The Best Walking Tours in Paris
I love visiting Paris. I’ve been going there for over nine years and have yet to tire of the history, the charm, or the food (and wine!).
Over the years, I’ve taken a million different tours of this amazing city to learn more about what makes it tick. For four months in 2019, I lived in Paris and had the opportunity to check out even more walking tours.
And there was a lot to check out!
There are dozens upon dozens of companies covering all aspects of life in Paris, and it can be hard to make a sense of all those endless Viator and TripAdvisor listings. It’s crazy how many tour companies there are!
I mean, I’ve tried so many tour companies and I STILL have more on my list to try (and some to retry).
That said, having sampled a ton of tours (and having organized my own tours in Paris for a while), I wanted to share the best walking tour companies in Paris to help you plan your trip and save money in this iconic destination.
Best Overall Tour
Take Walks
What makes Take Walks amazing is that they get better access than most tour companies. You get to skip the line, go before or after other tours so you have the space to yourself, and get fun guides who are knowledgeable in their field. Their tours are reasonably priced too. I think they are the best tour company in Paris. I’ve gone on five of their tours and loved them all.
Best Free Tour
New Europe Tours
New Europe is one of the most popular free walking tour companies in all of Europe. Their main free tour takes you around the center of Paris and gives you a historical overview of the city. They also run a good (but paid) tour of Montmartre, and they have a really fun pub crawl as well if you’re looking to hit the bars with other travelers.
While those may be the best free and paid tours in the city, Paris has a lot more to offer — no matter your interests. Here are 10 other insightful and educational tours in the city!
1. Devour Food Tours
Devour Food Tours is my go-to food tour company in Europe. They always have incredible guides and unique tours that showcase each destination’s best eats. In Paris, they offer a handful of tours including a Montmartre neighborhood food tour, and evening food and wine tour, and a filling 3.5-hour tour that covers the city’s best dishes. For those with a sweet tooth, they also have a tasty chocolate and pastry tour too.
Tours last 1.5-3.5 hours. Tickets start at 69 EUR.
2. Simply France
This small-group bike tour covers a lot of ground, showcasing some of the city’s most interesting districts, such as the Latin Quarter and Saint Germain, where you’ll learn about Paris’ past and present from an expert local guide. The pace is leisurely, and while you will see some of the main sights, the tour explores a lot of local areas that other tours don’t visit.
Tours last 3 hours. Tickets start at 49 EUR.
3. Meeting the French
For a niche, insider tour about Paris’s art scene, check out this two-hour street art tour. This tour explores the Belleville neighborhood, one of the most vibrant areas of the city, where street art and graffiti is common (and ever-changing). You’ll get to see works by locals as well as art from international artists (you might even see people making new art during your tour!).
Tours last 2 hours. Tickets start at 60 EUR.
4. City Free Tour
This free-tour company, like New Europe, offers a couple of great general tours to help you get familiar with the City of Light, led by a local expert who can answer your questions. They also offer a few specialized tours so you can really focus on different neighborhoods. For example, the Montmartre tour does a great job of showing you just what life is like in this famous bohemian neighborhood, while the Latin Quarter tour highlights some of the most famous landmarks in town.
Tours are free and last 1.5-2 hours. Just be sure to tip! Longer private tours are available upon request for an additional fee.
5. Discover Walks
Discover Walks offers free walking tours, as well as paid tours if you’re looking for something more focused and in-depth. With almost 60 tours on offer in Paris, chances are you’ll be able to find something to pique your interest. They have a great free tour of the Latin Quarter. For something more unique, try the photography workshop.
Free tours last around 90 minutes. For the paid tour options, prices start at just 10 EUR.
6. Localers
Localers are a great choice if you’re looking for a unique tour option and want something more nuanced than just a free walking tour. They tend to specialize in more niche tours like literary, art, or historical tours. I enjoyed their tours a lot. I hadn’t heard of them before I moved here and was bummed their tours had flown under my radar for so long.
The World War II tour is particularly insightful and does a great job of illuminating the war’s true cost to Paris. I also really liked the Scandalous Paris tour, which highlights Paris’ brothels and the town’s more colorful past. There’s also an insightful literary tour too that takes you through the literary history of the city’s left bank. This is a solid mid-range tour company for travelers looking for value.
Most tours last 2-5 hours. Tickets start at 49 EUR.
7. Paris Bar Crawl
If you’re looking for a more rambunctious way to spend an evening, head out on a pub crawl. Paris Bar Crawl is one of the most popular ones (it tends to be just for tourists and visiting students though). You’ll meet a bunch of new people while seeing what nightlife in Paris is all about. The tour visits three bars and one club.
Tours start at 8:30pm Thursday-Saturday and last until you decide to go home! Tickets are 13 EUR online (15 EUR in person) and include a free shot in each bar as well as admission to the club.
Honorable Mention: Get Your Guide
Get Your Guide is a massive online platform for finding all kinds of fun activities, including walking tours, bike tours, and food tours. Whenever I visit Paris (or any city) I always check their app to see what new activities I can find. There is really something for every interest and budget, and booking is a breeze. I can’t recommend them enough!
Walking tours are a great way to get below the surface of Paris. Every time I visit, I always make sure to try a new one. Having an expert guide to answer your questions while providing in-depth, local knowledge is the best way to deepen your experience as a traveler.
These walking tour companies are the best in Paris and will be able to provide you with the insight and information you need to really make the most out of your next visit to this incredible city. If you can only do one, start with Take Walks (but try to do a couple)!
Get Your In-Depth Budget Guide to Paris!
For more in-depth information, check out my guidebook to Paris written for budget travelers like you! It cuts out the fluff found in other guides and gets straight to the practical information you need to travel around Paris. You’ll find suggested itineraries, budgets, ways to save money, on- and off-the-beaten-path things to see and do, non-touristy restaurants, markets, bars, transportation and safety tips, and much more! Click here to learn more and get your copy today!
Book Your Trip to Paris: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.
If you’re looking for more places to stay, here for my favorite hostels in Paris. And, if you’re wondering what part of town to stay in, here’s my neighborhood breakdown of the city!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
- SafetyWing (best for nomads)
- Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
- Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)
Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.
Want More Information on Paris?
Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Paris for even more planning tips!
