Top Île-de-France Cultural Tours

Especially in peak season, the lines at the Palace of Versailles can be hard to believe. Skip them—without waking up at the crack of dawn—on this eminently civilized guided tour with a round trip transportation from Paris. Your guide will show you the most magnificent of the 2,000 rooms, including the Hall of Mirrors, the King’s State Apartments, and the King’s Private Apartments, then introduce you to the magical 2,000-acre (800-hectare) gardens.

Explore the charming streets of Montmartre with this small group tour. Your guide will take you to a mix of iconic landmarks and off-the-beaten-track sights, from the Moulin Rouge windmill to the home of Vincent Van Gogh. You'll also get to try croissants at an award-winning bakery, explore the vineyards of Montmartre, and pass through a secret passageway into a cobbled back street.

Visit the Palace of Versailles with skip-the-line admission, and avoid standing in the entrance queue before touring this royal chateau. On this 90-minute tour, follow a knowledgeable guide around the palace to see the King’s and Queen’s State Apartments and Hall of Mirrors. Then head outside independently to explore the expansive gardens at your leisure (note: an additional fee for the garden is required on days when the fountain show or musical show take place).

Enjoy a leisurely trip down the Seine on this Bateaux Parisiens river cruise. Glide past Paris’ world-famous monuments including Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower and historic bridges like the Pont Neuf. Listen to audio commentary along the way to learn more about passing attractions. Cruise during the day, or choose an evening departure time to float through the enchanting city at night. Either way, it’s a fantastic introduction to the highlights of Paris.

Access the Eiffel Tower with this tour that includes summit access. Proceed to the second level to survey the city from the viewing platforms while listening to commentary about Paris culture, traditions, and history. Then, proceed to the summit to see Gustave Eiffel's private apartments and sip Champagne from the onsite bar (own expense).

Make the most of this Viator Eiffel Tower ticket. This admission ticket allows for a relaxing visit to one of the world’s busiest monuments, accompanied by a host. Listen as your host adds colourful history and facts to the sights below as you look over Les Invalides, Notre Dame Cathedral, and other city landmarks.

Dig deep into history with an underground Paris Catacombs tour. Learn why the bones of more than six million people were deposited under the city in a complex maze of tunnels that you definitely need a guide to navigate.

Prepare to be inspired by some of the world’s most famous artists as you step inside the iconic Louvre Museum. Choose from a private or small-group tour and head straight to the front of the queue with skip-the-line entrance, then journey through art history. With the help of your expert guide, see masterpieces like the 'Venus de Milo' and the 'Mona Lisa,' learn about the evolution of art around the world, and discover little-known gems that many visitors miss.

Explore one of the world's most important collections of Impressionist and post-Impressionist art on this guided tour of the Musée d'Orsay. Instead of trying to navigate the museum on your own, you'll enjoy insight from a guide to make sure you see the top pieces and learn about the artists, such as Van Gogh, Monet, Manet, and Renoir. And with skip-the-line entry, you're ensured a hassle-free visiting experience.

When you come to Paris Notre Dame is an icon you cannot miss. Though it suffered damage from the fire April 15, 2019, you can still discover the history, tragedy and bright future of this beloved cathedral with our Notre Dame walking tour. You’ll learn how it began in 1163 and took over a century to finish. You’ll relive the night of the fire, hearing what was lost but also what was saved. Walk with your guide around the scene of the fire, as they share first-person perspectives about this historic event. You’ll admire the iconic features of the well-known facade, including the towers and legendary gargoyles, reliving the moments when their survival was uncertain. Get as close as possible to Point Zero, the geographic center of Paris. Finish your walking tour at the entrance to the archaeological crypt below Notre Dame. Learn about this unique site before going underground for your self-guided visit to the very foundations of Île de la Cité, the original Paris.

France’s Palace of Versailles is so massive, that if you explored it on your own, you’d surely miss something worth seeing or knowing. This Palace of Versailles Skip-the-Line Small-Group Tour takes you through the royal apartments with a guide in a small-group atmosphere so you don’t miss a thing. Plus, you’ll also get special, skip-the-line access to this famous attraction.

