Last Updated: 5/13/23 | May 13th, 2023
I love visiting Paris. I’ve been going there for over nine years and have yet to tire of the history, the charm, or the food (and wine!).
Over the years, I’ve taken a million different tours of this amazing city to learn more about what makes it tick. For four months in 2019, I lived in Paris and had the opportunity to check out even more walking tours.
And there was a lot to check out!
There are dozens upon dozens of companies covering all aspects of life in Paris, and it can be hard to make a sense of all those endless Viator and TripAdvisor listings. It’s crazy how many tour companies there are!
I mean, I’ve tried so many tour companies and I STILL have more on my list to try (and some to retry).
That said, having sampled a ton of tours (and having organized my own tours in Paris for a while), I wanted to share the best walking tour companies in Paris to help you plan your trip and save money in this iconic destination.
Best Overall Tour
Take Walks
What makes Walks amazing is that they get better access than most tour companies. You get to skip the line, go before or after other tours so you have the space to yourself, and get fun guides who are knowledgeable in their field. They also have a nine-hour full-day tour of the city for anyone looking to really explore (it’s a great option if you’re short on time but still want to see everything).
Their tours are reasonably priced, and their guides always know their stuff. I’ve gone on three of their tours and loved them all.
Best Free Tour
New Europe Tours
New Europe is one of the most popular free walking tour companies in all of Europe. Their main free tour takes you around the center of Paris and gives you a historical overview of the city. They also run a good (but paid) tour of Montmartre, and they have a really fun pub crawl as well if you’re looking to hit the bars with other travelers.
While those may be the best free and paid tours in the city, Paris has a lot more to offer — no matter your interests. Here are 10 other insightful and educational tours in the city!
1. City Free Tour
This free-tour company, like New Europe, offers a couple of great general tours to help you get familiar with the City of Light, led by a local expert who can answer your questions. They also offer a few specialized tours so you can really focus on different neighborhoods. For example, the Montmartre tour does a great job of showing you just what life is like in this famous bohemian neighborhood, while the Latin Quarter tour highlights some of the most famous landmarks in town.
Tours are free and last 1.5-2 hours. Just be sure to tip! Longer private tours are available upon request for an additional fee.
2. Discover Walks
Discover Walks offers free walking tours, as well as paid tours if you’re looking for something more focused and in-depth. With almost 60 tours on offer in Paris, chances are you’ll be able to find something to pique your interest. They have a great free tour of the Latin Quarter. For something more unique, try the photography workshop.
Free tours last around 90 minutes. For the paid tour options, prices start at just 10 EUR per person.
3. Localers
Localers are a great choice if you’re looking for a unique tour option and want something more nuanced than just a free walking tour. They tend to specialize in more niche tours like literary, art, or historical tours. I enjoyed their tours a lot. I hadn’t heard of them before I moved here and was bummed their tours had flown under my radar for so long.
The World War II tour is particularly insightful and does a great job of illuminating the war’s true cost to Paris. I also really liked the Scandalous Paris tour, which highlights Paris’ brothels and the town’s more colorful past. There’s also an insightful literary tour too that takes you through the literary history of the city’s left bank. This is a solid mid-range tour company for travelers looking for value.
Most tours last 2-5 hours. Tickets start at 49 EUR per person.
4. Paris by Mouth
Paris by Mouth company offers a handful of neighborhood tours that highlight the best food in Paris. The groups are kept small (no more than six people) and they are really focused on providing a lot of information on food, history, and culture. It’s more a mini-class than it is a chance to just eat food (though you do that too).
The tours aren’t super budget friendly but if you’re looking for a really detailed food tour, this company is be it. And if you’re a diehard fan of French cheese like I am, they also have an entire workshop just for cheese. It’s amazing!
Tours usually last around three hours. Tickets start at 125 EUR per person.
5. Devour Food Tours
Devour Food Tours is my go-to food tour company in Europe. They always have incredible guides and unique tours that showcase each destination’s best eats. In Paris, they offer a handful of tours including a Montmartre neighborhood food tour, and evening food and wine tour, and a filling 3.5-hour tour that covers the city’s best dishes. For those with a sweet tooth, they also have a tasty chocolate and pastry tour too.
Tours last 1.5-3.5 hours. Tickets start at 69 EUR per person.
6. Street Art Tour Paris
For a niche, insider tour about Paris’s art scene, check out Street Art Tour Paris. Their guides are all artists and will take you around various neighborhoods to show you the best and most interesting works of street art (and murals) that Paris has to offer. They also have a tour that focuses exclusively on female artists.
Tours operate based on interest and last around 2-2.5 hrs. Tickets start at 24 EUR per person.
7. Paris Bar Crawl
If you’re looking for a more rambunctious way to spend an evening, head out on a pub crawl. Paris Bar Crawl is one of the most popular ones (it tends to be just for tourists and visiting students though). You’ll meet a bunch of new people while seeing what nightlife in Paris is all about. The tour visits three bars and one club.
Tours start at 8:30pm Thursday-Saturday and last until you decide to go home! Tickets are 13 EUR per person online (15 EUR in person) and include a free shot in each bar as well as admission to the club.
Walking tours are a great way to get below the surface of Paris. Every time I visit, I always make sure to try a new one. Having an expert guide to answer your questions while providing in-depth, local knowledge is the best way to deepen your experience as a traveler.
These walking tour companies are the best in Paris and will be able to provide you with the insight and information you need to really make the most out of your next visit to this incredible city.
Get Your In-Depth Budget Guide to Paris!
For more in-depth information, check out my guidebook to Paris written for budget travelers like you! It cuts out the fluff found in other guides and gets straight to the practical information you need to travel around Paris. You’ll find suggested itineraries, budgets, ways to save money, on- and off-the-beaten-path things to see and do, non-touristy restaurants, markets, bars, transportation and safety tips, and much more! Click here to learn more and get your copy today!
Book Your Trip to Paris: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. Some of favorite places to stay in the city are:
If you’re looking for more places to stay, here for my favorite hostels in Paris. And, if you’re wondering what part of town to stay in, here’s my neighborhood breakdown of the city!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
- SafetyWing (best for nomads)
- Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
- Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)
Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.
Want More Information on Paris?
Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Paris for even more planning tips!
