Top 15 France History Tours

1.Paris: Louvre Museum Entry with History of Mona Lisa

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 2,823 reviews · 1 day · from $74Our pick

Meet a host at 162 Rue de Rivoli, enter the Louvre through a priority access point, and hear a short introduction to the museum and Mona Lisa. Guides such as Jade, Emma, Sofia, and Rebecca have helped visitors reach the painting quickly, then left them free to explore independently.

“Jade was extremely personable, friendly and informative. He showed up and took us into the Louvre. Went above and beyond to take us directly to the Mona Lisa. He took pictures of our group and gave us lots of good tips we were a little anxious about the whole event but Jade quelled our concerns and took great care of us.”

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2.Paris: Dark History and Ghostly Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,000 reviews · 2 hours · from $35

Walk central Paris at night with an English-speaking guide such as Morgan, Catherine, Leo, or Joris. Over two hours, hear grim tales at Notre Dame, Pont Neuf, and the Conciergerie, from executions and Templar secrets to haunted theaters and a Parisian vampire. Choose a shared or private tour, and wear shoes suited to cobblestones.

“Absolutely fantastic and informative walking tour, really enjoyed walking around the near the Notre Dame hearing the darker stories of Paris. Well worth the time and money! :)”

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3.Vieux Lyon Cultural & Historical Walking Guided Tour (English)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 942 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) Top rated

Meet guide Paul at Place Saint-Jean for a two-hour English walk through Vieux Lyon. You’ll see the cathedral clock, secret traboules, Tour Rose, silk-making traditions, Lyon’s courthouses, Théâtre des Célestins, and Hôtel Dieu. It is a small-group tour with a nominal fee, though tips are expected.

“Paul was a very good guide and engaging speaker. It was a great introduction to the city and its history. Lots of restaurant suggestions and further sightseeing suggestions.”

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4.Bordeaux: Historic Center & Chartrons District Bike Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 709 reviews · 3 hours · from $42

Ride 13 km through Bordeaux with a local guide such as Mika, Flavi, Dovi, or Angus, passing cathedrals, river bridges, Chartrons, and Darwin. Choose a Dutch bike or e-bike, stop for a canelée from Casonnade, and keep the group small at no more than 12 people. Expect an easy pace, city stories, and useful tips for exploring on foot later.

“Benny was great. Lots of fun and very knowledgeable. Great way to see Bordeaux”

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5.Bordeaux: Top Landmarks & Historic Bike Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 346 reviews · 2h 30m · from $42

Ride through Bordeaux with guides such as Jean-Christophe and Suzanna on comfortable French beach cruisers or an e-bike. In 150 minutes, you’ll cross the Garonne, visit the historic center, Chartrons, Darwin, Jardin Public, and the Water Mirror, with a local snack and a small group of up to 10.

“Suzana, a breath of fresh air , friendly, pleasant & easy to listen to . A wealth of interesting information without bambuzzling us, rode at a safe pace that we felt comfortable with. She loves her job and so we loved our time spent with her . Best spent money . Padraig & Marita Ireland”

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6.Strasbourg: Guided Historical Neighborhoods Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 275 reviews · 2h 30m · from $35

Spend 150 minutes walking through Strasbourg with a local guide, usually Davide or David, in English or Italian. Begin at Place de la République, pass through Neustadt, Place Broglie, Place Kléber, Grand’Rue, and Petite France, then finish at Notre Dame Cathedral. Expect clear history, funny anecdotes, café and restaurant tips, and a group limited to 10 people.

“David provided an interesting and fun tour of Strasbourg. He was animated and kept the group moving along at a good pace.”

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7.Strasbourg on Foot: Historic Center and Petite France with a Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 223 reviews · 2 hours · from $34

Spend two hours walking from Place Kléber through Strasbourg’s cathedral quarter, Rohan Palace, Gutenberg Square, Saint-Thomas, the Covered Bridges, and Petite France. Guides including Stefania, Leila, Stef, Maya, and Javier lead in English or Spanish, adding local food tips, historical stories, a city map, and a small Alsatian sweet tasting.

“Maya was an entertaining, enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide. She had great tips on what and where to eat, and what to see and do. Great introduction to Strasbourg!”

