This post is a review and comparison of the various tours that visit the area along the River Seine and act as a solid introduction to the city of Paris. Popular attractions include the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Louvre, amongst many other significant sights. Whether you prefer a traditional walking tour, a food tour, or even a bike tour, all are available on the banks of the Seine. However, with so many tour companies operating in the area, it can be difficult to decide which company is best. So that’s where we come in! We’ve broken down all of the different types of tours by category and then compared them by quality and price, so that you can find what’s right for you!
INTRO TO PARIS WALKING TOURS
There are several different companies that offer walking tours along the River Seine that offer great introductions to Paris. Aeon Tours and are two companies that lead paid tours at 10 am. The former is a 4-hour tour that covers much of central Paris for €39 per person, while the other is 2 hours and costs just €19 per person. Another option is to take a tour with a 'pay what you like' company like Sandeman's Europe or Discover Walks. The latter offers 2 different tours that bring you along the Seine and to many of the most popular landmarks in the city -- all for a price that you determine at the end! Sandeman's offers a similar experience with their 2.5 hour Free Paris Tour. Reviews for all of these companies are very good, so you really can't go wrong.
Aeon Tours
The Paris Essentials 4 Hour Guided Walking Tour offered by Aeon Tours covers all of the major attractions in central Paris, including the Eiffel Tower, Hôtel des Invalides, Avenue des Champs Élysées, and Notre Dame Cathedral. This tour serves as an entertaining and thorough introduction to Parisian history and culture. As the tour departs at 10 am in the morning, you will still have plenty of time to do other things in the afterward. Don't forget to ask your guide for a lunch recommendation!
Paris Essentials 4 Hour Guided Walking Tour
- Departs daily at 10 am
- From €39 per person
- More information or to book
Reviews of Aeon Tours
People on TripAdvisor seem very pleased with their experience on this tour and rate them 4/5 stars. Many people praise the small group sizes and the impressive knowledge of their guide. Though reviews are limited on Get Your Guide, those who have written them also say that they were very impressed with Aeon Tours (read the reviews). One guest voiced his concern about some attractions being left off the tour, so be sure to inquire with your guide at the start of the tour.
Localers
A shorter alternative is the 2-hour tour offered by Localers featuring the "Best of Paris." Stops include Notre Dame, La Conciergerie, Place Dauphine, Pont Neuf, the Louvre courtyard, and others. Group size is limited to just 12 people, guaranteeing that you will experience a much more intimate tour. Your guide will lead discussions on Paris through varying time periods including the Roman Empire, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and the French Revolution. This tour also commences at 10 am, so you will have the rest of the day to enjoy the city!
Best of Paris: 2 Hour Walking Tour
- Departs Tuesdays and Fridays at 10 am
- From €19 per person
- More information or to book
Reviews of Localers
Localers have a stellar reputation on TripAdvisor, boasting a 5-star rating and nearly 100% positive reviews. Visitors write that their experience "could not have been any better" and that the tour was fabulous. There are a small handful of reviewers who were less impressed with their experience with Localers, but nearly all of those are written in regards to a different tour.
Take Walks
Whether you're looking for a longer or shorter trip, this company offers a couple different tours which include a cruise on the river Seine.
While the majority of each tour is spent walking around the city, you will have an opportunity to see the city from the water.
The longer tour includes admission to the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower, while the shorter tour includes admission to Sainte Chapelle.
- €36/Adults | €34/Students | €31/Children
- Spring Availability: Mon, Wed, and Fri at 4:30 pm
- Summer Availability: Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat at 4:30 pm
- Duration: 1 ½ hours
- Includes admission to Sainte Chapelle.
- Includes Seine River cruise.
- €165/Adults | €163/Students | €155/Children
- Winter Availability: Mon, Wed, Sat at 9 am
- Summer Availability: Wed - Mon at 9 am
- Duration: 9 hours
- Includes admission to the Louvre.
- Includes admission to the Eiffel Tower.
- Includes Seine River Cruise.
- €87/Adults | €85/Students | €82/Children
- Spring/Winter Availability: Mon, Wed, Sat at 2 pm
- Summer Availability: Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat at 2 pm
- Duration: 4 ½ hours
- Includes admission to Sainte Chapelle.
- Includes Seine River cruise.
Reviews of Take Walks
This company has generally positive reviews, with most people stating that their tour guides are very helpful and informative. Some say that their tour was much better than trying to get around the city on their own.
