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Black Cab Heritage Tours

Enjoy a driving tour in a Muggle taxi through historic London, and visit some of the most iconic Harry Potter filming locations including the perfect photo opportunity at Platform 3/4!

Visit the haunts and the homes of The Beatles across London in an iconic London Taxi and discover their history in the English capital following the steps of Lennon, McCartney, Harrison, and Starr.

Enjoy a 2-hour private driving tour of Westminster and Central London, the hub of British Royalty, Power, and Politics, in an iconic London Taxi.

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The Premier Classic London: Private 4-Hour Tour in a Black Cab

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• Tours are priced per cab, not per person
• Outstanding Customer Service
• Professional & Knowledgeable Driver Guides
• Iconic London Black Cab

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Description

• Enjoy  hotel pick-up  from any central London hotel;
• Discover the best 6 and most popular attractions that are the essence of the city;
• Get a taste of the real London with a “cabbie”, a professional driver-guide who knows the city inside out,
• Visit notable sites and landmarks while your local guide shares interesting stories and history at each locale;
• Stop at several quintessential London must-sees, including  Buckingham Palace ,  Trafalgar Square ,  Hyde Park ,  Royal Albert Hall ,  St Paul’s Cathedral , and  St James’s Palace;
• Catch the ‘ Changing the Guard ’ ceremony for tours starting at 10 am or earlier (subject to weather and scheduled);
• Hop back in for an easy drive to  Westminster Abbey  and the  Palace of Westminster;
• Drive alongside the  Thames River  to the  Tower of London , where true stories seem more like fiction than fact!
• Enjoy  drop-off in any central London location of your hotel.

During the Premier Classic London Tour, your knowledgeable guide will warmly greet you at your central London hotel or chosen location. 

Throughout the 4-hour tour, you will have the opportunity to discover the history behind at least 6 popular London landmarks, all while comfortably riding in an iconic black cab.

Your guide will ensure that you have plenty of chances to snap memorable photos and can even recommend the best spots for dining, shopping, or any other of your interests for the rest of your trip.

At the end of the tour, you’ll have the option to be dropped off at your hotel or any other central location of your choice.

It’s important to note that this tour doesn’t include entry to any attractions or tickets.

Please note: that the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace happens on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, but can be subject to change and weather conditions. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays you will see the changing of the Horseguards at Horse Guards Parade on Whitehall. You can check the schedule here: View Calendar

Departure & Return Location

Centrally located hotel in London

Departure Time

8 am, 9 am, 2 pm & 3 pm

What's Included

• An iconic London Black Cab
• Pick-Up & Drop-Off from your centrally located hotel in London
• A Professional Driver Guide

What's not included

• Food & Drinks
• Airport or Heathrow pickup

Suggested Stops Order is subject to the starting point and guest's interests

• Overview of London
• City of Westminster,
• Parliament Sq,
• Westminster Abbey,
• Buckingham Palace,
• St James’s Palace
• Trafalgar Sq,
• Piccadilly Circus,
• St Paul’s Cathedral,
• Tower Bridge,
• Tower of London viewing points,
• Shakespeare Globe.

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The Extended Ultimate London: Private 8-hour Tour in a Black Cab

We had a great time. Dennis was fantastic. The cab was clean and comfortable. Dennis was very good and had a great attitude. He had snacks and drinks ready for us and took great pictures. I highly recommend this tour. At the end, he took us to our dinner reservation! Perfect time

Oh my! Where to begin…..from private pick-up/drop-off to complete customized Half-day touring with a fantastic historian & cab driver! TONY was the best!!! My 14 yr old daughter loved seeing Abbey Road & other Beatles hangouts, Harry Potter-inspired areas, my husband saw the Concorde and Winston Churchill hang outs and we all enjoyed the cool popular sites including Parliament, Westminster, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Tower bridge and quick eats/drinks on demand…what a wonderful half day! Tony even sent us extra photos he took of us all…We’ll definitely be back again….

Our private tour guide was Dave C and we was terrific. We are a family of 5 and have 3 boys (ages 20, 18, 14). We planned this half day tour to give us a good lay of the land in London as well as teach us all about the city. Dave was punctual (a little early, in fact) and was the perfect guide. He catered the tour to what our interests were and was so knowledgeable about London and it’s history. He was also a super nice, funny, friendly and accomodating guy. We hopped out at certain sights and he took pictures of us when we requested. He had great recommendations for lunch (The George Pub was awesome!) and we all felt just a bit smarter and more “in the know” on all things London after our 4 hour ride with him. I highly recommend this company as they were very communicative before and after the trip.

richoconnor6

We had a great day with Moses as our tour guide. He was incredibly knowledgeable and friendly. We were able to see many different attractions throughout the city and get some insider knowledge from Moses. We would definitely recommend this half day tour!

We just came back from a tour with Graham Perry, an excellent tour with a very knowledgeable and generally great tour guide. We really enjoyed the time, which was customized after what we were interested in, took us to wide variety of places in London that I’ve never been to, and had no idea existed, overall a great tour that I would definitely recommend.

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Reserve Your Spot with Confidence! Full Refunds with 24 Hrs Notice. Reschedule at any point, even after tour, if space allows!

London Black Cab Tours

Famous the world over, London black cabs are iconic symbols of our city, right alongside red telephone boxes and Big Ben. It is estimated that today there are over 22,000 black cabs operating in London and, despite the name, they don’t necessarily need to be painted black and you will see cabs of different colours throughout the city – even baby pink!  But did you know that your taxi driver may also double as a tour guide?  There are actually many London black tours available and we list a few of the top choices below.

Black Cab Tours

Not only are these cabs an iconic part of London, they are also a great way to explore London as many drivers operate as tour guides as well. Many cab drivers offer guided tours of London from the luxury of the backseat of their taxi cabs. While the idea of your cab driving giving you a tour may sound a bit strange, you’ll find that the amount these men and women know about London is staggering, all thanks to their training process, known as The Knowledge.

Which London Black Cab Tour is Best?

London Historical Taxi Tours

There are many different black cab tours to choose from, of course, but our favourite is run by our friends at London Historical Taxi Tours!

All London Historical Taxi tours offer full commentary with photo opportunities along the way. You can also personalize your London tour to fit in with any special requests you may have such as music tours, tours of parks, the West End, etc. Whatever your preferences are, they can make a tour for you.

Their London Taxi tours will collect you from your hotel or place of residence, and take you on your personal tour of London. Your driver, who has completed the world famous "Knowledge," has been able to memorize 25,000 of the capital’s streets and as well as 10s of thousands of landmarks.  

Your tour guide will be a qualified London licensed black cab driver who will provide fascinating facts about London and and all the landmarks that our city has to offer. Once your tour has finished, you can be dropped anywhere in central London to carry on with the rest of your day.

The London Taxi Tour starts from £150 for 3 hours and can accommodate up to 5 persons - with other rates available on request. All their prices are fully inclusive and you only pay for the taxi not per person.

Just e-mail us to book!

Specialised Black Cab Tours

Night Taxi Tour of London

If you want to see London at night, but don't fancy taking a walk with Free Tours By Foot, then this tour is for you!

Let London Historical Taxi Tours take you round the sights of London including Tower Bridge, Big Ben, Piccadilly Circus, Buckingham Palace, st Paul's Cathedral and Waterloo Bridge.

All our tours come with driver commentary and opportunities to take photographs of all the landmarks. This experience can accommodate up to five passengers and includes pick up and drop off at your hotel.

This tour can be booked from 1-4 hours long and prices start from £59.

The London Monopoly Tour

Why not join us for an exciting drive around the streets of London that appear on the world famous Monopoly board? This is the totally unique Monopoly Tour of London - from Old Kent Road to Mayfair and everything in between !

This tour will see you visiting every place on the Monopoly board from the "Old Kent Road to Mayfair, and we will even throw in a jail and some free parking.

This experience can accommodate up to 5 people, and takes approximately 3-4 hours.

Your experience includes pick up and drop off and our driver will provide expert commentary throughout your journey. You will also see most of the iconic landmarks that London has to offer.

Price £195.

Airport Transfers

Or maybe you just want an iconic ride from the airport to your hotel!

London Historical Taxi Tours provide a professional, competitive and reliable airport transfer services to and from Gatwick, Heathrow, Stanstead, Luton and London city airport.

They can also provide a "meet and greet" service at the airport. What we quote you is what you pay.

Check out our Airport Transportation pages, or e-mail us for a quote.

Aside from Black Cab Tours – How Do Black Cabs Work?

How to Hail a Black Cab

Firstly, see that the orange ‘taxi’ sign is illuminated on top of the cab. This means that the cab is free for hire.

Although shouting ‘taxi’ is an acceptable way to hail a cab in other cities, it is actually against the law in the U.K! Here, you must stick your arm out when the taxi is approaching to let the driver know you wish to use their cab.

