The Best Paris City Tours You'll Actually Want To Take

Paris rewards the curious — and the well-guided. The best Paris city tours aren't just about checking sights off a list. They're about slipping into the rhythm of the city, with experts who know where the real magic hides.

From breezy bike rides to river cruises and irresistible food strolls, we've handpicked the best Paris city tours to make your visit unforgettable. No herding, no canned commentary — just the good stuff, delivered by guides who actually love Paris as much as you do.

The Best Paris City Tours by Car

Roll Through Paris – Tour in a Classic 2CV

A Citroen 2CV on the banks of the Seine near Notre Dame

When Parisians daydream about the good old days, a Citroën 2CV often rolls into the picture — that charming little car that looks like it was born knowing how to find a cafe. On this private tour, you settle into a vintage 2CV while your driver-guide whisks you through the city's legendary streets, past monuments, hidden squares, and the occasional cobblestone bump for authenticity.

It's Paris sightseeing tours the old-school way, complete with plenty of opportunities to roll down the window and wave like a movie star. Whether you're in it for the romance, the nostalgia, or just the sheer fun of it all, this ride offers a different (and delightful) angle on the city you thought you knew.

Cruise Paris in a Classic Traction Avant

This time it's a classic Citroën Traction Avant on the banks of the Seine, photo City Wheels

Certain cars just belong to Paris, and the Citroën Traction Avant is one that seems built for its grand boulevards and side-street secrets. In this private city tour, you slip into a lovingly preserved vintage ride, complete with a driver-guide who knows both the city's legends and its shortcuts.

It's Paris sightseeing tours with extra flair — old-world elegance wrapped around a fresh look at the city's must-sees and lesser-known treasures. Whether you're swooping past the Arc de Triomphe or weaving into the backstreets of the Marais, this is Paris seen the way it should be: with a little style, a little history, and a lot of head-turning charm.

The Best Paris City Tours by Boat (by Night!)

Dinner Cruise with Live Music – An Evening to Remember

A Bateaux Parisiens dinner boat cruises past the Musée d'Orsay

Some evenings in Paris are just meant to be taken slowly — preferably aboard a boat, with a glass of champagne in hand. This Bateaux Parisiens dinner cruise delivers all the essentials: candlelit tables, fine French cuisine, the soft lilt of live music, and front-row views of the city's greatest hits as they light up the night.

Glide past the Louvre, Notre Dame, and the Eiffel Tower, all shimmering in the dark like they're putting on a show just for you. It's not just a meal; it's a mood — a perfect blend of sightseeing, savoring, and a little showing off. For city tours in Paris with maximum romance, this one's hard to top. Paris Insiders Tip: opt for the Service Premier for the best views, the best menu, and the best experience.

The Best Paris City Tours by Bike

Paris by Night Small Group Bike Tour & Boat Cruise

Riders on a Paris night bike tour head to the Arc de Triomphe du Carousel

Paris knows how to dress up after dark, and there's no better way to admire it than from the seat of a bike. This small-group tour weaves you through the glow of the city's best nighttime scenes — think glittering monuments, quiet courtyards, and river views that don't even try to be modest. It's part ride, part ramble, and all Paris.

The grand finale? You trade your bike for a boat and glide along the Seine, passing under floodlit bridges and past grand facades. As if that weren't enough, a glass of wine appears in your hand — a civilized salute to a night well spent. If you're looking for the best Paris city tours with a little extra sparkle, this one's hard to beat.

The Best Paris Neighborhood Tours

Secrets of Montmartre – A Small-Group Walking Tour

The cobblestone streets of Montmartre at night

Montmartre has been luring dreamers, artists, and mischief-makers for centuries, and this small-group tour lets you walk right into its story. A guide leads you through twisting streets and past familiar names — think Picasso, Toulouse-Lautrec, and maybe a certain windmill or two. It's part art history, part neighborhood gossip, with plenty of hidden corners you wouldn't spot on your own.

It's all done at an easy pace, with a few cheeky legends and scandalous tales thrown in for good measure. If you want Paris sightseeing tours that feel more like hanging out with a clued-in friend than following a flag, Montmartre is calling.

Notre Dame & Île de la Cité Walking Tour

The towers and spire of Notre Dame, and the spire of La Sainte Chapelle, rise above Île de la Cité"

Standing on Île de la Cité feels like stepping back into the earliest days of Paris — only with better shoes. This guided tour/Paris adventure leads you around the exterior of Notre-Dame Cathedral, into the jewel box that is Sainte-Chapelle, and through the cobbled lanes of the island where the city began.

You'll hear stories of medieval monarchs, Gothic builders, and the occasional schemer, all while soaking up some of the most beautiful views in town. It's the kind of walking tour that makes you feel a little smarter and a lot more enchanted by the end.

Visit the Luxembourg gardens and the Pantheon on this Latin Quarter tour, photo by Mark Craft

If the Left Bank could talk, it would have a lot to say — and probably quote a few poets while it was at it. This Latin Quarter walking tour brings the neighborhood's rebellious spirit to life, weaving through old streets where scholars, revolutionaries, and other big thinkers made their mark.

You'll pass by the Sorbonne, peer into hidden courtyards, and hear the kind of lively tales that make history feel like something that just happened last week. For guided tours Paris visitors will actually remember, a wander through the Latin Quarter is hard to beat.

The Best Paris Food Tours

Tastes of Montmartre – Cheese, Wine & Pastry Tour

Sampling croissants on a Taste of Montmartre food tour

Montmartre isn't just for artists — it's also a paradise for anyone who thinks a perfect day involves a baguette under one arm and a glass of wine in the other. On this guided food tour, you'll nibble, sip, and stroll your way through the best of Montmartre's culinary scene, sampling artisan cheeses, flaky pastries, and maybe a few other delicious surprises along the way.

It's an irresistible mix of flavors and stories, all set against the backdrop of one of Paris's most atmospheric neighborhoods. If your idea of the best Paris city tours includes snacks (and really, whose doesn't?), this one's calling your name.

St-Germain's Sweet Life – Chocolate & Pâtisserie Tour

Sampling the good stuff on a St-Germain chocolate & pâtisserie tour

Prepare your sweet tooth — this St-Germain walking tour is a three-hour love letter to chocolate, pastries, and the French art of making life just a little bit more delicious. Led by a guide who knows their ganache from their gâteau, you'll sample handmade treats from some of the finest chocolatiers and pâtisseries in Paris.

Between bites, you'll wander the elegant streets of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, soaking in the charm of a neighborhood that has always taken its pleasures seriously. For city tours in Paris that combine history with the serious business of dessert, this is your golden ticket.

Paris Insiders Tips for Your Tour

A good tour can make Paris unforgettable — a few Insider moves can make it even better. Book early if you have your heart set on a particular experience, especially for boat cruises and private Paris city tours. The best ones fill up faster than you'd think, even outside of peak season.

Also, think about timing. Even though we, personally, prefer to sleep in, we know that morning tours often mean fewer crowds, better photos, maybe even fresher guides who haven't yet answered the same question fifty times. And don't be afraid to ask questions along the way — the best guides love showing off their Paris, and a little curiosity can turn a good tour into a great conversation.