Top Paris Historical Tours

Bypass the long lines at the Eiffel Tower with this tour that includes summit access. After fast track, skip-the-line access, proceed to the second level to survey the city from the viewing platforms while listening to commentary about Paris culture, traditions, and history. Then, proceed to the summit to see Gustave Eiffel's private apartments and sip Champagne from the onsite bar (own expense).

Make the most of your visit to one of the world’s most popular landmarks on a guided Eiffel Tower tour. Hear the history and legends behind the Paris icon as a guide accompanies you up to the second level, where panoramic views of the city await. Get help identifying the monuments below, and upgrade for summit access to go even higher.

Experience culture and art through the ages with a small-group tour of Paris’ epic Louvre Museum. Jump the queue and learn about some of the museum’s 35,000 artworks across eight themed galleries from your art historian guide. Then enjoy time on your own to explore, viewing paintings, sculpture, and architecture from 450 BC to the 19th century. Numbers are limited to 25 on this small-group tour or upgrade your ticket to a private tour exclusive to just your group. 

Gain a unique anglophone perspective of Paris as you explore the city with an English guide. Explore the City of Lights' most memorable attractions on a comprehensive tour that visits more than 30 sights, including the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, and Moulin Rouge. Stop to pick up some snacks (own expense) in the Latin Quarter, stroll through atmospheric Montmartre, and admire the views from the Sacre-Coeur Basilica.

Explore the interior of Basilica du Sacre-Coeur de Montmartre on this guided private tour. You'll learn about the history of this Parisian landmark and climb up to the dome for a panoramic view of the city.

Enrich your visit to Paris’s must iconic must-see landmark on this guided Eiffel Tower tour by elevator. Jumpstart your morning with a hands-on introduction to the Iron Lady, built for the 1889 International Exposition. In-depth tours include admission tickets. Choose between 2nd or 3rd story tower access.

Discover the highlights of the Musée d’Orsay’s world-renowned art collection—and bring the whole family along—on this engaging, private tour. Choose from morning or afternoon departure times, and pick a duration that works best for you. Upon arrival, you’ll meet your guide, and skip the long lines at the ticket office. See masterpieces by artists the likes of Van Gogh, Monet, and Renoir; your guide will share the stories behind the paintings and will engage kids in activities to stimulate their imaginations and creativity.

Discover the charms of one of Paris' most popular neighborhoods on a walking tour of Montmartre, a district known for its artists and historically bohemian vibe. Start at the Moulin Rouge and see where artists like Van Gogh, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, and Pissarro lived and worked. See sights like the Basilica du Sacré-Coeur, and get insights from your guide about the art, music, food, and history of Montmartre.

Learn and experience history on a small group tour learning about Paris during World War II and the true story Occupation of Paris that breaks stereotypes. An expert guide who has lived in Paris for a long time will be your guide and tell you the true histories as you walk through the WW2 battlefield sites.

When you come to Paris Notre Dame is an icon you cannot miss. Though it suffered damage from the fire April 15, 2019, you can still discover the history, tragedy and bright future of this beloved cathedral with our Notre Dame walking tour. You’ll learn how it began in 1163 and took over a century to finish. You’ll relive the night of the fire, hearing what was lost but also what was saved. Walk with your guide around the scene of the fire, as they share first-person perspectives about this historic event. You’ll admire the iconic features of the well-known facade, including the towers and legendary gargoyles, reliving the moments when their survival was uncertain. Get as close as possible to Point Zero, the geographic center of Paris. Finish your walking tour at the entrance to the archaeological crypt below Notre Dame. Learn about this unique site before going underground for your self-guided visit to the very foundations of Île de la Cité, the original Paris.

Head to the coast of Normandy to visit Mont-Saint-Michel on this day tour from Paris. You'll receive an orientation from a guide, and then enjoy time to explore the UNESCO World Heritage site independently with an audio guide or by wandering the hilly streets at your leisure. Transportation is by coach from Paris.

Set sail on a different kind of Paris cruise and explore the 19th-century Saint Martin Canal. Hop aboard a traditional barge and glide along the scenic canal way, passing through a series of double locks and swing bridges. On a 2.5-hour cruise, admire views of the Bastille neighborhood, Parc de la Villette, and the Bassin de la Villette.

