paris highlights tour

Sites and Insights: An Expert-Led Paris Welcome Tour

Your first taste of Paris, side-by-side with a local guide

The Finer Details
You are full of wonder at finally experiencing the legendary city that is Paris, but wondering how to start exploring. That’s where this highlights tour to the City of Light comes in. A 2.5 hour experience to welcome you to Paris and provide the context you crave - you’ll dive into history, sites both on and beyond the beaten track, language, and even food, whetting your cultural appetite and receiving the keys for deeper exploration on your own.

Route Details

You’ve always dreamt of Paris, and after ages of anticipation and planning, you are finally here. You step out of a taxi for the first time and you are struck by all of the sites, sounds, and smells of the City of Light at once–the elegant architecture, the echo of church bells in the distance, the unforgettable scent of a freshly-baked baguette wafting down the cobbled street. 

You will meet your local expert on the enchanting Île Saint Louis, an island in the heart of the city. From here, you will begin an unforgettable walk through essential neighborhoods and past inimitable monuments.  From Île Saint Louis to Notre Dame Cathedral, through the Latin Quarter and Saint-Germain-des-Prés, you’ll be charmed by the picturesque streets and historic cafés on every corner. You’ll want to taste all of the treats in all of the shop windows, and luckily for you, your local expert may know just the spot for a touch of indulgence! 

You’ll continue on, crossing the Pont des Arts, through the courtyards of the Louvre Museum, and down through the Tuileries Garden, where Parisians often stop for a mid-day sunbath. You will end your visit with a fitting finale: an unforgettable view of the Seine as it stretches onwards towards the Eiffel Tower.

As Hemingway said, “Paris is a feast”, so why not treat yourself to the perfect introduction with a local expert? 

Choose this tour if…

  • It is your first time in Paris, and you want to get your bearings, learn how to navigate the city, and be able to locate all of the essential monuments and neighborhoods
  • You want the requisite introduction to the city, but still want time to wander on your own after your Paris highlights tour. 
  • You’d like tips and tricks for your stay in Paris, and want them to come from a local resident. 
  • You want to fall in love with Paris for the first time or for the tenth!

Additional Trip-Planning Resources

  • For more information on planning your travels to France, take a read through our Context Stories.
  • Don’t forget to come prepared with some comfy but stylish walking shoes 
Book a Tour
"Worth every minute"
"Simply superb tour with an expert view on this aspect of Paris. Worth every minute of it!"

-Mary Anne D.
"Secrets and inside information"
"Andres is great, you can see that he knows Paris very well and he is happy to share all his little secrets and inside information with you."

Daniela M.
Where You’ll Go

From iconic landmarks to tucked-away local favorites, these are the places you’ll explore and experience firsthand with your Expert.

  • Notre-Dame Cathedral
    Parisian Gothic cathedral renowned for architecture, sculptures, and stained glass.
  • Latin Quarter
    Paris neighborhood known for historic streets, universities, and cultural life.
  • Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood
  • Île de la Cité
  • Pont des Arts
  • Tuileries Garden
  • Place de la Concorde
What’s Included As Standard
Here’s a look at what your tour covers, plus anything you’ll want to consider arranging separately, so you can plan with confidence.
Included
  • English-speaking expert guide
    Tours led in English, offering you unbroken understanding throughout.
  • Intentionally sized groups
    A smaller group means more time for conversations and questions.
  • Tickets and entrance fees
    All entry tickets included (unless clearly stated otherwise).
  • Headsets
    Headsets are included on tours that need them, so every word can be heard.
Excluded
  • Gratuities
    We encourage tipping as a way to thank your guide after your experience.
  • Food and drink
    Refreshments are only included during a tour when clearly noted.
  • Transportation to and from the meeting point
    Guests organize pre- and post-tour transport themselves - this service can be added by request.
  • Hotel pickup or drop-off
    Unless noted, travel to or from accommodation isn’t included - this service can be added by request.
Where You'll Explore
Map of Sites and Insights: An Expert-Led Paris Welcome Tour general meeting point area

Make the Most of Your Tour

Some helpful advice for getting the most from your experience, from practical prep to small on-the-day tips.

Dos:
  • Wear comfortable footwear
  • Check the weather and dress appropriately
  • Bring a bottle of water (no glass)
  • Feel free to ask your Expert anything
Don'ts:
  • Bring firearms or weapons
  • Bring sharp objects (e.g. knives, swiss army knives, switchblades, hiking sticks)
  • Dress inappropriately to enter religious sites or sacred monuments
Any questions? You can always contact us.

Frequently Asked Questions

Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here
Paris is a large city with a generous number of famous landmarks. It is nearly impossible to see everything in 2.5 hours, but you will see a fair few! Your expert will be glad to give you all of the info you need to head toward major sites not visited on this tour, such as the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, or Sacré Coeur at the end of your time together. 
Our introduction to Paris covers the beautiful and intriguing neighborhoods and monuments in the heart of the city. The Eiffel Tower is located a bit further afield. If you are interested in this itinerary but would like to continue onward to visit the Arc de Triomphe and view the Eiffel Tower with a Context expert, check out our Paris in a Half-Day Tour.

For clients wishing to get an introductory overview of the city and continue on to experience the highlights of the Louvre, take a look at our Paris in a Day Tour. 
For our private tours, you can request a transfer service from your hotel for an additional cost. The car service will pick you up at your accommodation and drop you off at the meeting point of the tour, where you will meet your expert. Please leave a note when booking your tour if you would like to request a transfer. 
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?
This tour takes place entirely outdoors in the heart of Paris; therefore, stairs & entryways are not a problem. Paris sidewalks are, however, very narrow and often uneven. The streets are often cobbled or difficult to navigate in certain kinds of wheelchairs. 

Don’t just take our word for it

222 Reviews

Isabelle was a phenomenal guide. My husband and I had such an incredible time learning about this history of Paris. She was knowledgeable, fun and very charming. I highly recommend talking a tour with her. She was a delight and made our short time in Paris a true joy.

Hugo was FABULOUS. Exceptionally knowledgeable and friendly. Great detail. Highlight of our trip

Pauline was absolutely wonderful, a fantastic combination of warm and knowledgeable. She engaged our tired teens beautifully and kept us energized on a cold day. This was a perfect way to start our family visit to Paris.

Let Your Curiosity Shape Your Journey

Join passionate experts on intimate walking tours that reveal a city’s unique stories, spark conversations, and leave you seeing the world—and yourself—a little differently.

Structured, never scripted

Your interests guide your Expert, leading to stories and perspectives that matter to you.

Crafted for conversation

With ten or fewer guests, ask questions, engage with your Expert, and fully immerse yourself.

Experts, not guides

Explore with 1,200+ Experts—from historians and architects to archaeologists and chefs.