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

4.5 (1453)

Experience the magic of Paris at your own rhythm with the most convenient and comprehensive sightseeing solution in the City of Light. Our flexible hop-on hop-off bus tour combined with an enchanting Seine river cruise offers the perfect introduction to Paris's most celebrated landmarks and hidden gems.

Tour Highlights

Experience the best of Paris at your leisure with a hop-on hop-off double-decker bus tour
Uncover world-famous landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, and beyond
Take in breathtaking city views and engaging audio commentary aboard open-top buses
Enhance your journey with a scenic 1-hour Seine River cruise past Paris’ most iconic sights
Hop off to explore must-see attractions like Notre Dame Cathedral and the Champs-Élysées

What's Included/Not Included

24- or 48-hour Big Bus hop-on hop-off pass, based on your selected option
Optional 1-hour Seine River cruise for a scenic view of Paris from the water
Digital audio commentary available in multiple languages
Complimentary souvenir earphones for onboard use
Free mobile app with route maps and live bus tracking
Free Wi-Fi access on all buses
Hotel transfers not included

Meeting Point

You can scan your mobile voucher or QR code at any official Big Bus stop along the route.
A recommended starting point is
Stop #1: Louvre-Pyramide, located at 11 Avenue de l’Opéra beside the Big Bus Information Centre.
Another popular option is
Stop #8: Eiffel Tower, found at Quai Branly (Entrance 2 of the Eiffel Tower).
Please note: Your QR code must be validated on the bus before you can board the Seine River cruise—boarding will not be permitted without this step. The cruise, operated by our partner Les Bateaux Parisiens, departs from Pontoon No. 3 at Port de la Bourdonnais, just next to Stop #8. Cruises run every 45 minutes between 10:30 AM and 9:00 PM, and every 30 minutes on weekends.

Operating Hours

Bigbus Paris Hop on Hop Off Tour operates everyday between 09:30 AM - 06:00 PM

Itinerary (Route)

2 starting location options:
📍11 Av. de l'Opéra, 11 Av. de l'Opéra
📍Palais-Royal
📍Louvre Museum
📍Pont des Arts
📍Notre Dame Cathedral
📍Musée d'Orsay
📍Palais Bourbon
📍Tuileries Garden
📍Place de la Concorde
📍Champs-Élysées
📍Arc de Triomphe
📍Grand Palais
📍Petit Palais
📍Palais de Chaillot
📍Eiffel Tower
📍Parc du Champs de Mars
📍École-Militaire
📍Les Invalides
📍Place Vendôme
📍Palais Garnier
2 drop-off locations: 11 Av. de l'Opéra, 11 Av. de l'Opéra

Discover Paris Your Way with Complete Freedom

Navigate Paris effortlessly aboard our comfortable double-decker buses, designed to showcase the city's architectural marvels and cultural treasures. With the freedom to explore at your own pace, you'll witness iconic monuments, world-renowned museums, and charming neighborhoods without the stress of planning complex routes or dealing with crowded public transportation.

Our open-top buses provide unobstructed panoramic views of Paris's stunning skyline, allowing you to capture memorable photographs of the Eiffel Tower's iron lattice work, the Arc de Triomphe's magnificent arch, and the Gothic spires of Notre Dame Cathedral. The elevated perspective offers unique vantage points impossible to achieve from street level.

Premium Audio Commentary and Multilingual Support

Enhance your journey with our comprehensive audio guide system, featuring fascinating historical narratives, architectural insights, and local legends in multiple languages including English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, and Russian. Professional historians and local experts have crafted these engaging commentaries to bring Paris's rich heritage to life.

Each landmark receives detailed explanation, from the Louvre's transformation from royal palace to world's largest art museum, to the Champs-Élysées' evolution from countryside pathway to the world's most beautiful avenue. Learn about Napoleon's military campaigns at Les Invalides, discover the secrets of Palais Garnier's phantom legends, and understand the significance of Place de la Concorde's revolutionary history.

Strategic Route Covering Essential Landmarks

Our carefully planned route ensures you visit Paris's most important attractions efficiently. The journey includes:

Historic and Cultural Sites:

  • Louvre Museum and Pyramide entrance
  • Notre Dame Cathedral and Île de la Cité
  • Musée d'Orsay's impressive impressionist collection
  • Palais-Royal's elegant gardens and arcades
  • Pont des Arts and its romantic setting

Architectural Marvels:

  • Eiffel Tower and Parc du Champs de Mars
  • Arc de Triomphe and Place Charles de Gaulle
  • Grand Palais and Petit Palais exhibition halls
  • Palais de Chaillot's terraced gardens
  • École-Militaire's classical façade

Shopping and Entertainment Districts:

  • Champs-Élysées luxury boutiques
  • Place Vendôme's prestigious jewelry houses
  • Palais Garnier opera house
  • Tuileries Garden's sculpture collections
  • Place de la Concorde's historic significance

Enchanting Seine River Cruise Experience

Complement your bus tour with a magical one-hour Seine river cruise, offering a completely different perspective of Paris's landmarks. Float past centuries-old bridges, admire riverside monuments, and witness the city's reflection dancing on the water's surface.

The cruise departs from Pontoon No. 3 at Port de la Bourdonnais near the Eiffel Tower, operating every 45 minutes from 10:30 AM to 9:00 PM (every 30 minutes on weekends). Live commentary explains the significance of each landmark visible from the river, including the historic Pont Neuf, the ornate Pont Alexandre III, and the imposing Conciergerie.

Flexible Ticketing Options for Every Schedule

Choose between 24-hour or 48-hour tickets based on your availability and interests. Both options include unlimited boarding privileges, allowing you to explore thoroughly without rushing between attractions.

24-Hour Option Perfect For:

  • First-time visitors wanting an overview
  • Travelers with limited time
  • Those focusing on major landmarks
  • Budget-conscious explorers

48-Hour Option Ideal For:

  • Detailed exploration enthusiasts
  • Photography lovers needing multiple visits
  • Families with children requiring frequent breaks
  • Visitors wanting to experience attractions at different times

Convenient Boarding Locations Throughout Paris

Begin your adventure at any of our eleven strategically located stops:

  1. Louvre-Pyramide (11 Avenue de l'Opéra) - Central starting point near our information center
  2. Louvre-Pont des Arts (56 Quai François Mitterrand) - Artistic district access
  3. Notre Dame (3 Rue Lagrange) - Historic island location
  4. Musée d'Orsay (58 Place Henry de Montherlant) - Left Bank cultural hub
  5. Champs-Élysées (156 Avenue des Champs-Élysées) - Shopping district center
  6. Grand Palais (Avenue Winston Churchill) - Exhibition venue proximity
  7. Iena (Avenue Iéna) - Upscale residential area
  8. Eiffel Tower (Quai Branly, Entrée 2) - Iconic landmark access
  9. Champ de Mars (Avenue Joseph Bouvard) - Green space relaxation
  10. Opéra Garnier (Facing 15 Rue Scribe) - Entertainment district
  11. Invalides (2 Avenue de Tourville) - Military history complex

Modern Amenities and Accessibility Features

Our buses feature complimentary Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing you to share your experiences instantly on social media or research attractions during your journey. The included mobile app provides real-time bus tracking, ensuring minimal waiting times at stops.

Wheelchair accessibility is guaranteed with ramps on all buses, and small dogs are welcome on the lower deck. Souvenir headphones are provided for audio commentary, and hotel pickup/drop-off services eliminate transportation concerns.

Weather-Flexible Sightseeing Solution

Open-top buses showcase Paris beautifully in sunny weather, while covered lower decks ensure comfort during rain or cooler temperatures. This flexibility makes the tour suitable year-round, with each season offering unique perspectives on the city's changing character.

Spring brings blooming gardens and pleasant temperatures, summer offers long daylight hours for extended exploration, autumn provides stunning foliage colors, and winter creates magical holiday atmospheres with illuminated monuments.

Maximizing Your Paris Experience

Start early to avoid crowds at popular attractions, particularly the Eiffel Tower and Louvre. Use the audio guide to identify lesser-known gems visible from the bus, and don't hesitate to hop off for spontaneous discoveries.

Consider timing your Seine cruise for sunset to witness Paris's transformation into the "City of Light" as historic buildings illuminate against the darkening sky. The combination of bus tour flexibility and river cruise tranquility creates the perfect balance of comprehensive sightseeing and relaxing observation.

Booking and Practical Information

Reserve your spot with our flexible booking system featuring free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and reserve-now-pay-later options. Tours operate with buses departing every 10-20 minutes, and the complete circuit takes approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes.

The final tour departs from Stop 1 (Louvre-Pyramide) at 5:30 PM, ensuring ample time for late-afternoon exploration. Mobile vouchers can be redeemed at any bus stop, and QR codes must be validated on the bus before accessing the river cruise.

Cancellation Policy:

  • Cancellation of at least 24 hrs before travel date: 100% refund
  • Extra cancellation or refund fees may apply. Any cancellations falling outside of the above policy are strictly non-refundable

The full circuit takes approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes without stops. However, most visitors spend 4-8 hours exploring various attractions throughout the day.

Yes, you can begin your tour at any of our 11 designated stops. Simply redeem your mobile voucher/QR code when boarding at your chosen location.

Audio guides are available in 9 languages: English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, and Russian.

Buses operate every 10-20 minutes throughout the day, with the last departure from Stop 1 at 5:30 PM.

 The river cruise is available as an optional add-on when booking your hop-on hop-off ticket. It's not automatically included in the basic bus tour price.

Yes, all buses are equipped with ramps for wheelchair access, making the tour fully accessible for mobility-impaired visitors.

Small dogs are permitted but must remain on the lower deck of the bus throughout the journey.

No, mobile vouchers and QR codes are accepted. Simply show your digital ticket when boarding at any stop.

Buses have covered lower decks for weather protection. The tour operates in most weather conditions, though severe weather may cause temporary delays.

The river cruise lasts approximately one hour and departs from Pontoon No. 3 near the Eiffel Tower every 45 minutes (every 30 minutes on weekends).

Yes, free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before your tour date for a full refund.

Yes, complimentary Wi-Fi is provided on all buses, allowing you to stay connected during your tour.