Private tour in Paris Ellen L

Paris in the Middle Ages

5.0

(4) reviews

-
Hours icon 4 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-2 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 4 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-2 people
Your party size

1

View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later

Ellen L.

4.8

Guide rating

82

Reviews

Tours delivered

2 hrs

Avg. response time

Hi there ! I am a friendly Franco-American who has lived in Paris for 30+ years. I know the best secrets of the city - where to eat, shop, visit. Stroll with me on my unique Paris tours & discover the hidden Paris. I am a trained historian with a Masters in Medieval History. Through my commented walks you will learn about the city's rich history. My tours are thoroughly researched, documented & scripted to ensure accuracy & interest, using illustrations, photos & video material. Paris is a great city to visit, but most of the tourists who come to Paris end up visiting the same monuments & attractions. Come walk with me & experience the real Paris, the city beyond the monuments. I will show you the hidden Paris, ​the places you won't find online or in the guide books. The secret side of a city where people live, shop, work, eat. . . a city that is 2000 years old ! Let me be your personal tour guide & discover the authentic Paris !! Master's Degree (MA) in Medieval History I am not a licensed guide. I am not a driver. I can arrange for taxis or Ubers for those who require transportation.

Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Ellen L.

Overview of your Paris tour

On this tour you will discover the rich history of medieval Paris. The two islands sitting in the center of Paris (Ile de la Cîté & Ile St Louis) are among the best preserved areas of the city and represent its historic heart. The Ile de la Cîté is the "cradle" of Paris, originally a Celtic fishing village, then the administrative center of the city under the Roman Empire, and finally home to the first French Kings. We will visit the medieval monuments : the Conciergerie, the Sainte Chapelle and of course Notre Dame. We will see where Marie Antoinette spent her final days & discover the stunning stained glass windows of the Sainte Chapelle. We will enter Notre Dame (depending on availabilities) and I will share the secrets of its construction, its rich history, vast iconography & take you on a tour of the cathedral's beautiful interior. We finish on the Ile St Louis - a small gem of baroque architecture. What makes this tour unique : photo & video content that recreate medieval Paris.

Recent Reviews

Jolanta C.
July 2025

Ellen was our guide for the walking tour of Paris in the Middle Ages. She was engaging and provided a steady flow of stories and facts allowing my wife and I to better appreciate the original city. She took us to a hidden gem, the oldest restaurant in the city. She enhanced the tour with bits of trivia and legends that brought the sites to life. I highly recommend this tour and Ellen as a tour guide.

Stephen B.United States
April 2025

Ellen was an outstanding guide. Her knowledge on Medieval Paris was excellent. We learned a lot and had a fun time being with Ellen.

Katherine M.
November 2024

Ellen was so knowledgable and friendly! Very fun to be around, and such a smart, informed tour. Every question I asked, she was excited to answer. 10/10 for us :)

Scott B.United States
June 2023

Ellen was very knowledgeable about all of the sites we toured. Her hidden lunch spot turned out to be the best food we have had in Paris. My family and I are better for having toured with Ellen.

Your Paris tour itinerary

- Pont Neuf, we start on the city's oldest bridge, where the Templar Knights were burned at the stake - Conciergerie - we visit the city's 1st royal palace - built by the Romans then finished in the 1300s by French kings. When the royal court moved to the Louvre, the Conciergerie became a barracks & prison - we see the dungeons & the cell where Marie Antoinette spent her final days. - Sainte Chapelle - constructed in 1248 by St Louis. We visit the most beautiful church in France, whose surface is 70% stained glass from the 13th Century. - Cathedral of Notre Dame - Entry to the cathedral is currentltrydifficult due to the crowds. If possible I will reserve an entry ticket but if this is not available we can see if we can enter without a rservation. We will see the cathedral's fabulous collection of art & artefacts, and if desired, attend mass. - Ile St Louis, we end the tour on this tiny island, wandering its charming baroque mansions & church.

Want to customize this tour?

Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.

Transport details
Type: Walking

This is a private walking tour of Medieval Paris. Customers generally meet the guide at the starting point. However it is possible to arrange a hotel pick up or to provide private transportation if needed, for an additional fee. Please contact me for quote.

What's included
Other: Admission tickets to the museums are not included in the cost of the tour.
Private Guide
What's not included
Other: Personal expenses. It is possible to provide private transportation if needed, for an additional fee, please contact me for quote. If you wish to book more than two people, please contact me for details and a quote. Cost for tickets to enter the museums are extra - €20 per adult.
Food Drinks Snacks
Tickets: Admission tickets to the Conciergerie & Sainte Chapelle
Private Transportation
Meeting location

Paris, Île-de-France, France

The starting point for this tour is on the Ile de la Cîté, on the Pont Neuf bridge, in front of the Statue of King Henry on his horse. The nearest metro station is Pont Neuf (line 7).

  • You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
Other details
Tour categories
History
Architecture
Religious Sites
Tour reference number
761704
Languages
English
French
Activity level
Moderate
Accessibility
Kid Friendly

Traveller reviews

5.0

FAQs

Who is this private tour in Paris best suited for?

This private tour is perfect for history enthusiasts and those interested in medieval architecture. It's also suitable for families, as it's kid-friendly, and for travellers who want to connect with a local guide like Ellen L. for deeper insights into Paris's rich history.

What should I bring or wear?

Can this private tour in Paris be customized to focus on what I want to see and skip places I've already visited?

How long is the tour, and can the start time or duration be adjusted?

Where does the tour start and end?

Is transportation included?

How much walking is involved, and is it suitable for kids, seniors, or travellers with mobility concerns?

What languages is this tour offered in?

AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide

-
Hours icon 4 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-2 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 4 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-2 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
More tours in Paris by Ellen L.
Similar tours in Paris
Explore more of Paris
The Louvre with an Art Historian (PhD) - private tourParis Full Day with PhotosVersailles Private Tour - Half DayLouvre Museum Private Tour - Reserved Access Paris Highlights Sightseeing Private Tour With Mercedes V classNotre Dame de Paris and the Sainte ChapelleEssential Paris: A 3-Hour Walking TourVersailles Palace – Private half day tourPrivate “À la Carte” Paris Tour (Half Day) – Customized Experience with Licensed GuideNotre-Dame de Paris: A Journey Through Time, Tragedy, and TriumphParis "On Demand" - Full day private tourParis "On Demand" Private Tour - Half day (Best seller)Best of the Louvre - an aesthetic aventureD-Day Trip to Normandy from Paris The Louvre with a Doctor in Art History - Private tourBestseller: First time in Paris tourParis Main Monuments Private tour⚜️Versailles Palace and Gardens ⚜️Normandy D-Day Beaches – Private Driving TourPrivate guided tour of the Louvre, Paris.Paris Full-Day Private Driving TourPrivate “À la Carte” Paris Tour (Full Day) – Customized Experience with Licensed GuidePrivate skip The Line Louvre tour.Falling in Louvre And Its Highlights With an Art Historian (reserved entrance)🌸 Full day in Giverny & Versailles ⚜️This is Paris! Full day private tour (Best seller)Giverny + Versailles Palace & Gardens: Private Full Day TourEclectic Marais history & food private tourVersailles And Louvre Private Tour - Full Day Versailles And Monet's Giverny Full Day TourVersailles - Half-Day Private TourVersailles : A Royal Day trip from ParisHighlights and secrets in the LouvreGiverny / Claude Monet - Half-Day Private TourLouvre Private Tour with an Italian PainterThe Orsay Museum with an Art Historian (PhD) - private tourParis By Day or Night Private Guided Tour With Private DriverLouvre Museum Skip-the-Line Private Tour – Art & Masterpieces Private Tour of the Louvre with a Fun StorytellerFull day tour of Versailles Castle and Monet's house Giverny private tour with transportation