TOURS
Paris is a stunningly beautiful city, with hundreds of alleyways, back streets, and most importantly, stories for you to discover. Laura Moore is a professional storyteller who loves history and the stories that make Paris one of the most fascinating cities in the world. She’s roamed every inch of this city to find the stories that are worth telling, and now she’s ready to share them with you.
Stories of the City
The Stories of the City tour takes a different approach to your usual walking tour. Instead of a quick summary of the city’s history, this tour will delve deep into the stories that make Paris one of the most historically fascinating cities in the world. At each location, a story from various points in the city’s history will be presented in great detail. From scheming con artists and eccentric booksellers, to forbidden love affairs and political assassinations, these stories and their eclectic cast of characters will be brought to life in vivid detail. After all, Paris is a city where the truth is often stranger than fiction.
The Secrets of the Latin Quarter
The Latin Quarter is one of Paris’ most well known and beloved neighbourhoods, where every building, road, and alleyway has a story to tell. Come explore one of the oldest parts of the city, and discover ancient Roman ruins, the story behind the creation of the guillotine, the former homes of revolutionaries and literary giants, and the Italian palace in the heart of Paris.
The Secrets of the Marais
A neighbourhood of changing identities, the Marais has seen its fortunes rise and fall over the centuries. On this tour we chart the history of this area, from its roots as a home base for the famed Knights Templar, to its current designation as one of the trendiest parts of Paris. This tour will explore all of these identities and more, and will include visits to one of the oldest walls in Paris, private medieval mansions, and a hidden garden right in the heart of the Jewish pletzl.
The Secrets of the Palais Royal
The Palais Royale has seen its fortunes rise and fall with the fortunes of the monarchy and the city of Paris itself. Once a home of Kings and Queens, the Palais Royale later became known as the seedy underbelly of Paris in the 19th century, before reversing its fortunes once again to become the playground of glamorous celebrities during the 1920s. This tour will take you through the history of the Palais Royale and its famous inhabitants, as well as the surrounding neighbourhood.
The Secrets of Montmartre
The community of Montmartre has been an artist’s haven for centuries. Hidden amongst the narrow, cobblestone streets are the sights and sounds that inspired artists like Renoir, Degas, Dalida, Picasso, Valadon, Matisse, and van Gogh. Come step back in time as we retrace their steps, and discover the stories and muses behind their most famous works. But Montmartre is not just known for its place in art history. Wars have been waged on the slopes of this hill, and revolutions have been born and died in the shadow of Paris’ highest peak. Today, the mighty Sacre Coeur Basilica stands watch over it all. Come discover these stories and so much more as you learn the secrets of the Mountain of Martyrs.
In the Footsteps of the French Revolution
The French Revolution is considered to be one of the most important events in the history of western civilization, and it all started in the city of Paris on July 14th, 1789. Come walk in the footsteps of the revolutionaries as we trace the history of this momentous event throughout the decades, the twists and turns that France took on its journey from a monarchy to a republic, and learn about the many fascinating characters who shaped the revolution and brought down the Ancien Régime.
Tales of Murder, Mayhem, and Madness
Everyone knows Paris as the city of light and love, but on this tour you will learn about absolutely none of that. This is the story of the darker side of Paris. One where massacres and executions are frightfully common, where death and plagues run rampant, and where curses were said to have taken down Kings and Popes alike. This is the side of Paris that is rarely talked about, but fascinating for those who dare to enter.
Customized Tours
Prior to your arrival in Paris, Laura will work with you to discover your interests and put together a private tour that caters to your needs and priorities. Whether you want to see the city’s major highlights or the little known details, Laura will create the tour that is right for you.
For all tours, contact Story of a City today for rates and availabilities.
Testimonials
Laura told us her goal for the tour was for us to find out something about Paris that we had never heard before…and boy did she do that and more! I’ve lived in Paris for 7 years and taken countless walking tours. Laura’s tour was by far the best of them all – no exaggeration. Laura is warm, personable, funny, knowledgeable and has an incredible talent for story-telling. She is passionate about Paris and it shows! Highly, highly recommend Laura.
-Rishma