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Hop-on Hop-off Paris and Open Tour Paris: Our Bus Tours

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TootBus Ticket - Pass 1 day

Paris at your own pace

1 Day E-Ticket Big Bus Hop on Hop off Pass

Take advantage of a one or two-day pass to visit Paris in total freedom at your own pace aboard a double-decker Big Bus. Hop on and off as you please with one of the two tours offered. Discover the must-see sites of Paris while listening to the city's history through a recorded audio commentary available in several languages.

Open Tour Paris

The Open Tour Paris gives you access to a whole network of tourist buses running different routes to link all the main Parisian tourist sites with a single ticket, unlimitedly for one or more days depending on the pass chosen. The frequency of service (every 15 minutes from April to October and every 20 minutes from November to March) ensures that you have minimal waiting time and can stop off at your own pace, without having to keep to a set schedule.

Nearly 40 stops are scattered throughout the city along 4 routes :

• The blue line is certainly the most complete tourist circuit to admire the main Parisian monuments: Les Invalides, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, the Palais Garnier, the Luxor Obelisk, the Arc de Triomphe or the Trocadero, it is probably one of the most popular lines.
• The green line invites you to cross the Seine to discover the left bank of Paris, from the Latin Quarter and the Jardin du Luxembourg to the Montparnasse Tower via the Invalides
• The yellow line invites you to discover the Saint-Germain des Prés district and the Place de la Bastille
• The red line , to the north of the city, takes you to the Opéra Garnier, the department stores, the Moulin Rouge, Montmartre and the Sacré Coeur, the Place de la République and many places of interest.

The double-decker panoramic bus or open top bus tours allow you to travel around the city in comfort while enjoying the urban panorama and an exceptional view of Paris as you travel. The Hop on Hop off concept allows you to visit Paris at your own pace and is ideal for short stays to make the most of the attractions offered by the French capital. The individual audio guides available on board in ten different languages will enable you to learn more about the monuments. Tales and Parisian legends are even available for the youngest passengers, who will discover Paris in a playful way.

With Paris City Vision, you can even book your pass for the tourist buses and the Batobus with unlimited access in one go . Some offers also allow you to combine your Open Tour Paris pass with a museum pass to access more than 60 museums and monuments in Paris. Who hasn't dreamed of visiting the Louvre Museum during a tour of the heart of Paris? Discover the capital in a different way, avoid long metro journeys and swap the boat cruise on the Seine for a bus tour through the streets of the City of Light.

Big Bus in Hop on Hop Off

Board the red Hop on Hop off coaches of the Big Bus tour company and set off to discover the City of Light through two tours:

• The red tour (classic) passes close to the most beautiful monuments of the capital, from the Île de la Cité to the Champs-Elysées, via the Champ de Mars or the Louvre Museum.
• The blue tour invites you to discover the north of the city and passes through the tourist areas of Montmartre and Pigalle, in front of the Moulin Rouge.

Book your Big Bus or Open Tour tickets today: the Hop On Hop Off is ideal for getting around at your own convenience while enjoying the monuments and tourist treasures of one of the world's most beautiful cities.

Whatever your preferences, you are sure to find the perfect offer thanks to the many tours on offer. Parents and children will be able to discover the capital city in the best conditions to live a unique experience with family or friends.

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Big Bus Paris sightseeing tour maps with stops, timetables and pricing

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Paris Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tours

Big Bus: Paris Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Optional Seine River Cruise

• You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
• Plan your itinerary in Paris with this unlimited hop-on hop-off bus tour and choose between Discover, Essential, or Explore passes.
• All 3 passes give you access to buses scheduled every 7 to 15 mins, 1 route with 10 stops near the most iconic attractions in the City of Lights.
• Upgrade to the Essential and Explore HOHO Pass to enjoy a 1-hour Seine River cruise offering panoramic views of Paris landmarks.
• Hop on 100% electric buses, reduce your carbon footprint, and let audio commentary transform the city's sights into stories during your journey.
• The most popular stops on your route include the Champs-Elysées, Louvre, Eiffel Tower, and Notre Dame.
• 24 or 48-hour unlimited hop-on hop-off pass
• 1-hour Seine River cruise (optional)
• Recorded commentary in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian & Portuguese
• Single-use headsets
• Entry tickets to attractions

Classic Red Route

• First bus: 9:45am from stop #1 (Louvre-Pyramide)
• Last bus: 5:30pm from stop #1 (Louvre-Pyramide)
• Frequency: Every 10 mins
• Popular stops: Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame

Please click here for a detailed Red Route map and its boarding points.

• Tip: Opted for Seine River cruise? Be prepared to capture pictures with stunning backdrops as the route is dotted with beautiful bridges.
• This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.

Combo (Save 20%): Disneyland® Paris 1-Day Tickets + Paris Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

• You can cancel these tickets up to 72 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
• Enjoy a day full of magic with this combo ticket offering access to Disneyland® Paris and a Big Bus Paris Hop-On Hop-Off tour, promising a fun-filled, cost-effective experience.
• Dive into the magic of Disneyland® Paris with a 1-day ticket, experiencing rides and parades at 5 themed zones like Adventureland, Fantasyland, and more.
• Feel the thrill at Marvel Avengers Campus in Walt Disney Studios® Park, and get spellbound by musicals like 'The Lion King' and 'Frozen'.
• Explore Paris at your own pace with a 24-hour unlimited hop-on hop-off tour on a 100% electric bus, seeing iconic sights like the Louvre and Eiffel Tower.
• Enhance your city exploration with an optional Seine River Cruise, offering breathtaking views of Parisian landmarks from a unique perspective.

Disneyland® Paris

• 1-Day access to one or both Disney® Parks
• Access to all attractions, shows, and Character Encounters
• Single Rider: squeeze as much of the magic as possible by reducing the waiting time
• Rider Switch: both parents can each have a turn on thrilling attractions, without having to queue again

Big Bus: Paris Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

• 24-hour unlimited hop-on hop-off pass
• Tip: Keep an eye out for special character appearances. You never know when your favorite Disney princess may show up.
• This experience is wheelchair accessible.
• Names on the tickets cannot be changed after the ticket has been booked.
• Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
• Tip: Be ready with your camera as the open-top buses offer great photo opportunities of Paris' iconic landmarks.

Tootbus: Paris Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Seine River Cruise

• Discover the charm of Paris with a 24/48/72-hour hop-on hop-off pass and get unlimited access to tour the city.
• Multiple stops and frequent buses arriving every 10-15 mins make this ticket offer the flexibility to embark and disembark as you please.
• Do more with your pass! Float down the Seine on a 1-hour cruise and take 7 self-guided walking tours around the city.
• Benefit from amenities on the eco-friendly open top-deck buses, including multilingual audio guides and insightful live commentary on the cruise.
• A few popular stops along the way are the Eiffel Tower, Opera Garnier, Notre Dame and more.
• 24/48/72-hour hop-on hop-off pass
• Access to Blue route
• Audio guide in English, French, Spanish, Italian, German, Brazilian, Portuguese, Arabic, Russian, Chinese, & Japanese
• Kids' audio guide in English and French
• Family tickets
• 1-hour Seine River cruise
• Live commentary in English & French (on the cruise)
• Free earphones made from recyclable materials
• 7 themed self-guided walking tours on Tootbus app
• Live guide on the bus

Please click here for a detailed route map and boarding points.

You can join the tour at any stop and hop on and off for the duration of your ticket.

Nov 4 to Mar 31

• First bus: 9:30am from stop #1 (Printemps / Galerie Lafayette)
• Last bus: 5pm from stop #1 (Printemps / Galerie Lafayette)
• Frequency: every 15mins
• Popular stops: Louvre Museum, Orsay Museum, Eiffel Tower

Mar 25 to Nov 3

• Last bus: 6:30pm from stop #1 (Printemps / Galerie Lafayette)
• Frequency: every 10mins

Seine River cruise

• First cruise: 10:30am from Eiffel Tower
• Last cruise: 6pm from Eiffel Tower
• Frequency: 30 mins
• Tip: Hop off at the Notre Dame stop and take a stroll through the charming streets of the Latin Quarter, known for its bohemian vibe.
• Your guide dogs are welcome on the buses. Pets are allowed only if they are placed in small boxes.
• The Seine River cruise pier is located at the foot of the Eiffel Tower on the riverside, very close to stop #9.
• You can use your tickets on any day before the tour date. However, just keep in mind that they cannot be redeemed if the first day of travel has already passed.

Tootbus: Paris Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

• With a 24/48/72-hour hop-on hop-off bus pass, get your ticket to the ultimate Parisian sightseeing adventure.
• Get access to the Blue Route and 10 stops around the City of Lights with buses arriving as frequently as 10 to 15 mins.
• What's more? Your tickets also include 3 themed audio-guided walking tours to learn about the sites around the city.
• The eco-friendly open-top bus will give you the best views of popular stops like Opera Garnier, Notre Dame, and Louvre Museum.
• 24/48/72-hour unlimited hop-on hop-off bus pass
• Audio guide available in English, French, Spanish, Italian, German, Brazilian, Arabic, Russian, Chinese & Japanese
• Kids audio guide in English & French
• Complimentary walking tours
• Access to 7 themed walking tours
• Tip: While in Paris, attend An Eerie Concert at Sainte Chapelle at Night for an experience of a lifetime.
• Your pets and guide dogs are welcome on the buses. Small dogs and other pets must be seated on your lap.
• Children aged 4 and under can travel for free, if they aren't entitled to their own seat.

