Experience the best travel stories for yourself! Join a local expert and uncover hidden gems on this Lonely Planet Experience. Join a local guide to discover the enigmatic charms of France’s capital on this enlightening and entertaining Paris city tour. Start the adventure on Sainte-Genevieve Hill, a popular spot with local university students, that offers impressive views of the imposing Pantheon. Next, stop in at the Luxembourg Gardens and soak up the romanticism of this quiet haven that offers respite from Paris’ busy streets. Continue to the vibrant Saint-Germain area, a hotspot for writers, intellectuals, musicians and artists. Full of eclectic cafes, cool coffee houses, pokey bookshops and lively street markets, it’s easy to see why Ernest Hemingway, Jim Morrison and many others fell in love with the bohemian vibe of this area. Despite rising prices and gentrification, Saint-Germain has managed to retain its irresistible, artistic charm. Next on your Paris walking tour, wander along the serene embankments of the Seine River. There stop at a traditional wine house where you can sample a typical French charcuterie plate in a traditional setting. Full of deliciously decadent cheese, salty cured meat and rich pate, this is an authentic French gastronomic treat! From here you will move to the beautiful surrounding square, the oldest in Paris, to play a game of petanque or bocci balls. This fun game is still played by many of the citizens in city and all over the country. No doubt they might have some tips on technique as you play. After your game head to the lively Saint-Michel area and take a peek into Paris’ first English bookshop, nestled in a medieval house and packed to the rafters with books. Finally finish your Paris day trip adventure with the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral, where you can make a wish to come back to Paris. What better way to finish this Paris city tour rich in history, gastronomy and art?