From the Parisii to Napoleon Tour
One route through 2000 years of Paris: from Roman Lutetia, via the French Revolution, to Napoleon - chronologically, along physical remains.
What to expect
History and the Paris of today
2000 years in chronological order
From Roman Lutetia to Napoleon: every stop reveals a physical remnant.
The Paris of today
How the remains of the past relate to the city of today, with the insights of your guide.
Tips for the rest of your stay
Afterwards you'll know which church or museum you want to visit yourself and where to eat well along the way.
Is this tour for you?
Who this walk suits
This walk is for you if you want to understand the big story of Paris in one line.
This tour is for you if...
- You want to follow the whole timeline of Paris, not isolated facts
- You love history and can walk relaxed for 3 hours
- You appreciate a story that holds together from start to finish
Maybe less suitable if...
- You mainly want to tick off the big landmarks quickly
- You prefer walking for less than 3 hours
Not a highlights trail, but a walk through time. This route follows the history of Paris in chronological order - from the Celtic Parisii tribe and Roman Lutetia, via the Gothic cathedrals and the French Revolution, to Napoleon's Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel.
We begin in the Roman city: the amphitheatre of Lutetia with room for 15,000 spectators, the Roman main axis that is still Rue Saint-Jacques today, and the Thermes de Cluny with their intact vault 15 metres high. Then the Middle Ages: the Parvis Notre-Dame with its archaeological crypt and the zero point of France, Notre-Dame, the Sainte-Chapelle with its 1,113 stained-glass scenes and the Conciergerie where Marie Antoinette awaited her execution.
The route ends where the Revolution wrote its grimmest chapter: the Place de la Concorde, where 1,343 people died under the guillotine - among them Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette and Robespierre. This is the tour for those who truly want to understand Paris, from the first stone to Napoleon - and at 4 kilometres, StepByStep's longest walk.
Highlights
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Arènes de Lutèce: the Roman amphitheatre for 15,000 spectators
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Thermes de Cluny: one of the best-preserved Roman halls north of the Alps
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Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle and the Conciergerie: the Gothic triangle of the Île de la Cité
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Pont Neuf and Place Dauphine: the oldest bridge and the first royal square
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The Louvre: from a 12th-century fortress to a world museum
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Place de la Concorde: where Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were beheaded
Practical info
- Meeting point
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Place Jussieu (Métro Jussieu)
7 10
- End
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Place de la Concorde (Métro Concorde)
1 8 12
- Distance
- 4 km, flat - StepByStep's longest route
- Duration
- about 3 hours
- Languages
- Max group size
- 10 people
Choose your language when you book.
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of the walk.
- Info
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- Walks leave on time, so arrive at the meeting point at least 10 minutes before departure.
- In the confirmation email you will find the exact starting location and how to easily recognise your guide.
- Depending on the specific tour, a minimum number of participants is required for a tour to run. If this minimum is not reached, the tour may be cancelled and you will receive a full refund.
Frequently asked questions
Tours generally go ahead in the rain. Paris is well worth a visit even without sunshine. In exceptionally bad or unsafe weather we may adjust the route or cancel the tour. If that happens, we will of course get in touch with you.
The price of the tour includes your guide, but excludes any entrance tickets for museums, monuments or other sights that charge admission. If we visit a place on a tour that requires entry, we clearly mention this in advance on the relevant tour page.
Some churches and other sights are free to enter. Depending on the route and circumstances, we can briefly step inside without you needing a ticket.
Yes, children are welcome. Whether a particular tour suits young children depends mainly on their age and interests. That is why each tour page gives more information about the character and intensity of the walk. Unsure? Feel free to contact us.
Wear comfortable shoes and clothing suited to the weather. We walk through Paris and stop regularly along the way.
Please also note that on some tours we may step inside a church. There are no entry fees, but visitors are asked to dress appropriately. Please cover your shoulders and knees if you expect to enter a church. Shorts or a skirt just above the knee are generally fine, but very short clothing or bare midriffs are less suitable.
No. History is the common thread, but we tell the story through what you actually see around you. From Roman remains and medieval buildings to places that played a role during the French Revolution: every stop reveals a piece of the story.
We pass many famous places, including Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle, the Conciergerie, Pont Neuf, the Louvre and Place de la Concorde. But we do not simply visit them to tick them off. Every place has a role in the larger story of Paris.
At about 4 kilometres, this is our longest walk, but the route is flat. Along the way we regularly take time to stop and tell the story. If you do not just want to see Paris but also understand it, that extra time is an important part of the tour.
Other tours
- Montmartre Tour Walk through the village that never quite became part of Paris: the hill of Picasso, Van Gogh and Dalida, crowned by th…
- Le Marais Tour From medieval marshland to the most beloved corner of old Paris: a neighbourhood where every century left its mark.
- Covered Passages Tour Hidden galleries from the 19th century: mosaic floors, glass roofs and the Paris of before the great boulevards.
- Private Tour A private walking tour through Paris, fully tailored - your neighbourhood, your pace, your guide.
Still have questions?
Can't find the answer you're looking for? We're happy to help.
€45
about 3 hours