Tootbus: Paris Night Bus Tour

• Set off at dusk to witness the magical Paris bathed in the shimmering lights in the evening from the open-top deck of an electric bus.
• Spend 2 hours exploring Paris’s most iconic landmarks on a single route, covering the city's top attractions in one continuous, scenic journey.
• Pop in your earphones to enjoy stories of Paris with a multilingual audio guide for kids and adults. Don't forget to stop by Ladurée for a free macaron!
• You'll see the Opera Garnier with its ornate façade, the vast Concorde Square with its historic obelisks, the lively Champs-Élysées, and more.
• 2-hour bus tour of Paris
• Audio guide in English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Arabic, Japanese & Mandarin
• Special macaron by Ladurée

Yellow route (Night tour)

• First bus: 9pm from Louvre stop, Place du Carrousel du Louvre
• Frequency: once a day

Nov & Jan to Feb

• First bus: 6pm from Louvre stop, Place du Carrousel du Louvre
• Tip: If you’re into French wines, make time to visit a ‘hidden’ vineyard in the heart of Paris, known as Clos Montmartre, right behind the Sacré-Coeur basilica.
• Ramps and elevators are available on the buses for easy access.
• Your guide dogs are welcome on the buses.
• Children aged 4 and under can travel for free if they are seated on an accompanying adult’s lap.
• The night tour is closed from Nov 21 to Jan 2 and is replaced by a Christmas tour.

Big Bus: Paris Panoramic Night Bus Tour

• Enjoy a 2-hour non-stop night tour that takes you through the City of Lights, with mesmerizing views of Paris illuminated in its evening glow.
• This pass offers stunning views of the city’s landmarks as they light up against the night sky, giving you the perfect perspective of Paris after dark.
• Learn more about the locations you pass through, with the pre-recorded commentary available in 6 languages.
• Discover the city's sights sustainably on electric buses with plush seats, WiFi, audio guides in 6 languages, and live guides if available.
• Gaze at the romantic symbol of the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre’s illuminated pyramid, and the Notre Dame glowing softly and more along this scenic route.
• 2-hour night bus tour of Paris
• Recorded commentary English, French, German, Spanish, Italian & Portuguese
• Free mobile app for live updates
• Tour guide (subject to availability)
• Hotel transfers
• First bus: 9:15pm from stop 5 (156 Avenue des Champs-Elysées)
• Duration: 2 hours
• Tip: Start your nightlife experience in Paris by heading to Montmartre for breathtaking sunset views.
• Please note that this night tour is a non-stop tour and not a hop-on hop-off tour.

Batobus: Paris Seine River Hop-On Hop-Off Boat Tour

• Take in breathtaking views of Paris along the Seine with maximum convenience as you hop on and hop off unlimited times with your pass.
• Get access to 1 route with 9 stops dotted around the river with your 24 or 48 hour pass.
• Make use of the vending machines onboard and munch on delicious snacks as you cruise your way.
• The heated boats ensure a striking panoramic view of riverside landmarks from their open-topped decks.
• Some of the popular stops include Jardin des Plantes, Louvre Museum, Place de la Concorde, Eiffel Tower & Les Invalides.
• 24/48-hour unlimited hop on hop off river cruise pass
• Seine River cruise: Live guide in English, French & Spanish
• First cruise at 10am from Eiffel Tower
• Last cruise at 7pm from Eiffel Tower
• Frequency: Every 25 mins
• Popular stops: Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Orsay Museum
• Last cruise at 5pm from Eiffel Tower (7pm on Sat & Sun)

Please click here for a detailed route map and its boarding points.

• Start point: Eiffel Tower
• Assemblee Nationale
• Musee d'Orsay
• Institut de France
• Cite de la Mode
• Hotel de Ville
• Conciergerie
• Grand Palais
• Palais Chaillot
• Tip: Maximize your time by viewing the places from the ferry, then explore on foot during the second round starting from Eiffel Tower via Place de la Concorde.
• Facilities: Heated Boats, Vending Machine with Snacks & Drinks.
• This experience is not accessible by wheelchair and pram/strollers.
• Dogs wearing a muzzle and on a leash and small dogs in a carrier/bag are allowed on board.
• Compact luggage, baby carriages, and bicycles are allowed depending on how crowded the boat is.
• Note that the following are not allowed on this tour: suitcases, large bags, and alcoholic drinks.
• These tickets are valid for 30 days from the date of purchase.

Tootbus: Paris Kids Guided Tour

• Gift your children a trip loaded with fun and entertainment on this 90-minute kids bus tour in Paris.
• This tour operates once every Sat, so it is the ideal way to spend a fruitful and educational weekend with the little ones.
• The fully electric bus features audio guides, riddles and games, with a live guide in French who shares entertaining stories about iconic places.
• Some of the places you will pass include the Opera, Louvre Museum, Orsay Museum, Champs-Elysées, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower and so on.
• 90 mins bus tour of Paris
• Open-top bus
• Live guide in French
• Animated film
• Sweet treats
• First bus: 2:30pm from 11, rue Auber
• Frequency: once every Sat

Please click here for a detailed route map.

• Tip: Prepare your kids for the long bus ride and also what to expect from the experience.
• Large luggage is not allowed due to space limitations.
• No food or beverages are allowed.
• This tour is wheelchair/stroller accessible.
• Pets are welcome aboard, but ensure the safety and comfort of other passengers.
• Infants under 4 years old travel for free but require a ticket. It is recommended to keep them on the accompanying adult's lap.
• As the Paris Games are about to begin, the tour will adjust the routes based on that.

