Top Île-de-France Historical 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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

Most visitors ride the elevator at the Eiffel Tower, but travelers with a sense of adventure can save time by taking the stairs. Climb the 704 steps to the second viewing platform of the Eiffel Tower on this guided tour and be rewarded with spectacular views of the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe, the Seine River, and the Champs-Élysées. Opt for a ticket to the summit and take the lift to the very top.

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.

Versailles, once home to French royalty, is among the world’s largest and most opulent palaces. With this tour, you can get the most out of your palace visit, without having to put in hours of research time. Your guide's commentary, delivered through provided headsets, enriches your journey through this renowned landmark as you explore highlights such as the Hall of Mirrors, the State Apartments, and Versailles' gardens.

See Paris like a local as you pedal around its vibrant neighborhoods, lively markets and hidden sights on this small-group bike tour. Explore the famous Latin Quarter, the Jewish communities of Le Marais and the historic Place de la Bastille, as well as enjoying views of iconic landmarks like Notre-Dame Cathedral. With plenty of rest stops and photo opportunities, this tour is suitable for all ages and fitness levels.

Pedal your way around Paris on this 4-hour small-group bike tour – a great way for first-time visitors to get their bearings and see all the main sights in a single tour. Glide down the famous Champs-Elysées avenue, pass iconic landmarks such as Ile de la Cité and the Louvre, and stop to snap photos of the unmissable Eiffel Tower.

Imagine how the extravagance of Versailles was part of everyday life for Marie Antoinette during a guided tour of the palace with an optional fountain show. Take advantage of skip-the-line access to avoid the long lines at the start of your tour. Gaze in wonder at the Royal Apartments and the Queen’s Apartments, and walk through the glittering Hall of Mirrors to the Salon de la Guerre and the Salon de la Paix. Plus explore the expansive gardens on your own after the palace tour.

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.

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.

Experience the Palace of Versailles and its elegant surrounding gardens with this private tour, complete with skip-the-line access to the palace. Your personal, private guide will escort you through the palace and out into the gardens, where you'll get to zip around on your own four-seat golf cart while learning about the property’s rich history.

See the world-class treasures of Paris’s Louvre Museum on a small-group tour. Bypass the long entrance queues with a skip-the-line ticket, and follow an expert guide straight to collection highlights, including the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and Nike of Samothrace. Learn the backstories of these artistic masterpieces to enrich your experience, and feel free to continue exploring the museum at the end of the tour.

Discover the cultural highlights and delectable bites of France’s capital on a culinary tour of Paris. Spend the afternoon strolling past the city’s iconic monuments with a guide and enjoy intermittent samples of pastries, chocolate and freshly baked bread. Listen to commentary of Paris’ rich heritage and receive personalized attention from your guide on this small-group tour, limited to only eight people.

The Parisian district of Îe de la Cité is packed with standout sights, and surrounded by the picturesque waters of the Seine. Cover the highlights of the stunning, history-filled island during an enriching guided visit. See the Conciergerie, where Marie-Antoinette was once imprisoned, and walk by the remains of the Notre Dame Cathedral (closed during reconstruction). The tour also includes skip-the-line admission to Sainte-Chapelle, famed for its stained-glass windows.

Head straight into the home of the Mona Lisa with this skip-the-line tour of the world's largest art museum. Once inside, your local art historian guide will provide you with background about some of the Louvre's most stunning pieces of art. Expect to see masterpieces by the likes of Da Vinci, Raphael, Veronese, Titian, and Botticelli, not to mention the French Crown Jewels.

Head to the coast of Normandy to visit Mont-Saint-Michel on this day tour from Paris. You'll receive an orientation from a guide, and then enjoy time to explore the UNESCO World Heritage site independently with an audio guide or by wandering the hilly streets at your leisure. Transportation is by coach from Paris.

As one of Paris' top landmarks, the Louvre is always crowded—but this skip-the-line tour guarantees your entry and makes exploring easy. First, meet your guide near the museum; then, head inside and straight to the museum's most famous and captivating works, including the Mona Lisa, The Raft of the Medusa, and other masterpieces. As you go, your guide will share stories that bring the artworks to life.

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.