Discover Walks
Discover Walks is a 'name your own price' walking tour company that offers 2 different tours that serve as great introductions to Paris. The first is their Paris Landmarks: Right Bank Tour which Champs Elysées, the Louvre Museum, Arc de Triomphe, and the Eiffel tower over the course of 1.5 hours. The other is their Notre Dame and the Heart of Paris Tour, which visits the area around the Cathedral including the back streets and banks of the Seine. There are no upfront costs for either tour and so you can determine what it was worth at the end.
- Departs at 10 am every day
- Pay-What-You-Like
- More information or to book
Notre Dame and the Heart of Paris Tour
- Departs at 1 pm and 3 pm every day
- Pay-What-You-Like
- More information or to book
Reviews for Discover Walks
Discover Walks is one of the most popular walking tour companies in Paris. Reviewers are consistently impressed with the high quality of their tours and guides. These two tours, in particular, seem very popular with guests looking to better familiarize themselves with the city. As always, there are a few naysayers who weren't as pleased with their experience. However, negative reviews are very uncommon.
New Europe Tours
Sandeman's Free Europe is another walking tour company that offers 'name-you-own-price' tours. Their classic 2.5 hour Free Tour of Paris is a great introduction to the city. It is offered several times a day, making this a great alternative if the other tours don't fit within your schedule. Some of the sights that are covered include Saint Michel Fountain, Notre Dame de Paris, The Louvre, and Palais Royal, amongst many others.
Free Tour of Paris
- Departs daily at 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 1:00 PMund 4:00 PM
- Pay-What-You-Like
- More information and to book
Reviews of Sandeman's New Europe
Sandeman's New Europe receives positives reviews from a vast majority of their guests. Most seem extremely impressed with the knowledge and friendliness of the guides and cite this tour as a great introduction to the city. However, one of the consistent complaints from guests is the constant upselling of their other pre-paid tours. Many felt that this took away from their overall experience.
BIKE TOURS
Bike tours are a great way to cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time. There are several tour companies operating in central Paris including Paris Bike Tour, Blue Fox Travel, and Holland Bikes. All are very similar in price, ranging from €29 per person with Holland Bikes to €34 per person with Paris Bike Tour. Blue Fox Travel offers the longest tour at 4 hours, while the other two companies both run for 3 hours. All receive very positive reviews from visitors who write about their satisfaction with each.
Blue Fox Travel
Blue Fox Travel offers a 4-hour bike tour from Notre Dame to the Eiffel Tower, covering all the major attractions in-between. This company makes an effort to share lots of insider information, whether it be an interesting fact about the monuments or how to skip the line at the Louvre. A comfortable bike, helmet, and rain gear (if necessary) are provided. Small group size is guaranteed.
- Departs daily at 10:30 am and 3 pm
- From €32 per person
- More info and to book
Reviews of Blue Fox Travel
As one of the most popular bike tour companies in Paris, Blue Fox Travel have many 5 star reviews on both TripAdvisor and Get Your Guide (read the reviews). Guests write that they found this to be the best way to explore the city, as it allowed them to see much more than they would have on a walking tour, but also with an intimacy that couldn't have happened with a bus tour. In fact, of their many reviews on Get Your Guide, NONE fall below 4 stars!
Holland Bikes
Holland Bikes is another popular company that offers a 3-hour daily tour of the major highlights around Paris. The tour begins near the Arc de Triomphe and then continues on past the Trocadéro, Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame de Paris, and many other sights before concluding on the Champs Elysees. Available in Dutch, German, and English.
- Departs daily at 10:15 am
- From €29 per person
- More info and to book
Reviews of Holland Bikes
Most reviewers on TripAdvisor and Get Your Guide seem to be more than satisfied with their experience with Holland Bikes (read the reviews), which maintains 4 stars rating. Visitors write that it was fantastic, excellent value, and very interesting. A few people were less impressed with Holland Bikes, but reviews like this are rare and usually due to extenuating circumstances.
Paris Bike Tour
Paris Bike Tour offers a 3 Hour Along the River Seine Tour, which is a perfect way to get to know the city. Sights covered include Centre Pompidou, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Conciergerie, Musée du Quai Branly, and the Eiffel Tower, amongst others. In addition to your bike, you will also receive a helmet and a bottle of water. This tour is available in German, English, French, and Spanish.
- Departs Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 10 am
- €34 per person
- More info and to book
Reviews of Paris Bike Tour
Reviews for this particular tour are excellent on both TripAdvisor (4.5 stars) and Get Your Guide, with many guests commenting that they can't recommend the experience enough (read the reviews)! Others also write that the guides were very competent and that the bikes themselves were comfortable and clean. A few note that riding in the city can be a bit intimidating at times, so it's best if you have some cycling experience!
