Tours of Paris
Bus tours
The following companies offer hop-on, hop-off bus tours of the city with commentary. Call or check online for precise routes. Prices are for one day only, but other fares (for multiple days) may be available.
Les Cars Rouges 01.53.95.39.53, www.carsrouges.com. Tickets €24; €12 4-11s.
Cityrama 01.44.55.61.00, www.pariscityrama.com. Tickets €29; €15 4-11s.
Paris l’Open Tour 01.42.66.56.56, http://paris-opentour.com. Tickets €29; €15 4-11s.
Paris Vision 01.42.60.30.01, http://fr.parisvision.com. Tickets €22.
Bike tours
Fat Tire Bike Tours
01.56.58.10.54, http://fattirebiketours.com/paris. Tickets €24. Bike tours of the city, with the main tour starting at the south leg of the Eiffel Tower. Tours run daily at 11am, with a 3pm tour added in summer. Check online for full details.
Boat tours
Cruising along the Seine is a delightful way to see Paris. The companies below all run a variety of tours on the river. Most boats depart from the quays in the 7th and 8th, and proceed to go on a circuit around the islands. Check online for full tour details and times: many companies operate more than one type of tour, though the basic tour usually runs every 20-60mins in summer. Rates are for one day only, though other tickets may be available.
Bateaux-Mouches
Pont de l’Alma 8th (01.42.25.96.10, www.bateaux-mouches.fr). Mº Alma-Marceau. Tickets €10; €5 reductions; free under-4s.
Bateaux Parisiens
Port de la Boudonnais, 7th (01.76.64.14.45, www.bateauxparisiens.com). RER Champ de Mars. Tickets €11; €5 reductions; free under-3s.
Batobus Tour Eiffel
Various stops (08.25.05.01.01, www.batobus.com). Tickets €12; €6 reductions.
Vedettes de Paris
Port de Suffren, 7th (01.44.18.19.50, www.vedettesdeparis.com). Mº Bir-Hakeim. Tickets €11; €5 reductions; free under-4s.
Vedettes du Pont-Neuf
Sq du Vert-Galant, 1st (01.46.33.98.38, www.vedettesdupontneuf.com). Mº Pont-Neuf. Tickets €11; €6 under-12s; free under-4s.
Walking tours
Paris Walking Tours
01.48.09.21.40, www.paris-walks.com. Tickets €10; €5-€8 reductions. Led by long-term resident expats, daily walks (times vary by season) explore various city locales.