France · HISTORICAL TOURS IN PARIS
Good historical tours in Paris fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 9 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Meet a host at 162 Rue de Rivoli, enter the Louvre through a priority access point, and hear a short introduction to the museum and Mona Lisa. Guides such as Jade, Emma, Sophia, and Rebecca have helped visitors find the painting and plan their own route inside.
“I would suggest to the museum straight lines for Mona Lisa… that line was crazy. The guy was great but couldn’t hear her very well.”
Follow an English-speaking guide through Île de la Cité, Pont Neuf, and the Conciergerie for two hours of Parisian murders, spirits, Templars, and dark legends. Guides such as Morgan, Catherine, Leo, and Jade bring the stories to life. Choose a shared or private walk, and wear shoes for rain or shine.
“I would have given 6 stars, but the app doesn't allow me to! The guide was amazing, we learned so much from him! Didn't even feel the 2 hours go by. He has such great energy, very funny jokes, and vast knowledge. Totally recommend it!”
Walk Le Marais with English-speaking guides Jill or Eric on a small-group tour lasting about 90 minutes to two hours. See Place des Vosges, Victor Hugo’s former home, aristocratic mansions, Jewish shops, courtyards, and LGBT landmarks. The route can be shaped around your interests.
“Jill Andres, Paris Always Walk Cultural Tour, our tour guide was fantastic. She explained in detail the LGBT/ Jewish and the France history dated back to 600AD. I will definately recommend friends to engage her as their guide.”
Walk Paris’s fashion quarter with Ivo, an industry professional with advanced fashion study. In two private hours, connect Palais Royal, Rue Saint-Honoré, Place Vendôme, and Chanel’s Rue Cambon through stories about designers, style, art, and shopping.
“Interesting stroll through the district of Chanel, Versace, McQueen and others. Ivo is very knowledgeable about history of fashion and the evolution from haute couture to today’s ready to wear. He uses the window displays and history to create a picture of the industry that influences women’s clothing choices even today.”
Walk Le Marais with an English-speaking local guide, see Guimard’s Agoudas Hakehilos Synagogue and the Shoah Memorial, then take public transport to Montmartre. Learn about Jewish Paris, artists, and writers before finishing at Sacré-Cœur. Guides may include Benjamin, Benoit, Pierre-Louis, or another member of the team.
“We thoroughly enjoyed our tour of Le Marais with Paul Louis. He had a thorough knowledge of the area, the history and the people. He did a great job weaving together French history and the story of the Jews of France.”
Walk from the Pompidou Center through the Marais, Saint Gervais church, Rue des Rosiers, Place des Vosges and Place de la Bastille. An English-speaking guide covers medieval Paris, Jewish heritage, LGBTQIA+ life, street art and local food. Groups have up to 12 people, with private tours available.
“Camilla was great, we saw some really beautiful parts of Paris and delicious too! It was fun and informative.”
Spend 150 minutes walking from Hôtel de Ville through central Paris, with stories about Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle, the Louvre, Pont des Arts, and the Tuileries Gardens. English-speaking guides such as Thomas, Harry, Tom, Yazid, and Francesca bring art, revolution, architecture, and Parisian legends to life.
“The guide was great, full of knowledge and made it interesting and all ages engaged”
Meet your English or French-speaking guide at Blanche for a compact walk through Montmartre. You’ll visit a local bakery, artist squares, historic sites, and Sacré-Cœur while guides such as Arthur and Julien explain the area with maps and clear stories.
“Arthur was very knowledgeable and a pleasure to be with. Would highly recommend”
Start at Shakespeare & Company and walk with a private guide through Notre Dame, the Pletzl, Rue des Écouffes, Place des Vosges, and Rue Pavée. Hear about medieval Paris, the Dreyfus affair, Vichy, and Jewish life today. Tours run in English, French, or Serbo-Croatian.
“Boris was wonderful and masterfully wove together the history of Jewish people with the history of Paris and greater Europe. It was a beautiful reflection on past and present”
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