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8.Paris City of Fashion History Private Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 221 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $107

Walk through Paris’s fashion quarter with Ivo, a private guide with fashion design training and industry experience. In about two hours, you’ll connect Palais-Royal, Rue Saint-Honoré, Place Vendôme, and Rue Cambon with the stories of Chanel, Dior, Poiret, and today’s fashion houses. Expect an outdoor tour tailored to your interests, plus practical shopping advice.

“This tour was so much fun!! Ivo was fantastic- so entertaining and informational! Would definitely recommend this tour!!”

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9.History of Paris City Center w/ Notre Dame Semi-Private 12ppl Max

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 194 reviews · 2 hours 40 minutes (approx.) · from $59

Start at Cité Métro and walk through Île de la Cité, Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle, the Conciergerie, Pont Neuf, the Louvre, Tuileries Gardens, and Place de la Concorde. Your English-speaking guide leads a group of no more than 12. Notre-Dame entry is included, but the interior visit is unguided.

“Jill was very knowledgeable and she did her very best to accommodate our requests. The tour was just perfect!”

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10.Paris City Center w/ Notre Dame interior | Exclusive Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 190 reviews · 2 hours 40 minutes (approx.) · from $59

This 2-hour-40-minute English walking tour begins at Notre-Dame and crosses Île de la Cité, Pont Neuf, the Louvre area, Palais-Royal, and the Tuileries Gardens before ending at Place de la Concorde. Guides such as Eden, Adrien, Jay, and Maria explain Paris history in a lively, personal way. Notre-Dame entry is included, but the cathedral visit is unguided.

“It was pouring rain during this tour.. however Adrien was excellent! Super knowledgeable and friendly. A perfect Guide!”

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11.Paris: Le Marais & Montmartre Jewish History Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 170 reviews · 3h 30m · from $80

Spend 210 minutes with an English-speaking local guide exploring Jewish Paris in Le Marais and Montmartre. See Guimard’s synagogue, the Shoah Memorial, artists’ haunts, and Sacré-Cœur. Guides such as Benjamin, Benoit, Pierre-Louis, and Achilles bring French and Jewish history together in a small group of up to nine people.

“Benoit was a great tour guide. He made the Marais history relevant and interest ng. Additionally, he gave great advice about other Paris tourist stuff. Highly recommend!!”

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12.Rouen: Guided Tour of the Historic Center

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 145 reviews · 1h 30m · from $28

Join Elodie, a Rouen guide, for a 90-minute, 3-kilometer walk through the city’s old center. Follow Joan of Arc’s final days, see the Gros-Horloge, Rouen Cathedral, the Courthouse, Saint-Maclou Church, and Saint-Ouen Abbey. The tour runs in English or French, rain or shine, with monument entry fees separate.

“Elodie was a fantastic guide, so knowledgeable and made every stop really interesting, even for our twelve year old who is usually very easily bored with anything historic. Made our day in Rouen one of the highlights of our holiday, thank you Elodie!”

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13.Avignon: History and Legend Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 122 reviews · 2 hours · from $23Best value

Walk Avignon’s old center with Ana Maria, a warm local guide who brings the city’s popes, legends, churches, and medieval streets to life. In two hours, you’ll see the Pont Saint-Bénézet, Popes’ Palace, cathedral, Place de l’Horloge, and more. Paid monument entry is not included.

“Super nice, friendly, funny and witty personality. Went through the history of Avignon putting it into a historical perspective to the rest of Europe in an easy and pedagogical way without getting boring on any occasion. We enjoyed every minute of the 2 hours well spent in this fantastic medieval city. Well recommended!”

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14.Strasbourg: Private Walking Tour of the Historical Center

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 107 reviews · 2 hours · from $235

Meet your private guide at Place du Quartier Blanc for a two-hour walk through Strasbourg’s Grand Island. See the Cathedral of Notre-Dame from outside, 13th-century covered bridges, Place Broglie, medieval churches, canals, and lesser-known corners. Tours are offered in seven languages, including English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Japanese.

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15.Explore the Marais: History, Art & Local Culture

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 105 reviews · 2 hours · from $49

Spend two hours walking 2 km through the Marais with an English-speaking guide such as Sarah, Paloma, or Camila. See medieval lanes, LGBTQIA+ landmarks, Saint Gervais, Rue des Rosiers, Place des Vosges, and the Bastille area, with a merveilleux pastry tasting along the way.

“We had an incredible experience with Camilla as our guide. We learned a lot about the area and enjoyed wonderful food.”

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