When the cab pulls up to the curb, go to the front window and tell the driver where you want to go.   After the cabbie (colloquial term for the driver) has acknowledged what you’ve said, take your seat in the back.

Talk…or not! Black cab drivers are occasionally up for a good bit of chat and a conversation, but are also happy to let you sit in silence if you’d prefer.

Once you arrive at your destination your driver will tell you the total your journey's cost. You can actually keep an eye on how much your journey is adding up to because the fare meters are displayed in the centre of the windshield where both driver and passenger can see.

Pay! Cash is best  but some cabs are able to accept card now-a-days. Tipping is suggested/expected if you feel in the mood, but is not mandatory.   Read our post on tips for tipping in London .

• Legally, London black cabs must be tall enough to accommodate a passenger wearing a bowler hat.
• Women taxi drivers account for only 1% of London taxi cab drivers. 
• Most cabs have a turning circle of 25ft. This ensures they can navigate tight corners – as well as manage the tiny roundabout in front of the Savoy Hotel, which originally was the reason why this standard was set.
• Since most cabs are owned by the driver, you are technically entering a shop every time you get into a black cab. The cabs are run as independent businesses – worth remembering when it comes time to decide whether or not to tip!

The Knowledge

The Knowledge is the in depth study of London streets, routes, and places that black cab drivers must have memorised before they are allowed to obtain a license. Initiated in 1865, the idea is that black cab drivers should be able to act immediately in deciding which routes to take, where to go in case of obstruction, and to be able to accommodate any request or question posed by their passengers. This involves becoming intimately involved with over 25,000 roads and 50,000 points of interest.

It’s widely regarded as the most demanding training course for cab drivers anywhere in the world and, on average, it takes around 34 months for a driver to learn all that is needed to pass the final exam. Part of the final exam involves sitting in an empty room and detailing a journey from a randomly selected point to another. The would-be driver needs to list the names of all roads used, junctions crossed, notable roundabouts, when to make turns, and to list which notable buildings are on either side of the road they are taking in their potential route.

This means that these cabbies know more than most (aside from our guides, of course!) about our capital city and a surprising amount of the history that comes with it. Some drivers have been exploring London from behind their wheels for decades and are more than happy to share their facts, tips and stories with you.

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Black cab tours of london.

Award Winning London Black Cab Tours

London Black Taxi Tours narrated by London Cabbies who are certified Tour Guides. Our Black Cab Tours offer the ultimate London sightseeing experience.

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History taxi tours of london, christmas lights & sights tours.

History London Black Cab Tours of London. Be fascinated by stories told by our London Cabby Guides, touring around London in an one-of-a-kind Black Taxi Tour! The ultimate Gold Standard All-In-One London Sightseeing Tour.

We offer night time Black Taxi Tours for our "Lights & Sights" Black Cab Tours of London, giving you a mixture of our History London Black Cab Tours and taking in the Christmas spirit.

Want to get your trip started the right way? Go with one of our drivers in the iconic London Black Cab and get all the tips from a local along the way! And of course a friendly face for the return. 

Cotswolds & Bath Excursions

Rock n Roll Taxi Tours with our brilliant tour guide and former band member of 'The Limit', Dennis. Dennis offers the best Rock n Roll London Black Cab Tour backed by his knowledge of London's Rock n Roll legendary history and his own experiences of playing! Rock on with this legendary Black Cab Tour of London's music history.

Excursion packages to Windsor, Stonehenge, Bath and the Cotswolds

Have a stopover in London and want to  make the most of your time? Our layover tours are the best ways to see London in a day! Our London Black Cab Tours of London allow guests to be see all the sights along with being entertained by amazing stories of its history by award winning Black Taxi Tour Guides.

Experienced Guides

Our fully licenced and friendly tour guides are experts in London's rich history and culture, as well as being fully licenced black cab drivers. Our Black Cab Tours of London cover history ranging from the Romans to Victorian London, from Vikings to the Tudors, the Norman Conquest to modern London.

Unlike most Sightseeing Tours, our Black Taxi Tours cover a lot of ground. The Black Cab allows the tours to cover all of Central London, but our guides can easily go off the beaten track and access more exclusive locations. 

Better than any bus or walking tour, our London Black Cab Tours combines the best aspects of all types of tours: cruise the city in a private, stylish and iconic vehicle; see more than just the main roads and landmarks; be able to customise it suit your needs.

The Gold Standard of Bespoke Tours of London

Comfortable Cabs

 We use a fleet of the World famous London Black cabs, offering spacious comfort as well as large windows which are perfect for sightseeing. 

