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Discover Paris’ medieval heart on a guided tour. See Notre-Dame, visit hidden sites, enjoy a sweet treat with a cream puff tasting at Odette, and marvel at the stained glass of Sainte-Chapelle.

Highlights

• Admire the exterior of Notre-Dame Cathedral and learn about its restoration
• Hear the stories of Shakespeare and Company, Paris’ famous bookshop
• Discover Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre and the Saint-Severin Church
• Pause for a cream puff tasting at Odette, a charming Parisian pastry shop
• Enjoy a self-guided visit to Sainte-Chapelle and admire the Unesco heritage site

Description

Begin your tour at the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral from outside. Your guide will help you interpret the sculptures on the western façade — kings, saints, gargoyles, and the dramatic Last Judgment scene — while recounting the fire of 2019 and the immense restoration project now underway. Just beside the cathedral stands Hôtel-Dieu, Paris’ oldest hospital. This little-known site reveals how religion, medicine, and charity shaped the daily life of Parisians over the centuries. Crossing into the Left Bank, arrive at Shakespeare and Company, the legendary English-language bookshop that became a haven for expatriate writers in the 20th century. Hear stories of Hemingway, Joyce, and the “Lost Generation,” and discover how the shop remains a literary landmark today. Continue to the small church of Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre, one of the oldest in Paris, standing beside Square René Viviani, home to the city’s oldest living tree, planted in 1601. Together they form a pocket of medieval Paris that has survived nearly untouched. A short stroll leads to Odette, a pastry shop famous for its cream puffs. Pause to enjoy a tasting, adding a sweet and modern Parisian flavor to your historical journey. Nearby lies Église Saint-Séverin, a Gothic gem whose twisting columns and vibrant stained glass reflect centuries of artistic evolution. Step inside briefly to admire its architecture and atmosphere. Conclude your tour at Sainte-Chapelle, built in the 13th century to house relics of the Passion of Christ. Your guide will introduce the chapel’s stained-glass windows and explain how to “read” their biblical imagery. With your included ticket, enter and explore at your own pace, surrounded by the kaleidoscope of light from over 1,000 stained-glass panels.

Includes

Guided walking tour of Notre-Dame’s exterior and the Ile de la cité Entry ticket to Sainte-Chapelle (self-guided visit after introduction) Pastry tasting at Odette (cream puff included) English-speaking knowledgeable guide Discovery of hidden gems

Important Information

• This tour takes place rain or shine; please dress accordingly Moderate walking required; please wear comfortable shoes We recommend bringing a water bottle

Easy cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund