Paris Walking Tours

Père Lachaise Cemetery

The Cimetière du Père Lachaise is the most visited cemetery in the world, with over 3 million visitors per year. But with 43 hectares (106 acres) of space, it never feels crowded. The city's largest cemetery opened in 1804 on orders of Napoleon Bonaparte. With the Revolution making everyone equal under law, there are no religious divides in this cemetery; you will find Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, atheists and others all buried together. While 1 million people have been buried here throughout the centuries, Père Lachaise is most famous for its resident celebrities. Together, we can discover the graves of the likes of Édith Piaf, Oscar Wilde, Gertrude Stein, Molière, La Fontaine, Delacroix, Honoré de Balzac, Frédéric Chopin and Jim Morrison, among many others. This is truly one of my favourite places in Paris, filled with history, tragedy, humour and immense beauty. I did my first ever tour in Paris at Père Lachaise and I would be delighted to share my expertise with you after five years of working here.

Père Lachaise is open everyday, with opening hours depending on the season; in any case, it is always open from 9am to 5:30pm. I can arrange tours based on availability and other tours which may already have been booked. I can do tours with one person all the way up to 30 people, with headsets not usually necessary but which can be provided on request. I usually recommend a 2-hour tour of Père Lachaise to make the most of this special place; this can be reduced to 1 hour for an express tour or extended to 3 hours for a very thorough tour. The entirety of this tour is conducted outdoors and as such I recommend wearing comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and footwear. The cemetery is not flat and has plenty of hills and cobblestones. As a result, I generally do not recommend this tour for people with mobility issues.

Prices are available on the Prices page. Please don't hesitate to get in touch to discuss your plans and I will get back to you as soon as possible. Available in English, French and Spanish.

Pay your respects to writers, revolutionaries and rock stars!

Montmartre

Montmartre is one of the most distinct neighbourhoods in Paris; its rural past is still visible, with vineyards on one side of the hill at Clos-Montmartre. It became very important to the city in the late 19th century, especially the Belle Époque, with the construction of the Basilica of the Sacré-Coeur dominating the skyline from 1875 onwards. Drawn in by cheaper rents and a bustling creative community, artists flocked here. Residents have included Edgar Degas, Henri Matisse and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Their legacy lives on with the 300 artists working on Place du Tertre, a bustling square filled with restaurants, caricature painters and market stalls. The Moulin-Rouge opened its doors in 1889, making the French can-can world famous. For music lovers, the Place de Dalida is named in the singer's honour. The Café des Deux Moulins, featured in the film Amélie, is frequented by locals and visitors alike. Despite hosting a good number of tourists, Montmartre retains its authentic charm, with many artists still living here. It has some of the best live music and cheap eats in the city. On a tour, I'll show you its hidden corners and tell you stories about its most treasured spots.

Montmartre walking tours can be arranged at any time depending on availability and tours which may already have been booked. I can do tours with one person up to 30 people, with headsets provided only on request. I usually recommend a 2 hour tour, which can be shortened to 1 hour and extended to 3 hours. The entirety of this tour is conducted outdoors and as such I recommend wearing comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and footwear. Montmartre is very hilly; this tour can, however, be adapted to be wheelchair-friendly.

Prices are available on the Prices page. Please don't hesitate to get in touch to discuss your plans and I will get back to you as soon as possible. Available in English, French and Spanish.

Paris' artistic past and present meet in this iconic neighbourhood.

The Marais

The Marais nowadays sits at the centre of Paris, on the right bank of the Seine. The name Marais means swamp in French, and that's exactly what was here before the wetlands were drained from the 12th century onwards. The town hall, the Hôtel de Ville, was first constructed here in the 14th century, but the Parisian nobility started to move here in the 17th century, when a great number of mansions (hôtels particuliers) started to be built. Some of these are now partially open to the public - like the Musée Carnavalet and the Hôtel de Sully. This is also when Henri IV encouraged the construction of the beautiful Places des Vosges. Many of the elites left in the wake of the French Revolution, with the neighbourhood adopted by the working classes. This was the case for centuries, but from the 1960s onwards, the Marais has been redeveloped, bringing back its former glory while also becoming famous for the various communities which have lived there throughout the years - in particular the Jewish community, who have lived here since the 13th century, as well as the Chinese and LGBT communities in more recent years. On a tour, we will explore its impressive past and present.

Walking tours of the Marais can be arranged at any time depending on availability and tours which may already have been booked. I can do tours with one person up to 30 people, with headsets provided only on request. I usually recommend a 2-hour tour, which can be shortened to 1 hour and extended to 3 hours. The entirety of this tour is conducted outdoors, with a distance of about 4km (2.5 miles) to cover on foot. As such, I recommend wearing comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and footwear. The centre of Paris is rather flat, and so this tour is largely wheelchair-friendly, though you will need to bring your own mobility gear.

Prices are available on the Prices page. Please don't hesitate to get in touch to discuss your plans and I will get back to you as soon as possible. Available in English, French and Spanish.

Palaces, parks and popular uprisings define this chic district of Paris.

The Latin Quarter

The Latin Quarter has historically been synonymous with education - the Sorbonne university was established here in 1253, originally a theological college where Latin was the primary language of instruction. There is a Roman connection here too, though - such as the ruins of the Thermes de Cluny. Politics are also on the agenda here: not far from the universities and bookshops, you can find the beautiful Luxembourg Gardens, with the French Senate looking out to the giant fountain. Originally a church dedicated to the city's patron saint, Geneviève, the Panthéon was transformed into a funerary monument for heroes and heroines of the Republic after the French Revolution. It was also a key location during the May 1968 unrest that changed France forevermore. The neighbourhood was largely spared from Haussmann's reconstruction of Paris in the 19th century, retaining its tightly packed streets and old-school charm - even Emily in Paris couldn't resist living on the Place de l'Estrapade, now a site of pilgrimage for fans of the show. Join me to discover this iconic Parisian neighbourhood with a guide approved by the French Ministry of Culture.

Latin Quarter walking tours can be arranged at any time depending on availability and tours which may already have been booked. I can do tours with one person up to 30 people, with headsets provided only on request. I usually recommend a 2 hour tour, which can be shortened to 1 hour and extended to 3 hours. The entirety of this tour is conducted outdoors and as such, I recommend wearing comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and footwear. This tour is easily adapted to be wheelchair-friendly, though you will need to bring your own mobility gear.

Prices are available on the Prices page. Please don't hesitate to get in touch to discuss your plans and I will get back to you as soon as possible. Available in English, French and Spanish.

From the Romans to the Sorbonne to Emily Cooper's favourite boulangeries!

Why choose a Hamish in Paris tour?

I'd be honoured to show you around the City of Love!

5 years of local experience

I've come to know Paris inside and out!

I'm proud to wear my guiding licence on each tour.

As a native English speaker, I also speak perfect French and Spanish.

Accredited by the French Ministry of Culture

Fully trilingual

One price, no surprises

Prices listed include all taxes, tickets, guiding services and more.