Discover the enchanting city of Paris with expertly curated tours tailored to immerse you in the rich history, culture, and beauty of France's capital. Delve into the heart of the iconic Louvre Museum, home to thousands of works of art including the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. Explore the grandeur of the Versailles Palace, a testament to the absolute monarchy of the Ancien Régime. What sets these tours apart is the exceptional knowledge and insight provided by our tour guides, many of whom hold PhDs in their respective fields. They bring a depth of understanding that transforms each tour into an engaging and enlightening experience, offering a unique perspective on the City of Lights.

Louvre Tour: Museum Crash Course

The Louvre Tour begins at a nearby café, where you'll be introduced to the rich history of the museum itself. Over five centuries, the Louvre has evolved from a colossal medieval fortress to a splendid royal palace, and now stands as one of the world's most prestigious museums. As your guide narrates its transformation, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the cultural significance that the museum holds today.

Upon entering the museum, your first stop will be the Classical Antiquities wing. This section is renowned for its impressive collection of Egyptian artifacts and breathtaking Greek and Roman sculptures. From there, you'll proceed to the Denon Wing, which houses grand galleries of Italian painting. Here, you'll have the chance to appreciate some of the greatest works of art in the Western world, including masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Veronese. These iconic pieces serve as testament to the artistic genius that shaped the Renaissance period.

The tour continues with the French Masters, providing insight into the late 18th- and early 19th-century rival art movements of Neoclassicism and Romanticism. You'll delve into the works of Jacques-Louis David, Théodore Gericault, and Eugène Delacroix, each a leader in their respective movements. The tour concludes with an exploration of the enigmatic Mona Lisa, discussing the mysteries behind her captivating smile. Throughout your journey, our guide will enrich your experience by selecting a mix of well-known and lesser-known works, crafting a narrative around your interests and questions. You’ll engage in discussions ranging from perspective in the late medieval era to the Baroque period, and even delve into issues of power and politics as expressed by court painters. This curated tour promises an enlightening and immersive dive into the world of art and history.

Baguette to Bistro: Paris Food Tour

Embark on a delectable journey through the charming streets of Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Left Bank in Paris with our two-and-a-half-hour food tour. Guided by a local chef or food industry expert, we delve into the heart of French cuisine, meeting the owners of quaint food shops and sampling artisanal products. The tour commences with an introduction to two quintessential elements of the Parisian table: bread and cheese. We may visit one of the finest boulangeries to learn about the characteristics of a good baguette, followed by a trip to an artisanal fromagerie to understand France's nearly 400 types of cheese and the art of slicing them correctly.

Our culinary adventure doesn't stop there. We will dive deeper into French specialties, potentially visiting a butcher to tempt our taste buds with pâté, homemade rillettes, or the seasonal wild game. Our sweet tooth will not be forgotten as we sample succulent chocolates made from roasted Equatorial cocoa beans. We might also glimpse through the windows of the traiteur once responsible for Versailles's elegant fare or even pop into a dreamy pâtisserie. Throughout the tour, we will explore how all these products contribute to the French diet and discuss other culinary traditions and philosophies.

As our gastronomic journey concludes, we may find ourselves in a historic wine shop, sipping on a glass of Armagnac, which has been passed down from generation to generation since 1905. With a newfound understanding of the cornerstones of French gastronomy, you'll be well-prepared to further explore French food during your stay and beyond. For wine lovers, we also offer a Paris Wine Tasting Tour that provides a comprehensive overview of French wines. Additionally, our Paris by Night Tour: Left Bank offers a basic introduction to the Left Bank and Paris as a whole.

Musée d'Orsay Tour: Crash Course

Embark on an enriching journey through the Musée d'Orsay with our three-hour tour, guided by an expert art historian. This experience is designed to explore the museum's extensive collection of 19th- and early 20th-century art, which is celebrated as one of the finest Impressionist collections in Paris. We will delve into the major art movements of this period, including the Barbizon school, Realism, and Impressionism, and their most iconic artists such as Monet, Degas, and Courbet. The tour commences by reflecting on the museum's distinctive architecture, originally designed by Victor Laloux as a railway station and later transformed into a museum in 1986. As we delve into the art, our primary focus will be on painting, tracing a chronological path from the works of the Barbizon school and Corot, who emphasized nature and atmosphere and broke free from the constraints of classicism.

