Paris City Center: Free Walking Tour, Notre Dame & Louvre

Summary

Walk Paris’s heart from Notre Dame to the Seine’s secret corners

You’ll wander from Île de la Cité past Notre Dame and Place Dauphine to the Louvre with a local guide who brings Paris’s history alive. Expect quirky stories, hidden details like WWII bullet holes on Pont Neuf, plus personal tips for food stops along the way. It’s relaxed, sometimes funny, sometimes moving — you decide how much to tip at the end.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest, I almost bailed when I saw the crowd at Île de la Cité — but our guide (Luc? Or maybe it was Lucas) just grinned and promised we’d see “the real Paris” in two hours. He started right there, telling us how the Parisii tribe set up shop on this island ages ago, and suddenly the traffic noise faded a bit. There was this faint smell of bread from somewhere behind us, and someone on a bike nearly clipped my elbow. Welcome to Paris, right?

We didn’t go inside Notre Dame — still closed after the fire — but Luc made us pause outside and pointed out these tiny details in the stonework I’d never have noticed. He told a story about Napoleon’s coronation that made me laugh (and then feel weirdly sad). The bells weren’t ringing that day, but you could almost imagine them. We wandered past St. Michel fountain where some kids were splashing each other and an old man fed pigeons like he owned them all. Luc explained why Place Dauphine is shaped like a triangle (I still don’t really get it), but it felt peaceful there anyway.

My favorite bit? On Pont Neuf, Luc showed us bullet holes from WWII — they’re just there, above your head if you look up. He got quiet for a second before launching into a story about tooth pullers working on the bridge centuries ago (seriously). By then my feet were tired but I didn’t care; every corner had some odd detail or memory attached. We ended up near the Louvre with this view of the glass pyramid catching late sun — not sure why that stuck with me so much.

If you want a free walking tour in Paris with someone who knows all the stories (and doesn’t rush), this is it. You pay what you want at the end — Luc just shrugged and said “whatever feels right.” Oh, he gave us restaurant tips too, but honestly I forgot half of them because my brain was full of kings and revolutions by then.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Walking tour of central Paris landmarks

• Start at Ile de la Cité island
• See Notre-Dame Cathedral exterior
• Visit St. Michel fountain
• Observe WW2 bullet holes on bridge
• Walk through Place Dauphine square
• View Henri IV equestrian statue
• Explore oldest Paris bridge
• Learn about Mona Lisa at Louvre
• See Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel
• Stroll Tuileries gardens
• Enjoy Eiffel Tower views from Tuileries

Top questions

Is this Paris walking tour really free?

The tour is tip-based: you pay what you wish at the end.

Does the tour go inside Notre Dame or the Louvre?

No, you visit both landmarks from outside only.

Where does this free walking tour in Paris start?

The tour starts at Île de la Cité in central Paris.

How long is the day trip from Notre Dame to the Louvre?

The walking tour lasts about two hours through central Paris.

Is this Paris city center walking tour suitable for kids or wheelchairs?

Yes, it’s wheelchair accessible and suitable for all fitness levels.

Are restaurant recommendations included during this free walking tour?

Yes, your guide shares local restaurant and activity tips along the route.

What’s included

Your day includes a guided walk through central Paris covering highlights like Notre Dame Cathedral (outside), Place Dauphine, Pont Neuf, St. Michel fountain, Tuileries Garden and views of both the Eiffel Tower and Louvre Museum — plus plenty of stories and personal recommendations before you decide your own tip at the finish.