Île de la Cité, Latin Quarter & Seine River Cruise: Private Tour

Embark on a private introductory tour of Paris and explore the Île de la Cité and the Latin Quarter, two iconic Parisian neighbourhoods and enjoy a Seine Cruise for amazing views of the city from the water.

On your private tour, you will:

• Hear the founding stories of Paris and France - from the fall of Rome to the rise of the French kings, where it all happened on the Île de la Cité;
• Explore the rich medieval history of Paris and the beautiful Gothic architecture on the island and through the Latin Quarter;
• Learn the history and epic survival story of the iconic Notre Dame cathedral - the world's most famous Gothic cathedral;
• Stroll around the Conciergerie, the medieval castle of the French kings;
• Hear how King Louis IX built the Sainte Chapelle, purchased the Crown of Thorns, and became a saint;
• Learn how the royal castle became a royal prison during the bloody French Revolution;
• See where the revolutionary trials took place outside the Palais du Justice;
• Explore the vibrant neighbourhood of the Latin Quarter - famed for its quirky streets, thriving nightlife, and gothic churches;
• Hear about the history of the area from the founding of the Sorbonne, the second oldest university in Europe to the student riots;
• Walk into Shakespeare and Co the bookshop and learn about the Lost Generation in Paris: Gertrude Stein, Orwell, Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald;
• End your tour with a one-hour panoramic River Cruise on the Seine, with great views of the Louvre and Eiffel Tower.

This is a fascinating introduction and orientation tour of Paris. The Île de la Cité in the middle of the Seine is where the story of Paris, and the history of France truly begins.

Begin the walking portion of your tour at the statue of Henry IV on the Pont Neuf - the oldest bridge in Paris, that crosses onto the Île de la Cité and discover the history of the French Kings as you walk around their medieval castle, the Conciergerie - and learn how it became their brutal prison during the dark days of the Revolution.

Learn all about the French Revolution and its most infamous execution machine, the Guillotine as you stand outside the gates of the Palais du Justice, the courts where all the trials took place.

Admire the Gothic front of Notre Dame - and learn about its incredible 900-year history - as well as its survival during the fire of 2019, before walking off the island, into the Latin Quarter, an historical and vibrant area famed for its gothic churches, the Sorbonne university, and its fun nightlife, with a plethora of jazz bars and eateries.

Visit historical bookshops, once frequented by the likes of Hemingway and Orwell, and explore an area that is renowned for being the starting point of the May 68' Revolution as well as the home of French intellectual thought.

Next, take in the amazing sights of Paris on a return cruise down the River Seine. See the famous landmarks of Paris from the river like the Louvre Museum, Orsay Museum, and the Eiffel Tower to name just a few! Your one-hour cruise ends back at the Pont Neuf.

Important: This tour includes a 2-hour private guided walking tour followed by a 1-hour river cruise with onboard commentary on your own. Your tour guide will walk you to the cruise docking point where they will part ways with you. You can choose to take the cruise at the end of the tour or later during your stay.

Tour duration
2 hours

Type of tour
Walking tour: including public transportation between sights

Attractions along this route:

The Latin Quarter
The Latin Quarter represents the essence of intellectual Paris, a place to unwind amidst the rarefied atmosphere of the 5th and 6th arrondissements.

Notre-Dame de Paris
Notre Dame, perched on an island in the heart of Paris, is one of the finest cathedrals in the world.

Île de la Cité
This island in the middle of the River Seine is the historical heart of Paris.

Pont Neuf
Built to ease traffic congestion in the early 17th century, this iconic five-arch bridge is Paris' oldest bridge.

Shakespeare and Co Bookshop
A legendary meeting place and boarding-house for many aspiring writers. Stocks everything from Shakespeare to Joyce.

The Eiffel Tower
Completed in 1889 amid much controversy, the Eiffel Tower has become a symbol of Parisian style and success.

Seine River Cruise
Get delighted with the magnificent views of the city along the Seine River, on board the Bateaux Mouches.

Place St-Michel Fountain
One of the city's most well-known meeting places, the statue depicts the archangel Michael vanquishing the Devil.