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10 Best Free walking tour in Paris
Paris is meant to be seen on foot, as walking lets you experience the heart and soul of the city. Participating in free walking tours in Paris allows you to enjoy the culture, charm and beauty of the city as well as witness how Parisian live, work and relax.
Strolling within the streets of Paris allow you to marvel at its beautiful architecture, stunning gardens and artistic inspiration to rival any of its European Neighbors, and dare I say it the rest of the world. Few cities in the world inspire the imagination like Paris.
These walking tours also give you the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the creative geniuses who once called Paris home. To truly enjoy discovering this magical city up and close, here are the 10 best free walking tours in Paris;
1. Montmartre free walking tour
Basilica Sacre Coeur in Montmartre in Paris, France – Unsplash
Montmartre is a large hill in Paris’s northern 18th arrondissement. It is known for its cobblestone streets, its village atmosphere, its nightlife, a big white church, and for the artists who found a home there more than a century ago.
This historic district was established as an agricultural village by the many people forced to move from Paris due to being unable to afford to live there. Over the centuries, the village evolved into one of the most significant hubs for painters, poets, singers and writers in European history.
The legacy of Montmartre’s Bohemian past is clear to see and experience as you walk along its alleyways.
Most of the free walking tours begin by the infamous Moulin Rouge, the world-famous cabaret in Paris, and takes around 3 hours. Along the way you will see the magnificent Sacré-Coeur Basilica, learn the history of the neighborhood at the Montmartre Museum, visit the homes and work stations of renowned artistes such as Van Gogh, Toulouse-Lautrec, Monet, and Picasso.
Montmartre free walking tour is a must because of the neighborhood’s artsy culture.
Practical information
Book this tour with us: Montmartre free walking tour
Idea for: Families, Individual travelers and small groups.
2. Paris’ landmarks free walking tour
Trocadero Garden and the Eiffel Tower by Fred Romero – WikiCommons
In Paris, there are many monuments that have witnessed the extraordinary history of the city, and many constructions testify of this long-gone past. If you’re limited in time, or don’t know which ones are worth seeing, the Paris’ landmarks free walking tour is a great place for you to start.
This tour takes you to the places that capture your heart; The Eiffel Tower sparkling during the nightly magical light show, strolling along the banks of the Seine, the jewel tones of Sainte-Chapelle’s-stained glass, the way the façade of Notre-Dame lit up against the night sky catches your breath and many more locations.
The Paris landmarks free walking tour is great for someone who is visiting Paris for the first time, as it allows you to visit the iconic landmarks that Paris has to offer.
Practical information
Book this tour with us: Paris landmarks walking tour
Idea for: Families, Individual travelers and small groups
3. Le Marais free walking tour
Beautiful girl in the Parisian Marais quarter – Unsplash
Le Marais is famous for its old-world charm, narrow cobblestone streets, hidden courtyards & tranquil gardens, a multitude of mansions called hôtels particuliers, a vibrant Jewish community, and a thriving gallery & cafe culture.
This historic district that spreads across parts of the 3rd and 4th arrondissements in Paris on the Rive Droite, or Right Bank, of the Seine was once an aristocratic district built on marshland (‘marais’ in French), hence its name.
Parisians and visitors alike love to visit Le Marais for a walk, because of its romantic, festive and trendy atmosphere created by its cobblestone streets, historic spots and quirky boutiques.
Practical information
Book this tour with us: Le Marais walking tour
Idea for: Families, Individual travelers and small groups
4. Hidden Gems and Secret Paris free walking tour
An interior view of galerie Vivienne – Wikipedia
There are seecret spots scattered everywhere in Paris from crazy artistic corners of the city to unbelievable pockets of nature. If you’re looking for a unique and off-the-beaten-path experience in Paris this the tour for you.
In this tour, you’ll discover some of the most unique areas and sights in Paris from quirky art galleries to secret gardens, there’s something for everyone to explore. Simply explain to your guide where your interests lie and he/she can plan a day full of :wows” and “I can’t believe this exists here” as you will be headed away from the main tourist sites like the Champs Elysees, the Arc de Triomphe etc.
Hidden Gems and Secret Paris free walking tour is great for discovering some of Paris’ best-kept secrets and seeing the lesser-known side of Paris.
Practical information
Book this tour with us: Hidden Gems and Secret Paris tour
Idea for: Families, Individual travelers and small groups
5. Latin Quarter free walking tour
La Sorbonne. Latin Quarter – Wikipedia
Latin Quarter, also known as the 5th arrondissement, is known its student life, lively atmosphere, and bistros. It is located in the 5th and the 6th arrondissements of Parise and home to a number of higher education establishments besides the university itself.
