Best Tours in Paris
Enjoy self-guided audio tours with included attraction tickets in one appTop sights in Paris
All self-guided activities
Paris is known as the City of Lights, the City of Love. The illuminated Eifel Tower and the splendor of the Louvre Palace attract tourists from all around the world. But not many people know there is another world underneath this majestic beauty. The labyrinth of dark tunnels lying 20 meters beneath the street level conceals secrets of the city’s past. These subterranean galleries preserve the remains of over 6 million Parisians. Their bones and skulls decorate the walls of the Catacombs. With this in-app audio tour, you will learn how the ossuary was created in the tunnels of the former quarries and reveal some of its mysteries. Experience a thrilling yet reflective journey through the maze of the Catacombs and admire the romantic side of this dark place. A visit to this “Empire of Dead” is a unique opportunity to look at the history of Paris from a new perspective. Note! This tour DOES NOT include an entrance ticket but may be used at any time during the Catacombs' opening hours.
This is a self-guided audio tour of the Orangerie Museum, a gallery of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings. Note! This tour DOES NOT Include an entrance ticket! Buy it at musee-orangerie.fr The larger-than-life Water Lilies by Monet are the main attraction, but they are far from the only reason to visit. Situated in an old greenhouse in the heart of Paris, this museum is also notable for having the Walter Guillaume collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art. This in-app audio tour explains how Impressionism was born and how Monet's painting technique evolved over time. You will gain insights on the genesis of the Water Lily collection, Monet's creative vision, and how the Orangerie was adapted to accommodate the paintings. The amazing Walter Guillaume collection on the Lower Level allows the visitor to understand the evolution from Impressionism to Modern Art. The influence of African Art on the early Modernists led them to create the first abstract paintings. Note! This tour is not affiliated with the Orangerie Museum but is provided by an independent creator.
During this tour, you will discover not only the most famous places but also little hidden treasures of the artistic neighborhood of Montmartre. Your tour will start with the Moulin Rouge, famous for its decadent and extravagant shows. You will see the place where the iconic French cancan was invented and learn more about its history. The tour continues at "I love You Wall" – a contemporary piece of art made by Fréderic Baron and Clair Kito in 1992. Marveling at 'I love you' written in 250 languages, you will be able to feel the romantic atmosphere of the city. Then you will proceed to a beautiful example of the French art nouveau, the Saint Jean Church. Built at the end of the 19th century, this church was one of the first ones made in the modern style. Your tour will finish at Le Sacré Coeur, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris. It was built in a neo-roman style with a Byzantine influence, and this unique mixture still impresses travelers from all around the world nowadays.
Take this in-app audio tour to explore an oasis of calm in Paris at your own pace! The Luxembourg Gardens lie in the middle of busy, bustling city. Constructed in 1612 by Queen Marie de Medici, the gardens are open to the public and have become one of the most popular in the city. The Renaissance-style park was inspired by the Boboli Gardens in Florence, adapted in the inimitable French style, with clipped lawns, colorful landscaping, and extensive leisure activities. The crown jewel of the gardens is the famed Medici Fountain, the loveliest in Paris. Spend a few hours relaxing in the park with this audio tour, and escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Explore this eclectic museum with your own in-app audio tour! It is situated in two magnificent Renaissance-era baroque mansions, themselves works of art. A hidden gem in the heart of the trendy Marais district, the museum is worth a visit to see the beautiful decors, the landscaped gardens, as well as a diverse collection of art and objects that relate to the fascinating history of the city of Paris. Learn how the city grew from a modest fishing village into a Roman town, then a medieval city, a center of culture during the Renaissance and the Enlightenment, then the birthplace of the French Revolution. During the Gilded Era of the late 1800s, Paris was profoundly transformed into a modern metropolis, becoming a hub for the arts, literature, and philosophy. You will discover this rich past in an unusual and amusing manner, by seeing everyday objects, paintings, furniture even entire rooms that reflect the spirit of their time. This tour is not affiliated with the Carnavalet Museum but is provided by an independent creator.
Is this your first visit to Paris? Are you interested in visiting the city’s main monuments? Perhaps you’d like to see them, but don’t want to pay for one of those expensive hop-on/hop-off bus tours. Are you looking for a more personalized experience? Look no further, this is the tour for you. This self-guided in-app audio tour is designed with you in mind – for the first-time visitor who would like to have an introduction to the city and its monuments but with a more personalized approach. We start off at the Eiffel Tower, a worldwide icon and marvel of French engineering, then, we visit the Trocadéro for terrific views of the Tower. Next, it's on to the Art Deco Museum of Modern Art, home to painters of the 20th & 21st Centuries, and the Tokyo Palace with exhibitions of contemporary artists. From there, we visit the Champs-Elysées for a little shopping, and the Arc de Triomphe, a tribute to France's fallen heroes (for more stunning views over the city). Next stop: the Place d'Alma, with its moving memorial to Princess Diana, and the Grand & Petit Palais, vestiges of the Art Nouveau architecture of the late 1900s. After crossing the ornate Pont Alexandre III bridge, we visit Les Invalides, the Museum of the Army, with its collection of medieval armor and weaponry. On to the Place de la Concorde, once home to the guillotine, then the Tuileries Gardens, laid out by Catherine de Medici, before finishing at the Orangerie Museum.
