France · HISTORICAL TOURS

Historical Tours in France: The 15 Best Bookings

24 tours  ·  from $7

This is the shortlist you would hand a friend flying in: 15 historical tours that hold up, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.

Paris: Louvre Museum Entry with History of Mona Lisa - Meeting at 162 Rue de Rivoli
Historical Tours, Historical Tours in Paris, Louvre Tours, Museums, Paris Tours, Tour Reviews

Paris: Louvre Museum Entry with History of Mona Lisa

1.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 find their way, then left them free to explore independently.

“Very good experience, with a great guide who was very friendly and patient. She also explained and gave us directions, regarding where to go to see ancient Greek & Roman & Egyptian scultures and items in the Louvre.”

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Paris: Dark History and Ghostly Guided Walking Tour - Starting at 1 Rue d’Arcole
Guided, Historical Tours, Historical Tours in Paris, Paris Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Paris

Paris: Dark History and Ghostly Guided Walking Tour

2.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. Hear grim tales of executions, Templars, ghosts, Notre Dame’s carved demons, a haunted theater, and a Parisian vampire. The tour costs $35, runs for two hours, and offers shared or private bookings.

“We really enjoyed this tour! All the stories were excellent. The guide was very informative and humorous!”

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Vieux Lyon Cultural & Historical Walking Guided Tour (English) - Inside the traboules of Vieux Lyon
Guided, Historical Tours, Lyon Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Lyon

Vieux Lyon Cultural & Historical Walking Guided Tour (English)

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 942 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $6Best value

Join guide Paul from Place Saint-Jean for a two-hour English walk through Vieux Lyon and central Lyon. You’ll see the cathedral, secret traboules, Tour Rose, silk traditions, the Klaus Barbie courthouse, Théâtre des Célestins, and Hôtel Dieu. The pace is relaxed, the group is capped at 18, and the tour ends near restaurants and shops.

“That they need to look for Free Lyon tour sign held by Guide not Viator!! Frustrating time trying to find our guide. The good news was the guide Paul was knowledge and well informed we enjoyed the experience.”

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Bordeaux: Historic Center & Chartrons District Bike Tour - Starting at Jardin Public, with the Palais Gallien nearby
Bike Tours in Bordeaux, Bordeaux Tours, Cycling Tours, Historical Tours, Historical Tours in Bordeaux, Tour Reviews, Tours

Bordeaux: Historic Center & Chartrons District Bike Tour

4.Historic Center & Chartrons District Bike Tour

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

Ride about 13 km through Bordeaux with a local guide in English, French, or Spanish. You’ll visit the old center, cross the Garonne, explore Chartrons and Darwin, and stop for a canelée from Casonnade. Comfortable Dutch bikes and e-bikes are available, with groups limited to 12.

“Excellent tour with very knowledgeable guides who have created an energetic, enjoyable historical & modern tour of Bordeaux. This is the absolute best way to see the city! Their start/stop location near Chartrons makes it easy to find a delicious, nearby lunch afterwards, where you can also glance at real estate listings, because you, too, will have just fallen in love with the crescent moon city of France.”

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From Strasbourg: Best Of Alsace Historical Day Trip - Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle and its wide views
1-Day Tours, Alsace Tours, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews

From Strasbourg: Best Of Alsace Historical Day Trip

5.Best Of Alsace Historical Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 633 reviews · 10h 30m · from $147

Spend a full day touring Alsace from Strasbourg by convertible, air-conditioned bus. Visit Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle, Riquewihr, Kaysersberg, and Colmar, with audio commentary in 12 languages. The driver speaks French, though guides such as Sebastian and Martin have also provided helpful English commentary.

“Great way to see everything in one day. Driver / guide was amazing!”

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Toulouse Food & History Tour with a Chef (in English) - Hôtel d’Assézat and the first taste of Toulouse
Food, Food Tours in Occitanie, Historical Tours, Occitanie Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Toulouse Food & History Tour with a Chef (in English)

6.Toulouse Food & History Tour with a Chef (in English)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 503 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $133

Chef Alejandro leads a small English-language walk through central Toulouse, pairing seven local tastings with stories about mansions, fires, markets, saints, and Airbus. Food is prepared and plated from a rolling cart, with cheese and wine served at Marché Victor Hugo. Expect four hours on your feet, no seating, and a finish near Saint-Sernin.

