Bursting with unbelievable art, food, wine and history, Paris is one of the world’s most culturally rich cities. There are so many things to do in Paris that it’s best to rely on the guidance of a few locals to make the most of your trip. Using both traveler sentiment and expert input, U.S. News tracked down some of the best tours in Paris. Each one boasts insider tips, hidden side streets, curious backstories and unique experiences that will make your time in Paris impossible to forget.
1. Paris Bike Tour with Blue Fox Travel
The Versailles estate encompasses 2,000 acres, and there’s no better way to see it than on a bike with Blue Fox Travel. Spend roughly nine hours with an expert guide and a small group (up to 14 people) touring the royal grounds, including the Grand and Petit Trianon chateaus, Marie Antoinette’s private domain and the grand palace with a skip-the-line pass included in your ticket. Guides tell stories of French royal history, including the conquests of the Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King, the controversies surrounding Louis XV, the French Revolution and Marie Antoinette. Reviewers love biking the grounds at a leisurely pace and rave about the expertise of the guides, as well as the picnic lunch with finds from one of the local farmers markets.
The tour runs daily at 8:30 a.m., except for Monday. Tickets start at approximately 109 euros (around $119) for adults and 95 euros (roughly $104) for kids and teens 17 and younger. Tours include train tickets to and from Paris. Blue Fox Travel also guides visitors on cycling tours of Paris at night and the city’s top attractions.
- Price: Adults from 109 euros (around $119); kids from 95 euros (about $104)
- Duration: 9 hours
2. City Wonders: Tour of the Paris Catacombs
For two hours, City Wonders will show you what’s below Paris: a system of caves, crypts, and tombs where almost six million skeletons live. With this Paris Catacombs tour, you’ll be able to visit the Port Mahon gallery, the Sacellum Crypt, and Gilbert’s Tomb together with a small group instead of waiting in line. Historical stories will be told to you by knowledgeable tour guides. Reviews like the entertaining guides and the skip-the-line access. They suggest this over a self-guided trip.
Prices may go up during busy times of the year, but tickets start at about $140 for adults and $130 for kids ages 4 to 14. Multiple times a day, Tuesday through Sunday, tours leave. Beyond the tunnels, City Wonders also offers regular trips of the Louvre, Versailles, and the Eiffel Tower.
- Price: Adults from $140; kids from $130
- Duration: 2 hours
3. Bike About Tours: Bike Tour of the Hidden Paris
A guide takes you on a 3.5-hour bike tour from Bike About Tours through Paris’s back streets to see both well-known and less well-known sights. Guides tell stories about history and culture along the way. The Place des Vosges, the Jardin des Plantes, and the Paris mosque are just a few of the places to see. Reviewers love that they can take their time and see a lot of different sites. They also think the guides are very knowledgeable.
The prices start at 45 euros ($49) for adults and 20 euros ($22) for kids under 5. In the summer, tours leave every day at 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. The company also has tours of Versailles by bike.
- Price: Adults from 45 euros (around $49); kids from 20 euros (about $22)
- Duration: 3.5 hours
4. Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour of Paris
The Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour lets you plan your own trip through Paris. Open-top, double-decker buses stop at 10 places close to tourist spots, such as the Grand Palais, the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, and the Musée du Louvre. An audio tour that has already been made and is available in 11 languages is on every bus. Some reviewers are disappointed that buses are often too busy, but others love how convenient the bus is.
Every day from about 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., buses run and stop about every seven to fifteen minutes. The bus ride will last for two hours and fifteen minutes if you choose to go the whole way. One-day passes start at 45 euros (about $49) for adults and 25 euros (about $27) for kids ages 4 to 12. If you book online ahead of time, you may be able to get a discount. Big Bus also has passes that are good for two days, tours that go at night, and trips that include a river cruise.
- Price: Adults from 45 euros (around $49); kids from 25 euros (roughly $27)
- Duration: About 2 hours
5. Classical Retro Tour Paris
On the Retro Classic tour of Paris, you can ride through the city in an old sidecar pulled by an experienced motorbike driver. You’ll see the Champs-Élysées, the Eiffel Tower, the Champ de Mars, and more. Local guides will tell you interesting stories that will make your trip unlike any other city tour. Reviewers love how exciting it is to ride in the sidecar and how they learn about the area.
A ticket costs 99 euros, which is about 108 dollars, for 40 minutes, and two adults are the most that can fit. From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., every day, tours leave every 30 minutes. There are also 90-minute tours and a ride through Paris at sunset (with a Champagne taste, of course) that you can choose from if you enjoy your first sidecar ride.
