20 Magical Paris Walking Tours

Great walking tours in Paris can be magical. They’re a lovely way to discover new neighborhoods and explore the inner workings and history of this historic city.

These 20 tours represent the ones I actually recommend to people. Whether you want free introductions or exclusive after-hours access, there’s something here that’ll make you see Paris through different eyes.

Free Walking Tours

SANDEMANs NEW Europe Free Walking Tour

I’ve watched these red umbrella tours zigzag through Paris for years, and they’re genuinely solid.

Your guide works purely for tips, so they actually care about keeping you entertained. The 2.5-hour route hits the obvious suspects—Notre Dame, Louvre courtyard, Sainte-Chapelle—but what I love is how guides drop random facts you won’t find in guidebooks.

Pro tip: bring cash for tipping and comfortable shoes.

• Duration: 2.5-3 hours
• Highlights: Notre Dame, Louvre Museum, Sainte-Chapelle, Saint Michel Fountain to Tuileries Garden
• What makes it special: The original free walking tour concept, available daily in English and Spanish with passionate local freelance guides
• Meeting Point: Saint Michel Fountain
• Cost: Free (tips encouraged)
• Website: neweuropetours.eu

Discover Walks Free Tours

Started by locals who got tired of boring history lectures, these tours feel more like hanging out with a Parisian friend than following a script.

I’ve joined their Right Bank twice, and each guide brought their own personality to classic spots.

You’ll cover serious ground in two hours, but somehow it never feels rushed. The best part? They actually live in the neighborhoods they’re showing you.

• Duration: 2-3 hours
• Highlights: Various neighborhood options including Right Bank Landmarks
• What makes it special: Native guides offering authentic local perspectives with options from economical free tours to premium customized experiences
• Cost: Free (tips encouraged)
• Website: discoverwalks.com

Premium Guided Tours

Take Walks Tours

After years of standing in tourist hordes, Take Walks feels like having a backstage pass.

These folks get you into the Louvre after closing when it’s practically empty—I’ve done their “Closing Time with Mona Lisa” which was fantastic.

Their guides are art historians and archaeologists, not just people with umbrellas. Yes, you’ll pay more, but you’ll skip lines and access places regular tourists never see.

• Duration: Various (1.5-8 hours)
• Highlights: Skip-the-line access, behind-the-scenes experiences
• What makes it special: Expert guides with better access than most tour companies, including skip-the-line and exclusive after-hours experiences
• Popular Tours: Closing Time at the Louvre, Eiffel Tower tours, Paris in a Day
• Cost: Varies by tour
• Website: takewalks.com

Context Travel Expert-Led Tours

These aren’t your typical walking tours—you’re learning from PhD scholars who literally wrote books about what you’re seeing.

I joined their chocolate tour and got a fascinating lecture on 18th-century trade routes. Maximum six people per group means you can actually ask questions without shouting over crowds.

• Duration: 2-3 hours typically
• Highlights: Academic-level expertise, small groups (max 6), customizable
• What makes it special: Tours led by world-renowned historians, scholars, and art curators who tailor experiences to fit your interests
• Popular Tours: Welcome to Paris, Chocolate tours, Art-focused walks
• Cost: Premium pricing
• Website: contexttravel.com

Food & Culinary Tours

Paris by Mouth Food Tours

The gold standard of Paris food tours, hands down. What sets them apart? They actually know the shop owners personally. You’re not just tasting cheese—you’re hearing stories about three-generation family businesses.

• Duration: 3-4 hours
• Highlights: Multiple neighborhood options (Marais, Saint-Germain, Left Bank)
• What makes it special: Top-ranked Paris food tour on TripAdvisor with expert guides taking you to hidden gems for cheese, chocolate, pastry, and wine
• Areas: North/South Marais, East/West Saint-Germain, Left Bank
• Cost: Premium pricing
• Website: parisbymouth.com

Eating Europe Food Tours

This popular foodie walking tour avoids tourist traps completely. Its 10th arrondissement tour takes you to the Paris equivalent of Brooklyn—edgy, authentic, and delicious.

I love how they explain the cultural context behind what you’re eating. Plus, the groups are small enough that you can chat with other food lovers. Come hungry; you’ll leave stuffed and slightly wine-buzzed.

• Duration: 3-4 hours
• Highlights: Off-the-beaten-path neighborhoods, local food scene
• What makes it special: Guided tours in Le Marais and other areas featuring mouth-watering food from Paris’s Jewish Quarter and modern eateries
• Areas: Le Marais, 10th Arrondissement
• Cost: Mid-range pricing
• Website: eatingeurope.com

Devour Food Tours

I was taken on their “Ultimate Paris Food Tour” last spring, and I’ll admit I was skeptical about fitting 11 tastings into one afternoon. Somehow they pull it off without feeling rushed. The guide knew which cheese paired with which wine before I could even ask. Fair warning: this tour ruined regular grocery store cheese for me forever.

