Renaissance, Revolution, and Resistance: A Paris History Tour for Teens

Many teens are drawn to the power and drama of true historical events, but dislike dull dates and dry facts. On this French history tour designed with teens in mind, go beyond the challenge of memorizing the concepts, names, and dates presented in a classroom curriculum, and instead experience them in person. Among many possibilities, you may step into life as it really was for key characters involved in the September massacre through vivid, real-life stories; wander the streets where members of the Resistance plotted their next actions, or explore the long-term effects of the French Revolution through the true tales of those who lived it. 

Long after you part ways with your Context expert, your teen will be able to recall historical events easily and accurately through their memories of exploring Paris with a local expert in French history.

Starting in the shadow of the Pantheon, where the remains of many great historical figures are housed, your expert will lay the foundation for the three major themes of your visit- the Renaissance, the Revolution, and the Resistance. Immediately, the layered history hidden around every corner and beneath each cobblestone will leap to life.

The Palais de Luxembourg, for example, finds its roots in the Renaissance, served as a prison and the seat of the French Directory during the French Revolution, and was requisitioned as the headquarters of the Luftwaffe during World War II. This is but one of the dozens of examples your expert might provide to illuminate you and your family on the significance of Paris throughout European history. 

As you wander from the Left Bank to the Right, you may stop in front of the Sorbonne and imagine yourself standing in the same spot as one of its many celebrated students through the centuries, such as Marie Curie or Honoré de Balzac. Continuing on, perhaps you will pause at buildings where members of the French resistance met in secret to plan the sabotage of local telecommunication networks, in front of the prison where 160 prisoners were gruesomely massacred during the French Revolution, or catch a glimpse of some Revolutionary-era political graffiti. 

Be sure to ask questions of your expert throughout your time together. Do you struggle to keep your French monarchs and their various conquests straight? Your expert may have just the anecdote or site to not only aid in your learning but also ignite a new excitement for the stories and characters at the core of European history. They will leave you with a memento or two to help continue your learning, and your family with memories that will remain and enrich your child’s studies and interests long after your trip is over. 

Exact sites will be adapted to the interests of your family, depending on the historical themes you wish to explore the most. Don’t hesitate to let your expert know should you have any particular interests. Please note that all visits on this tour itinerary are exterior. Here are a few places you might expect to visit: 

This tour visits exterior sites only, therefore, no tickets are necessary. 

You may reserve a transfer from your hotel to the pick-up spot where you will meet your expert guide for this tour. Please select the ‘Private Car from Your Hotel in Paris’ option when adding the tour to your cart and provide us with your hotel details. 

Paris is a large city with a generous number of famous landmarks. This itinerary concentrates on smaller sites that have played an important role in the history of the titular themes, though you will likely catch glimpses of monuments such as Notre Dame along the way.

Is this tour appropriate for younger children? 

The themes of the tour can most likely be adapted to an older middle school audience, depending on their interest in history, but it is truly intended for families with students in high school. The aim is to provide context for the students to return and apply directly to their studies, and therefore, approaches many of the themes with the AP European History curriculum in mind. 

Can my child attend this tour without me?
Unfortunately, for insurance reasons, we cannot accept clients under the age of 18 without the company of an adult. 

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.

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. 

Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.