Walk along the bridge at sunset, with the views of Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower, and that’s when you’ll fall for Paris
Pont Neuf spans the river Seine in Paris, and is the oldest standing bridge to do so. It has stood there since the start of the 17th century. It is constructed as a series of short arch bridges and that Roman-inspired design has stood the test of time.
Decorating the sides of the bridge are 381 stone masks, or mascarons, which depict the heads of various figures from ancient mythology, as well as satyrs and sylvains. When the bridge underwent reconstruction in the 19th century the mascarons were replaced with replicas, but they are nonetheless impressive for it.
Break Pont
Where the bridge crosses the Île de la Cité stands a bronze statue of King Henry IV, commissioned by his widow and Regent of France, Marie de Medici. Pont Neuf was one of his first projects when he took the throne after a period of war and uncertainty in France. He wanted to make a statement and literally get Paris moving again.
The king allegedly impressed workers when he visited the construction by leaping over the vast gaps between the pillars of the unfinished bridge. The statue was toppled during the French Revolution, but subsequently reformed using the melted bronze from statues of Louis Charles Antoine Desaix, a general for the French Republic, and of Napoleon. How’s that for symbolism.
The Heart of Paris
Historically, Ponte Neuf was considered the unlikely heart of Paris, somewhere you could see its the true character. Czar Peter the Great came to study French civilisation and declared that he found nothing more curious in Paris than the Ponte Neuf. It was full of vendors hawking oysters, cakes, oranges, coffee, dogs, wooden legs, glass eyes and false teeth. Singers would trill bawdy rhymes about the royal and the rich and sometimes end up in prison for their troubles. It’s a little less rowdy these days, but no less worth the visit.
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.
Embark on a private introductory tour of Paris and explore the Île de la Cité and the Latin Quarter, two iconic Parisian neighbourhoods and enjoy a Seine Cruise for amazing views of the city from the water.
On your private tour, you will:
This is a fascinating introduction and orientation tour of Paris. The Île de la Cité in the middle of the Seine is where the story of Paris, and the history of France truly begins.
Begin the walking portion of your tour at the statue of Henry IV on the Pont Neuf - the oldest bridge in Paris, that crosses onto the Île de la Cité and discover the history of the French Kings as you walk around their medieval castle, the Conciergerie - and learn how it became their brutal prison during the dark days of the Revolution.
Learn all about the French Revolution and its most infamous execution machine, the Guillotine as you stand outside the gates of the Palais du Justice, the courts where all the trials took place.
Admire the Gothic front of Notre Dame - and learn about its incredible 900-year history - as well as its survival during the fire of 2019, before walking off the island, into the Latin Quarter, an historical and vibrant area famed for its gothic churches, the Sorbonne university, and its fun nightlife, with a plethora of jazz bars and eateries.
Visit historical bookshops, once frequented by the likes of Hemingway and Orwell, and explore an area that is renowned for being the starting point of the May 68' Revolution as well as the home of French intellectual thought.
Next, take in the amazing sights of Paris on a return cruise down the River Seine. See the famous landmarks of Paris from the river like the Louvre Museum, Orsay Museum, and the Eiffel Tower to name just a few! Your one-hour cruise ends back at the Pont Neuf.
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.
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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