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ParisCulture & history

Our most recommended Paris Culture & history

Paris: Louvre Museum Timed-Entrance Ticket

1. Paris: Louvre Museum Timed-Entrance Ticket

Explore the Louvre at your own pace with a timed-entrance ticket, ensuring you get in within 30 minutes. See unmissable and iconic artwork such as the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. Discover Renaissance masterpieces and ancient Egyptian relics, along with paintings from the 13th to 20th centuries. The museum first opened on August 10, 1793, exhibiting just 537 paintings. Despite closing in 1796 due to structural problems, it reopened in 1801 as the Musée Napoléon with a larger collection.  The collection has since gained 20,000 works. Now, there are 8 departments: Egyptian Antiquities; Near Eastern Antiquities; Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Antiquities; Islamic Art; Sculpture; Decorative Arts; Paintings; and Prints and Drawings.

Paris: Versailles Palace and Gardens Full Access Ticket

2. Paris: Versailles Palace and Gardens Full Access Ticket

Visit the Palace and Gardens of Versailles with a pre-booked 1-day full access pass. Explore the ornate State Apartments and breathtaking Hall of Mirrors inside the official residence of the French monarchy from 1682 to 1789. Learn more about Louis XIV and other French royals. Get a sense of life in the French court as you take a walk through the glittering Hall of Mirrors. Stroll through the legendary gardens at your own pace, and admire fountains, sculptures, and beautifully manicured lawns. Enjoy access to the Grand and Petit Trianon in their own grounds. See where the “Sun King” would entertain in private, and where he would go to escape the rigors of court life. Then, go to Marie Antoinette’s Estate, and discover where she would seek refuge in private. During spring and summer, choose the fountain and musical garden option to enjoy a spectacular fountain show or the iconic musical gardens to finish off your visit.

Paris: Skip-the-line in Louvre Museum Guidance to Mona Lisa

3. Paris: Skip-the-line in Louvre Museum Guidance to Mona Lisa

For a long time, before becoming a museum in 1793, the Louvre was one of the main residences of the kings of France. Located in the heart of Paris, it covers an area of 73,000 square meters and houses the largest collection of art works in the world, from civilizations over 7,000 years old to the 19th century. The collections of the museum are divided into 8 departments: Egyptian Antiquities, Greek, Etruscan and Roman Antiquities, Oriental Antiquities, Islamic Art, Paintings, Sculptures, Artworks and Graphics. Upon arrival, admire this masterpiece painted by Leonardo da Vinci in 1506 and one of the most famous portraits of women in the world, the host will let you enjoy the museum at your own pace.

Paris: Sainte Chapelle Entry Ticket

4. Paris: Sainte Chapelle Entry Ticket

Discover the remarkable Gothic style and stunning stained glass work of the Sainte Chapelle Cathedral in Paris with this entry ticket. Admire this jewel the French Gothic aesthetic at your own pace with a self-guided tour booklet. Spend an hour admiring the spectacular stained-glass windows that contribute to making Sainte Chapelle so famous. Arranged across 15 windows, each 15-meters high, the stained glass panes depict 1,113 scenes from the Old and New Testaments. Learn more about these glass depictions using your tour booklet. Discover facts about sacred relics and items such as the Crown of Thorns or the Image of Edessa that were once held here. Gaze up at the star-painted ceiling.

Paris: Musée d'Orsay 1-Day Ticket with Reserved Access

5. Paris: Musée d'Orsay 1-Day Ticket with Reserved Access

Explore one of the world’s best art museums at your own pace with a reserved access day admission ticket to the Musée d'Orsay. Avoid lengthy lines and the hassle of ticket counters. You’ll simply show your voucher directly at the dedicated entrance for visitors with pre-bought tickets. After a security check, you’ll be able to walk straight inside. The Musée d'Orsay is located in the former Gare d'Orsay train station and is home to one of France's largest national collections of art. The major section of the museum is dedicated to Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings, but you also find some sculptures, photographs, and furniture. This is considered one of the best galleries in Paris and contains masterpieces such as Dance at le Moulin de la Galette by Renoir, Apples and Oranges by Cézanne, Van Gogh's self-portraits and many other unique pieces you’ll have the opportunity to admire. This ticket also includes access to ongoing temporary exhibitions (without a reserved timed entrance). Temporary exhibitions are as follows: Pastels du musée d’Orsay14 March – 2 July 2023 Manet / Degas28 March – 23 July 2023 Louis Janmot. Le Poème de l’âme12 September 2023 – 07 January 2024 Van Gogh à Auvers-sur-Oise. Les derniers mois03 October 2023 – 28 january 2024 Claude Rutault. La porte de la peinture18 April – 16 July 2023

