Things to Do in Paris

Visit Montmartre, the village has everything that Paris stands for: history, art, and love.

On this tour, we aim to make each tour an intimate, authentic Parisian experience. 

Our average group size is 10 - 15 guests, and we try to keep a max of 22 guests/guide. 

Also, our tours are all designed and run by local Parisians. No expat to run your tour! We give you the tourist must-sees and also the Paris of the Parisians. 

Only this tour will show you all. And tell you all.

We’ll show you the landmarks: the church of Sacré Coeur, artists’ corner, Paris’ last vineyards, and so on. 

We’ll tell you the stories: what the Cabaret of the assassins is about. How Montmartre became the birthplace of Impressionism - and Van Gogh - and Picasso. And even why so many locals actually hate their church of Sacré Coeur.

We'll take you where other groups don't go.  So many tourists in Montmartre! So of course we'll hit the must-sees. But we will also take you off-the-tourist-path every chance we get. And that's a promise. 

Our route covers the landmarks of Montmartre: 

• The best views over Paris
• The windmills of Montmartre and "the scrub"
• cobblestones, picturesque streets, and a farmhouse even
• the vineyards that the locals are so proud of
• The birthplace of the greatest art – Impressionism. Cubism. Edith Piaf 
• and the church of Sacré coeur - but from a better viewing point

We don't want you to just know Montmartre. We want you to love it. 

We walk rain or shine, and your guide wears a pink vest that you cannot miss. 

Ah, Paris, the capital of elegance, chic, love, art and science. Its architecture and ambiance are truly iconic, and its people famous for their achievements and... sense of pride.

The city rose from its humble beginnings as a marshland settlement, became a Roman colony, seat of the early Frankish monarchs to finally set trends as the biggest medieval city in Europe. Home to many revolts and societal changes, it evolved as the capital of the free thinkers and... the most famous revolution changing the political landscape of the western civilization forever. With its final overdo in the 19th century, its elegant boulevards became a go-to model for many other cities. Today, Paris retains many of its fortes, adding a spice of modernity.

All this can get a little overwhelming, so why not have a helping hand while diving in? Walkative will grant you that and much more, with our local guides taking you on a fascinating journey through Paris most important monuments and histories, including:

• Notre-Dame Cathedral 
• Sainte Chapelle 
• Conciergerie 
• Pont Neuf
• Pont des Arts
• Louvre (history of the palace and museum)
• Carrousel Arch
• Tuileries gardens 
• And much, much more!

ℹ️ ⚠️ ATTENTION - booking rules

Please note that our free tours are designed for individual travelers and small private groups only. Hence, we do not accept parties of 8 or more people on regular free tours and guides have the right to deny participation to such groups. If you travel in a party of 8 or more please book a private tour in advance.

If you show up at the meeting point with the bigger group our guide will ask you for the payment (12 eur/person) before the tour or cancel your reservation on the spot. To confirm your reservation please arrive 10 minutes before starting. We can not guarantee participation when you will be late.                                  

Please note that multiply bookings (under different names) for 7 people who belong to one group will still be treated as one organized group and the guide has the right to deny participation to such parties.

This policy is implied in the best interest of our individual visitors. 

Please respect our rules.     

Through my eyes as a Parisian in love with my city, I invite you to discover a thousand and one anecdotes about the Latin Quarter and Paris. And above all, the most important thing: to have a great time on my tour. Time will fly by! Whether you are passionate about literature or history, whether you have the soul of a revolutionary student or whether you are fascinated by the rhythm of the nights in the vaulted caverns of the jazz clubs, your thirst will be quenched as you walk through the streets of this neighborhood.

An entertaining tour with curious and funny stories about the mythical neighborhood of Paris, the Latin Quarter. During the two hours of this tour we will travel through the history and the characters who animated this area of Paris located between the 5th and 6th arrondissements. We will discover together Saint Michel Square , the ruins of Cluny , the Sorbonne , the Pantheon and many other fascinating places in this neighborhood, blending in with the hectic pace of the inhabitants of Paris and their student life.

Your photos with the book sellers along the Seine will bring Paris back to your memory for many years to come. Browsing through a book on the terrace of the Café de Flore, postcards bought at a newsstand, a glass of water to quench your thirst in a Wallace fountain, meeting Shakespeare , communicating in Latin with students from another era in front of the Sorbonne or demonstrating in the middle of May 68 shouting “be realistic, ask for the impossible”, a meeting on the Place Saint Michel… Perhaps the beginning of a love story.

Do you want to join me to meet him?

PRACTICAL INFORMATION:

Meeting Point

Place Saint Michel, 75005, Paris
https://maps.app.goo.gl/tfv9gJVHZQmPbBNQA

How to get there?

• Metro 4, RER B and C, Saint-Michel station

How to recognize me?

You will be able to recognize me by my red umbrella 🔴 , I will be next to the Le Départ Saint Michel café
Can't make the tour?

• Modify reservation: you can modify your reservation for another day/time and the number of attendees
• Cancel reservation: If you cannot attend the tour, please cancel your reservation so that the guide does not have to wait for you and leave room for other tourists.

/!\ Bring water bottles and arrive 10 minutes early because I can't wait out of respect for the people who arrive on time /!\

Explore Paris' Old Town—a history stretching 2,000 years all the way back to ancient Rome. This is where Paris was born, and this is why people travel to Paris.

Start with Notre-Dame—the iconic cathedral, standing on the small island where Paris was first born. Explore hidden gems of Paris—medieval streets, the tapestry of the Unicorn, a collection of the beheaded kings of France, and Roman baths. 

