What makes a Paris tour the best? It’s the difference between wasting hours in line and walking straight into the Louvre, Versailles, or the Eiffel Tower with a guide who knows every historical story and shortcut. We’ve compiled this 2025/2026 guide by analyzing thousands of 5-star guest reviews, securing hard-to-get skip-the-line tickets, and leveraging our expert experience. Discover the best small-group guided tours in Paris for every major landmark and hidden food scene—guaranteed to elevate your trip.
The 5 Absolute Best Tours to Take in Paris This Year
Thanks to glowing reviews, exclusive access you can’t get on your own, and expert guides who make every stop meaningful, these are hands-down the best Paris tours to take this year.
Not ready to commit to this tour? Check out all our Versailles Tours.
Why Book the Versailles Skip-The-Line Tour with Us?
Our three-hour Versailles Skip-the-Line Tour with transport from Paris combines ease, expertise, and access. You’ll avoid the stress of navigating trains, bypass long ticket lines, and step straight into the palace with priority entry. An expert local guide brings Versailles to life, from the extravagance of Louis XIV’s court to the roots of the French Revolution, while small group sizes ensure a more personal experience. After your guided tour of the King and Queen’s State Apartments, you’ll still have free time to enjoy the gardens at your own pace—making this the most complete Versailles day trip from Paris.
Versailles Skip-The-Line Tour Itinerary & Highlights
Easy Departure from Paris
Your experience begins at Pont de l’Alma in central Paris, where your guide will be waiting. From there, you’ll board the RER train together for a 35-minute ride straight to Versailles, with your return ticket already included.
Palace of Versailles Highlights
Once you arrive, skip past the long entry lines and head straight into the most important rooms of the palace. From the King’s State Apartments to the private apartments of Louis XV’s daughters, your guide reveals the royal stories and scandals that shaped French history.
The Hall of Mirrors
The crown jewel of Versailles is the Hall of Mirrors, a glittering gallery of chandeliers and 357 mirrors stretching nearly 70 yards. Here, your guide shares both the glamour of Louis XIV’s reign and the significance of the 1919 Treaty of Versailles signed in this very room.
The Gardens of Versailles
After exploring the palace, step outside into the most famous gardens in the world. Your guide will give an introduction before setting you free to wander at your own pace. When you’re ready to head back, simply use your included train ticket to return to the city at your leisure.
Highlights:
Round-trip train transport from Paris
Skip-the-line Palace of Versailles entry
Guided tour of the palace highlights
Hall of Mirrors and King’s State Apartments
Introduction to the Gardens of Versailles
Optional free time in the Gardens and Trianon Estate
Not ready to book this tour? Check out all our Louvre tours.
Why Book the Louvre Skip-The-Line Tour with Us?
The Louvre can swallow up hours if you try it solo. Our Skip-the-Line Tour makes it easy and meaningful. With timed-entry tickets, you skip long lines and head straight to the highlights with your expert guide—think the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and the Crown Jewels. Along the way, you’ll hear the fascinating stories that turn world-famous works into unforgettable moments. It’s the only way to see the Louvre efficiently while truly understanding its masterpieces.
Louvre Skip-The-Line Tour Itinerary & Highlights
Timed-Entry with an Expert Guide
With skip-the-line Louvre tickets and a guide who knows exactly where to take you, you’ll head straight to the highlights and hear the stories that make a Louvre museum tour more than just a maze of paintings and sculptures.
Sculptures and the Crown Jewels
From the timeless Venus de Milo to the Winged Victory of Samothrace and Bernini’s Sleeping Hermaphroditus, your guide shows you the masterpieces most visitors miss. Plus, you’ll head into the Galerie d’Apollon to see the glittering French crown jewels, a dazzling reminder that the Louvre was once a royal palace.
The Mona Lisa and Famous Paintings
Of course, no visit is complete without standing before the Mona Lisa, but your guide makes sure you understand why she matters rather than just snapping a photo. You’ll also see works that defined European art and French identity, from Leonardo’s other Renaissance pieces to Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People and Jacques-Louis David’s portraits of Napoleon.
Highlights:
Skip-the-line entry to the Louvre
Guided tour of world-famous masterpieces
The Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and Winged Victory
The Crown Jewels of France
Renaissance works by Raphael, Botticelli, and more
Why Book the Eiffel Tower Summit Tour with Seine River Cruise With Us?
This is Paris at its peak: a champagne cruise on the Seine, then reserved access to the Eiffel Tower Summit. We secure the hardest-to-get tickets with skip-the-line entry, guiding you every step so you don’t waste a moment. From sparkling river views of Notre Dame and the Louvre to the highest vantage point in the city, this tour guarantees the Paris moment everyone comes for.