The Musée d’Orsay is widely considered among Paris’ must-visit galleries, but visiting solo means you risk missing the secrets and backstories of the artworks on display. With your pre-booked tickets to hand, beat the queues with skip-the-line entry and explore with your guide. Gain insight into the creation of Impressionist masterpieces by Cézanne, Gauguin, Monet, Van Gogh, and more, and head straight to the collection highlights.

Venture beneath the City of Light to explore the dark underworld of the Paris Catacombs. Skip the long lines and head inside this macabre tunnel system filled with the skeletal remains of more than 6 million Parisians. Hear about the remarkable construction of the catacombs from an expert guide as you walk past ornate chambers piled with decorative arrangements of bones, and gain special access to a range of chapels and chambers.

Breeze past the crowds outside the Eiffel Tower with this convenient tour. In the company of your guide, gain priority access to the tower's second level. Delve into the history of one of the world's most famous monuments and discover the exhibits and maps on display. Then, instead of rushing down, have free time to soak up the views on your own once the tour has finished.

Paris’ Louvre is one of the world’s largest art museums, so don't waste your time waiting in line. Head straight inside, with your priority access admission, to see three of its biggest crowd-pleasers, including the unavoidable gaze and wry smile of Da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa." On the guided tour, hear fascinating tales and tidbits about these unmissable masterpieces. With the accompaniment to the Mona Lisa option, your host will take you directly to the famous painting room. After coming face to face with several artworks by great masters, you’re free to explore the Louvre independently.

Discover the charms of one of Paris' most popular neighborhoods on a walking tour of Montmartre, a district known for its artists and historically bohemian vibe. Start at the Moulin Rouge and see where artists like Van Gogh, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, and Pissarro lived and worked. See sights like the Basilica du Sacré-Coeur, and get insights from your guide about the art, music, food, and history of Montmartre.

Discover the darker side of the City of Lights with this skip-the-line tour of the famed catacombs of Paris. Explore these fascinating underground passageways lined with the bones of thousands of former Parisians and learn the history of the mesmerizing and macabre labyrinth. Bypass the long lines for this popular attraction and enjoy personalized attention in a small group limited to 19 people.

First-time Paris visitors certainly have a long list of sights to see, and chances are, most of them are on the itinerary of this Paris sightseeing tour. Join your guide for a fun walk through the city, where you can see the top landmarks in just a few hours. Highlights include views of the Arc de Triomphe, Pont Neuf bridge, and of course the iconic Eiffel Tower, complete with your guide's commentary as you go.

Gain a unique anglophone perspective of Paris as you explore the city with an English guide. Explore the City of Lights' most memorable attractions on a comprehensive tour that visits more than 30 sights, including the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, and Moulin Rouge. Stop to pick up some snacks (own expense) in the Latin Quarter, stroll through atmospheric Montmartre, and admire the views from the Sacre-Coeur Basilica.

Marvel at the Loire Valley's opulent châteaux and taste its famous locally-made wine during this full-day tour from Paris. First head to Château de Chambord-the inspiration for Disney's `Beauty and the Beast´ for a guided tour. The next stop is the town of Blois, where you´ll have just under two hours to enjoy some free time. Then visit the elegant Château de Chenonceau and embark on a tour through its intricately carved stone walls, rich hanging tapestries and intimate chapel.

Navigate one of the world’s largest and busiest art museums with ease—and follow your guide straight to the collection highlights without getting lost—on this Louvre tour. Pick from several start times, meet your guide outside the museum, and head straight in, thanks to your pre-reserved tickets. Once inside, you’ll see highlights like the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Nike of Samothrace, and more, all while learning the stories behind the masterpieces.

Discover the Palace of Versailles—one of France’s most popular attractions—and beat the crowds on this half-day sightseeing tour from Paris. In the afternoon, meet your coach in central Paris and head straight to the palace; upon arrival, thanks to your skip-the-line tickets, you can head right in for a guided tour. Afterwards, enjoy free time to explore the palace’s ornate gardens at your own pace before returning to Paris.

Glide by the famous sights of Paris on a relaxing sightseeing cruise down the Seine River. See treasured riverside monuments including the Eiffel Tower, Musée d'Orsay, the Louvre, and the Notre Dame Cathedral from aboard a comfortable riverboat. Learn about the history of passing attractions through audio commentary, and upgrade to include your choice of snacks and drinks.