- Price: From 99 euros (about $108)
- Duration: 40 minutes
6. Paris Bike Tour with Fat Tire Tours
Take a Fat Tire Tours ride to see Versailles in all its glory. A guide will take you through the open market at Versailles to pick up a picnic lunch before taking you to the Petit Trianon, the Grand Trianon, and the estate grounds for the day, which lasts about 8.5 hours. The tour also comes with an audio guide and skip the line to get into the house. People who ride bikes love the tour guides and the wide views of the famous house and grounds.
Tours leave every day before 9 a.m., from Tuesday to Sunday. Tickets for adults start at 99 euros, which is about 108 dollars, and include a train ride from Paris. However, the ticket does not cover the things you buy at the market. From 4 to 17 years old, the tour costs 85 euros, which is about $93. Kids younger than 4 are free. Fat Tire Tours also offers guided walks and Segway rides, as well as a variety of biking tours around Paris and the nearby area, including one that is based on “Emily in Paris.”
- Price: Adults from 99 euros (about $108); kids from 85 euros (about $93)
- Duration: 8.5 hours
7. 2CVParisTour – Legendary Paris Tour
If you want a unique and interesting drive through Paris, let 2CVParisTour drive you around in a classic French car called a Citroën 2CV. As you ride through the streets of Paris for two hours, you can see the Arc de Triomphe, the Luxembourg Gardens, the Palais de l’Élysée, the Église Saint-Sulpice, and more. Reviewers like the fun guides and the classic car experience.
Prices for the tour start at about 160 euros ($155) per car, and Champagne can be added for an extra fee. Every day, tours leave several times, beginning at 11 a.m. and finishing after 10 p.m. If you can’t get enough of old cars, you can also book a trip of Montmartre that includes a picnic or other activities.
- Price: From 160 euros (about $175)
- Duration: 2 hours
8. Street Art Tour Paris – Murals XXL
You don’t need a museum pass to see some of the city’s biggest works of art with Street Art Tour’s Murals XXL. A knowledgeable guide takes groups around the city to see modern murals by some of the most famous and skilled artists in the world, like Jorge Rodriguez-Gerada and Obey. Reviewers love the insider information and how the tour shows features (and murals) that people usually don’t see. Plus, people who have trouble moving around can use the path.
Every Tuesday and Saturday at 2 p.m., tours last just over two hours. Each ticket costs at least 26 euros, which is about 28 dollars. Groups of five or more can get savings. Street Art Tour Paris also has walks in Belleville and Montmartre, among other places.
- Price: From 26 euros (about $28)
- Duration: About 2 hours
9. Segway Tour by XL Tours
During the two-hour tour, you’ll glide by some of Paris’ must-see sights like the Eiffel Tower, Trocadero Gardens and the Musée d’Orsay. You’ll also ride in style on Bel & Bel Segways, which are designed to resemble the iconic Vespa scooters. Travelers say the Segways are a great way to see the city and the guides provide clear instructions.
Tours are available daily at 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 6 or 7 p.m. Tickets start at 75 euros (around $82) per rider (though you may be required to book at least two riders for your tour if you book directly through the company’s website). Participants must be at least 12 years old. XL Tour also runs electric bike tours through the city.
- Price: From 75 euros (about $82)
- Duration: 2 hours
10. Louvre + Orsay Museum Guided Combo Tour by Babylon Tours
This 5.5-hour tour includes Greek sculpture and Renoir, Monet, da Vinci, and Van Gogh paintings. Guides will tell art history while you tour the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay. You’ll also avoid long attraction lines. Travelers like the guide’s knowledge and small groups (maximum eight).
Every Wednesday through Saturday, tours begin at 10 a.m. Admission is 199 euros (about $217) for adults, 179 euros (about $195) for children 10 to 17, and 139 euros (about $152) for children under 9. Fees include museum admission. Babylon Tours offers Louvre and Musée d’Orsay tours, as well as Musée de l’Orangerie and Rodin Museum tours.
- Price: Adults from 199 euros (about $217); kids from 139 euros (about $152)
- Duration: 5.5 hours
FAQ’s
Q1: What are the top 10 tours of Paris in 2024, and what makes them amazing?
Our 2024 Paris trips include cuisine, wine, bike, and cultural events. These excursions are chosen for their distinctiveness, excellent reviews, and authentic experiences.
Q2: How can I book these tours in advance?
Most tours may be booked online through company websites or on Viator, GetYourGuide, or Airbnb Experiences.
Q3: What is a food tour in Paris, and what can I expect from it?
A food tour in Paris is an opportunity to explore the city's culinary scene. You'll visit local markets, bakeries, cheese shops, and restaurants, tasting a variety of delicious French dishes, wines, and sweets while learning about the city's food culture.