Value for Money

We pride ourselves on our on our service and expertise and we believe that our Black Cab Tours of London won't be beaten on value, offering the preeminent experience for Black Taxi Tours.

Awarded the TripAdvisor Star of Excellence

Want to know more about our tours.

London Black Cab Tours conducted by friendly and experience local guides. Gold Standard Black Cab Tours of London, our London Taxi Tours are conducted by qualified and experienced London Tour Guides and certified London Black Cab Drivers, including historians with BA Hons and numerous guiding certifications. Our London Sightseeing Black Cab Tours are backed by years of research, development and experience to ensure the highest level of service!

Award Winning London Black Cab Tours – Black Taxi Tours Awarded the TripAdvisor Star of Excellence

We use a fleet of the World famous London Black cabs, offering spacious comfort as well as large windows which are perfect for sightseeing. Most of our guides have the new Electric TXE London Black Cab, conducting our London Sightseeing Black Cab Tours in style and comfort.

All taxis are wheelchair accessible, typically can accommodate up to six passengers, have air conditioning, and the Electric Black Cabs have USB charger ports for you to use and have panoramic roofs for optimum sightseeing!

We pride ourselves on our on our service and expertise and we believe that we won't be beaten on value! Entertaining tours conducted by experienced guides and historians offering a personal, professional and excellent experience. London Black Cab Tours by passionate local tour guides.

Our tours show the best of London tour spots, answering "which London pass is best" and "how to see London in a day". The tours cover a lot of ground, and with every step of the way complemented with entertaining narration by your guide backed by years of research and experience.

If you are staying in London for a short while, it is often best to do the tour within the first couple of days, therefore getting the most of your experience then and after. Our director personally will offer his expertise and offer free travel advice for what to do in London before and after the tour. 

If, on the other hand, you are in London for one day, our tours are the perfect way to tick London off!

Black Cab Tours of London by London Black Cab Drivers qualified as tour guides. What better sightseeing tour than a London Black Cab Tour with a local who knows London best.  Award Winning Bespoke Black Taxi Tours narrated in the London Taxis and up close to the sights. The Best Way To See London!

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Our Taxi Tours

Come and discover london’s 2000 year heritage, and explore some places that perhaps you weren’t expecting.

Big City Taxi Tours   offer a fantastic section of informative & fun sightseeing tours of London. Choose from Historic London, Iconic London, Harry Potter Filming Locations, Music & Rock n Roll London, James Bond, Sherlock Holmes, Jack the Ripper and more!

Let Big City Taxi Tours guide you through the streets of London with our inside knowledge of London. We are fully qualified and highly experienced black cab drivers and our inside knowledge of London is unsurpassed. With your own personal driver-guide, you’ll see London at your own pace.

Classic London Tours

Offering the very best of london from royal palaces to secret locations.

London Landmarks

£150 (Per Taxi) Iconic Black Cab Qualified Driver/Guide Hotel Pick Up 2 Hour Tour Max 6 Persons

Classic London

£200 (Per Taxi) Iconic Black Cab Qualified Driver/Guide Hotel Pick Up 3 Hour Tour Max 6 Persons

London Explorer

£250 (Per Taxi) Iconic Black Cab Qualified Driver/Guide Hotel Pick Up 4 Hour Tour Max 6 Persons

London Adventurer

£350 (Per Taxi) Iconic Black Cab Qualified Driver/Guide Hotel Pick Up 6 Hour Tour Max 6 Persons

Themed Tours

We offer you the very best themed london tours.

Harry Potter Tour

Sherlock Holmes Tour

James Bond Tour

London at Night

Rock n Roll Tour

Jack the Ripper Tour

Haunted London

Christmas Lights Tour

Historical Tours

• Windsor Castle Tour
• Bath & Stonehenge Tour
• Salisbury & Stonehenge Tour
• Cotswolds Tour

WINDSOR CASTLE Tour

After collecting you from your London Hotel or another agreed location we will head out west towards the beautiful and historic Windsor. After a walk around the town we will visit its world famous castle.

Windsor Castle has been home to royalty for nearly 1000 years and is the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world. Time permitting we may have the option of walking over the bridge and having a walk around Eton, home of the famous college. Alternatively, upon leaving Windsor, we can take a short drive to the National Trust’s Runnymede, the home of modern democracy and visit the site where the historic Magna Carta was signed by King John back in 1215.

We will then make our way back into London and to your hotel or another agreed location.

