Paris’ Dark History, Mystery, Legend & Conspiracy Walking Tour - Semi-Private 12ppl Max
About this activity
Explore Paris’s dark history on a 2-hour semi-private guided walk for up to 12 guests, from Pont Neuf to Notre-Dame.
Highlights
- Pont Neuf and Henri IV’s assassination
- Jacques de Molay and the Templar curse
- Saint-Germain-l’Auxerrois and the 1572 massacre
- Nostradamus, Catherine de Medici and the Louvre
- Notre-Dame and the Gothic novel that saved it
Full description
Follow Paris’s darker stories on a 2-hour semi-private guided walking tour with a professional guide and no more than 12 guests. Walk from Pont Neuf to Notre-Dame’s exterior, exploring royal murder, the Templars, plague, revolution and city legends. The tour runs rain or shine and is not wheelchair accessible.
Begin beside Henri IV’s statue on Pont Neuf and follow your guide through the darker stories of central Paris. At Square du Vert-Galant, hear about Jacques de Molay and the Knights Templar. Outside the Louvre, explore Nostradamus and Catherine de Medici; at Saint-Germain-l’Auxerrois, trace the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre. Continue past the Fontaine des Innocents and Tour Saint-Jacques for stories of plague, the Catacombs and Nicolas Flamel. The walk also covers public punishment near Hôtel de Ville, the Rue Chanoinesse legend and the former Paris Morgue. Finish outside Notre-Dame, where Gothic architecture and literature meet. Stops can change with site access or national celebrations; no attraction interiors are included.
Included / Excluded
- 2-hour semi-private guided walking tour; maximum 12 guests
- Professional local tour guide
- Tour operates rain or shine
- Admission to attractions and interior visits
- Food and drinks
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Gratuities; luggage and coat storage
Itinerary
Pont Neuf – equestrian statue of Henri IV
Meet beside the statue of Henri IV on Pont Neuf. The tour begins with the story of the king’s assassination and the Wars of Religion.
Square du Vert-Galant – Templar Plaque
Stand at the site where Jacques de Molay, the last Grand Master of the Knights Templar, was burned in 1314; hear the story behind the Templar curse and Friday the 13th.
Meeting point
Start Location
Equestrian Statue of Henri IV, Place du Pont-Neuf-Christo et Jeanne-Claude, Paris, France
15 Place du Pont Neuf, Equestrian Statue of Henri IV, Paris, FR
Meet your guide at the equestrian statue of Henri IV on Pont Neuf, 10 minutes before the scheduled start.
Get directions →Important information
Know before you book
- Outdoor walk; attraction admission and interior access are not included.
- Notre-Dame Cathedral is viewed from outside only.
- The route may change during national celebrations or due to site access.
- This semi-private walk has no more than 12 guests and is not wheelchair accessible.
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
Know before you go
- Meet your guide at the equestrian statue of Henri IV on Pont Neuf 10 minutes before departure.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather; the tour runs rain or shine.
- Bring a valid photo ID or a clear photo of it for each guest.
Requirements
Items to bring
- Valid photo ID
Cancellation policy
Up to 24 hours before the beginning of the activity: full refund Less than 24 hours before the beginning of the activity or no-show: no refund
Reviews
We booked this tour to get as much as possible out of our time at The Met. What we didn’t know we were getting was a personalized experience full of captivating stories about the artists' lives and the people who brought the art to the museum. Robin was a wealth of knowledge and a highlight of our trip to New York!
Spent a great day with Charlie he was very engaging and shared lots of information and entertaining stories with us. He took great care of us and we would recommend him for any future tours.
Mark, tour guide for the Metropolitan Museum is an outstanding teacher: engaging; entertaining; professional; personable; experienced and deeply knowledgeable as a result of a lifelong passion and relationship with the Met. He loves what he does and cares deeply about sharing his knowledge and insight to spark curiosity and inspire his clients--his students--to understand context and meaning of each piece or work of art reviewed. My wife, a retired professor emeritas and myself both left thoroughly impressed and grateful to have been taught by best and most captivating guides we have had the privilege of meeting on one of our many travels and adventures. Hire the best. Hire Mark. Worth every penny and every minute of your time you can afford at the Met. Like us, you will look forward to coming back for another teaching session from Mark. In my case, hopefully we will be back on my birthday next year! (Thanks again Mark!)
Frequently asked questions
FAQs
Additional information
The two-hour semi-private walk runs rain or shine and is limited to 12 guests. It is not wheelchair accessible. Stops and route may change during national celebrations or when site access is restricted; an alternative route will be offered and no refund or discount applies. Notre-Dame and other landmarks are viewed from outside; attraction entry is not included.