Best Tours in Paris
Enjoy self-guided audio tours with included attraction tickets in one appTop sights in Paris
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Beneath the iconic Eiffel Tower, the Quai Branly Museum - Jacques Chirac houses an extensive collection of masks, musical instruments, weaponry, ceremonial items, paintings, and tapestries, among other things. It presents an exhibition of 3,500 artifacts within a single setting, representing regions such as Oceania, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Within its walls, explore artwork and artifacts from diverse cultures spanning from Vancouver to Vanuatu, and Uluru to Uganda. The collection effectively showcases the vast spectrum of cultural diversity across the world. The exterior of the building boasts Jacques Chirac's vertical garden, large multihued blocks, and a series of structures reminiscent of a radiator's interior. With its unique architecture and remarkable anthropological relics, the Quai Branly Museum - Jacques Chirac is a sanctuary for those with an inquisitive spirit, both inside and out.
Explore a former palace and riverside prison on Paris's medieval Île de la Cité. Witness the prison cells, including Queen Marie Antoinette's, from the French Revolution. Originally a royal palace in the 14th century, this Gothic structure later served as a prison when the royal family relocated to the Louvre and Vincennes. During the French Revolution, it gained the chilling moniker "the antechamber to the guillotine." Attractions include Europe's largest medieval hall, the Salle des Gens d’Armes, and the dreaded Bonbec Tower, a torture chamber. The name 'Bonbec' derived from prisoners confessing under duress (bon meaning 'good' and bec meaning 'mouth'). Explore the turbulent history of the French Republic at the Conciergerie. Unlike its former inhabitants, you're free to leave after your visit. Use the Histopad, an augmented reality tool, to discover medieval and revolutionary spaces, including vanished areas, offering a journey back in time.
Look out for the Big Rock, a 65m artificial mini-mountain and the hallmark of the Parc Zoologique de Paris! As it comes into view, anticipate an encounter with diverse wildlife like giraffes, rhinos, lemurs, seals, and young lions. Don't leave your camera behind for this animal-filled adventure. Previously known as Bois de Vincennes Zoological Park, the park underwent a 27-month refurbishment and reopened in 2014. It now features five biozones, allowing you to journey from Europe to Madagascar, Africa to Patagonia, and even the Amazon. In Africa, spot lions, giraffes, and zebras, while Europe houses wolves, lynxes, and otters. The Amazon zone is a haven for jaguars, monkeys, and macaws, while Patagonia hosts penguins, pumas, and pudus. But that's not all! The park is also home to a plethora of birds, lizards, snakes, tarantulas, frogs, fish, and mammals. If you're an animal enthusiast, you're in for an unforgettable treat that will leave a lasting smile on your face. The Parc Zoologique de Paris is more than a zoo — it's a worldwide wildlife expedition in the heart of Paris.
Take this in-app audio tour with a ticket to explore the iconic Conciergerie! Standing in the center of Paris is a medieval Palace that is over 1000 years old. Built on top of Roman foundations, the Palace was home to the Kings of the Capetian dynasty who ruled France from 987 to 1848. Over the centuries each king embellished the Royal Palace, building the largest civic hall in Europe, adding kitchens, gardens and chapels. When the royal court was moved to the Louvre in 1360, the building was transformed into a prison, under the supervision of a warden known as the Concierge, thus the name of the building. The prison became (in)famous during the French Revolution of 1789 when some 4200 prisoners were held and tried at the Conciergerie for counter-revolutionary activities. This in-app audio tour with a ticket allows you to discover this medieval palace, over 1000 years old, at your own pace. As you stroll through the exhibits, you will listen to the audio commentary and "meet" some of the more famous prisoners, such as Marie Antoinette and Madame Roland, who tragically died for a cause she believed in. Note! This tour is not affiliated with the Conciergerie but is provided by an independent creator. Tickets are included for the customer's convenience.
Parrot World is an immersive animal park located 10 km from Disneyland Paris and only 30 minutes from Paris, dedicated to the treasures of South America. Visitors can observe animals from the Amazon and Patagonia in a setting close to their natural habitat. The park is designed like a nature reserve where visitors can search for iconic South American animals such as parrots, jaguars, giant otters, Humboldt penguins, capybaras, and many others. In addition to the animal exhibits, there are also dining options and a large playground for children. The park offers a fun and immersive experience where visitors can be transported to the colorful landscapes of South America.
The “Key to the Centuries” tour lets you follow in the footsteps of France's fascinating history for 40 minutes, as you traverse 17 different rooms. Skilled actors escort you through 12 centuries of history, creating an immersive four-dimensional sensory experience voiced by Franck Ferrand. Check out the office that belonged to General de Gaulle, step into the campaign tent of Napoleon 1st, and witness an 18th-century carpenter's workshop. The event has been imagined by Franck Ferrand, directed by Thierry Rétif and produced by Amaclio Productions, a company renowned for its immersive historical shows.
This self-guided audio tour includes your ticket to the Catacombs of Paris and immerses you in the shadowy underworld of over 6 million remains before venturing through the bohemian heart of Montparnasse. The route begins at the Catacombs entrance on Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy, where you descend 20 meters underground to explore the ossuary created in the late 18th century from overflowing city cemeteries. Cherish chilling encounters with neatly stacked bones in cool, slippery tunnels. Emerging 700 meters away, you head to Montparnasse Cemetery to see graves of icons like Guy de Maupassant, Serge Gainsbourg, and Jean-Paul Sartre with Simone de Beauvoir. Stroll Boulevard du Montparnasse past legendary cafés La Rotonde and Le Select, frequented by Hemingway, Picasso, and Modigliani, then pass Bobino music hall, ending at the 200-meter Montparnasse Tower for panoramic city views. Dive into poignant stories at celebrity tombs, the electric buzz of artist haunts with outdoor tables, and breathtaking vistas of the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame from the tower's open-air terrace.
The stunning Château de Rambouillet has welcomed some of the greatest figures in French history over the years. See the place that King Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette, Napoleon I, Charles de Gaulle, and other prominent leaders all loved to escape to in the heart of a beautiful forest.
Nestled in Paris’s heart, the historic Paris Aquarium, also known as Cinéaqua, stands as a vibrant embodiment of aquatic life fascination since its establishment in 1867. Once Europe’s largest aquarium, it accommodates over 13,000 aquatic creatures within its 4 million liters of water, originating from various corners of the globe to local waters. The experience is amplified by the presence of five shark species, eliciting both awe and excitement among visitors. The aquarium offers more than just a visual spectacle. Its mermaid shows, aquatic cinema, and touchtank engage and educate visitors, while live feeding demonstrations provide unique insights into aquatic life. The interior, reminiscent of Jules Verne’s «Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea,» adds a layer of historical charm to the whole experience. Located just a stone’s throw away from the iconic Eiffel Tower, the aquarium is a portal into a mesmerizing underwater world. Upon your exit, the city’s most beautiful parts, including the Eiffel Tower and Champs-Élysées, await your exploration, making your visit a truly immersive Parisian experience.
The Great War Museum’s collection is made up of thousands of objects, works and documents in the permanent exhibition or carefully kept in storage. From posters to soldiers’ and officers’ uniforms; drawings to trench craftwork; weapons to everyday items; letters to photographs, the Museum has one of Europe’s biggest First World War collections.Through history, ethnography, militaria and art, you'll gain a clear understanding of the conflict, from both the technical and military perspective, and the human and social perspective.
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About Paris
The best indoor tours in Paris for rainy days are:
The best tours to do in Paris with kids are:
The must-see attractions in Paris for a first visit are:
Insider tips for visiting Paris
Sergio Clementini is a local guide who has been publishing tours since 2020 for your discovery of hidden gems and local specialities of Paris on their personal guide page (view profile). Explore their expert tips planning trip to Paris.
