Half-Day Paris Walking Tour: Explore Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe & Eiffel Tower

Tour Details

Duration: 4 hours
Product Type: Tour
Venues: Notre Dame Cathedral (exterior only)

Île de la Cité

Palais Royal

Tuileries Garden

Place de la Concorde

Pont des Arts

Champs-Elysées

Arc de Triomphe (exterior only)

Latin Quarter

Eiffel Tower (exterior only)

Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood

Photos & Highlights

Join an engaging, local expert at the top of their field, as you explore the essential highlights of Paris, including Notre Dame Cathedral, Arc de Triomphe, and the iconic Eiffel Tower
Looking to book this tour during the Olympic Games? Check back in with us in early 2024 when Paris venues announce their summer availability.

Select a date

Tour Description

Soak up the Parisian atmosphere and history with a local guide during this half-day walking tour. On this popular itinerary, you will explore a combination of essential highlights of Paris, which may include the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Arc de Triomphe, and a stunning view of the Eiffel Tower, depending on your interest. You will wander down charming streets, view famous monuments, marvel at the exquisite Gothic architecture, and delve deep into the complex historical narratives of the City of Light.

The sites in Paris are plentiful, and you will start off your half-day tour by discussing with your expert guide what route you will take together in order to see what most excites you and your party.

You will begin your Parisian adventure on the charming Rive Gauche, where you may explore the historic St-Germain-des-Prés area, famous for its cobblestone streets and literary heritage, and pass by Romanesque churches and iconic cafés frequented by literary greats like Hemingway and Joyce. You may continue to the Latin Quarter, home to France's oldest university, Sorbonne, and the stunning Gothic vaults of Saint-Séverin. If time allows, your group may decide to stop at the renowned Shakespeare & Company bookstore.

Next, cross to the Ile de la Cité, the heart of Paris, to catch a glimpse of Notre Dame de Paris, still recovering from the recent fire. You will then transition to the Rive Droite, walking towards the Louvre's main courtyard and pyramid, or perhaps taking some time to admire the former Palais Royal and wander up towards the majestic Opéra Garnier, both filled with captivating historical tales.

From here, your expert may lead you to hop on the metro and stop at the Arc de Triomphe, learning about its symbolism and significance as a historical axis. As you reach the end of the tour, you will find yourselves at Trocadero, with one of the best views in the world-- a panorama of the Eiffel Tower. Here, your Context guide will bid farewell, and you'll have the wonderful opportunity to ascend the tower if you have pre-purchased your own tickets.

After this captivating and immersive walking tour, you'll emerge with a profound understanding of Paris's rich history, awe-inspiring architecture, and vibrant way of life.

Experts

Marie

James

Lily

Eric

Marine

Jennifer

Laurent

Caroline

Thibaud

Gil

Lindsey

Samuél

Michael

Charlotte

Georgia

Aline

Michael

Rebecca

Marie

Sunday

Sarah

Anthony

Camilla

Lauren

Heidi

Daniele

Géraldine

Sylvanie

Randa

Carine

Johanna

Carmina

Marie-Claire

Françoise

Erell

Karine

Emmanuel

Violette

Adam

Edwige

Stéphanie

Ange

Christopher

Elisa

Melissa

Emmanuelle

Tina

Eva

Nadia

François

Dina

Aymeric

Ulrike

Irene

Abigail

Beverley

Ewan

It is your first time in Paris, and you are looking for a comprehensive introduction.
You love walking and want to visit many areas in a short amount of time.

Medieval streets and Gothic churches of the Latin Quarter
Right Bank classics such as the Louvre (exterior only), Tuileries Gardens, or Palais Royal
Views of the Champs-Elysées, Arc de Triomphe, and Eiffel Tower (exterior only)

Admission Tickets

Are Eiffel Tower tickets included?
No. We do not provide tickets to climb the Eiffel Tower. Should you like to climb the Tower following your tour, we recommend purchasing tickets well in advance. You may do so on their public site here.

Are there any other entrance fees included?
No. There are no entrance fees included on this tour. We will visit the listed venues (Louvre, Opera Garnier, Arc De Triomphe, Eiffel Tower) from the exterior only.

Transportation

Can I be picked up from my hotel?

For our private tours, we offer the convenience of optional car service and hotel pick-up. Please note that this option is not available for small-group tours. Small-group tours meet in the 6th Arrondissement.

Where do I meet my Context Guide? Where does the tour end?
You will meet your guide in front of the main entrance of the Église Saint-Germain-des-Prés, and it will end in Esplanade du Trocadéro, also known as the Human Rights Plaza, just across from the Eiffel Tower. Your confirmation email will have the exact meeting point details along with a map.

Can I do this tour by car instead of walking?

Yes, you can reserve a car service for this tour if you are booking a private tour (note: this option is not available for our group tours). Please select the option for car service with hotel pick up at checkout and provide your hotel address in the Additional Details box when placing your order.

If I book a private tour with car service, where does the tour meet and end?
If you book a private tour with the optional car service, you will meet your guide and driver at your hotel or accommodation. You will be dropped off at the Esplanade du Trocadéro, near the Eiffel Tower.

If we don't select a car service add-on, how many times will we be taking the metro?

Due to the distance between sites, we will use public transport at least 3 times during the tour. Your guide will help you purchase the tickets on-site. Please note that the cost of the tickets is not included in the total cost of the tour. If you'd like to do the tour by car please add the car service to your cart when booking.

Additional Trip-Planning Resources

For more information on planning your travels to France, take a read through our Context Stories.
If you are looking to learn more about France prior to a visit, check out our online lectures at Context Learning.

Will I see all of the major monuments on this tour?
Paris is a large city with a generous amount of famous landmarks. It is nearly impossible to see everything in 4 hours, which is why your expert will take the beginning of your tour to discuss what the best route is for you and your party.

What other tours should I take along with Paris in a Half-Day?
Any of our museum or food tours would make a great addition to Paris in a Half-Day. If you are looking for outdoor walking highlights, we suggest following this tour with one of our neighborhood tours, such as the Marais Walking Tour or the Montmartre Tour with Sacré Coeur.

We do not, however, suggest reserving Paris by Riverboat along with Paris in a Full Day. These tours visit largely the same monuments and cover the same topics.

Is this tour suitable for children?
While this tour is not specifically designed for kids, we can certainly provide a family-friendly guide to ensure an enjoyable experience for everyone. For a tour tailored specifically to children, we recommend checking out our Paris in a Day for Kids itinerary, which is thoughtfully crafted with young explorers in mind.

What happens if it's raining?

Our tours take place rain or shine, and our expert guides are skilled at adjusting the route to make the most of any weather conditions. Be sure to bring along an umbrella or jacket, just in case, and get ready to have a fantastic time exploring with us.

We understand that some of our valued guests may have mobility concerns, and we want to ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience throughout your tour. If there are any accessibility concerns that your tour guide will need to be aware of, please let our team know at the time of booking.

Is this tour wheelchair-friendly?

Yes, this tour is wheelchair friendly and we would recommend booking a private tour and adding a car service.

Is the Eiffel Tower wheelchair-accessible?
The Eiffel Tower is accessible via elevator to the first and second floors. Additional helpful information is available here.

Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.

Where You'll Start