Paris Hop-on Hop-off tours

Paris , the capital of France, is renowned for its world-class art, and iconic landmarks. Whether you’re an art lover, a history buff, or a shopaholic, the "City of Lights" has something for everyone. Key attractions include the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Champs-Élysées, and the charming neighborhoods of Montmartre and Le Marais.

A great way to experience Paris and make the most of your holiday is to take the  Hop-on Hop-off buses . These tours offer the opportunity to visit all important landmarks at your own leisure. It’s as simple as it sounds - hop on a bus, travel to any of the attractions in the city, and then hop right off, with no strings attached. Read on to learn more about Paris Hop-on Hop-off tours.

Why choose Paris Hop-on Hop-off tours?

• Visit top landmarks:  See all that Paris has to offer without the hassle of tedious booking schedules.
• Easy and convenient:  Just hop on any of the buses and enjoy the tour as it takes you through all the major attractions. You can also choose to get down at any spot you want to explore. 
• Save money:  Traveling around Paris can be quite expensive, as entrance fees and cab expenses quickly add up. With a Paris Hop-on Hop-off tour, you’re covered for transportation across the city.
• Unique features:  Features like multilingual audio guides to keep you informed about the history and significance of each of the attractions, free WiFi, and discounted entry to certain attractions are added advantages.

Please check your tickets for more information on the special features and inclusions.

Paris Hop-on Hop-off routes & timings

The Big Bus buses operate on one route with 10 stops at the city’s must-see sights across 10 stops. These include the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Arc de Triomphe, Trocadéro, Grand Palais, Opéra Garnier, the Champs-Elysées, and much more.

15+ attractions covered

Tootbus Paris has one route that will give you an overview of the city including highlights like the Louvre Museum, Sainte-Chapelle, Orsay Museum, Concorde, Champs-Elysées, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Les Invalides, Grand Palais, and many more.

20+ attractions covered

Batobus is a Hop-on Hop-off boat tour on the Seine. Plying frequent services throughout the day, they have 9 stops around Central Paris, like the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Invalides, and Orsay Museum.

Your Paris Hop-on Hop-off tour highlights

Opera Garnier

The Opéra Garnier is an opera house in Paris. Visit and see its Grand Foyer and Grand Staircase.

Louvre Museum

The Louvre is one of the most famous museums in the world with hundreds of famous paintings, including Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa.

Notre-Dame Cathedral

This medieval Gothic cathedral dates back to the 1100s and remains one of Paris’ most celebrated landmarks.

Orsay Museum

The Musée d'Orsay features collections of Impressionist Art, including works by Van Gogh, Degas, Renoir, and Monet.

Sainte Chapelle

First built in the 13th Century to house religious and cultural relics, don't miss this architectural marvel's stunning stained glass windows.

Champs-Elysées

This 2-kilometer-long avenue is lined with monuments, including the Arc de Triomphe, and many exclusive luxury brand outlets.

Paris Aquarium

The Aquarium de Paris is one of the oldest in the world and is known for its collection of jellyfish, shark basin, and the Seine River Aquarium.

Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world. Climb up for breathtaking views of Paris and wait on the ground to see the Iron Lady sparkle at night.

Les Invalides is a complex of monuments and museums archiving the military history of France. You will find Napolean's tomb and the Paris Army Museum here.

Hop on, hop off, and hear what others think!

Frequently asked questions about paris hop-on hop-off tours.

Yes, you can get on the bus tour at any stop.

When you go to the stop locations along the tour, you will find signs for the relevant bus operator and route.

Yes, they are child friendly.

Yes, the tours are suitable for senior citizens.

Pet policy varies with the service provider. In most cases, small pets in appropriate carriers are allowed. Please refer to your tickets for more details.

Yes, the buses are typically accessible for wheelchair users. Kindly refer to your tickets for more details.

While there are no restrooms or food available on the bus, you can use the facilities available at any of the attractions you stop at. Batobus boats have a vending machine onboard.

Small bags are usually allowed onboard. However, big suitcases or luggage may not be permitted due to space constraints.

No, the hop-on hop-off buses do not offer hotel pickups or drop-offs. However, most stops are easily accessible from major hotels in Central Paris.

Paris City Bus Tours

Paris has several tour bus operators . The most renowned are OpenTour, Big Bus Paris and Foxity Sightseeing Tour. Find in-depth information about what each company offers and choose the best option.

All sightseeing buses in Paris are open-top double-deckers and include an audio guide in English.

We provide you with information on each of the different tour bus operators so you can choose which one you prefer:

Big Bus Paris

Big Bus Paris (used to be called Les Cars Rouges) is the oldest tour bus operator in Paris. These buses are red, as the name in French used to suggest.

The Big Bus Paris takes 2 hours 15 minutes and includes 11 stops , where you can get on and off at your own pace. Along the route, the bus stops at iconic sites in Paris, such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, Notre Dame, the Orsay Museum, The Gardnier Opera, the Arc de Triomphe, and many more.