When I’m in Paris, I slip away to the Musée de la Vie Romantique in the 9th—it feels like a secret garden, especially if you pause in the rose-filled courtyard café. For quieter attractions in Paris, I also recommend the Promenade Plantée, the original elevated walkway that locals use long before they head to the crowds at bigger sights. If friends ask me what to see in Paris beyond the obvious, I send them to Rue des Barres near Saint-Gervais for medieval Paris at its most intimate. Even people who love classic tours in Paris often miss the Canal Saint-Martin locks at golden hour, when the neighborhood feels effortlessly local.
When I visit Paris, I usually tell first-timers to stay in the Marais: it’s central, walkable, and still feels lived-in. Around Rue de Bretagne, you’re near the Marché des Enfants Rouges for an easy lunch, and in the evening the side streets stay lively without feeling chaotic. If you want a more village-like Paris, I recommend South Pigalle near Rue des Martyrs—great bakeries, small wine bars, and quick access to the Metro. In my travel guide Paris notes, these two areas work best because you can actually enjoy the things to do in Paris on foot. If you visit Paris often, Canal Saint-Martin is another local favorite.
When I’m helping someone with a first trip to Paris, I always suggest mixing the icons with small neighborhood moments. Start early on Île de la Cité, then cross to the Left Bank for coffee on Rue de Buci before the streets fill up. For the best things to do in Paris, I’d pair the Louvre or Musée d’Orsay with a slow walk through the passages around Palais-Royal. If you’re wondering what to see in Paris without rushing, take time for the Seine at sunset between Pont Neuf and Pont des Arts. Even people focused on big attractions in Paris or classic tours in Paris often remember those quieter hours most.
If you want to visit Paris around a memorable local event, I’d pick June for Fête de la Musique, when all of Paris spills into the streets with free performances, especially around the Marais and the Latin Quarter. In my travel guide Paris notes, Nuit Blanche is another favorite: contemporary art takes over unexpected corners of Paris for one long night, and the city feels wonderfully awake. I also love January for the soldes, when locals hunt real bargains in the grands magasins and smaller boutiques. For seasonal things to do in Paris, Paris Plages in summer can be surprisingly fun if you know which stretches of the Seine feel more local.
When I visit Paris, I mostly use the Metro, but I’m picky about when: for short hops across central Paris, lines 1 and 14 save the most time, while buses are better when you actually want to see the city between stops. In my travel guide Paris notes, the biggest mistake is relying on taxis in busy hours, especially near Opéra or Saint-Germain. If you plan to visit Paris and linger in neighborhoods, walking is still the smartest choice—many of the best things to do in Paris are only a few bridges or boulevards apart. I also use Vélib’ on Sunday mornings, when Paris traffic feels much calmer.
When I’m in Paris, I see most visitors gravitate toward a few classics, but the best way to enjoy them is with timing. Among the most popular things to do in Paris, the Louvre is far better early or on a late-opening evening, and I always suggest pairing it with the quieter arcades near Palais-Royal. For what to see in Paris, people naturally head to the Eiffel Tower and a Seine cruise, but I prefer boarding near Pont Neuf at dusk, when Paris feels softer and less hectic. Even the biggest attractions in Paris and the usual tours in Paris become more memorable when you build in neighborhood stops like Rue Cler or Île Saint-Louis.
When I visit Paris, I tell people to look beyond onion soup and focus on what Parisians actually queue for: a good baguette tradition, flaky viennoiseries, oysters in season, and classic bistro dishes like steak-frites or œuf mayo done properly. In my travel guide Paris notes, one of the best things to do in Paris is to build a meal from different stops—cheese from a fromagerie, fruit from a market, and pastry from a neighborhood bakery. If you visit Paris in winter, I’d add hot chocolate and buckwheat galettes. Paris is also wonderful for North African food; a great couscous or tagine is as much a part of the city as any café terrace.