FOOD TOURS
A food tour is a great way to really familiarize yourself with Parisian culture and get to know day-to-day life in the city. There are several food tours that operate throughout the city, but below we've listed 2 of our favorite tours that take you through central Paris. If you'd like recommendations for food tours in other neighborhoods, please check out our post on the Latin Quarter and Montmartre.
Both of these tours include stops at several different shops to sample a variety of French flavors. Meeting the French's 3 Hour Chocolate and Pastry Tour is a dessert tour that visits the Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Urban Adventures Europe takes you to the Marais neighborhood and allows you to sample many different pastries, cheeses, meats, and wines. At €95 per person, the Meeting the French tour is slightly more expensive than the tour offered by Urban Adventures Europe, which also runs for 3 hours but costs €78 per person.
Meeting the French
Meeting the French offer a 3-hour Chocolate and Pastry Tour which visits Saint-Germain-des-Prés, one of Paris' premier neighborhoods located right along the river. Try chocolates, pastry, and bread as you learn more about French history and culture. Samples are included in the price of the tour. Available in German, Spanish, Italian, or English.
3 Hour Chocolate and Pastry Tour
- Departs Monday-Saturday at 10:15 am and 2 pm
- From €95 per person
- More info and to book
Reviews of Meeting the French
Meeting the French receive excellent reviews, especially for their Chocolate and Pastry Tour (read the reviews). Families with younger children seem particularly delighted with their experience as it was very entertaining for guests of all ages. A very small number of reviews were critical of the tour, and in most cases, these felt that it was overpriced for the samples that were included. However, the cost of this tour is very standard for food tours in Paris.
Urban Adventures Europe
Urban Adventures Europe also offers a Paris Gourmet tour of the Marais neighborhood, which is also right along the river. This 3 hour tour visits the best-preserved medieval area of Paris and introduces you to the heart of the Jewish community. Included in the price are 2 different pastries, the 'best' macaron in Paris, traditional charcuterie and cheese samples, and several samples of wines and liquors.
- Departs Tuesday-Saturday at 2pm
- From €78 per person
- More info and to book online
Reviews of Urban Adventures Europe
Urban Adventures Europe maintains an impressive 5-star rating on TripAdvisor, with several people describing their experience as fantastic and a 'must do'. Reviews on Get Your Guide are much more limited, but they remained extremely positive (read the reviews). Guests seem especially happy with the high-quality guides and delicious samples.
NIGHT TOURS
Paris is one of the most beautiful cities in the world to explore at night. The Notre Dame Cathedral is beautiful lit up, the Eiffel Tower sparkles on the hour every hour, and the neighborhoods around the river really come to life. Two of our favorite night tours that visit central Paris are offered by City Wonders and Discover Walks. The latter is a 90 minute walk from the Louvre to Saint-Germain, and focuses on general Parisian history. The tour by City Wonders, on the other hand, specifically focuses on the darker history of Paris. However, as the tour takes you right along the river, you still get to see and learn about all of the major attractions in the area.
Discover Walks
In addition to their other walking tours, Discover Walks also offers a Paris by Night Tour, which takes you from the Louvre to Saint-Germain neighborhood. During the 90 minute tour, learn about major attractions such as the D’Orsay Museum, the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and the Odeon, amongst many others. Their guides are also happy to offer suggestions for nice restaurants and bars in the area, so be sure to ask if you're interested!
- Departs every night at 9pm
- From €30 per person
- More info and to book
Reviews of Discover Walks
Discover Walks receives high praises for all of their tours, including Paris by Night. Guests describe their experience as informative and fun, and a great way to get an introduction to the city. Many also comment on how magical it was to explore Paris at night, especially around the area near the river.
City Wonders
The Dark Hearts and Murder Mysteries Tour offered by City Wonders is another nighttime tour that brings you through central Paris. However, unlike the tour offered by Discover Walks, this one is focused specifically on the darker history of the city. You will learn about Paris’ long history of torture and execution, Henry VIII’s many wives, and the gruesome Reign of Terror that occurred during the French Revolution.