When booking, you have the chance to purchase a ticket that also includes a please cruise down the Seine.

Schedule & timetable

The Big Bus Paris schedule is approximately from 9:30 am to 8:15 pm. However, it depends a lot on each stop. The last bus passes by the Louvre or Notre Dame at 6:25 pm. The frequency varies between 10 and 20 minutes , depending on the time of year.

Big Bus Paris Prices

For your convenience, you can purchase tickets online here .

Paris is a city with special night lights and the Big Bus Paris company lets you enjoy them. For 2 hours, you can admire the city's main monuments lit up at night.

The night bus runs every day and departs at 8:15 pm and 9:15 pm. It costs € 30 ( US$ 33.30) ( € 24 ( US$ 26.70) for children under 12 and is free for children under 4).

• Buy your Paris Night Bus Tour

Tootbus (previously OpenTour) has a route with 10 stops , including the Garnier Opera, the Louvre, Notre Dame, the Champs Elysee and the Eiffel Tower.

The routes and schedules vary depending on the time of year : November to March from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm; April to October from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm. There is a bus every 15 minutes approximately and you can get on and off at any of the stops.

The ticket for Tootbus lasts  1, 2 or 3 days  from the moment you first use it. The prices vary: the 1 day ticket costs € 38.25 ( US$ 42.50) per adult (2 days € 45.05 ( US$ 50.10) and 3 days € 49.30 ( US$ 54.80)) and € 21.25 ( US$ 23.60) for children aged 4-12 (2 days € 26.35 ( US$ 29.30) and 3 days € 28.90 ( US$ 32.10)). You can also purchase a family ticket (2 adults and 2 children) that allows you to save money on tickets.

• Buy your Tootbus Sustainable Tour Bus Tickets

Paris Olympics 2024 Panoramic Bus

From July 26 to August 11, 2024, Paris will host the Summer Olympic Games and the city will have a different atmosphere, with the streets full of fans from all countries to support their athletes in search of medals. To visit the most important monuments of the French capital and learn facts about the Paris 2024 Games check out this panoramic bus tour!

● Buy tickets for the panoramic tour of Olympic Paris

Foxity Sightseeing Tour

Foxity Sightseeing Tour was the last tour bus to arrive in Paris. At first, this company only included a bus tour without having the hop-on, hop-off option. However, due to pressure from tourists, it now allows its passengers to hop on and off.

The buses leave from the Eiffel Tower and its itinerary is very similar to the Big Bus Paris one. 

The ticket price is € 42 ( US$ 46.70) for adults ( € 49 ( US$ 54.50) for 2 days). For children aged 4 to 12 a ticket costs  € 23 ( US$ 25.60) ( € 28 ( US$ 31.10) for 2 days), and for children under 4 the tour is free.

Which tour bus to choose?

All of the above companies offer very similar services, although we recommend Big Bus Paris, as it has more routes and more stops, and therefore offers a more complete tour.

You may also be interested in

Paris has over 20,000 taxis (cabs) on its streets 24 hours a day. It normally isn’t hard to hail a cab, except after midnight.  

The Batobus is a boat shuttle that travels down the River Seine, stopping frequently at the city’s top attractions. One could call it a "floating tour bus".  

Paris Big Bus Tour Review

T he Paris Big Bus Tour is the gift that keeps on giving. Truth be told I love to walk and see cities on foot, but Paris is a must by bus because it makes financial sense, and it will save you a lot of time.

The Big Bus Tour in Paris

Is it worth it.

When traveling, I am a fan of taking public transportation and traveling like a local. It’s environmentally friendly and you can save money on car rental expenses.

Taking the Big Bus Tour was one of the best decisions that we made because the tourist attractions are spread apart, and you can see many more points of interest while saving time and money.  

Paris is made up of 20 neighborhoods (or arrondissements) and the Big Bus Tour will travel through 7 of them.  

We spent a total of 9 days and Paris and had a pretty full agenda which included lunch at the Eiffel Tower , a river cruise on the Seine, a day trip to Versailles, a classical concert at La Sainte Chapelle, trips to outdoor markets like Marche des Enfants Rouges, visiting the rooftop of the Arc de Triumph, souvenir shopping, Sacre Coeur, the Louvre Museum, the Champs Elysees, the Catacombs, Rue de Cler, Pont Alexandre , a croissant making class with a Parisien chef, Ile de la Cite, Berthillon, and more. We also ventured out to see Paris at night and the views were stunning!

How Long is the Big Bus Tour in Paris

The Red Route is the main tour, and it takes about two hours to see everything if you don’t exit the bus. We stayed on the bus from start to finish to get a idea of places that we wanted to visit on foot.

How Much is the Big Bus Tour in Paris

The ticket fee will vary based on the number of days that you want to join the tour bus. I recommend the combination ticket where you can see the points of interest for the Big Bus, and take a cruise on the river Seine.  

It is possible to do both the tour and the cruise in one day. If you join the tour and finish by 5 PM, you can then join the cruise on the river and catch the sunset depending on the time of year that you go.  

