Saint-Jacques Tower

Activities

Forget those dry, dull French History lessons from school—instead join us on a thrilling treasure hunt as you walk the very streets that led to the bloodiest moments in Paris’ past. This 2-hour tour scours the old stones of the heart of Paris, uncovering hidden objects and long-forgotten tales of murder, massacre, and the ferocious fight for freedom. Learn bone-chilling details of when Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette met the blade of the guillotine, or the dark prophecy that led to the demise of a key revolutionary.

On this 2-hour walking tour you will learn about the city’s darker side as you glance into its macabre underbelly. Paris has a long and tragic history of murder and execution, of rampant disease among the lower classes, and of bitter wars fought against a corrupt monarchy. The tour rips open the cloak of darkness, as you wind down alleyways and cut through the hushed night. Your English-speaking guide will take you to sites such as the Place de la Vert Gallant, where the last of the Knights’ Templar was burned at the stake. You will visit St Germain de Auxerrois, where estimates say some 30,000 people were killed in the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre. Your guide will point out places of interest as you stroll, leaving no stone unturned. As you delve into stories of ritual worship, you will learn about characters like Napoleon Bonaparte, Marie Antoinette and Henry IV, as well as the serial killers that once stalked these ghastly streets.

The churches and cathedrals of Paris Old Town are prime examples of Parisian architecture and art. They are also a witness to the complex history of religion in France, from the fall of the Roman Empire to the French Revolution and its aftermath. Discover the most important sacred monuments of the City of Lights with a 5-Star Expert Guide. The 2,5-hour tour includes sightseeing in Paris’s Old Town and a visit to 2 churches. The tour begins with a visit to Saint-Germain-l'Auxerrois, a stunning 12th-century Gothic church located directly across from the Louver Palace. Step inside to admire stained glass, stone sculptures, a Flemish altarpiece and a unique ""churchwarden's pew"". As you explore the church interiors, your Local Guide will entertain you with historical facts and myths about religion in France, including the historic relationship between the King of France and the Pope as well as the reasons for the later separation of the Catholic Church and the State. Take a walk down the picturesque Seine River to see the Saint-Jacques Tower, which is the only remaining part of a 16th-century church that was destroyed during the French Revolution. Head to the Ile de la Cité island and see one of the city’s most prominent icons - the Notre Dame Cathedral. Although the cathedral has been closed since the 2019 fire, you can still admire some of the stunning details of its Gothic exterior. Another amazing church on this route will be Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Originally founded in 506, this historic abbey was the center of intellectual life before the French Revolution. Inside this colorful Gothic church you will find tombs of Rene Descartes, Merovingian kings and other notable figures. Choose the 3,5-hour option to visit one more sacred landmark of Paris, the Sainte-Chapelle (Holy Chapel). This extended tour includes skip-the-line tickets to a royal chapel within the medieval Palais de la Cité, a former residence of the Kings of France. Bypass the crowds and enter a small but richly decorated chapel, which is considered among the highest achievements of the Rayonnant period of Gothic architecture. Admire its stunning interiors and learn about the royal chapel’s important role in the political and cultural ambitions of King Louis IX and his successors.

Explore life in Paris 800 years ago on a 2-hour tour of the most important Medieval sites in the city, including the Hotel de Cluny, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and Fountain of the Innocents. Your guide will tell you about the culture, art, and architecture of the Middle Ages while walking along Medieval streets to discover façades that retain their Medieval symbols. Along the way, visit the imposing Notre-Dame de Paris, the most important monument to Medieval Paris. Wander the Latin Quarter to see where the Medieval lives on today. Pass the Hotel de Cluny, a former mansion of Cluny abbots that is now the Museum of the Middle Ages. Go to the Sorbonne to see one of Europe's oldest universities, and marvel at the Flamboyant Gothic Saint-Jacques Tower, all that remains of the 16th-century Church of Saint-Jacques-de-la-Boucherie. Learn the mercanitile history of Les Halles, and see the oldest intact fountain in Paris at the Fontaine des Innocents. You will even learn the surprising connections the ultra-modern Centre Pompidou has with the Middle Ages!

Step back in time as the dark spirit leads you through the winding paths of Paris, paving a needle road of ghostly encounters, torturous tales, and unsolved mysteries. Hear the whispers of the past as you learn about the enigmatic Henry the Fourth of France, whose tumultuous reign left a haunting imprint on the city's history. Discover the dark legends surrounding Catherine de Medici, the powerful queen whose presence still lingers within the walls of the Louvre, and delve into the gruesome death of Marie Antoinette. Join us for an unforgettable journey into the depths of Paris' haunted history, where every corner holds a new mystery waiting to be uncovered. Whether you're a thrill-seeker or a history buff, this ghost walk promises an evening of spine-tingling excitement that will leave you breathless and craving more.

Go on a journey into the heart of Paris at its most mysterious, and explore the dark side of a city better known for its illuminations.  Your guide will explain to you the mysteries that surround this imposing Notre-Dame Cathedral. Pass along a narrow street where a scary story of medieval blood and ink will be revealed. Then, near the Place Sainte-Opportune, you will discover the narrow and dark rue Courtalon, where once, in the time of Louis XIV, a dark affair took place. Facing Saint-Jacques Tower, discover how reality beats fiction, and in the heart of Rue de la Ferronnerie, learn how “Le Vert Gallant” died. Your guide will tell you about the astrological and astronomical tower of the Black Queen, where the magician at the service of Catherine de Medici practiced black magic inside this tower.

