Original Paris by Walking
Why take this tour
Immerse yourself in the history of Ile de la
Cite, believed to be the first settlement in
Paris when a small tribe called the Parissis
lived there in 52 BC. Explore the oldest
bridge in Paris, stroll along the Seine, and
discover iconic landmarks like Notre Dame
and Sainte-Chapelle.
Tour Highlights
Discover Original Paris
Gain a deeper
understanding of Paris
long before she became
known as the City of
Light on this original
Island of the City, the
Ile de la Cite.
Pont Neuf Stories
Laugh and enjoy stories
about the Pont Neuf and
the story of the stone
masks, or mascarons,
which were a sort of mic
drop gesture from King
Henry.
Seine River Stroll
Stroll along the famous
River Seine where the
left and right banks are
separated, marked by the
iconic bouquinistes, or
booksellers, that ply
their trade in a
tradition that dates
back hundreds of years.
Notre Dame Cathedral
Hear inspirational and
moving tales of Notre
Dame Cathedral-her past,
her present and her
future.
Sainte-Chapelle Experience
Receive tickets to
Sainte-Chapelle, home to
one of the most
extensive collections of
stained glass windows
that tell over a
thousand stories from
the Bible.
Itinerary
-
1. Pont Neuf Bridge
Your journey begins on the Pont Neuf, the oldest bridge in Paris. Inaugurated by Henry IV in 1607, this "New Bridge" connects the left and right banks crossing the River Seine. -
2. River Seine & Bouquinistes
Walk along the beautiful River Seine, the epicenter of the vibrant French capital, and pass the area of the bouquinistes, or booksellers, who have been engaging in the activity of book selling here since the 15th century. -
3. Clock Tower & Conciergerie
Stop to check the time on the famous and beautiful Clock Tower, the oldest in Paris since 1371. Continue to the Conciergerie, a 14th century former prison that once housed Marie Antoinette before her execution. -
4. Palais de Justice & Flower Market
Marvel at the gorgeous golden gates of the Palais de Justice. Take in the view from Place Louis Lepine, home to a beautiful flower market renamed Marché aux Fleurs Reine Elizabeth II in honor of her majesty after a state visit in 2014. -
5. Notre Dame & Sainte-Chapelle
Visit Point Zero, the geographic center of Paris, located just outside Notre Dame Cathedral. Learn how this gothic masterpiece survived wars, pillaging and the fire of 2019. Finish at Sainte-Chapelle where you'll receive tickets for your self-guided visit.
Plan your trip
Included Tickets
Your tour includes timed
entry tickets to
Sainte-Chapelle. You can
also purchase a combined
ticket with Conciergerie
at a discounted rate.
Seasonal Opening Hours
From April 1st to
September 30th: 9am -
7pm. October 1st to
March 31st: 9am - 5pm.
Tour Guide Expertise
Our expert guides will
bring the history of
Paris to life and share
insider tips about the
best ways to visit
famous sites passed on
your journey.
Small Group Experience
With a maximum group
size of 20, you'll enjoy
a personalized
experience with plenty
of opportunities to ask
questions.
Reviews
Perfect Introduction to Paris
This walking tour was the ideal
way to start our Paris visit.
The historical insights about
the city's origins were
fascinating, and seeing
Sainte-Chapelle at the end was
breathtaking. Our guide brought
Paris's 2,000-year history to
life in just a few hours!
- James P.
Rich History and Hidden Gems
Wonderful tour through the heart
of historic Paris. Our small
group size made it easy to ask
questions and hear all the
fascinating stories. We
discovered charming streets and
historical details we would have
completely missed on our own.
The included Sainte-Chapelle
tickets were a great bonus!
- Elizabeth C.
Journey meeting point
48.85719° N, 2.34116° E
Pont Neuf Bridge, in front of the Henry IV statue
Finding Your Guide:
Your expert guide will meet you in
the middle of the Pont Neuf Bridge,
right in front of the equestrian
statue of Henry IV. This iconic
bridge is the oldest in Paris
despite its name meaning "New
Bridge."
From here, you'll begin a
fascinating journey exploring the
original settlement of Paris, with
stories dating back to 52 BC when a
small tribe called the Parissis
first inhabited the area.
The tour ends at Sainte-Chapelle
where you'll receive your tickets
for your self-guided visit, with the
option to also explore the nearby
Conciergerie.