Paris Walking Tour: Dark Hearts and Murder Mysteries
- Departs Fridays and Saturdays at 9pm
- From €23 per person
- More info and to book
Reviews of City Wonders
Guests seem to absolutely love this tour offered by City Wonders, which does an excellent job, as many reviewers note, of blending history and humor while discussing some of the darker sides of the city (read the reviews). People seem to really appreciate being able to learn things that are not often discussed on other tours, all while visiting several well-known monuments. Their 5 star average on TripAdvisor is definitely proof of the high quality of their tours!
DEALS AND DISCOUNTS
There are several different tourist passes available in Paris, which offer discounts on major attractions and tours. For example, hop-on, hop-off Big Bus Tours and Fat Tire Tours is included on the Paris Pass. Additionally, the Turbo Pass Paris features discounts for a few different tour companies, including Big Bus Tours. These are a great way to save serious cash and really make the most of your time in the city. Also consider checking websites such as GroupOn and TravelZoo for additional discounts on tours.
Read our comparison of the different Paris City Passes here!
Self-Guided/Audio Tour
This Self Guided Paris Tour explores the remnants of France's great and terrible kings along the banks of the river Seine. For entrance into many of the sites included below, do consider a tourist discount pass "The Paris Pass". Also, consider pairing this with Rick Steves' free audio tour of Paris for an even better experience!
There are also self-guided exploration games you might want to consider. These outings give you the task of solving a mystery in the city. You can choose from a Haunted Paris game, a Montmartre game and a Parc Montsouris game.
Stop A: Cour Carrée
This inner courtyard is the oldest part of the Louvre. The Louvre was originally built in the 12th century by King Philip II, parts of the original building can still be seen in the crypt. It was transformed into a royal palace 300 years later by Charles V, and would remain the official royal residence until King Louis XIV moved the court to Versailles.
Of course, when each new king came into power, he wanted to leave his own mark on the city of Paris and the palace of the Louvre, so the building was pretty much constantly under construction. If you look around at the walls, you’ll notice little letters are carved everywhere. These are the insignias of the king that built that section, marking his territory for eternity.
Stop B: Pyramids of the Louvre
The infamous glass pyramids of the Louvre mark the main entrance into the museum. It was opened as France's first public museum in 1793 right after the French Revolution. At the time it displayed 721 objects of art, today it has over 34,000 objects. It is also the most visited museum in the world averaging over 30,000 visitors a day. Because of its popularity, there is often a lengthy line at the main entrance, if that’s the case when you visit make sure to go through the secret entrance, which is the next stop on this self-guided tour.
The Pyramids themselves were commissioned in 1984 by French president François Mitterrand, part of a series of projects to bring modern monuments to Paris. Designed by the architect I. M. Pei, the idea was to juxtapose the old style architecture (the building of the Louvre) with modern design of the Pyramids. When they were complete in 1989, many Parisians hated the Pyramids thinking they were far too modern, and ruined the majesty of the Louvre. Today, whether you love or hate them, the Pyramids have become iconic, and many wouldn’t recognize the Louvre without them.
Stop C: Secret Entrance to the Louvre
Many times, especially in summer, the line for the Louvre can wind through both inner courtyards, but there are several secret entrances. Through the glass doors beneath this arch, go down the escalators which lead to a shopping mall called Carrousel du Louvre. If you walk through the mall, underneath the inverted pyramid, you'll see a security check to get into the Louvre. There may be a line here, but it is always much shorter than at the main entrance.
The Louvre is open every day of the week except Tuesdays. It normally costs 15euros to get in, but children under 18, and European citizens under the age of 25 get in free with proof of age. It is also free on the first Sunday of every month between October and March, but this is not coincidentally the busiest day of the month as well, so be prepared to brave the crowds if you go then.
You can also skip the lines of the Louvre using the Fast Past Entry included on The Paris Pass.
Stop D: Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel
This arch is less famous than the larger Arc de Triomphe, which is a the top of the Champs Elysee, but they were both commissioned by the same person. This one was built between 1806-1808 by Napoleon, to celebrate his military victories. He, like many rulers, loved constructing big monuments to his own glory
On top of the Arc is a chariot which may be familiar to you, as it is the replica of the one on top of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. Originally the Arc was topped by the famous horses of St Mark’s Cathedral in Venice, which Napoleon had stolen during his conquest of Italy. When he was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo, he was required to return many of the stolen goods. The chariot that currently sits atop the Arc was commissioned in 1828 to celebrate the return of the Bourbon rulers.
