonderful and memorable experience. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and made it very interesting and fun. Definitely recommended.

  • Michael M Michael M

    My sister and I had the opportunity to be part of a group with Nathan. Really personable guy who gave very great descriptions of all the destinations. He really knows his stuff, and the whole group was having a good time.

  • Daniel_Philemon Daniel_Philemon

    We loved our tour and guide. The experience had more of a good friend sharing information via a conversation rather than a didactic experience. Worth every cent.

  • James K James K

    This was one of the most informative and interesting city walking tours that I have ever participated in. I only wish I had taped it because Lilly, my guide, knew so many fascinating historical facts about the city and its sites. When I look back on this trip and think about Paris, I will remember the vivid characters that made Paris such a great city. Thank you.

  • 988Kate 988Kate

    We learned so much so quickly. We schedule our walk the same day we landed, so we would learn this city right away. We covered key points and were given in-depth description, info we would of never known. Great way to start our visit in Paris

  • FrenchieinLA FrenchieinLA

    I am French but had only visited Paris as a kid so I thought I'd give this tour a try after a friend recommended it to me. I was blown away! I realized I didn't know anything about this great city. The crew was super knowledgable but also cool about it. It wasn't like a classroom. I had the greatest time learning about Paris and all its secrets. I'd highly recommend it to anyone who wants to learn about the city of lights and do it in a cool a friendly environment.

  • k2kingston k2kingston

    Our tour guide, Harriet, led an enjoyable tour of Paris, an excellent introduction to the City of Lights! She is passionate about the history and art, along with her humor and enthusiasm made the tour fun and interesting for all of us, including my 18 year old niece.

  • Meghan R Meghan R

    This was such a cold and wonderful tour! Our guide was very informative and friendly. Even through the cold we felt like we learned a lot and were able to walk all over the central part of Paris. She stopped and took photos for us and got interesting history. She even gave us recommendations for when to visit other attractions and pointed us to Laduree where we were able to get some awesome macaroons and tea after the tour to warm up. Highly recommend the tour - even in winter!

  • Kevin L Kevin L

    Belen, our tour guide, was amazing. We also loved how small the group was - definitely an intimate and personal experience!