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, Clerkenwell & Islington 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
★★★★★
“Delighted! This is an exceptional discovery of London. We loved exploring the nooks and crannies of London through the ages. Thank you Anthony for your availability and your captivating accounts of London’s history.
★★★★★
“We did the guided tour with children aged 10 and 14. We had scheduled it as the first of our 4 days in London and it was a superb introduction to our stay. The guide managed to share his passion and his deep knowledge of London, captivating the adults while including and engaging our children and teenagers. His many anecdotes and tips served us throughout our stay. He made us discover the must-sees of the City but above all charming places off the beaten track that we would not have found or had access to without our guide... In short, the guided tour remains the best experience of everything we did in 4 days in London.
★★★★★
“We were totally won over by the tour with Anthony. It was fascinating, we learned an enormous amount, in terms of history, politics and architecture … What a joy to be guided by someone so passionate and generous in his sharing! We recommend Anthony 150% and look forward to doing more tours with him when we return to London.
★★★★★
“Very interesting tour with our guide who was very friendly and attentive to his group. Numerous anecdotes. In-depth knowledge of the subject. Illustrated with photos on a tablet. A route full of unusual discoveries. Highly recommended.
★★★★★
“A great tour that allowed us to discover the different stages of London’s construction and to share the key moments of London’s history. Our guide shares many anecdotes and singular places. Thank you for this wonderful morning and for sharing your passion.
★★★★★
“We really enjoyed this guided tour. Our guide was very careful with his explanations to keep my 9-year-old daughter engaged. A very interesting tour led by someone truly passionate.
