Paris: Louvre, Eiffel Tower & Seine Cruise Full-Day Tour

Summary

See Mona Lisa up close stroll Montmartre ride the Seine at sunset

You’ll walk cobbled streets in Montmartre, skip lines at the Louvre to meet Mona Lisa herself, watch Notre Dame rise from its scaffolding, and float under Paris bridges as night falls on your Seine River cruise. With a local guide handling tickets and metro rides, you’ll feel both taken care of and swept up in real Paris energy.

What’s the experience like?

“You want to see all of Paris in one day?” That’s what our guide, Elise, asked as we squeezed into the funicular for Sacré Cœur. Someone behind me smelled like fresh croissants (or maybe I was just hungry already). The basilica looked almost too white against the sky — I tried to take a photo but ended up with my thumb in it. We wandered through Montmartre’s winding streets, past a tiny vineyard and those old windmills you always hear about but never expect to actually see. Elise pointed out the café where Picasso used to sit; I could picture him there, sketching on napkins or whatever they had back then.

I lost track of time at Place du Tertre watching artists paint — one guy winked at us and offered to draw my “Paris face” (I have no idea what that means). Then it was the metro rush: elbows everywhere, accordion music echoing from somewhere down the platform. At the Louvre, we skipped the line (thank god) and Elise led us straight to Mona Lisa. She’s smaller than you’d think. The whole museum buzzes with this low hum — shoes on marble, people whispering in every language. Afterward, we grabbed baguettes and cheese from a street vendor; I still remember how sharp that first bite tasted after all the walking.

The afternoon drifted by on Île de la Cité. Notre Dame is still wrapped in scaffolding but somehow feels even more powerful like that — you can smell dust and stone in the air near the barricades. Elise told stories about Marie Antoinette at La Conciergerie that made me shiver a bit (she didn’t sugarcoat it). We ducked into Shakespeare and Company for five minutes but I could’ve stayed an hour just running my fingers over those battered book spines.

Trocadéro Square at sunset is something else — everyone’s taking photos but there’s this hush when the Eiffel Tower lights flicker on. My feet were killing me by then but I didn’t care. The Seine cruise ticket was flexible so we waited until dusk; floating past bridges while Parisians laughed along the banks felt almost unreal. It’s hard to explain but there’s this feeling when you see Paris from the water — like you’re part of some old film. Anyway, by the end I was tired in a good way, if that makes sense.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Paris landmarks and Seine cruise

• Meet guide and ride funicular to Sacré Cœur
• Walk Montmartre, visit vineyard and windmills
• Pass by Place du Tertre square
• Take metro to Louvre Museum
• Tour Louvre with pre-reserved tickets
• Pause for lunch at own expense
• Walk Île de la Cité, see monuments
• View Notre-Dame restoration site
• Stroll through Latin Quarter
• Pass by Shakespeare and Company bookstore
• Take metro to Trocadero Square
• Enjoy views of Eiffel Tower
• Take one-hour Seine River cruise

Top questions

How long does this full-day Paris tour last?

The tour covers a full day with activities from morning through evening, including time for lunch and a flexible Seine cruise ticket.

Is lunch included on this Paris day trip?

No, lunch is not included. You’ll have free time to choose your own bistro or bakery during the midday break.

Does this tour include skip-the-line entry at the Louvre?

Yes, pre-reserved tickets are provided so you can enter the Louvre without waiting in line.

Will we go inside Notre Dame Cathedral?

No, due to ongoing restoration after the fire, visitors can only view Notre Dame from outside as close as possible.

Is hotel pickup included?

No hotel pickup is included; you’ll meet your guide at a designated starting point in Paris.

What language is this tour conducted in?

This tour is conducted entirely in English with an English-speaking guide.

Are metro tickets included during transfers?

Yes, all necessary metro tickets for group transfers between sites are included.

Can I use my Seine River cruise ticket later if I’m tired?

Yes, your cruise ticket is flexible—you can use it after the tour or even save it for another morning if preferred.

What’s included

Your day includes guided walks through Montmartre and Île de la Cité with an English-speaking local guide handling all logistics; pre-reserved entry to the Louvre Museum so you skip lines; group metro tickets between neighborhoods; plus a flexible one-hour Seine River cruise ticket you can use at sunset or whenever suits you best.