Heart of Paris: Île de la Cité, River Walk, Seine River Cruise and Sainte-Chapelle

 

Take in iconic sights from Notre Dame to Sainte Chapelle, before a leisurely cruise along the River Seine as the city’s history unravels before you. Highlights - Marvel at Notre Dame and reflect on the impact it has had not only in Paris, but worldwide - Explore the Latin Quarter, and learn about the characters at the heart of Parisian history - Gain special-access entry to Sainte Chapelle, and bask in its breathtaking Gothic architecture - Enjoy a charming cruise along the river Seine See the site of Notre Dame from the courtyard, stroll through the narrow streets and hidden corners of the Latin Quarter and marvel at St. Louis' phenomenal private chapel with skip-the-line Sainte-Chapelle tickets. Then experience Paris from a different vantage point on an idyllic Seine River Cruise. Go back to where it all started with this leisurely tour of the geographic and historic center of Paris; the Ile de la Cité. Take in iconic sights from Notre Dame to Sainte Chapelle, before a leisurely cruise along the River Seine as the city’s history unravels before you One of the best-known sites in Paris, your day begins at the Louvre Pyramid where you’ll meet your guide and small group. From there, you will be transported to the calm surroundings of the Seine for a stroll along the river banks. Take in the idyllic sights and charming buildings as your guide reveals the area’s hidden history. Stop along the Pont Neuf; the oldest surviving bridge that crosses the river, and gets swept away by the beautiful surroundings. The leafy cobblestones of Place Dauphine await before a guided tour around the narrow streets of the Latin Quarter home to the Sorbonne and the resting place of Marie Curie and Victor Hugo. Next, your tour will transport you hundreds of years back in time, to when the mighty cathedral at Notre Dame (the distance from which all points in France are measured) was first built, and Paris looked very different from how it looks today. Since the Middle Ages, Paris has been a city of pilgrims drawn by Notre Dame Cathedral; the gothic jewel of the city. Struck by its immensity, seemingly impossible design, and bathed in light, early visitors were convinced it was conceived by the divine. Its ability to inspire endures more than 850 years later. Severely damaged by a recent fire, it proudly stands as a testament to the genius of its design and the endurance of France, reminding us all of Paris' official motto: fluctuate NEC merger - ‘rocked but never sunk’. Your guide will bring you as close as the ongoing restoration permits to give you the best views possible. You'll cross the river into the historic Latin Quarter. Strolling down a meandering, cobbled streets, you'll hear the stories and learn about the characters - poets, philosophers, artists - that made Paris the ‘City of Light’. Notre Dame is a magnificent building, but the title for the most beautiful church in Paris is reserved for the next stop of your Ile de la Cité tour; the incomparable Sainte Chappelle. Originally built by King Louis IX to hold his considerable collection of relics, it's one of the most stunning single rooms ever constructed in the Gothic style, with towering stained glass windows which never fail to impress. It's no wonder that general entry lines stretch around the block - but with skip-the-line Sainte Chapelle tickets, you'll get straight inside. You will be free to explore the majesty of the building at your own pace as the guided part of your tour ends here. Your guide will leave you with a special treat, however - a river cruise along the Seine where you can experience Paris and its many magnificent buildings from a new vantage point. The cruise will last one hour and has a live guide on board.