REVIEW · PARIS
Paris Private Full Day Tour: Montmartre, Sights & Eiffel Tower
Book on Viator →Operated by Local CoolTour · Bookable on Viator
Montmartre then Eiffel Tower, all in one day.
I love how this stays private, so your guide can set a pace that makes sense instead of herding you through crowds. I also like the built-in Paris moments like the Cafe des Deux Moulins break and a proper sit-down meal at Pigalle. One thing to factor in: Eiffel Tower tickets aren’t included, and you go in on your own (the guide doesn’t accompany you inside).
This is a strong choice for first-timers who want to get their bearings fast. You’ll move from hilltop Montmartre scenes to major “postcard Paris” landmarks like Tuileries, Place de la Concorde, and the Belle Époque exhibition buildings.
The tour runs about 7 hours with a mix of walking plus help from included transport like the Montmartre funicular and some taxi rides. If you hate hills or uneven cobblestones, tell your guide early, because Montmartre is still Montmartre.
In This Review
- Key Things That Make This Tour Worth It
- Why This Private Montmartre-to-Eiffel Day Works So Well
- Getting Moving: Funicular and Taxi Support Reduce the Usual Suffering
- Montmartre Hill Stops: Sacré-Cœur Views, a Secret Vineyard, and Painter Square
- Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre (about 20 minutes)
- Vigne du Clos Montmartre (about 10 minutes, free)
- Place du Tertre (about 15 minutes, free)
- Le Mur des Je t’aime (about 10 minutes, free)
- Place des Abbesses (about 10 minutes, free)
- Cafe Break at Cafe des Deux Moulins and a Montmartre Cemetery Stop
- Cafe des Deux Moulins (about 30 minutes, included)
- Montmartre Cemetery (about 15 minutes, included)
- A Belle Époque Cabaret Moment and Then Pigalle’s Food Break
- The cabaret surprise stop
- Bouillon Pigalle (about 1 hour, included)
- Central Paris Classics: Place Vendôme, Tuileries, and Place de la Concorde
- Place Vendôme (about 10 minutes, free)
- Jardin des Tuileries (about 10 minutes, free)
- Place de la Concorde (about 10 minutes, free)
- Belle Époque Buildings, a Beaux-Arts Bridge Crossing, and the Eiffel Tower Finale
- Grand Palais and Petit Palais (Belle Époque, exterior focus)
- Cross the Seine on a Beaux-Arts style bridge
- Views of a royal residence complex for retired soldiers
- Eiffel Tower visit (about 15 minutes, tickets not included)
- Price and Value: What $215.66 Per Person Buys You
- Who Should Book This Tour (and Who Should Think Twice)
- Should You Book This Montmartre and Eiffel Tower Private Tour?
- FAQ
- What is included in the private tour price?
- Are Eiffel Tower tickets included, and do we enter with the guide?
- Is lunch included?
- Does the tour include the Montmartre funicular?
- How long is the tour, and where does it start and end?
- Is this a private tour or will I join other people?
- What is the cancellation policy?
Key Things That Make This Tour Worth It

- A true private guide means you can ask questions and adjust to your walking speed without joining a big group rhythm.
- Montmartre to Eiffel Tower in one sweep is ideal when you only have one day and want both the charm and the skyline.
- Funicular tickets are included, which helps a lot when you’re trying to see Sacré-Cœur without burning your legs early.
- Stops feel varied on purpose: sacred views, secret wine, artists, romantic wall, a famous café, cemetery, and then central Paris icons.
- You get pause time, with coffee at a classic Montmartre café and an included lunch option (full option only).
- Eiffel Tower entry is DIY, so plan ahead for your ticket and elevator time to avoid stress at the end.
Why This Private Montmartre-to-Eiffel Day Works So Well

Paris has a lot of “either/or” choices. Either you do Montmartre slowly, or you sprint through the center to reach the Eiffel Tower. This tour stitches the two together into a single plan that still feels coherent.
You start on the Montmartre hill with Sacré-Cœur and the nearby neighborhood details that usually get skipped on quick group tours. Then you pivot toward the grand civic and exhibition sights most people only see from the outside. The arc is smart: hilltop first (when you’re freshest), then central Paris landmarks, and finally the Eiffel Tower to close the day with a payoff view.
I also like the way the schedule is built around “small, meaningful stops.” Places like Le Mur des Je t’aime and the Abesses metro entrance are short. But they give you a sense of Paris texture, not just monuments.
You can also read our reviews of more private tours in Paris
Getting Moving: Funicular and Taxi Support Reduce the Usual Suffering

