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Paris at Christmas: Private Tours Worth Booking Before You Fly

Going to Paris at Christmas? Four private tours with local guides, from a 90-minute vintage-car ride to a full day on foot, plus the holiday closures that trip up U.S. visitors.

By Last reviewed Nov 12, 20264 picks · 11 sources

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The red and gold Christmas tree under the dome of the Galeries Lafayette department store in Paris.
Photo: Bing HAO on Unsplash

Summary

Flying to Paris for Christmas? Book one private guide before you land. The GoWithGuide Full Day Walking Tour of Paris covers the top sights in 6 hours, from $450 per group, and needs no museum tickets, so it still works on Dec. 25, when the Louvre and Versailles are closed. (Full Day Walking Tour of Paris - All The Top Sites) (Hours & admission)

See the full-day tour at GoWithGuide

We earn a commission if you book through our links, at no extra cost to you.

Paris is one of the trips Americans plan for the holidays: U.S. searches for “Paris at Christmas” jump from about 1,300 a month in late winter to 22,200 in December. (Keyword Planner, U.S., 16-month curve for Paris holiday searches) The catch is the calendar. The two places most visitors want to see close on the two biggest days of the trip, so the order in which you book matters.

Our top picks

Pick Why Price (Nov. 12, 2026)
Best overall: Full Day Walking Tour of Paris 6 hours, all the top sites, no tickets needed From $450 per group at GoWithGuide See tour
Best day trip: The Palace of Versailles and Gardens 4 h 30 min with a private guide From $900 per group at GoWithGuide (The Palace of Versailles and Gardens) See tour
Best museum tour: Louvre Tour of Paris 2 h 30 min, Mona Lisa to Crown Jewels From $570 per group at GoWithGuide (Louvre Tour of Paris !) See tour
Best short splurge: Paris Highlights by Vintage 2CV 90 minutes in a classic car From $190 per group at GoWithGuide (Paris Highlights by Vintage 2CV — 1.5-Hour Private Daytime Tour) See tour

Prices checked on Nov. 12, 2026; they change often. Prices are per group, not per person.

How we chose

We looked for private tours that fit a short holiday trip: the big sights, a day trip most visitors want, and one option for a cold or jet-lagged day. We haven’t taken these tours ourselves. Durations and prices come from each GoWithGuide listing, and opening days come from the Louvre’s and Versailles’s own websites. Read more on how we pick.

All four tours are sold by GoWithGuide, a marketplace for private local guides. Because the price is per group, a private guide gets cheaper per person the more of you there are: $450 split four ways is about $113 each.

Plan around the holiday closures first

This is the part most holiday itineraries get wrong. In late 2026 and early 2027:

  • The Louvre is closed every Tuesday, plus Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. It opens 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and until 9 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays. Last entry is an hour before closing.
  • The Palace of Versailles is closed every Monday, plus Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. The gardens and park stay open every day. (Practical information)

Christmas Day 2026 falls on a Friday and New Year’s Day 2027 on a Friday. That leaves Monday, Dec. 28, without Versailles and Tuesday, Dec. 29, without the Louvre. Our advice: put the walking tour on Dec. 25 or Jan. 1, the Louvre on Dec. 24 or a Wednesday evening, and Versailles on a Saturday or Wednesday.

1. Full Day Walking Tour of Paris: best overall

Verdict: the one booking that makes the rest of the trip easier.

Six hours with a private guide, covering the major landmarks on foot, from $450 per group. The listing says you won’t need entrance tickets, which is why it’s our pick for the days the museums close. Do it early in the trip and you’ll know your way around for the rest of the week.

  • Pros: whole-city overview in one day; no ticket lines; one price for your whole party.
  • Cons: six hours outdoors in December is a lot.
  • Skip it if: you’ve been to Paris before and only want museums.

Check dates at GoWithGuide ($450+)

2. The Palace of Versailles and Gardens: best day trip

Verdict: worth it for families and groups; expensive for two.

