walking tour paris free

Best things to see and do in Paris

Paris is the capital of France and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the entire world. It is one of the places highest on the list of cities you should visit at least once in your life because of everything it has to offer culturally, in terms of its monuments, architecture, and cuisine. In addition to the main attractions of the city like the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, or the Montmartre and Le Marais neighborhoods, take a free walking tour to get to discover some of the lesser-known parts of the city where the River Seine flows. 

On any of the free guided tours we offer in Paris , you will be able to find a large selection of unmissable places to visit with your local guide who will show you the hidden charms and the way of life of this amazing city. You can’t leave Paris without having gone to visit the Saint Chapelle Church, the Louvre Museum, the gardens of Champs Elysées, Sacré Coeur Basilica, Pont Neuf (the New Bridge) over the Seine, Luxembourg Gardens, the Parisian Catacombs,  Vendome Square, Les Halles Market, the Pompidou Center, Orsay Museum, the Arc de Triomphe, the Latin Neighborhood, Tuileries Gardens, the Galleries Lafayette, Garnier Opera, or the Pere Lachaise Cemetery. 

Many travelers leave their reviews and opinions after having done their free walking tour in Paris (in the morning or afternoon) and they evaluate the route and their experience with the local guide. After, there may be other cities you want to visit and do a guided tour with a local guru like Bordeaux, Toulouse, Marseille, or Nice. 

What is included in the Essential Free Tour of Paris?

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The Best 11 Free Tours in Paris in English and for FREE!

Paris is one of the most expensive cities in the world and to visit almost all its attractions you have to pay an entrance fee that depends on the place can be over 15 euros, so finding some free activities is excellent.

That’s why we bring you the best free tours in Paris.

Top 12 Free Tours in Paris

Although there are many, many tours, we chose the ones we liked the most and the ones with the best ratings. So this is our list of free walking tours in Paris in English.

Free Walking tour of the Historic Center of Paris

This free tour is organized by Guruwalk and is led by Sebastian. He studied art and is passionate about the history of Paris, and he manages to transmit everything he knows and loves.

The tour lasts almost 3 hours, including the city’s historic center, so it serves as a good initial overview of what you can see in the city.

You will pass by the Palais de Justice, Pont Neuf, Pont des Arts, the Louvre, the Jardin des Tuileries and the Eiffel Tower.

As you get to know the places, the guide will tell you the history of each one, so you will end up learning many secrets of the past of Paris.

Book your free walking tour of the historical center of Paris here.

Free Walking Tour of the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe Surroundings

Here is a more focused option on the two must-see monuments of the City of Lights.

By touring the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe area, you will get to know the most elegant areas of the city, walk along the Avenue des Champs Elysées and visit some of the most luxurious areas of the 16th arrondissement of Paris.

Then, next to the pillars of the Eiffel Tower, the guide will tell you some of its lesser-known anecdotes. The tour departs to Trocadero Square and ends with an incredible panoramic view of the city and the Eiffel Tower.

Book your free walking tour around the Eiffel Tower here.

Free Walking Tour of Paris, Perfect for Your First Trip

This tour is similar to the first one we told you about, but it’s the Civitatis version .

It starts in front of the Hôtel de Ville square, crosses to the île de la Cité, where the church of Notre-Dame is being rebuilt, and from where you will see Sainte-Chapelle, the buildings of La Conciergerie (a former palace where Marie-Antoinette was imprisoned) and the Palais de Justice.

Along the banks of the Seine, you will see the Neuf and Arts bridges. And after passing through the Tuileries Gardens and Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, the tour ends at the Louvre Museum, where you will hear some of the best stories of Napoleon and the Sun King.

Book your free walking tour of Paris here.

Free Tour of Montmartre, the best Free Walking Tour of Paris

It is one of our favorite neighborhoods in Paris. Walking through it, you will see the most famous lounges in the world and the most avant-garde cafes.

You can visit the cabarets Moulin Rouge and Lapin Agile with this tour . You will see the Cafe deux Moulins, where Amélie was filmed.

You will visit the building where Vincent Van Gogh lived and the workshop where Pablo Picasso worked and see the Moulin de la Galette, one of Renoir’s sources of inspiration.

And the last stop is in front of the Sacré-Coeur Basilica.

Book your free walking tour of Montmartre here.

Free Walking Tour of the Latin Quarter is one of our favorites

This free tour in Paris will take you to discover one of the must-see neighborhoods on a trip to Paris. The neighborhood has always been characterized by its bohemian and student air.

The first place you will see is the Rue du Chat Qui Pêche, the narrowest street in Paris. And its name has quite a particular history.

Then you will visit the fantastic Shakespeare and Company bookstore. From there, you will go to the church of St. Julien le Pauvre.

In front of the Cluny Museum, they tell a rather dark story about how those who stood up to the power of Notre Dame fared.

The tour continues through the Place de la Sorbonne and the Pantheon of Paris. It ends in the beautiful Luxembourg Gardens.

Book your free walking tour of the Latin Quarter here.

Free Walking tour of the Mysteries and Legends of Paris

Paris is wonderful at night. And even more, if you can walk through its streets listening to the darkest stories from its corners.

The places you will visit are similar to those of some of the tours we have already told you about, but you will see them very differently. Did you know that the Palace of Justice was where thousands of people were tortured and executed?

The guide will also tell you the stories of Paris’s plagues, murders, and legends. Do you know the legend of the baker of rue Chanoinesse?

They will also tell you about the catacombs’ origin and the Templars’ curse.

A great tour to do in the Parisian evening.

Book here your tour of the Mysteries and Legends of Paris

Free Walking Tour of Notre Dame Cathedral and surroundings

Guruwalk has an excellent option to get to know one of the most exciting areas of Paris in greater depth.

The free walking tour starts at the Pont Neuf and goes to the Latin Quarter.

In between, you will visit must-see places such as the Place Dauphine, the Conciergerie, the Place de la Cathédrale de Nôtre-Dame, the Shakespeare and Company bookstore, and the Saint-Michel church.

Free Tour of Montmartre, the passionate journey of the martyrdom of love

This free Walking tour in Paris is led by Ana, who is a Parisian. And has a degree in history, so she has a lot to tell.

In a very nice way it leads the tour with a gripping account of the neighborhood. You will pass by the Sacré-Coeur basilica, Place du Tertre, the Lapin Agile cabaret, the Maison Rose and many other places.

You will visit the Bateau Lavoir, the workshop where Picasso worked on his works, and you will finish the tour in front of the Je t’aime wall, where you can take some cool pictures.

Free Walking Tour of the Stages of Emily in Paris TV Serie

It is one of the tours in Paris in English that attracts more people thanks to the popularity of the series.

Did you like Emily in Paris? Then you will like this tour that explores the places where its protagonist ventured.

You will pass by the building where Emily’s apartment is located. You will see the Boulangerie Moderna and Gabriel’s restaurant.

Then you will visit Emily’s place of work and stroll through Paris’ must-see sites, such as the Pantheon, the Royal Palace Gardens and the Louvre.

Paris Highlights and the History of the Revolution (FREE)

If you are passionate about history, you will know how important the French Revolution was.

In this free walking tour of Paris, you will see some places that were both fundamental and transformed by the revolution.

Among other places, you will visit the Assemblée Nationale, the Obélisque, the Opéra Garnier, the Place de la Concorde, the Tuileries garden, and the Place Vendôme.

How Much to Tip on the Free Tours of Paris?

As you know, free walking tours do not have a fixed price, and it is recommended that you leave a tip at the end of the tour. This is how guides can continue to work at what they love.

The minimum recommended tip for a free tour in Paris is 5€, but the most common is to leave about 10€ per person; of course, the guide will be more than grateful if you go more.

Plan Your Trip to Paris

• What to Bring on Your trip to Paris
• Visit the Loire Valley from Paris
• The museums of District 16 that you have to know
• Romantic Plans in Paris in winter
• How to get to the Palace of Versailles from Paris
• Giverny Day-Trip from Paris

This post may include affiliate links. This means that we will receive a small fee if you make a purchase through our links. It has no additional cost to you. It’s a win-win!

Hi there! I’m Vero! I’ve always loved traveling! I have been living in France since 2018. And traveling around this awesome country. I love road trips and traveling by van, and also, some comfy getaways :) Check out: Touristear.com

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15 Best Free Walking Tours in Paris

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A little piece of heaven resides in the food and fashion capital of France that can be experienced on the free walking tours in Paris.

With a profound history full of the French Revolution memoirs, iconic pieces of architecture, and the ever enchanting Eiffel Tower – these walks unveil the heart and soul of the city that envelopes you with an air of love.

So, without any further ado, let’s explore our list of Paris’ best walking tours.

Please note that some free walking tours of Paris are exclusively in English, while others are in Spanish or other languages. Make sure to pick the right one before booking.

1 – Freetour Paris Essential

Unveil the many faces of Paris as you treat yourself to an introduction to the best tourist attractions , such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, the iconic Louvre Museum, and the quintessential Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, all in 3 hours.

Even better, roam like a Parisian as you wander through its streets and discover all the intriguing facts that make this the “city of love and light.”

• See reviews

2 – Latin Quarter and Luxembourg Gardens

Immerse yourself in the fine art of the Parisian-style student life as you tour the Latin Quarter— which is the intellectual neighborhood of the bohemian Paris.

Experience for yourself the spellbinding history of the ‘Sorbonne University’ and learn why it holds so much significance all over the world.