From Paris: Palace of Versailles & Gardens w/ Transportation

6. From Paris: Palace of Versailles & Gardens w/ Transportation

Explore the expansive royal gardens, see yourself in the 357 mirrors of the glittering Hall of Mirrors, and learn about France’s monarchical history on this visit to the Palace of Versailles. Skip the hassle of getting to the palace from Paris with pre-booked transportation and admission.  Imagine yourself a member of the French court as you peruse the ornate state apartments that housed the French monarchy from 1682 to 1789. Get the details on palace gossip and France’s revolutionary history with an included audio guide. Spend hours exploring the legendary gardens. Admire the pristine fountains, sculptures, and beautifully manicured lawns. Discover Marie Antoinette’s private estate and controversial hamlet by choosing the full-day option.

Day Trip to Mont-Saint-Michel from Paris

7. Day Trip to Mont-Saint-Michel from Paris

Travel through Normandy on the way to the medieval Mont-St-Michel on a day trip from Paris aboard an air-conditioned bus. Choose to go alone, with a live guide, or with an audio guide. Discover the UNESCO-listed island and its Gothic abbey. Learn of its fascinating history and legendary stories. Depart Paris and travel through the French countryside by an air-conditioned bus to the amazing fortified city of Mont Saint-Michel off the Normandy coast. Sit back and relax and get stunning views of the countryside along the way. Stop for a break at a nearby village dating back to the days of the Normans, and stroll the winding streets and narrow pathways to find the best views of the bay. Continue to the mouth of the Couesnon River, where Mont-Saint-Michel was built on an islet just a few hundred meters from the mainland. Spend the afternoon exploring the remarkable monuments of the walled city, classified as a world heritage site by UNESCO since 1979. Take time to discover the rocky islet at your own pace. Climb along the ramparts to make your way up to the abbey at the top of the town. Visit the Abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel with an included entrance ticket. this Benedictine building has played a vital role in the history of the commune and the feudal society it represents. Marvel at this magnificent example of Gothic architecture from the early 13th century. Admire views of the surrounding bay before leaving Mont-Saint-Michel in the late afternoon. Be driven back to the French capital to get dropped off at the starting point.

Les Invalides: Napoleon's Tomb & Army Museum Entry

8. Les Invalides: Napoleon's Tomb & Army Museum Entry

Discover the Hotel National des Invalides, now home of the musee de l'Armee. Walk through the collections of the museum, at your own pace, and immerse into over 500, 000 pieces from the Middle Ages to present day. Witness the temporary exhibition of Special Forces L'exposition, dedicated to the French special forces. Step into the heart of Paris and integrate into the History of France at the Hotel National des Invalides. Created by Louis, XIV to house veterans and wounded soldiers, the hotel national is now also the home of the musee de l'Armee. Admire the world-renowned gilded Dome, which has been, since 1861, the resting place of Napoleon. Explore the collections and wander through the armor and weapons of the kings of France. Gaze around at swords, cannons, uniforms, paintings, photographs, and personal belongings of France's major figures. Look beyond the artifacts, and participate in an interactive digital experiences with devices that allow visitors to get a better understanding of some of the battles that forged the country's history. Make sure to examining the Special Forces l'exposition temporary exhibit, that celebrates the 30th anniversary of the creation of the Special Ops Command.

