Paris looks different from a vintage open roof. This 3-hour private ride in a 1972 Citroën DS gives you a front row seat to the Paris classics, from the Eiffel Tower area to Montmartre, with the roof down for monument views. Two things I really like about this experience are the open roof perspective for photos and the driver experience, with Alain described as personable and charming, plus the car’s comfort (yes, even a cat nap moment gets a mention). One thing to plan for is that the tour’s value depends on sharing the group price, since it is priced per group up to 4.

The route is designed for big sights without making you fight your way through a full day on foot. You get private transportation and bottled water, and you can add small treats like champagne and macaroons if that fits your style. If weather is nasty, the open roof can feel less romantic, so I’d bring a layer and keep an eye on the forecast.

Key highlights in a few minutes

• 1972 Citroën DS open roof for better sight lines and classic Paris photo angles
• Private group of up to 4 so the pacing feels flexible
• Hotel pickup offered, plus transfer support toward a show or restaurant
• Monument route that hits the Paris greatest hits: Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysées, Concorde, Opéra Garnier, Montmartre
• Alain-focused service reputation for friendly, comfortable driving
• Bottled water included, with optional champagne and macaroons

Why the 1972 Citroën DS open-roof ride feels special

Paris tours can blur together fast. This one works because it adds a moving “frame” to the city: the 1972 Citroën DS, with its convertible roof, turns standard sightseeing into something you actually remember.

From your seat, you get a different way to read the city. With an open roof, you catch the height and drama of landmarks in a way that a closed vehicle just cannot match. It also makes the whole thing feel lighter and more personal, since you are not sealed away while you roll past the icons.

The ride itself is part of the appeal. One highlight that comes up is how clean, reliable, and comfortable the car feels, with a sense of calm that even led to a passenger dozing off during the experience. That matters more than you’d think. When you are spending time in central Paris, comfort turns a tour from tiring to enjoyable.

Finally, it is simply fun. A vintage DS in motion has that classic French confidence, and it helps you slow down mentally even while the city moves fast around you.

Your 3-hour route: Eiffel Tower to Montmartre via the classics

Your tour is about 3 hours and is built around a practical “Paris greatest hits” sweep. The plan runs from the Eiffel Tower area, then goes through the Champs Elysées, past Place de la Concorde, and the Opéra Garnier area, finishing with Montmartre.

What I like about this routing is the balance. You get both grand avenues and visual variety. You are not just stacking viewpoints in a straight line. Instead, you move through different styles of Paris, so the ride feels like progress rather than repetition.

How this helps you as a visitor:

• You start with a landmark that instantly anchors your bearings.
• You hit the big central boulevards where Paris feels designed, polished, and monumental.
• You end in an area like Montmartre, where the streets and the atmosphere are a different story, even if you only get a short window.

There is also an added benefit if you are mixing sightseeing with plans. The experience includes pickup offered and transfer support from your hotel for a show or a restaurant. In plain terms, you can use this as the “recovery and reset” part of your day, then roll into dinner or an evening event without the hassle of figuring everything out last minute.

One practical note: central Paris traffic and tight streets can affect how long you pause at any single spot. Think of the route as guided views and smart photo moments rather than a strict timetable for long walks.

Champs Elysées and quick monuments: what you can expect

The Champs Elysées stretch is one of those places where photos can look great, but the experience depends on timing and angle. From an open roof, you can usually get better views both forward and upward, and the drive-by rhythm makes it easier to take in the scale of buildings and monuments along the avenue.

Expect the ride to feel like a moving museum highlight reel. You’ll pass major landmarks you have seen on postcards, but the car gives you a closer sense of “you are actually here,” not just seeing the landmark from a distance.

What makes this part worth it is efficiency. In three hours, you can cover multiple zones that would take much longer by transit and walking. And because it is private, you are not forced into group constraints that sometimes cut into photo stops.

Possible drawback to keep in mind: if you have your heart set on long, focused time in one area, this format may feel too short. It is a city circuit designed for views and orientation, not a deep, drawn-out exploration of one neighborhood.

Place de la Concorde and Opéra Garnier from the car

Two of the most visually striking stops on the route are Place de la Concorde and the Opéra Garnier area. Even if you do not step out for extended time, the car perspective helps you connect the dots between the open square feeling of Concorde and the theatrical grandeur associated with the Opéra.

