Description
William Fitzstephen, 1173
« The capital of the kingdom of the English sends its riches and merchandise to distant lands. The only plagues of London are the immoderate drinking of fools and the frequency of fires. »
Trade and fire. In just a few words, a 12th-century monk had already summed up what would shape London for centuries to come.
Winding through the City's many buildings, streets and monuments, this tour traces 2,000 years of extraordinary history — from the periods that transformed a small trading port into one of the world's richest and most visited metropolises, through great invasions and great reconstructions, through plagues and financial revolutions.
Romans, Saxons, Normans, Plantagenets, the Blitz… Each a chapter in the story of a city that has never stopped reinventing itself.
Highlights
A global financial district
The Walkie-Talkie, the Gherkin, the Sky Garden… all the City's iconic skyscrapers revealed from a different angle, complete with anecdotes and architectural controversies.
Medieval alleyways
The City's little-known medieval lanes follow the footprint of millennia of history. After this tour, they'll hold no more secrets for you.
A seat of power
When the monarch reaches the boundaries of the City, they must ask the Lord Mayor's permission to enter. Discover the fascinating customs born of centuries of power struggles.
Fires and catastrophes
The Great Fire of London and the Blitz rank among the worst disasters in British history, and both forever reshaped the face of the metropolis.
Practical information
Meeting point
Outside Costa Coffee
At the exit of Monument station
126 Cannon Street, London EC4N 6AS
126 Cannon Street, London EC4N 6AS
Duration
2h30 to 3h
Depending on the group's pace and curiosity
Language
French
Certified guide, Green Badge, City of London Guide
Group size
1 to 20 people
Shared or private tour, your choice
Prices
£30/person or £230 flat rate
See price table below
Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible
Route adaptable on request
Please note
- Minors must be accompanied by an adult.
- Tours go ahead in all weathers — please dress accordingly.
- Each participant is responsible for their own safety, particularly when crossing roads.
- This tour is recommended and accessible for young children.
Times & Prices
Start time to suit you for any private tour booking (subject to availability).
| Option | Price |
|---|---|
| Shared tour Join a group of French-speaking visitors |
£30 / person |
| Private tour — 1 to 20 people The tour entirely for your group, at your own pace |
£230 flat rate |
Duration : 2h30 to 3h
Not included
Photos
Reviews
★★★★★
“A tour that reconciles you with history. We'd been walking through the City for years without imagining all that lies hidden behind the facades. Our guide has a gift for bringing past centuries to life.
★★★★★
“Two and a half hours that seem to fly by in an instant. From Roman antiquity to modern finance, everything flows together with infectious logic and passion. Absolutely unmissable.
★★★★★
“The best way to understand what the City really is — not just a financial centre, but a city within a city with its own laws, its own customs, its own police force. Fascinating.