• Tour duration: 6 Hours
• Price: From £420.00

Cancellation policy: Full refund if journey is cancelled 15 days before trip, minus any expenses incurred (tickets etc). A 50% refund is available up to 8 days of travel. No refund after that point.

The BATH & STONEHENGE Tour

Upon departing London, we will head out west through the rolling countryside to the ancient City of Bath, a World Heritage Spa City. We will visit the Roman baths themselves and, after a quick bite to eat, we will visit such places as The Crescent and The Circus (were Bridgeton was filmed), Bath Abbey, The Assembly rooms, the Guildhall and take in some classic Georgian architecture.

We will then proceed onto Stonehenge, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and explore this 4,500 year old Neolithic stone circle and the quite brilliant Visitors Exhibition Centre along with the reconstructed village.

We will then return to London.

• Tour duration: 10 Hours
• Price: From £695.00

The SALISBURY & STONEHENGE Tour

Upon departing London, we will head out west through the beautiful rolling countryside to the beautiful City of Salisbury. after a journey of around two hours we will stretch our legs and begin our exploration of Salisbury and it’s world famous Cathedral and Britain’s tallest spire. The Cathedral is also home to one of only four surviving Magna Carta documents (1215). This historical document is the basis for constitutions throughout the world and is listed on the UNESCO “Memory of the World” register.

After taking time for lunch we will then travel through time and proceed onto Stonehenge, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and explore its 4,500 year old stone circle which is deemed one of the wonders of the world. We will also visit the replica neolithic village and the brilliant Visitors Exhibition Centre.

We will then make our way back to London.

• Tour duration: 9 Hours
• Price: From £625.00

The COTSWOLDS Tour

Let us escape the city for the day and visit The Cotswolds, an “Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty”.

We will explore little villages and hamlets built of honey-coloured stone, nestled beside clear sparkling fast flowing streams, and witness picture postcard views in a quintessentially English landscape.

We will visit villages such as Burford, Stow-on-the Wold (having lunch in the oldest inn in the UK, dating back over 1,000 years), Chipping Campden, Broadway, Upper and Lower Slaughter, Bourton-on-the-Water and Bibury.

Other tours available

We are also able to provide other tours on request, Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon etc… If you have any specific requests please give us a call or fill in the form below.

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To make a booking enquiry fill in the form below including your preferred date and we will get back to you to confirm as soon as possible.

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Trace Taxi Tours excursions allow you to enjoy the most famous attractions, in small groups and led by tour experts.

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American Heritage Tour

London is filled with influences from all over the world, and the links between London and America are especially prevalent. There are more connections than you might realise – and our guides are specialists in American history in London, so they will be able to take you on a black taxi tour of the top sights.

Book with confidence.

Cancel up to 2 hours before your tour and get your full money back.

Interested in how your own culture has had a bearing on modern-day London? Interested in the history of the capital in general? This is the tour for you! We will show you the sights that are relevant to you, picking out the areas of interest from London’s multicultural and diverse background. We always like to be set a challenge! Tell your driver where you are from in America and let them give you some facts.

Book your 4-hour tour online for immediate confirmation.

•  4 hour tour      •  Price per taxi      •  Up to 6 guests     • Bespoke tour

Would you prefer a longer tour? Or maybe you want to create your own itinerary?

Build your own tour. Book a guide for up to 10 hours and see London your way.

BUILD YOUR OWN TOUR

American heritage tour highlights.

Our tours are totally unique, allowing you to see the sights you want to see and completely personalise your tour . The most popular sights we can show you will track your American ancestors, their importance in UK history, and their journeys to and from the New World. You might choose to visit:

The Mayflower

The Mayflower was the ship used by the first pilgrims setting sail for the New World with Captain Christopher Jones. See where the Mayflower embarked on her journey and enjoy a riverside drink in the beautiful gastropub that now marks the spot.

St Bride’s Church

Here you will find a memorial to Virginia Dare, the first child born in the New World. Her parents were married in this Fleet Street church before heading to America as part of the Roanoke Colony.

American Airforce memorial

Located in a beautiful 17 th Century Christopher Wren church, this memorial is set amongst others to RAF squadrons and units, and the Polish Air Force. The church has a fascinating history dating back to the 9 th Century.

READ OUR REVIEWS

Who is going to love this tour?

This tour is especially popular with our American customers, as there are so many places of interest to be found across London. There are lots of ties between the US and the UK, which you can see first hand in the city. Explore your own cultural history and identity in the capital of the UK on a fascinating historical tour.