Stop E: Palais de Tuileries
If you look around, you will notice that you're standing in the center of a large sandy rectangle. Today this outline is all that remains of a former royal palace, called the Palais des Tuileries, named after the tile kilns (Tuileries) that stood here before. It was built by Catherine de Medici in 1564 after the death of her beloved husband King Henri II, so she would no longer have to walk the same halls he had. It served as the royal residence often, lastly by King Louis XVI and his family, who were kept prisoner in the palace while they awaited trial and then execution during the French Revolution.
Almost 100 years later another revolutionary government, the short-lived Paris Commune was founded. This radically socialist government was lead by the people and based around the idea that Paris should govern itself as a city-state. The Commune also hated all signs of France’s former monarchy, so on May 23, 1871 they attacked the building that symbolized heart of the monarchy itself: the Louvre. Both the Louvre and the Palais des Tuileries were set on fire. Thankfully the Louvre was saved and repaired, but the Tuileries burned to the ground never to be rebuilt.
Stop F: Jardin des Tuileries
These gardens were originally built by Catherine de Medici in 1564, at the same time as the Palais des Tuileries. In those days Paris was a crowded and dirty city, so these gardens were meant to be a refuge, mimicking the gardens of Florence of Catherine’s youth. At the time, this was the biggest green space in all of Paris, and was also used to host lavish parties.
The layout of the gardens that we see today was designed by Louis XIV's legendary gardener Andre Le Notre in 1664. If you're unable to visit Versailles on your trip in Paris, consider this a preview of what the world-famous gardens are like. Louis XIV was an absolute ruler, and he used the designs of his gardens to show this. As you walk through this park, you'll see how each immaculately manicured flower bed is just so, and all of the trees are carefully trimmed into meticulous shapes. Louis XIV wanted to prove he controlled everything in France, even nature itself.
After the Revolution, the park was completely opened to the public and declared the National Park of the French Republic. Today it is one of the most fashionable parks in Paris. It is considered an outdoor extension of the Louvre and contains many beautiful statues, as well as temporary exhibitions throughout the year. Around Fashion Week in particular, the park is crawling with models, fashion shows and photographers, so keep an eye out, you never know who you might see.
Stop G: View of the Eiffel Tower
This terrace offers one of the best views of the world’s most iconic building available. The Eiffel Tower was built for the 1889 World’s Fair. Paris was hosting this event on the 100th anniversary of the Revolution, and they wanted to prove how far the Republic had come from the crazy, bloody days of the Revolution. It was decided that the best way to do this would be to build something very tall.
The tower was officially opened on May 6, 1889, and it was an immediate success with visitors. In spite of the fact the elevators were not yet functional, tens of thousands of people climbed the steps of the tallest building in the world. At 1063 feet (324 meters), the Eiffel Tower would remain the tallest building in the world for 41 years.
Although today it would be impossible to imagine Paris without the Eiffel Tower, when it was first completed many Parisians thought it was terribly ugly, an iron monster. These days, over 100 years later, it is pretty much universally loved. For more information on the Eiffel Tower and how to visit it, check out our blog post: https://freetoursbyfoot.com/visiting-eiffel-tower/.
Stop H: Place de la Concorde
During the tumultuous times of the Revolution, this square was called Place de la Revolution, and was home of the busiest guillotine in the city. The streets here ran so thick with blood, that for years horses refused to walk through due to the stench of death. The last true King of France, Louis XVI was executed here on January 21, 1793, putting an end to 1042 years of continuous French monarchy, and starting the famous Reign of Terror during which over 40,000 “enemies of the Revolution” were executed across the country.
This was also where the unlucky Marie Antoinette met her end. Although she was given a trial, I was a total sham. She was accused of holding orgies, embezzling, and even abusing her own children, none of which were true. Marie Antoinette was executed on October 16, 1793. Her last words were reportedly “Pardon me sir, I did not mean it” after she accidentally stepped on a man’s foot on her way to the guillotine.
Fittingly, this is where Maximilien Robespierre, one of the main perpetrators of the Reign of Terror, was executed as well. When he heard that men were coming to arrest him on July 27, 1794, he attempted to commit suicide but only succeeded in shooting himself in the jaw. Robespierre spent his last night on a table in great pain and unable to speak. The next day he, along with some of his biggest supporters, were executed in the Place de la Revolution bringing an end to the Reign of Terror. Today the name Place de la Concorde means square of the peace pact, to try to make amends for its bloody past.
Stop I: The Luxor Obelisk
Where the guillotine once stood, in the center of the square is now an ancient Egyptian Obelisk. The Luxor Obelisk is over 3300 years old, making it the oldest monument in Paris. It originally stood with its twin outside the Luxor temple, but was gifted to France by the viceroy of Egypt in 1832. The twin still stands in Luxor to this day.
