Paris TV Show Tour in a Open Top Vintage French Car Citroen DS

Paris looks better from a classic French car. This private tour combines filming spots from Emily in Paris with major sights, quiet squares, and local stories, all from the open top of a Citroën DS. I like the small private group and the chance to cover much of Paris without spending half the day walking between districts. I also like that Benjamin, the guide, can adjust the route and stop for photographs.

The main drawback is the price: $540.95 per group of up to four, before any discount or promotion. It offers good value for four people, but it feels expensive for one or two. Weather matters, too. The car is covered if rain arrives, but this is best enjoyed on a dry day.

Key things to know before booking

• You ride in a 1960s Citroën DS: The unusual French car is part of the entertainment. It attracts attention as you pass through Paris.
• Benjamin is your driver and guide: He combines city history with filming locations and can tailor the experience to your interests.
• The route covers a huge slice of Paris: Expect Latin Quarter streets, Saint-Germain, Montmartre, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and the Champs-Élysées.
• You get a private tour for up to four people: There is no larger group to slow things down or compete for the best view.
• Central pickup and drop-off are available: Several arrondissements and neighborhoods are excluded, so check your address before booking.
• The best time is between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.: These hours are suggested to reduce traffic jams.

Why the Citroën DS changes the whole outing

The car is not simply transportation from one sight to another. It is the tour’s main character. The vintage Citroën DS has comfortable seats, heating, plenty of legroom, and an open top that gives you a better view of Parisian streets. It also draws plenty of attention.

Several descriptions of the experience emphasize the same pleasant surprise: people stop to photograph the car, and passengers can feel a little like film stars. That may sound silly, but it adds fun to a route that includes many familiar monuments. You are not just looking at Paris. You are being looked at by Paris.

The car is especially useful for a first day in the city. In three to four hours, you can see where the Latin Quarter ends, how Saint-Germain connects to the Seine, how Montmartre rises above the city, and where the grand avenues gather around the Arc de Triomphe. You will not explore every place in detail, but you will get a strong sense of the city’s shape.

The open-top design has one clear limitation: weather. The tour requires good weather, and a rainy day can change the mood. Heating helps in cooler conditions, but bring a layer. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

From Place de l’Estrapade to Saint-Germain

The tour begins with some of Paris’s most appealing central neighborhoods. The Latin Quarter has a youthful feel, cafés, old academic buildings, and streets that reward simply looking out of the window. The Panthéon is nearby, with its grand neoclassical exterior and French figures honored inside.

At Place de l’Estrapade, you get a quieter piece of the 5th arrondissement. The square is a pleasant contrast to the grand monuments, with traditional architecture and a more residential feel. You have about 15 minutes here, enough for photos and a short look around rather than a museum visit.

This is also one of the tour’s main Emily in Paris connections. The square appears in the show, so fans can connect the real setting with scenes they know. Even if you have never watched the series, the stop works as a small Parisian square away from the biggest crowds.

The route then moves toward Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the famous Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots. These cafés are linked with writers, artists, and intellectual life. You may appreciate the atmosphere, but do not expect the tour to include a long coffee break or an indoor visit. The value here is seeing how these places fit into the neighborhood, not checking off a formal attraction.

Jardin du Luxembourg offers a calmer pause. Its clipped gardens, fountains, paths, and chairs give you a glimpse of Parisian leisure. Nearby Le Champo cinema is an institution for film lovers, adding another small connection between Paris, movies, and the television theme of the tour.

Palais Royal, Notre-Dame, and the Seine

The route continues through the Palais Royal area, where elegant arcades frame the gardens and the black-and-white Colonnes de Buren create one of central Paris’s most recognizable modern contrasts. You have about 15 minutes at Jardin du Palais Royal. It is a good place for photographs and a short walk.

Place de Valois offers another quieter square near the Palais Royal and the Comédie-Française. These stops are useful because they show the city between the headline sights. Paris is not only the Louvre, Notre-Dame, and the Eiffel Tower. Much of its charm comes from small spaces where grand architecture meets ordinary city life.

At Île de la Cité, the tour reaches the medieval heart of Paris. Notre-Dame is the main visual anchor, and you have about 15 minutes for a look at the cathedral from outside. The tour does not include an interior admission ticket, so this is a viewing stop rather than a full cathedral visit.

