Best Tours in Paris
Enjoy self-guided audio tours with included attraction tickets in one appTop sights in Paris
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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.
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.
Discover the interplay between history and innovation with this Self-Guided Audio Tour through Paris. It's a perfect match for lovers of architecture, history, and cinema who enjoy exploring at their own pace. Starting at the modern glass facade of La Cinémathèque Française, this audio guide will lead you on a path through the architectural marvels and historical heartbeats of Paris, concluding at the ancient Obelisk of Luxor. The route will take you over the Seine on the sleek Pont Charles de Gaulle, through the stories of the Pont d'Austerlitz, and around the literary oasis of Shakespeare and Company. You'll witness Notre-Dame's grandeur, rest by the serene Fontaine de la Vierge, and contemplate Paris's turbulent history at the Conciergerie. As you walk, you'll admire the lofty Tour Saint-Jacques, the art encased within the grand Louvre Museum, and the striking Louvre Pyramid. Highlights along the way include absorbing tales of cinematic pioneers, marveling at the intersection of historic celebrations in the square's fountains, and standing beneath the timeless hieroglyphs. This tour promises a deep connective experience between the listener and Paris's tangible history, enduring art, and the visionary evolution presented through its landmarks. The tour includes a ticket to La Cinémathèque Française.
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. Visit the labyrinth of dark tunnels lying 20 meters beneath the street level, which 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. 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.
Visit Palais Galliera, the Paris Fashion Museum, located in a 19th-century Neo-Renaissance building. See 200,000 items that tell the history of Parisian fashion from the 18th century to today. Look at dresses from the 1700s and haute couture from the 1900s. You will find original design sketches and photo collections on display, showcasing the evolution of fashion trends through the years. View the current exhibition, _Stephen Jones, chapeaux d'Artiste_, showcasing the work of a renowned British milliner recognized by celebrities and designers, highlighting his creative process, inspirations, and the artistic role of hats, with a special focus on Paris.
Welcome to your self-guided audio tour of Paris, a journey that will take you through some of the city's most historic and culturally significant sites. Your ticket to the Picasso Museum is included and available within the app, but please note that an audio guide inside the museum is not provided. It is available in the museum for an additional fee. After you finish exploring the Musée National Picasso on your own, unpause this tour, and it will take you through a series of iconic locations including Place des Vosges, Place de la Bastille, the Hôtel de Ville, the Centre Pompidou, Sainte-Chapelle, and many more. The tour will conclude at the Champ de Mars, offering a stunning view of the Eiffel Tower. Along the way, you will discover the grandeur of 17th-century mansions, the revolutionary spirit of the French people, and the innovative architecture that defines modern Paris. You will learn about the life and legacy of Pablo Picasso, the Gothic splendor of Sainte-Chapelle, and the iconic landmarks. This journey will show you the depth and complexity of its history and culture. Some of the most memorable experiences include standing in front of the imposing flying buttresses of Notre-Dame de Paris, admiring the vibrant public spaces like Place des Vosges and Place de la Concorde, and marveling at the stunning stained-glass windows of Sainte-Chapelle. Each stop will reveal a new facet of the city, making this tour an unforgettable experience.
This self-guided audio tour on your smartphone will take you through the haunted sites of Paris and reveal the darkest pages of its famous historic attractions! The tour starts at the imposing Notre-Dame Cathedral where whispers of a spectral ironmaker echo within the fortified walls. Continuing through Île de la Cité to the mysterious Conciergerie, you will learn about the city's ancient origins as a Roman encampment on the picturesque banks of the Seine. The Conciergerie will plunge you into the turmoils of the French Revolution and its infamous victim—Queen Marie Antoinette. As you continue your ghostly walk, you will "meet" the Louvre's mummy, the alchemist Nicolas Flamel, the spooky Little Red Man of the Tuileries Gardens, and many more. The tour ends at the Place de la Concorde, a symbol of unity, where a guillotine once towered.
Orangerie Museum is a gallery of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings. 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 notable for having a collection of Monet's Water Lilies as well as the Walter Guillaume collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art. 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. The visitor will also discover that the Orangerie building, once a greenhouse, was part of a large palace, a twin to the Louvre, constructed by Queen Catherine de Medici in 1564.
Enjoy an unforgettable walk around the heart of Paris with this in-app audio tour! You will start exploring the enchanting City of Lights in front of the City Hall subway. Listening to the history of Paris, you will head towards the Île de la Cité and the iconic Notre-Dame de Paris. Through the Square Viviani, you will reach the famous Latin Quarter that has been a popular place among students since the Middle Ages. While strolling along the majestic River Seine, you'll marvel at Sainte-Chapelle, an absolute masterpiece of Gothic art, and the old Conciergerie, an abandoned kings' palace turned into a prison. The tour will also take you to the geographical center of the French capital, the Place du Châtelet, where you'll find yourself between two famous theaters. You will have a great chance to count the bridges you'll see on your way, and each of them is surely worth your attention: Pont d'Arcole, Pont au Change, Pont Neuf, Pont des Arts. Take some time to admire the breathtaking panoramas that have inspired countless works of art and literature.
Are you ready to see a different Paris? There will be no architectural wonders or lavish façades during our walk, as they will give way to quaint old streets, secret gardens, and unbelievable stories from the past. Our tour begins at the Censier Daubenton metro station. The first stop is the Saint-Médard church, a superb example of the Flamboyant Gothic style. Then, you will take a stroll along Rue Mouffetard and Rue Daubenton, admiring medieval houses. Passage des Patriarches will reveal its grim story before you, that involves meat pies made from human flesh and the events that lead to the Saint Bartholomew’s Day Massacre. You will also pass by a 600-year-old cabaret and a fountain built thanks to Marie de Médicis. You will see a famous Chinese tea room and learn about the tragedy of a 15 century poet who was a patron of an old cabaret that we’ll also pass by. Our walk ends on Rue Thouin which offers a great opportunity to continue exploring the Mouffetard neighborhood in one of the many cafés located here.
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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.