Paris in Winter | Exploring the City on a Tootbus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour⎮Features Blue Route – Travel guides for couples; romantic escapes, city breaks + worldwide adventures

VERDICT: We gave 4 out of 5 tickets and here’s why!

This guide forms part of our complete France Travel Guide , featuring scenic road trips, iconic destinations, practical travel advice and honest first-hand travel experiences from across France.

This article is also part of our 48 Hrs; Paris in Winter series, exploring Normandy Beaches and experiencing Eurostar for the first time. Read the complete itinerary here.

Full Paris Winter Itinerary:

A convenient two-day sightseeing tour connecting many of Paris’s most famous landmarks

After dropping our luggage in our Paris hotel room, near the Trocadero, we found the nearest Hop On Hop Off Tootbus bus stop & bought a two day pass. As it was Winter weather we didn’t always want to be walking in the elements.

It’s also such a reasonably priced way to get around most cities & the history you can learn while wearing the headsets is really interesting. We usually go around the city wherever we’re visiting, once, full circle, then decide where we’ll get off on the next turn around.

The Hop On Hop Off Tootbus saves walking on the Paris cobblestones all of the time, they’re less expensive than taxis or a car rental & have kept us warm & dry.

We did the Blue Route where the audio guide is GPS-triggered and plays as you pass each landmark. The 10 languages offered include English, French, Spanish, Italian, German, Japanese, Chinese, Arabic, Russian, Brazillian-Portuguese. There’s also a kids channel in English + French.

What’s covered by the Blue Route:

• Opéra – Grands Magasins:
History of Palais Garnier, Haussmann’s renovation of Paris, and the 19th century shopping arcades.

• Musée du Louvre:
From medieval fortress to royal palace to world’s largest museum. You’ll hear about art featuring Napoléon, the Pyramid & the Mona Lisa, to name a few.

• Notre-Dame:
Gothic architecture, 850+ years of history, Victor Hugo, the 2019 fire + restoration, Île de la Cité origins.

• Panthéon – Luxembourg:
The French Revolution, famous burials in the Panthéon, Latin Quarter, and Sorbonne students.

• Musée d’Orsay:
Hear how this former train station turned into an Impressionist museum, also Belle Époque Paris.

• Concorde:
Learn of French Revolution executions, Place de la Concorde the obelisk from Egypt, and beautiful Tuileries Gardens.

• Arc – Champs-Élysées:
Learn about Napoléon, the Arc de Triomphe battles, the Champs-Élysées as “most beautiful avenue”, and of course, fashion + history.

• Trocadéro:
Hear about the 1878 & 1937 World’s Fairs, Palais de Chaillot, also this is the best view of the Eiffel Tower.

• Tour Eiffel:
History on Gustave Eiffel, the 1889 World’s Fair, its engineering feat + how it was almost torn down!

• Pont Alexandre III – Invalides:
The ornate & extravagant Beaux-Arts bridge, Napoléon’s tomb at Les Invalides, also military history of France.

You can also listen to the commentary on the Tootbus App + get self-guided walking tours

The bus protects passengers from winter weather primarily on the enclosed lower level. The open upper deck offers better views but very little protection from cold, wind or rain. We braved the weather and it was worth it!

The full loop is about 2 hours if you don’t hop off. We’ve also enjoyed similar bus tours in London, Spain, Portugal, San Diego, and more.

Special Note: Your 48-hour pass is valid for 48 hours after its first onboard validation, not simply for two calendar days.

Tootbus Paris Prices

Published standard prices for the Paris Discovery Blue Route are approximately:

Pass – 24 hours

Adult 13+ Cost €49
Child 4–12 Cost €27

Pass – 48 hours

Adult 13+ Cost €55
Child 4–12 Cost €32

Pass – 72 hours

Adult 13+ Cost €59
Child 4–12 Cost €35

Children : 0–3: Free

Prices vary by date and seasonal promotion. Online discounts can reduce the 48-hour adult pass to approximately €41–€47, so visitors should check the booking calendar before publishing or purchasing.

The pass includes unlimited travel on the Blue Route during the selected period, multilingual commentary, children’s commentary and five self-guided walking tours through the Tootbus app. ⁠

Address and Boarding Locations

Tootbus is a multi-stop tour, so passengers do not need to begin at its office. Tickets can be activated when boarding at any designated Blue Route stop.

Tootbus Paris Office

Address: 11 Rue Auber, 75009 Paris, France
Neighbourhood: Opéra district, 9th arrondissement
Telephone: +33 1 42 66 56 56
Map: Open the Tootbus Paris office in Google Maps⁠

Main Blue Route Departure Point

Stop: Opéra–Grands Magasins
Address: 23 Boulevard des Capucines, 75002 Paris
Map: Open the main Tootbus departure point in Google Maps⁠

Convenient Stop Near Hôtel du Bois

The Arc de Triomphe–Champs-Élysées stop will generally be closer to Hôtel du Bois than Trocadéro. Exact stops can temporarily move because of road closures, demonstrations or major events. The Tootbus app provides live bus and stop locations.

Top 5 Sights to See From the Bus

1. Eiffel Tower From Trocadéro

The approach to Trocadéro delivers one of the finest Eiffel Tower views in Paris. Hop off to photograph the tower from the esplanade before walking through the gardens and across Pont d’Iéna. You may also want to observe, as we did, the Eiffel Tower from a cruise on the River Seine.

2. Arc de Triomphe and Champs-Élysées

The upper deck provides an excellent view along the Champs-Élysées toward the Arc de Triomphe. Hop off to visit the monument, see the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier or climb to its panoramic terrace.

3. Louvre Museum and Pyramid

The route passes the former royal palace and its contrasting glass pyramid. Even without entering the museum, this is one of the most impressive architectural sections of the tour.

4. Notre-Dame and Île de la Cité

Views around Île de la Cité reveal the historic heart of Paris. Hop off for Notre-Dame Cathedral, Sainte-Chapelle, the Conciergerie and a walk beside the Seine.

5. Place de la Concorde, Pont Alexandre III and Les Invalides

This portion of the route combines several major landmarks: the Luxor Obelisk, ornate Pont Alexandre III, Grand Palais and the golden dome of Les Invalides. It is arguably the most visually impressive stretch after Trocadéro.

Winter Tour Information

During the main winter period, buses typically operate:

First departure: 9:30 a.m.
Last departure: Around 5:00 p.m.
Frequency: Approximately every 15 minutes
Complete Blue Route: Approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes without leaving the bus

Service hours change seasonally, and Paris traffic can substantially extend the loop. Be sure to check prior to planning your day.