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
„Pay what you wish” tours do not have a fixed price. It is up to you to evaluate your guide’s work and reward it. Some people give 10€, others 50€ depending on their satisfaction and abilities.
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 no matter the weather. High or low temperatures, rain or snow is not a reason for us to cancel our tours. We are always here for you. The only reason for cancellations are extreme weather conditions (like heavy storms…), guide's sudden sickness or no minimum number of people (5) to run the tour, but we will always let you know using the data you provided during registration for the tour.Booking rules
Booking is obligatory. Our pay as you wish tours are designed for individual travellers and small groups. We don’t accept parties of more than 7 people on them. If you travel in a party of 8 or more (school groups, bigger groups of friends etc.), please choose a paid option of 18€ per person or book a Private Tour. For more information on the latter, please contact us.
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
Saint-Jacques Tower
A gothic tower linked to the occult and the legendary alchemist Nicolas Flamel.
- 2
Notre-Dame Cathedral
Uncover the dark secrets, hidden symbols, and mysterious legends of the famous gothic cathedral.
- 3
The Bloody Barber
Hear the gruesome local legend of a murderous barber on the Île de la Cité.
- 4
Public Executions
Visit the former site of gruesome public executions at the historic Town Hall Square.
- 5
La Conciergerie
A former royal palace and revolutionary prison, the last stop for many before the guillotine.
- 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.
8Place Saint Innocents
Map
In front of the fountain Saint Michel Nearest public transport: Fontaine Saint-Michel metro station; Place Saint-Michel metro station
