There’s a rather interesting film called Marie Antoinette, starring Kirsten Dunst and directed by Sofia Coppola. Check it out: it’s a stylised way into the history of the place
La Conciergerie is one of the iconic sights in Paris. Its medieval origin is clear from its architecture, and indeed this was once the royal palace, the Palais de la Cité, named after the island in the middle of the river Seine. In the 14th century it was abandoned by the monarchy and became a seat of administration, parliament and justice until the French Revolution.
Then the parliament was abolished and a revolutionary tribunal was established in its former rooms. Thus, La Conciergerie became a prison, funnelling captives to the Tribunal, where they were sentenced, more often than not, to death by guillotine.
A Special Guest
The prisoners held there were largely from the upper echelons of pre-revolution French society. Indeed, they held one especially privileged captive: Marie-Antoinette. The Queen became desperately unpopular as rumours went around that her lavish spending had bankrupted the country. She too was executed eventually. Her last words were supposedly “Pardon me, sir, I meant not to do it,” talking to Henri Sanson the executioner, whose foot she had accidentally trodden on.
La Conciergerie is open to visitors now and it has lost nothing of its medieval air. The Hall of the Men in Arms is splendid, and the Women’s Yard seems barely to have changed since the days of the revolution. You can even trace the last footsteps those hundreds of prisoners would have taken as they trudged up to the guillotine.
Quite apart from the gruesomeness of the Reign of Terror, the Sainte-Chapelle is an exquisite little Gothic chapel in the Palais de la Cité that was built during the 13th century. King Louis IX commissioned it to house his collection of relics, including Christ’s Crown of Thorns. It’s stained glass was recently restored and is among the most beautiful in the world.
During this fabulous four-hour walking tour of Paris, you will explore the most interesting and diverse central neighbourhoods the French capital has to offer. See the sights at your own pace and adapt your tour with your guide who will be happy to offer suggestions based on your preferences.
On your private half-day highlights tour, you will:
Explore Île de la Cité, one of the two remaining natural islands in the Seine River, considered the historic heart of Paris.
The medieval city of Paris was refounded here with the magnificent Sainte-Chapelle and the former prison, the Conciergerie. While on Île de la Cité, you will have time to walk around the hauntingly beautiful Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral.
The Latin Quarter along the Left Bank was so named because, until the French Revolution, university students in the area spoke only Latin to their professors.
You will visit this famed neighbourhood to immerse yourself in the Parisian atmosphere of yesteryear, whilst exploring the medieval streets and meandering through fantastic shops like Shakespeare and Company bookshop, Place Saint-Michel, and its gorgeous fountain.
As the tour continues, you will learn little-known facts about the French Revolution. You will be exploring the beautiful Tuileries Gardens and the Place de la Concorde, the site at which Louis XVI was beheaded during the French Revolution. Whilst here, do not forget to look out for the magnificent Champs-Élysées, the most famous shopping avenue in the world.
Lastly, you will stop off at the Pont Alexander III, the most beautiful bridge in Paris, where you can enjoy a splendid view of the Eiffel Tower and beyond the majestic Seine. J’aime Paris.
Île de la Cité is the undisputed historic heart of Paris. This small island in the River Seine is where the Celtic tribe known as the Parisii established the first settlements in the area, later becoming an important Roman stronghold that would evolve into the City of Light we know today. It is home to the world-famous Notre Dame Cathedral, which recently re-opened to the public after 5 years of restoration following a devastating fire, the exquisite Sainte-Chapelle, a 13th-century chapel with stained glass windows fit for a king, and the imposing Conciergerie, a former royal palace turned revolutionary prison. Our fascinating private walking tour allows you to visit all three sites with a local expert guide, uncovering the intriguing stories behind these Parisian icons.
On this 3-hour private tour, you will:
Discover the palimpsest of Parisian history on this private walking tour through Île de la Cité, the city’s birthplace and historic heart. With your expert guide leading the way, you will get a comprehensive look at the most important monuments on this small but mighty island. The experience begins outside the legendary Notre Dame Cathedral. After taking in intriguing details of its elaborate facade, you will step inside this world-renowned masterpiece of Gothic architecture, tracing its evolution across the centuries as you admire soaring vaults, luminous stained glass, and important religious artefacts. Along the way, your guide will regale you with stories of the coronations, revolutions, and cultural milestones that have unfolded within these walls. You’ll also gain a deeper understanding of the cathedral’s resilience in the wake of the dramatic 2019 fire and the painstaking restoration efforts undertaken in the years since.
From Notre Dame, your journey continues to two other jewels of the Palais de la Cité, the extensive former royal palace complex, with the exact order varying depending on ticket availability. At the Sainte-Chapelle, your guide will explain the eye-catching elements of French Rayonnant architecture on display in this spectacular place of worship, which was originally intended as a repository of sacred relics. As you ascend to the upper chapel, the walls will dissolve into a kaleidoscope of stained glass, thanks to the 15 towering windows that narrate biblical scenes in a blaze of colour. Standing beneath the chapel’s celestial vaulted ceiling, a privilege once reserved for French royalty, is nothing short of breathtaking.
