Paris History Tour: The French Revolution

Learn about 18th century revolutionary Paris and it's historical importance with a history expert

(4.65)

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From $124 for 1 person

Tour Details

About the Tour

Category: History, Small Group Tours, Five Days in Paris
Duration: 3 hours
Location: Paris

Photos & Highlights

Clarifies the tangled timeline of the 1789 Revolution and those that followed while highlighting the vestiges of 18th century revolutionary Paris
Led by an expert historian
Bastille, Hôtel de Ville, Place de la Concorde, Église Saint-Paul-Saint-Louis, Place des Vosges , and Marais

Tour Description

On the afternoon of July 14, 1789, a rebelling rabble laid siege to France's most-hated fortress: the Bastille. Freeing the few remaining political prisoners, the mob began, stone-by-stone, dismantling the building that had come to symbolize the injustice of the old regime. This was the Revolution of 1789. On this 3-hour French Revolution Tour in Paris, we will discover the influences that contributed to this rebellion, forever transforming the country. Led by an expert historian, we will study its different stages, and how it served as a precursor to the revolutions that followed in the 19th century, the effects of which reverberate to this day.

French Revolution Tour Paris

Our walking tour begins at the former site of the hated prison. Initially built as a defense against the English during the Hundred Years' War, the Bastille eventually became a detention center for aristocratic prisoners. Though the actual number of detainees was quite low in 1789, overthrowing the tyranny of the Bastille became the symbol of the Republican movement. Now a traffic roundabout adorned with the July Column—a monument to the later Revolution of 1830—Place de la Bastille bears little resemblance to the former prison complex of the 18th century. Even so, it has a story to tell. Together, we will trace the former outlines of the Bastille, thus setting the tone for our walk.

"Our guide clarified the rapidly evolving timeline of the French Revolution, even bringing along visuals of the many sites that are no longer standing. Her expertise and passion for sharing her insights into this period of French history was palpable and much appreciated."

Place des Vosges

As we move on from Place de la Bastille, we will encounter the neighborhood that once surrounded the fortress. Our guide will paint a picture of daily life in the crowded quartier, and the sharp division between the aristocrats and the lower classes. Entering the Place des Vosges, one of Paris' most treasured green spaces, we'll snag a bench under the trees to get to the heart of the conflict. It was here that Victor Hugo penned his famous work Les Miserables, and we may discuss this powerful piece of historical fiction, as well as the complex political factors that characterized France's first revolutionary period. With our newfound knowledge in mind, we’ll then pass through the Marais neighborhood to study the mansions that represented the wealth of the hated French nobility, putting the class tensions into context (a topic we delve into more on our Marais Walking Tour).

Continued Strife

We will continue on to the Hôtel de Ville, Paris' city hall. As a symbol of the government, its central square became a key location in each subsequent revolution. It was even set alight by revolutionaries during the Commune of 1871. When rebuilt, its controversial balcony was not included (which, yes, will factor into our discussion). We will certainly analyze the role this building played in political movements of the 19th century, which provides a good opportunity to introduce the continuing unrest which ignited the post-1789 revolutions.

At this point, we will return to our focus on the 1789 revolution, boarding the métro to travel a few stops to the Palais Royal. Here, on the site where the mob that sparked the first revolution formed on the night of July 13th, we may discuss the role played by Philippe Égalité, a royal who supported the revolution (though he was executed all the same). Following our stroll through the garden, we’ll continue on through the Jardin des Tuileries. These royal gardens became public after the revolution of 1789, but here we will talk about the gardens as a symbol of the dissolution of royal power by introducing the former Tuileries Palace, which was burnt down in 1871.

Take Aways

As we come to the perimeter of the Tuileries, we will look out at the expanse of the Place de la Concorde, which served as the site of the feared guillotine during the Reign of Terror. Here, our walk will end with a discussion of the impact of these historical events on politics, society, and culture in France today. By the end of our walk, we will emerge with a clearer understanding of how the Revolution of 1789 indelibly transformed French society, and how its key events and locations contributed to later conflicts.

FAQ

Is this tour walking intensive and/or wheelchair accessible?
We do cover extensive territory on this tour, some of it by public transport. Please contact us if you have mobility concerns; we will be happy to advise if this tour will be appropriate for you.

Do we visit the Carnavalet museum with this itinerary?
We will not be visiting the museum on our tour, but do encourage you to visit on your own after the tour. The discussions we have on our tour will provide context for understanding the Carnavalet's revolution rooms.

Where You'll Start

Tour Experts

Marie

The daughter of a sculptor, Marie has been surrounded by art ever since she was born. A native Parisienne, she holds an undergraduate degree in history and art history, with a specialty in iconography and French and Flemish paintings from the 16th to the 18th centuries. She also holds a Master's degree in museology from the Ecole du Louvre and one in Art History from the Sorbonne. She currently works for the French National Art History Institute on special cultural events. Since she loves literature, ballet, theatre, opera, jazz clubs, and classical concerts—she has been playing the piano since she was 9—Paris and its artistic life are a perfect fit.

Thibaud

Born and raised not far from Paris, Thibaud has been an art and history enthusiast since childhood. He became a national tour guide after graduating with a master's degree in art history and archeology. Being able to transmit the anecdotes and stories he's gathered through his studies, walks, and readings to other enthusiasts is his dream come true.

Gil

A native of San Diego (USA), Gil graduated in Politics and English from Brandeis University and later earned two Master's degrees: the first in Public Administration from New York University, and the second a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. After earning his MFA and producing his first book, Gil moved to Paris for a Parisienne and hasn't looked back. For over a decade Gil has lived, written, worked, and led tours in Paris. His background in literature - both canonized and contemporary - combined with his understanding of the inner workings of cities have enabled Gil to tell his narratives as experiences and provide unique insights into Parisian life.

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210 Reviews – (4.65)

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Our only downside of the tour was we were standing for all of it, and it would have been nice to sit at a table or bench while he was telling us information.

Kathi

May. 25, 2023

We had the best time with Jean-Philippe. We could not have asked for a more informative, educational and fun tour. Thank you so much. One of our favorites of the 15-20 we have done with context travel

Eric

May. 23, 2023

Thibaud was amazing! He had a deep knowledge of French history and managed to be completely charming and entertaining while educating us. We can’t imagine how his tour could be improved, it exceeded all our expectations. Bravo!

Andrew

May. 15, 2023

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