Mysteries and Legends of Paris: A Dark History Walking Tour
Dark history and legends of medieval Paris, with esoteric and occult themes, in the historic center—Île de la Cité and the Hôtel de Ville area: Notre-Dame Cathedral, La Conciergerie, Town Hall Square and executions, Tour Saint‑Jacques, plus tales of alchemists, Templars and the Bloody Barber.
Basic Information
Total time
2h
Language
English (check the calendar for availability)
Price
Our “Pay What You Wish” tours don’t have a fixed price — you decide how much the experience was worth. At the end of the tour, please make a fair contribution that reflects your satisfaction and appreciation for your guide’s work. Most guests give between €10 and €50 per person.
Meeting point
In front of the fountain Saint Michel Nearest public transport: Fontaine Saint-Michel metro station; Place Saint-Michel metro station
Additional info
☂︎ This tour is organised by Walkative Paris guides. Look for the guide with the yellow umbrella.
♿️ Tour suitable for people with reduced mobility and strollers
❗Our tours run in all weather conditions. High or low temperatures, rain, or snow are never a reason for us to cancel. We’re always here for you! The only reasons for cancellation are extreme weather conditions (such as heavy storms), a guide’s sudden illness, or if there are fewer than 5 registered participants. In such cases, we will always notify you using the contact information you provided when booking the tour.Booking rules
Booking is obligatory. Our “Pay What You Wish” tours are meant for individual travellers and small groups. Large groups (8 or more people) cannot join these tours, as they significantly affect the experience for others and the guide. For school trips, organised tours, or groups of friends, please book our paid option (18€ per person) or arrange a Private Tour. For more information or to schedule a group visit, please contact us directly.
About the tour
They say that Paris is the city of light. That may be very true today, but the light was introduced to Paris quite late and in order to prevent its rebellious spirit from taking action. Before it all happened, the streets of Paris were shady and certainly not a place you would want to be alone after dark. Until today, in the bright and wide Parisian boulevards lurk old mysteries and dark secrets that are reluctant to come to the surface. Their world, a world of musty streets and crumbling hovels, has disappeared from the face of the earth, but it lives on in stories and tales. And those are the ones we want to evoke during this walk. Ghosts of the past will once again walk with us along the seemingly peaceful streets of the city.
Are you ready to discover the dark, medieval face of Paris? Our walk will have two main themes. We will dive deep into the sphere of esoteric, magic and occult and tell you tales and legends too creepy and bloody to include them on the main free tour. You will learn stories of alchemists, mysterious characters associated with Paris like the man in the iron mask and the Templars, catacombs, the secrets of Notre Dame, murders, tortures, and executions.
Join us and dare to step into the dark side of Paris, allegedly the city of lights.
Highlights
- 1
Notre-Dame Cathedral
Uncover the dark secrets, hidden symbols, and mysterious legends of the famous gothic cathedral.
- 2
The Bloody Barber
Hear the gruesome local legend of a murderous barber on the Île de la Cité.
- 3
Public Executions
Visit the former site of gruesome public executions at the historic Town Hall Square.
- 4
La Conciergerie
A former royal palace and revolutionary prison, the last stop for many before the guillotine.
- 5
Saint-Jacques Tower
A gothic tower linked to the occult and the legendary alchemist Nicolas Flamel.
- 6
Parisian Alchemists
Discover stories of mystics who sought to turn metal into gold in the city's laboratories.
- 7
The Knights Templar
Learn about the powerful military order, their dramatic downfall, and their lingering curses in Paris.
- 8
Place Saint Innocents
Map
In front of the fountain Saint Michel Nearest public transport: Fontaine Saint-Michel metro station; Place Saint-Michel metro station
Our customers said about us
Paris
5.0Anais
Thanks!
We had the most wonderful experience with our guide, Eva, on the Mysteries and Legends of Paris tour. She was so lovely, warm, and incredibly passionate about sharing the city’s stories. Eva explained everything in such an engaging and clear way, and her enthusiasm made the whole walk feel magical. She was also very attentive and helpful, always making sure everyone was comfortable and enjoying themselves. Thanks to her, we discovered fascinating details and hidden legends that we never would have found on our own. Highly recommend this tour, especially with Eva as your guide!
Paris
5.0Ariane
Great Tour - fascinating and fun insights!
Ruben is a great tourguide - very fun and full of knowledge and love of Paris. Big recommendation!!
Paris
5.0Highlight of the trip!
We had the best time with Katy! We have been on many haunted history and ghost tours, and she was definitely the most engaging and entertaining. It was the highlight of our trip to Paris!
Paris
5.0Great tour with Katy
Entertaining and informative tour with Katy - highly recommended!
Paris
5.0Ziva
Very entertaining tour!
Katie spoke about the unspoken history of Paris from grim executions to rats exterminations...That and Katie are what makes this tour so interesting!
Paris
5.0Michelle
Great experience with Katy
My son and I joined this tour with Katy at the beginning of the month. Katy is very knowledgeable and with her upbeat personaility the tour went really quickly and we could have walked with her for another couple of hours.. It was great to learn the history and backstory of places that I rush pass whilst in Paris and just glance at. I highly recommend this tour - you won't be disappointed
Paris
5.0Gianlquca
Ottimo
Ottima esperienza Giuda ottima e simpatica
Paris
5.0Stephen
Great Time, excellent guide
Katie was a great guide and kept us entertained the whole time. Just an FYI, San Michel Fountain is under construction at the moment so it's not actually visible but it was easy to spot our guide. Highly recommend this tour!
Paris
5.0Mette Jesper
Charming mystery tour
Katie was a wonderful and charming tour guide with lots of legends, fun and facts. We’ll be back.
Paris
5.0Justine
Thank you Katie for this tour!
Living in Paris for 2 years now and didn’t know about any of this! This is by far the most interesting tour I’ve done here - and Katie is a great guide :)