“What an amazing way to learn about Toulouse and eat great food along the way. Big thanks to you Alex. My husband, children and I had a fantastic time exploring your city. Your passion kept us all so engaged and we are far more knowledgeable about your wonderful Toulouse.”

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Small-Group Full-Day Tour of Côte de Nuits, Côte de Beaune Vineyards and Beaune Historical District - Starting at Place Darcy with a small group
Burgundy Tours, Full-Day, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Small-Group Full-Day Tour of Côte de Nuits, Côte de Beaune Vineyards and Beaune Historical District

7.Small-Group Full-Day Tour of Côte de Nuits, Côte de Beaune Vineyards and Beaune Historical District

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 364 reviews · 7 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $161

Travel from Dijon in a small group of up to eight with a bilingual wine guide such as Max, Stefan, Anne, or Paul. Visit two contrasting wineries, taste Premier Cru and Grand Cru wines, pass famous vineyard villages, and spend about two hours at leisure in Beaune for lunch and sightseeing.

“The tour was both educational and enjoyable. Our guide, Leonie, was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, enthusiastic, and outgoing. As a local with a genuine passion for wine, she added a personal touch that made the experience even more special. I now understand why Burgundy wine commands such a high price.”

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Bordeaux: Top Landmarks & Historic Bike Tour - Grosse Cloche and Saint-Michel: Bordeaux’s older face
Bike Tours in Bordeaux, Bordeaux Tours, Cycling Tours, Historical Tours, Historical Tours in Bordeaux, Tour Reviews, Tours

Bordeaux: Top Landmarks & Historic Bike Tour

8.Top Landmarks & Historic Bike Tour

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

Ride through Bordeaux with local guides Jean-Christophe or Suzanna on comfortable French beach cruisers or an e-bike. In 150 minutes, you cross two bridges, visit the old center, Chartrons, Darwin, and the Public Garden, with a local snack and water included. The route is easygoing but covers plenty of ground.

“We saw so much! Jean Christophe is passionate about the city and its history and he plans the tour to cover both. We all had a great morning and even a bout of rain didn’t dampen our enjoyment. Excellent tour.”

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Le Marais/Paris - The Historic, Trendy, Jewish, LGBT district - Place des Vosges and the world of Victor Hugo
Historical Tours, Historical Tours in Paris, Le Marais Tours, Paris Tours, Tour Reviews

Le Marais/Paris – The Historic, Trendy, Jewish, LGBT district

9.Le Marais/Paris – The Historic, Trendy, Jewish, LGBT district

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 341 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours (approx.) · from $48

Walk through Le Marais with English-speaking guides Jill or Eric on a small-group tour lasting about 90 minutes to two hours. See Place des Vosges, Victor Hugo’s former home, aristocratic mansions, Jewish food shops, and LGBT landmarks. The route can be adjusted to your interests, though snacks and drinks cost extra.

“We enjoyed the walking tour very much. Our guide Eric was engaged, kind, and knowledgeable. Thanks for a great afternoon.”

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Strasbourg: Guided Historical Neighborhoods Walking Tour - Starting at Place de la République
Alsace Tours, Guided, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Alsace

Strasbourg: Guided Historical Neighborhoods Walking Tour

10.Strasbourg: Guided Historical Neighborhoods Walking Tour

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

Spend 150 minutes walking from Place de la République through Neustadt, Place Broglie, Place Kléber, Grand’Rue, Petite France, and the Cathedral quarter. Guides such as Davide bring Strasbourg’s long French-German story to life in English or Italian, with useful food and coffee tips along the way. Cathedral entry is not included.