Paris: Musée de l'Orangerie Reserved Entrance Ticket

9. Paris: Musée de l'Orangerie Reserved Entrance Ticket

Discover the Musée de l'Orangerie in your own time with a reserved access entrance ticket. Say goodbye to long waiting lines and waiting for ticket booths to open with your pre-booked ticket. Explore the museum at your own pace without waiting for large group tours to move in sync so as to maximize your time marveling at the renowned art inside. Visit the Musée de l'Orangerie—an art gallery of impressionist and post-impressionist paintings located in the west corner of the Tuileries Gardens next to the Place de la Concorde in Paris. Though most famous for being the permanent home for eight Water Lilies murals by Claude Monet, see the museum's other works by Paul Cézanne, Henri Matisse, Amedeo Modigliani, Pablo Picasso, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Henri Rousseau, Alfred Sisley, Chaim Soutine, and Maurice Utrillo, among others. Feel a closer connection between the two parts of the collection thanks to the new layout of the Musée de l’Orangerie: Water Lilies and the École de Paris (School of Paris) in the early 20th century. Enjoy the elegant, fluid, educational, and stimulating circuit. At the entrance to the collection, see large polyptychs by Joan Mitchell (loan from the Musée national d’Art moderne) and large-scale works by the modern 'primitives' (Picasso, Douanier Rousseau, Derain, Modigliani, Matisse, etc.). The monographic galleries allow you to get a new, more up-close, and comfortable perspective of the works. Simply show your voucher directly at the dedicated entrance for visitors with pre-bought tickets. After a security check, walk straight inside. Matisse 1st March – 29 May 2023 Modigliani (1884–1920) and Paul Guillaume (1891–1934) 20 September 2023 – 15 January 2024 Philippe Cognée 15 March 2023 – 4 September 2023

Paris: Pompidou Centre Modern Art Museum Entry Ticket

10. Paris: Pompidou Centre Modern Art Museum Entry Ticket

Explore The Centre Pompidou with this timed entrance ticket. Uncover modern and contemporary creations, including plastic arts, books, design, music, and cinema. Wander through over 100,000 works with collections that make up one of the world's leading references for the art of the 20th and 21st centuries.  Stroll thorugh great historical collections to the most recent acquisitions which cover visual arts, drawing, photography, new media, experimental film, architecture, design, and industrial prospects.  Find key works or rediscover iconic artists like Henri Matisse, Georges Braque, Pablo Picasso, Sonia et Robert Delaunay, Fernand Léger, Vassily Kandinsky, František Kupka, André Breton, Alberto Giacometti, and Jean Dubuffet. Find out about the founding movements of modern art like Fauvism, Cubism, Surrealism, Lyric Abstraction, and Geometric Abstraction. Retrace the high points in the development of modernity and shine a light on exchanges, cross-overs, and the go-betweens who helped to form 20th century art. Contemplate contemporary collections devoted to works that have recently entered the museum through the generosity of patrons, artists, and donors. 

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Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 26,807 reviews

This tour was exceptionally well organized. Directions were perfect, the bus was extremely comfortable, Isabelle our guide was knowledgeable and friendly, making the experience so much more meaningful. I visited Versailles 25 years ago and learned so much more this time. Having this private tour also helped us relax after a trying day navigating around the strikes around Paris on March 15. I can’t recommend this enough - no line, comfortable transportation so you can nap to and from. Tip: Angelina Cafe is in Versailles. You can skip the long line for the dining room and just get sandwiches and beverages - including the famous hot chocolate - and then go eat in the garden outside. What a beautiful and relaxing experience. The goat cheese and honey sandwich has spinach and is on a sesame baguette. So delicious!

The staff were very helpful in rectifying our issue with being delayed due to the rail strikes taking place on the day. The gentlemen behind the desk called while en route to check up on us and was able to fit us in for the following your an hour later so we could still enjoy the experience. He was helpful, kind, respectful and resourceful. Gabriella led our tour and she was friendly and engaging. It was a great opportunity to spot little details and learn things you would never come across without a tour. Lots of facts given and information learned.

Fantastic value for money and the museum was so beautiful and clean and very well organised, lunch was very nice too and we had a very enjoyable visit, would definitely recommend to anyone looking to visit

The guide Laura is the best in business .. she is so much passionate about the palace and the history. I learnt a great deal and thanks to her energy levels .

Christophe was amazing. He engaged us in the rich history of the paintings. Both my kids loved it! We’re so glad to have taken this tour.