Place de la Bastille: Our most recommended tours and activities

Paris: Cruise on the Saint-Martin Canal and the Seine River

1. Paris: Cruise on the Saint-Martin Canal and the Seine River

Explore the French capital on a sightseeing cruise along the River Seine and continue along Canal Saint-Martin. See Parisian landmarks, including Notre Dame and the Hotel du Nord before sailing into the underground vault. Start your day in Paris with one of its most enchanting attractions, and take a cruise along the Canal Saint-Martin and River Seine. Embark in the center of the Parc de la Villette, and cruise gently along the canal to Rue de Crimée’s elevated bridge, as it goes through the Bassin de la Villette, before entering the magnificent Rotonde by Ledoux. Your adventure begins with the first lock at the Récollets Center, where you will catch sight of the Hotel du Nord. Discover the Canal Saint-Martin, filled with the poetry of its romantic paths and pedestrian bridges, bordered by chestnut trees and populated by fishermen. Then, the boat will be plunged into darkness as you enter a tunnel of more than 1-mile, taking you through a mysterious underground vault that is perforated by light holes. Filled with magic and beauty, when you emerge into the light at Arsenal Port, you will see the July Column of Place de la Bastille ahead of you. This is when you enter the River Seine. From here, take a short cruise along the River Seine, past the Île Saint-Louis and Île de la Cité, to end your tour just after midday at the Musée d’Orsay.

Paris: Charming Nooks and Crannies Bike Tour

2. Paris: Charming Nooks and Crannies Bike Tour

Start your 3-hour bike in front of the City Hall. On this small-group guided tour, enjoy a leisurely bike ride through Paris historical neighborhoods. Your local guide will show you nooks and crannies of the old Paris as well as explaining you the anecdotes behind the great history. Starting on the city island, head toward St Louis Island, mostly unchanged since the 17th century. Crossing the Seine River, enter the medieval Marais, famous for its Jewish and gay neighborhoods. From middle-aged houses through trendy corners, reach the first-ever Kings Square and its magnificent buildings. Continuing through the Bastille square, demystify its legendary prison and the famous Bastille Day. Escape from city traffic and stroll along the bike-friendly path that lines the Seine River and get ready for a nice drink stop along the water. Next, discover the left bank. From the world's oldest company, which is 1154 years old, head towards the literary Saint Germain des Prés and meet Parisians’ preferred cafés and art galleries. See how the kings, queens, revolutionaries, and Napoléon mixed in a ballet that ended in blood in Odéon and Luxembourg. After resting in the left bankers preferred garden, reach the Sorbonne University and the Latin Quarter with its antic roman empire ruins mixed with the most dangerous middle-aged back streets. Joining this tour at the beginning of your vacation allows you to see a lot of the city and determine where you want to go back to.

Paris: Seine River and Canal Saint-Martin Cruise

3. Paris: Seine River and Canal Saint-Martin Cruise

Embark on a romantic cruise close to the Musée d’Orsay on the River Seine. Marvel at the Tuileries Garden, Musée du Louvre, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and more. You will admire the scenic panoramic views before continuing to the entrance to the Canal Saint-Martin, where Bastille Square towers above you. Enter a 1.24-mile tunnel, lit by perforations that let in the light of day, and soak up the magic and beauty of a subterranean world. Once you emerge from the tunnel, you will discover the magical Canal Saint Martin, a surprising aquatic path surrounded by a romantic footbridge and bordered by chestnut trees and fishermen. Near the Temple, admire Frederic Lemaître’s bust, the Recollets Lock, and the Hotel du Nord. Keep your ears pricked for the murmuring ghost of François Villon as you approach the Dead Lock, where the Montfaucon gibbet used to stand. The boat passes Bassin de la Villette and the arcing footbridge of rue de Crimée before reaching the Parc de la Villette, where you can admire the Cité des Sciences and Music Museum along with the magnificent themed gardens.  

Off-the-Beaten Track in Paris: 2-Hour Vintage 2CV Tour

4. Off-the-Beaten Track in Paris: 2-Hour Vintage 2CV Tour

Experience some of the hidden quarters of Paris and take in the city’s major highlights as you cruise the streets in a vintage Citroen 2CV convertible. See the grand avenues lined with well-known buildings and monuments, and also visit historical areas such as the Marais, with its village-like atmosphere. You’ll also see Place des Vosges, the oldest Royal place of Paris, on this unique 2-hour tour. Take a drive to the Arènes de Lutèce, the site of the city’s most important ruins from the Gallo-Roman era in Paris. The stones at the site date back to 200 A.D. What you’ll see: • Place des Vosges • Passage Sully • Village Saint Paul • Le Marais • Port de l'Arsenal • Bastille • Grande Mosquée de Paris • Butte aux cailles • Cité Florale • Arènes de Lutèce • Institut du Monde Arabe • Place Dauphine

Paris Pub Crawl with Free Club Entry and Free Shots

5. Paris Pub Crawl with Free Club Entry and Free Shots

Join the international party on this 6-hour Paris Pub Crawl. Enjoy 3 amazing bars where you will get 1 free shot and great deals on drink. By the end if your crawl, skip the line and enjoy the coolest club in Paris! Maybe you’re a Parisian, or a visitor in the city for the weekend. Maybe you live round the corner, or in another city, or another country. Maybe you’re on your own, or celebrating a birthday with friends. Whoever you are, you’re sure to feel welcome on this great night out in Paris! Enjoy the very best of Paris nightlife with a great crowd of fellow pub-crawlers. Your guide will take a few pics that you can keep as free souvenirs of an awesome night out. If you’re planning a birthday or need a guide for your hen or stag do, leave it to the tour operator to organize. They’ll plan the best possible pub crawl for you and your friends, so you can focus on having fun!

