French Revolution Tour in Paris with an expert guide

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Duration 03h00
Group Tour
Group Size
10 max
Refund up to 48 hours
55 reviews

Highlights

Forget those dry, dull French History lessons from school—instead join us on a thrilling treasure hunt as you walk the very streets that led to the bloodiest moments in Paris’ past. This 3-hour tour scours the old stones the Saint-Germain-des-Prés area, uncovering hidden objects and long-forgotten tales of murder, massacre, and the ferocious fight for freedom.

Learn bone-chilling details of when Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette met the blade of the guillotine, or the dark prophecy that led to the demise of a key revolutionary. You’ll even visit a unique Parisian café, whose famous & infamous clients left vibrant souvenirs. You think you’ve heard everything about the French Revolution? Guess again!

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Why you'll love this

Plumb the depths of the dark, blood-soaked days of the French Revolution

Unearth the condensed years of conspiracy, intrigue, mystery and mass murder

Hunt for treasures hidden in plain sight along the streets of a historical district

Enjoy a complementary coffee stop in a charming Saint-Germain café

What's included

A professional storyteller who knows how to excite the imagination

An entertaining exploration of history that will engage everyone in your group

A complementary café break in the historic Saint-Germain-des-Prés district

Price Details

Size of group

All

Per person

€59

Want to customize your experience? Contact our customer services team.
Traveling with a bigger group? Contact our customer services team for pricing and options.

F.A.Q.

Is this tour appropriate for my whole group?
We welcome all curious minds, young and old--in fact kids really enjoy the vivid characters on this tour! However please note that your guide will occasionally explain details of historical executions, torture & beheadings of course!

I’m a solo traveler. Can I join a group?
We can only organize a tour once a total of two people have registered. If you’re a solo traveler and are the first to request a date for this tour, you may have to wait until at least one other visitor books that date. However should this arise, please contact our customer service team and they’ll be happy to help you find a solution.

I don’t wish to join a group. Can I make this tour private?
Yes. We are happy to arrange a private version of this tour, so you get the undivided attention of your guide. Just contact our customer service team!

I am in a wheelchair. Can I take part?
Your tour will include several locations with steps to get in. Please note that regrettably, this tour is not wheelchair accessible, so please contact our client services team for further details.

Meeting point & walking distance

Meeting point: Saint Sulpice Metro Station
Walking distance: 3.2km / 2 miles

The itinerary

Somewhere between Versailles & Place de la Concorde, where the guillotine blade scared the crowds, is the true bustling heart of the French Revolution, Saint-Germain-des-Prés. You’ll discover long forgotten details of this crucial time of France’s history. First will be a stop in front of the glorious Saint-Sulpice Church to learn how this whole revolution thing got started: a bad harvest, an indecisive king, the storming of the Bastille, etc. A visit inside the building will reveal surprising details left behind by ravenous Revolutionaries.

You’ll then discover historic addresses and hear stories like the daring escape of the royal family, and the dire consequences that followed. You’ll see where key players like Danton, Marat, Desmoulins and Robespierre plotted and planned the bloody destruction of the monarchy. A rare exploration of Paris’ oldest café will show you exactly where their caffeine-fueled debates took place, with extraordinary objects on view that bring history to life.

After a restful coffee break you’ll see where the guillotine was built and tested, followed by a dark prophecy and the telling of a gruesome murder mystery. Who dunnit? You’ll have to keep walking to find out! The intrigue continues as you learn how deceit and distrust would lead longtime friends to assassinate each other in the name of self-preservation…

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Gallery

Luxembourg Gardens on our French Revolution Tour

Guillotine painting on our French Revolution Tour

St Sulpice Fountain on our French Revolution Tour

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Detail of our French Revolution Tour in Paris

Your guide

Knowing Paris inside-out comes with years of exploring, but above all a passion for discovering all the magic that a city has to offer. Our city guides are selected for their insatiable love for Paris, and their desire to share it with our visitors. Leaving no stone unturned, our guides are always ready to go the extra mile to ensure that those who explore with them get to discover the Paris that truly makes them tick.

Reviews

5.0 / 5.0 - Based on 55 reviews
Last reviewed: January 12 2019

Deidre N - Reviewed January 12, 2019

Our tour guide was knowledgeable, unrushed and taught us so much about Parisian historical landmarks and local history. I loved that she emphasized feminist history that you wouldn't always hear about, and the tour was accessible to people with varying degrees of prior knowledge about French history. We loved this small group tour and would highly recommend to friends!

Andrea P - Reviewed January 11, 2019

I thought Christina was fabulous. It was great to have a guide that was knowledgeable and passionate about history and art. The small group size made it very special as well!

Audrey X - Reviewed November 12, 2018

Strongly Recommend. Very nice tour and the tour guide. The coffee break at an old coffee shop was amazing.

Bruce J - Reviewed October 19, 2018

Excellent tour

Gillian W - Reviewed October 15, 2018

I thoroughly enjoyed our time with Abbie on the French Revolution Tour. It was not what I expected, so my feedback is more to set expectations for future travelers. This is not the French Revolution many of us Americans think of. It is not Les Miserables (Victor Hugo's novel or the musical sensation). It actually is the real revolution that started 100 years earlier. Abbie is a wealth of knowledge and I thoroughly enjoyed learning from her. I would not hesitate to recommend this tour! Thanks for the great education, Abbie.

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