Tour Details
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Product Type
- Tour
- Venues
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- Notre Dame Cathedral
- 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
- Experience iconic sites, like Notre Dame Cathedral, the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs-Élysées, and the Eiffel Tower, in uniquely-tailored tours
- Understand how legendary Kings, Queens, Emperors, artists, and inventors shaped Paris with an in-depth exploration that sets the stage for deeper connection throughout the remainder of your stay.
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Tour Description
You’ve dreamed of coming to Paris your whole life, curious to know what makes her so special. With only a limited time in Paris, you want to make sure you’ve made the most of every moment, but you yearn to see beyond the surface, to understand how Paris transformed from fields and marshland into a beacon of beauty that is synonymous with romance and an icon of architecture, copied and admired the world over.
Over four hours, a local Expert well-versed in French history and culture will bring landmarks to life, helping you understand the surprising stories and lesser-known histories of world-renowned monuments, like Notre Dame Cathedral, the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs-Élysées, and the Eiffel Tower. Discover the impact they’ve had on Paris and the world, all the while creating memories to last a lifetime.
Choose this tour if...
- You’ve fallen in love with Paris from afar and want an in-depth look at her close up
- You want an Expert’s insight into the history of iconic landmarks like Notre Dame, the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs-Élysées, and the Eiffel Tower
- You are looking to make lifelong memories with your family and give yourselves something to talk about long after your trip is over
- You are intrigued by Paris’ history, architecture, artists, royalty, and the French Revolution
- You are curious about Paris’ neighborhoods and what makes them special
Experts
Engage the whole family
“Lily was absolutely wonderful on our half-day tour of Paris with Context. My three teens loved her as did I. She was fun, informative, flexible, and just a joy to be with. When we come back to Paris, we will come straight back to do another tour with Lily! She is the best!”
Start your time in Paris on the right foot
“Eric’s intro to Paris tour was exceptional and extraordinary as was his knowledge and contextual storytelling. It was truly the perfect way to kick off our time in Paris and garner perspective to fully appreciate and see it in a new light. It was also an efficient way to see a number of iconic sites and places without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.”
Gain a deeper understanding of the City of Light
"Michael was the best guide we've ever had. Michael was interested in customizing the tour for our interests, was concerned about our enjoyment of the tour and was comprehensively knowledgeable about Paris. Michael was familiar with all the top of mind facts and history but also showed an incredible depth of knowledge and had a real interest in our quirky personal interest. During our tour, Michael brought Paris alive with fascinating details and context covering history, theology architecture, art, culture, and the people of Paris."
Beginning in the heart of the Left Bank, you’ll stroll through the cobbled streets of Saint-Germain-des-Près, discovering this haven for artists and writers of the Lost Generation, like Hemingway, Joyce, and Picasso. Perhaps you’ll happen upon one of Paris’ few remaining covered passageways for a glimpse of Paris in the 1700s before making your way to the Latin Quarter, where you’ll feel the atmosphere shift as you discover the Sorbonne and its intellectual history, Roman ruins, and gargoyles with quirky personalities.
Then, it’s off to the Seine. Pause for a moment on the bridge before heading to the island of Île de la Cité. Now in the official center of the city, you’ll notice the architecture change and learn why this shift occurred. Stand before Notre Dame, nearly destroyed three times in its storied past, now an icon whose resilience is a testament to the enduring spirit of Paris and her people.
From here, your Expert may lead you to the gardens of the Louvre, once a royal residence and now home to the largest museum in the world, to Palais Royal, where royals once threw lavish balls and revolutionaires gathered, or you may head directly up the Champs-Élysées, the world’s most famous avenue, to the Arc de Triomphe, which began as braggery and transitioned to tribute.
No matter your adventure, your local Expert will accompany you on the Parisian metro (a rite of passage for any true Parisian) to a breathtaking view of the Eiffel Tower from the Trocadéro gardens. Here, your Context guide will bid you farewell. If you have pre-purchased your own tickets, now is the perfect time to ascend the tower.
With imaginations sparked in both young and old, by the end of your half day in Paris, you'll understand why so many artists have flocked to its cafés, why revolutionaries rose on its streets, and why it continues to be a beacon of inspiration.
- The Paris Left Bank, including Saint-Germain-des-Près and the Latin Quarter, is a vibrant cultural and artistic hub famous for its historic landmarks, intellectual history, Medieval streets and Gothic churches.
- Île de la Cité, home to iconic attractions like Notre Dame, Sainte Chapelle, and the Conciergerie, offering a long and colorful past. (Exteriors only)
- Paris Right Bank views of the Champs-Elysées, Arc de Triomphe, and Eiffel Tower. (Exteriors 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:
- 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 this Paris city tour. 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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405 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.
Samuel was great. Excellent guide. Had a great tour
John
Jun 12, 2025
Our goal was to provide an introduction to Paris for the two members of our family visiting the city for the first time, no small task! Michael managed to provide just that, weaving in interesting historical anecdotes at each stop, along with guidance on how to use the Metro and patient answers to all of the myriad of questions about making the most of our stay. Bravo & thank you, Michael!
Gayle
Jun 4, 2025
Carine is the best tour guide we have ever had, and we have been on many premium tours around the world. She has a tremendous fund of knowledge about Paris where she has lived her entire life. Coupled with her extensive knowledge of art, architecture, and history this made for a terrific educational experience. In addition Carine has a very pleasing and pleasant personality and saw to our every need in a considerate and solicitous way! She truly went the extra mile. I would be honored to go on additional tours with her if that opportunity presented itself.
Martin
Jun 2, 2025