Eiffel Tower Summit Tour with Seine River Cruise Itinerary & Highlights
Seine River Cruise
Your night kicks off in true Parisian style: gliding down the Seine with a glass of champagne in hand. Pass by landmarks like the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, and Notre-Dame while the City of Lights sparkles around you.
Eiffel Tower Summit
Forget the second floor—that’s what most visitors settle for. Your reserved tickets take you all the way to the summit, the highest and most coveted view in Paris. From here, the entire city sprawls like a sea of stars. If you want to make the moment even sweeter, pop by the champagne bar!
Stay at the Top
No need to rush—this tour gives you the rare luxury of time. After your guided visit, you can linger at the summit until closing and take the elevator down at your leisure.
For travelers short on time, our Paris in a Day Tour is the ultimate solution. We take care of every ticket and detail, from skip-the-line entry at the Louvre to a Seine River Cruise. Along the way, you’ll explore Montmartre, admire Sacré-Cœur, see Notre Dame up close, and view the Eiffel Tower. With an expert guide leading the way, you’ll do more than just check off landmarks—you’ll experience Paris fully in one perfect day.
Paris in a Day Tour Itinerary & Details
Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur
You will begin by wandering the charming, hilly streets of Montmartre, the same place that inspired famous artists like Renoir. From the top, you will see a breathtaking view of the entire city from the beautiful Sacré-Cœur Basilica, the perfect photo to start your day.
The Louvre Museum
Forget the massive crowds you see at the Louvre; we’ll guide you right past the long lines so you can spend more time enjoying the art. You’ll get to stand right in front of masterpieces like the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo while your guide shares their fascinating secrets.
Notre-Dame and the Latin Quarter
You will journey to the heart of Paris to see the legendary Notre-Dame Cathedral from the outside and learn about its incredible history. Afterward, you’ll explore the lively Latin Quarter, where you can visit the famous Shakespeare and Company bookstore, a favorite spot for world-famous writers.
The Eiffel Tower & Seine River Cruise
No trip to Paris is complete without seeing the Eiffel Tower, and you’ll get a perfect, up-close view while learning about its amazing story. Your adventure concludes with a relaxing boat cruise on the Seine River, allowing you to float past sparkling landmarks as the city prepares for the night.
Not ready to book this tour? Check out all our Paris food tours.
Why Book the Champagne & Oysters Paris Food Tour With Us?
This acclaimed tour is your crash course in eating like a local. In one evening, you’ll learn exactly how Parisians dine, from slurping oysters with sparkling wine to pairing cheese with cider and savoring Boeuf Bourguignon. We take you off the tourist track into authentic Le Marais shops for 11 gourmet tastings. You’ll walk away with insider tips that make the rest of your meals in Paris unforgettable. Book this one, ideally for your first day.
Champagne & Oysters Paris Food Tour Itinerary & Highlights
Le Marais with a Local Guide
Le Marais is where Paris eats. Trendy cafés, old markets, falafel shops, and bakeries all sit side by side. It’s easy to get lost or end up in the wrong spot, but with your guide, you’ll walk the same streets Parisians love and stop at the places worth your time.
Oysters, Sparkling Wine, and Market Finds
Start the night the Paris way, with oysters and a glass of sparkling wine. Then head to a market locals actually use, where you’ll taste real French cheese with cider and try falafel that shows off the neighborhood’s mix of cultures.
Boeuf Bourguignon and Sweet Crêpes
End with France’s most famous comfort food, Boeuf Bourguignon, rich with red wine and flavor. For dessert, a warm crêpe from a tucked-away spot brings your tour to a sweet finish.
Highlights:
5 stops with 11 tastings
Oysters, Boeuf Bourguignon, falafel, and crêpes
Sparkling white wine
Sit-down dinner with French wine
Walking tour of Marais
More Paris Tour Ideas: Catacombs, Baking Classes, and Day Trips
The tours above nail the classics, but Paris isn’t just about ticking boxes. If you want a trip that feels personal, pick one of these niche tours and turn Paris into your Paris.
How to Choose the Right Paris Tour (Small Group vs. Private)
When you’re picking a Paris tour, you’ll usually choose between a small group or a private tour. Small groups give you the best mix of value and personal attention—our groups are capped at 25 people, usually less, so you can actually hear your guide. Want something even more flexible? A private tour lets you set the schedule, go at your own pace, and explore Paris exactly how you want.
Is a Private Paris Tour Worth the Extra Cost?