That’s not all; enjoy the stately Luxembourg Gardens and its Palace, in addition to visiting down many side streets and local hidden gems.

3 – Freetour Legends and Mysteries of Paris

Paris harbors a plethora of mysteries and secrets in its bosom, some of which will be unfolded on this walking tour.

Firstly, the guide will scrounge out the legends of demons and angels that lie hidden in the walls of the structurally mesmerizing Notre Dame Cathedral.

From holy stories, get ready to jump right into both the eerie ghost encounters Pablo Picasso had during his life which later became a muse for his black canvases and the grotesque stories attached to the Hotel De Ville.

4 – Montmartre Free Walking Tour: From Moulin Rouge to Sacré Coeur

Set afoot in the underrated yet ethereal town of Montmartre on this free walking tour in Paris where the guide will take you on a rollercoaster of alleys infused with vibrant culture.

You’ll encounter the unearthed gems of Montmartre from the brightly hued vineyard, the Man who walked through the wall, and some undiscovered views of Paris.

That’s not all, come up and close with Picasso’s workshop and the place where Impressionist Art was birthed.

5 – Fragonard Perfume Museum Free Tour

Uncover the delicate art of perfumery through a guided tour to the Fragonard Perfume Museum that dates back to the nineteenth century.

Learn the meticulous process of putting together perfumes right from picking the raw materials to pouring a world-class fragrance into a labeled bottle.

Emblazoned on the walls is an assortment of old perfume bottles from Ancient Egypt which will transport you back in time.

6 – Eiffel Tower and Champs Elysees

Plunge deep into the enormous yet enriching history of the city, from the nineteenth century to the present, on this free walking tour in Paris.

Gazing at the intricately constructed buildings, you’ll come across the spectacular sights of the Tomb of Napolean Bonaparte, the infamous Emperor.

Get spellbound by the legendary Théâtre National de Chaillot as you take in romantic puffs of fresh air near the Eiffel Tower.

7 – Free Walking Tour of Le Marais

Discover the fun district of Le Marais that makes everyone’s heartthrob with awe.

You’ll feel on cloud nine as you’re encircled by glorious art galleries that house the works of inspired hands and fashion stores that transport you into their glamorous world.

Enjoy the best falafel in town as you step foot into the Jewish district and lose yourself in the aura of the authentic Parisian lifestyle.

8 – Paris Uncovered – Free Walking Tour

Every breath you take in Paris will go into your box of memories as a cherished moment, such is the grandiose of this city.

Peel off the inherent layers of history on this guided tour as you walk from Palais De Justice to the Quartier Latin.

That’s not all; embrace the chilly wind hitting your face as you walk across the architectural beauty, Le Jardin de Luxembourg.

9 – Free walking tour Paris – How to be Parisian!

Melt into the mold of Parisians as you step into their world for a day on this free walking tour to Paris, unraveling their way of life.

Feel your spirits enliven as you catch glances of Arc De Triumph, Palais Royal, and Saint Chapelle.

Moving forward onto a plethora of radiantly built bridges, you’ll catch yourself mesmerized with the luscious beauty of the Luxembourg garden and many more breathtaking sights.

10 – Beauty of Paris – Free walking tour

Do you know why Paris attracts a multitude of tourists? If you don’t, this guided tour will be an eye-opener for you as it’ll present on a platter the most lauded neighborhoods of Paris.

From the happening Goute d’Or to the underrated Montmartre and Latin Quartier to the awe-inspiring and gorgeous epitome of art, the old Louvre Museum, this tour will take you everywhere with insightful commentary.

11 – Free Tour Paris Mon Amour – The essentials of the Rive Gauche

Lumbering around in the vast streets of Paris evokes the sensation of utmost felicity and courtesy to its lively aura.

A step into the Museum of Modern Art will call out the artist in you and another step into the Wine Museum will leave all your senses pleased.

On this tour, you’ll discover the most exhilarating spots like the Eiffel Tower, Princess Diana Square, and many patisseries, all of which celebrate the Parisian culture in its full glory.

12 – Charm Montmartre, a village in the heart of Paris – free tour

Delve into the charisma of the village of Montmartre, enriched with extraordinary spots like the Wall of Love with innumerable engravings pouring affection.

Further on this tour, soak in the gorgeous sight of the Sacre Coeur Basilica and not to miss the oldest standing church in Paris, the historic Saint Pierre De Montmartre.

13 – Free walking tour Paris – Awesome night in the love city

Watch the blinking lights on the Eiffel Tower as it sparkles at night to lighten up the whole city.

With an amiable guide, discover the city of love at the strike of dusk on a free walking tour in Paris, which takes you from Quai Saint-Bernard in all its glory to the beautiful Eiffel tower.

After capturing these enchanting views, sit down for a sip at the legendary Buddha Bar.

14 – Free walking tour Paris – Full history and culture

On this free walking tour in Paris, revel in the stories inscribed on every wall and corner of this city with an informative commentary.

As you listen to the many anecdotes of the Lock Bridge, move on to admiring the Arc De Triomphe and Jardin de Place Royal.

On top of that, drive up your spirits in the most luxurious way as you step into the largest square in Paris, Place de la Concorde.

15 – The Paris Free Photoshoot Tour

With a city painted with such enriched culture and gorgeous sightings as Paris, not capturing all its essence and glory would totally be a crime.

So, on this free tour, get yourself a professional photographer who will take you to the city’s most iconic hotspots- idyllic to forever transform your presence into memories through photos.

We hope you enjoyed our selection of the best free walking tours in Paris. Do not hesitate to comment below if you have any questions.

Enjoy Paris 🙂

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Self Guided Walking Tours of Paris

In this post, you will find a free, self-guided walking tour of the historic heart of Paris, along with a map and a GPS-enabled audio option.

The route includes many locations we cover in our free guided walking tours, so we offer you lots of information based on our knowledge of the history of what you will be seeing in this self-guided tour.

This tour starts on the Left Bank in the Latin Quarter before exploring Île de la Cité and ends at the Louvre Museum.

When you are done with this self-guided tour, why not try our others?

• Right Bank Landmarks
• Latin Quarter
• Père Lachaise Cemetery

Like this one, they come with maps, routes, and in some cases, audio tour versions.

You can use these to discover the city at your own pace or as a preview of what you will see on a live-guided tour, like our free walking tours of Paris .

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SELF-GUIDED TOUR - HEART OF PARIS

The tour starts on the Left Bank in the Latin Quarter, passes through Île de la Cité and ends at the Louvre Museum.

The route is a little less than 3 kilometers (just under 2 miles).

If you'd like to enhance your experience, you might like to use our accompanying GPS-led audio tour , developed and narrated by one of our local tour guides, Andrew.

The audio tour is a more detailed version of the written information below. It costs just 2.99€ per download.

Here is a sample of the tour.

Click on the map to expand or to download it to your phone.

For directions between stops, use the map above or download a PDF version of this tour.

1. Place Saint-Michel

Place Saint-Michel is simple – a triangle between two streets, uniform buildings along both, designed by the same architect, a walk of smooth cobblestone.

The centerpiece is St. Michael defeating a devil; far above them are four statues symbolizing the four cardinal virtues of prudence, fortitude, temperance, and justice.

This monument came to be because of the 1848 Revolution and a cholera epidemic in Paris that followed it which killed thousands.

This idea of abstract concepts given human form had been popular during the Revolution, the big one, representing the kind of big virtues – like the Four Cardinal Virtues – that everyone could strive for, instead of a single human being whose actions and legacy would turn people against each other.

Simultaneous with the creation of Place Saint-Michel, Napoleon III’s renovation brought the Boulevard Saint-Michel into being, and that is the next part of the walk.

2. Boulevard Saint-Michel

The character of the street you’re on – wide-open space lined with trees and long, harmonious buildings, plus, often, a view of some landmark in the distance – was a central part of the renovation plan, or the Haussmann plan, as it’s also known.

Georges-Eugène Hausmann was a Paris technocrat. Aside from health reasons, he also made the case to the parliament that wide streets would help prevent so many revolutions in the future.

Many buildings along this road are fine examples of the French 2nd Empire style.

On the left side of the street, just after Boulinier, a used book store, you’ll see the ruins of ancient Roman-style baths.

This is a preview of the Cluny Museum, which you’ll see from the front soon.

3. The Sorbonne

The Sorbonne, or the University of Paris, has been here since 1150, making it the second oldest university in Europe.

It’s the place where some of the fundamentals of today’s education system – things like doctoral degrees – were first put into practice.

The Sorbonne helped put Paris, and the Latin Quarter, on the map. 

It’s hard to overstate how many big names are connected with this institution, then and since.

Among them are churchmen John Calvin and Thomas Aquinas, scientists Marie and Pierre Curie, writers Voltaire, Balzac, Jean-Paul Sartre, T.S. Eliot, Elie Wiesel, Susan Sontag and so many more.

4. Cluny Museum

This is the Cluny Museum, formerly the Cluny Mansion. The name comes from the Cluny monks to whom it belonged and they were named for the city where they were based.

In 1340, they obtained what was left of the thermal baths you saw earlier and built this structure beside them.

Today, it’s France’s National Museum of the Middle Ages. It’s more an art museum than a history museum, with excellent exhibits on tapestries and stained glass.

Apart from those, the museum also has early medieval art from before the Gothic era – the style called Romanesque – medieval work from the Islamic world and the Byzantine Empire, and some other late, near-Renaissance pieces from the era of the tapestries.

