Notre-Dame Exterior & Sainte-Chapelle Medieval Paris Tour
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
For such a tiny island, Île de la Cité has a fascinating history. On this guided walking tour, your expert local guide will introduce you to the landmarks and legends that shaped Paris. With skip-the-line access to the breathtaking Sainte-Chapelle and a visit to the historic Conciergerie—where Marie Antoinette was imprisoned—you'll step into the past. Admire the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral from the outside and learn about its incredible restoration efforts. Complete your experience with a scenic Seine River cruise, offering a new perspective on the City of Light.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments or with wheelchairs, or strollers.
Some galleries of the Île de la Cité monuments may close without prior notice, or select pieces may be removed for restoration or loan. In this case, your guide will make an appropriate substitution.
This tour is in English.
This is a walking tour. Guests should be able to walk at a moderate pace without difficulty.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Local English-speaking guide
Ticket for Seine River cruise
Entrance tickets for Conciergerie and Sainte Chapelle
Gratuities
Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off
Notre-Dame indoor access
What To Expect
Pont Neuf
Your medieval Paris walking tour starts along the Seine at the oldest bridge across the river.
Conciergerie
Next, you'll visit the Conciergerie, the oldest remaining part of the Palais de la Cité. This former royal residence of the kings of France became a prison during the French Revolution, with its most famous inmate being Marie Antoinette. Enter with pre-reserved tickets for a guided tour of this incredible piece of French history.
Options
Heart of Paris Walking Tour
Reviews
291 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Very informative tour!
Margaret A,
Aug 13, 2025
- Viator
4.00Our tour started off bumpy bc our cab dropped us off at the wring meeting point. Another tour Guide was Kind enough to help me locate the correct meeting point and message my tour guide. He never responded so I traced the steps of the tour and luckily caught up with them at the second location. The tour guide was so sweet once we finally found him and the boat cruise was great!
Don’t Miss This Amazing Experience!!
Greg R,
Jul 20, 2025
- Viator
5.00We thoroughly enjoyed this tour. Manny, our tour guide, was amazing. His knowledge really brought the history behind the places we were visiting. We highly recommend this tour. Be advised there is a lot of walking and a lot of stairs so if you have any mobility issues you might want to do something different.
Terrible operator turns tour into frustrating nightmare
Michael U,
Jul 19, 2025
- Viator
1.00The tour guide was informative and friendly. I would give her 5 stars. But- this tour was a nightmare. Our booking was for a 3:30 departure. It was somewhat difficult to find the meeting point but we were there about 7 min before the start. No guide, nothing. We frantically walk around for 10 minutes trying to see if we were in the wrong spot. No one there. We were very upset, thinking somehow this was our fault. We were about to give up and go back to the hotel without seeing anything. Then I thought, ok, let's just walk to Notre Dame and at least see it on our own. On the way we pass Sainte Chapelle and I stop to try and call the operator. I explain the situation- the operator was nice enough offering to reset to a tour the next day. Only problem, this was our last night in Paris. I learn from the customer service rep that the tour was changed to 3:00 pm, which is why we missed it. They neglected to inform us of the change. I asked if we could somehow catchup to the tour and join them I was told "not posdible" and "no refund". As I'm speaking to the rep on the phone, a woman comes up and asks "we're you supposed to be on the 3:30 tour?" I learn that she and her family had also booked the 3:30 and were not informed. She had booked through another 3d party (similar to Viator)- they were able to determine that the guide was nearing our location and so in the end, we were able to join the tour. Again, the guide was good and we enjoyed the remainder of the tour. But, through no fault of our own, we missed 1/3 of the tour. I can not express how frustrated, stressed, panicked and upset we were. Had the other family not overheard my call to the operator, we would have missed the entire tour. How do they justify booking a tour for 3:30pm and change the time to 3:00 without informing all the clients? During the time we were wandering around and trying to get through to the company, I considered canceling all my other Viator bookings. Thankfully, I did not. I have generally enjoyed my other viator tour experiences but this was a nightmare. Also, the guide left us without giving us our river cruise tickets, so in the end we has a frustrating meet up, missed the first third of the tour and the company never gave us our included river cruise tickets. What could have been a 5 star experience was a nightmare and a rip off for only getting half of what was promised. Avoid this particular operator!!
History Personified
Geoff W,
Jul 14, 2025
- Viator
5.00Ave (sp?), our guide, was outstanding. Super knowledgeable. Brought history to life and perspective and context to book learning. Engaging and personable. Considerate by assuring we were in shade as much as possible. A good pace maintained. More than earned his fee and tip. Highly recommend!
Medieval tour of Paris with Sainte-Chapelle and Outside Notre Dame
John D,
Jul 12, 2025
- Viator
5.00I so wish I could remember our guide’s name but she is originally from the US and a current resident of Paris and her knowledge of this tour was impressive and entertaining. She lead us through the Ile de la Cite and through the Concergerie and Sainte-Chapelle giving amazingly detailed accounts for each. She had very good information regarding Notre Dame and encouraged people to queue in line as the line moves very fast which made people more willing to see it. She was lovely and entertaining and I would definitely recommend this tour and with her if you’re lucky!!
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