As the tour progresses, we will discuss the rise and spread of Impressionism, its radical departure from previous artistic norms, and the impact of artists like Monet, Renoir, Degas, and Pissarro on this movement. We will then explore the influence of Impressionism on subsequent artists, including Cézanne and Van Gogh, and how it evolved into various other movements such as Neo-impressionism, Fauvism, Pointillism, and Cubism. Towards the end, we will study these movements and the artists they cultivated, such as Matisse, Braque, and Gauguin, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of these revolutionary art movements and their contribution to the formation of modern art.

We also offer a specially curated Musée d'Orsay with Kids Tour for younger audiences, led by scholars trained in educating children. This shorter tour is designed to engage children in a fun and interactive way while introducing them to the world of art. By the end of the tour, participants will have gained a deep appreciation for the evolution and diversity of art over time, making it an enlightening experience for both children and adults alike.

Versailles Palace and Gardens Tour

On this four-hour Versailles Palace and Gardens Tour, departing from Paris, participants will have the unique opportunity to delve into the rich history and magnificent architecture of Versailles, the royal court's seat from 1682 until the Revolution. Accompanied by a historian or art history expert, visitors will gain an in-depth understanding of the immense site's historical and architectural significance. The tour includes a visit to the expansive royal gardens, a masterpiece designed by the famous landscape architect André Le Nôtre. The meticulously maintained hedges, reflective pools, and beautifully carved open-air statues are a sight to behold. The tour also explores Louis XIV's powerful solar myth, which greatly influenced Le Nôtre’s design of these gardens and contributed significantly to the State Apartments' decorating scheme.

The tour continues with an inside look at the Versailles Palace. Here, the focus shifts to the château's architectural evolution during the reigns of Louis XIII through the 19th century. This includes the additions made by Louis XIV, such as extra wings, the marble court, and the renowned Hall of Mirrors. These additions reflect the grandiose ambitions and aesthetic sensibilities of the monarchs who resided in Versailles, providing a fascinating insight into their lives and reigns.

Throughout the Versailles Palace and Gardens Tour, participants will be fully immersed in Versailles' extravagant narrative. As the tour comes to an end, they will come away with a deeper comprehension of Le Nôtre’s innovative designs and how they tie into Louis XIV's efforts to uphold his image as the Sun King. This tour is not merely a walk through a historical site; it's a journey into the heart of French royalty, offering a captivating and comprehensive exploration of one of the world's most iconic palaces.

Paris Food Tour: Pastries and Chocolate

Embark on a delightful journey of discovery with the Paris Food Tour, focused on pastries and chocolate. This 2.5-hour tour, led by either a professional chef or food writer, explores why Paris became the epicenter of the chocolate world and its significance. As we traverse from one chocolate shop to another, we'll uncover the fascinating history behind this beloved delicacy. The stops along this sweet trail will vary depending on our culinary expert’s personal favorite places to indulge. Truffles, pralines, ganache - do you know how each differs? Our walk, commencing in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, will answer these questions and more, delving into the enticing world of Parisian chocolate – a city renowned for housing some of the world's finest chocolatiers.

As we continue our gastronomic adventure, we'll stop to admire the intricately detailed chocolate sculptures at a classic chocolaterie, taste a plethora of chocolate varieties, and discuss the processes that transform cocoa beans into the delectable treats we see in shops today. We may also touch on the evolution of chocolate from a luxury commodity to an affordable indulgence. Subsequently, we'll delve deeper into the rich dessert history associated with Paris and the evolution of the celebrated Parisian treat, the macaron. We'll visit a variety of confectionery shops, comparing and contrasting the flavors, products, and techniques employed.

The tour concludes with a visit to a top boutique to sample their unique take on the macaron or a family-owned boulangerie to try an array of colorful pastries. From marvelous meringues and tartes to pure, rich chocolate, this walk is sure to tantalize every sense. This edible escapade through an upscale and iconic Left Bank neighborhood is designed to enrich your appreciation for these sweet treats and unveil the complex science involved in the chocolate-making process. Our guide will also be available to facilitate transactions and individual purchases for guests. So, if you're planning on further indulging your palate in Paris, consider joining our Paris Food Tour or Paris Wine Tour and Tasting.

Our Recommended Hotels in Paris

Planning a trip to Paris and wondering where to stay? Here's a curated list of the top recommended hotels in Paris that offer a blend of luxury, comfort, and a prime location: 

• L’Hotel du Collectionneur

• Mandarin Oriental, Paris

• Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme

• Shangri-La Paris

• Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel

• Hotel Napoleon Paris

• Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris