7 Private History Tours in France to Book First

1.Private D-Day Experience from Bayeux

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 573 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $415Our pick

Travel by air-conditioned minivan from Bayeux with a private English-speaking guide such as Pierre-Alexandre, Charles, Marine, or Roma. Visit Omaha and Utah beaches, Pointe du Hoc, the American Cemetery, Sainte-Mère-Église, and Angoville-au-Plain, with time for lunch and independent exploring.

“It was exactly what we wanted. Very moved by the day. We got to see all of the main DDay sights and the guide Noemie was fantastic.”

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2.Private guided American D-Day Tour from Bayeux

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 255 reviews · 8 to 9 hours (approx.)

Spend 8 to 9 hours with Mike of Allied Victory Tours visiting key American D-Day sites from Bayeux. This private tour covers Sainte-Mère-Église, Utah Beach, Pointe du Hoc, Omaha Beach, and the American Cemetery, with flexible storytelling shaped around your group.

“Mike is amazing. He is a great mix of knowledge, passion and humor. We got to learn of his lifelong interests in this history and he personalized our experience and didn't just give us a canned tour. I have some mobility limitations and Mike accommodated me, and made adjustments in our day. His timing at the end of the day to put us at the American Cemetery just in time for Retreat was the capstone on an already perfect experience. His passion and professionalism was everything we were looking for. We had an absolute blast! I learned so much! Do yourself a favor and book your tour with him.”

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3.Paris City of Fashion History Private Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 221 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $107

Join Ivo, a fashion professional with advanced training in fashion design, for a private two-hour walk through Paris’s couture quarter. Visit Palais-Royal, Rue Saint-Honoré, Place Vendôme, Chanel’s Rue Cambon address, and Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré while discussing designers, style, history, and shopping.

“This is a fantastic tour in the heart of Paris’ fashion district. We learned so much from Ivo who made it a great day.”

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4.History of Paris City Center w/ Notre Dame Semi-Private 12ppl Max

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 194 reviews · 2 hours 40 minutes (approx.) · from $59Best value

Walk from Cité Metro through Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle, the Conciergerie, Pont Neuf, the Louvre, and Tuileries Gardens. A guide such as Hugo, François, or Tamari explains Parisian history for up to 12 people. Notre-Dame entry is included but unguided, and the tour ends at Place de la Concorde.

“We were lucky to have Alex as our guide for the second time during this trip. He tailored our tour according to our interests and questions. Accommodating, enlightening and fun.”

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5.Paris WW2 The German Occupation Small group or Private tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 128 reviews · 3 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $108

Join Chris Pollard for a three to three-and-a-half-hour walking tour of occupied Paris. In a group of up to 10, you’ll connect the Louvre, Ritz, Jeu de Paume, resistance sites, German headquarters, and Liberation scars while discussing collaboration, resistance, and the persecution of Jewish people.

“This was an intensive 4 hour education on the Nazis’ strategy for occupation of France, both the free and occupied zones. If you’re looking for a general overview this may not be the tour for you as it gets very in depth. Chris was passionate about this subject and very courteous allowing for time to sit if needed while learning. We are history buffs so came away with a greater understanding of France’s situation in WWII, including major players on the sides of both the Nazis and French resistance.”

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6.Strasbourg: Private Walking Tour of the Historical Center

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 107 reviews · 2 hours · from $235

Start at Place du Quartier Blanc for a private, two-hour walk through Strasbourg’s Grand Island. Your guide leads you to Notre-Dame Cathedral, the 13th-century covered bridges, Place Broglie, and medieval churches. Tours are available in eight languages, with no cathedral entry included.

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7.Normandy D-Day Private Tour with Omaha Beach from Paris

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 87 reviews · 13 hours (approx.)

Leave Paris at 6:30 a.m. with a private driver-guide such as Jozef or Emilie for Omaha Beach, Pointe du Hoc, the American Cemetery, Longues-sur-Mer, and Pegasus Bridge. The day is long, moving, and flexible, with time to personalize the tour around a family member or military unit.

“Jozef can tell you anything you would want to know about battles on the Normandy beaches in both WWI and WW2. He respected our time and what we were interested in. Jozef presented his responses to our questions with emotion and inflections, to make you feel as though we were hearing it for the first time.”

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