Top Île-de-France Half-day Tours

Embark on a culinary tour of Paris's Montmartre neighborhood, one of the city's most charming neighborhoods. Sample delicacies like croissants and éclairs at a local patisserie, enjoy a guided tasting of various cheeses at a fromagerie and satisfy your sweet tooth at a classic chocolaterie. Of course, no gourmet tour of Paris would be complete without a stop at a boulangerie, where you learn the proper way to eat a baguette in France. And at the end, you'll enjoy a delicious Secret Dish, that will be revealed only on the day of the tour.

Indulge your inner romantic on an atmospheric evening cruise down the Seine and see the City of Lights at its most magical. Dine on a decadent 4-course dinner, accompanied by live music on-board, as you float past illuminated landmarks like the Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Eiffel Tower.

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.

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.

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. 

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).

Save time with this Viator skip-the-line Eiffel Tower ticket. This priority access admission ticket allows for a relaxing visit to one of the world’s busiest monuments, accompanied by a host. Listen as your host adds colorful history and facts to the sights below as you look over Les Invalides, Notre Dame Cathedral, and other city landmarks.

Breeze past the crowds outside the Eiffel Tower with this skip-the-line pass and 1.5-hour tour. In the company of your local guide, you'll gain priority access to the tower's second level. Delve into the history of one of the world's most famous monuments and soak up the exhibits and maps on display. Then bid adieu to your guide and head to the tower's summit for stellar views of the City of Lights. Toast your travels with a glass of bubbly from the Champagne bar (own expense).

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.

Gain entry to the famous Palace of Versailles without waiting in line with this 5-hour skip the line tour from Central Paris. With priority access to the UNESCO World Heritage site, don your audio tour (available in eleven languages) to listen as you walk through the legendary State Apartments and the Hall of Mirrors. Stroll through the lush gardens, designed by André Le Nôtre, and learn about Louis XIV, the flashy king who once inhabited this opulent residence. Round-trip transportation from two departure points in Paris via air-conditioned bus is included.

See a different side of Paris’s ‘Iron Lady’ on a guided climbing tour of the Eiffel Tower. Take the slow and scenic route and climb the stairs! Learn all about the construction, controversies, and mystique surrounding the iconic tower from a guide as you ascend to the first and second levels, admiring Gustave Eiffel’s intricate design from angles and viewpoints that most visitors miss. It’s an adventurous way to go behind the scenes—and under the beams—of one of the world’s most popular attractions.

See Paris like a local as you pedal around its vibrant neighborhoods, lively markets and hidden sights on this small-group bike tour. Explore the famous Latin Quarter, the Jewish communities of Le Marais and the historic Place de la Bastille, as well as enjoying views of iconic landmarks like Notre-Dame Cathedral. With plenty of rest stops and photo opportunities, this tour is suitable for all ages and fitness levels.

Get out of Paris for a trip to the countryside on this tour to Giverny, the location of Claude Monet's House and Gardens. Travel by bus to the Monet property, where you have free time to wander around the house and grounds independently. An audio guide, available in several languages, is included, which you receive before departure. Select a morning or afternoon departure time when booking.

Experience the Palace of Versailles and its elegant surrounding gardens with this private tour, complete with skip-the-line access to the palace. Your personal, private guide will escort you through the palace and out into the gardens, where you'll get to zip around on your own four-seat golf cart while learning about the property’s rich history.

Celebrate 65 years of folly and glamour at Crazy Horse Paris with its new show, Totally Crazy. This 90-minute performance includes a selection of magnificent acts created by Philippe Decouflé, Christian Louboutin, Chantal Thomass, and more. Upgrade your experience to include Champagne and appetizers.

For a twist on the typical Versailles tour, book this experience that starts with breakfast at Ore, an Alain Ducasse restaurant at the palace. After your meal, explore the palace at your own pace with a skip-the-line ticket and audio guide.

Feast your senses on the vibrant color and charisma of the ‘Féerie’ show at Paris’ iconic Moulin Rouge during an extravagant evening in the City of Light. Take a seat in the atmospheric theater and prepare for a dazzling spectacle of drama, dance and music. See elaborately dressed show girls dominate the stage; marvel at dancers as they perform compelling choreography; and opt to upgrade to include a French feast and fine Champagne before the show starts.

Most visitors ride the elevator at the Eiffel Tower, but travelers with a sense of adventure can save time by taking the stairs. Climb the 704 steps to the second viewing platform of the Eiffel Tower on this guided tour and be rewarded with spectacular views of the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe, the Seine River, and the Champs-Élysées. Opt for a ticket to the summit and take the lift to the very top.

See the major sights of Paris from the water on a hop-on hop-off Seine boat cruise. With either a 1- or 2-day ticket, glide leisurely along the river, hopping off and on when you wish to visit the attractions that most interest you, such as Musée d'Orsay and the Louvre. Or simply stay on the boat to admire Paris’ World Heritage-listed riverbanks.

During this private excursion, beat the crowds at the popular Palace of Versailles with skip-the-line admission tickets, while learning more from your professional art historian guide than travelers exploring independently. Ideal for first-time visitors or those on a time budget, visit the palace, gardens, the Hall of Mirrors, and more, in only half a day.

Venture beneath the City of Light to explore the dark underworld of the Paris Catacombs. Skip the entrance lines and head inside this fantastically macabre tunnel system filled with the skeletal remains of more than 6 million Parisians. Hear about the remarkable construction of the catacombs from an expert guide as you walk past ornate chambers piled with decorative arrangements of bones, and gain special access to chapels and chambers closed to the general public. Group size is limited to 19.

Get swept up in the charm of ‘Old Paris’ on a walking tour of the fashionable Le Marais district, home to stately mansions, cutting-edge galleries, rich Jewish heritage, and a thriving LGBTQ scene. Hear the rich history behind one of the oldest quarters of Paris from a guide who knows its streets well, popping into hand-picked bistros, bakeries, art centers, and wine bars that line the cobblestone streets.

Discover the few remaining family-run eateries in the Marais neighborhood of Paris with the insights of your local guide. Try classic French dishes, innovative pastries (patisserie), Jewish delicacies, and more as you visit both historical and modern-style eateries in this historical neighborhood. Learn about the stories behind French foods and the people who live and work in the district. Expect 11 tastings from eight dining establishments with enough samples to make a full meal.

Finding your way around Paris doesn't need to be challenging, thanks to this sustainable hop-on hop-off bus tour. You have the option of one, two, or three days of double-decker bus access, covering various routes with stops at most of Paris’s most important museums, attractions, and shopping areas. And with your ticket, get all sorts of freebies, including walking tours and on-board audio guides with narration in multiple languages.