Île de la Cité Free Tour

About this activity

Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes

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Discover the historic heart of Paris with this free tour of Île de la Cité, the birthplace of the city. For 1 hour and 15 minutes, you'll explore some of the most emblematic and surprising corners of this small island surrounded by the Seine, accompanied by an expert guide who will tell you stories that go far beyond the books.

The tour starts next to the Equestrian Statue of Henri IV and ends in front of the majestic Notre Dame Cathedral. The entire tour is open-air and conducted in English.

Explore the medieval secrets of the Ile de la Cité.
Tour Notre Dame, Sainte-Chapelle, the Conciergerie and more.
Immerse yourself in stories of kings, prisoners and revolution.

Professional English-speaking guide
Entrance fees to the monuments (the visit is external)

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Embark on a journey through time on the Île de la Cité, the oldest core of Paris and witness to some of the most momentous moments in its history. This free tour takes you through centuries of royal intrigue, revolutionary dramas and breathtaking Gothic architecture.

Starting at Place Dauphine, one of the city's most tranquil and charming squares, you'll begin to understand why this island has been the epicentre of Paris since the Middle Ages. Continue to the Conciergerie, a former royal residence turned prison, where queens like Marie Antoinette awaited their fate.

You will be amazed by the stained-glass windows of the Sainte-Chapelle, a Gothic jewel that houses sacred relics, and you will learn hidden stories as you walk through cobbled alleyways that hide legends of secret tunnels and medieval trials.

The tour concludes at one of the most universal symbols of Paris: Notre Dame Cathedral, where gargoyles and fires from the past reveal the city's resilient soul. All this, accompanied by fascinating anecdotes you won't hear on other tours.

Perfect for those looking to get to know Paris beyond the typical, this tour is an accessible, entertaining and cultural way to delve into its deepest history.