map of tourist sights in paris

Paris top tourist attractions map

Most popular places to visit detailed guide - paris top tourist attractions map.

What to do in Paris?

Paris is one of the most beautiful and romantic of all cities, brimming with historic associations and remaining vastly influential in the realms of culture, art, fashion, food and design. Dubbed the City of Light (la Ville Lumière) and Capital of Fashion, it is home to the world's finest and most luxurious fashion designers and cosmetics, such as Chanel No.5, Christian Dior, Yves Saint-Laurent, Guerlain, Lancôme, L'Oréal, Clarins, etc. A large part of the city, including the River Seine, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city has the second highest number of Michelin-restaurants in the world (after Tokyo) and contains numerous iconic landmarks, such as the world's most visited tourist site the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Louvre Museum, Moulin Rouge, Lido etc, making it the most popular tourist destination in the world with 45 million tourists annually.

Great things to do - Paris top tourist attractions map

You can view, download or print a full, high resolution (detailed, large) version of this image by clicking on the plan itself

Metro with favourite sights - Paris top tourist attractions map

Must see travel destinations - Paris top tourist attractions map

What to do and where to go - Paris top tourist attractions map

Interesting sites in a week - Paris top tourist attractions map

Fun locations to go with kids / children - Paris top tourist attractions map

City sightseeting route planner - Paris top tourist attractions map

Three day highlights tour - Paris top tourist attractions map

Landmarks aerial / bird's eye view - Paris top tourist attractions map

Visitor points of interest - Paris top tourist attractions map

Best of Paris one day trip sights - Paris top tourist attractions map

Famous historical spots - Paris top tourist attractions map

Metro plan (RER rapid transport tram subway underground tube stations) - Paris top tourist attractions map

Central bus routes map - Paris top tourist attractions map

Open top double decker bus tour - Paris top tourist attractions map

Paris top ten tourist attractions

From Notre-Dame to the Eiffel Tower, Paris holds some of the world's most famous sights and these ten attractions should be top of the list for any first-time visitor. With the exception of the overtly modern Pompidou Centre, they have been landmarks of this elegant and romantic capital for centuries and remain awe-inspiring sights, no matter how often you visit the city. Below is the list of the city's ten best sights and attractions, elected for their mass popularity, historical importance, or sheer aesthetic appeal. If you want to experience Paris' most essential and iconic places before exploring in more depth, this guide will help you pinpoint what to see and do first.

1. Musée du Louvre

The world's largest museum unsurprisingly also contains one of the world's most important collections of art and antiquities. To learn the Louvre in and out, you might need a lifetime. Still, one has to start somewhere. The secret to mastering the Louvre is to combine a few key works you definitely want to see with the discoveries you make by wandering aimlessly. The site of the world's largest and most diverse collection of pre-20th century painting, sculpture, and decorative objects, The Louvre is definitely one of Paris' most coveted attractions. Not forgetting the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo, bask in the works of Vermeer, Caravaggio, Rembrandt, and countless others. The palace itself is testament to a rich history spanning from the medieval period to the present.

2. Musée d'Orsay

Walk over the bridge from the Louvre to the Musée d'Orsay - and see the bridge between classical and modern art. Housing the world's most important collection of impressionist and post-impressionist painting, the Musée d'Orsay's light, airy rooms whir you through three floors of modern wonders, from Degas' ethereal dancers to Monet's water lilies, all the way to Gaugin's leafy jungles. Major works by Van Gogh, Delacroix, Manet, and others await you, too.

3. Eiffel Tower

More than any other landmark, the Eiffel Tower has come to represent an elegant and contemporary Paris. The iron tower, which was built for the 1889 World Exposition by Gustave Eiffel, was wildly unpopular with Parisians when it was unveiled, and was nearly torn down. It has since attracted over 220 million visitors, and it would be hard to imagine Paris now without it. The tower crowns the Paris night sky with its festive light, and glitters up a storm every hour. Note that queues are shorter if you come late at night. The Eiffel Tower has a fabulous luxury restaurant, Le Jules Verne (with its own lift) and has just added a Champagne bar on the top floor. Cliché? Maybe. But essential.

4. Notre-Dame

This great Gothic cathedral, founded on the site of a Roman temple, was completed in 1334 and is a repository of French art and history. It also represents the geographical heart of France. No first trip to Paris is complete without a visit to this marvel of architecture. One of the most singular and beautiful cathedrals of Europe, Notre Dame Cathedral's dramatic towers, spire, stained glass and statuary are guaranteed to take your breath away. Witness firsthand the spot that was once the heartbeat of medieval Paris, and that took over 100 years of hard labor to complete. Climbing the North tower to see Paris from the hunchback Quasimodo's vantage is essential, too. You'll soon understand why Notre Dame is one of Paris' top attractions.

5. Sacré-Coeur and Montmartre

With its unmistakeable white dome, the Sacre Coeur sits at the highest point of Paris on the Montmartre knoll, or butte. This basilica, which was consecrated in 1909, is best-known for its garish gold mosaic interiors and for its dramatic terrace, from which you can expect sweeping views of Paris on a clear day. Take the funicular up with a metro ticket and stop off at Sacre Coeur before exploring the winding, village-like streets of Montmartre. And after expending all your energy climbing Montmartre's formidable hills and stairs, consider a traditional Parisian cabaret at the legendary Moulin Rouge.

