Napoleon III's Paris city tour

5.0 (4 reviews) 2 hours Free cancellation Private tour

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4 reviews

5.0

Napoleon III's Paris city tour — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Napoleon III's Paris city tour, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

The tour that deals with the drastic and radical reconstruction that completely changed the city of Paris, by destroying over 70% of it. The most impressive, ambitious, comprehensive yet also destructive and culturally catastrophic urban planning move, possibly of all time - the Haussmannian reconstruction - is the main topic of this tour. We present the pivotal change in the history of the city, where a medieval town, with aspects of renaissance and classical architecture scattered about, became a modern, industrialized capital of the world - in the time span of only 17 years. This is, without a doubt, one of the most interesting tours we offer, as it delves into the very birth of modernity: industrial life, consumerist culture, modern politics, urban living. This tour, like no other, shows us the birth of the world we today live in, and how it came to be in the most important (also, the most beautiful) city in the world, Paris.

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

At a glance

Duration: 2 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–15
Audio guide: English
Guide: English, French
Written guide: English
Operated by: Paris in person

What is included

Included

Included: Private tour
Included: Professional art historian guide

Not included

Not included: Food and drinks

Itinerary

Place Vendome

10 min

The architectural and aesthetic model that was used for the reconstruction of Paris done in the second half of the 19th century. The reconstruction in question is the main topic of the tour. This beautiful square from the very end of the 17th century is one of the five royal squares of Paris, and is a marvel to behold in its own right.
Palais Garnier

20 min

The world famous Opéra Garnier, also known as the Palace Garnier, is the focal point of the late 19th century reconstruction of Paris, the main topic of the tour. It is the new center of the new Paris, meant to substitute the old one, cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris. Please note - we are not entering the Opera house, as this is a separate tour altogether. We only address it from the outside.
Societe Generale

20 min

The most beautiful bank in the entire world, bar none - and a true cathedral of wealth. Marvel at the transformation a mundane task (going to the bank) into a truly spiritual experience.
Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann

20 min

After the most beautiful bank in the world, the most beautiful department store. Shopping is elevated to a spiritual, religious experience in this cathedral of opulence and consumerism.
Printemps

10 min

One of the two (only possible) competitors for the title of the world's most beautiful department store. A true marvel of decadence and luxury.
Stop 6

15 min

A detailed account of the boulevard Haussmann as the prime example of a boulevard, the most prominent type of street in the vision of new, industrialized, bourgeois Paris.
Chapelle Expiatoire

10 min

An account of the political division that still shook France in the second half of the 19th century, and the attempts to reconcile the differences between ever waring parties of the monarchic aristocrats and the republican bourgeois.
Saint-Augustin Church

10 min

The building that symbolizes the Church and the industrial forces forging a pact; the first church in Paris to be made with extensive use of steel, and a conclusion of the tour.

Meeting point and pickup

You can be picked up from your accommodation or go straight to the meeting point.

Meeting point

The guide will be standing in front of the entrance to the Ritz hotel, carrying a red canvas tote bag.

End point

The tour will end at the junction of boulevard Malesherbes and boulevard Hausmann.

Pickup points

Hidden Hotel
Hotel Athena
Hotel Allety
Agate Hotel
Hotel Artus
Aparthotel Adagio Paris Centre Tour Eiffel
Hotel Astrid Royal
Hotel Avenir Jonquiere
Hotel Claret Bercy
The Chess Hotel
Hotel Augustin - Astotel
Chambiges Elysees Hotel

and 2,056 more pickup points

Private transport is possible - we offer a hotel (or apartment, airbnb, etc.) pick up with a Mercedes V class vehicle. If you would like us to include pick up, it is imperative you communicate it via phone number you find on your reservation slip. Texts are welcome, so are WhatsApp messages.