Check for tickets on the Paris Big Bus Tour here .

Are There Toilets on the Big Bus

Sorry, but no matter what the city it is very likely that you won’t find any restrooms. However, you can ask the driver or attendants on the bus to guide you. The wonderful thing about Paris is there are public restrooms available for just a euro.

When is the Best Time to Visit Paris

We went on the bus tour at the end of March for Spring break. The weather was a bit chilly and in the high 50s to low 60s. It was sunny, but not incredibly warm.  

The prime months are April, May, September, and October when highs reach a comfortable 60-70°F (15-21°C).

Big Bus Tour Review

We purchased our tickets online using a smartphone after touring Notre Dame. Because the cathedral was one of the tour stops, we thought we were close, but the stop was a 7-minute walk away.  

To add, the area was congested, and the instructions were confusing. After calling the tour company, we found the stop heading west but then learned that the bus stop was across the street and coming from the south direction.  

Fortunately, we caught it in time and were able to get nice seats on the upper deck. 

It was a sunny, cool day and one would think would be an excellent opportunity for photos. The problem for me is that I don’t have great photography skills and I was using my smartphone.  

When we got to a landmark or icon, it was difficult to take a good shot due to the speed at which the bus traveled, bumps in the road, construction equipment, or overgrown trees, not to mention the hands, heads, and cameras of other passengers.

On our tour there were two routes in operation, the red route, and another color (which may no longer be available). The red route took about two hours to see everything. Then we had to exit the bus at the last stop to catch another bus that went into other neighborhoods.

The most interesting point on the second route was The Moulin Rouge. Otherwise, the sights were non-eventful, so we caught up on rest and napped on the lower level during the ride.

Overall, it was time well spent. And since we planned activities at a few of the attractions we had the chance to make up for bad photos taken on the bus. 

Where to Catch the Big Bus Tour in Paris

There are 10 stops on the red route and the buses will arrive in frequent intervals. During peak visiting months, like spring to summer, you can expect longer waits and slim pickings for a good seat.

1 – Louvre Pyramide / Big Bus Information Centre (11 avenue de l’Opéra)

2 – Louvre at Pont des Arts (2 rue de l’Amiral de Coligny)

3 – Notre Dame ( 3, Rue Lagrange (outside souvenir shop, opposite park entrance)

4 – Musée d’Orsay (58 Place Henry de Montherlant, facing the museum)

5 – Champs-Elysées (156, avenue des Champs-Elysées, facing the Arc de Triomphe)

6 – Grand Palais (Avenue Winston Churchill, facing Grand Palais and Petit Palais)

7 – Trocadéro (Avenue Paul Doumer, next to the Musée de l’Homme)

8- Tour Eiffel (Quai Branly, Entrée 2 Tour Eiffel, at the north pillar of the Eiffel Tower)

9 – Champ de Mars (Avenue Joseph Bouvard)

10 – Opéra Garnier (Facing 15 rue Scribe, next to the Roissy airport shuttle bus stop)

Things to Know Before You Go

• The tour is pre-recorded and the audio narratives can be heard in English, French, Italian , Spanish, German, Brazilian Portuguese, Mandarin, and Korean.
• Be mindful of potential traffic delays, especially during peak hours so that you can plan your tour for off-peak times to avoid congestion.
• Be aware of any events that may alter the experience (rallies, protests, huge sports competitions).

I can’t emphasize the awareness of events enough. There was an enormous parade outside our hotel on one trip, and protests that caused the Champs Elysee to be boarded up during another trip.

Final Thoughts on the Paris Big Bus Tour

Overall, it was a pretty fun girls’ trip but the last thing I wated to do was spend most of our time and money riding the subway all over Paris.

The Big Bus is a no brainer if you want to see the best of Paris without wearing yourself out.

As a US citizen, I try to make the most of my visits to Europe.

The more countries I visit, the more I am convinced that I’ve made the best use of a 10-hour flight.

A quick trip to the Covent Garden in London, Venice , Italy, or any another country is always must for me.

And as always, you can see whether you are in New York , Paris, or Chicago , you experience so much in a short amount of time with a Big Bus Tour.

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• You must cancel your booking at least 24 hours before the start time of the activity/experience to get a complete refund.
• If you cancel your booking less than 24 hours before the start time of the activity/experience, you will not be reimbursed.
• Any modifications made less than 24 hours before the start time of the activity/experience will not be allowed.
• The cut-off times are determined by the activity/experience's local start time.
• This activity/experience is weather dependent. If it is cancelled due to inclement weather, you will be given an alternate date or a full refund.

For groups of 12 or more, you may send us an inquiry at [email protected]. Although we do not guarantee bulk deals for all our tours, there are some tours for which we can offer discounted pricing. Ordinary hop-on-hop-off bus tickets are entitled to group savings. Attractions, pass items and combo tickets aren't.

Due the nature of this type of tour and varying demand, group travellers should be aware that there is no guarantee that the group will be able to travel altogether as the available seats vary from stop to stop and depends on demand each day. The group may need to split up and/or wait for the next bus(s).