There are also some much older artifacts in that oldest part of the property, the Roman baths. 

It’s open every day but Tuesday from 9:15 am to 5:45 pm. Regular tickets are 5 Euros, sometimes more if there’s a special exhibit going on ( more info ).

However, it’s free for teenagers, EU citizens under 26, and, on the first Sunday of each month, for everyone. It’s also free with a Paris Museum Pass .

5. The Church of Saint-Severin

Pause here for a moment to take in the atmosphere of the medieval city.

Saint-Severin is a 13th-century church, and the Rue Saint-Severin, the road just past it, is from that same era.

Look down to the left and you can imagine the crowdedness of these roads, shared by carts. pedestrians and animals and whatever was thrown from upper windows.

And you can imagine how easy it would be to improvise a barricade across one of these streets if you wanted to.

6. Church of Saint-Julien-le-Pauve

The Church of Saint-Julien-le-Pauve, or St. Julian the Poor, began construction in the 12th century, around the same time as Notre-Dame, and steady changes since have made it a mash-up of styles.

But it started Romanesque, the early medieval style that preceded Gothic, and you can see the heaviness of that style, compared to which Gothic would have seemed so revolutionary.

While it was originally a Roman Catholic church, today it’s used by Melkite Greek Catholics, who are part of an Eastern Catholic community, based in the Middle East.

The square is called the Square Rene Viviani, mostly known for its view of Notre-Dame.

The grounds are littered with big pieces of limestone – in the 19th century when Notre-Dame was renovated and also contains a locust tree believed to be the oldest tree in Paris, about 400 years old.

7. Shakespeare and Company Bookstore

This is the second of two bookstores called Shakespeare and Company, the other stood just southwest of here, and both focused on English language books. 

An American named Sylvia Beach opened it, and as both a bookstore and a lending library, it came to be the haunt of writers and artists, including Gertrude Stein, Ernest Hemingway, and Pablo Picasso.

The bookstore provided more than just a place for future artistic celebrities to meet; it also stocked and eventually published books that were banned back home, including James Joyce’s novel Ulysses.

This Shakespeare and Company was founded by George Whitman, who offered lodging to writers in exchange for volunteer work, and if you step inside, you’ll see some of their beds.

8. Left Bank - Pont au Double

On the quays along the banks of the Seine, Shakespeare and Company has plenty of competition in the bookselling business: bouquinistes , the booksellers who set up shop in little stalls along the river. 

From around the bridge, you can get a few important views. First is the Seine itself. The name Seine comes from Sequana, the name of an ancient river goddess. 

The river is the reason for human interest in this site going back millennia, and the Île de la Cité offered a relatively easy crossing, as well as an opportunity to build low bridges and control traffic up and down the river. 

On the opposite side of the water from here is the Île de la Cité. From here you can see the big picture of the island. 

On the west end, to your left, is the Palais de la Justice, the former site of the royal palace and still home to parts of the French government. 

On the east side, to the right, has been religious turf for even longer – Notre-Dame has stood here since 1163.

Before, there was another Christian cathedral that was likely a Roman temple, and those were sometimes built on sacred sites that were older still. 

Nowadays, there’s not much on the island besides that; Haussmann eliminated most of the residences here.

9. Notre-Dame (Exterior)

This cathedral was started in the 1100s and enhanced with some of its flashiest elements over the next few centuries.

You can see one of those additions: the flying buttresses, those gracefully curved stone supports arrayed along the side of the building. 

The cathedral has 2 beautiful rose windows, both designed in the 13th century, but they were recreated in the 19th century, and they weren’t the only parts of the cathedral added so recently. 

The same is true of much of the stained glass, the spire (now destroyed by the fire), all the gargoyles, and the heads of statues on the western side. 

To help fund that restoration, Victor Hugo penned his novel Notre-Dame de Paris, known in English as The Hunchback of Notre-Dame . 

Looking at the cathedral from the front, you can see an overwhelming number of sculptures and reliefs.

For a time when most attendees were illiterate and didn’t understand the Latin language in which the sermons were given, the church façade itself was the illustrated version of the Bible. 

Over the main western doors, on what’s called the tympanum, is a relief of Judgement Day, with the separation of souls bound for eternal paradise or eternal torment. 

To the left, over the Portal of the Virgin, is a statue of Saint-Denis, who would have needed no introduction for most attendees.

He was beheaded by the Romans for the threat he posed to other religions. 

Now, he’s a patron saint of Paris and he’s also known across the Catholic world as someone to pray for relief from headaches.

In April 2019, a fire led to the collapse of much of the roof and a spire, plus collateral damage from impact, smoke, and water to much of the rest of the building and the artwork inside.

Hundreds of firefighters contained the disaster and kept it from doing more harm. 

The archaeological crypt under the parvis is now open and contains remains of the Roman city, plus models of what Notre-Dame looked like at the various phases of its life.

Tickets are 9€ or for free with a Paris Museum Pass .

Notre-Dame Cathedral's reopening is scheduled for December 8, 2024.

10. Rue de Lutece

Straight ahead, you can see the Palais de la Justice, the next stop.

To your right is the Marché aux Fleurs Reine Elizabeth II, a beautiful, 200-year-old outdoor flower and plant market, operating daily from 9:30 - 19:00 (7 pm).

Lutèce is the French variation of “Lutetia” the ancient Roman name for Paris. The full name was Lutetia Parisiorum – Lutetia of the Parisii. 

The Parisii were the tribe that lived in this area before the Roman conquest, and as you may have guessed, they give the city its modern name.

Though we refer to Roman in this tour, it is Gallo-Roman, to be exact.

The region’s population was the Gauls, a Celtic people, and while they were conquered by the Romans, local culture in the early centuries CE was a fusion of both. 

There’s a limited understanding of the geography of ancient life here – the ancient Gallic city was probably out west in today’s suburbs, and the Roman city, originally on the Left Bank, moved onto the island in the third century to be more easily defended. 

At the end of Rue de Lutèce is Boulevard du Palais, with the massive palace complex on the opposite side of the street.

11. Palais De Justice and Sainte-Chapelle

Altogether, what you see here is the Palais de la Cité. The site has served state functions as far back as being the home of Roman governors in the early years CE.

As for French kings, it was the royal palace until the 14th century, when it moved to various locations across the Seine on the Right Bank, including the Louvre. 

From here you can see Sainte-Chapelle or the Sacred Chapel, easily identified by the tall steeple on the left side of the complex.

As for going inside Sainte-Chapelle, the wait can be long, but you’ll see some of the world’s most impressive stained glass. 

The upper chapel, up a narrow spiral staircase from the entrance and once only accessible by the king and his family, is surrounded by windows, and comprehensive cleaning and restoration completed in 2014 have them in ideal form. 

The lower chapel, the portion originally made for the general population of the palace, has a highly decorated Gothic vaulted ceiling. 

Sainte-Chapelle 's hours are:

• April 1st to September 30th, 9:00 - 19:00 (7 pm)
• October 1st to March 31, 9:00 - 17:00 (5 pm)

Tickets are 13€ per person over 18 years of age; under 18 years old have free admission.

You can also be admitted for free with a Paris Museum Pass .

You can also get a combination ticket with our next stop, La Conciergerie, for 20€, but it’s only available from the La Conciergerie ticket desk; you won’t find it online.

12. La Conciergerie

La Conciergerie is famous as the last residence of Queen Marie Antoinette before she was executed early in the French Revolution. It was also a prison before and after her time. 

La Conciergerie

The royal palace had moved to new locations across the Seine in the 14th century. But some state functions stayed behind here, including part of the French court system. 

In the absence of the king himself, the place was run by a surrogate – a concierge – giving this building its name.

While the Revolution began with the liberation of a prison, the Bastille, it soon took over the palace and found uses for everything there. 

Sainte-Chapelle became storage, the space where the parliament of nobles met became the home of the assembly and the Revolutionary Tribunal, and the prison became... the prison. 

The royalty and their supporters, and eventually all kinds of perceived enemies, were imprisoned, tried, and executed, close to 3,000 of them in this building alone.

The Cell of Marie-Antoinette

In terms of the interior, La Conciergerie is a stark, simple building compared to Sainte-Chapelle, although still majestically Gothic.

Some spaces are set up as they would have looked during the Revolution, including the cell of Marie-Antoinette, which is now a chapel dedicated to her.

Hours : 

• 9:30 - 18:00 (6 pm). Last entry at 17:30 (5:30 pm)
• Early closure on December 24 and January 1 at 17:00 (5 pm)

Lastly, you can purchase a combination ticket that includes La Conciergerie and Sainte-Chapelle for 20€, available from the La Conciergerie ticket desk; you won’t find it online.

There are guided tours (at an additional cost) every day at 11:00 and 15:00 (3 pm) and virtual reality 'histo-pads' available for rental at a modest price. 

At the end of the block, on the corner of the palace, is the first of the palace’s four towers, Tour de l’Horloge.

13. Tour de L'Horloge

Tour de l’Horloge means clock tower, and the clock is hard to miss!

This was the first public clock in Paris, installed in the 14th century, although the decorated face you see now came along a couple of hundred years later and has been restored a few times since. 

The figures on either side are personifications of law and justice – you may be able to see the plaque on the left and the scales on the right. 

The clock face is covered by a small roof.

If you have especially sharp eyes and you look straight up at the underside of that roof, you can see a repeating pattern of intertwined letters: sometimes H and C, for King Henri II and his queen, Catherine de Medici, and sometimes H and M, for King Henri IV and his queen, Marguerite de Valois.

