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Free tour

Let’s explore the South of Pigalle (SOPI) and the New Athens

Duration: 1h and 30min
Languages:
Guru: Thomas
Registered on November 22, 2021

Hi, I'm Thomas! After spending my childhood in the beautiful French Alps, I am living in Montmartre. Former biologist, I am working now as a tour guide. I did many guided tours during my travels, thinking that one day, I also would guide people around a place I love... And here I am! Let's share a walk, a moment in Paris together.

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  • No minimum number of attendees
    No minimum number of attendees is required for the tour
  • Free booking and cancellation
    Free payment tour, no set price, booking and cancellation are free
  • Accepts electronic payment
    This tour allows payment by electronic means or credit card

Tour description

Have you heard about the South of Pigalle? The SOPI, as the Parisians nickname it, is famous today for its bars, theaters, and cozy atmosphere. But in the 19th century, the SOPI was an artistic hotspot in Paris. Unfairly less famous than its little sister, Montmartre, the SOPI has many charms and secrets to be shown. Come and explore with me this incredible area: 

 

  • The history of Pigalle, the «hot and spicy» district of Paris with its cabarets, brothels and nightclubs
  • A very unique and beautiful architecture, inspired by Greek and Roman architecture.
  • The New Athens, a historical district in the SOPI. It is named «the cradle of romanticism» because of the major romantic artists who lived there.
  • Stories about the famous people who lived in the SOPI: Richard Wagner, Frédéric Chopin, Eugène Delacroix... And other artists, less famous but not less talented.  
  • Atypical places such as a «very special» brothel or a fire department... making its wine! 

 

Meetup point: at the Pigalle metro station. 

The tour is 1h30 long. We will start at the Pigalle metro station and the tour will end at the Museum of Romantic Life (musée de la Vie Romantique). I fear no weather (rain, snow, tornadoes...)

This tour is tip-supported. There is no reservation fee. You give at the end of the tour how much you think the tour is worth. As a reference, people usually give 12 to 15€ per person. 

 

PLEASE TAKE NOTE: this tour includes some content about prostitution and sex workers. It might not be suited for children and under-aged teenagers. 

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  • Meeting point:
    Quartier Pigalle, 75009 Paris, France
    Quartier Pigalle, 75009 Paris, France
    View on map

    We'll meet at the Pigalle metro station. I'll have a little rat plush in my hand (quite easy to spot :-) )

How much does this tour cost?

Free tours do not have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end of the tour the amount that he or she considers appropriate (these usually range from €10 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).

Tour opinions

7 ratings
5.0
By category
Professionalism
5.0
Fun
5.0
Expression
5.0
Quality
5.0
Route
4.71
Generic
5 stars
7
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1 star
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Justin 28 Feb 2024
Reading

Verified booking
Travelled alone - Feb 2024
A had a wonderful walking tour with Thomas around a lesser-known part of Paris: SOPI (south of Pigalle). The buildings in this area are stunning, but the streets more intimate than Paris’s more famous boulevards. And today SOPI is a trendy district with a bunch of great bars, restaurants, theatres and clubs that Thomas pointed out as we walked around. Thomas has great English and supplements his commentary on the artists who lived in this area with a file of great illustrations. I highly recommend this tour and will make a point of taking one of his other ones next time I am in Paris.
Dominick 09 Jan 2024
Austin

Verified booking
Travelled alone - Jan 2024
Thank you so much to Thomas for this very fun trip of Northern Paris. We can feel his passion through every explanations, and he makes this original walk a very entertaining experience. I wish him the best !
Anne-Marie 13 Dec 2023
Aubagne

Verified booking
Travelled in couple - Dec 2023
Au TOP! Thomas est un excellent guide, de plus, fort sympathique et très pro. Il nous a fait découvrir l'histoire très riche de ce quartier méconnu. Je recommande vivement cette visite.
Angie 12 Dec 2023

Verified booking
Travelled in couple - Dec 2023
Must seem if you would like to know more about Paris.
Jill 30 Nov 2023

Verified booking
Travelled in couple - Nov 2023
Thomas is a passionate historian. His tour enabled us to envision the exciting ways in which artist and writers created masterpieces in this area of Paris. Highly recommended!
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Who is this tour for?

Accessibility
Non suitable for people with reduced mobility.
Groups
Does not accept large group reservations.
Pets
Suitable for carrying pets.

What should you know?

Minimum of attendees
There is no minimum number of people required for the tour.
Additional costs:
The tour does not require the payment of entrance fees or additional expenses.
Free cancellation
If you will not be able to attend the tour, please cancel your booking, otherwise the guide will be waiting for you.
Payment methods
Electronic or credit card payment is accepted.
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