Where Paris was Born: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Île de la Cité

5.0 (8 reviews) one hour – 1 h 30 min Private tour

out of 5

8 reviews

5.0

Where Paris was Born: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Île de la Cité — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Discover how a small settlement on the Seine River grew into modern Paris. — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Discover the neighbourhood where Paris was born with this affordable walking tour.

See how the city transformed from a small settlement along the Seine River into one of the most charming places in the world
Hear from producer Annie Sargent, a tour guide and producer of the Join Us in France Travel Podcast whose passion for France’s history inspired him to craft this bestselling VoiceMap tour
Do it all in an hour or linger at stops along the way with complete control over when you start and finish
Get unlimited use before your booking date and after it
Use the virtual tour option at home

Once you’ve booked, you’ll receive a ticket with instructions and a unique code listed under “Before You Go”. Then simply install the VoiceMap app and enter your code.

The app displays directions to the starting point, and when you’re in the right place, just pop in your headphones and tap start. VoiceMap has automatic GPS playback, with turn-by-turn directions. It also works offline.

Private and Luxury Private Sightseeing Tours Audio Guides Cultural Tours Walking Tours City Tours Short term availability Weather Dependent - Low

At a glance

Duration: one hour – 1 h 30 min
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–15
Audio guide: English
Operated by: VoiceMap Audio Tours

Ages: Adults (6–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Lifetime access to Île de la Cité: Where Paris Was Born tour
Included: VoiceMap Application
Included: Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata

Not included

Not included: Smartphone
Not included: Transportation
Not included: Food/Drink
Not included: Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route

Itinerary

Ile de la Cite

Passing by

The tour takes place in Paris' Île de la Cité.
Pont des Arts

Passing by

This bridge used to be laden with “love-locks”. Couples came to the bridge with special locks that were usually inscribed with their names, locked them on the bridge and then threw the keys in the river. This would presumably ensure that their love would last.
Pont Neuf

Passing by

The tour takes you over Pont Neuf.
Statue equestre d'Henri IV

Passing by

Under the Equestrian Statue of Henri IV, on one side you'll see a bas-relief panel that shows a humble Henri IV bringing loaves of bread to the people of Paris after a siege. What the picture doesn’t explain is that HE was the one who had put Paris under siege!
Square du Vert-Galant

Passing by

The park on the tip of Île de la Cité is called the Square du Vert-Galant. We use the word “square” in French to mean a small park but the Square du Vert-Galant is actually triangular!
Stop 6

Passing by

The tour passes by the Saule Pleureur de la Pointe.
Place Dauphine

Passing by

Place Dauphine plaza was financed by Henri IV and named “The Dauphin” after his son Louis who would become Louis XIII.
Stop 8

Passing by

The tour passes by the Maison Paul restaurant.
Palais de Justice de Paris

Passing by

Palais de Justice means courthouse, but it's no ordinary courthouse. It's the Cour de Cassation, one of the highest jurisdictions in the country.
Stop 10

Passing by

The tour passes by Quai de l’Horloge.
Conciergerie

Passing by

The Conciergerie Museum is where you can learn about the French Revolution and Marie-Antoinette. It's a must-see for people who have an interest in the French Revolution.
Sainte-Chapelle

Passing by

Inside the Sainte Chapelle you'll see the most spectacular Gothic stained-glass windows in the world. On a sunny day it feels like you're walking through a kaleidoscope!
Stop 13

Passing by

The tour passes by Archaeological crypt of the Île de la Cité.
Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris

Passing by

As you may know, the Cathedral was severely damaged by a fire in April 2019 and is in the process of being renovated. As a result, access to the Cathedral is now limited and you can only see it from the north and east side.
Memorial des Martyrs de la Deportation

Passing by

The Deportation Martyrs Memorial is a somber tribute to all the French Jews that were captured in France and sent to Germany to die during WWII.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Before arrival, please install the VoiceMap mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. This is a self-guided audio tour that you can start, pause, or restart at any time and complete at your own pace. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.

End point

Using your ticket

VOICEMAP CODE

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Please check your email at the address you provided when you made this booking. You've been sent an eight character code you'll need to redeem your tour.

[REMOVE FOR DRIVING TOURS]This code can be used by every member of your party. If you've booked for three people, for example, three people can download this tour using the same code.[REMOVE FOR DRIVING TOURS]

DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTIONS

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Once you've received your code, please follow these steps:

1. Install the VoiceMap Audio Tours mobile app

2. Create an account

3. Select Tour Codes from the menu, then select Enter Codes

4. Enter your code then select Download Now

PLEASE NOTE

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You can download the tour at any time, before or after your booking date. It’s best to download the tour before you set off for the starting point.
This tour follows a set route and includes turn-by-turn directions. It works best if you start it in the right place and follow the directions from one location to the next.
When the download completes, you’ll see a screen with a photo of the starting point and directions to it. The red start button will become active when you are at the starting point.
Remember to bring your own headphones, unless you have booked a driving tour.

SUPPORT

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For technical support and other queries, please email [email protected]