• Duration: 3.5 hours
• Highlights: 11+ tastings from 8 establishments in Marais
• What makes it special: Incredible guides and unique tours that showcase the destination’s best eats with comprehensive coverage
• Focus: Ultimate Paris Food Tour with wine pairings
• Cost: Premium pricing
• Website: devourtours.com

Secret Food Tours

Don’t let the name fool you—these “secrets” are open secrets among locals. Their Montmartre tour hits spots I recommend to friends but tourists rarely find on their own.

The guides are young Parisians who actually live in these neighborhoods, so you get honest opinions about where to eat later. Group size stays small, which means you’re not fighting twelve other people for samples.

• Duration: 3 hours
• Highlights: Montmartre, Le Marais, Saint Germain, Notre Dame areas
• What makes it special: Local treats and cultural education with knowledgeable guides in charming neighborhoods
• Group Size: Maximum 12 people
• Cost: Mid-range pricing
• Website: secretfoodtours.com

Neighborhood & Themed Tours

Montmartre Walking Tours (Various Operators)

Every visitor thinks they need to see Montmartre, but most just snap selfies at Sacré-Cœur and leave. Savvy travelers take a proper walking tour to understand why this hilltop village captured artists’ hearts.

You’ll follow Picasso’s footsteps, peek into cabarets that still smell like cigarettes and dreams, and discover why Renoir chose to live here. The views are spectacular, but the stories behind them matter more.

• Duration: 2-3 hours
• Highlights: Sacré-Cœur, Moulin Rouge, Artists’ Square, bohemian history
• What makes it special: Immerse yourself in la vie bohème through one of Paris’s most charming and historic areas with panoramic city views
• Available through: SANDEMANs, Fat Tire Tours, Take Walks, Context Travel
• Cost: Varies by operator

Marais District Walking Tours

The Marais transformed from a swamp to an aristocratic paradise to a Jewish quarter to a hipster haven—and somehow, each layer still shows through. I’ve watched this neighborhood evolve, and guided tours help you spot details you’d otherwise miss.

Look for tours that include the hidden courtyards and explain why this 600-year-old area feels more alive than anywhere else in Paris.

• Duration: 2-3 hours
• Highlights: Jewish Quarter, trendy bars, cafés, artisan shops
• What makes it special: One of Paris’ coolest neighborhoods, full of bars, cafés, and artisan shops in the 4th arrondissement
• Available through: Multiple operators
• Cost: Varies by operator

Latin Quarter & Saint-Germain Tours

Where Hemingway drank, Sartre philosophized, and students still argue about everything over coffee. These tours work best in the evening when the cafés fill up with locals.

Your guide will point out plaques marking famous residents, but more importantly, they’ll explain which café arguments changed the world.

Skip the tourist-trap restaurants, they’ll recommend though.

• Duration: 2-3 hours
• Highlights: Literary history, café culture, student atmosphere
• What makes it special: Cultural gems exploration with historical significance
• Available through: GuruWalk, Discover Walks, others
• Cost: Varies by operator

Specialty & Unique Tours

Paris Ghost Tours

Perfect for when you’re tired of pretty architecture and want some gruesome history. These evening walks through medieval streets reveal the city’s darker side—public executions, plague pits, and surprisingly recent serial killers. Not recommended for kids, but adults love the macabre stories behind familiar landmarks.

• Duration: 2-3 hours (evening)
• Highlights: Dark history, crime sites, haunted locations
• What makes it special: Discover untold and haunting tales including torture, murder, plague, and revolution stories
• Available through: City Wonders, GuruWalk
• Cost: Mid-range pricing

Chocolate & Pastry Walking Tours

You’ll gain three pounds and zero regrets on these tours. What makes them worthwhile isn’t just the sugar rush—it’s learning why French pastry techniques conquered the world.

Good guides explain the difference between a chocolatier and a confiseur while you sample both. Book the morning tour; afternoon tours often find the best items sold out.

• Duration: 2-3 hours
• Highlights: Best chocolatiers, bakeries, sweet shops on Right Bank
• What makes it special: Learn about the history of confectionery in Paris while visiting swanky sweet shops and getting freebies
• Available through: Take Walks, Context Travel, Paris Insiders Guide
• Cost: Premium pricing

Paris Photography Tours

These tours teach you to see Paris through different eyes—finding perfect light, avoiding tourist crowds in photos, and discovering angles that make Instagram jealous.

You’ll learn actual photography techniques while visiting both famous spots and hidden corners. Bring your camera, not just your phone.

• Duration: 2-3 hours
• Highlights: Professional photography instruction, best photo locations
• What makes it special: Walking tour with a professional photographer who knows secret locations and provides tips on sharpening technique
• Available through: Various photographers on Viator, TripAdvisor
• Cost: Premium pricing

French Revolution Walking Tours

Blood, guillotines, and political chaos—what’s not to love? These tours bring history textbooks to life as you stand where Marie Antoinette was imprisoned and Louis XVI lost his head.

