Paris is one of the most historical cities in the world. Evocative streets, breathtaking gardens, and mysterious riverbanks overflow with the stories of centuries past. It's easy and wonderful to succumb to the charms of this most romantic of all European capitals, but on your next visit, why not stroll in the footsteps of 18th century royals and revolutionaries?

A company called Classic Walks leads a guided tour of pivotal French Revolution sites, four days a week, from March through October. The two-hour excursion begins outside the Tour Moubourg metro stop, a lovely 20-minute stroll across the Seine from the elegant, Art Deco era hotel, Prince de Galles, Paris. Amicable and knowledgeable English-speaking guides lead the group to monumental attractions like Les Invalides. The former ammunition depot was looted by revolutionaries, who used the weapons to storm the Bastille on July 14, 1789, officially kicking off the French Revolution. Events like this, as well as major figures such as King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, are discussed as the tour winds its way through the streets of Paris, stopping at other important sites like the Tuileries, where the royal family were kept under house arrest, and the Conciergerie, a holding pen for hundreds of French aristocrats en route to the guillotine. Once you've got a clear picture of how this extraordinary era of French history went down, mull it over with a slice of cake at Le Procope, a 17th century restaurant where Robespierre once dined.