This is where the open roof shines again. You can pick up details in the skyline and the way the buildings frame the road. It is also an easier moment for photos if you are the type who gets annoyed when a landmark is surrounded by heavy foot traffic.

Concorde tends to feel wide and airy. Opéra Garnier tends to feel ornate and dramatic. Moving from one to the other in a short stretch is a smart way to see Paris as a mix of space and style, instead of one single vibe the whole time.

Also, having a driver who knows the city helps. The service reputation includes a driver described as very local and very friendly, which is what you want when you are trying to keep the day moving smoothly in central Paris.

Montmartre views with less stress

The tour ends in Montmartre, and that choice is practical. Montmartre can be a bit of a mood shift from the more formal, straight-line grandeur of the center. It is also an area where you can get great views, without needing to spend the entire day hiking.

With a three-hour tour, you are not trying to conquer every street. You’re trying to finish with an impression that helps you decide what to do next. Montmartre is ideal for that, because it gives you a sense of the neighborhood’s character right when your legs are ready to be done.

If you plan to go out after the tour, the transition matters. The experience includes transfer support from your hotel for a show or restaurant, so you are not stuck at the end of the day wondering how to move across town in the evening rush.

One more thing: since this is a private tour, you can typically keep expectations realistic. You are not racing a large group. You’re ending your sightseeing with a calmer pace and a memorable view angle.

Open roof comfort, photo angles, and timing

Open roof is the whole point here, so comfort is part of the deal. Even in warm months, Paris weather can change quickly, and the open-air time can feel breezier than you expect. I’d treat it like a “take a layer” situation, not a sit-and-sweat situation.

For photo angles, you’ll get the best results when you time your shots with the car’s movement. With the roof up, you end up framing through glass. With the roof down, you get clearer lines and more flattering perspectives, especially for tall monuments.

Here’s how to get the most out of the experience without turning it into a stressful photography session:

• Focus on landmark photos plus a few “street context” images.
• Don’t try to photograph everything. Choose key scenes.
• Keep an eye on the driver’s guidance if he is setting you up for better viewpoints.

Also, because the car is described as comfortable, you can likely sit back for a while and let the route do its job. One review mention of comfort, including a passenger cat nap moment, is funny, but it points to something real: less fatigue means better memories.

Price, what’s included, and optional champagne or macaroons

The price is $451.16 per group, up to 4 people, for about 3 hours. That pricing structure changes the math. If you are traveling solo, it can feel steep. If you are a couple, or small group of up to four, the per-person value can become much more reasonable, especially because you get private transportation rather than a shared bus ride.

Included in the experience:

• Private transportation
• Bottled water

Not included:

• Half bottle of champagne for +40 euros
• Macaroons for +10 euros

I like that these extras are optional. If you want a tiny celebratory Paris moment, you can add champagne and macaroons. If you do not, the tour still makes sense as a ride-through of major sights with an iconic car.

One more value point: the tour is booked on average about 35 days in advance, which suggests it is not something you should wait until the last minute to plan. Since it is private and limited to small groups, earlier booking can help you lock in a time window that works for your schedule.

Should you book this Paris DS tour?

Book it if you want a different kind of Paris sightseeing experience. This is ideal for couples, friends, and small groups who like comfort, want strong landmark views, and enjoy the fun factor of a true classic car. It also fits travelers who have a packed day and want a reset without wasting time coordinating transit.

Skip it, or at least think hard first, if you need lots of walking time at each stop. This is a ride-first tour. You’ll get plenty to see from the car and enough to feel oriented, but it is not trying to replace a full neighborhood exploration day.

Also, check your timing and party. The experience is prohibited for children under 11 years, and it is private, so it is best for people who want their own group experience.

If you can split the group price and you are excited by the idea of seeing Paris through the open roof of a 1972 DS, this is a smart way to make the city feel cinematic.

FAQ

How long is the Paris City Tour in the Citroën DS?

It lasts about 3 hours.

What is the group size and price?

The price is $451.16 per group, and the group size is up to 4 people.

Is pickup offered?

Yes, pickup is offered, and there is also transfer from your hotel for a show or a restaurant.

What is included in the tour price?

Private transportation and bottled water are included.

What are the extra costs if I want champagne or macaroons?

A half bottle of champagne is +40 euros, and macaroons are +10 euros.

Is there a cancellation window or any age restriction?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The experience is prohibited for children under 11 years, and service animals are allowed.