10 Best Tours in Paris

Paris is much more than the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and the Luxembourg Gardens. Paris is its neighborhoods and so that you can discover them in an authentic way I make you a selection of the best tours.

Paris is not only the City of Light, it is also a city with a past full of mysteries, legends and disturbing events. If you want to know its most chilling side, the ghost tour of Paris will take you to places where unsolved crimes, spectral apparitions and macabre stories took place.

What is this tour about?

Paris ghost tours take you to some of the most enigmatic places in the city, while an expert guide narrates stories of murders, executions and paranormal legends. Lasting approximately two hours, this night tour is perfect for those who are looking for a different experience and want to explore the more sinister side of the French capital.

Touring Paris from the Seine River is one of the most emblematic experiences of the city. Aboard a cruise, you can admire monuments such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Louvre and the Grand Palais while sailing along its waters and enjoying a unique perspective. Cruises on the Seine are a perfect option to relax and see the city from another angle, day or night.

What is this tour about?

Seine cruises offer a comfortable and panoramic way to discover Paris. They can include audio guides in several languages to learn about the history of the monuments and, in some cases, a dinner on board, making the experience an unforgettable evening. There are both day and night options, ideal for seeing the city in natural light or enjoying its spectacular illumination.

Each and every neighborhood in Paris is worth a visit, but I will start with the most mythical neighborhood of the French capital, Montmartre, and the tour that will always be my favorite: the walking tour of the Montmartre neighborhood.

Montmartre is one of the most charming neighborhoods in Paris, famous for its cobblestone streets, its bohemian atmosphere and its close relationship with art. A guided tour will allow you to learn about its history, its most emblematic corners and the anecdotes of the artists who made it a cultural reference.

What is this tour about?

Montmartre tours are walking tours that will take you through iconic places such as the Sacré Coeur Basilica, the Place du Tertre full of street painters and old cafes where artists like Picasso or Van Gogh used to meet. During the walk, a guide will tell you the history of the neighborhood and its best kept secrets, making it a perfect experience for lovers of art and history of Paris.

Another neighborhood worth visiting in Paris is the Latin Quarter, south of the Ile de la Cité. Although it often goes unnoticed by many tourists, the Latin Quarter has a special charm and coziness. In addition to emblematic places like the Pantheon or the Sorbonne, this neighborhood has excellent sweet shops and during this walking tour of the Latin Quarter of Paris of about an hour you will visit one of them with an aperitif included.

What this tour consists of

The main advantage is that this is a private tour in which the guide will be exclusively at your disposal and that of your travel companions. This way, you have the possibility to customize the tour route, the explanations about the history of the neighborhood and the city of Paris and the gastronomic recommendations of the area according to your preferences.

Paris is so diverse that each traveler has a preference for a particular area. For this reason there are private tours in which the traveler is the one who sets the itinerary. This tailor-made tour of Paris is the best option to explore the city in depth and also with a local guide expert in the city.

What this tour consists of

This private tour (you will only be with your travel companions) starts at the Louvre Museum and, from there, the itinerary is set by the traveler himself. This walking tour can last from two to six hours and you will choose yourself which sites to visit, if you want to focus more on one aspect of the city or another and if you want to stop more or less time at one point or another.

The guide adapts completely to your preferences while discovering practical details of the city and telling you the stories behind each of its corners.

If you want to explore Paris in a different way and with a more original touch, a gastronomic tour is the perfect option. These tours will not only allow you to learn more about the city and its history, but will also take you to taste some of its most iconic products, such as cheese, chocolate and wine. With the gastronomic tour of Paris, you will discover the most authentic flavors of the French capital while strolling through its most emblematic neighborhoods.

What is this tour about?

Gastronomic tours in Paris combine history, culture and tastings in markets, pastry shops and specialty stores. In addition to tasting typical products, you will learn about the French culinary tradition and have the opportunity to talk to local merchants, making the experience a real sensory journey. It is an ideal activity for food lovers and those looking to get to know Paris from a different perspective.

If you want to enjoy Paris in all its immensity without walking through each of its streets, the tourist bus is an excellent option. Although it may seem too touristy an alternative, the truth is that the Paris sightseeing bus allows you to move easily between the main points of interest while still admiring the breathtaking views of the city.