Anyone with a general interest in history will find plenty of points of interest, and you might learn some facts that surprise you…

Book your American Heritage Tour now

We cannot wait to show you our city.  Book online now and your tour will be paid for and confirmed immediately.

Tour length: 4 hours

Tour pickup location: Any central London postcode

Extend your tour or amend it along the way – our tours are totally flexible. You won’t need to worry about your taxi driver guide getting lost!

BOOK AMERICAN HERITAGE TOUR

Want a longer tour?

If you want a more leisurely day or want to see more of the sights, why not book in a longer tour? This gives you time to stop for lunch, visit more areas of the city and make the most of your time in London. Build your own tour here , or get in touch and we will arrange everything for you.

We can also pick you up outside of central London locations. Please get in touch to book so we can recommend a suitable tour length based on your pickup point.

• Our vehicles are deep cleaned by ElectroClean (Killing and protecting surfaces from 99.99% of known Viruses & Bacteria; including Coronavirus for up to 28 days)
• Each vehicle is disinfected after each tour or transfer.
• All of our Driver Guides wash and sanitise their hands frequently throughout the day.
• The partition screen behind the driver provides a separate compartment for passengers to maintain social distancing, and is designed for easy cleaning.
• Hand sanitiser is provided for passengers.

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How to Escape the Olympics in Paris This Summer

Even if you’re visiting for the Games, you may want to take a cultural break like a local.

By Laura Cappelle

Reporting from Paris

Construction chaos, price hikes and now mandatory QR codes to walk some city streets : As the Olympics loom in Paris, many locals are already looking to escape the Games, and come July, will head to quieter parts of France.

It’s likely that some of the 15 million visitors expected to roll into town might also want a break from the cheering crowds. Luckily, the greater Paris area and nearby regions offer plenty of opportunities to slow down and take in some French culture. Whether you’re looking to escape for an hour or for a day, here are some suggestions.

Pompidou Center

With its quirky inside-out architecture — a tangle of colorful tubes running across the facade — the Pompidou Center has been a flagship venue for contemporary art since the 1970s. For a culture break between athletic feats, stop by its “Comics on Every Floor” festival, a wide-ranging, international dive into the genre.

While the festival offers no fewer than five individual exhibitions, the biggest one by far is “ Comics, 1964-2024 ,” which contrasts American comics, Asian mangas and European trends. Graphic novels have long thrived in France: Franco-Belgian comics and, more recently, graphic novels are a huge market, and local stars including Hergé, Blutch and Catherine Meurisse are also getting their own mini-exhibitions at the Pompidou Center.

Children will also be able to sample an immersive installation crafted by the author and illustrator Marion Fayolle. The Pompidou’s wide-ranging permanent collections are a bonus, and now is a good time to catch them, since the building is set to close from 2025 to 2030 for extensive renovations.

Time commitment : 3 to 4 hours

Location : Châtelet, Rambuteau or Hôtel de Ville Metro stations

Cost of entry : €17 or €14 for concessions; centrepompidou.fr

The Catacombs

When the crowds or the summer temperatures become too much, Paris offers a compelling option: going underground. Underneath the French capital lie the Paris Catacombs, a maze of ancient mining galleries, some of which were used in the 18th century to create an ossuary.

At the time, the city’s cemeteries had become so overcrowded that they posed a public health threat. The bones of the dead were piled into the repurposed galleries, which have been open to visitors for over two centuries. As you descend the steep spiral staircase, the temperature drops to about 57 degrees, and the sounds of the streets fade.

The mile-long route is eerily introspective, with plaques here and there to guide you past the remains of six million Parisians. As the Olympics take over the city above ground, the contrast will be sharp, but beware: Since the stairs are the only point of entry, the Catacombs aren’t accessible to wheelchair users or people who need step-free access.

Time commitment: 1 hour

Location: Denfert-Rochereau station (Metro and RER)

Cost of entry: €29 (with audio guide), €23 for concessions, €10 for children over 5, free admission for children under 5. Tickets may be booked online, but only 7 days in advance; catacombes.paris.fr

The Louis Vuitton Foundation

It may look like an oversize glass sailboat, but this summer, the Louis Vuitton Foundation should be a safe haven. A quirky highlight of the Bois de Boulogne, a sprawling park on the western edge of Paris, this contemporary art museum designed by Frank Gehry has stayed away from staging sports-related exhibitions this year, unlike some of its peers.

It is a pointed choice, because the appeal of government grants as part of the Cultural Olympiad led a huge number of Parisian arts institutions to make sometimes tenuous connections between art and sports. Instead, the Louis Vuitton Foundation — inaugurated exactly a decade ago by the LVMH conglomerate — is staging a retrospective of the American painter and sculptor Ellsworth Kelly, who spent some of his formative years in postwar Paris.