Experience a different kind of walking tour and follow your guide on a tour through the largest cemetery in Paris. You will listen to the stories of the fanstasms aroused by the tombs of Jim Morisson or the spiritualist Allan Kardec and many other less known phenomena. This cemetery of Père Lachaise is really the theater of fantastic and paranormal phenomena.

Paris’ Louvre is one of the world’s largest art museums, so don't waste your time waiting in line. Head straight inside, with your priority access admission, to see three of its biggest crowd-pleasers, including the unavoidable gaze and wry smile of Da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa." On this guided tour, hear fascinating tales and tidbits about these unmissable masterpieces. After coming face to face with several artworks by great masters, you’re free to explore the Louvre independently.

The Eiffel Tower is one of Paris’ most visited attractions—save yourself a ton of time by prebooking this Eiffel Tower Skip-the-Line Tour with Access to the 1st and 2nd Floors. Skip the massive entry lines and go on a self-guided experience on the Eiffel Tower’s first and second floors, as well as the elevators. An optional summit access upgrade and Seine Champagne cruise upgrade are offered.

Especially in peak season, the lines at the Palace of Versailles can be hard to believe. Skip them—without waking up at the crack of dawn—on this eminently civilized guided train trip from Paris. Your guide will show you the most magnificent of the 2,000 rooms, including the Hall of Mirrors, the King’s State Apartments, and the King’s Private Apartments, then introduce you to the magical 2,000-acre (800-hectare) gardens.

Marvel at the Loire Valley's opulent châteaux and taste its famous locally-made wine during this full-day tour from Paris. First head to Château de Chambord-the inspiration for Disney's `Beauty and the Beast´ for a guided tour. The next stop is the town of Blois, where you´ll have just under two hours to enjoy some free time. Then visit the elegant Château de Chenonceau and embark on a tour through its intricately carved stone walls, rich hanging tapestries and intimate chapel.

Explore one of the world's most important collections of impressionist and post-impressionist art on this guided tour of the Musée d'Orsay. Instead of trying to navigate the museum on your own, you'll enjoy insight from a guide to make sure you see the top pieces and learn about the artists, such as Van Gogh, Monet, Manet, and Renoir.

Discover the cultural highlights and delectable bites of France’s capital on a culinary tour of Paris. Spend the afternoon strolling past the city’s iconic monuments with a guide and enjoy intermittent samples of pastries, chocolate and freshly baked bread. Listen to commentary of Paris’ rich heritage and receive personalized attention from your guide on this small-group tour, limited to only eight people.

The Paris Catacombs, also known as "the empire of death," is one of the spookiest sights in the city and are home to the remains of about 6 million Parisians. They are lined with centuries-old skeletons. You can explore the historic tunnels, see hidden chambers that most visitors miss, learn about the landmark's revolutionary and wartime past, and perhaps even run into a resident ghost or two on this small-group, skip-the-line tour.

Follow in the footsteps of revolutionaries and royals on this walking tour that traces the history of the French Revolution in Paris. From the storming of the Bastille to the bloody Reign of Terror, learn about the Revolutions’ causes and consequences as you visit key sites around the city where history was made.

Immerse yourself in the opulence and drama of Versailles Palace and Gardens on a fully guided small-group tour from Paris to Versailles. With your skip-the-line ticket, breeze past the queue and join your expert guide for a fun and informative walk through the castle and gardens. Witness the extravagance of Louis XIV—the Sun King—who built up the massive 700-room complex, adorning the space with luxuries fit for the French monarchy.

Check off Paris’s most essential monuments in just one day on this combo tour that's perfect for first-time visitors or those with limited time. Head to the Eiffel Tower in the morning to avoid the crowds, and then glide along the UNESCO-listed Seine riverbanks on a sightseeing cruise. In the afternoon, ride the Metro to the Louvre for an eyeful of world-class art.

Paris may be the City of Light, but as this spooky ghost stories tour goes to show, it can also be the city of darkness. Discover Paris’ creepiest stories, its supernatural lore, its macabre events and more on this evening walking tour. You can look forward to glimpsing highlights like Pont-Neuf, Hotel de Ville, the Latin Quarter, and more—all while your guide shares stories about their dark histories.