13 virtual tours of Paris you can take now

Hi France Travel Planners!  Are you getting itchy feet?  Wishing you could travel to Paris?  I know I am.  Whether you are getting a bit stir crazy staying home, or wanting to do some Paris travel planning for your future Paris trip, virtual tours of Paris might be just the thing.  As tour companies continue to adapt to the COVID-19 environment, many are now offering Paris virtual tours.  I’ve done the research for you and found thirteen of the best Paris virtual tours.  These tours are subject to change without notice – I have provided links to the home pages of a number of suppliers at the bottom of the post in the event your chosen activity is not available.  Most operators are offering similar activities so if your activity is not available it is worth checking out whether similar options are available on different platforms.

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How do Paris virtual tours work?

From my virtual tour research there seem to be two main types of Paris online virtual tours:  private tours and group tours, just like a “real life” tour.

Private Paris virtual tours are quite good if you want to ask questions as obviously the group is just your own friends and family.  Depending on the tour provider you may be able to book your tour at a set time, although many of the Paris private virtual tours I found were still only bookable at the set scheduled time.

Paris virtual group tours operate at a set time of the day.  It is important to check the tour times before you book as some are based on Paris time and others on US time.  This means they are sometimes not suitable for readers outside Europe and North America unfortunately unless you are a true night owl.  Obviously group virtual tours of Paris are much cheaper than private tours, but take note of the number of guests on your tour – some in this post have up to 250 guests per tour, so if that is not what you had in mind, consider whether this is the right tour for you.  Many group virtual tours of Paris can also be booked as private tours at an increased cost (this may or may not give you more flexibility on the time of the tour)

For both private and group Paris virtual tours you will be sent a link to access your tour.  When you book a Paris virtual tour, it is important to check whether your tour will be prepared photos and videos or truly a live experience if that is important to you.  Due to COVID-19 restrictions in Paris, most museums and indoor monuments (such as Versailles and the Louvre) do not allow guides at present, so expect your tour of places like to that to be a pre-prepared presentation, rather than a live visit.

It is a given that you need access to reliable internet connectivity for any virtual tour booking.

Private virtual tours of Paris

Montmartre walk 

Provider:  With Locals

This is a live tour that the guide will broadcast on her phone.  You will visit Sacré Coeur and peek into Picasso’s studio.  Like most With Locals private tours, this With Locals virtual tour can be personalised if you have any particular areas of interest.

Costs: €48 for up to 10 people (do not need to be in the same room)

Duration of tour: 1 hour – confirm the time of your tour when you book

5 star rating on With Locals

You can click here to book this tour

Versailles virtual tour:  the magical Château of Versailles

Provider:  With Locals

This is a virtual tour that the guide conducts from his own home.  Featuring the Hall of Mirrors, Royal Chapel and the famous Versailles gardens, this tour can be fully customised to focus on your own personal interests.  It can also be personalised as a family friendly virtual tour.

Costs: €50 for up to 10 people

Duration of tour: 1 hour

5 star rating on With Locals

Book your Versailles virtual tour here.

Parisian Fashion Trends Virtual Tour

Provider:  With Locals

This live tour includes a brief history of French fashion + what Parisians are wearing currently which makes it perfect for those of us who love to channel our inner Parisienne.  Book in the girls for a virtual catch up, crack open the Champagne and enjoy!

Costs: €42 for up to 10 people

Duration of tour: 1 hour

5 star rating on With Locals

Book this tour here.

Virtual Portrait Session with a Paris artist

No trip to Paris?  No problem!  Many people want to have their portrait painted in Paris with a Paris artist.  And here’s your chance to have your portrait painted as you pose for a Parisian artist.  This virtual tour includes a portrait of up to 2 people, or you can send a photo of your favorite scene for a landscape if you prefer.

Costs: €58 for up to 4 people

Duration of tour: 1.5 hour

5 star rating on With Locals

Book your Paris artist portrait now

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Plan your Paris trip with a Parisian

Let a local Parisian help you plan your trip to Paris.  How to avoid tourist traps and get insider tips from your guide.  You can also ask whatever you like on this tour.  To ensure your plan suits your individual tastes you will complete a short questionnaire in advance so your guide can recommend the best options for you.

Costs: €43 for up to 10 people

Duration of tour: 1 hour

5 star rating on With Locals 

Book your personal Paris planning appointment here.

How to drink Champagne like a Parisian

This 45 minute live webinar offers an overview of how Champagne is made, and why it is different to other types of sparkling wines.  Learn how to read a Champagne label and different types of Champagne.

Costs:  Approximately from $12 per person depending on size of group (pay in your own currency)

Duration of tour: 45 minutes

5 star rating on Viator

Get the gang together and book your Champagne virtual tour here.

Group virtual tours of Paris

Notre Dame & quintessential Paris

Visit the exterior of Notre Dame and walk the Latin Quarter on this virtual tour.  Join up to 250 others on this pre-prepared tour of photos and video.  A cheap and cheerful way to visit Paris.  This Notre Dame virtual tour “departs” at 6pm Paris time.

Costs:  approximately $4 per person (pay in your local currency so price may vary)

Duration of tour: 45 minutes

5 star rating on Viator

Book your Notre Dame Viator tour here.

Louvre Museum Guided Tour

Your Louvre Museum virtual guided tour takes you on a photographic and video tour of this most visited Paris museum.  There may be up to 100 guests on this this tour, making questions difficult to ask.  Departures are based on US Easter Standard Time, so check your local time zone before booking.

Costs:  approximately $11 per person (pay in your local currency so price may vary)

Duration of tour: unclear

5 star rating on Viator

Book your Louvre virtual guided tour here

Highlights of the Louvre

This photographic and video tour promises plenty of conversation and the opportunity to ask questions.  Your Take Walks virtual tour will cover the secrets of the some of the Louvre’s best known pieces and how they came to be in the Louvre.  This tour operates at 3pm US Eastern Standard Time.  This tour can also be booked as a private tour.

Costs:  €9

Duration of tour: 1 hour

5 star rating on Take Walks

Book the Take Walks Louvre highlights tour now.

Descend into the darkness of the Paris Catacombs

If you aren’t sure whether the Paris Catacombs is a good tour for you, this is a great opportunity to ask questions and decide.  Your Catacombs virtual tour covers the history of the catacombs as well as the modern troubles experienced by the site.  This tour utilises photo and video and can also be booked as a private tour at a time of your choosing.  Group tours are offered at 5pm US Eastern Standard Time.

Costs:  €9

Duration of tour: 1 hour

5 star rating on Take Walks

Book your tour here.

 

Browse virtual experiences for destinations other than Paris

Browse Take Walks Experiences:  click here

Browse With Locals Virtual Experiences:  click here

Browse Viator Virtual Experiences:  click here

Photo credits:  author’s own unless credited