What this tour consists of

Paris sightseeing buses offer routes with stops at the most emblematic monuments and neighborhoods, allowing you to hop on and off at your own pace. They are a comfortable alternative to the metro, avoiding crowds and without losing detail of the cityscape. In addition, many include audio guides in several languages, making the tour a practical and entertaining way to get to know the city.

If you were fascinated by the illumination of the Paris Opera House during a night tour, don't hesitate to go inside with a guided tour. These tours will allow you to learn about the history, architecture and secrets of this iconic building. With the tour of the Opéra Garnier, you will discover its majestic halls, its impressive auditorium and the details that inspired the legend of the Phantom of the Opera.

What is this tour about?

Guided tours of the Paris Opera House offer an enriching experience for those who wish to get to know this monument in depth. During the tour, an expert guide will take you through spaces such as the Grand Staircase, the Foyer Hall and the luxurious auditorium, revealing the history and curiosities of the building. If you want to learn more details before your visit, I leave you this Paris Opera House Tickets and Tours which delves into its legacy and architecture.

That the Louvre is the most famous museum in Paris (and probably the world) is undisputed. But due to its enormous size and the amount of works it houses, the best way to make the most of your visit is with a guided tour. With the Louvre tour, you'll discover the museum's most iconic pieces while an expert guide explains their history and artistic importance.

What this tour consists of

Guided tours of the Louvre can be tailored to different levels of interest and time available. From express tours, which will take you to the most essential works, to more comprehensive tours, in which an art expert will explain in depth the history of each room. If you want more details on how to visit the museum and choose the best option, I leave you this guide about the Louvre and its guided tours with all the information.

One of the most dynamic and entertaining ways to discover Paris is by bike. With a bike tour of Paris, you will be able to explore the city in a comfortable way, enjoying its streets, monuments and most emblematic places while a guide tells you about its history and curiosities.

What this tour consists of

Paris bike tours offer different routes adapted to different interests and levels. You can choose tours that include the most iconic places, such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and Notre Dame, or more alternative routes through neighborhoods such as Le Marais or the Latin Quarter. With the advantage of moving quickly without losing detail of the environment, this type of tour is ideal for those who want to know the city in an active and sustainable way.

How to book a tour

Most Paris tours can be booked online. Once you have made your reservation, you will receive a voucher with the necessary instructions to meet your guide on the day and at the time you have chosen. If you are one of those who prefer to improvise during your trip and leave room for the unexpected, make sure you choose a tour that has free cancellation; this way with 24 hours notice you can reschedule for another day without losing your money.

Meeting point

The meeting point varies depending on the area of Paris where the tour takes place, but they are all accessible by public transportation and well located. If you want to visit a nearby museum, choose the time and day that allows you to do it before or after the tour, but I recommend that you reserve your energy for walking if you choose the walking tour option.

Schedules

Paris walking tours run every day of the week and there are usually different schedules to choose from. Keep in mind that on Tuesday many of the city's museums are closed, so it can be a good day to take a walking tour through the streets of Paris. If you want to escape the crowds choose night tours and avoid weekends in high season.

Duration

The average duration of a tour is usually two hours, but it is possible that these can be longer. You can also find more comprehensive tours and shorter ones. Keep in mind that during the tour you will have enough time to contemplate the different points of interest along the way; these are not tours that are done in a hurry because the idea is to relax and enjoy the city. Try not to delay the group and remember that you can always revisit any of the tour points.

Price

The price of the tours may vary depending on the area and the tour, but I recommend that you don't miss the opportunity to take a guided tour of Paris for the money. There are different prices (for example, a private tour or a boat tour is more expensive) and some very affordable to the pocket; I promise you that, with all you will learn, you will amortize every euro invested.

Recommendations

The guides who conduct these tours know the city of Paris to perfection. Take advantage and ask them for recommendations on where to eat, what to visit according to your preferences, where to buy original souvenirs, which is the best area to go out and party... The day before you can make a list of questions; they will be happy to answer them during the tour or at the end of it.

Languages

Paris is visited by visitors from all over the world, so most of the tours are available in several languages. English, Spanish and French are almost guaranteed, but many tours also have the option of German, Italian or Portuguese, among others.