Some of the city’s greatest monuments and historic sites offer visitors VIP and backstage access. These tours bypass the lines and crowds.

Eiffel Tower: France's famed monument offers an official behind-the-scenes experience, starting deep under the Champ du Mars. VIP visitors see machinery that operates the tower's elevators, along with vintage wartime bunkers.

Next, visit the tower's second level, home of the Jules Verne restaurant. The special tour proceeds to the roof of the restaurant and top of the tower for great views of Paris, off limits to regular visitors. Tours are 10 a.m., noon and 4:30 p.m. Notre-Dame Cathedral: An after-hours VIP tour gives visitors access to the cathedral’s soaring interiors and towers. The views of the city are amazing from the high vantage points as are the close-ups of the building and architecture. .

Lido de Paris: The famous theater offers a behind-the-scenes tour that takes visitors to areas the audience doesn't see. It includes dressing rooms, makeup areas, costume storage, as well as backstage area of lighting and scenery.

The tour also highlights the historic home to one of the city’s most famous dance shows. Tours are limited to only 15 people and must be booked well in advance. The tours are conducted before the nightly show.