Notre Dame, Sainte Chapelle, Conciergerie and Ile de la Cité tour
Join us for a tour of the history and timeless structures of the Ile de la Cité and visit the Cathedral of Notre Dame, the Sainte Chapelle and the Conciergerie with an expert guide.
Meet us at the Pont Neuf for a stroll of this lovely island. Learn about Henry IV, much beloved King of France, and the charming park where he would once meet his many mistresses, now a favorite place to sit and enjoy a picnic by the riverside.
Our first visit is to the Conciergerie. The original royal palace of the kings of France, this institution ironically served as a prison during the French Revolution. This was where Marie Antoinette was finally incarcerated, tried, and condemned to the guillotine in 1793. Learn about the conditions of the prisoners of the period as you glimpse into this most turbulent period of French history.
Sitting next to the Conciergerie is the Sainte Chapelle, a small gothic church that’s absolutely irresistible due to the world-famous stained glass panels that surround the upper level. We’ll skip the often long lines, but our biggest added value is your guide’s explanations. The spectacular stained glass windows were modeled on religious manuscripts of medieval times, and your guide will help you “read” them!
Then we'll head to the Notre Dame Cathedral, the epitome of the gothic architecture styles that originated here in the Paris region. Your expert guide will accompany you into the church and lead you around the interior, giving you essential context, pointing out some of the largest rose windows in Europe and show you where the relics of Christ’s crown of thorns are kept.
