Discover our hand-picked lineup of original activities, strolls and guided tours to enjoy in May: neighborhood tours, explorations of craftsmanship, nature walks, canal and river cruises, street art, creative and artistic workshops... there’s something for everyone in Paris and Greater Paris.
You can also sign up for the brand-new "Bridge Walks", guided walking or cycling tours that traverse several areas of Greater Paris. In particular, try the route between Noisy-le-Sec and Nogent-sur-Marne to discover green spaces in the urban landscape, or the one between Aubervilliers and Gennevilliers.
Embark on a river cruise: Set course for the Marne
Just a stone’s throw from Paris, Cap sur la Marne invites you aboard affordable, guided cruises to discover the Marne’s landscapes, heritage, and islands, led by expert guide-lecturers.
Starting from the Nogent port, this Saturday, April 26, enjoy the thematic cruises “ Guinguettes en chansons ”, “ à la découverte des paysages de la Marne ” and “ au fil de la Marne et de son patrimoine ”. From the Neuilly-Plaisance start, embark on a croisière fado or take part in une croisière dégustation exploring the history of wine in the Île-de-France region.
Water shuttle services also let you set off for a water-based getaway on the outbound leg, and stroll or cycle along the riverbanks on the return trip (you can bring your bike aboard).
Information and reservations on capsurlamarne.fr
Enjoy a stroll right in the heart of nature
Vincennes Wood welcomes you this April. Explore it in an original way with a themed guided walk to observe the wood’s birds or wildlife at dusk, discover the trees at the arboretum, or delve into the history of the tropical agriculture garden. Another option: take a moment to breathe with a walk and meditation!
Also learn how to fill your baskets with delicious edible plants during a botanical stroll in the Bois de Vincennes, or join a wild-plant foraging excursion in the same woods or at the Domaine de Saint-Cloud.
Original! Join a nourishing workshop at the Malakoff Contemporary Art Center to cook a sweet mushroom recipe!
The banks of the Marne are only a few RER stops from central Paris. Come stroll along the water’s edge on foot or by bike from the Joinville Bridge to the Bry Bridge. It’s also an opportunity to trace the footsteps of the vanished guinguettes and the vacation villas.
Nature hides in the city too, in Paris! Climb to the roof of the Bastille Opera to visit the urban farm, watch the birds at Parc Montsouris, stroll along the Coulée Verte, or embark on a nature trail along the banks of the Seine toward the 15th arrondissement.
You can also join a number of guided tours focused on the theme of urban agriculture:
Meet the artisans and their know-how
Discover the secrets of the world of tapestry by visiting Séverine's workshop, where she will share sa passion pour son métier de tapissier as well as the atelier Bobin Tradition, specialists in restoring tapestries and delicate textiles.
Finally, step through the doors of the Institut le Val Mandé, where artisans keep traditional crafts alive: chair caning, cane weaving, upholstery, as well as the making of kokedama and terrariums.
The full schedule for Journées des Métiers d’Art on Explore Paris
Other visits centered on crafts trades are offered year-round, such as les ateliers Association François à Pantin autour des métiers de la couture et de la mode.
Heritage tours near me
With a guide in tow, you can explore l'Institut National Patrimoine, housed in the Aubervilliers match factory, or opt for a guided tour of the archives diplomatiques à La Courneuve. A visite guidée de l'Orfèvrerie, the former Christofle factory in Saint-Denis, is also on offer.
You can also choose to take part in several guided tours that explore the Paris 2024 Olympic heritage.
Explore the great monuments in a different way
Discover—or re-discover—the Château de Vincennes with its keep and its Sainte-Chapelle, or the Domaine de Grosbois with its château and its trotting-horse training centre.
Don’t miss touring the homes of famous figures, including the Jardies House in Sèvres. You should also explore the National Domain of Saint-Cloud on a historical visit.
Revisit your classics in a fresh, original way with the behind-the-scenes tours of UNESCO, the Palace of Justice, the Grande Mosquée of Paris, the July Column at the Bastille, the Roland Garros Stadium... Step into a one-of-a-kind site: the Cité internationale universitaire de Paris.
Push open the doors of the Museum of Jewish Art and History to join a wide range of guided tours, including those centered on the Dreyfus Affair.
On the contemporary art scene, step inside the MAC VAL, which this year marks its 20th anniversary, or come to admire Jean Dubuffet's Tower of Figures.
New: Walk in the footsteps of Emily in Paris, the iconic French‑style and glamour series, on a guided stroll. You can discover Paris Queer by joining tours offered by Paris Gay Village, with Clément Degout in Pigalle, or with Anouk Colombani around the pre‑war lesbian cabarets.
Looking for a gift idea?
For a celebration, a birthday, or any other occasion, give the gift of unusual tours with our Explore Paris gift vouchers, sure to delight every curious mind.
Hot tip: don't forget that there are plenty of free tours on Explore Paris!
In english, please!
Explore Paris also offers an English-language experience. We provide English-language tours of the Saint-Denis Basilica, UNESCO headquarters, the Roland-Garros stadium backstage tour, and Montmartre in song. We also offer a wide catalog of private tours. Enjoy!
