What You Will Do
Discover the treasures of the Left Bank of Paris, the city's Latin Quarter & St Germain-des-Prés. This private tour will take you to visit some of the loveliest treasures of the Left Bank.
- The city's oldest church, as well as a later church from the baroque period.
- Roman ruins - the few remaining vestiges of the Romans in Paris including thermal baths & the remains of an arena
- See where the Revolutionaries gathered & plotted their insurrections in 1789.
Commentary provided by a trained historian that will provide insights into the historical & archaeological context of this unique area of Paris.
Please note that school & corporate groups are welcome - I can host up to 40 people on this tour. Group rates are available on demand.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Itinerary
Meeting Point
The meeting point is at the entrance to the Church St Germain-des-Près
1
Saint Germain des Pres Quarter
20 minutes
We start the tour in this lovingly restored church which just happens to be the city's oldest (parts date from 990AD). After a complete tour of the church itself, we will visit the neighbourhood, seeing one of the city's most charming squares & visiting a local food market.
2
Cour du Commerce Saint Andre
10 minutes
We will visit one of the city's oldest passages, where many of the early Revolutionaries lived - Danton, Marat, Robespierre. We will see the city's oldest café, now a restaurant, where Franklin & Jefferson rubbed shoulders with the French Revolutionaries as well as philosophers such as Voltaire. Napoleon reputedly left his hat when he couldn't pay his bar tab!
3
Les Thermes de Lutece
10 minutes
We will visit the remains of the Roman Baths at Cluny - using video & visual material I explain the history & construction of the baths - showing 3D models.
4
Luxembourg Gardens
10 minutes
The next stop is at the Luxembourg Gardens, one of the loveliest l parks in the city. It holds 110 statues (including a working model of the Statue of Liberty) & many leisure attractions. The park also holds the Luxembourg Palace (built 1612) now home to the French Senate & the Medici Fountain (built 1630).
5
Pantheon
5 minutes
We will see the Pantheon, a mausoleum to the nation's great. It holds the tombs of philosophers such as Voltaire, Diderot & Rousseau, authors such as Hugo, Dumas & St. Exupéry, as well as scientists such as Pierre & Marie Curie. And we will learn the fascinating story of Foucault's pendulum.
6
Eglise Saint-Etienne-du-Mont de Paris
10 minutes
We will visit one of the city's loveliest baroque churches with the nation's largest rood screen - a carved 30ft wide stone screen. The church holds other baroque treasures which we will see in detail.
7
Arenes de Lutece
5 minutes
We end the tour at the Arenes de Lutece, another roman vestige. I explain the fascinating history & construction of the site using video & other visual support.
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