10 Reasons why you should book a Free Walking Tour in Paris 


 

Seriously, if the word free did not attract you to this article, then I am very perplexed. Many companies attract customers with word plays that make you feel like you are beating the system, like “Our biggest sales event of the year!”. Upon reading such a sentence your brain automatically goes to discounted prices not realizing such offers are often filled with an unrealistic list of exclusions or conditions. 

Now that I have highlighted it, you are wondering what the catch is when I write free walking tours in Paris. Fortunately, there is no catch because no payments are  to be made when booking for the tour. The thing is that upon completion of the tour you pay the guide whatever you want depending on the serve provided. You have the option to pay or not to pay. 

In addition, just because these tours are free doesn’t mean that you get a lousy guide, your guide is guaranteed to provide you the best imaginable service and he/she will be well-informed, so no question will be left unanswered. 

Additional reasons are further discussed in this article titled 10 Reasons why you should book a Free Walking Tour in Paris;

1. Budget friendly

Eiffel Tower in Autumn

Eiffel Tower in Autumn – Unsplash

Nothing captures the meaning of pocket friendly like free walking tours in Paris. Because you want to explore Paris, it does not mean you spend so much. Book a free walking tour in Paris and enjoy a great guided stroll of the city. As you are walking, no additional charges are need for transportation, thus enabling you to remain within your budget during your vacation. 

These free walking tours will take you to different landmarks within Paris, your guide will explain the historical and cultural importance of each, and you will be allocated ampule time to explore the landmark by yourself. Just because it is free doesn’t mean you are not provided with quality services.  

 The Paris landmarks walking tour is one of the best introductory tours to take. This tour takes you to the major Paris landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysées, Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, Seine River, Tuileries Garden, National Assembly, Orangerie, and Concord Plaza.  

2. Get your day planned out for you

Paris city with Eiffel Tower viewed from the Arc de Triomphe

Paris city with Eiffel Tower viewed from the Arc de Triomphe – Unsplash

Planning your own tour in a foreign country can be time-consuming, and this is the only time that you are most likely to turn to a “Karen” and be justified. After having well planned your day out only to come to the attraction and find it closed. The website says it should be opened today, but the watchman tells you that the new changes are yet to be updated to the website. Now imagine this happens to you like 3 more times within your day, if you don’t flip out, you must be the most cool and understanding person in the world.  

Take advantage of the free walking tours on offer as they are planned out by locales who are up-to-date with the changes made by the different attractions. They also know when to best visit these attractions to avoid large crowds.  

The Left Bank, Notre Dame and Latin Quarter tour is a minimum three-hour tour that will allow you to explore the district of Notre Dame, Sorbonne University and the Pantheon, and guaranteed none of the attractions along the way will be closed as your guide has done adequate research to make sure of this.

Check out more on what to expect in Paris Left Bank Walking Tours.  

3. The best way to explore a new city

A street in Montmartre

A street in Montmartre – Unsplash

Walking is arguably the best way to truly explore the city of Paris as you get to experience the culture, charm and beauty of the city and to see how Parisians’ day to day life looks like. There is always something nice and exciting to discover on every corner you take. 

Taking a stroll within the city of lights is not tiring as many of the city’s top attractions are within easy walking distances from each other. Booking a free walking tour in Paris will guarantee to take you this exceptional, while at the same time show you the best routes to take to access each landmark. 

To assist in your search, you can book the Montmartre free walking tour . Montmartre is a picturesque neighborhood known for its quirky architecture, rich history, and the fact you get to walk in the footsteps of renowned artist like Renoir, Picasso, and Edith Piaf.  

Why you should book a walking tour in Montmartre.

4. Up and close experience

The courtyard of the Hôtel Carnavalet, the Marais

The courtyard of the Hôtel Carnavalet, the Marais – Wikipedia

Another reason why walking is the best way to explore a foreign country is because you get the opportunity to be close to the attractions. If you use a tour bus, taxi or bicycle you usually tend to keep your distance since you are unable to maneuver around, but when you are walking you can squeeze yourself up to the front of the attraction quite easily. 

There is something breathtaking and exceptional about seeing an attraction up close and if you are allowed you touch it, it is another experience on its own. While you are up-close, you are able to examine each attraction, seeing marking and details otherwise not noticeable from a far. 

This is critical, especially if you are interested in the architectural landscape of Paris. The Le Marais walking tour shows the evolution of Paris architecture as you walk past old mansions and the newest buildings. Walking will give you the opportunity to observe the details on each piece and not the small changes.  

