Tours and Tickets to Experience Left Bank (Rive Gauche)

There are plenty of ways to experience the Left Bank (Rive Gauche). Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Paris E-Scooter Tour with fun & informative guide (small groups)
• Paris Private Wine Tasting and Walk
• Paris Sweet Stops
• Paris Sights and Bites
• Best of the Left Bank: Self-Guided Tour of the Latin Quarter

Visiting the Left Bank is free—it’s an area on the left bank, or south side, of the River Seine in Paris. There are also plenty of tours that will turn exploring this part of the city into a fun-filled, history-rich adventure, starting as low as US$20, with prices depending on the tour’s offerings and duration.

The Left Bank refers to the southern bank of the River Seine, which naturally cuts a divide through the city of Paris. This side of the river is known for its universities (including the Sorbonne) and association with writers, poets, actors, and the arts, giving it a distinctive Bohemian feel and counter-culture vibe. It’s home to the Latin Quarter, too.

Must-see attractions on the Left Bank of the Seine include the Eiffel Tower, the Musée d'Orsay, Les Invalides, Luxembourg Gardens, the Catacombs of Paris, the Panthéon, and Montparnasse Tower. There are also plenty of shops, boutiques, hotels, and historic residences to marvel at, nearly everywhere you look.

There are all sorts of ways to explore the Left Bank, including hop-on hop-off buses, self-guided audio tours, Segway excursions, bike trips, private driving tours, and walking tours that let you soak up the area's unique ambience. There are also specialized tours that focus on wine, food, or family-friendly activities. If you can dream it, there’s probably a tour for it.

The Left Bank is picturesque in all seasons, in all weather, and at all times of day—there's never a bad time to visit. However, you can more comfortably enjoy sites along the Left Bank in warmer weather, including Luxembourg Gardens, Jardin des Plantes, or Eiffel Tower views from Champ de Mars. The colder months are still lovely, but you might find yourself drawn to indoor experiences, such as the Musée d'Orsay.