14-15. Place Dauphine

Place Dauphine is another city square, a triangle really; the rows of buildings that border it on the north and south sides slowly converge, leading to the edge of the island. 

Make your way gradually through to that point.

King Henri IV had a son, who would eventually become King Louis XIII, but until he took the throne, he was the Dauphin, or the crown prince. 

Dauphin also means dolphin; a couple of them are featured on the French coat of arms. 

Anyway, during his son’s boyhood, Henri IV converted a private palace garden into a public square and called it Place Dauphine, or Crown Prince Square. 

The buildings have mostly been redone since then; you can get a feel for the original square at the other end, the last buildings where the two sides converge to frame a statue of Henri IV.

16. Pont Neuf

The space where Henri stands is called the Square du Vert Galant, and it’s a relatively new piece of land.

River islands like Île de la Cité naturally build up this way on their downstream side. 

The New Bridge, when it was new at the start of the 1600s, just touched the tip of the island. 

Today, Pont Neuf is the oldest bridge still running across the Seine, and the others have followed its lead.

This one was specifically designed not to have houses on it, so as to offer a view of the Louvre, which is where we’re going next.

17. Quai du Louvre

First, the sights on the Left Bank. 

Directly across the Pont Neuf you can see the Monnaie de Paris, France’s mint, operating for more than a millennium and still producing Euros today.

The building includes a museum on the history of the institution itself and on other money-related matters.

Next to it, you’ll see a wide building with a dome in the middle, the Institut de France.

Founded as a school, this is the home to intellectual institutions like the Académie Française. 

The Academy does many things, including giving life-changing monetary prizes to artists, but it’s best known for promoting a stiff view of what constitutes correct French. 

Crossing the river in front of the Institut de France is another bridge, the Pont des Arts or Bridge of the Arts, named to match with the Louvre, the Palais des Arts or Palace of the Arts.

It’s a pedestrian-only metal bridge commissioned by Napoleon, and the view it offers makes it a popular spot for artists or just souvenir photographers.

There’s a tradition – purely touristic – of attaching locks to the bridge; you’ll endear yourself to Parisians if you decide not to do this.

18. Louvre Museum and Tuileries Gardens

The Louvre used to be a royal palace, and it’s easy to tell. (See our in-depth post on how to visit the Louvre Museum ).

The Louvre remained private after the royalty moved out, and it housed a private collection of art until the Revolution, at which point, in 1793, it was opened to the public.

The open space to the west of the Louvre, centered on a large sculpted hedge, is the Place du Carrousel, and it used to be the location of another royal palace – the Tuileries Palace, destroyed in the late 19th century.

It left behind the arch opposite the Louvre – the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, built to celebrate the military victories of Napoleon and to welcome arrivals to that palace. 

Beyond it are a couple of stairways, leading down into the former location of the moat, which contains some sculptures from the old palace. 

And beyond that is the Tuileries Gardens. At one time an exclusive royal garden, this too became public during the Revolution, and it’s another option for the next part of your adventure.

The gardens have a lot to see – it’s a sculpture garden with about 200 pieces, including several by famous French sculptor Auguste Rodin.

The gardens are bigger than the Louvre, so you could easily find yourself walking further in this park than you have through this entire tour so far!

Luckily, there are a couple of cafes around the middle if you need somewhere to rest.

It’s free to enter the gardens and is open every day, with hours changing seasonally.

• January through December 7:30 - 19:30 (7:30 pm)
• June, July and August 7:00 - 23:00 (11:00 pm)
• April, May and September 7:00 - 21:00 (9:00 pm)

At the far end of the gardens is the Jeu de Paume , a contemporary art museum and L'Orangerie museum dedicated to impressionist and post-impressionist paintings.

This magnicient museum is a must-visit in Paris. It's open 9:00 - 18:00 (6 pm) daily, except Tuesdays. Tickets are 12,50€ or free with a Paris Museum Pass .

Beyond these museums are Place de la Concorde and the Champs Élysées, included in our self-guided tour of Paris' Right Bank !

For more ideas in Paris, including things to do in the Latin Quarter, Marais, and Montmartre , check out our website, linked in the notes.

And look for our articles and audio tours about lots of other cities - you’ll find links in the notes for those, too. 

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5 Free Paris Walking Tours You Won’t Want to Miss

By: Author Sophie Nadeau

Posted on Last updated: 1st March 2023

Categories Paris , walking tour

Last Updated on 1st March 2023 by Sophie Nadeau

Here’s your guide to the best of free Paris walking tours you won’t want to miss! Each focuses on a different arrondissement, aspect of the city, and all are worth taking in order to get to know the city on a more local level!

Do you want to truly get to know Paris? Discover the city’s secret spots, where to find the trendiest museums, and where to go to hang out in all the coolest cafés? Well, these free and self-guided walks are the perfect place to start.

Is Paris a good walking city?

#1 montmartre walking tour, #2 le marais walking tour, #3 ile de la cité walking tour, #4 latin quarter walking tour, #5 highlights of paris of the past walking tour, paris: french fashion history walking tour, read some books about paris, set aside enough time, paris museum pass, wear comfortable shoes, book your paris accommodation well in advance, enjoyed finding out about these 5 free paris walking tours you won’t want to miss pin it now, read it again later:.

First things first: is it easy to walk around Paris? I would personally say that Paris is fairly easily to navigate on foot thanks to the fact that most of the historic districts (or arrondissements as they’re so-called in French) are centred within the Paris Peripherique.

With this being said, some areas of the city are much more walkable than others! For example, while the Latin Quarter has some of the widest boulevards in Paris, Le Marais is home to much tinier alleyways and plenty of little cobblestone lanes.

Furthermore, Montmartre is pretty hilly, and some streets are steep in places, not to mention that there are a number of roads scattered across the city which remain cobbled, so leave the high heels at home!

Wherever you choose to walk, I recommend wearing comfy walking shoes! I personally love my keds like these ones as they go well with dresses and skirts and can easily pack into the smallest of suitcases. If you’re looking for something even comfier, I love the shoes from this company .

Best Paris walking tours

If you make it your mission to enjoy just one Parisian arrondissement on a local level, make it Montmartre. After all, head to the 18th arrondissement of Paris and you won’t find the 19th-century Haussmannian architecture that is so synonymous with the city.

Instead, you’ll find a village vibe complete with several wooden windmills, and even a secret vineyard! Highlights of the Montmartre walking tour of Paris include several historical spots, as well as must-see photography sites (think Instagrammable streets and postcard perfect walkways).

Read the full Montmartre walking tour guide details here.

Once a marshy swampland on the fringes of the city, today Le Marais is one of the chicest districts Paris has to offer. Home to designer stores, boutique hotels, and plenty of incredible eateries, head to this area of the city if you want to discover Paris’ Medieval past.

While in Le Marais, be sure not to miss out on a visit to Place des Vosges (the first public square in the city), as well as the chance to dip into Paris’ ever-so-new vegan scene.

Other highlights of this walking tour include a visit to the oldest house in Paris and a visit to some of the coolest museums the French capital has to offer.

Read the full Le Marais walking tour guide details here.

If you’re headed to Paris for the first or thousandth time, then no doubt you’ll find yourself on Ile de la Cite at one point or another. One of two natural islands in the centre of the River Seine, it’s in this district where you’ll find Notre Dame, Sainte Chapelle , and plenty of history from the Middle Ages.

Allegedly, it’s also on Ile de la Cité where the fated lovers, Heloise and Abelard met. Similarly, it’s there where the love story of the doves took place during the 13th-century.

Other highlights of this area of Paris include one of the cutest coffee shops in the city, as well as one of the best places to see cherry blossoms in the late spring.

Read the full Ile de la Cite walking tour guide details here.

So-called because during the Middle Ages students from the nearby Sorbonne university would converse with one another solely in Latin, today the Latin Quarter is still filled with students, happy-hour bars, and eateries. Centrally located and full of museums, this walking tour is predominantly about books, coffee, and cake!

Other highlights of the Latin Quarter include plenty of Roman ruins (the baths are a sight to behold in of themselves), the Paris Pantheon (the dome offers one of the best panoramic views of the city), and the church of Saint-Etienne-du-Mont, the final resting place of the patron saint of Paris, Saint Genevieve.

Read the full Latin Quarter walking tour guide details here.

If you’re looking for a meander of the historical highlights that have shaped Paris over the ages, then my vintage Paris tour is free to undertake and will guide you from the Latin Quarter, through Ile de la Cite, and all the way to the other side of the Seine, and into Le Marais.

For those who are unable to embark on the other free Paris walking tours due to time constraints, this is the perfect self-guided walking tour for you.

Other attractions you may well want to stop off at en-route include admiring the ever-so-stunning stained glass windows of Sainte Chapelle and seeing the very spot from which all points in Paris are measured.

Read the full Paris highlights walking tour guide details here.

Paid walking tours of Paris

If you prefer to go on a Parisian walking tour together with a local and experienced guide, then you can find lots of walking tours for a fairly reasonable free on almost any topic of your choosing. Here are some of our top picks for the best of Paris walking tours with a guide:

If you’re looking to discover that the best of fashion history, then you might consider a three-hour guided visit around the luxury area of rue Saint-Honoré. On the visit, you’ll soon discover about the history of French fashion houses and their influence on the world of fashion today.

