Discover French Detroit: Self-Guided Audio Tour
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Discover the rich history of French Detroit with this self-guided audio tour app. Originally founded as Fort Pontchartrain in 1701, Detroit was a French trading post and outpost of the French Empire for many decades. Despite changing hands—becoming British in 1760 and then American in 1795—the city kept its French roots alive, with French language and culture lingering into the 1840s.
This tour brings that hidden history back to life. You’ll explore key sites, learn about Native American relations, and see remnants of Detroit’s French past that are often overlooked today. Perfect for history buffs or anyone curious about Detroit’s unique heritage, this experience offers a fascinating glimpse into a city shaped by French explorers and settlers.
Download the tour beforehand and listen at your own pace—whether from your home, hotel, or on the go. As you approach each stop, the SmartGuide app will notify you and start the narration, making it easy to immerse yourself in Detroit’s French history without missing a detail.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the tour take?
The entire experience lasts about 6 hours, but you can customize your visit based on your interests and schedule.
Is the tour suitable for all ages?
Yes, this private tour is designed for adults aged 12 to 99 and is accessible for all physical fitness levels.
What’s included with the tour?
You’ll receive the SmartGuide App and the audio tour focused on the French history of Detroit.
Can I do the tour at my own pace?
Absolutely. You can listen to the narration whenever you like, pause, or skip around to focus on specific sites.
Are transportation or entry fees included?
Transportation is not included, and some sites may require separate admission. The tour is self-guided, so you control your experience.
Non-refundable
All sales are final. No refunds are available for cancellations.
Reserve now
Check a date here, then finish booking with our partner. Payment options are confirmed at checkout.
Duration 6 hours
Check availability to see start times.
Guided experience
English
Key facts
What's included
Included
- SmartGuide App
- French History of Detroit Audio Tour
Not included
- Transportation
- Entry fees to specific sites (if applicable)
Itinerary
Explore Detroit’s French past through a series of engaging stops, from historic battlegrounds to iconic landmarks and museums. Each site reveals different aspects of the city’s early French influence and Native American relations.
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Stop 1
Take a private auto tour through the forgotten history of French Detroit. Discover what remains of Detroit when it was a distant outpost on the fringe of Louis XIV’s French Empire. Learn what makes the history of Detroit unlike that of any other. See where more than a thousand Fox Indians were slaughtered (and why) in an epic battle for control of the straits. See the river whose water turned red with the blood of more than a hundred British Redcoats, ambushed crossing the bridge over it! See the second oldest continuously operating Catholic parish in the US, founded by Antoine Cadillac and Father Constantin De L’Halle. See the resting place of Father Gabriel Richard. Find out why the history of French Detroit is a history of the French and of Native American Indians. A fun and informative tour!
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Stop 2
After leaving Ste Anne's, we stop at nearby Riverside Park, before driving on to Hart Plaza. Learn about the Wendat, who lived at this location, and other Native American tribes who coexisted with the French. At Hart Plaza, see the site of Fort Pontchartrain and understand its strategic importance. We also visit two of Detroit’s oldest houses, dating back to 1826 and 1840, and learn about ribbon farms and street names connected to early land divisions.
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Stop 3
Visit the re-interred remains of the original 1,800 settlers buried in Ste Anne’s cemetery. Discover the story behind the lost markers and explore family plots of notable French settlers and Detroiters.
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Stop 4
See Bloody Run, where Parent’s Creek turned red with the blood of over one hundred British redcoats ambushed during the Indian uprising led by Chief Pontiac. Learn about the French settlers’ role and visit the tombs of other prominent figures.
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Stop 5
Visit the site of the first victims of the 1763 Indian Uprising on Swan Island, now called Belle Isle. Explore the island’s history and enjoy scenic views as you learn about its significance during the French era. Time may allow for a leisurely walk or exploration of the island’s beauty.
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Stop 6
Stop at Windmill Pointe Lighthouse, one of Michigan’s oldest lighthouses. Along Fox Creek, learn stories of the Grand Marais and Fox Run. Drive through the Grand Marais area en route to the Provençal House.
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Stop 7
Visit the Provençal House, the oldest in Grosse Pointe, built before the area was officially Grosse Pointe. Discover the remarkable story of Pierre Provençal and his wife Euphemia St. Aubin, known for their charity work during the cholera epidemics of 1832 and 1834. Note: Admission is not included and may not be available.
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Stop 8
Explore the "Where the River Bends" exhibit to learn about Detroit’s French era through maps, artifacts, and narratives.
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Stop 9
Visit the "Fashionable Living" exhibit showcasing furniture and household items from French citizens in the 1700s. This highly-rated museum offers a glimpse into the daily life of early French Detroiters.
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Stop 10
Tour the Burton Collection, home to the largest collection of books, documents, and maps related to Detroit’s French era in the world. Gain insights into the city’s early history and cultural development.
Meeting point & pickup
Meet at the starting point to begin your self-guided journey through Detroit’s French history.
This tour starts at a designated location where you'll meet to access the SmartGuide App. Transportation is not included, and you are responsible for your own travel arrangements. While a tour of Ste Anne Basilica is not part of this experience, you can arrange a separate visit if interested.
Open in Google MapsCancellation & confirmation
Non-refundable
All sales are final. No refunds are available for cancellations.
- 0% refund if canceled at any time
Instant confirmation
Your booking is confirmed immediately after checkout.
From $20.00 per person
- Secure checkout with our booking partner