As, we cannot guarantee that the group shall be able to travel together as one group, therefore we will reduce the group size down to 4-5 smaller groups per ticket (depending upon group size).

Big Bus Paris Sightseeing Night Tour By Open-Top Bus

This Tour Is Not Available Right Now

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• Enjoy the romantic vistas of lighted Paris at dusk.
• Explore the Champs-Elysées from the comfort of your seat as you look out at them.
• Visit sites like the Louvre Pyramid and Notre Dame Cathedral.
• See the Eiffel Tower shine at night, you can learn something from the audio tour.
• Learn about the city's past and famous sites from a live guide while riding the bus.
• Smartphone Voucher Accepted! No need to print.

With our panoramic Night Tour, you can completely immerse yourself in the captivating attraction of Paris at night. As we show you around famous monuments and sights, take in the City of Light in all its lit grandeur. You won't miss a thing on our meticulously planned Big Bus Tour of Paris, which includes stops at the Moulin Rouge, Notre Dame, and the Eiffel Tower.

• 2-Hours Big Bus Paris Night Tour
• Audio Guide in 6 languages: English, French, German, Spanish, Italian or Brazilian Portuguese.
• Extra Hygiene Measures
• Entrance Fees (Unless specified)
• Hotel Transfers

Redemption Info

You must redeem your voucher at  Stop #5 (156 Avenue des Champs-Elysées, facing the Arc de Triomphe) Show the Mobile/ Printed ticket to the staff member, and you will receive a receipt that you will use to hop on the Big Bus. This receipt is must throughout the validity period of your ticket. A staff member of Big Bus Tours will check the code present on the ticket during bus boarding. Tickets must be used on the date chosen at purchase. Seats are subject to availability. Mobile App: Customers are advised to download the "Big Bus Tours" app to see the most up to date bus stop locations, timings and live bus tracking.

Know Before You Go

Cancellation policy, other paris bus tours.

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Big Bus Tours: Paris Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus Tour

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TooTBus: Paris By Night Panoramic Open-Top Bus Tour

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France Confronts Horror of Rape and Drugging Case as 51 Men Go on Trial

A man is accused of drugging his wife and then inviting dozens of men to rape her over almost a decade. The questions raised by the case have unsettled the country.

By Catherine Porter and Ségolène Le Stradic

Reporting from Paris

For years, she had been losing hair and weight. She had started forgetting whole days, and sometimes appeared to be in dreamlike trances. Her children and friends worried she had Alzheimer’s.

But in late 2020, after she was summoned to a police station in southern France, she learned a far more shattering story.

Her husband of 50 years, Dominique Pelicot, had been crushing sleeping pills into her food and drink to put her into a deep sleep, the police said, and then raping her. He had ushered dozens of men into her home to film them raping her, too, they said, in abuse that lasted nearly a decade.

Using the man’s photographs, videos and online messages, the police spent the next two years identifying and charging those other suspects.

On Monday, 51 men, including Mr. Pelicot, went on trial in Avignon, in a case that has shocked France and cast a spotlight on the use of drugs to commit sexual abuse and the broader culture in which such crimes could occur.

The accused men represent a kaleidoscope of working-class and middle-class French society: truck drivers, soldiers, carpenters and trade workers, a prison guard, a nurse, an I.T. expert working for a bank, a local journalist. They range in age from 26 to 74. Many have children and are in relationships.

Most are charged with raping the woman once. A handful are accused of returning as many as six times to rape her.

The victim, Gisèle, who has divorced her husband and changed her surname since his arrest, is now in her 70s.

Since his arrest, Mr. Pelicot, 71, has “always declared himself guilty,” said Béatrice Zavarro, his lawyer. “He is not at all contesting his role.”

Other defendants have denied the rape charges, with some arguing that they had the husband’s permission and thought that was sufficient, while others claimed they believed the victim had agreed to be drugged.

When the police showed Gisèle some of the photographs they say her husband had carefully classified and stored, she expressed deep shock. She and her husband had been together since they were 18. She had described him to the police as caring and considerate.

She had no memory of being raped, by him or the other men, only one of whom she recognized, she told the police, as a neighbor in town.

The first time she will consciously witness the rapes, her lawyer Antoine Camus says, will be in the courtroom when the video recordings are played as evidence.

The trial comes at a moment of heightened scrutiny of the handling of sexual crimes in the country. Rape is defined in French law as an “act of sexual penetration” committed “by violence, coercion, threat or surprise.” A number of feminist lawmakers want to amend that wording to say explicitly that sex without consent is rape, that consent can be withdrawn at any time, and that consent cannot exist if sexual assault is committed “by abusing a state impairing the judgment of another.”

“There is a kind of naïveté on the topic of predators in France, a kind of denial,” said Sandrine Josso, a lawmaker who led a parliamentary commission into what is known in France as “chemical submission” — drugging someone with malicious intent. She started the commission after she says she became the victim of a drugging last year. A senator is being investigated on accusations that he slipped Ecstasy into her Champagne .