Paris: Private Guided City Tour at Night in Citroën 2CV

6. Paris: Private Guided City Tour at Night in Citroën 2CV

The 1.5-hour tour also includes Notre-Dame de Paris, the Ile de la Cité, the Trocadéro, the Champs de Mars, the Opéra Garnier, Place Vendôme, Place de la Concorde, the Palais de l’Elysée.... You will have seen all of Paris's most iconic monuments and sights! If you already know Paris and wish to go off the beaten track, or if you have any particular interests, your driver will be happy to tailor your tour to your requests.

Paris: Private Sightseeing Tour in Citroën 2CV

7. Paris: Private Sightseeing Tour in Citroën 2CV

The 1.5-hour tour is perfect to see all of Paris's most iconic monuments, streets, shops, monuments and sights! If you already know Paris and wish to go off the beaten track, or if you are interested in a particular theme, your driver will be more than happy to do his best to tailor your tour to your requests.

Classic, Romantic Paris: 3-Hour Vintage 2CV Tour

8. Classic, Romantic Paris: 3-Hour Vintage 2CV Tour

Discover the many facets of Paris, from its romantic side in Montmartre to its more classic side at the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame. Visit lesser-known but fascinating neighborhoods such as the Marais. Your driver will pick you up anywhere in the city center and provide you an authentic 3-hour Parisian experience in a classic, vintage Citroen 2CV, with a convertible roof that offers the best possible views. What you’ll see: Classic Paris: Avenue des Champs Elysées, Arc de Triomphe, Trocadéro, Tour Eiffel, Champs de Mars, Ecole Militaire, Invalides, Pont Alexandre 3, Petit et Grand Palais, and Place de la Concorde Romantic Paris: Montmartre, Sacré Cœur, Moulin Rouge, Pigalle, Opéra Garnier, Pyramide du Louvre, Ile de la Cité, Notre Dame, Quai des Grands Augustins, and Musée d'Orsay Unexpected Paris: Place des Vosges, Passage Sully, Village Saint Paul, le Marais, Port de l'Arsenal, Bastille

Paris: Food Market Tour in Bastille

9. Paris: Food Market Tour in Bastille

Enjoy a food tour in one of the most authentic areas of Paris, located far from the main tourist attractions. Start your tour at the legendary Place de la Bastille. Here, enjoy a traditional Parisian breakfast before heading to the Aligre Market through the innumerable passages that give this district its unique character and that have made it a young, trendy and creative place. At the market, discover 2 distinct sections, each with their own charming atmosphere. Under the covered section, discover French and Italian delicatessen, fresh fish, poultry, dairy, and fresh flowers. In the outdoor section, admire a curious mix of fruit sellers and antique dealers, which combine to form a half food market, half flea market. On the outskirts of the market, stroll around a variety of art and cookshops. Later, enjoy a tasting of fine wine and cheeses over an old wine barrel. Mingle with the locals and sip a hot chocolate or hot wine during the winter or an aperitif in summer. Feel like a local as you chat with shopkeepers and taste local cheeses, cured meats, and chocolate. You will also learn all about French history on this tour, including the story of the French Revolution.

Paris: Local Food Tasting and Medieval Marais Sightseeing

10. Paris: Local Food Tasting and Medieval Marais Sightseeing

Join an expert guide on a 2-hour tasting tour of Le Marais, and discover the local hangouts as you sample delicious food and wine. Start in front of the Centre Pompidou, Europe's largest modern art museum, nestled in an impressive contemporary building.  Pass an iconic bakery whose baguette was named one of the best in Paris.  Continue to Rue Saint-Croix-de-la-Bretonnerie, the center of the French gay scene, to see one of the oldest streets in Le Marais. Stop to sample a delicious macaron made by one of the city’s most famous pastry chefs, then enter the heart of the Jewish community. Discover a vibrant pedestrianized street full of falafel stands and Jewish delis.  After a walk by the impressive Saint-Paul’s church ( we do not go inside), we’ll move on to Paris’ oldest and certainly most beautiful square, la Place des Vosges, home of France’s national writer, Victor Hugo. After that, we will head off the our next stop for some French cheese and wines. Finally, you’ll walk to Place de la Bastille, passing the former home of the French writer Victor Hugo. The area is full of bars and restaurants, where you can continue to explore the City of Lights on your own.

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What people are saying about Place de la Bastille

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 3,367 reviews

The most amazing experience with the wonderful Celine! Everyone was waving at us and taking photos of the car. Such a great day, filled with so much fun and sight seeing you can’t do in a bus or larger car. The personal touch of a tour is the best part and honestly Celine was wonderful and so knowledgeable!

Great cycle tour around the parts of Paris that we had never been to with Sebastian as our friendly and informative guide

Easy to find and our guide was great. Nice to learn about places and areas of the city we may not have found on our own.

Clement was knowledgeable and personable - we had a great time and would thoroughly recommend this trip to others.

Perfect amount of time to get a sense of the city. Driver was knowledgeable and friendly.