Because the Obelisk weighs over 551,000 pounds (250 metric tons), getting it from Egypt to Paris was an incredible feat of 19th century engineering. The engineers were so proud of their accomplishment, that they placed little diagrams explaining how they did it all around the pedestal.
Stop J: View of the Arc de Triomphe
The Place de la Concorde offers one of the best views of one of Paris’ most famous monuments, the Arc de Triomphe. This Arc was commissioned in 1806 by Napoleon after his victory at the Battle of Austerlitz. Sadly the massive structure took 30 years to complete, and by the time it was finished Napoleon had fallen from power, been exiled, and died. When his remains were returned to Paris in 1840, fittingly they passed underneath the arch he had commissioned on the way to his final resting place, the Invalides. Since its completion, the Arc has been a rallying point for many parades, both by the French themselves, and by invading armies, including the Nazis in 1940 to celebrate the occupation of Paris.
Underneath the arch is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. A soldier from World War I was interred here in 1919, and is honored for all those soldiers who died for their country in both world wars, but were never identified. By the tomb is the Eternal Flame, which burns continuously in memory of those soldiers.
You can also visit inside the Arc de Triomphe. It is open from 10h-23h (11pm) (April-September) or 2230h (1030pm) (October-March). Tickets are around 8 € for an adult. Children under 17 are FREE, as are visitors with the Paris Pass.
Stop K: Avenue des Champs-Élysées
The name Champs-Élysées translates to Elysian Fields, the ancient Greek idea of Heaven. This street was first called the Avenue des Champs-Élysées in Catherine de Medici’s time, because it lead to her heavenly garden, the Jardin des Tuileries. This is also when it was established as a fashionable street, as merchants used to gather along here hoping that the queen and her court would come buy their wares, particularly clothing. For a long time it remained the epicenter of Paris fashion, but today most fashionable people do their shopping in the trendy Marais instead.
This street makes up a significant portion of what the French call the Historic Axis, a perfectly straight line of monuments stretching from the Arch of La Defense in the suburbs, through the Arc de Triomphe, down the Champs-Élysées, past the Obelisk, into the Jardin des Tuileries, and ending at the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel. The Bastille Day parade comes down this path, as have many armies throughout the years. This is also the last leg of the Tour de France.
Stop L: Grand and Petit Palais
Both of these museums were built for the Universal Exposition of 1900. The Petit Palais specializes in art, particularly Renaissance paintings. Each room is carefully designed to bring out the best in whatever form of art is being displayed, from paintings to sculptures to porcelain or tapestries. There is also a very lovely courtyard at the center with a cafe, which can be a nice refuge from the busy streets of Paris.
The Grand Palais has hosted a wide variety of exhibitions, from fashion shows to household appliance displays, once even a human zoo. Thankfully those days are firmly in the past. Even if you are not interested in any of the current exhibitions at the Grand Palais it's worth going in just to gawk at the architecture. It is in the Beaux-Arts style which combines classical elements like columns with modern engineering of iron and glass.
Stop M: Pont Alexandre III
This bridge was built between 1896-1900 for the Universal Exposition of 1900. It's named for the Russian tsar who helped negotiate the Franco-Russian Alliance of 1892, one of the thick web of treaties made at the end of the 19th century that made World War I unavoidable. The tsar's son Nicholas II, the last tsar of Russia, laid the cornerstone in 1896.
It is commonly acknowledged to be the most beautiful bridge in Paris, and is certainly the most ornate. Built in the Beaux-Arts style to match the neighbouring Grand Palais, it has beautiful Art Nouveau details.
Stop N: Les Invalides
The full name of this beautiful building is L'Hôtel national des Invalides, which translates to the National Residence of the Cripples. This name stems from its original purpose, built by King Louis XIV in the 1600s. All of the wars of the famously bellicose Louis XIV had created a large population of invalid veterans, and without social support these men quickly became a huge problem in Paris. The crime and homelessness rates spiked, so in what was a very forward thinking move, King Louis built the retirement home of Les Invalides.
While it does still function partially as a retirement home, only a small number of people meet the requirement of 20 years of service these days, so most of the building is dedicated to the Museum of the Army. This is a great alternative if you’ve already visited some of Paris’ many art museums, or art is not of interest to you. The great dome is also the final resting place of one of France’s greatest and most terrible leaders, Napoleon Bonaparte.
