Scandalous Paris – Brothels, boudoirs and courtesans

Duration 03h00
Group Tour
Group Size
8 max
Refund up to 48 hours
31 reviews

Highlights

Travel back in time, and explore the scandalous side of Paris on a fun and original walking tour. From the Palais Royal to South Pigalle, your guide will tell you risqué stories and anecdotes that feature a cast of sensual and glamorous characters.

You will discover some of the most notorious and luxurious brothels of the Belle Époque and early 20th Century and will learn how these places operated. The tour will finish at an exquisite former maison close decorated in velvet, where you’ll sip a cocktail and soak up the early 20th Century atmosphere.

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Why you'll love this

Discover Paris’ history through its 19th and 20th Centuries erotic themed stories

Travel back in time and meet a series of star courtesans, renowned artists and celebrities

Understand how Paris became the capital of love and pleasure

Take an off-the- beaten-track route through the historical 2nd and 9th arrondissements

What's included

A complementary cocktail in a former brothel in Pigalle

A collection of taboo stories and an entertaining walking tour of Paris

Tips on the most sensual Paris hangouts of today

Price Details

Size of group

All

Per person

€69.00

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

The itinerary

You’ll meet your guide at the very elegant Place Colette, named after one of the most famous sensual themed authors in literature. She will be the first of a long list of many intriguing and scandalous figures that you will learn about on this tour.

Our off-the-beaten track itinerary will include the Palais Royal, some of the most beautiful Parisian 19th Century Covered Passages, and a walk through the little known 9th arrondissement. From Napoleon Bonaparte to Toulouse Lautrec, you will travel back in time to meet some of the most scandalous characters who gave Paris its racy reputation.

Did you know that at the authorized brothels' peak period, there were more than 200 establishments and 150 000 registered filles de joie ? How could you recognize a maison close ? What were the rules inside these brothels and who were the famed Belle Époque painters that depicted life here ? Who were the most well-known courtesans or cocottes ? These are some of the fun facts you’ll learn with your guide on this tour.

Your tour will finish at the sulphurous Pigalle red-district area, where you will stop for a cocktail at an elegant former brothel. If you haven’t had enough, feel free to explore further with a visit to the bohemian Montmartre district.

Please note that due to the walking distance (around 3 miles) and the high walking pace, we do not recommend this tour for families with young children or for people with walking difficulties. We can however adapt the itinerary as part of a private tour. Please contact our customer service team, only note that privatizing your tour will incur an additional fee.

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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

4.9 / 5.0 - Based on 31 reviews
Last reviewed: September 07 2021

Hannah M - Reviewed September 07, 2021

Great tour it was a really interesting way to learn about the history of Paris through a unique lens

Ash A - Reviewed August 24, 2021

A fantastic historical tour of Paris and it's "scandalous" side - Dina did a wonderful job explaining the sociopolitical world of courtesans and sex workers in Paris throughout history, and how their occupation shaped the city, and the city in turn shaped their occupation. A really fun tour to take if you're interested in a deeper understanding of the city's history.

Ji Yeon K - Reviewed January 09, 2020

It was one of the best tours that I’ve done before. The theme of the tour is very unique and quite intriguing. Juliette did such a great job! She is a great storyteller and engaging. She is very knowledgeable on the topic as well as the Art and the history of the city. The last venue and great cocktail was icing on the cake too! Definitely recommend to the fellow travelers!

Chris K - Reviewed December 05, 2019

She was kind, professional, personable, fun, spunky and full of life and energy for the material. She helped us develop a much more comprehensive and compassionate understanding of poverty for young women in Paris and the awful choices they faced.

Robert W - Reviewed November 29, 2019

Wonderful and interesting guide and tour! Highly recommended.

Meeting point & walking distance

Meeting point: Place Colette - Kiosque des Noctambules
Walking distance: 5km / 3.1miles

F.A.Q.

Is this tour appropriate for my whole group?
We welcome all curious minds 16 years of age and more.

I am a slow walker, is this tour appropriate?
Please note that due to the walking distance (around 3 miles) and the high walking pace, we do not recommend this tour for families with young children or for people with walking difficulties. We can however adapt the itinerary as part of a private tour. Please contact our customer service team, only note that privatizing your tour will incur an additional fee.

Can I make this tour private for a special event such as a bachelorette party?
Sure, we would love to be part of your Paris exploration! Just contact our customer service team.

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.

Why book with us