Kelly’s vivid, abstract investigations of form and color are paired with an exhibition devoted to Matisse’s landmark 1911 work “The Red Studio.” The Louis Vuitton Foundation’s permanent collection is no slouch either, spanning Giacometti, Warhol and recent contemporary acquisitions. Linger at the Bois de Boulogne for a stroll through the woods before heading back to central Paris.

Time commitment: 3 hours

Location : Bois de Boulogne and Les Sablons Metro stations

Cost of entry: €16, €10 for concessions; fondationlouisvuitton.fr

Madame Arthur Cabaret

Tourists flock to the nearby Moulin Rouge, but for a more offbeat, modern cabaret experience, Madame Arthur is a go-to address in Montmartre. Once the first drag venue in postwar Paris, it reopened in 2015 with a troupe of singers and musicians that soon became the talk of the town.

There are no lip syncs here: All numbers are sung live, and Madame Arthur has the quirky habit of translating classic English-language songs into French. In addition to hearing Madonna or Britney Spears en français , you’ll learn some local earworms and sample the gender-bending fashion that has pushed French drag toward its recent renaissance.

Throughout the summer, Madame Arthur will open its doors Thursdays to Saturdays, with an 10.30 p.m. show on the main stage. You can then turn the venue into your own stage when it transforms into a nightclub.

Time commitment: An evening (with the option to stay well into the night)

Location : Pigalle Metro station

Cost of entry: €30 (standing only); madamearthur.fr

Outside Paris

The franco-american museum at the castle of blérancourt.

If all you want, after rubbing shoulders with millions of visitors during the Olympics, is to hole up in a quiet part of the countryside, Blérancourt is definitely off the beaten path. A small town northeast of Paris, it is nestled the Picardy region, where a World War I frontline ran, and which experienced harrowing destruction.

The Franco-American Museum of Blérancourt was established in the aftermath to commemorate American contributions to the war effort and the rebuilding of the region. The local castle was renovated to that end by the philanthropist Anne Morgan, the daughter of the banker J.P. Morgan. The resulting museum is a fascinating tribute to Franco-American exchanges over the years, from the shared revolutionary ideals of the 18th century both World Wars and a painting collection centered on artistic exchanges between the two countries.

Hostellerie Le Griffon , right by the entrance to the museum, will have you covered if you want to stay in Blérancourt, but for a truly peaceful break, head to the nearby Château du Mont de Guny — a small castle overlooking a valley that was recently converted into a bed-and-breakfast. From there, other historical sites are easily accessible, including the Château de Pierrefonds and the ruins of the medieval Château de Coucy.

Time commitment : 2 days

Travel: Rent a car (2 hours from Paris)

Cost : €6-8 for the Franco-American Museum; museefrancoamericain.fr

A number of small towns with impressive histories are easy to reach by train from Paris. With its medieval city center, Provins is a favorite getaway. It was a prominent own for merchant fairs in the 11th and 12th centuries, when it was owned by the Counts of Champagne, and much of the architecture form that period has been preserved, earning Provins a UNESCO World Heritage listing.

Cobbled pathways, fortifications and a dungeon are all within walking distance of the train station, and the city’s ramparts — nearly a mile long, with 22 towers dotted along the way — have been newly restored, after work was completed in 2022.

A day is enough to visit all the town’s key attractions, including the monumental Cesar Tower, the Tithe Barn and an 11th-century priory. This summer, Provins is making the most of its status as an open-air throwback to the Middle Ages, with daily shows centered on falconry and medieval jousts.

Time commitment: 1 day

Travel: Suburban train P from Gare de l’Est station (around 1 hour and 20 minutes)

Cost: €10 round trip, plus €17 for Pass Provins, which provides access to the main medieval sites; provins.net

The Domain of Chamarande

There are plenty of castles within a short distance from Paris, but the Domain of Chamarande , south of the city, has a couple of trump cards. First, if you don’t want to rent a car, it’s easily accessible from the city via the suburban train system. Second, it combines sprawling, peaceful grounds with year-round contemporary art exhibitions.

While the 17th-century castle itself is currently closed for maintenance, there is plenty to do outdoors. Bikes and boats are available for rent to tour the estate, where artworks are woven into the landscape. In 2001, Chamarande became host to a contemporary art center run by local authorities, and pieces from its permanent collection are dotted around the estate, like an oversize ladder by Philippe Ramette that leans against the castle.

