History Tours in Paris: Our 15 Picks

1.Louvre Museum Entry with History of Mona Lisa

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 2,823 reviews · 1 day · from $74Our pick

Meet your host at 162 Rue de Rivoli for help reaching the Louvre’s priority-access entrance and a short introduction to the museum and Mona Lisa. Hosts have included Jade, Emma, Sofia, Rebecca and Aminata. After the entry process, you explore independently, with maps and suggestions to help you choose your route.

“Definitely worth it to book the early slot. Emma was a wonderful guide, very personable and had so much knowledge, answered any of our questions. She took us straight to the Mona Lisa and I was easily able to wiggle my way to the front since the crowd want as huge yet.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Dark History and Ghostly Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,000 reviews · 2 hours · from $35

Spend two evening hours walking central Paris with an English-speaking guide. Expect grim history and ghost stories at Notre Dame, Pont Neuf, and the Conciergerie, plus tales of a haunted theater, the Opera House, and the Templars. Guides such as Morgan, Catherine, Dora, and Leo have led tours, though your guide may vary. Shared and private options are available.

“Despite the freak snowstorm that was cast over all of Europe Catherine still did the tour which was pretty sick.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Le Marais/Paris – The Historic, Trendy, Jewish, LGBT district

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 341 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours (approx.) · from $48Top rated

Walk through Le Marais with guides including Jill and Eric, seeing Place des Vosges, historic mansions, courtyards, and the Jewish quarter’s food shops. The 90-minute to two-hour English tour links French royal and architectural history with Jewish and LGBT heritage. Groups are limited to 10; snacks and coffee are not included.

“Eric our tour guide was very good. We were a family of 7, with 2 teens. He gave us the history of the district and then we wanted a tour of the Jewish area. He changed his tour to accommodate us. Thank you Eric.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Paris City of Fashion History Private Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 221 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $107

Walk central Paris with Ivo, a fashion-industry professional with advanced training in fashion design. In about two hours, connect the Palais-Royal, Rue Saint-Honoré, Place Vendôme, Chanel’s Rue Cambon and Place de la Concorde through stories of designers, fashion history and current trends. The private route can be tailored to your interests and includes shopping advice.

“Ivo was engaging for all three generations and we enjoyed his inside information about the designers and the current trends.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Le Marais & Montmartre Jewish History Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 170 reviews · 3h 30m · from $80

Spend three and a half hours with an English-speaking local guide, tracing Jewish life in Le Marais and Montmartre. Expect synagogue and memorial stops, stories of artists and community, a 30-minute public-transport transfer, and a finish near Sacré-Cœur. The group is limited to nine, and the synagogue visits are exterior only.

“Pilu was an excellent guide, he told the history of this area in an interesting way, it is obvious that he knows the subject inside out. He explained about Judaism in Paris from historical point of view and also with the appropriate sensitivity, he also gave time for questions. We got a taste of the local falafel, and even though it rained a bit during the tour we got through it very successfully. Thank you!”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Explore the Marais: Culture, History & Hidden Gems of Paris

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 100 reviews · from $56

This two-hour, 2 km walk starts by the Centre Pompidou and threads through the Marais, Saint-Gervais, Rue des Rosiers, and Place des Vosges, with a pastry stop along the way. An English-speaking guide leads a group of up to 12. Past guides have included Maxi, Camila, Paloma, and Adele, though your guide is not guaranteed.

“We had a wonderful guided walked with Cecelia. Starting just by the Pompidou centre and ending near the Jardins de Luxembourg we made our way through areas we hadn’t been to before and Cecilia brought the area to life showing us different sights and places of interest to look at - thank you ! Would highly recommend !”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Historic Paris Walking Tour in English

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 78 reviews · 2h 30m · from $31

Walk through historic Paris for 150 minutes with an English-speaking local guide. Hear the stories behind Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle, the Louvre, Pont des Arts and the Tuileries Gardens, with art, revolution and Parisian personalities in the mix. Guides have included Tom, Harry and Francesca, though your guide may vary.

“Really fantastic tour with Thomas today. He was extremely knowledgeable and had a great sense of humour. Would suit both history buffs and people with only a passing interest in history. Varied range of information ranging from art history to military history. Would recommend this tour to anyone visiting Paris. Only sorry I waited til my last day to take it! Will definitely book another Walkative tour next time I’m in Paris. Best value for money I’ve had in a long time.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Paris Jewish History 2-Hour Private Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 32 reviews · 2 hours · from $176

Walk from Shakespeare & Company through Notre-Dame and the Marais with a private guide, connecting Jewish life in Paris to medieval persecution, the Dreyfus affair, and the Nazi occupation. You’ll see the Pletzl, Rue Pavée synagogue, Place des Vosges, and other historic sites. Guides speak English, French, or Serbo-Croatian.