Ms. Josso hopes that the Avignon trial will draw attention to the use of drugs to prey on women, and also shed light on the wide profile of predators. “They could be your neighbors, without falling into paranoia,” she said.

Mr. Pelicot seemed like a classic man next door. He was a trained electrician, an entrepreneur and an avid cyclist. His middle child and only daughter, Caroline Darian, her pen name, described him as a warm and present father in a book published in 2022 about the case, “And I Stopped Calling You Papa.” She tried to turn her family trauma into action, forming a nonprofit association, “Don’t Put Me to Sleep,” to publicize the dangers of drug-facilitated crimes.

Her father, she wrote, was the one who drove her to school, picked her up late from parties, encouraged her and consoled her. Her mother was the stable breadwinner, working as a manager in a Paris-area company for 20 years.

When Gisèle retired, they moved to a house with a big garden and pool in Mazan, a small town northeast of Avignon. The couple regularly hosted their three children and grandchildren for summer vacations peppered with late dinners on the terrace, where the family debated, held dance competitions and played Trivial Pursuit.

“I think of us as happy,” his daughter wrote. “I thought my parents were.”

None of them harbored any suspicions. Then, in 2020, three women reported Mr. Pelicot to the police for trying to use his camera to film up their skirts in a grocery store, and he was arrested.

The police seized his two cellphones, two cameras and his electronic devices, including his laptop, before releasing him on bail.

On the devices, the police say they found 300 photographs and a video of an unconscious woman being sexually assaulted by many people. They said they also found Skype messages in which the man boasted of drugging his wife and invited men to join him in having sex with her while she was unconscious.

Over the course of their investigation, the police found more than 20,000 videos and photographs, many of them dated and labeled, in an electronic folder titled “abuse.” The timeline they built began in 2011. The list of suspects grew to 83.

Two months after his initial arrest, Mr. Pelicot was arrested again and charged with aggravated rape, drugging and a list of sexual abuse charges. He is also accused of violating the privacy of his wife, daughter and two daughters-in-law on suspicion of illegally recording, and at times distributing, intimate photos of them.

If he is found guilty, he faces up to 20 years in prison.

During interviews with the police, the details of which were included in an overview of the case by the investigative judge, Mr. Pelicot said he began drugging his wife so he could do things to her, and dress her in things, that she normally refused. Then he started inviting others to participate. He said he never asked for or accepted money.

He met most of the men, the investigating judge’s report stated, in a chat room on a notorious, unmoderated French website implicated in more than 23,000 police cases in France alone from 2021 to 2024. It was finally shut down, and its owner arrested, in June after an 18-month investigation stretching across Europe.

The chat room where most of the men met Mr. Pelicot was called “a son insu,” which means “without their knowledge.”

Over the years, Mr. Pelicot told the police, he developed rules for the visitors to ensure that his wife did not wake: no smoking or cologne; undress in the kitchen; warm hands under hot water or on a radiator, so their cold touch would not jolt her. At the end of each night, according to the investigating judge’s report, he cleaned his wife’s body.

Of the 83 suspects, the police identified and charged 50.

Only one of the men is not charged with rape, assault or attempted rape of Mr. Pelicot’s wife. Instead, that man is accused of following the same model, and drugging his own wife to rape her. Mr. Pelicot is also charged with raping the man’s wife while she was drugged.

Five of the men also face charges for possessing child sexual abuse imagery.

Mr. Pelicot is also being investigated in the rape and murder of a 23-year-old woman in 1991 and the attempted rape of a 19-year-old in 1999. He admitted to the attempted rape, according to Florence Rault, the lawyer representing the victims in both cases, but denies any involvement in the 1991 homicide.

The story has prompted some soul-searching among doctors, since Gisèle had visited gynecologists and neurologists over a series of mystifying symptoms, but had received no diagnosis, according to her daughter.

“What I found disturbing for us doctors was that no doctor considered this hypothesis,” said Dr. Ghada Hatem-Gantzer, a well known obstetrician-gynecologist and expert in violence against women. She and a pharmacist, Leila Chaouachi, have now developed training for doctors and nurses on the symptoms that victims of drug-facilitated assault can experience.

Contrary to popular belief, most cases occur at home, not at bars, said Ms. Chaouachi, who runs annual surveys on such offenses in France. Most victims are women, the surveys show, and around half of the victims do not remember the attack, because of blackouts, she said.

In the case going to court in Avignon, some of the accused admitted guilt to the police. According to the investigating judge’s report, many claimed that they were tricked into having sex with a drugged woman — lured by a husband for a three-way encounter and told she was pretending to sleep, because she was shy.

Several said they believed that she had consented to being drugged and raped as part of a sex fantasy. Some said they did not believe it was rape, because her husband was there and they believed he could consent for both of them.

“It sends shivers down the spine regarding the state of affairs in French society,” said Mr. Camus, who is also representing Ms. Darian and many other members of the family. “If that’s the conception of consent in sexual matters in 2024, then we have a lot, a lot, a lot of work to do.”

Catherine Porter is an international reporter for The Times, covering France. She is based in Paris. More about Catherine Porter