Private Half Day Historic Tour

Meet your guide in central Paris and start your tour on Ile de la Cité, with a peek one of the city’s most famous landmarks, Notre Dame Cathedral. As you walk its historic streets, learn how the island was the oldest settlement in Paris, dating back to 52 AD, as well as the heart of the medieval capital.

Cross over to Paris’ legendary Left Bank to stroll the cobbled lanes of the Latin Quarter and discover the bohemian district once frequented by artists, writers, and intellectuals, among them Picasso, Matisse, and Hemingway. Along the way, see remnants of ancient Paris such as the old Roman Baths at the Cluny Museum, admire the grand architecture along Boulevard St. Germain, and pause for a coffee break (own expense) at the oldest café in Paris.

Next, cross the Seine River, stopping to snap photos along the iconic riverfront, and set out to explore the Right Bank. Immerse yourself in the magnificent architecture of Renaissance-era Paris as you wander past the stately residences of the Marais district and stop to admire the renowned Hôtel de Ville. Continue down the fashionable Rue des Rosiers into the center of Paris’s Jewish Quarter, and listen as your guide points out the popular falafel stands that line the street.

Hear more about Paris during the Grand Siècle, the Age of Enlightenment, and the French Revolution, as you pass through the beautiful Place des Vosges, one of Paris’s oldest public squares. Then, take a look at another of Paris’s most striking landmarks, the 17th-century St. Paul’s Church, before heading back to the waterfront.

After a morning journeying through Paris’s history, your tour ends on the Île Saint Louis, where you can continue sightseeing independently, browse the glamorous shopping boutiques or enjoy lunch (own expense) at one of the many cafés and restaurants—your guide will be happy to make some recommendations. Before you leave, don’t miss out on ice cream (own expense) from the legendary Berthillon Ice Cream parlor.