“Boris was wonderful and masterfully wove together the history of Jewish people with the history of Paris and greater Europe. It was a beautiful reflection on past and present”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Arc de Triomphe Rooftop: Unveil History & Breathtaking Views

★★★★★★★★★★3.1 · 23 reviews · from $36

Start with an optional 30-minute outdoor introduction in English, then enter the Arc de Triomphe and explore its rooftop on your own. You’ll have views of the Champs-Élysées, the Eiffel Tower and Paris, with no guide upstairs. The visit takes about 1.5 to 2 hours and costs $36 per person.

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Fashion History Walking Tour in the Heart of Paris

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 22 reviews · 2 hours · from $104

Walk central Paris with a fashion professional who connects couture history, designer stories, and current style. The two-hour small-group tour visits Palais-Royal, Rue Saint-Honoré, and Rue Cambon, with a look at vintage shops, luxury houses, and Chanel’s Paris legacy. Ivo is named as a guide, and tours are offered in English or French.

“Ivo was terrific. Very friendly but also very knowledgeable. The walk was comfortable. Not strenuous. We went by some historic places for Paris fashion and learned some history. He also pointed out high fashion shopping areas and talked some about the economics of haute couture. Ivo also gave us tips on things to see such as the Fashion Museum and the Louvre fashion exhibition.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Montmartre Walking Tour: A Journey Through Art and History

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · 2h 40m · from $34

Walk from Place Blanche to Sacré-Cœur with Arthur, a Parisian guide who has studied history and art history and lived in Montmartre. In a group of no more than ten, you’ll see the Moulin Rouge, artists’ landmarks, a vineyard and hilltop views, with stories illustrated on a tablet. The 160-minute tour is in English and costs $34 per person.

“My husband and I totally enjoyed the tour of Montmartre. Our guide, Arthur was absolutely amazing. Not only was he very knowledgeable in the History and the Arts of the time but he was engaging and entertaining. Congrats Arthur! Highly recommend this tour.”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Private Photoshoot near any chosen Landmark

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · 1 hour · from $94

Spend an hour with photographer Dylan at a Paris location you choose, from the Eiffel Tower or Notre-Dame to a quieter street or park. You’ll discuss the look you want, get help with poses and photo angles, and receive edited images in a private online gallery. The stated photo count varies between 30 and 35, so confirm it before booking.

“Nos ha encantado como Dylan ha hecho el reportaje. Amable y cercano en todo momento. Muy recomendable.”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Jewish Quarter & Museum of the Art and History Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 4 reviews · from $200

Walk through Le Marais and central Paris with a private guide who speaks your chosen language. See Jewish heritage sites, the Deportation Martyrs Memorial and, on the longer options, the Museum of the Art and History of Judaism. Choose a two-hour walk, a four-hour museum visit, or a 5.5-hour outing with private car transfers.

“There was confusion about the start time and a lot of back and forth regarding that. This lead to confusion on the meeting spot. The guide was knowledgeable about the jewish history of paris , however we didnt see a whole lot of sights. We didnt go to the museum.”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Guided Heritage Tour of Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann

★★★★★★★★★★3.3 · 3 reviews · from $21Best value

Meet your English- or French-speaking guide at Porte Lafayette for a 90-minute after-hours tour of Galeries Lafayette Haussmann. Hear about the department store’s history and architecture, see its Art Nouveau details and stained glass dome, and visit backstage areas. The tour runs on weekends and costs $21 per person.

“Was super interesting. You can definitely take it with you 🙂👍”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Private Paris WWII History Tour: Occupation & Resistance

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 3 reviews · 3 hours · from $294

Walk central Paris’s WWII sites with a private guide, tracing Resistance activity, Jean Moulin’s efforts to unite it, the Vel d’Hiv roundup, and the city’s liberation. Stops include the Luxembourg Gardens, the Saint-Michel district, a bookstore linked to Samuel Beckett’s refuge, and the Deportation Memorial. Choose from nine guide languages.

“We loved this tour. It is the perfect amount of walking and we saw new areas of Paris that we had not seen. It was good to make a visual connection to this important part of history. I would not change anything.”

Check availability →Read our full review