Discover more tour details here

Practical advice, tricks, and tips for going on free walking tours of Paris

Before you visit the City of Light, then you may well want to read some fiction and historical works and memoirs about the city. Here are my very top creme de la creme picks for the best  books about Paris !

One of the top tips I could give you before embarking on a self-guided Paris walking tour would be to ensure that you give yourself enough time to truly enjoy the walk. As well as strolling around the city, you’ll want to set aside time to enjoy all of the attractions listed within each guide and snap photos en route.

If you want to see a number of museums and cultural sites while in the City of Light, you may well want to consider purchasing an all-in-one pass.

This 2,4, or 6-day pass gives you access to over 60 museums, and in many cases, offers skip-the-line options at many of these institutions. Check prices and more information here.

When visiting any European capital city, comfortable shoes are a must. And Le Marais arrondissement of Paris is no exception. Be sure to leave your high heels at home as there are plenty of cobbled streets, especially on these free walking tours of Paris.

I personally love  these shoes  as they go well with both jeans and dresses. I would also add that any kind of tennis shoes, i.e.  ones like these , are really practical for wandering around the city.

If you’re planning a trip to Paris, then you should bear in mind that it’s an extremely popular destination all year round. This means that you should probably book your hotel/ hostel/ guest house well in advance.  You can find the best deals for Paris accommodation here.

Sophie Nadeau loves dogs, books, travel, pizza, and history. A Francophile at heart, she runs solosophie.com when she’s not chasing after the next sunset shot or consuming something sweet. She splits her time between Paris and London and travels as much as she can! Subscribe to Sophie’s YouTube Channel.

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Sunday 16th of April 2023

i would like to read the texts in French….

Gideon Yuval

Wednesday 9th of October 2019

Thanks very much Sophie for this valuable information - written and presented in a very attractive and entertaining way :-). May I suggest you build a Google map with it and share? I built maps based on what you wrote here, but it would save others time if it was public

Monday 4th of February 2019

The latin quater is called tgat because this is tge area the romans set up camp , not because students spoke in latin

COME AS A VISITOR, LEAVE AS A FRIEND !

Paris Greeters are volunteer, passionate ambassadors who warmly welcome their visitors from around the world. They offer free walks in Paris and surrounding districts. Each encounter is a unique experience: sharing this world, discovering someone else and a different culture. Greeters are not professional guides. Don’t ask them for museum or historical tours.

It is the opportunity to see Paris as it is really known by its locals, to discover neighborhoods that would not have imagined or dared to visit.  These encounters enable Paris Greeters to achieve its goal of Parisians and their city ..

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Free self-guided Marais walking tour, Paris (with map)

Posted on Last updated: February 20, 2024

Explore Paris’ medieval heart with this free self-guided Marais walking tour, featuring this picturesque district’s mansion houses, museums and monumental gardens – with map and directions included.

* This site contains affiliate links , where I get a small commission from purchases at no extra cost to you.

Go back in time with a tour of the Marais, Paris’ medieval quarter. Its name means ‘marsh’ and the area was originally swampland. It became a fashionable residence for royalty and 17th-century aristocrats, but fell out of favour after the French Revolution. Today it’s been restored and gentrified, and has strong Jewish and LGBTQ+ communities.

The Marais mainly escaped Baron Haussman’s modernisation of Paris in the 19th century, so has a different feel to a lot of the city, with narrow cobbled streets, elegant squares and mansion houses. It’s also home to some of Paris’ best museums and galleries. So join us on a self-guided Marais walking tour to discover the area’s historic highlights.

A self-guided walking tour of the Marais

Start your Marais walking tour outside Paris’ Hôtel de Ville. The closest Métro station is Hôtel de Ville (Lines 1 and 11) in the square in front of the building. It’s also less than 10 minutes’ walk from Cité (Line 4) and Châtelet (Lines, 1, 4 7, 11 and 14) stations.

Hôtel de Ville

The Hôtel de Ville is Paris’ city hall and the mayor’s official residence. It was built between 1533 and 1628, and has survived wars, riots and being burnt to the ground by the revolutionary Paris Commune in 1871. It took 19 years to rebuild after the fire, with the exteriors recreating the original design and new, lavish ceremonial rooms inside.

The square in front of the Hôtel de Ville was once used for public executions, with a guillotine set up here during the French Revolution. But today it’s used for less gory public activities, like a festive market at Christmas and a big screen for sports events.

Walk around the back of the Hôtel de Ville , following Rue de Rivoli past the BHV Marais department store. Turn right down Rue de Lobau then left along Place Saint-Gervais. Follow the road to the left of Saint-Gervais church down Rue François Miron.

Rue François Miron

Rue François Miron is one of the oldest streets in Paris, with two medieval half-timbered buildings on the left. The Maison du Faucheur and Maison du Mouton (House of the Reaper and House of Sheep) are named after the occupations of the people who lived there. It’s thought they were built in the 14th century, with the upper floors added later.

In 1607 the façades were covered with plaster to reduce the risk of fire, and were only uncovered in 1967. Many buildings from this period were destroyed during Baron Haussman’s 19th-century redevelopment of Paris, so these two are quite rare.

Turn right at the crossroads following Rue de Jouey, then take the second right down Rue du Figuier and walk as far as the Hôtel de Sens at the end of the street.

Hôtel de Sens and Bibliothèque Forney

With its golden stone archways and turrets, Hôtel de Sens looks like a fairytale castle tucked away in a quiet street in the Marais. It was built in the 15th century for Tristan de Salazar, the Archbishop of Sens, though he died before it was completed.

Look carefully and you can see a cannonball embedded above the entrance, with the date 28 July 1830 below it – dating back to the French Revolution. The Hôtel was later used as a factory and warehouse until the City of Paris took it over and restored it. It’s now home to the Forney Library, with a collection of books on decorative arts and a pretty garden.

Carry straight on, passing Square Marie-Trintignant (where there’s a free public toilet) on your right, then turn left down Rue des Jardins Saint-Paul. Through the archways on your right is the Village Saint-Paul, a collection of art, antique and gift shops set around cobbled courtyards – with a couple of cafés if you want to stop for a drink.

Wall of Philip II Augustus

Between 1190 and 1213, French King Philip Augustus built a great wall around the edge of Paris to protect the city while he was away on the Crusades. Once it was finished it ran for over 5km, stood six to eight metres tall and was three metres thick at the base.

The last of the wall’s gates were knocked down in the 1680s. And although most of the sections of wall left behind have been incorporated into buildings, you can see one of the longest stretches of it on your left, at the end of Rue des Jardins Saint-Paul.

Turn left down Rue Charlemagne then right down narrow Rue du Prévot, which joins onto Rue de Rivoli. Go right and you’ll see a church to your right.

Église Saint-Paul-Saint-Louis

The Church of Saint-Paul-Saint-Louis was the first Baroque church built in Paris, in a change to the usual Gothic style. It was built in 1627 for the Jesuits on the orders of Louis XIII, and was inaugurated by Cardinal Richelieu. But after the Jesuits were banished in 1762 it was used as a warehouse before being restored and used for services again.

Author Victor Hugo’s daughter Leopoldine got married here in 1843, and he donated two fonts to mark the occasion which you can still see today. And when he wrote Les Misérables , he included it as the church where Cosette and Marius get married.

Continue along the main road, which becomes the Rue Saint-Antoine. Then go through the arched doorway on your left which is marked ‘Hôtel de Sully’.

Hôtel de Sully

The Hôtel de Sully is another of the Marais’ impressive mansion houses. It was built in the 17th century for Maximilien de Béthune, Duke of Sully and close friend of King Henri IV. It’s now the headquarters of the Centre des Monuments Nationaux, who manage France’s historic monuments. And although the building isn’t open to the public, you can walk through its courtyards and admire the beautiful façades and courtyard garden.

Walk through the doorway in the far right corner which leads into the Place des Vosges.

Place des Vosges

The Place des Vosges is the oldest planned square in Paris, a perfectly symmetrical space set around a central garden. It was originally known as the Place Royale and was a fashionable place for the nobility to live in the 17th–18th centuries, with its red brick buildings contrasting with the medieval architecture of the Marais.

Former residents include Cardinal Richelieu and Victor Hugo, whose old house in the corner of the square is now the Maison de Victor Hugo museum (free entry, closed Mondays). And underneath the vaulted arches around the square are high-end antique shops, art galleries and cafés where you can stop for a coffee or a glass of wine.

At the opposite side of the square from where you entered it, walk to the west along Rue des Francs Bourgeois and you’ll see the Musée Carnavalet to your right.

Musée Carnavalet

The Musée Carnavalet takes you through the history of Paris, from prehistory to the present day (free entry, closed Mondays). Baron Haussmann had the idea for the museum in 1866, and stored objects and documents at the Hôtel de Ville while the museum was being built – which didn’t work out too well as his collection was destroyed in the 1871 fire.

It’s been rebuilt since, and the museum is now spread across two mansions. There are recreated rooms from different periods in Paris’ history, furniture, paintings and objects including the Hôtel de Ville’s original charred door and a chunk of the Bastille.

From the museum, carry on along Rue des Francs Bourgeois as far as Rue Pavée.

At this point you can take a short diversion to visit the Musée Cognacq–Jay (for 18th-century art and sculpture) or Musée Picasso . Go straight on at the junction and turn right up Rue Elzevir for the Musée Cognacq–Jay. Or walk past that museum and carry on along the Rue de Thorigny for the Musée Picasso.

