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.
Route Details
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.
Choose this tour if…
- You want to see French history jump off the page and speak to your teen, taking learning outside of the classroom
- You want to nurture and challenge your child’s perspectives, whether they are a passionate AP history student or find the subject matter difficult or intangible
- You are looking to make collective memories with your family and give yourselves something to talk about long after your trip is over
- You want to let someone else do the planning and research for a few hours, allowing you to sit back and discover alongside your family
Sites Visited
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:
- Pantheon- a neoclassical monument that houses the remains of historical figures from Jean-Jacques Rousseau to Victor Hugo and Voltaire.
- Palais du Luxembourg- 17th-century palace originally built for Queen Marie de Medicis, the palace has set the scene for many important periods in French history.
- Musée de Cluny- a 15th-century Gothic mansion with a Renaissance-period hôtel particulier, it now houses an impressive collection of medieval art, which opened to the public in the 1830s.
- Place des Vosges- a well-known example of early urban design, Paris’ oldest square, has been a backdrop for many major historical events dating back to the early 1600s.
- A hidden spot where you can still see a revolutionary cannonball lodged in the wall of a medieval façade.
- A church that houses some of the oldest political graffiti still visible today.
Logistics
Tickets
This tour visits exterior sites only, therefore, no tickets are necessary.
Transportation
Can I be picked up from my hotel?
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.
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 and a way to capture memories or take notes along the way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I see all of the major monuments on this tour?
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.
Accessibility
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.
Cancellation Policy
Book with confidence — see Context's flexible
cancellation policy here.