“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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Paris City of Fashion History Private Guided Walking Tour - Palais Royal and the striped columns
Guided, Historical Tours, Historical Tours in Paris, Paris Tours, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Paris

Paris City of Fashion History Private Guided Walking Tour

11.Paris City of Fashion History Private Guided Walking Tour

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

Walk Paris’s fashion heart with Ivo, an English-speaking industry professional with advanced fashion training. In two private hours, connect Palais Royal, Rue Saint-Honoré, Place Vendôme, and Rue Cambon while learning how couture, art, psychology, and commerce shaped the city’s style. The tour ends near Place de la Concorde.

“Interesting stroll through the district of Chanel, Versace, McQueen and others. Ivo is very knowledgeable about history of fashion and the evolution from haute couture to today’s ready to wear. He uses the window displays and history to create a picture of the industry that influences women’s clothing choices even today.”

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Historic Bayeux Daily Group City Tour In English 2 hrs (Apr-Sept) - Starting at the tourist office and meeting medieval Bayeux
City Tours, Historical Tours, Historical Tours in Normandy, Normandy Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Historic Bayeux Daily Group City Tour In English 2 hrs (Apr-Sept)

12.Historic Bayeux Daily Group City Tour In English 2 hrs (Apr-Sept)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 220 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $24

Walk through Bayeux with guides such as Christèle and Marie-Noëlle, stopping at more than 20 sites tied to medieval trades, the Norman Conquest, the French Revolution, Roman origins, and liberation in 1944. This English-only, two-hour tour stays outdoors, with no museum or cathedral entry.

“Our tour of Bayeux with Christèle was brilliant! She brought the town history to life with her extensive knowledge and great humour. She pointed out many interesting architectural and historic details that we would have otherwise missed. Definitely worth it and highly recommended!”

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2-Hour Walking Tour of the City’s Iconic Sights and History - Allées de Tourny and the city’s polished side
2-Hour Experiences, Bordeaux Tours, Historical Tours, Historical Tours in Bordeaux, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Bordeaux

2-Hour Walking Tour of the City’s Iconic Sights and History

13.2-Hour Walking Tour of the City’s Iconic Sights and History

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 207 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $17

Walk central Bordeaux with a licensed guide and see the Monument aux Girondins, Grand Théâtre, Place du Parlement, and Place de la Bourse. The tour runs in English and French, with routes changing by weather and group size. Guides such as Bruno, Christine, and Jenny have been praised for humor, clear explanations, and local insight.

“Tour guide did not show up at the meeting place. No communication whatsoever. Still waiting for Viator to resolve our refund request.”

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Rouen: Guided Tour of the Historic Center - Starting at Place de la Pucelle
Guided, Historical Tours, Historical Tours in Normandy, Normandy Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Rouen: Guided Tour of the Historic Center

14.Rouen: Guided Tour of the Historic Center

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

Join Elodie, a local Rouen guide, for a 90-minute, 3-kilometer walk through the city center. Follow Joan of Arc’s final days, see the Gros-Horloge and Rouen Cathedral, admire Saint-Maclou’s Flamboyant Gothic details, and finish near Saint-Ouen Abbey. Tours run in English or French.

“Revealed to us in good English many things about the history and architecture of Rouen that we never would have found on our own.”

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Bordeaux' Best Boulangeries & History Tour - Saint-Michel starts the morning
Bordeaux Tours, Historical Tours, Historical Tours in Bordeaux, Tour Reviews, Tours

Bordeaux’ Best Boulangeries & History Tour

15.Bordeaux’ Best Boulangeries & History Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 126 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $72

Spend about three hours walking Bordeaux with a small group of up to 10 people, stopping at boulangeries for breads, pastries, sweets, and savory bites. Guides such as Joshua, Josh, Nikesh, Daisy, and Veronica pair baking traditions with landmarks including the Grosse Cloche, Tour Pey-Berland, Porte Cailhau, and Saint-Seurin. The Flèche Saint-Michel is viewed from outside during construction.

“The tour guide was terrific he took us to the best places and was extremely knowledgeable. The tour and tastings were pure joy.”

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New in Historical Tours

★ 4.7Champagne Cellar Experience: Explore our historic cellarsFrom $2346 reviews
★ 4.3Avignon: Private Walking Tour – Discover History & HeritageFrom $23545 reviews
★ 5.0Toulouse Food & History Tour with a Chef (in English)From $12959 reviews

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