Pont Neuf is another short stop. Despite its name, it is Paris’s oldest surviving bridge, and it offers a good view toward the Seine and the island. The route may also pass Île Saint-Louis, where Berthillon ice cream is a famous local treat. The supplied details identify a traditional restaurant there, but food and ice cream are not included in the tour price.

These central stops are compact and efficient. The tradeoff is that you see many places from the outside. If you want museum interiors, long café visits, or time inside Sainte-Chapelle, you will need separate plans.

Montmartre, from Sacré-Cœur to the Moulin Rouge

Montmartre gives the tour its most playful stretch. The car works well here because the neighborhood is built on a hill, and the route lets you reach several well-known corners without making a full uphill walk.

You get about 15 minutes at Sacré-Cœur Basilica. Its white domes crown the hill, and the view over Paris is one of the city’s classic sights. The stop is free, but you should expect stairs and pedestrian areas around Montmartre. The car cannot turn every narrow lane into a private viewing platform, so some short walking is part of the experience.

Place du Tertre is the old artists’ square, filled with painters, cafés, and the energy that makes Montmartre feel different from the grand boulevards below. Rue de l’Abreuvoir is one of the prettiest streets in the area, with old houses and a village-like appearance.

Rue Lepic adds another well-known Emily in Paris and film connection. The street includes Café des 2 Moulins, associated with Amélie, as well as older Montmartre landmarks. La Maison Rose is another photogenic stop, a pink restaurant once associated with artists and now serving French-Italian food.

The Wall of Love, or Le Mur des Je t’aime, gets a 15-minute stop. The phrase I love you appears in more than 300 languages, making it a natural choice for couples and a popular photo location. Nearby streets also include the Moulin Rouge, with its famous red windmill and Belle Époque cabaret identity.

Montmartre is one of the strongest parts of the route for show fans and photographers. The drawback is that it can feel rushed if you want to sit at a café, browse the square, or climb every staircase. Think of this as an introduction, then return later if Montmartre becomes your favorite area.

The Arc de Triomphe and the grand western avenues

After Montmartre, the tour reaches a very different Paris. Parc Monceau and the Courcelles neighborhood bring elegant residential streets and a peaceful park with statues, winding paths, and carefully maintained gardens.

The Arc de Triomphe is a 15-minute stop. You can admire the huge arch and its carved military scenes from ground level, but admission to the rooftop is not included. The view from the car is still useful because you can understand how the avenues radiate out from the monument.

The route then passes the Champs-Élysées, one of the city’s grandest avenues. It is lined with shops, restaurants, and major civic sights, though traffic can be heavy. This is one reason the suggested 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. schedule matters. A private car gives you flexibility, but it cannot make Paris traffic disappear.

Near the Eiffel Tower, Rue de l’Université provides a more intimate approach, with elegant townhouses and cafés. The École Militaire adds an 18th-century military landmark, while the Eiffel Tower receives another 15-minute stop.

You will see the tower from a carefully chosen city route rather than enter it. That is important when judging the price. This tour is about seeing many exterior locations efficiently, not replacing tickets for the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, or other major attractions.

The Eiffel Tower, Invalides, and the river bridges

The section around Les Invalides brings more grand architecture. The complex is known for its golden dome and military associations, including Napoleon’s tomb. The nearby Pont Alexandre III is one of Paris’s most decorative bridges, with sculptures, gold details, and broad views along the Seine.

The route also passes the Élysée Palace, the official residence of the French president. You will see the exterior area rather than enter the palace. Grand Palais, Petit Palais, Pont de la Concorde, and the Luxor Obelisk follow, giving you a concentrated look at Parisian power, art, and ceremonial spaces.

La Madeleine adds a neoclassical church with an imposing façade. Place de la Concorde connects several of these sights, with fountains, statues, and the ancient Egyptian obelisk at its center.

This is where a private vehicle earns its keep. Walking between all these places would take much longer, and public transport would give you less continuous contact with the city. You can keep moving while Benjamin explains what you are seeing and stop for photographs at useful points.

The Louvre and final views along the Seine

The Louvre section includes the glass pyramid, the Tuileries Gardens, and the area around Place de la Concorde. You have about 15 minutes at the Louvre pyramid, enough to see the courtyard and take photographs. Museum admission is not included.

The Tuileries Gardens offer a graceful route between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde. They are ideal for a short stroll, though the tour schedule may not allow a long one. The Musée d’Orsay appears on the route as well, housed in the former railway station and famous for Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art.

