The best Paris bus tours

Enjoy the Parisian breeze blowing through your hair as you zoom past the Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe, and Notre Dame Cathedral from this double-decker bus. If you fancy stretching your legs, this four-hour tour includes a river cruise with commentary and ends with priority access to the Eiffel Tower, where you can get a stunning aerial view of the sights you’ve just seen at close quarters.

Time Out tip: Opt for Eiffel Tower summit access (the highest observation deck in Paris) for the best views.  

Venture out as the night falls to see Paris illuminated in all its glory. This sightseeing panoramic night bus tour goes on a journey through the heart of Paris, showing you the best the City of Lights has to offer. From the open top, marvel at iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Louvre Pyramid, whilst resting your feet. No shoving through crowds on this tour, just riding around at ease. Enjoy the recorded commentary (which comes in several languages) to find out more about the historical city. 

Time Out tip: Choose a night that's expected to be good weather so you don't miss out on the open-top experience. 

Although not your standard bus tour you'd see wheeling through the city, this City and River Seine tour takes place on an amphibious bus. Pass by iconic landmarks on this unique panoramic tour while navigating the River Seine. Get the best of both land and water on this tour – definitely one to remember. Learn from your professional guide all about the symbolic sights while you sit back and relax. Enjoy views of landmarks like the classic Eiffel Tower, The Alexander III Bridge, and the Champs-Elysées. 

Time Out tip: If you don't want to be in the splash zone, don't sit by the window. 

Three routes, five themed walks and one ticket to see the lot – interested? The beauty of the hop-on-hop-off ticket is there’s none of that post-trip FOMO to endure – you can pretty much cover all the city’s major landmarks, but to your own beat. Choose between a one-, two- or three-day ticket and bag a seat on the open-top deck for the best views alongside state-of-the-art audio commentary featuring 10 different languages via a free app. 

Time Out tip: It would be a good idea to bring your own headphones for this one. 

There are three fabulous options to choose from with this hop-on-hop-off bus tour. A classic ticket gets you one-day bus travel plus a walking tour thrown in; a premium ticket includes two days of uninterrupted sightseeing. And if you’re feeling really fancy, why not opt for the Deluxe ticket? It consists of two days of bus travel followed by a romantic cruise along the Seine. 

Time Out tip: There's a lot to see on this excursion, but make sure not to miss those lesser-known points of interest like the École-Militaire or Palais de Chaillot.

This glass-roofed double-decker bus has got to be the most indulgent way to see the city – and not just because of the panoramic views you take in along your journey. Pull up a chair aboard Bustronome, and you’ll be treated to a seasonal four-course or six-course dinner curated by a master chef. It’s a foodie’s dream come true! 

Time Out tip: The route can be modified in line with key events and celebrations in the Paris calendar, so it's worth doing a little research before choosing which day to book. 

Not only can you take your time touring the city with this ticket, but you get to skip the queues when you visit the Eiffel Tower. And trust us, you'll be sighing with relief when you see them (as you saunter past). There are ten stops on the bus route, all of which you can explore at your leisure, as the hop-on-hop-off tickets are valid for either 24 or 48 hours. Tickets also include an hour-long Seine River cruise. 

Time Out tip: Why not extend your time on the River Seine into the evening by booking a table at one of the floating restaurants along the bank (Les Maquereaux is always a solid option). 

Take a break from the bright lights of the city with this day trip tour to the former home of master impressionist Claude Monet. The air-conditioned coach will drop you off right on his doorstep in the petit hamlet of Giverny, where you can lose yourself in the exquisite planting and enchanting water gardens that formed the basis for his large-scale, iconic and surreally beautiful ‘Water Lilies’ paintings. 

Time Out tip: Don't forget to take a moment to admire those famous water lilies. 

This tour combines a double-decker bus ride with a day of culture at the Louvre thanks to its all-inclusive ticket. Take an audio-guided stroll around one of the world's most famous museums, spotting priceless works of art such as the Mona Lisa, before soaking up panoramic views from the roof of a modern bus. 

Time Out tip: The Musée du Louvre closes at 5pm, so don't pick a tour slot after 2pm if you want to explore for the full three hours.