This summer, temporary exhibitions also include a pop installation by Laurie Charles centered on the female body, and open-air immersive works inspired by the moving body — an artsy nod to the Olympics.

Time commitment: A day

Travel: RER C from central Paris (around one hour)

Cost: €10-15 round trip; chamarande.essonne.fr

Deauville and Honfleur

The coastline of Normandy is only two hours away from Paris by train, and some of its best-known towns offer contrasting atmospheres for a weekend away. Start with Deauville , a ritzy destination that is home to a historical casino, horse races and historical villas. Its calling card, though, is free: over a mile of wide, sandy beach, accessible directly from the city center. Its famous boardwalk boasts 450 Art Deco beach huts, adorned with the names of international actors and directors who have attended the annual American Film Festival.

The next day, make the 25-minute drive up the coast to Honfleur, a peaceful harbor town with a rich artistic history. Before the old port and its pastel-colored half-timbered houses became an Instagram dream, they inspired multiple painters: Turner painted watercolors there in 1832, followed by French artists including Claude Monet and his mentor Eugène Boudin, a precursor to Impressionism who has his own museum in Honfleur. The city’s narrow medieval streets are a joy to wander, from the many galleries to Saint Catherine’s Church, a distinctive wooden church that is the largest in France.

Time commitment : 2 or 3 days

Travel: Train to Deauville (2 hours and 10 minutes) then bus, taxi or car to Honfleur

Cost : Round trip to Deauville from around €35 (book ahead)

The Picardy region, north of Paris, generally flies under the radar compared with nearby Normandy — which makes it an appealing destination if you’d like to avoid the biggest tourist crowds. The region’s capital, Amiens , is an underrated gem an hour from the capital. Its towering Gothic cathedral is on UNESCO’s World Heritage list, and a couple of lovely museums are a short stroll away, including the former house of the 19th-century author Jules Verne.

Amiens is home to a more unusual attraction, too: 300 hectares of water gardens, right in the center of town. The city sits over the Somme river, and a delightful network of canals, ponds and market gardens developed there over centuries, known as Les Hortillonnages. Much is now ornamental, but the fruits and vegetables that are cultivated there are sold at the local market on Saturdays.

Every summer, Amiens also hosts an International Garden Festival all around the Hortillonnages, with 50 or so installations designed by gardeners, artists and architects expected this year. The area can be toured by foot, electric boat or even a rowing boat, if you’re in the mood for an adventure.

Time commitment : 1 day

Travel: Regional trains to Amiens (1 hour and 10 minutes) from Paris Gare du Nord

Cost : €46 round trip; visit-amiens.com

THE 10 BEST Dzerzhinsky Sights & Historical Landmarks

Dzerzhinsky landmarks.

• Monuments & Statues
• Churches & Cathedrals
• Points of Interest & Landmarks
• Sacred & Religious Sites
• Architectural Buildings
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• District South-Western (YuZAO)
• Butovo North
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Good for Kids
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Big Groups
• Adventurous
• Hidden Gems
• Good for Couples
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Nikolo-Ugreshskiy Monastery

2. Church of the Savior Transfiguration of Ugresh Monastery of St. Nicholas

3. Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin in the Ugresh Monastery of St. Nicholas

4. Temple of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist of Ugresh Monastery of St. Nicholas

5. Chapel of Phenomena Image of St. Nicholas in Nikolo-Ugreshskiy Monastery

6. Temple of the Mother of God of All Who Sorrow Ugresh Nicholas Monastery

7. Monument to Dmitriy Donskoi

8. Peter and Paul Church in Ugresh Monastery of St. Nicholas

9. Cathedral of St. Nicholas

10. Monument to Creators of Missile Shield of Russia

11. Church of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God

12. Sculpture Crying Boy

13. Chapel of the Passion of Nikolo-Ugreshskiy Monastery

14. Monument to Dzerzhinskiy

15. Dmitriy Donskoi's Temple

16. temple of holy spirit.

17. Temple of Makariy Nevskiy

18. Palestinian wall of the Nikolo-Ugreshsky monastery

19. Chapel of Our Lady of the Perishing

20. Pamyatniki A. S. Pushkinu

21. Memorial of the Great Patriotic War

22. Monument to Veterans of Local Wars

23. Monument-bust to academician B.P. Zhukov

24. Monument to St. Nicholas

25. Tserkov' Pitmana Ugreshskoy

26. pamyatnik prepodobnomu antoniyu kiyevo-pecherskomu.