Otherwise turn left down Rue Pavée, passing La Mouette Rieuse bookshop and café which does a great hot chocolate. Then turn right down the Rue des Rosiers. Look out for the entrance to the Jardin des Rosiers Joseph Migneret on your right, a tranquil community garden. Turn right at the end of the street then left onto Rue des Blancs Manteaux.

Église Notre-Dame des Blancs Manteaux

Go through an unassuming doorway on your left into the Catholic Church of Notre-Dame des Blancs Manteaux (named after the white mantles worn by the monks who founded the original church in 1258). The current Baroque church was built in the 1680s, and has an ornate Bavarian wooden pulpit and 17th-century paintings and sculptures.

Then go straight on and you’ll see the entrance to the National Archives on your right.

Archives Nationales

France has one of the oldest and biggest National Archives in the world. And the documents collected from before the French Revolution are held in two mansions in the Marais – the Hôtel de Soubise and Hôtel de Rohan – which are surrounded by gardens.

The Hôtel de Soubise is where you find the Musée des Archives Nationales (free entry, closed Tuesday). It displays a mix of exhibits from the archive’s collection, which goes all the way back to the first century AD. You can also see the ornate Rococo interiors.

Carry straight on across the junction onto Rue Rambuteau. When you reach a major junction with Rue Beaubourg, the Pompidou Centre will be in front of you. If you do a small diversion to the right here down Impasse Berthaud you can visit the Jardin Anne Frank, a lovely memorial garden with benches and a childrens’ play area.

Centre Pompidou

The Centre National d’Art et de Culture Georges-Pompidou (aka the Pompidou Centre ) is instantly recognisable for its quirky, inside-out architecture, with colourful pipes and escalators outside the building. It was designed by architects Richard Rogers and Renzo Piano and opened in 1977 – taking its name from the president who commissioned it.

Inside there’s the largest collection of modern and contemporary art in Europe, as well as a public library and exhibition space. There is an entry fee for the museum, but it’s free to climb up to the top floor where you get fantastic views out across Paris.

Walk around the side of the Pompidou Centre and finish your Marais walking tour by the colourful Stravinsky Fountain. The nearest Métro station is Rambuteau (Line 11), on the corner of Rue Rambuteau and Rue Beaubourg. Or it’s just a few minutes’ walk along Rue du Renard back to the Hôtel de Ville and its Métro station (Lines 1 and 11).

Self-guided Marais walking tour map

If you’d like to do this Marais walk yourself, click on the map below to access directions through Google maps. The route is around 3.8km (2.4 miles) and takes around an hour to walk straight through, but allow several hours to include stops along the way.

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Johanna Bradley

Tuesday 20th of February 2024

I can tell I missed some interesting things in the Marais from reading your guide, Lucy. If I ever go back...

Lucy Dodsworth

Monday 26th of February 2024

Thanks Jo, and hopefully one day!

• Santiago de Chile
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Free Tour of Paris

Book the original Paris free walking tour and visit many of the city's highlights with a local guide

ABOUT THE Free Tour of Paris

This 2.5-hour Paris free walking tour will show you many of the top attractions in the city. Local experts will take you to must-see spots such as the iconic Notre Dame de Paris, the world-famous Louvre, and the impressive Parc des Tuileries. Explore Paris' beautiful streets with the help of an expert local guide!

Your Paris Free Tour meets at the Saint Michel Fountain and finishes by the Louvre Museum. Join us on this introduction to Paris, a great way to orientate yourself in the city and at a price to suit everybody’s budget.  We never cancel; tours run rain, hail or shine.

One of the most beautiful cities in the world

You'll want to keep your camera at the ready as your expert local guide takes you on a walking tour through major Paris landmarks. The iconic sites keep coming as you make your way from Place Saint Michel over the river to see the Notre Dame de Paris. As you stroll along the famous River Seine, you'll feel like a real Parisian as you see the Paris of famous films and books. Walk across Pont Neuf, and over to the Louvre and past the Tuileries Gardens. On this breathtaking tour, you will also find yourself face-to-face with more major Paris sites like the Palace of Justice and Sainte Chapelle, and see a glimpse of the Musée d'Orsay and Place de la Concorde.

With some of the most incredible stories

However, you'll want to make sure you're not too busy taking photographs to hear the stories behind these major Paris landmarks, because the City of Love is not just beautiful - it's fascinating. The informative and always entertaining local guides will bring stories from the capital of Napoleon's empire, the beheadings of the French Revolution, and the dark times of the Nazi occupation to life.

Free Tour concept

The tips-based model of the Free Tour allows guests to support and reward only the highest quality tours, and to ensure that the tour fits within their expectations, and within their budget.

The Paris Free Tour starts by the fountain on Place Saint-Michel (metro line 4 - exit 3)

• Stroll along the banks of the River Seine
• Photograph the stunning Notre Dame de Paris
• Visit the grounds of the Louvre
• Walk through the Tuileries Gardens
• Hear the incredible stories of Paris' fascinating past
• See the Palais de Justice

TOUR SCHEDULES

Click on 'See more dates' to check availability

• Local English-speaking guide
• Gratuities for the guide (optional)
• Our business is connecting great guides and smart travelers, and we're proud that so many local guides employ us to welcome travelers like you on their journey through some of the world's best cities. No two tours are alike, and the sites, stories, and length of the tour will vary depending on what your freelance guide decides is best. That's why the tours we promote never get stale or feel scripted, and why both independent guides and savvy travelers prefer SANDEMANs
• Wheelchair accessible

Customer reviews

Well worth doing if you want to see most of the sites without having to plan where to go and finding out something about each landmark. We had Oliver as our guide and we found him very good! We saw everything we wanted to see on the tour except the Eiffel Tower which is understandable because its out of the way from the centre. We ended up going there after wards. We would highly recommend this free tour. So easy and enjoyable.

Free tour with Oliver

We did the English afternoon free tour and had a great time. Oliver was an excellent tourguide. Definitely the best free tour that we had during our Eurotrip. Highly recommend. Thank you Oliver for the excellent tour!

Free Tour of Paris

We did the free tour and were happy to pay our guide who was very knowledgeable and fun! We learned some interesting facts about the famous landmarks in Paris, enjoyed some urban tales and tips from our local guide. Highly recommended.

Free tour at 10am was a blast

We did the morning free tour with Zach and really enjoyed it. We are a couple on our early 50s and appreciated Zach's history knowledge even if we didn't care for the drinking tips or the funny voices he did. He was cool and did a great job keeping the crowd amused. Would do a tour with him again.

Amazing free tour

We had Harry as our tour guide on a cold December afternoon and had the best time! Harry is friendly, entertaining and engaging. He gave us a great back history of Paris and was full of knowledge. We've done a free tour is most European cities we've visited and this one was up there as one of our favourites!

Our tour guide was Nancy & she was amazing. We had a great time & the tour was very informative. We arrived on a Saturday & took the tour the next day. Was great timing for us & it gave us a good sense of what we wanted to see during the remainder of the stay. She was quite funny & very engaging. I would highly recommend this tour. Next time we go to Europe we will look up Sandemans

What is a Free Tour?

The Free Tour is the best introduction to Paris! A general overview tour including many of the highlights of the city, the Free Tour usually lasts around 3 hours and is provided by a local freelance guide in partnership with SANDEMANs NEW Europe, so tour content can vary depending on your guide’s particular area of interest and expertise.

The Free Tour is a walking tour with no need for public transport and is designed for independent travellers, not groups. You can book your spot in advance online or simply show up at the start point on the day. There is no payment necessary at the start of the tour but you are welcome to tip your guide at the end!

We believe in supporting local communities and are committed to giving a voice to some of Paris' best local freelance tour guides, who passionately share the city's history and culture with their own unique and always-entertaining style. They'll never pressure you to tip; we believe that, if money is given, it should be voluntary and in direct proportion to the quality of the tour and the budget of the traveller.

Why join the SANDEMANs FREE Tour?

• The route covers many of Paris' major landmarks
• The meeting point is centrally located in Place Saint-Michel
• The Free Tour is guaranteed to fit within your budget
• The guides performing tips-based Free Tours are incentivized to perform every time

WALKING TOURS & ACTIVITIES IN PARIS

• Private Tour

Montmartre Free Walking Tour

Join a walking tour of the perfectly Parisian Montmartre neighborhood

Paris Latin Quarter Free Walking Tour

Visit the beautiful major landmarks that exist in Paris' Latin Quarter

2-hour Paris Highlights Private Tour

Make the most out of your visit and discover Paris' top attractions with your private tour guide

3-hour Paris Private City Tour

Enjoy a comprehensive overview of Paris' fascinating history and must-see sites with your private to ...

Tell us the landmarks, stories or parts of the city you want to see, how long you have to see them and when you want to go, and we’ll build an itinerary that suits you.

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Participation in tours promoted by SANDEMANs NEW Europe is strictly on a voluntary basis. Neither SANDEMANs NEW Europe, nor the self-employed freelance guides who are the providers of the tours promoted by SANDEMANs NEW Europe, will be held responsible in any way for injuries to body or property incurred during tours. The tour guides reserve the right to deny participation in any tour, to any person, for any reason. Thank you for your understanding.