I’ve done several, and the best guides make you feel the tension that gripped Paris during those chaotic years. Suddenly, those street names make perfect sense.

• Duration: 2-3 hours
• Highlights: Historical sites of the revolution, Place de la Concorde
• What makes it special: Specialized historical focus on revolutionary Paris
• Available through: Fat Tire Tours, GuruWalk
• Cost: Mid-range pricing

Comprehensive & Day Tours

Paris in a Day Walking Tours

Ambitious doesn’t begin to describe these marathon tours, but sometimes you only have one day in the city. I’ve recommended these to time-crunched friends who want maximum exposure to Paris culture.

You’ll hit the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame area, plus a Seine cruise—all with skip-the-line access. Pack snacks and comfortable shoes. This isn’t leisurely sightseeing; it’s Paris bootcamp.

• Duration: 6-8 hours
• Highlights: Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Seine cruise
• What makes it special: Complete Paris experience with pre-reserved tickets, walking tours, and Seine River cruise
• Available through: Take Walks, City Experiences
• Cost: Premium pricing

Family-Friendly Walking Tours

Finally, tours that don’t torture children with endless historical dates! These guides know when kids need bathroom breaks, playground stops, and yes, crêpe breaks.

I’ve watched harried parents transform from stressed to actually enjoying Paris because someone else planned the logistics. The commentary stays light and fun.

• Duration: 2-3 hours
• Highlights: Kid-appropriate commentary, frequent breaks, playground stops
• What makes it special: Light commentary, frequent breaks, stops for food and playground included in the route
• Available through: Various operators
• Cost: Mid-range pricing

Private & Custom Tours

Private Custom Walking Tours

These guides adapt everything on the fly—more art history, less revolution history, and perfect lunch recommendations. You pay premium prices, but you get a personal Paris expert for the day. It’s worth it for special occasions or when you’re bringing the in-laws.

• Duration: Flexible (2-8 hours)
• Highlights: Personalized itinerary, exclusive guide
• What makes it special: Choose what you want to see in the city with your ideal day pre-planned, complete with transportation
• Available through: Viator, Context Travel, Take Walks
• Cost: Premium pricing

Emily in Paris Walking Tour

These tours capitalize on genuine Netflix tourism, and honestly, they’re pretty fun. You’ll visit actual filming locations while learning about the real neighborhoods behind the show’s glossy veneer.

The guides smartly mix pop culture with legitimate history. Plus, you’ll finally understand why locals were so annoyed by that show.

• Duration: 2-3 hours
• Highlights: Filming locations from the Netflix series
• What makes it special: Immerse yourself in the life of a bourgeois ‘it girl’ visiting key filming locations from La place de l’Estrapade to the Seine
• Available through: Various operators
• Cost: Mid-range pricing

Activity-Based Tours

Fat Tire Walking Tours

These folks have been around forever, and their walking tours match the quality of their famous bike tours. What I appreciate? They limit groups to 16 people and actually stick to it.

Their Père Lachaise cemetery tour reveals why famous dead people chose Paris as their final resting place—equal parts morbid and fascinating. The guides know which tombs to skip and which stories will stick with you.

• Duration: 2-3.5 hours
• Highlights: Multiple neighborhood options, expert local guides
• What makes it special: Range of walking tours catering to specific interests and neighborhoods, from Seine walks to Père Lachaise Cemetery
• Popular Tours: Classic Paris, History of Paris, French Revolution, Montmartre, Père Lachaise
• Group Size: Limited to 16 guests per guide
• Cost: Mid-range pricing
• Website: fattiretours.com

Tips for Choosing the Right Tour:

Free vs. Paid Tours:

• Free tours are tip-based and great for budget travelers and first-time visitors
• Paid tours typically offer smaller groups, expert guides, and specialized experiences

Group Size Considerations:

• Small groups (6-8 people): More personalized, premium pricing
• Medium groups (10-16 people): Good balance of interaction and value
• Large groups (20+ people): Budget-friendly but less personalized

Duration Planning:

• 2-3 hours: Perfect for specific neighborhoods or themes
• 3-4 hours: Comprehensive area coverage with food/cultural elements
• 6-8 hours: Full-day experiences covering multiple districts

Advance Booking:

• Popular tours (especially food tours) fill up quickly
• Book 2-4 weeks in advance during peak season (June-August). Remember, many Paris hotspots sell out fast.
• Many offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before

What’s Typically Included:

• Expert local guide
• Historical and cultural commentary
• Route through key attractions
• Food tours include tastings and sometimes wine
• Some tours include skip-the-line access to attractions

All these tours offer different perspectives on Paris, from historical deep-dives to culinary adventures, ensuring there’s something perfect for every type of traveler!