The Latin Quarter’s narrow, winding, cobblestone streets remind us of what the medieval city of Paris looked like. This area was largely spared the sweeping renovations of Baron Haussmann thus retaining much of its ancient feel.
From the tumble of food stalls on Rue Mouffetard to the stately Jardin des Plantes, the mighty Pantheon, and the historic Cluny Museum, there’s a lot to see and do in Latin Quarter.
Practical information
Book this tour with us: Left Bank, Notre Dame and Latin Quarter tour
Idea for: Families, Individual travelers and small groups
6. Saint-Germain free walking tour
Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the 6th Arrondissement of Paris, is known for the literary and artistic celebrities who lived and worked here in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Writers, painters, sculptors, musicians, such as Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, Boris Vian, Guillaume Apollinaire, Albert Camus and even Pablo Picasso, all came here to work, converse, and find warmth and inspiration.
What better way to experience the traditional intellectual and literary heart of Paris than by taking a stroll along the Saint-Germain and exploring its surroundings such des-Prés quartier, the Latin Quarter, the exquisite Luxembourg Gardens and other enchanting locations.
Saint-Germain is considered to be one of the best walking neighborhoods in Paris, you’ll discover countless cafés, restaurants, boutiques, art galleries and antique shops, and some of the city’s best small art museums.
Practical information
Book this tour with us: Saint-Germain walking tour
Idea for: Families, Individual travelers and small groups
7. Notre Dame free walking tour
Notre Dame – Unsplash
Notre-Dame de Paris, meaning “Our Lady of Paris”, is a medieval Catholic cathedral on an island in the Seine River. It is considered one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture and also stands out for its musical components, notably its three pipe organs (one of which is historic) and its immense church bells.
Most tours will include visits to the Grotto, Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Main Building (the Golden Dome), and the Hesburgh Library (“Touchdown Jesus”). You’ll learn about the history of the famed cathedral, the rescue effort during the recent fire, developments in the reconstruction effort, and the expertise of the craftsmen who are working to restore Notre Dame to her former glory.
Through this tour, you will learn about the secrets behind Paris’s most visited site.
Practical information
Book this tour with us: Notre Dame walking tour
Idea for: Families, Individual travelers and small groups
8. Ghosts & Legends Night free Walking Tour
Church of Saint Germain L’Auxerrois – Wikimedia Commons
The Ghosts & Legends Night free Walking Tour will challenge your illusions of Paris as a city of romance, fashion and culture on a terrifying tour of the city’s sinister underbelly. Your blood will be curdled with accounts of mischief and murder, gruesomeness and gore, as you visit the Square of Innocents, Louvre, Fontaine du Palmier and more.
You will stroll the serpentine streets in search of spooks and learn the tragic tales of the different locations you visit like the Place de la Vert Gallant, where the last Knights Templar was burned at the stake; the Church of Saint Germain L’Auxerrois, home of the St. Bartholomew’s Day massacre; and the Palais du Justice where many have been sentenced to death.
If you’re daring enough, the Ghosts & Legends Night free Walking Tour will unearth unfamiliar facts about the captivating capital as you venture to sites of reputed haunting.
Practical information
Idea for: Families, Individual travelers and small groups
9. Food and Wine free walking tour
Pouring red wine into glasses at sunset – Unsplash
You could climb the Eiffel Tower, stroll down the Champs-Elysées, and spend the rest of your time in the French capital getting lost among paintings in the Louvre. But if you don’t eat out in Paris, you’ll have missed out entirely.
This tour will guide you in discovering the amazing areas you will try wines, cheeses, delicacies like Organic Tapenade, Cured Meat, Baguettes, Jams and other great traditional French delicacy. For those who enjoy sweets you can also have the opportunity to taste chocolate and Macarons from renown chocolatiers.
The food and wine free walking tour will give you a better understand the city’s love for gastronomy and how it impacts Parisians’ and Paris’ culture.
Practical information
Book this tour with us: Paris: Latin Quarter Wine and Food Tasting Tour
Idea for: Families, Individual travelers and small groups
10. Street arts free walking tour
Building art in Paris – Unsplash
Paris is an open-air museum. You’ll see some amazing works: graffiti emblematic of hip-hop culture, mischievous stencils, poetic collages as well as monumental murals covering many façades. It’s no wonder Paris is one of the best cities to discover new street art.
The mid-1980s saw a boom in the number of street artists and street art within the city. Since then, the art movement has thrived not only on the streets but off, such as in museums and galleries.
One of the best Street Art Paris districts (by quantity and quality) is Paris 13 which has metamorphosed into veritable open-air museums. During your walk discover the different techniques artist’s use.
Practical information
Idea for: Families, Individual travelers and small groups
For more on the adventure that Paris has to offer, book any of these tours with us for a wholesome experience.
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