Montmartre can be the toughest part of any day in Paris, mainly because of the grade and the cobblestones. This tour helps with that in two ways that matter in real life.
First, funicular to Montmartre tickets are included. That’s a big deal because it saves energy for the views and the walking you still need. Second, taxi rides are included, and you’ll notice the route is designed to keep the day from turning into a nonstop hike.
When guides are good, they also manage transitions smoothly, including how you regroup and where you pause so you’re not constantly stopping and restarting. If you get a guide like Sammy or Pablo (names that show up repeatedly), you’re likely to get a day that feels organized but not robotic.
Montmartre Hill Stops: Sacré-Cœur Views, a Secret Vineyard, and Painter Square

This is the heart of the tour, and it’s where Montmartre stops being a name and becomes a place.
Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre (about 20 minutes)
You’ll go to Basilique du Sacré-Cœur on the hilltop. It’s one of Paris’s most important sacred sites, and the views are the real reason you’re here. Plan for the fact that this area can be crowded, especially at peak hours, so your guide’s timing and routing matter.
Ticket note: the admission ticket is not included, so you’ll want to understand your options for entry and timing ahead of time.
Vigne du Clos Montmartre (about 10 minutes, free)
Then you get a quieter contrast: Vigne du Clos Montmartre, a small vineyard tucked into the neighborhood. It’s short, but it’s the kind of detail that makes Montmartre feel layered instead of just scenic.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Paris
Place du Tertre (about 15 minutes, free)
Next is Place du Tertre, the painters’ square. You’re not just looking at the square; you’re watching the painters work. That’s a better experience than snapping a photo and moving on, because you get a living, slow moment inside a touristy area.
Le Mur des Je t’aime (about 10 minutes, free)
Le Mur des Je t’aime is quick but memorable. It’s the kind of stop that doesn’t require a deep guidebook story to land emotionally. It’s just… very Paris, and very direct.
Place des Abbesses (about 10 minutes, free)
Finally in this cluster you reach Place des Abbesses and the metro station entrance designed by Hector Guimard. The Guimard architecture is modernist and distinctive, and seeing it in context (right there in the neighborhood) is much more satisfying than seeing it in a photo.
Practical drawback to consider: this segment includes walking on and around hill streets. Even with the funicular and taxi help, you’re still doing some uphill time. If you need a slower pace, tell your guide early and they can adjust.
Cafe Break at Cafe des Deux Moulins and a Montmartre Cemetery Stop

After the classic Montmartre hits, the tour slows down in two ways that feel genuinely useful.
Cafe des Deux Moulins (about 30 minutes, included)
This is the famous stop for coffee or tea at Cafe des Deux Moulins. If you’ve seen the movie Amélie, you’ll recognize the vibe fast. Even if you haven’t, it’s still a classic Paris café moment: sit, watch people, and take a breath before you keep walking.
This stop is included only with the full option, so if you’re comparing versions, check what your package includes before you count on it.
Montmartre Cemetery (about 15 minutes, included)
Next is Montmartre Cemetery, with historical monuments among the tombs. It’s a short visit, but it adds a different side of Montmartre: reflection, not just scenery.
Why it works: Montmartre often gets reduced to views and entertainment. This cemetery stop reminds you that the neighborhood has long been part of the city’s deeper story.
A Belle Époque Cabaret Moment and Then Pigalle’s Food Break

This part of the day balances “Paris theater energy” with an actual meal.
The cabaret surprise stop
You’ll have a surprise cabaret stop, described as an icon of the French Belle Époque. The itinerary doesn’t specify the exact name in the details you have, but the intent is clear: you get a peek at that classic Paris performance legacy.
If you care about the specific cabaret brand, ask your operator which venue is scheduled on your date.
Bouillon Pigalle (about 1 hour, included)
Then you get an included break at Bouillon Pigalle, framed as a traditional spot for French gastronomy. It’s set up as real downtime: you sit, eat, and let the day reset.
This is also the kind of stop that makes the day feel “complete.” A tour packed with only viewpoints can feel like you’re rushing from one snapshot to another. This meal break helps you actually enjoy Paris at street level.
Central Paris Classics: Place Vendôme, Tuileries, and Place de la Concorde

Once you leave Montmartre behind, the tour shifts into major landmark mode. This is where the day turns from charming to iconic.
Place Vendôme (about 10 minutes, free)
At Place Vendôme, you’ll focus on the square and its imposing central column. It’s compact, but it’s a great “think visually” stop because you can instantly see why the architecture matters.
Jardin des Tuileries (about 10 minutes, free)
Then you take a walk in the Tuileries Garden, the green link between Place de la Concorde and the Louvre area. Ten minutes sounds short, but even a short stroll gives you a break from street noise, plus better flow for the rest of the afternoon.
Place de la Concorde (about 10 minutes, free)
Next is Place de la Concorde, the city’s history magnet. You’ll learn about how it ties to the French Revolution, including the execution of Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette.
Balanced note: this kind of historical stop can go two ways on tours—either it’s just facts, or it becomes dull. The value here is that you get context while you’re standing in the real place where the story unfolded.
Belle Époque Buildings, a Beaux-Arts Bridge Crossing, and the Eiffel Tower Finale