A private guide for 4 hours 30 minutes, from $900 per group. Versailles is huge, and a guide gives you a route and the story behind the rooms. On your own, the Passport ticket costs €25 in low season, and the Palace needs a timed slot. (Tickets and prices) The palace is reached by RER C to Versailles Château - Rive Gauche, a 10-minute walk from the gates.

  • Pros: context for the rooms; one fee for the group.
  • Cons: the priciest pick; closed Mondays, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.
  • Skip it if: you’re two people on a budget. The ticket and the RER cost a fraction of this.

Check dates at GoWithGuide ($900+)

3. Louvre Tour of Paris: best museum tour

Verdict: the efficient way to see the Louvre’s greatest hits.

Two and a half hours, from $570 per group. The guide covers the Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory of Samothrace and the French Crown Jewels. The museum’s own ticket for adults from outside the European Economic Area is €32, and it recommends booking a time slot. Ask the guide whether tickets are included before you pay.

  • Pros: a plan for a museum that overwhelms first-timers; evening slots on Wednesdays and Fridays.
  • Cons: closed Tuesdays, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1; tickets may be extra.
  • Skip it if: you’d rather wander the galleries at your own pace with the €6 audio guide.

Check dates at GoWithGuide ($570+)

4. Paris Highlights by Vintage 2CV: best short splurge

Verdict: a fun first afternoon when jet lag rules out a long walk.

Ninety minutes of daytime sightseeing from a vintage 2CV, from $190 per group. It’s the cheapest pick here and the one that keeps you out of the cold.

  • Pros: the lowest price; you sit instead of walk.
  • Cons: short, so it’s a taste of the city, not a tour of it.
  • Skip it if: you already booked the full-day walk.

Check dates at GoWithGuide ($190+)

How far ahead should you book a Paris tour?

At least 8 days before the tour date. GoWithGuide’s cancellation policy gives a full refund with 8 or more days’ notice, 50% between 3 and 7 days, and nothing within 2 days of the meeting time. (Cancellation Policy) Our pick for this: book the full-day walk first, since it works on any day of the holiday week.

What do you need to fly to Paris from the U.S.?

A U.S. passport valid for at least three months beyond the day you leave the Schengen area, with a blank page. Americans can stay up to 90 days for tourism without a visa. (France International Travel Information) The State Department rates France at Level 2, “Exercise Increased Caution.” (France Travel Advisory) For the flight itself, check our guides to the carry-on size limit and power bank airline rules.

What to pack for Paris in December

Plan for short, cold, often wet days, and shoes you can walk in for six hours. Our guide to dressing for cold weather covers layers that fit in a carry-on.

The verdict

For a Christmas trip, book the Full Day Walking Tour of Paris first ($450 per group) and schedule it on a day the museums close. If your budget is tight, the Vintage 2CV ride ($190 per group) gives you a guided taste of the city in 90 minutes.

See all private Paris tours at GoWithGuide

  • Best overallFull Day Walking Tour of Paris: All the Top Sites —See pick ↓
  • Best day tripThe Palace of Versailles and Gardens —See pick ↓
  • Best museum tourLouvre Tour of Paris —See pick ↓
  • Best short splurgeParis Highlights by Vintage 2CV: 1.5-Hour Private Daytime Tour —See pick ↓

Price ranges as last checked; “—” means we couldn’t confirm a current price. Details and sources in each pick.

Why now

Signal

U.S. searches for 'paris at christmas' climb from about 1,300 a month in late winter to 14,800 in November and 22,200 in December, according to Google Keyword Planner (November 2026).

What we know

The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. The Palace of Versailles is closed on Mondays, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.

Our read

Private guides are booked by date, and the holiday week has fewer usable museum days. Book before you fly, and keep at least 8 days of notice for a full refund.

Each guide separates what the sources show from what we infer. We don’t use countdowns or “selling fast” claims.