Facing the Louvre is one of the little treasures of Paris, a small park known as the Palais Royal. Note! Entrance to the Palais Royal, gardens and galeries is free for all visitors! With this in-app audio tour, you will get informative audio commentary along a planned route. In the late 1700s, the park witnessed the invention of the first shopping mall under the arcades. Parisians came to shop, dine in fine restaurants, enjoy the numerous cafés or theatres, or simply enjoy the gardens themselves. But amongst the various forms of entertainment, less wholesome pastimes sprang up, such as gambling and prostitution. By the early 1800s, the gardens had become a vast red-light district, a wild party that lasted until 1840. Today the Palais Royal is much calmer and provides a lovely area for modern-day Parisians to do some shopping, enjoy some fresh air, or simply sit and read. You will also discover the Covered Gallery, which replaced the Palais Royal as the city's early shopping malls. Beautifully decorated and lined with charming boutiques, you will visit one of the loveliest Covered Galleries in the city. With this in-app audio tour, you will discover the park's incredible history, and enjoy some of your own shopping along the way.
Get ready to challenge your perception, ignite your curiosity, and immerse yourself in a world of paradoxes and illusions at the Paradox Museum Paris! Here's where immersive exhibits play with your senses, leaving you questioning what's real and what is an illusion. Test your problem-solving skills and provoke your brain with puzzling challenges throughout the museum. If you're scratching your head, you're doing it right. Discover hidden clues, solve riddles, and unravel mysteries as you navigate through fun and immersive environments, designed to challenge your intellect. Don't forget to charge your phone - the photo ops are endless.
Join a day-long tour from Paris to Mont Saint-Michel. Board a private bus in the early morning, where you can catch up on sleep or grab breakfast during a mid-route stop. Your knowledgeable guide will share background information on this UNESCO-listed site, offering insights into its history and the surrounding region of Normandy. Upon arrival, your guide will lead an orientation tour to ensure you see the key attractions. You'll have free time to explore the island at your own pace. Use a self-guided audio app to tour the abbey or wander through picturesque streets for the perfect photo. For lunch, choose from various dining options, ranging from rustic meat-focused eateries to seafood restaurants with bay-view terraces. Crêperies serving galettes and Normandy cider are also available for a more casual experience In the late afternoon, board the bus for the return journey to Paris, ensuring you're back in the City of Lights well before bedtime.
Explore Musée d'Orsay's artistic treasures with this captivating in-app audio tour. Note! This tour DOES NOT include an entrance ticket! Buy it at musee-orsay.fr or on-site. Perfect for first-time visitors or those with limited time (2-3 hours), this tour unveils around 40 main masterpieces from the museum's extensive collection. As you enter the renowned museum housed in a converted railway station, let engaging narratives and insightful commentary serve as your personal guide. Immerse yourself in the vibrant history, fascinating stories, and breathtaking masterpieces that define Musée d'Orsay. Highlights include iconic works by celebrated artists like Monet, Van Gogh, and Degas, along with a journey through the museum's intriguing evolution from a railway station to a cultural landmark. The self-guided format allows you to explore at your own pace, lingering at the artworks that capture your imagination. Delve into the beauty and brilliance housed within the historic walls of this Parisian gem—an enriching journey through the heart of art and culture. Museum opening hours: Mon-Closed; Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat: 09:30 - 18:00; Thu: 09:30 - 21:45; Sun: 09:30 - 17:00. Last admission: 1 hour before closing Note! This tour is not affiliated with the Musée d'Orsay but is provided by an independent creator.
Cities in France
About Paris
The best tours to do in Paris with kids are:
The best tours in Paris are:
The must-see attractions in Paris for a first visit are:
The best indoor tours in Paris for rainy days are:
- Paris: Les Invalides Skip-the-Line Access Ticket & Army Museum Audio Tour
- La Conciergerie Ticket & In-App Audio Tour: From Royal Palace to Prison
- Paris: A Stroll Through Time with the Grande Galerie Ticket
- Paris: Louvre Ticket and Highlights Audio Tour
- La Conciergerie & La Sainte-Chapelle Ticket & In-App Audio Tour
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.