Explore gourmet shops and bustling food markets in Paris on this 3-hour walking tour of the Bastille district. Follow your guide from the Place de la Bastille to the Port de l’Arsenal, where the Canal St-Martin joins the Seine River. Stroll beneath the trees along the Promenade Plantée and admire the Viaduc des Arts. Visit Alain Ducasse’s famous chocolate shop, wander through traditional food markets and learn of the French Revolution in 18th-century Paris. Your tour size is limited to eight people to ensure a more personalized experience.

3-hour walking tour of Paris' Bastille district
Learn about the area's important role in the French Revolution
Discover gourmet shops, galleries and boutiques down Rue d'Aligre and Rue de la Roquette and throughout the Viaduc des Arts
Stroll the tree-lined Promenade Plantée, an elevated walkway that inspired New York City's famous High Line
Explore vibrant food markets including the Marché d'Aligre
Sample French fare at local eateries that line your route
Small-group tour limited to eight ensures a more personalized experience

What's Included

Professional guide
Three food tastings and one drink

Gratuities
Food and drinks, unless specified
Hotel pickup and drop-off

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

Paris
Paris, Paris, Ile-de-France
Departure Point: Near the Opéra Bastille, central Paris Address: Place de la Bastille, 75012 Paris Directions: Meet your guide outside the Opera de Bastille, towards the right-hand side of the steps as you face the opera house. The closest metro station is Bastille (lines 1, 5 and 8). Dates: Tuesday to Friday Return point: Near Gare de Lyon, central Paris

Start time

10:00 am

End point

Gare de Lyon
75012 Paris, France

What To Expect

Meet your guide in central Paris’ 11th arrondissement in the morning to begin your 3-hour Bastille walking tour. A bustling neighborhood known for its trendy bars, beautiful architecture and busy food markets, the Bastille is widely considered the most charming of all Paris’ districts.

First, take in the iconic Place de la Bastille, where Parisian peasants began a revolt against the king during the French Revolution in the late 18th century. Then, head onward with your guide to the Port de l’Arsenal, where the Canal St-Martin meets the Seine River. Listen as your guide explains the role the waterway played during the Revolution and delve into the gourmet shops on Rue d'Aligre.

Continue on to the Viaduc des Arts — a modern recreation of an old Paris viaduct — and admire the grand archways spanning its length. Climb up on top of the viaduct and discover the enchanting, elevated walkway of the tree-lined Promenade Plantée. This walking route runs along the old train line, and is sure to be a highlight of your tour! Along the way, stop off at a few local eateries to sample traditional French fare; three food tastings and one drink per person are included.

Finish your walking tour among the Bastile district’s traditional food markets. Admire the fruit and vegetables, fine wines, fresh artisan bread, and strong, ripe cheeses on display and soak up the atmosphere in this buzzing corner of the capital.

After three hours exploring the highways and byways of Paris’ famous Bastille area, your tour will conclude near the Gare de Lyon in central Paris.

Place de la Bastille

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Marche d'Aligre

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed

Near public transportation
Travellers should have a moderate physical fitness level
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travellers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

Traveller Photos

Reviews

5.0

14 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travellers.

Showing 1-7 of 14 reviews

Very nice low key tour

T_S, May 2022

Very charming tour of a less visited area of Paris. We greatly enjoyed our time and the goodies were delicious

Response from Host, May 2022

Thank you for your review, it was nice to meet you. Solene

We thoroughly enjoyed the tour. The...

John W, Apr 2018

We thoroughly enjoyed the tour. The guide, Solene, was generous with her knowledge, showing us parts of the city we would otherwise not have seen or appreciated. The three hours we spent with her deepened our enjoyment of Paris. John and Frances Westover. April 2018

Interesting and our guide did a good...

JamesRichard_W, Oct 2017

Interesting and our guide did a good job of showing us some of the special attributes of the district. But we did not get as much historical perspective as expected.

Solene was terrific! While this is...

Carol R, Dec 2016

Solene was terrific! While this is touted to be a food tour best candy, bread, pastry, coffee in the area, since we were the only couple on this particular day, Solene accommodated our interests. As art is our main interest, she took us to a flea market that we never would have found on our own, took us to artisan workshop areas, and taught us about the French and European standard and quality certificates found on shop windows. She was most personable and generous with her time, staying as long as possible before her next tour. We definitely gained from her knowledge. Highly recommended!

This tour was great. The guide...

Joanne K, Apr 2016

This tour was great. The guide Solene was both knowledgeable and friendly , from seeing the back alleys and having coffee and pastries, visiting the Marche D'Aligre along with all the different art along the walk made this one of the best experiences I've had....I would highly recommend this tour.

This is a fabulous tour especially...

Joanne K, Apr 2016

This is a fabulous tour especially if you want to experience Paris like a local....my tour guide Solene is a wonderful ... I felt like I was walking Paris with a friend?... I loved every minute of it.... From the coffee and pastry, the hidden laneways, the visit to the market and Solenes commentary along the way .... Well worth it....

This tour was incredible! I highly...

sherrel816, Mar 2015

This tour was incredible! I highly recommend it to both first time visitors to Paris as well as those who have visited before. My guide was professional, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic about the areas and shops we visited. I learned many new things about Paris!