Just a stone’s throw away from the Sainte-Chapelle, your guide will lead you through the hallowed halls of the Conciergerie, a vast fortress-like building whose architecture reflects centuries of change. Once part of the royal residence, it later became one of the most infamous prisons of the French Revolution. As you walk its atmospheric corridors, your guide will share the stories of those who awaited their fate here, including Marie Antoinette, whose reconstructed cell offers a poignant glimpse into her final days.
This tour is a wonderful way to delve into the architecture, artistry, and dramatic history of Île de la Cité. With easy access to three of its most important monuments and the insights of a passionate local guide, you’ll leave with a richer appreciation of Paris’ past and some of the most precious treasures that continue to shape its identity today.
Experience the magic of the City of Lights with an evening walk through the most romantic areas of Paris: the medieval Île de la Cité and the Latin Quarter. Take a relaxing and scenic cruise ride along the River Seine with fabulous photo opportunities of famous Parisian landmarks including the Eiffel Tower lit up at night.
On your private tour you will:
Enjoy a magical tour of central medieval Paris lit up at night! Begin by the statue of Good King Henry on the Pont Neuf and follow your expert private guide around the Île de la Cité.
This island, in the middle of the Seine, holds the founding history of Paris and France itself: it is where a Celtic tribe called the Parisi first settled, and later Clovis King of the Franks won after the fall of Rome. Learn the history of the French Kings and Queens as you gaze across to the Louvre Palace, beautifully lit at night, and walk through Place Dauphine.
Admire some Napoleonic decorations to the Palais du Justice, and hear about some of his greatest achievements, and epic losses. As you walk around this stunning beautifully lighted medieval castle, you'll learn that it was once the home of the French Kings - and later became their prison during the Revolution. Hear about the trials, both fair and foul, and decide for yourself if Marie Antoinette was as guilty as she is painted.
Admire the exquisite Gothic facade of Notre Dame - always stunningly lit up at night and hear of its extraordinary history -and survival.
Walk around the trendy, artsy and vibrant Latin Quarter - famous for its plethora of Gothic churches, the Sorbonne University - which gives it its name as Latin was the language of Academia in the middle ages! Pass by famous the Jazz clubs on Rue de la Huchette, and the bars and cafes and bookshops - like Shakespeare and Co - that were frequented by members of the Lost Generation like Hemingway, Orwell and Gertrude Stein.
Finally, return to the Pont Neuf where your guide will leave you to enjoy a romantic evening river cruise along the Seine. This is a wonderful way to see the great monuments of Paris lit up - including the Louvre, the Musee d'Orsay, and of course the piece de resistance: the Eiffel Tower!
Important: This tour includes a 2-hour private guided walking tour followed by a 1-hour river cruise with onboard commentary on your own. Your tour guide will walk you to the cruise docking point where they will part ways with you. You can choose to take the cruise at the end of the tour or later during your stay.
Audrey Hepburn famously said, “Paris is always a good idea”, and we couldn’t agree more. On our three-hour private walking tour, you will have the chance to explore some of the most iconic corners of the French capital, from Montmartre to Notre Dame, in the company of an expert guide, followed by an idyllic river cruise along the Seine.
On your private tour, you will:
Step into the soul of Paris on this immersive private tour that beautifully blends art, history, and iconic cityscapes. With your expert local guide leading the way, you'll begin your journey in the enchanting hills of Montmartre, the epicentre of Paris’ bohemian spirit. As you wander cobbled lanes and charming squares, you’ll uncover the artistic legacy of this famed neighbourhood, passing by the legendary Moulin Rouge, the Van Gogh brothers’ former home, and the hidden courtyards that once echoed with the footsteps of Picasso, Matisse, and other revolutionary artists. You will also have the chance to visit the majestic Sacré-Cœur Basilica, where sweeping views of Paris provide the perfect backdrop for tales of love, revolution, and artistic rebellion.
From Montmartre, you’ll travel like a true Parisian by metro to the historic Île de la Cité, the birthplace of the city. Here, you will explore centuries of French history through the facades of awe-inspiring monuments: the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral, the radiant stained glass jewel of Sainte-Chapelle, the formidable Conciergerie (the medieval home of the French royals that would later become their prison), and the grand Palais de Justice. Though viewed from the outside, each building holds dramatic stories of kings, prisoners, and visionaries brought vividly to life through your guide’s rich storytelling.
Your walking tour concludes with a peaceful stroll through the elegant Place Dauphine to the Pont Neuf, Paris' oldest standing bridge. Before bidding you adieu, your guide will give you tickets to join a one-hour river cruise that will take you past the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower and many other stunning monuments that line the Seine, an ideal way to end your voyage of discovery and see Paris from a new perspective.
This tour is perfect for independent travellers who want to delve deeper into Paris’ most legendary neighbourhoods while enjoying a curated and personal experience led by a passionate local guide.
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