This is the final leg, and it’s designed like a slow build toward your last big moment.
Grand Palais and Petit Palais (Belle Époque, exterior focus)
You’ll see the Grand Palais and Petit Palais, tied to the Universal Exhibition of 1900. Even without a ticket, seeing them as part of a route helps you understand why they’re treated like symbols rather than just buildings.
Cross the Seine on a Beaux-Arts style bridge
You’ll cross the Seine River on a Beaux-Arts style bridge described as an architectural and engineering marvel. It’s one of those segments where the walk itself is the attraction, because it gives you changing angles and scale.
Views of a royal residence complex for retired soldiers
After the crossing, you’ll get views of an architectural complex created as a royal residence for retired French soldiers and military. Seeing what you’re looking at from the street gives this stop meaning beyond a quick photograph.
Eiffel Tower visit (about 15 minutes, tickets not included)
Finally: the Eiffel Tower. The time at the tower is listed at about 15 minutes, and you’ll go up using the elevator with your own tickets. The tour details also specify that Eiffel Tower tickets are not included, and the guide is not included inside the tower.
How to handle this practically: since your time up top depends on lines and your ticket timing, go in with a plan. If you book tickets for an earlier slot, you protect your schedule. If you arrive later and the queue is long, your 15 minutes can shrink fast.
That’s the tradeoff: the tour packs in a lot, so the Eiffel moment is a focused visit rather than a slow, long linger.
Price and Value: What $215.66 Per Person Buys You

At $215.66 per person, this isn’t a cheap “grab a map and wander” day. But it’s also not priced like a luxury multi-day expedition. Your value comes from what’s bundled:
- A private 7-hour guide in English
- Funicular to Montmartre tickets
- Taxi rides
- Coffee and/or tea at Cafe des Deux Moulins in the full option
- Lunch in a typical French restaurant in the full option
- Mobile ticket access (not just “go figure your own stuff”)
The biggest value for many people is the private time. You’re not waiting for slow group members, and you’re not stuck in a single file line. A good guide can also steer you away from the worst crowd pressure and keep you mindful in dense areas, especially around popular stops.
One more thing: there are two versions mentioned—standard and full option. The full option is the one that includes lunch and the Montmartre café coffee/tea. If you’re already planning to spend money on those anyway, the full option can feel like a better deal. If you prefer to eat your own way, standard may make more sense.
Who Should Book This Tour (and Who Should Think Twice)
This tour fits best if you want:
- A first visit to Paris and limited time
- A day that covers Montmartre plus major central icons
- A guide who can keep things organized while still giving you local texture
- Built-in breaks like coffee and (with full option) lunch
I’d think twice if:
- You want a long, unhurried Eiffel Tower experience with lots of time for photos
- You’re very sensitive to hills and cobblestones (the funicular and taxis help, but Montmartre still involves uneven walking)
- You prefer self-guided wandering with zero scheduled stops
If you’re booking with a family or mixed walking ability, this kind of private format is often a smart call. One reason shows up in guide experiences: some guides adjust pace and routes when people need it.
Should You Book This Montmartre and Eiffel Tower Private Tour?
If you’re trying to do the “classic Paris” essentials while still getting authentic neighborhood moments, I think this is a strong yes. The route makes sense, the pacing includes real breaks, and the Montmartre focus gives you more than a quick look.
Just go in with two practical expectations: you’ll do some uphill walking, and the Eiffel Tower part is on your ticket schedule since tickets and guide entry inside are not included.
If those two points work for you, this is the kind of day that helps Paris click into place fast.
FAQ
What is included in the private tour price?
The tour includes a 7-hour private tour with a local guide in your language plus Eiffel Tower (full option), funicular to Montmartre tickets, taxi rides, and coffee and/or tea in a classical Parisian café in Montmartre (full option only).
Are Eiffel Tower tickets included, and do we enter with the guide?
No. Eiffel Tower tickets are not included, and you will enter on your own (the tour guide is not included for the Eiffel Tower entry).
Is lunch included?
Lunch is included only with the full option. The standard option does not include lunch and coffee.
Does the tour include the Montmartre funicular?
Yes. Funicular to Montmartre tickets are included.
How long is the tour, and where does it start and end?
The duration is approximately 7 hours. It starts at 70 Blvd Marguerite de Rochechouart, 75018 Paris, France, and ends at the Eiffel Tower, Av. Gustave Eiffel, 75007 Paris, France.
Is this a private tour or will I join other people?
It’s a private tour/activity, so only your group participates.
What is the cancellation policy?
Free cancellation is available. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience starts, the amount paid is not refunded.







