10 Places to visit to Discover the Best of Paris Architecture.

5. Interacting with the locals

Tourists listening to a tour guide who is talking about the architecture and the history – Unsplash

Humans are naturally social beings and there is no better way to interact with local Parisians like participating in a free walking tour. For starters, the first friend you will make is your guide, there is no way you will follow around someone who gives you the creeps all around a foreign city.  

Also, along the tour you will interact with the other participants of the tour, chances are you will find someone within the group with whom you have something in common with. Many friendships between people from different countries have started via tour groups. In addition, your guide might introduce you to different vendors as you bargain for a discount. 

Books lovers are likely to form unexpected friendships during the Saint-Germain walking tour, as this tour celebrates landmarks of Parisian literary life.  

10 Best tips to experience Paris like a local.

6. Unlimited options 

There are plenty of free walking tours in Paris available online. The wide selection gives you the option to selection a tour that best fits you. 

You have the option to choose from old architectural designs to modern designs, from medieval art works to contemporary pieces, from traditional French cuisines to modern blended French cuisines, the options are limited. 

Select your preferred free walking Paris tour.     

15 Best Free Walking Tours to take in Paris.

7. Specialization and well-informed tours 

South façade and the nave of Notre-Dame, 2017

South façade and the nave of Notre-Dame, 2017 – Wikipedia

The free walking tour are also available for single attractions that you might want to learn as much as possible on. During this specialized walking tour, you cover every single inch of the landmarks, learn about its history and even get answers to some of the questions you might be having. 

It is great for people who have visited France more than once and now want to have an in-depth understanding of each monument. Also, for researchers and academic writers who need to know about the lesser-known facts. This type of free walking tours allows you to truly appreciate the value of each attraction through their rich history, their cultural significance and the up-close structural design.  

The Notre Dame walking tour allows you to walk up to the church and have a better understanding of what the church used to look out, where the fire started, how it spread out, the measures and techniques used to stop the fire and the current restoration process taking place.  

8. Learn the ins and outs of the city

Passerelle suspendue, Buttes Chaumont, Paris

Passerelle suspendue, Buttes Chaumont, Paris – Wikipedia

A free walking tour in Paris introduces you to new routes that you are not well documented online. Cascade along alleyways like a local Parisian and discover the different hidden gems around each corner that you take. 

During the tour, a local guide will accompany you, thus you are guaranteed not to get lost and spend your whole day trying to figure out the best route back. 

The Hidden Gems and Secret Paris tour takes you to non-tourist places that are not well known to non-Parisians. These are places that you mostly would have not visited if you had not booked a free walking tour in Paris. 

9. Local guides know the best

Montmartre seen from Notre Dame de Paris, including the Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur

Montmartre seen from Notre Dame de Paris, including the Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur – Wikipedia

In Paris, during the free walking tours, you will be provided a local guide who will be with you throughout. These local guides are well-trained and know the ins and outs of the city and well knowledgeable about the different attractions with Paris.  

These guides will be your Google searches and Wikipedia for the day as you stroll from one attraction to the next. You will be amazed at how entertained you will be throughout the journey with their epic tales and lesser-known facts of each landmark.  

You can book any of the free walking tours available and be amazed at the skill and knowledge of the different tour guides. This can explain why, despite being a free tour, many people tip the guide in appreciation of the effort and research they have done.  

Paris Walking Tours; Why do you need one?

10. Safety

Tourists viewing the Musée d'Orsay at sunset on a boat

Tourists viewing the Musée d’Orsay at sunset on a boat – Wikipedia

Your safety is a priority no matter what. This free walking tours are a great way to guarantee your safety since you have a professional guide taking you around a new city and informing you on the best and safest routes to take.  

It is very risking walking around a new city by yourself, especially when you don’t know the local language because you won’t be able to explain yourself to the locals. True, today you can get all the relevant information online but still there is the information that is only known by the locals. 

Also remember that the main attractions in any city is full of conman and pick picketers, your guide will be able to warn you in advance for what to look out for and how to keep your cash safe.  

 

Planning a trip to Paris ? Get ready !


These are Amazon’s best-selling travel products that you may need for coming to Paris.

Bookstore

  1. The best travel book : Rick Steves – Paris 2023 – Learn more here
  2. Fodor’s Paris 2024 – Learn more here

Travel Gear

  1. Venture Pal Lightweight Backpack – Learn more here
  2. Samsonite Winfield 2 28″ Luggage – Learn more here
  3. Swig Savvy’s Stainless Steel Insulated Water Bottle – Learn more here

Check Amazon’s best-seller list for the most popular travel accessories. We sometimes read this list just to find out what new travel products people are buying.

Also check this
Discover the Best Tours in Paris with Local Guides. Check Paris Walking Tours
We run free tours: Montmartre walking tour and Trendy Marais Tour are our best sellers. Free walking tours in Paris