Musée du Louvre © Michael Fousert

Cultural tours in Paris

Paris rewards those who look twice. Behind the familiar skyline lie layers of ambition – fortresses reborn as palaces, then museums; Impressionists who taught the eye to see light instead of line; an operatic tradition still playing to full houses two centuries on. Our tours are designed to get beneath the surface.

Every itinerary is expert-led, taking in landmarks like the Louvre, the Musée d'Orsay and the newly restored Notre-Dame – and unlocking both the history and the access most visitors never think to seek out.

Browse Paris tours by theme

Spotlight on Paris

Basilique Cathédrale Saint-Denis

The Benedictine abbey church (now Cathedral) of Saint-Denis, is regarded as one of the first truly Gothic buildings in Europe, influential on Chartres and Nôtre-Dame in Paris.

Visited on: 'Renaissance Paris'

Musée de l’Orangerie

The Musée de l’Orangerie holds an excellent collection of Impressionists, including Monet’s famous circular paintings of water-lilies as well as the magnificent Walter Guillaume collection.

Visited on: 'Monet & Impressionism'

Louvre

Sitting on the right bank of the Seine in the heart of the French capital, the Louvre remains, for the range and quality of its collections, the greatest art museum in the world.

Visited on: 'Paris at New Year'

Musée d’Orsay

The Musée d'Orsay houses not only the world's finest collection of Impressionist paintings, but also masterpieces by key precursors such as Courbet and Millet.

Visited on: 'Opera in Paris'

Opéra Bastille

Opéra Bastille, opened in 1989 to mark the French Revolution's bicentenary, is one of the world's great opera houses, attracting world-renowned directors and designers.

Visited on: 'The Ring in Paris'

Notre Dame

Visit the magnificently restored cathedral of Notre-Dame, one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture, devastated by fire in 2019 and reopened in 2024 following extensive restoration work.

Visited on 'Paris at New Year'

Expert speakers

Why travel with us?

Leading expertise

Since 1988 we have been the most influential organisation in the field of cultural travel. Our expert speakers are a key ingredient in our tours. Academics, curators and researchers, they are selected not only for their knowledge but also for their ability to communicate clearly and engagingly to a lay audience.

Privileged access

Special arrangements are a feature of our tours – for admission to places not generally open to travellers, for access outside public hours, for private concerts and extraordinary events. In innumerable ways, we lift our clients’ experience far above standards which are regarded as normal for tourists.

Small groups

Most of our tours run with between 10 and 24 participants. Our travellers are self-selected by common interests and an endorsement of our ethos, and you are highly likely to find yourself among link-minded companions.

Value for money

The price includes nearly everything, not only the major ingredients such as hotel, the costs of the lecturer and manager but also tips and drinks with meals. You can secure your booking today with a 15% deposit. We provide full financial protection for our package holidays.

Reviews

Great content, care and value

Always quality accommodation, care and content. The speakers are great and the staff attentive and competent. The most recent trip, "Art and History on the Danube", was an excellent example. Not cheap but great value for money.

Geoffrey

20/07/2026

A first class experience!

I have been on 3 MRT tours in the last year (Venice, Florence and French gothic cathedrals). Each was meticulously planned: perfect locations, great h...

Bill P

14/07/2026

Very high quality itinerary, leadership and planning

The tour (Medieval Anjou and Poitou) was meticulously planned and well paced. The lecturer was entirely on top of his subject and his knowledge and en...

RJB Stockport

11/07/2026

Wonderful art tours

I have been on six Martin Randall tours that focused on art. Every one of them met my very high expectations. Thoughtful itineraries, comfortable hote...

Chris

06/07/2026

Wonderful

A wonderful trip with a fabulous lecturer, John Burt, and a kind, attentive tour manager, Marion. The music was divine, and the other guests made for truly delightful company.

Mrs Phipps

15/06/2026

Tuscany and Umbria

The week long walking tour to Tuscany and Umbria was excellent with the perfect balance between up to five mile walks, Italian scenery, culture, food and wine.

NGH

04/06/2026

I have enjoyed 7 tours with MRT

I have enjoyed seven tours with Martin Randall Travel. They have all been excellent, meticulously planned and organised to the last detail, and enable...

Mary

29/05/2026

The gold standard for cultural tours

MRT is the gold standard for cultural tours. The inclusion of an expert lecturer automatically filters a group of like-minded albeit eclectic folk; it...

Emma

19/05/2026

The expert lecturer adds huge value

This was my fifth Martin Randall Travel trip. They have all been good. The key difference with these tours is the fact that there is an expert lecture...

Janet

USA

18/04/26

You really get looked after

You really get looked after on a MRT tour. Everything is arranged to make the holiday so enjoyable: transport, entry to museums all sorted without fus...

Diana

27/04/2026

One of the very best for cultural and history tours

One of the very best for cultural and history tours. I have traveled multiple times with Martin Randall and am consistently extremely impressed by the...

Eileen

USA

10/02/2026

Egypt for those wanting to know more

I recently was one of 22 people joining Martin Randall for its inaugural trip to Egypt. The lecturer, a UK-based educator and specialist in Near Easte...

TravelerNOW

USA

16/01/2026

Uniformly excellent tours and adventures

Martin Randall is a top level, and top quality operator. They do what they promise, and usually much more. I travel alone, and I note how open, well b...

Nostromo

13/11/25

Holidays - always with that special something

Martin Randall Travel (MRT) are the best because they provide their customers with carefully designed and tested itineraries. These often feature spec...

Roger

13/11/2025

A cruise down the Rhine with classical music concerts every night

Martin Randall leaves nothing to chance - everything is planned and of the highest quality, but there is always room for a little individuality as well.

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13/11/2025

Everything we expected and more

The annual calendar of tours offers a huge range. In any year it is difficult to decide where - there is so much on offer. We wish we had more ti me t...

Peter

13/11/25

Entertaining and Educational

All the staff from Martin Randall are knowledgeable, friendly and efficient. There are few problems but, should they occur, they handle them well. I feel they offer good value for money.

17/11/25

An Italian art lover's dream

Martin Randall Travel is a thoroughly professional cultural tour operator: all arrangements are impeccably organised, tours are well researched, lectu...

16/11/25

Cotswold Choral Festival

As always, Martin Randall had created a perfectly designed itinerary and executed it in an extremely well organised manner, despite it being a very complex event.

Rosalind

14/11/25

Read all reviews

Joining a Martin Randall Cultural Tour

Frequently asked questions

Between 10–24 participants can usually join our small group tours, though the upper limit can be lower dependent on the tour.