Paris City Tours That Show You the Good Stuff

If you want to see Paris properly — and without getting lost between arrondissements — a city tour is the smartest way to start. Paris city tours let you kick back a little while someone else navigates the tricky streets and hidden gems. It’s a shortcut to feeling like you belong here.

We've rounded up the best ways to see the city: by bike, boat, car, or foot — led by experts who know their stuff. Paris city tours come in all flavors, from leisurely river cruises to lively walking tours with local guides who bring the city's stories to life.

The 10 Best Paris City Tours – Our Top Picks

Tour Paris in a classic Citroën Traction Avant, photo City Wheels

With so much to see and only so much time, picking the right tour can make all the difference. We've done the heavy lifting to find the Paris sightseeing tours that truly deliver — the ones that make you feel part of the story, not just a spectator.

Want to sip champagne while floating past Notre-Dame? Glide through quiet streets on a night bike tour? Sit back as a guide connects the dots between Paris' past and present? It's all here. These are the city tours in Paris you'll be bragging about later.

Paris City Tours by Bike

Crossing the Pont des Arts on a Paris bicycle tour

Paris practically begs to be seen by bike — flat streets, stunning views, and plenty of places to stop for a pastry. Hop on two wheels and you'll cover more ground than you would on foot, with plenty of chances to pull over for that can't-miss photo.

Our favorite bike tours come with savvy guides who know all the shortcuts, back alleys, and wide boulevards. Some even throw in a river cruise for good measure. Paris city tours by bus, bike, or boat are all good, but biking brings a certain easy-going charm you'll love.

Vintage Car Tours in a Classic 2CV

Turning a corner in a blur, visitors see Paris from a 2CV, photo by Mark Craft

Few things say "Paris" quite like rattling through the streets in a classic Citroën 2CV — part vintage flair, part open-air adventure. Your private driver-guide takes you past the big landmarks and through the tucked-away corners most tourists miss.

The ride may be vintage, but the views are pure Paris magic. You'll have time to hop out for photos, get local stories you won't find in any guidebook, and maybe even pick up a few admiring glances from pedestrians. Paris city tours with local guides don't get much more stylish than this.

Romantic Dinner Cruises on the Seine

If you think Paris looks good from the sidewalks, wait until you see it from the river — especially with a glass of wine in hand. A dinner cruise down the Seine offers food, views, and a front-row seat to the city's most dazzling monuments, all under a starlit sky.

Top-rated cruises, like our favorite dinner cruise , treat you to VIP service, elegant multi-course meals, and live music that somehow makes the Eiffel Tower sparkle even brighter. This is Paris sightseeing tours done right: a little decadent, a little dreamy, and absolutely unforgettable.

Skip-the-Line Tours at Paris Museums

On a skip-the-line museum tour of the Louvre, a guide related juicy details of the artworks

Paris museums are world-famous — and world-famous for their lines. Smart travelers skip straight past the crowds and into the good stuff by booking guided tours Paris visitors rave about.

A skip-the-line tour not only gets you fast access, but brings the art and history alive with sharp, engaging commentary. Think Mona Lisa in the Louvre without the elbowing, Rodin without the guesswork. Some tours even bundle two museums into one day, perfect for those on a sightseeing mission.

Hop-on, Hop-off, Open-Top Buses

Hop-on bus passengers get up close and personal with the Arc de Triomphe

Normally, we don't like bus tours — but the Paris hop-on, hop-off versions are a whole different animal. Open-topped and lazily circling the city's greatest hits, they let you get the lay of the land without sore feet or subway confusion. They're a great way to get a feeling for Paris, especially with the view available on the top deck.

You can jump off whenever something irresistible catches your eye, then hop back on when you're ready to roll again. For visitors who want a panoramic overview without breaking stride, Paris city tours by bus, bike, or boat don't get easier than this.

The 10 Best Walking Tours in Paris

A guide details the sights and history of Montmartre on a walking tour

Paris was made for walking — it's how you find the tucked-away cafes, the crooked lanes, the markets buzzing with life. That's why we put together a collection of the best walking tours the city has to offer, led by guides who turn every corner into a story.

Chocolate tasting? Ghost stories? Gourmet food walks? Skip-the-line museum strolls? You name it. Walking tours offer that sweet balance of exercise, culture, and the occasional pastry reward. Your boots were made for walking — and for finding the real Paris.

Paris Insiders Tips for Your Tour

Don't try to cram Paris into a checklist. The best city tours aren't a race; they're a way to sink into the city's rhythm, one beautiful detail at a time. Give yourself breathing room, linger a little, and let the unexpected moments become the highlights of your day.

Also, trust your guide. The best Paris city tours with local guides aren't just about reciting facts — they're about noticing the things you'd never see on your own. Ask questions, listen closely, and you'll leave with better stories than any guidebook could give you.