Join a passionate bike guide on a cycling tour around the most spectacular Old Town monuments and nature spots. With so many historic sites to see, there is no better way to explore the City of Lights than on a bike. Get active and learn about French history and culture while exploring the city in the most efficient and environmentally friendly way. During the 2-hour tour, you will hop on a bike and cycle along the Avenue Kléber to Place du Trocadéro, where you can admire the famed view of Palais de Chaillot and the Eiffel Tower across the Seine. Cross the Pont d'Iéna bridge and cycle underneath the Eiffel Tower to fully appreciate its grand scale and iconic beauty. Follow your guide through the quiet green landscape of Champ de Mars to the magnificent military museum complex Les Invalides and St Louis des Invalides Cathedral, where notable French officers like Napoleon are buried. Enjoy the charming atmosphere of busy Parisian streets lined with elegant old tenement houses. Cycle along the romantic Seine River and see the golden replica of Lady Liberty’s torch, Flame of Liberty. The last highlight of this exciting tour will be the iconic Arc de Triomphe, which commemorates Napoleon’s victories. Choose the 4-hour option to enjoy more amazing sights. The alternative, the longer route includes cycling from Les Invalides to the other side of Seine to admire the statue-studded 17th century Tuileries Garden, Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, and the Louvre Palace with its iconic glass Pyramid. Further along, you will see the amazing gilded bronze equestrian statue of Joan of Arc on the charming Rue de Rivoli. Other points of interest will be the stunning Italian-style opera house Palais Garnier, the Madeleine Church, and the Place de la Concorde featuring the iconic Ancient Egyptian Luxor Obelisk, Fontaine des Fleuves, and Fontaine des Mers. The route will continue by art nouveau Grand Palais and end by the monolithic Arc de Triomphe. The 6-hour option offers even more landmarks, historical facts, and cultural anecdotes. The extended route includes cycling from Les Invalides to the beautiful green spaces of the Luxembourg Gardens with the magnificent Luxembourg Palace, which now houses the French Senate. Another sight along the way will be the 18th-century mausoleum Panthéon, where many notable French citizens are buried. Cycle through the “birthplace of Paris”, Ile de la Cité to marvel at the Gothic masterpiece Notre Dame Cathedral. See also the beautiful city hall Hôtel de Ville, and Saint Jacques Tower, and continue past the Louvre. There will also be some free time to grab a croissant or other local snack to fuel up your energy.

Embark on a treasure hunt in Paris and explore the city's top attractions with a fun and unusual outdoor escape game. Follow a treasure map to discover secret places, solve escape-game puzzles, and learn about the incredible story of Marie Curie. Gather your group at the start point near Play-In at 59 Rue de Rivoli. Open a chat with a French soldier who will tell you how to pick up a backpack containing all of the materials that you need to play: treasure maps, boxes, and beautiful tools. Follow a treasure map as you walk through Paris city center, discovering must-see city sites and monuments. Solve puzzles while exploring Paris’ top attractions and having fun with your friends or family on a holiday, bachelorette party, or weekend out. If you only have one day in Paris, this is the way to see it. Learn true stories from the city’s history. As soldiers are leaving Paris in taxis headed to the battlefield, you have a special mission: find the secret weapon left behind by France’s most famous scientist, Marie Curie. Do you have what it takes? Explore the city and solve puzzles in this outdoor escape game to find out.

The churches and cathedrals of Paris Old Town are prime examples of Parisian architecture and art. They are also a witness to the complex history of religion in France, from the fall of the Roman Empire to the French Revolution and its aftermath. Discover the most important sacred monuments of the City of Lights with a 5-Star Expert Guide. The 2,5-hour tour includes sightseeing in Paris’s Old Town and a visit to 2 churches. The tour begins with a visit to Saint-Germain-l'Auxerrois, a stunning 12th-century Gothic church located directly across from the Louver Palace. Step inside to admire stained glass, stone sculptures, a Flemish altarpiece and a unique ""churchwarden's pew"". As you explore the church interiors, your Local Guide will entertain you with historical facts and myths about religion in France, including the historic relationship between the King of France and the Pope as well as the reasons for the later separation of the Catholic Church and the State. Take a walk down the picturesque Seine River to see the Saint-Jacques Tower, which is the only remaining part of a 16th-century church that was destroyed during the French Revolution. Head to the Ile de la Cité island and see one of the city’s most prominent icons - the Notre Dame Cathedral. Although the cathedral has been closed since the 2019 fire, you can still admire some of the stunning details of its Gothic exterior. Another amazing church on this route will be Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Originally founded in 506, this historic abbey was the center of intellectual life before the French Revolution. Inside this colorful Gothic church you will find tombs of Rene Descartes, Merovingian kings and other notable figures. Choose the 3,5-hour option to visit one more sacred landmark of Paris, the Sainte-Chapelle (Holy Chapel). This extended tour includes skip-the-line tickets to a royal chapel within the medieval Palais de la Cité, a former residence of the Kings of France. Bypass the crowds and enter a small but richly decorated chapel, which is considered among the highest achievements of the Rayonnant period of Gothic architecture. Admire its stunning interiors and learn about the royal chapel’s important role in the political and cultural ambitions of King Louis IX and his successors.

Take a relaxed, guided walk through Paris, from Notre-Dame Cathedral and the city’s medieval period through the late 19th century and the Paris of today. This 6-hour tour not only gives you an overview of the city’s architecture, history, and the history of art, it also presents you with an image of the role and importance of Paris throughout European history. If your visit to Paris is a short one, you’ll see all the highlights on this tour and get a good idea of what the city has to offer. If you’re staying for a longer period, the tour will provide a foundation for you to continue exploring the city on your own. See Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Shakespeare and Co. bookstore, the Latin Quarter, Hotel de Ville, Tour St. Jacques, Les Halles, the Cathedral of Saint Eustache, the Cour Carré and the Louvre, Place Vendôme, Place de la Concorde, the Champs-Élysées, and more.