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

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 ÃŽle de la Cité, the historic heart of Paris and the city's birthplace.nnCross 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.nnThroughout 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!n

Itinerary

Enjoy a 2.5 hour tour of the centre of Paris with one of our expert guides!nnStops generally include but are not limited to: 

• ÃŽle de la CiténBegin your tour on ÃŽle 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.n30 minutes
•  Cathédrale Notre-Dame de ParisnStep 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.n20 minutes - Admission Ticket Not Included
• Palais de Justice de ParisnAdmire 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.n10 minutes - Admission Ticket Not Included
• Sainte-ChapellenMarvel 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.n10 minutes - Admission Ticket Not Included
• ConciergerienSee 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.n10 minutes - Admission Ticket Not Included
• Fontaine Saint-MichelnPass by the monumental Saint-Michel Fountain, commissioned by Haussmann 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.n10 minutes
• Place DauphinenDiscover Place Dauphine, a charming historic square at the western tip of ÃŽle de la Cité. Commissioned by King Henri IV.n10 minutes
• Pont NeufnWalk across Pont Neuf, Paris' oldest stone bridge. Now a UNESCO World Heritage site, it remains an iconic feature of the Seine river.n10 minutes 
• Statue of Henri IVnView 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.n10 minutes
• Pont des ArtsnStop by Pont des Arts before heading to the Louvre. Built between 1801 and 1804, it was Paris' first iron bridge and now links the Institut de France to the Louvre.n10 minutes 
• Arc de Triomphe du CarrouselnWalk 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.n10 minutes
• Jardin des TuileriesnStroll through the manicured paths and historic landscapes of the Tuileries Gardens, the oldest park in Paris, dating back to the 17th century.n10 minutes
• Views of the Place de la ConcordenFrom 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.n10 minutes

• SEMI-PRIVATE WALKING TOUR

• "SEMI-PRIVATE" MEANS GROUP SIZE IS NEVER MORE THAN 12 GUESTS MAXIMUM

• PROFESSIONAL TOUR GUIDE

• DURATION 2.5 HOURS

• TOUR WILL RUN, RAIN OR SHINE