Tour Details
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Product Type
- Tour
- Venues
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- Notre Dame Cathedral (exterior only)
- Île de la Cité
- Palais Royal
- Tuileries Garden
- Place de la Concorde
- Pont des Arts
- Champs-Elysées
- Arc de Triomphe (exterior only)
- Latin Quarter
- Eiffel Tower (exterior only)
- Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood
Photos & Highlights
- Explore the stories behind essential highlights of Paris, including Notre Dame Cathedral, Arc de Triomphe, and the iconic Eiffel Tower.
- Learn how to navigate the city like a local as you explore the main neighborhoods and attractions.
Select a date
Tour Description
Weave through charming cobblestone streets with a local guide by your side, unveiling the city's soul through its most prominent sites. Four glorious hours unfold, packed with iconic landmarks and captivating stories.
Meet your expert on the charming Left Bank. Walk in the footsteps of literary giants like Hemingway and Joyce and let your guide reveal Paris's intellectual past as you stroll through the historic Saint-Germain-des-Prés district and past the iconic Sorbonne.
Next, cross the Seine River to the enchanting Ile de la Cité to see the majestic Notre Dame, its resilience a testament to the enduring spirit of Paris.
Moving into the Right Bank, head toward the awe-inspiring Louvre Pyramid that pierces the Parisian sky or make your way to the manicured gardens of the Palais Royal and the opulent Opéra Garnier.
But your adventure doesn't end there. Led by your local expert, hop on the Parisian metro (a rite of passage for any true Parisian) to be whisked to the Arc de Triomphe.
Finally, wrap up your complete Paris highlights tour with a breathtaking view of the Eiffel Tower from the Trocadéro gardens. Here, your Context guide will bid farewell. If you have pre-purchased your own tickets, now is the perfect time to ascend the tower.
By tour’s end, you'll understand why artists flock to Paris, why revolutionaries rose on its streets, and why it continues to be a beacon of romance and beauty.
Experts
- You love history and literature and would like to walk the same streets as Hemingway and Joyce, feeling the energy of the Latin Quarter.
- You want an in-depth survey of the city to get familiar with Paris and better enjoy the rest of your time visiting.
- You’re ready to see all the essential Parisian sites as they relate to each other with a cohesive narrative and a well-planned route led by an expert.
- Medieval streets and Gothic churches of the Latin Quarter
- Right Bank classics such as the Louvre (exterior only), Tuileries Gardens, or Palais Royal
- Views of the Champs-Elysées, Arc de Triomphe, and Eiffel Tower (exterior only)
Admission Tickets
Are Eiffel Tower tickets included?
No. We do not provide tickets to climb the Eiffel Tower. Should you like to climb the Tower following your tour, we recommend purchasing tickets well in advance. You may do so on their public site here.
Are there any other entrance fees included?
No. There are no entrance fees included on this tour. We will visit the listed venues from the exterior only.
Transportation
Can I be picked up from my hotel?
For our private tours, we offer the convenience of optional car service and hotel pick-up. Please note that this option is not available for small-group tours. Small-group tours meet in the 6th Arrondissement.
Where do I meet my Context Guide? Where does the tour end?
You will meet your guide in front of the main entrance of the Église Saint-Germain-des-Prés, and it will end in Esplanade du Trocadéro, also known as the Human Rights Plaza, just across from the Eiffel Tower. Your confirmation email will have the exact meeting point details along with a map.
Can I do this tour by car instead of walking?
Yes, you can reserve a car service for this tour if you are booking a private tour (note: this option is not available for our group tours). Please select the option for car service with hotel pick up at checkout and provide your hotel address in the Additional Details box when placing your order.
If I book a private tour with car service, where does the tour meet and end?
If you book a private tour with the optional car service, you will meet your guide and driver at your hotel or accommodation. You will be dropped off at the Esplanade du Trocadéro, near the Eiffel Tower.
If we don't select a car service add-on, how many times will we be taking the metro?
Due to the distance between sites, we will use public transport at least 3 times during the tour. Your guide will help you purchase the tickets on-site. Please note that the cost of the tickets is not included in the total cost of the tour. If you'd like to do the tour by car please add the car service to your cart when booking.
Additional Trip-Planning Resources
A few things that pair well with this tour:
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Your best walking shoes. We’re covering a lot of ground! - An explorer’s mindset and a bit of curiosity.
- A hearty breakfast or lunch before your tour and a full water bottle for the walk.
Will I see all of the major monuments on this tour?
Paris is a large city with a generous amount of famous landmarks. It is nearly impossible to see everything in 4 hours, which is why your expert will take the beginning of your tour to discuss what the best route is for you and your party.
If you are looking for an introductory tour and wish to see the Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower, this is the tour for you.
What other tours should I take along with Paris in a Half-Day?
Any of our museum or food tours would make a great addition to Paris in a Half-Day. If you are looking for outdoor walking highlights, we suggest following this tour with one of our neighborhood tours, such as the Marais Walking Tour or the Montmartre Tour with Sacré Coeur.
We do not, however, suggest reserving the Paris Highlights Tour with Seine Riverboat Cruise or Paris in a Day alongside this tour. These tours visit largely the same monuments and cover the same topics.
Is this tour suitable for children?
While this tour is not specifically designed for kids, we can certainly provide a family-friendly guide to ensure an enjoyable experience for everyone. For a tour tailored specifically to children, we recommend checking out our Paris in a Day for Kids itinerary, which is thoughtfully crafted with young explorers in mind.
What happens if it's raining?
Our tours take place rain or shine, and our expert guides are skilled at adjusting the route to make the most of any weather conditions. Be sure to bring along an umbrella or jacket, just in case, and get ready to have a fantastic time exploring with us.
We understand that some of our valued guests may have mobility concerns, and we want to ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience throughout your tour. If there are any accessibility concerns that your tour guide will need to be aware of, please let our team know at the time of booking.
Is this tour wheelchair-friendly?
Yes, this tour is wheelchair friendly and we would recommend booking a private tour and adding a car service.
If you are interested in visiting the Eiffel Tower after your tour concludes, you can find accessibility information on the official site.
Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.
Where You'll Start
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332 Reviews
Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.
Gil was an exceptional tour guide and fun to spend time with. He was sensitive to our interests in seeing the city and provided much information about the sights that we visited. Thank you Gil!
Lynn
Oct. 24, 2024
Francois was the perfect guide for this tour. We saw parts of Paris we had never visited before and he helped us find a hotel our friends had stayed at in a prior visit. He was very knowledgeable and answered all of our questions. He was also very accommodating when we said we needed to take a break. I would highly recommend Francois and this tour to anyone wanted to get a thorough tour of Paris and its history.
Linda
Oct. 22, 2024
James was my tour guide for the Paris in a Half-Day Tour. His friendliness, in-depth knowledge, and clear passion for Paris history and architecture made this one of the best tours I've had. I highly recommend this tour and James in particular.
Stacy
Oct. 21, 2024