The final river views help tie the day together. Paris makes more sense when you see how its bridges, islands, palaces, parks, and avenues connect along the Seine. You can drift past the river or cross an iconic bridge, depending on traffic and the route chosen by your guide.

Benjamin’s guiding style and the private format

Benjamin is listed as both the professional driver and private guide. The strongest praise focuses on his warmth, city knowledge, historical stories, flexibility, and willingness to stop for photographs. He also takes pictures for guests, which is useful when everyone in your group wants to appear in the frame.

The private format matters. You can tell him what you have already seen and what matters most to you. Several of the tour descriptions emphasize that he can tailor the experience around favorite Emily in Paris locations, general sightseeing, or a mixture of both.

The car carries up to four people. It has passenger insurance, a licensed professional driver, heating, comfortable seats, and generous legroom. Bottled water is included. Alcoholic drinks are not.

Price, pickup, and practical limits

At $540.95 per group, the cost works out to about $135 per person for four people. For two, it is about $270 per person, and for one person the value is much weaker. I would consider it a treat for a family or group of friends, especially if you want a private introduction to Paris without arranging several separate taxi rides.

Pickup and drop-off are offered at locations inside Paris, with important exceptions. The service does not pick up or drop off in the 3rd, 4th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 19th, or 20th arrondissements. Le Marais, Bastille, République, and Gare du Nord are also excluded.

If your address is outside the pickup area, the available meeting points are in front of Hôtel de Crillon at 10 Place de la Concorde or in front of the Panthéon at Place du Panthéon. Contact the provider after booking if you are uncertain.

Children under 10 are not allowed because the rear seats do not have seat belts. Service animals are allowed, and the experience is near public transportation. Most people can participate, but remember that this is a sightseeing drive with short stops, not a fully accessible visit to every monument.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded, and weather-related cancellations offer another date or a full refund.

Who should book this Paris tour?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• First-time visitors with only a few days in Paris
• Fans of Emily in Paris
• Couples who want a memorable city ride
• Families or friends who can share the four-person price
• Anyone who finds long walking days tiring
• Visitors who want photographs in several neighborhoods

I would be less enthusiastic if you want detailed museum visits, long meals, or a low-cost introduction to Paris. You will see many major sights, but mostly from outside. The tour is also less appealing if your schedule is fixed around a rainy day.

The experience has received a five-star rating from 100 percent of the 27 ratings provided, with particular praise for Benjamin, the car, the historical commentary, the flexibility, and the ability to see a lot in a short time. Those strengths fit the tour’s real purpose: not deep visits to individual monuments, but a lively overview with a memorable vehicle and a personal guide.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want to cover much of Paris in three to four hours and enjoy the idea of arriving at famous places in a head-turning French classic. It is especially good at the beginning of a stay, when you need a sense of direction, or at the end, when you want one stylish final look at the city.

Skip it if your priority is entering attractions or keeping costs low. For four people, the price is reasonable for a private car, driver, guide, bottled water, hotel pickup in eligible areas, and a custom route. For one or two, it becomes a luxury purchase. On a dry day, though, the Citroën DS and Benjamin’s personal touch can make this far more memorable than a standard city bus loop.

FAQ

How long does the Paris TV Show Tour last?

The tour lasts approximately three to four hours.

How many people can join the private tour?

The Citroën DS can take a private group of up to four people.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off?

Pickup and drop-off are offered at eligible locations inside Paris. Some arrondissements and neighborhoods are excluded.

Where can I meet the tour if my hotel is outside the pickup area?

You can meet in front of Hôtel de Crillon at 10 Place de la Concorde or in front of the Panthéon at Place du Panthéon.

Which areas are excluded from pickup and drop-off?

The service excludes the 3rd, 4th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 19th, and 20th arrondissements. Le Marais, Bastille, République, and Gare du Nord are also excluded.

Are monument admission tickets included?

No. The listed stops, including Notre-Dame, the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, and the Louvre pyramid, are sightseeing stops with free admission listed. The tour does not include entry into paid attractions.

Are children allowed on the tour?

Children under 10 are not allowed because the rear seats do not have seat belts.

Is the tour affected by bad weather?

Yes. The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered another date or a full refund.

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes a private tour with Benjamin, professional driving, private transportation, bottled water, comfortable heated seating, and drop-off at an eligible location of your choice. Alcoholic beverages are not included.