Planning a trip to Paris? Excited to explore the City of Lights and wondering how you’ll hit all the must-see spots — the iconic monuments, hidden gems, local markets, and more? One of the best ways to ensure you see everything is by taking a guided tour or experience. With so many options available, how do you choose the best one?
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with our top recommendations. These companies are some of the best around and we’ve sent many happy customers to them time and time again. Paris in My Pocket is dedicated to supporting local businesses and friends in the tourism industry, so it is with great joy that we recommend the following list of tours and experiences in Paris that are sure to enhance your visit.
Have your tours booked already and looking for the best food and drink recommendations in Paris? Grab our online guide here - You'll get access to our interactive map, hundreds of recommendations, and plenty of tips & tricks - for life!
The City of Lights by Bike: One of the Best Ways to Explore Paris
Paris hasn’t always been bike friendly. Only in the last decade or so have drivers had to learn to share the road, and only in the last 4-5 years have the streets truly become cycle-friendly. These days, biking is a fantastic way to explore Paris and you can find bike paths across the city, be they one lane, two lane, with or against traffic - there’s usually some place for you to ride safely. We currently have two stellar bike tour recommendations of Paris:
Fat Tire Tours of Paris and beyond: Fat Tire tours is a well established company offering bike tours in cities around Europe. Like other bike tour companies, Fat Tire has a multitude of options in Paris, Versailles, Giverny, and beyond. Our personal favorite? The Parisian Bike Food tour. That’s right - combining a bike ride of France’s capital city with a gorgeous picnic at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. Didn’t we say tours were the best way to take in much of what’s made it on to your Paris to-do list?
Bike About Tours Paris of Paris and Versailles: Whether you're fresh off a redeye flight or have been in the city for a few days, a bike tour is the perfect way to get your bearings and see a lot in a short amount of time. We recommend their Hidden Paris tour, which focuses on the east side of central Paris. They cover part of the Marais, Bastille, and down into the Latin quarter. While they do offer Monuments tours of all the major sites, and Versailles tours, the Hidden Tour is our particular favorite, steeped in rich history and led by passionate local guides.
Bike About Tours meets in the center of town, from the company’s sister café: Le Peloton Café, in the heart of the Marais. If you're a lover of specialty coffee and want a thorough list of the best places to grab your next flat white in Paris, be sure to check out our online guide!
Motorized Ways to Get Around Town
We understand that cycling isn’t for everyone. Maybe you’re intimidated by the roads in Paris. Maybe you’re not confident on a bike. Maybe you have reduced mobility. Maybe you’re too darn jet lagged to trust yourself. Fear not - you can still see the city in all of its glory outdoors, and on tour.
Txango Tours: Sidecar Tours of Versailles: For a truly unique experience, take a motorcycle sidecar tour with Txango Tours. Simon started this company during the pandemic and it’s a fantastic way to see Paris. Whether you’re headed to Paris or Versailles, Simon and his team will get you around in style - and you’ll see so much of the city! It’s the only way we recommend doing Versailles anymore, mainly because of the market and canal-side picnic.
BADASS Tours: Electric Scooter Tours of Paris and Champagne:
While electric scooters are no longer available to rent in Paris, you can still enjoy a scooter tour with BADASS Tours. While the company might be new to the Paris tour scene, Mark, the owner, has been a tour guide in Paris for over a decade. Since the big brand electric scooters are now banned in Paris, this is a fun and efficient way to see the city’s highlights and is a favorite among families with teens.
Paris Portrait Photoshoots
We've been friends with Janelle from My Paris Portraits for years and her team consistently delivers some of the most stunning shots of Paris. Many of the photos of Jay you see on Instagram have been captured by My Paris Portraits. They offer a variety of packages and, no matter which one you choose, you'll be left with a beautiful memento from your time in Paris.Watch this video to learn more about My Paris Portraits among other things to do on a sunny summer day in Paris.
Private Walking Tours
Looking for a private walking tour of the city, in a specific niche?
If biking or scootering around isn’t your style, and you prefer the tried-and-true classic walking tour, we’ve got some friends who will help you curate the perfect experience. You can contact anyone on this list and let them know Jay from Paris in My Pocket sent you.
Amber Minogue: A stand-up comedian and art history expert, Amber provides tours of everything from the big sites like the Louvre to Paris's lesser-known museums and hidden art spots. With her extensive knowledge and humorous wit, Amber makes exploring these places both educational and entertaining. Her tours are perfect for those looking to dive deeper into Paris's art history scene while enjoying a few laughs along the way.
To see Amber in action, check out the end of this video from Jay Swanson’s 20 in 20:
Tanisha Townsend: Known as Girl Meets Glass, Tanisha Townsend is a warm and welcoming wine expert who offers tours centered around France’s wine culture. Tanisha's tours are not just about tasting wine; they are about understanding the history, production, and nuances that characterize each glass. Contact her for a tasty trip through some of Paris's best wine bars Her passion for wine is infectious, making her tours a must for both connoisseurs and casual drinkers alike.
Watch the video below to learn more about Tanisha during the Buddha Bar segment:
Lindsey Tramuta: If you're a foodie, Lindsey’s the guide for you! She offers exclusive food and drink tours that are a delicious way to experience Paris. Lindsey's tours are not just about tasting food but about understanding the stories and traditions behind each dish, making for an unforgettable culinary journey. Don't forget to bring your copy of her book, The New Paris, for a personalized signature.
And don't forget - if you're looking for the best places to eat and drink in Paris on your own, grab our guide! Our interactive map will help you find the closest coffee shop to you at any time, or the best photo ops... or much, much more! We're here to make your trip to Paris the best it can be.
Please note that several of the links provided are affiliate links, meaning Paris in my Pocket will receive a small commission should you decide to book with them.
Museums and Monuments
Not a tour person? Still interested in learning about art and culture with visuals but on your own time? Looking to go inside a monument? Classic museums might be the place for you. While generally we recommend avoiding the more obvious options, we completely understand that you might have say, the Louvre, on your bucket list! But here are some of our favorites, both popular and lesser known:
Check out:
• The Arc de Triomphe for the best view of Paris.
• The Carnavalet Museum for a full rundown of Paris history. And it's free!
• The Orangerie Museum for Monet's enormous water lily paintings and a meditative moment.
• Les Invalides -to see Napoleon's tomb (among many others!) and check out the military museum.
Please note - some of these monument links are afilliate links where you can book tickets through a trusted third party website we've worked with for a while. If you are looking to book guided tours of Paris, please book directly with the companies linked in each section rather than a third party agency (which takes a large cut), as it's a wonderful way to support local small business!
Written and Edited by: Jay Swanson and Emily Guernsey