Products

  1. Full Day Walking Tour of Paris: All the Top Sites

    Best for: First-timers who want the big sights in one day, without museum tickets

    Why we like it

    • 6 hours with a private guide, from $450 per group
    • The listing says no entrance tickets are needed, so it works on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1

    Limitations

    • 6 hours outdoors in December: dress for cold, wet weather
    Prices change often: check today’s price at GoWithGuide.Check price at GoWithGuide

  2. The Palace of Versailles and Gardens

    Best for: Families or groups who want Versailles explained, not just walked through

    Why we like it

    • 4 hours 30 minutes with a private guide
    • Group price: one fee covers everyone in your party

    Limitations

    • From $900 per group: the priciest pick here
    • Versailles is closed Mondays, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1
    Prices change often: check today’s price at GoWithGuide.Check price at GoWithGuide

  3. Louvre Tour of Paris

    Best for: Travelers who want the Mona Lisa and the highlights in one focused visit

    Why we like it

    • 2 hours 30 minutes, from $570 per group
    • Guide covers the Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory of Samothrace and the French Crown Jewels

    Limitations

    • The Louvre is closed Tuesdays, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1
    • Check whether museum tickets (€32 for non-EEA adults) are included
    Prices change often: check today’s price at GoWithGuide.Check price at GoWithGuide

  4. Paris Highlights by Vintage 2CV: 1.5-Hour Private Daytime Tour

    Best for: A memorable gift or a jet-lag day: sightseeing from a classic French car

    Why we like it

    • 90 minutes, from $190 per group: the cheapest pick
    • You ride instead of walk, which helps on a cold day

    Limitations

    • Short: a taste of the city, not a full tour
    Prices change often: check today’s price at GoWithGuide.Check price at GoWithGuide

Why only four picks? We list a product only when we can explain why it helps and where it falls short. We don’t add picks to reach a number.

Sources & method

Who this guide is for

This guide is for U.S. travelers heading to Paris between mid-December and New Year's Day who want to see the big sights with a local guide instead of standing in line with a phone map.

How we picked

  • We list a product only when we can explain why it helps and where it falls short.
  • We list limitations for every pick, based on product specs and buyer reviews.
  • We haven’t tested these products ourselves. When we do, we’ll say so.
  • Prices appear only when checked in the last 7 days, with the store and the date shown. Otherwise we leave them out.

Sources

  1. Google Ads (via keywords-planner-repo) — Keyword Planner, U.S., 16-month curve for Paris holiday searches (accessed Nov 12, 2026). Monthly U.S. search volume: 'paris at christmas' peaks at 22,200 in December.
  2. GoWithGuide — Full Day Walking Tour of Paris - All The Top Sites (accessed Nov 12, 2026). Duration (6 hours), price from $450 per group, no entrance tickets needed.
  3. GoWithGuide — The Palace of Versailles and Gardens (accessed Nov 12, 2026). Duration (4 h 30 min) and price from $900 per group.
  4. GoWithGuide — Louvre Tour of Paris ! (accessed Nov 12, 2026). Duration (2 h 30 min), price from $570 per group and the works covered.
  5. GoWithGuide — Paris Highlights by Vintage 2CV — 1.5-Hour Private Daytime Tour (accessed Nov 12, 2026). Duration (1 h 30 min) and price from $190 per group.
  6. GoWithGuide — Cancellation Policy (accessed Nov 12, 2026). Full refund with 8+ days' notice, 50% with 3–7 days, none in the last 2 days.
  7. Musée du Louvre — Hours & admission (accessed Nov 12, 2026). Closed Tuesdays, Jan. 1, May 1 and Dec. 25; €32 non-EEA rate; time slots recommended.
  8. Château de Versailles — Practical information (accessed Nov 12, 2026). Closed Mondays, Dec. 25, Jan. 1 and May 1; RER C to Versailles Château - Rive Gauche, 10-minute walk.
  9. Château de Versailles — Tickets and prices (accessed Nov 12, 2026). Passport ticket €25 in low season; timed slot for the Palace.
  10. U.S. Department of State — France International Travel Information (accessed Nov 12, 2026). Passport valid 3 months beyond departure from Schengen; up to 90 days without a visa.
  11. U.S. Department of State — France Travel Advisory (accessed Nov 12, 2026). Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution.

Review history

  • Published Nov 12, 2026.