Where Paris was Born: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Île de la Cité

Discover how a small settlement on the Seine River grew into modern Paris.

Lindsay as Quasimodo - Notre-Dame Cathedral Paris

Duration1h - 1h 30m

Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away

TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted

LanguagesEnglish

Private tourOnly your group will participate

Overview

Discover the neighbourhood where Paris was born with this affordable walking tour.

• See how the city transformed from a small settlement along the Seine River into one of the most charming places in the world
• Hear from producer Annie Sargent, a tour guide and producer of the Join Us in France Travel Podcast whose passion for France’s history inspired him to craft this bestselling VoiceMap tour
• Do it all in an hour or linger at stops along the way with complete control over when you start and finish
• Get unlimited use before your booking date and after it
• Use the virtual tour option at home

Once you’ve booked, you’ll receive a ticket with instructions and a unique code listed under “Before You Go”. Then simply install the VoiceMap app and enter your code.

The app displays directions to the starting point, and when you’re in the right place, just pop in your headphones and tap start. VoiceMap has automatic GPS playback, with turn-by-turn directions. It also works offline.

What's included

Lifetime access to Île de la Cité: Where Paris Was Born tour
VoiceMap Application
Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata

Smartphone
Transportation
Food/Drink
Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route

What to expect

Ile de la Cite
Pass by

The tour takes place in Paris' Île de la Cité.
Pont des Arts
Pass by

This bridge used to be laden with “love-locks”. Couples came to the bridge with special locks that were usually inscribed with their names, locked them on the bridge and then threw the keys in the river. This would presumably ensure that their love would last.
Pont Neuf
Pass by

The tour takes you over Pont Neuf.
Statue equestre d'Henri IV
Pass by

Under the Equestrian Statue of Henri IV, on one side you'll see a bas-relief panel that shows a humble Henri IV bringing loaves of bread to the people of Paris after a siege. What the picture doesn’t explain is that HE was the one who had put Paris under siege!
Square du Vert-Galant
Pass by

The park on the tip of Île de la Cité is called the Square du Vert-Galant. We use the word “square” in French to mean a small park but the Square du Vert-Galant is actually triangular!
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The tour passes by the Saule Pleureur de la Pointe.
Place Dauphine
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Place Dauphine plaza was financed by Henri IV and named “The Dauphin” after his son Louis who would become Louis XIII.
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The tour passes by the Maison Paul restaurant.
Palais de Justice de Paris
Pass by

Palais de Justice means courthouse, but it's no ordinary courthouse. It's the Cour de Cassation, one of the highest jurisdictions in the country.
Pass by

The tour passes by Quai de l’Horloge.
Conciergerie
Pass by

The Conciergerie Museum is where you can learn about the French Revolution and Marie-Antoinette. It's a must-see for people who have an interest in the French Revolution.
Sainte-Chapelle
Pass by

Inside the Sainte Chapelle you'll see the most spectacular Gothic stained-glass windows in the world. On a sunny day it feels like you're walking through a kaleidoscope!
Pass by

The tour passes by Archaeological crypt of the Île de la Cité.
Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris
Pass by

As you may know, the Cathedral was severely damaged by a fire in April 2019 and is in the process of being renovated. As a result, access to the Cathedral is now limited and you can only see it from the north and east side.
Memorial des Martyrs de la Deportation
Pass by

The Deportation Martyrs Memorial is a somber tribute to all the French Jews that were captured in France and sent to Germany to die during WWII.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Before arrival, please install the VoiceMap mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. This is a self-guided audio tour that you can start, pause, or restart at any time and complete at your own pace. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.

End point

Additional information

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

Reviews

5.0 (8)

From

$19.99 per person

Check availability & book

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You'll choose your date and travelers and pay on viator.com. Prices vary by date, group size and option.

Operated by VoiceMap Audio Tours · Booked through Viator

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