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• Tours in Paris

Paris: Free Montmartre by Walking Tour + Delicious Croissant

Overview of the tour in Paris

Explore Paris' vibrant artistic district of Montmartre on a guided walking tour. From the lively Moulin Rouge to the majestic Sacré Coeur Basilica, immerse yourself in the bohemian charm that defines this iconic neighborhood. Admire the sight of the renowned Moulin Rouge, which serves as the heart of Parisian cabaret. Walk along charming cobblestone streets, and see bohemian apartments that once housed artistic legends. Climb the hill to uncover hidden gems like the Café des Deux Moulins (of Amélie fame) and the House of Van Gogh. Trace the footsteps of artistic brilliance in these historic locations. Arrive at Place des Abbesses, revealing one of Paris' oldest surviving churches and the famed Wall of Love. Discover Montmartre classics like the Bateau Lavoir, House of Dalida, Staue of Passe Murail, Moulin de la Galette, Maison Rose, and the area's last vineyard, all while soaking in the artsy atmosphere of Place du Tertre. Finally, climb your way to the pinnacle of Montmartre, the Basilica of Sacré Coeur awaits. Adorned with statues of French heroes, the basilica offers gardens, a fountain, and a panoramic dome, rivaling the Eiffel Tower for the best views in Paris.

This activity includes:

• Buste de Dalida
• Le Bateau-Lavoir
• Place du Tertre
• Moulin Rouge
• Café des Deux Moulins

Meeting point

Starbucks Coffe, 5 PL Blanche Paris 75009

Take metro line 2 (M2) to Blanche Station. When you exit, please look left side of the road. You will see Five Guys Burger and Starbucks, across the road from the Moulin Rouge. Please wait for me in front of the Starbucks cafe.

Things to note

Don't forget an umbrella if it is raining.

Free Cancellation

You are free to cancel a booking anytime. We kindly remind you to cancel bookings you cannot arrive for. Being reported as absent decreases your customer level points and the benefits you can enjoy.

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Mysteries and Legends of Paris

They say that Paris is the city of light. That may be very true today, but the light was introduced to Paris quite late and in order to prevent its rebellious spirit from taking action. Before it all happened, the streets of Paris were shady and certainly not a place you would want to be alone after dark. Until today, in the bright and wide Parisian boulevards lurk old mysteries and dark secrets that are reluctant to come to the surface. Their world, a world of musty streets and crumbling hovels, has disappeared from the face of the earth, but it lives on in stories and tales. And those are the ones we want to evoke during this walk. Ghosts of the past will once again walk with us along the seemingly peaceful streets of the city. 

Are you ready to discover the dark, medieval face of Paris? Our walk will have two main themes. We will dive deep into the sphere of esoteric, magic and occult and tell you tales and legends too creepy and bloody to include them on the main free tour. You will learn stories of alchemists, mysterious characters associated with Paris like the man in the iron mask and the Templars, catacombs, the secrets of Notre Dame, murders, tortures, and executions. 

Join us and dare to step into the dark side of Paris, allegedly the city of lights.

During this tour, you will see and discover:

• Mysteries of the Notre-Dame Cathedral
• Legend of the Bloody Barber
• Public Executions: Town Hall Square 
• La congerie
• ︎The tower of Saint Jacques
• ︎Catacombs (the first cemetery in Paris: Place des innocents)- no entrence
• And much, much more

Great tour with Ruben

Really wonderful evening tour with ruben. He’s got an endearing wit to him, which makes it difficult not to have fun.

Some of the locations have a dark history, but ruben always forewarned the group. Very much appreciated his knowledge; having been to France several times, I was eager to learn something new. Ruben delivered.

Af ter the tour he hung around to give anyone tips or reco’s, including where to catch the best sunsets. 10/10 recommend – especially if you’ve been to paris before.

A great and passionate tour

We’ve spent Saturday afternoon with Ruben discovering the mysteries and legends of Paris and we must say, it was awesome! Our tour guide was enthusiastic, spreading the great mood in spite of the weather. The tour was very informative, interesting and fun above all. If we could, we would rate Ruben 10 stars! Well done .

I’ve been to Paris several times and this was such a unique and fun thing to do! I also learned some interesting historical facts. Eva was really entertaining. Don’t hesitate and just book!

I’ve been to Paris several times and this was such a fun and unique thing to do. I also learned some interesting historical facts. Eva was really entertaining. Don’t think twice, just book this tour!

An Unforgettable Journey!

Recently, I had the pleasure of joining the Mysteries and Legends tour of Paris, and I must say, it was an extraordinary experience, largely thanks to our guide, Ewa. Her narration was not just informative but incredibly engaging, filled with passion and an evident love for the city’s hidden stories. Ewa has a gift for storytelling; she brings the mysteries and legends of Paris to life in such a vivid way that you’re completely absorbed. The two hours felt like mere minutes, a testament to how captivating the tour was.

Ewa’s knowledge and passion for Paris are unmatched. It’s clear she loves what she does, and her enthusiasm is infectious, making the tour not just a learning experience but a truly enjoyable adventure.

For anyone looking to uncover the layers of Paris that you won’t find in your average guidebook, this tour is an absolute must. You’ll leave with a deeper appreciation for the city and stories that will stick with you long after the tour has ended. Thank you, Ewa, for making my Paris experience unforgettable!

This tour is also available as a Private Tour.

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Paris Walking Tours from the Best Local Guides (Updated 2024)

Paris walking tours with local guides.

We have given more than 100,000 Paris walking tours since our founding in 2010. Join us for:

• The best designed tour routes – Montmartre, Marais, Left Bank, Right Bank, and many more.
• The best trained local guides – real Parisians with both knowledge and passion for the city of Paris
• Most convenient times and durations – 90 minute walking tours designed to maximize your time

There can be so many options when it comes to walking tours in Paris! So many guest reviews.   And so many attractions – the Louvre museum, the Palace of Versailles, the Arc de Triomphe, the river Seine, etc. Just how can you pick the right guided Paris tour?

Our advice when visiting Paris is first to always hire a local guide, because you will see more of the city. And second, to look for: authenticity, guide quality, value for money, and overall guest enjoyment.

Discover Walks offers Paris walking tours that explore the art, the food, the landmarks, and the local gems of France’s City of Light.

Find the best Paris walking tours by category now

Browse our selection of guided paris tours below, your best day in paris private tour.

Customize a perfect day with Discover Walks Paris

Free tours for today & tomorrow

RAIN OR SHINE. INSTANT BOOKING

Montmartre free walking tour

From Moulin Rouge to Sacré Coeur - the last village

Le Marais free walking tour

Trendy Marais tour, mansions and fashions

Le Louvre’s Great Highlights

The museum you do not want to miss

Left Bank, Notre Dame and Latin Quarter tour

From Notre Dame to Panthéon

Paris in two days premium tour

let us customize a perfect stay

Montmartre Private Walking Tour

MOULIN ROUGE TO SACRÉ COEUR

Paris with kids

PRIVATE TOUR – LET’S KEEP EVERY FAMILY MEMBER HAPPY!

Foods of Paris: The Grand Tour

Private tour – our high-end food selection

Paris Flea Market Guided Tour – small group

A fun adventure at the world's largest antiques market

Paris’ #1 Montmartre Food Tour

French foods with a French foodie

Hidden Gems and Secret Paris free tour

JUMP OFF THE TOURIST MAPS

Montmartre Night Tour with Champagne

Paris landmarks free walking tour.

Right bank tour with Discover Walks Paris

Seine River Hop-On Hop-Off Cruise in Paris

Cruise along Paris’ Seine River

Design your tour

Jewish paris tour.

explore Jewish Marais of the past and present

Paris At Night Private Tour With River Cruise With Champagne

Louvre, Palais Royal & Seine River

Customize your Half Day in Paris

The best of Paris in a custom private tour

Paris Cooking Class: Lunch, Wine & Market Visit

Indulge in a true gourmet French experience

Paris: 2-Hour French Pastry Cooking Class

Discover how to make French pastries from a trained chef

Paris: 2-Hour Behind the Scenes Bakery Tour

Learn how to make French pastries from a top French baker

Paris Street art tour

The best walls of Paris

Paris Cooking Class: Learn How to Make Macarons

Discover how to make macarons from an expert instructor

Paris: Latin Quarter Wine and Food Tasting Tour

Explore Latin Quarter and Indulge in Delicious treats

Paris: Wine and Cheese Lunch

Taste different French wine varieties paired with delicious cheeses

Paris: Versailles Food & Palace Bike Tour

Explore Versailles on a bike tour & sample French delicacies

Paris: Le Marais Food & Wine Tasting Tour

Wine and Dine in the Parisian neighborhood of Le Marais

Paris: Montmartre Best Art, Culture and Food Tour

Discover the rich Parisian history of art, music and food

Explore Paris with Local City Tour Guides

How to choose the right free walking tour in Paris for you

When picking a tour, you want to take three factors into consideration – your time, your money and you yourself (or your group).

1 – Your Time Planning what you do in Paris is greatly affected by the number of days you have in the city. The average tourist spends only three nights in Paris. Most overseas visitors spend 4 to 5 nights. Fitting all of Paris’ world-known attractions into 3 to 5 days is not easy! Hiring a guide can help you optimize your time.

2 – Your Money Paris can be expensive to be sure, but many of the city’s highlights are free (Notre Dame, the view from Montmartre, and the special feeling on Pont des Artes to name three). The five-star restaurant can set you back a week’s pay and more – but a sandwich from the local bakery can be a memorable experience. Discover Walks runs the gambit from the very economical free walking tours of Paris , to our flagship “Best Day Ever” customized premium tour of Paris . Our free tours have all of our love of Paris – we don’t hold anything back. If you choose a private tour instead, with us at Discover Walks money will buy you time, personalized service and door-to-door attention.

3- And You!

