Tour Details
- Duration
- 2.5 hours
- Product Type
- Tour
- Venues
-
- Sainte Chapelle
- Notre Dame Cathedral (exterior only)
- Conciergerie
- Church of Saint-Séverin
- Saint-Jacques Tower
- Église Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre
- Île de la Cité
Photos & Highlights
- Led by a historian experienced with children, you will unravel the mysteries and architectural wonders of Paris – all set against the backdrop of the city's medieval charm.
- Planning to visit Paris for the 2024 Olympics? While this tour pauses during the games, we offer a variety of other walking tours throughout the summer.
Select a date
Tour Description
Experience an enchanting 2.5-hour adventure on Île de la Cité with your family. Hosted by an engaging art historian specially skilled in captivating young minds, this immersive walking tour will ignite your children's imaginations as they delve into the mysteries and architectural wonders of Gothic Paris, from intriguing gargoyles to breathtaking stained glass windows.
As you navigate the medieval labyrinth of the Latin Quarter, you'll uncover the birth of the Gothic style, starting with the awe-inspiring Église Saint-Séverin and its ancient bell.
While the interior of Notre Dame Cathedral is currently closed to the public due to a fire, you'll still be able to admire the exterior splendor of this iconic landmark and its gargoyle companions. Next up, is the breathtaking Sainte-Chapelle, a Gothic masterpiece with exquisite stained glass windows that offer a fascinating glimpse into the delicate art of glasswork during this era.
Your journey will also take you to the historic Conciergerie – once the residence of France's early royals and later a notorious prison during the Revolution. You'll conclude your tour with a visit to the magnificent Saint-Jacques Tower, a mysterious Gothic belfry filled with intriguing sculptures.
By the end of this adventure, your young adventurers will have a solid understanding of Gothic architecture and be inspired to continue their exploration of Paris's rich history. Prepare for a memorable experience that sparks their curiosity.
As you navigate the medieval labyrinth of the Latin Quarter, you'll uncover the birth of the Gothic style, starting with the awe-inspiring Église Saint-Séverin and its ancient bell.
While the interior of Notre Dame Cathedral is currently closed to the public due to a fire, you'll still be able to admire the exterior splendor of this iconic landmark and its gargoyle companions. Next up, is the breathtaking Sainte-Chapelle, a Gothic masterpiece with exquisite stained glass windows that offer a fascinating glimpse into the delicate art of glasswork during this era.
Your journey will also take you to the historic Conciergerie – once the residence of France's early royals and later a notorious prison during the Revolution. You'll conclude your tour with a visit to the magnificent Saint-Jacques Tower, a mysterious Gothic belfry filled with intriguing sculptures.
By the end of this adventure, your young adventurers will have a solid understanding of Gothic architecture and be inspired to continue their exploration of Paris's rich history. Prepare for a memorable experience that sparks their curiosity.
Does this tour include climbing the bell towers of Notre Dame or a visit of the interior? Will we be visiting the crypt as well?
No, this tour does not include access to the towers or the interior of Notre Dame Cathedral, nor does it include a visit to the crypt. Due to the 2019 fire, the venue is still closed to guests.
Does this tour include climbing the Saint-Jacques Tower?
No, the tour does not include climbing the Saint-Jacques Tower. However, if you'd like to visit the tower, your guide can assist you in purchasing tickets at the end of the tour.
Is this tour wheelchair accessible?
Notre Dame Cathedral and Sainte-Chapelle are wheelchair accessible, but the Conciergerie is not. If you have mobility concerns, please contact us, and we can design an adjusted tour to accommodate your needs.
Where do we meet? Where does it end?
The tour generally begins near Place Saint-Michel, and the exact meeting point details and a map will be provided in your confirmation email. Typically, the tour ends on the Île de la Cité.
What if it's raining?
Tours operate rain or shine. In case of inclement weather, your guide will modify the tour to include more indoor visits. It's a good idea to have an umbrella on hand just in case.
Will you pre-purchase tickets?
Yes, if you've selected the tickets at the time of booking, we will pre-purchase the combined Sainte-Chapelle+Conciergerie ticket in advance of your tour. Your guide will have these tickets ready for you. Please note that this tour does not include access to the towers or the interior of Notre Dame, nor the Saint-Jacques Tower.
What are skip-the-line tickets?
Skip-the-line tickets allow you to bypass the ticket purchasing line and go directly to the security line at the chapel. However, you may still need to wait in the security line, which can move slowly due to increased security at the Justice Palace next door.
Can I use the Museum Pass?
Unfortunately, the Museum Pass cannot be used for this tour. Tickets are mandatory and cannot be canceled or modified. While the Museum Pass is accepted at both the Sainte-Chapelle and Conciergerie, it does not guarantee skip-the-line access. Instead, we use E-tickets to expedite entry to Sainte-Chapelle due to long waiting lines.
No, this tour does not include access to the towers or the interior of Notre Dame Cathedral, nor does it include a visit to the crypt. Due to the 2019 fire, the venue is still closed to guests.
Does this tour include climbing the Saint-Jacques Tower?
No, the tour does not include climbing the Saint-Jacques Tower. However, if you'd like to visit the tower, your guide can assist you in purchasing tickets at the end of the tour.
Is this tour wheelchair accessible?
Notre Dame Cathedral and Sainte-Chapelle are wheelchair accessible, but the Conciergerie is not. If you have mobility concerns, please contact us, and we can design an adjusted tour to accommodate your needs.
Where do we meet? Where does it end?
The tour generally begins near Place Saint-Michel, and the exact meeting point details and a map will be provided in your confirmation email. Typically, the tour ends on the Île de la Cité.
What if it's raining?
Tours operate rain or shine. In case of inclement weather, your guide will modify the tour to include more indoor visits. It's a good idea to have an umbrella on hand just in case.
Will you pre-purchase tickets?
Yes, if you've selected the tickets at the time of booking, we will pre-purchase the combined Sainte-Chapelle+Conciergerie ticket in advance of your tour. Your guide will have these tickets ready for you. Please note that this tour does not include access to the towers or the interior of Notre Dame, nor the Saint-Jacques Tower.
What are skip-the-line tickets?
Skip-the-line tickets allow you to bypass the ticket purchasing line and go directly to the security line at the chapel. However, you may still need to wait in the security line, which can move slowly due to increased security at the Justice Palace next door.
Can I use the Museum Pass?
Unfortunately, the Museum Pass cannot be used for this tour. Tickets are mandatory and cannot be canceled or modified. While the Museum Pass is accepted at both the Sainte-Chapelle and Conciergerie, it does not guarantee skip-the-line access. Instead, we use E-tickets to expedite entry to Sainte-Chapelle due to long waiting lines.
Where You'll Start
114 Reviews
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Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.
Marie was an amazing tour guide! We learned so much about gothic architecture and saw many hidden gems in Paris.
Rachel
Jul. 19, 2023
Terrible tour all around. Our guide gave the kids two note pads and then never engaged them again. We've done plenty of kid focused tours and they have all been wonderful, this one was a complete waste of time and money. She was completely uninspiring and most of all showed no interesting in the kids or making them excited about the city at all. I wish we would have walked about those sites on our own. We have an upcoming louvre tour coming up and I can only hope it isn't as bad as those one.
Brett
Jun. 18, 2023
She was wonderful. Can’t wait to send clients to her
Kristina
Apr. 10, 2023
