A great place to take a break from the crowds of central Paris.
Given its position, smack-bang in the middle of Paris, sharing the Île de la Cité with Notre Dame, Place Dauphine can be an amazingly quiet and peaceful place. It was built by Henry IV of France, the second of his great Parisian public squares after the Place des Vosges in Le Marais. All of the houses were complete by 1616. The vast majority have been renovated, made taller or otherwise significantly altered - only the two that flank the entrance leading onto the Pont Neuf retain their original appearance, offering a charm-soaked glimpse of the Paris of 400 years ago.
A Hidden Gem
There’s a good reason why Place Dauphine rarely seems crowded - it’s not the kind of place you would stumble across on a typical wander around Paris’ major sights. You need to head to the western tip of the Île de la Cité, and you’ll find it just before the Pont Neuf. Entering from here, you will immediately notice that it isn’t actually a square, but rather a triangle. In the centre is a lovely shady area where you can find old men playing petanque and young couples taking in the sun. Cars are a rarity here, and in their place pedestrians stroll at leisure beneath the new trees. These used to be magnificent old chestnuts, but sadly in 2009 they were all cut down after succumbing to a parasite.
The life of the square goes on though, and it’s a great place to come to rest your legs after a day’s sightseeing. There are plenty of cafes and wine bars to be found here, which put out little wooden tables and chairs when the weather is fine.
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.
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.
Join the fastest growing community of professional tour guides.
Use our easy to integrate toolset to include Tours & Attractions in your customer journey.