This is the Paris that has inspired artists. Walk the paths of legends of literature and the arts—Picasso, Hemingway, Cyrano de Bergerac, d'Artagnan, Simone de Beauvoir. Learn why Paris has more art-house cinemas than any other city in the world, and why they are all to be found here in the old town.

Experience what only Paris can offer. Join local traditions, like rubbing a certain statue for luck in circumstances that can arise only here. 

Discover the old district called the "Latin Quarter" (and why they call it that), Sorbonne university (founded 1253), the Panthéon (who is buried there?), and the Luxembourg Gardens (voted best park year after year).

Be careful—what matters to you in life may never be the same after this tour. 

In English, rain or shine, in a small group, away from the crowds—and as always, you pay what you want. This is the tour for you.

Le Marais is the #1 discovery of every visitor to Paris.

It is where tourists want to stay on their next trip. And where Parisians dream to live.

Why? Because of its unique mix.

Old stones and elegant buildings, side-by-side with trend-setting stores and exciting places to hang. "next year's fashion is in Le Marais now" is the common saying.

On this tour, we promise small groups for an intimate experience.

We will see "Jewish Paris", aristocratic mansions, secluded gardens, and beautiful people. History and Trendy.

The guides base their comments on their personal experience. You get the stories behind the buildings, you hear what Le Marais means for a Parisian, you get pulled by the sleeve off-the-tourist-path.

Do not miss Le Marais!

Our commitments include: 
* small groups
* English-language tour led by a true local (no expat freshly off the plane)
* a mix of landmarks and hidden gems. Royal "Place des Vosges," secluded "hôtel Sully", Jewish "rue des rosiers", and the "talk-of-the-town" trendy 
* 90 to 100 minutes. Not too long, not too short
* accessible route. this tour is compatible for wheelchairs 
* average group size is 9. Average tip is €12.95

 Discover the essence of Paris ́s most iconic and opulent neighbourhood on our tour: Le Marais is a local treasure, inviting you to uncover its rich history, monuments and hidden gems far away from typical tourist trails. 

Our expert guide will take you on an immersive journey through the aristocratic charm of the 16th and 17th century, with magnificent palaces of the high bourgeoisie, showcasing authentic jewels of French architecture. Despite its humble medieval origins, Le Marais was spared from Haussmann’s urban renewal, preserving remnants of its illustrious past, medieval and renaissance.

Marvel at architectural masterpieces like the Hôtel de Sully and the ancient walls of Philippe Auguste. Let your mind wander through picturesque private mansions, where tales of royalty offer a glimpse into the district’s opulent history.

Follow the footsteps of literary giant Victor Hugo before delving into the Museum of the History of Paris. Experience the vibrant Jewish quarter, home to Paris’s infamous Jewish community since the 13th century. Discover the Pletzl, a hub for Eastern European Jews fleeing persecution, and indulge in the flavours of the area, from traditional Jewish delicacies to the best falafel in town.

Let us guide you through Le Marais, offering local insider tips on the best eateries, patisseries, museums, and galleries and immerse yourself in the unique vibe of this iconic neighbourhood.

IMPORTANT NOTICE!

Please book only if you are 100% sure you will attend the tour. Plan your time well to avoid last minute cancellations and not occupy a spot that someone else could have taken.

Discover Montmartre: The Bohemian Soul of Paris
Montmartre is one of the most iconic and charming neighborhoods in Paris. Located on the highest hill in the city, it has been home and inspiration to great artists such as Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, Toulouse-Lautrec and Edith Piaf. Its cobbled streets, old cabarets and bohemian atmosphere have preserved their essence over time, making it a magical and romantic place.

During this tour, I will take you through the most emblematic corners of Montmartre, reliving the stories of the artists, writers and musicians who left their mark on the neighborhood.

What will we see on the tour?
✔ The most emblematic cabarets, such as La Bohème, La Bonne Franquette and Au Lapin Agile, where great artists and figures of bohemian life used to meet, including Edith Piaf, Charles Aznavour and Pablo Picasso.
✔ Place du Tertre, the famous painters' square, where artists still exhibit their works today.
✔ The Moulin de la Galette, one of the last windmills in Montmartre and inspiration for Renoir's famous painting.
✔ The “I Love You” Wall, a unique work that brings together the phrase “I love you” written in more than 250 languages.
✔ Dalida Square and her house, where we will talk about the fascinating history of the iconic French-Italian singer and her connection to Montmartre.
✔ Rue de l'Abreuvoir, considered the most beautiful street in Paris.
✔ La Maison Rose, a picturesque corner that has inspired numerous artists.
✔ The last vineyard in Paris, a testament to the district's wine-making past.
✔ The Bateau-Lavoir, the legendary building where artists such as Picasso and Modigliani lived and worked, considered the cradle of Cubism.
✔ The Basilica of the Sacred Heart, where we will end the tour with a spectacular panoramic view of the city of lights.

A tour for art and history lovers
This tour is designed especially for those who want to immerse themselves in the history of art in Paris. Along the way, you will discover how Montmartre became the epicentre of the Bohemian art movement and how it influenced some of the world's most important painters.

I look forward to seeing you together as we explore the streets of this unique neighborhood and relive the magic of artistic and historic Montmartre!

How much does this tour cost?

Free tours do not have a set price , instead, each person gives the guru at the end the amount they consider appropriate (they are usually amounts between a minimum of €10 and $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).