Yes—go private if you want the guide’s full attention, total control of your schedule, and a trip that fits your family or group perfectly. With a private Paris tour, you get to focus on the sights and stories that matter most to you, making it a one-of-a-kind experience.
Insider Tips for Booking Your Paris Tours
Booking tours can be a minefield of hidden traps and sold-out tickets. Follow this expert advice to secure the best experiences Paris has to offer.
Book Early or Miss Out: Summit tickets for the Eiffel Tower and small-group Versailles tours sell out weeks or even months in advance. Do not wait until you arrive in Paris. Book today to guarantee your spot.
Check the Meeting Point. Twice: Paris has multiple train stations, countless squares, and more than one “Pont.” Screenshots and pinned maps save you from starting your dream tour in a panic.
Look for Combo Tours: Experienced travelers know that combo tours save both time and money. Instead of juggling separate tickets for the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, or Seine cruise, choose a tour that bundles them together.
Look for a Flexible Cancellation Policy: Life happens, and we get it. That’s why our tours let you cancel for free up to 24 hours before your trip—and you’ll get all your money back.
Frequently Asked Questions About Paris Tours
Are Paris tours worth it?
Yes, guided Paris tours are essential for saving time. At popular attractions like the Eiffel Tower and Louvre, a tour provides skip-the-line, priority access that allows you to bypass general entry queues that often last hours.
Yes, you should always book Paris tours in advance, especially for popular attractions like the Eiffel Tower and Versailles, as tickets and small-group tours sell out weeks or months ahead of time.
Are there private tours in Paris?
Yes, private Paris tours cost more than small group tours, but they’re well worth it if you have the budget and want a more personalized experience.
Can I visit Paris landmarks without a tour?
You can visit Paris landmarks without a tour, but you will often have to wait in very long lines, purchase tickets far in advance, and miss out on the valuable context an expert guide provides.
How much do Paris tours cost?
The cost of a Paris tour varies widely, ranging from around $30 for a basic walking tour to over $150 for a full-day experience with multiple attractions and transportation included.
Do Paris tours include transportation or transfers?
Our all-day tours, such as the Versailles Day Trip and the Paris in a Day Tour, include all necessary transportation and transfers between sites. Local tours (e.g., Louvre or food tours) typically start at a central, easily accessible meeting point.
Final Thoughts
The truth is, not all Paris walking tours are created equal. These five stand out because they do what others can’t—secure the tickets that sell out, limit group sizes so you actually hear your guide, and deliver the insider access that turns a good trip into a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Book these small-group tours early, trust the experts, and you’ll skip the stress and see Paris the way it’s meant to be seen.
Now that you’ve got your tours sorted, the next step is booking the perfect hotel.
Find the best places to stay
Where To Stay in Paris
With a city as magnificent as Paris, it can be hard to find the perfect hotel at the perfect price. Explore the best hotels and places to stay in these incredible neighborhoods in Paris.
Sean is a co-founder and owner of The Tour Guy and its subsidiary The Roman Guy. He studied finance and statistics, but that is his "Dr. Jekyll" side! His "Mr. Hyde" is in love with travel, art, history, and culture. Sean has read libraries of historical text and believes that all internet content should come from books. A practice he follows!
Reader Interactions
Comments (6)
ASCHER TEICH
Paris is Paris is Paris, no other city can compare .
We might be biased, but it really is. You can either wander these amazing locations or monuments and not really know what’s so significant (or that you just passed the first painting by a world-famous painter), or you can learn so many incredible details and stories about these places and art. Tour guides truly do elevate your experience and make it more memorable.
Hello Brie, yeah, that makes sense. I also hate getting lost 😀 I have been looking around on your tours, and it seems that they are not customizable? Something like this https://gowithguide.com/france/paris
Our private tours can be customized within the museum or locations it already includes. So for instance, if you want more time in the Greek sculptures than in a room of impressionism, just let your guide know.
Paris is Paris is Paris, no other city can compare .
Paris is Paris is Paris, no other city can compare .I love Paris,love France but dislike the French…..And Iwas born and raise there………….
Is it worth it to get a tour guide, though?
We might be biased, but it really is. You can either wander these amazing locations or monuments and not really know what’s so significant (or that you just passed the first painting by a world-famous painter), or you can learn so many incredible details and stories about these places and art. Tour guides truly do elevate your experience and make it more memorable.
Hello Brie, yeah, that makes sense. I also hate getting lost 😀 I have been looking around on your tours, and it seems that they are not customizable? Something like this https://gowithguide.com/france/paris
Our private tours can be customized within the museum or locations it already includes. So for instance, if you want more time in the Greek sculptures than in a room of impressionism, just let your guide know.