Paris Napoleon Walking Tour with an Historian Guide
Description
The Louvre, Les Invalides, Place Vendôme, École Militaire, the Legion of Honor have more in common than just being famous Paris monuments; they also have strong ties to Napoleon. You’ll visit all these sites and more as you follow the life and legacy of Napoleon Bonaparte, former Emperor of France. With an expert historian guide, trace Napoleon’s steps through central Paris as you learn about his rise to military success and political fame during the French Revolution and beyond.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Tucked behind elegant arcades, the Palais Royal is a hidden gem pulsing with intrigue and revolution. Once the scandalous playground of Parisian aristocrats, it became a hotbed of revolutionary ideas—where gossip, politics, and passion mingled under the arcades. Today, its serene gardens and chic boutiques conceal a past of duels, decadence, and dissent. A place where Napoleon’s France first learned to whisper about freedom—before shouting it.
Stroll down Rue Saint-Honoré, once the elegant artery of Napoleonic Paris. As boutiques and perfumeries shimmer where generals once strode, imagine the hum of carriages, the scent of power, and the whispers of empire echoing through this storied street.
Hidden along Rue Saint-Honoré, the Église Saint-Roch is a baroque gem steeped in history and intrigue. Beneath its grand façade, echoes of revolution and empire linger—Napoleon once prayed here, and Revolutionaries once shed blood on its steps.
Pause in the elegant Tuileries Gardens, once Napoleon’s royal promenade, where Paris’s grand east–west axis unfolds before you: the Louvre and Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel behind, the Champs-Élysées and Arc de Triomphe ahead. Amid statues, fountains, and history, feel how the emperor’s vision still shapes the city’s heart.
Outside the grand Hôtel de Salm—now the Musée de la Légion d’Honneur—discover how Napoleon turned this aristocratic palace into a temple of glory. Learn how the Emperor created France’s highest order of merit here, rewarding loyalty and valor, and how his vision of honor still echoes through this neoclassical masterpiece.
Set on the Left Bank facing the grandeur of Place de la Concorde, the Palais Bourbon—home to France’s National Assembly—offers sweeping views of the Concorde and the Madeleine Church. Once linked to Napoleon’s power and politics, it’s the perfect vantage point to reflect on his legacy and the imperial ambitions that shaped Paris.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Reviews(9)
An incredible learning experience for all three of us , very knowledgeable.
My family and I had an amazing experience with our guide Anya! Extremely knowledgeable, professional historian and cordial, Anya took us to a great journey in the history of France, Paris and Napoleon's life. Strongly recommend this guided tour. There were so many parts of history to be further discovered that I would gladly repeat the tour when I am back to Paris. Also recommend to combine the tour with a visit to les Invalides with the same guide to see artefacts of Napoleon and France after the Revolution. Thank you, Anya !
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you and your family enjoyed your Paris Napoleon Walking Tour with Anja. She’s truly passionate about bringing Napoleon’s history and the fascinating stories of Paris to life through every step of the walking tour. It’s fantastic that you appreciated the mix of history, architecture, and storytelling that makes this Napoleonic walking experience so special. Visiting Les Invalides afterward to see Napoleon’s tomb and post-Revolution artefacts is indeed the perfect complement to the tour — excellent suggestion! We’ll be sure to share your kind words with Anja. We look forward to welcoming you again for another historical walking tour in Paris and exploring even more of Napoleon’s legacy together. Warm regards, The Touring France Team 🇫🇷
Our tour guide Anja was extremely knowledgeable, told great stories, and made it a tour worth remembering. Thank you Anja!
Dear Douglas, Thank you so much for your wonderful 5-star review! We are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your tour with Anja. She is indeed a fantastic guide, and we are delighted that her knowledge and storytelling made your experience memorable. We'll be sure to pass along your kind words to Anja. Thank you again for choosing our tour and for taking the time to share your positive feedback. Best regards, The TOURING FRANCE Team
Anja was amazing. Her knowledge of Napoleon and French history was incredible. Anja’s expertise really exposed us to several different perspectives of such a dynamic, complex individual. This tour has inspired me to read a Napoleon biography.
Dear Patrick, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We are thrilled to hear that you had such a positive experience with Anja. Her extensive knowledge and passion for French history, especially Napoleon, truly make our tours special. We're delighted that Anja's insights have inspired you to dive deeper into Napoleon's biography. This is exactly the kind of experience we strive to provide for our guests. Thank you again for your kind words. We hope to welcome you on another tour in the future! Best regards, The Touring France Team
Anja was very Informative, professional and personable. We enjoyed her company, learning more about the history of Napoleon and walking the relevant parts of the city. Would recommend for history buffs or anyone wishing to learn more.
Dear Elizabeth, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your tour with Anja. It's great to know that her informative, professional, and personable approach made your experience memorable. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we’re delighted that you found the tour engaging and educational. We strive to provide enriching experiences for all our guests, especially those with a passion for history. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you on another tour in the future. Thank you once again for your kind words! Best regards, The TOURING FRANCE Team
Anja was very informative. She answered all our questions. Will definitely recommend to our friends and family should they visit Paris.
Dear Patricia, Thank you so much for your wonderful 5-star review! We are thrilled to hear that you had an informative and enjoyable experience with Anja as your guide. She takes great pride in sharing her knowledge and passion for Paris with our guests. Your recommendation to friends and family means a lot to us. We look forward to welcoming them and providing an equally memorable tour experience. Warm regards, The Touring France Team
<p>This tour was 'a dream come' true!<br/> The tour on of its own was a very interesting topic, but furthermore our tour guide, Mr. Olivier was the one who made it a dream come true. He was so well informed on all aspects of the tour. Not to mention that he was so patient in answering the hundreds of questions we made of topic. He was kind, generous and explained everything clearly. This tour is a must see in Paris. We are looking forward going to other tours with Mr. Olivier such as Versailles, louvre, among others</p>
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that our Paris Napoleon Walking Tour with a Historian Guide was a dream come true for you. It’s fantastic to know that you enjoyed exploring Napoleon’s legacy in Paris and that Olivier made history come alive with his deep knowledge, kindness, and enthusiasm. Your kind words truly mean a lot to us — our goal is to make every walking tour in Paris an unforgettable journey through time, and it’s great to know we achieved that for you. We’ll be sure to share your compliments with Olivier, who will be delighted! We can’t wait to welcome you again on another historical tour of France, whether it’s discovering the splendor of Versailles, the treasures of the Louvre, or another of our immersive Paris walking tours. Warm regards, The Touring France Team
<p>A wonderful history lesson. Our guide was extremely passionate and knowledgeable. Great introduction to France and Paris.</p>
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled you enjoyed our Paris Napoleon Walking Tour with a Historian Guide. It’s wonderful to hear that your guide’s passion for Napoleon and French history helped bring Paris to life. Our goal is always to make each walking tour a fascinating journey through the footsteps of Napoleon and the landmarks that shaped France. We hope to welcome you back soon for another historical adventure with Touring France! 🇫🇷