You and your travel companions are the most important ingredient. We have guests who spend three days in the Louvre and Orsay and one day with Discover Walks and feel they got the best of Paris. Other guests never go inside a museum, they take all seven of our neighborhood tours and feel they really know Paris (and are ready to move here).

If this is your first trip to Paris, we have many ways for you to get the most out of your visit. If you have been to Paris several times, we have created tours that take you off the tourist path, to see more of the real Paris.

Guided Walking Tours Offer the Best Views of Paris

The less time you have in Paris, the more you will want your guide to take you to the best views. Panoramic views help you understand the city better. And they leave you with a lasting impression to take home with you.

One-Day Visit.

We advise you to read below even if you are spending more than one day in Paris, as we give suggestions that you may want to put to use.

High Budget: We have many guests who come from London just for the day. They arrive at Gare Nord train station at 9:30 in the morning and they leave after dinner. Most often, they book our Best Day Ever Tour .

Our guide meets them at the train station and is with them all day as we sweep through Paris in grand style – if they want, we get them reservations for dinner someplace special (the most popular right now is Restaurant Jules Verne at the top of the Eiffel Tower – great dinner and a view that no one forgets.)

Mid/Low Budget: Many other guests with only one day want to get a feel of the city. We recommend first doing a neighborhood tour like our Right Bank Landmarks Tour . In 90 minutes the Discover Walks guide has them feeling like a Parisian, helps them find a good local bistro for lunch.

These guests often stroll past a couple of iconic sites. No need to go inside, from the outside you get a great sense for Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, or the Louvre museum. For the Orsay, Rodin, and Picasso museums. You might end the day having dinner in trendy Marais or one the many places in Montorgueil or in St. Germain des prés.

If you ‘need’ the top of the Eiffel Tower, Orsay, or the Louvre, then we recommend you buy ‘skip-the-line’ tickets at least 30 days in advance. We have many of these special tickets as part of our tours and as a service with our private tour guests.

Two or More Day Visit With two or more full days in Paris, you can start to add things that you have a personality affinity for, alongside the must-sees. First time to Paris? Look at the major landmarks. Been here before? Explore Paris more in-depth, and explore some off-the-beaten-track experiences. Where to start?

To enjoy Paris from the start, to get a feel for the city and to become comfortable, we recommend doing a Discover Walks tour on your first day. Your Discover Walks guide will treat you like an invited guest, like a friend who is visiting our city.

During your time with us, we will not only tell you what you are seeing, we can also explain why things are the way they are in Paris. Our most popular tours are our Food Tour , Best Day Ever, and our neighborhood Private Tours.

Our most popular free walking tour is Montmartre. But all our tours get rave reviews. Perhaps because our guides are all true locals, with a passion for our home city.

We suggest you pick a tour that covers something that interests you – Right Bank (for major landmarks and good orientation), Trendy Marais (to see old Paris Mansions, quaint streets and trendy new Paris), Notre Dame and Left Bank (blend of students, art and bohemian life), St. Germain (the river, old money, art and Hemmingway) and Hidden Gems (the surprising gems in the neighborhood next to the Louvre).

Why Discover Walks as Your Guide?

More than two-thirds of the people who take one tour with Discover Walks decide to take a second tour – and very often a third and a fourth as well. We are thrilled by this, as visitors choose Discover Walks for spending their precious time in Paris. We love Paris. Showing our city to you is a real treat for us. We will treat you the best that we know.

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A Parisian Adventure: Planning the Perfect Day Trip From Paris

Craving a taste of French countryside, medieval history, or artistic inspiration? A day trip from Paris unlocks a world of possibilities

Camilla Amadi • Apr 29, 2024

Beyond the Eiffel Tower lies a treasure trove of destinations waiting to be discovered. Craving a taste of French countryside, medieval history or artistic inspiration? A day trip from Paris unlocks a world of possibilities and you can return to the City of Lights with renewed energy and unforgettable memories.

5 Day Trips From Paris

If you have some extra time, there are many charming towns and villages waiting to be explored. We’ve compiled five enticing escapes, all perfect for a single-day adventure from Paris. Here are a few of our favorites:

Home to the iconic Palace of Versailles, Versailles is a must-see for any history buff. The palace was the seat of French royal power for over a century, and its opulent gardens and staterooms are a testament to the grandeur of the French monarchy.

Things to do: Visit the Palace of Versailles, explore the Hall of Mirrors, stroll through the meticulously manicured gardens, rent a rowboat on the Grand Canal, visit the Marie-Antoinette’s Estate, and attend the famous Musical Fountain Shows (seasonal).

Best time to travel: The best time to visit Versailles is during the spring (April to June) or fall (September to October) when the weather is mild, and the gardens are in full bloom, avoiding the peak summer crowds.

Where to stay : Experience luxury at its finest by staying at the Trianon Palace Versailles, a Waldorf Astoria Hotel, offering elegant rooms and impeccable service just steps away from the Palace of Versailles.

This small village in Normandy is best known as the home of Claude Monet, the founder of Impressionism. Monet’s home and gardens, which he immortalized in many of his paintings, are now a popular tourist destination.

Things to do: Explore Claude Monet’s House and Gardens, wander through the flower garden and water garden, visit the Museum of Impressionisms, and take a leisurely walk around the picturesque village.

Best time to travel: The best time to visit Giverny is from April to October, especially during late spring to early summer when the flowers are in full bloom, and the gardens are at their most colorful.

Where to stay : Enjoy a peaceful countryside retreat at the Le Jardin des Plumes , a charming boutique hotel located close to Monet’s gardens, featuring stylish rooms and a gourmet restaurant with garden views.

Mont Saint-Michel

Mont Saint-Michel is famous for its dramatic tidal variations, with the surrounding bay experiencing some of the highest tides in Europe. During high tide, the island is completely surrounded by water, creating a magical and isolated atmosphere.

Things to do: Explore the Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel, walk along the ramparts for panoramic views, visit the historic village, wander through narrow streets lined with shops and restaurants, and take a guided tour to learn about the island’s fascinating history.

Best time to travel: The best time to visit Mont Saint-Michel is during the shoulder seasons of spring (April to June) or fall (September to October) to avoid the large crowds of summer while still enjoying pleasant weather.

Where to stay : Immerse yourself in the magic of Mont Saint-Michel by staying at the La Mère Poulard , an iconic hotel and restaurant within the medieval walls, offering cozy rooms and panoramic views of the bay.

The city of Chartres is famous for its magnificent cathedral, Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The cathedral is considered one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in France, and its stained glass windows are some of the most beautiful in the world.

Things To Do: Visit the Maison Picassiette, a unique mosaic-covered house created by local artist Raymond Isidore, using broken glass and pottery. You may also walk the labyrinth located inside Chartres Cathedral, a symbolic journey representing the spiritual pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

Best time to travel: The best time to visit Chartres is during the spring (April to June) or fall (September to October) when the weather is mild, and the city is less crowded. 

Where to stay : Indulge in the historic ambiance of Chartres by booking a stay at the Best Western Plus Hotel Le Grand Monarque , ideally situated near the cathedral and featuring comfortable rooms and a traditional French brasserie.

This medieval town is located in Seine-et-Marne, about an hour east of Paris. Provins is known for its well-preserved city walls, its underground passages, and its annual Rose Festival, which takes place in September.

Things to do: Explore the medieval ramparts and gates, visit the Underground Galleries of Provins, attend a medieval festival or reenactment, explore the Grange aux Dîmes, and visit the Saint-Quiriace Collegiate Church.

Best time to travel : The best time to visit Provins is during the summer months (June to August) when the weather is pleasant for exploring outdoor attractions and when various festivals and events take place, celebrating the town’s medieval heritage.

Where to stay : Step back in time at the Maison d’Hôtes Stella Cadente , a unique boutique hotel located within the medieval walls of Provins, offering themed rooms inspired by fairy tales and a whimsical atmosphere that transports guests to another era.

Plan Your Itinerary

Crafting a well-rounded itinerary ensures you make the most of your time away from Paris. Consider the following tips:

Early Start: Begin your day trip early to maximize exploration time and avoid crowds, especially at popular attractions like Versailles or Mont Saint-Michel.

Transportation : Research transportation options, whether by train, bus, or organized tours, and book tickets in advance for a seamless journey.

Highlight Attractions: Prioritize must-see attractions while allowing flexibility for unexpected discoveries and leisurely moments.

Local Cuisine: Sample regional delicacies at quaint cafes or charming bistros, savoring the flavors of each destination.

Pack Essentials: Prepare for a day of adventure by packing essentials tailored to your chosen destination.

Comfortable Attire : Dress appropriately for the weather and activities, whether exploring palace grounds, hiking nature trails, or wandering cobblestone streets.

Map and Guidebook : Arm yourself with maps and guidebooks to navigate unfamiliar terrain and gain insights into local history and culture.

Camera : Capture the beauty and memories of your day trip with a camera or smartphone to immortalize scenic vistas and cherished moments.

Snacks and Water: Stay energized and hydrated throughout the day with snacks and water, especially if venturing to remote areas.

Embrace the Experience

Venturing beyond Paris’s borders unveils a world of wonders waiting to be explored. Whether you seek history, art, nature, or gastronomy, a day trip from Paris promises an enriching experience. Whichever destination you choose, you’re sure to have a memorable day trip from Paris. As you embark on your day trip from Paris, embrace the sense of adventure, engage with the locals and soak in the sights and sounds that comes with exploration. Bon voyage!

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