History Tours
35 €
THE OPÉRA DISTRICT
Parisian Luxury, Architecture and Nightlife
Wander around the most luxurious and glamourous area of Paris. On this tour, prepare to look constantly upwards — you will not want to miss any detail of the magnificent buildings and squares that make Paris so eternally iconic. Beware of stiff necks! From the bejewelled Place Vendôme to the Palais Royal gardens, you will hear how this district was engineered to reflect the prestige of 19th-century France. You will learn why the rising middle class and industrial innovations sparked the golden age of theatres, department stores and restaurants. Laura will share stories of the first haute couture designers, romantic ballerinas and composers of the Opéra Garnier, as well as memorable and highly fashionable socialites. Covered passages, shops, and museums await at every corner. You might even leave the tour wanting to experience an afternoon tea at one of the district’s prestigious hotels or its nightlife and the array of shows it has to offer.
35 €
THE HILL OF MONTMARTRE
Land of Bohemian Artists and Historical Rebels
Starting off strong with the iconic view of the steps leading to the Sacré-Coeur, make your way towards the Basilica. Rather than climbing its steep stairs, cruise through the picturesque and winding streets of Montmartre with Laura. You will hear all about the forgotten hard-working people that hustled in this former village once covered with vineyards and windmills. You will learn how it became a theatre of rebellion where courageous men and women fought against foreign invaders and their own government for their freedom. And it is not the (French) Revolution you are thinking of! You will also be more acquainted with famous artists that got inspired by Montmartre’s scenery and helped shape the festive lifestyle so dear to its inhabitants. By the end of this tour, as you look at the City of Light from one of its most breathtaking viewpoints, you will understand the deep religious roots that put this place not only on the map of Paris but the world.
35 €
ÎLE DE LA CITÉ & NOTRE-DAME
The Island Where Paris Started
Beginning on the smaller island of Saint-Louis, this tour will slowly take you around the Island of la Cité, ending in front of the gothic masterpiece of Notre-Dame cathedral. While you step over the traces of Roman walls and walk past royal palaces, Matthew will show you how this flood-prone island rose to become the seat of French power. Through the stories of audacious kings and emperors as well as fallen knights and queens, you will see how power was built and broken across two millennia – shaping not only this island, but Paris and France itself. As we approach Notre-Dame, you will learn of its tragic story and how it was almost lost to us twice, giving you the perfect opportunity to explore the restored interior on your own and see the results of centuries-old techniques the artisans used to rebuild it after the 2019 fire.