6. Arc de Triomphe

The 164-foot Arc de Triomphe commissioned by Emperor Napoléon I does exactly what it was made to do: evoke sheer military power and triumph. It was built in an age when leaders erected monuments in their own honor, and scaled to their egos. The arch's beautiful sculptures and reliefs commemorate Napoléon's generals and soldiers. Visit the Arc de Triomphe to begin or culminate a walk down the equally grandiose Avenue des Champs-Elysées. You can't help but feel grand yourself.

7. Centre Georges Pompidou

Parisians consider the Centre Georges Pompidou to be the cultural pulse of the city. This modern art museum and cultural center, located in the neighborhood affectionately dubbed Beaubourg by locals, opened in 1977 to honor president Georges Pompidou. The Center's signature skeletal design, which evokes bones and blood vessels, is either loved or reviled (no in-betweens). If wacky design isn't your cup of tea, the permanent collection at the National Museum of Modern Art is a must and features works by Modigliani and Matisse.

8. Panthéon

Today Paris's beautiful Panthéon building is a fitting final resting place for the nation's great figures. However, it was originally built as a church, on the instigation of Louis XV to celebrate his recovery from a serious bout of gout in 1744. Dedicated to Sainte Geneviève, the structure was finished in 1790 and was intended to look like the Pantheon in Rome, hence the name; in fact it more closely resembles St Paul's Cathedral in London . During the Revolution it was turned into a mausoleum, but Napoleon gave it back to the church in 1806. It was later deconsecrated, handed back to the church once more, before finally becoming a public building in 1885.

9. Sainte-Chapelle

La Sainte Chapelle is a 13th century Gothic chapel built on the Ile de la Cité in the heart of Paris and commissioned by Louis IX. When you ascend into the chapel you are indeed struck by the weightlessness of the space, an effect achieved by the sheer amount of glazing, with the roof seeming to be held up by glass. The colour and saturation of the stained glass is tremendous as it wraps around the volume. This is a space to spend time in savouring the views and the experience. And worth the long queues that seem to be there all year round.

10. Hôtel des Invalides

Hotel des Invalides was built between 1670 - 1676 by King Louis XIV as a residence for sick and injured soldiers. Today, the complex of buildings designed by the architect Libéral Bruant, contain monuments, museums and mausoleums relating to French military history. The complex is easily recognisable on the Parisian skyline because of the 107 metre high (351 ft) gold gilded baroque dome that sits on top of the Hotel des Invalides' Royal Chapel, designed by Jules Hardouin Mansart. The Royal Chapel is now a mausoleum visited by tourists who flock to see the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte, whose remains where interned here in 1861.

Related keywords

2023, 2024, 2025, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029, download, print, printable, free, detailed, aerial, bird's eye, guide, map, plan, planner, travel, sightseeing, visit, trip, tour, tourist, what to do, where to go, things to do, must see, top attractions, points of interest, places, sites, sights, buildings, spots, destinations, locations, landmark, museum, in a week, in 3 days, one day, city, route, metro, subway, underground, tube, bus, kids, chidren, top 10, top ten, popular, famous, interesting, highlights

Seating plans and charts of entertainment venues showing detailed seat and row numbers

• Aberdeen P&J Live floor seat numbering
• Amsterdam Johan Cruijff ArenA floor seat numbering
• Amsterdam Ziggo Dome Arena floor seat numbering
• Anaheim Honda Center floor seat numbering
• Antwerpen Lotto Arena floor seat numbering
• Antwerpen Sportpaleis floor seat numbering
• Arlington Globe Life Field floor seat numbering
• Atlanta Mercedes-Benz Stadium floor seat numbering
• Atlanta State Farm Arena floor seat numbering
• Atlanta Truist Park floor seat numbering
• Auckland Eden Park Stadium floor seat numbering
• Auckland Go Media Mount Smart Stadium floor seat numbering
• Auckland Spark Arena floor seat numbering
• Baltimore Oriole Park at Camden Yards floor seat numbering
• Barcelona Palau Sant Jordi floor seat numbering
• Belfast Odyssey SSE Arena floor seat numbering
• Belfast Ravenhill Uster Rugby Kingspan Stadium floor seat numbering
• Belfast Windsor Park National Football Stadium floor seat numbering
• Belmont Park Elmont UBS Arena floor seat numbering
• Berlin Olympiastadion floor seat numbering
• Berlin Uber Arena floor seat numbering
• Birmingham Aston Villa Park Stadium floor seat numbering
• Birmingham Resorts World Arena NEC floor seat numbering
• Birmingham Utilita Arena NIA floor seat numbering
• Boston Fenway Park floor seat numbering
• Boston TD Garden floor seat numbering
• Brighton Centre floor seat numbering
• Brisbane Gabba Cricket Ground floor seat numbering
• Brussels ING Arena floor seat numbering
• Brussels King Baudouin Stadium floor seat numbering
• Brussels Vorst Nationaal Forest National floor seat numbering
• Buffalo KeyBank Center floor seat numbering
• Calgary Scotiabank Saddledome floor seat numbering
• Cardiff International Utilita Arena floor seat numbering
• Cardiff Millennium Principality Stadium floor seat numbering
• Carrara People First Stadium floor seat numbering
• Charlotte Bank of America Stadium floor seat numbering
• Charlotte Spectrum Center floor seat numbering
• Chicago Guaranteed Rate Field floor seat numbering
• Chicago Soldier Field floor seat numbering
• Chicago United Center floor seat numbering
• Chicago Wrigley Field floor seat numbering
• Cincinnati Great American Ball Park floor seat numbering
• Cincinnati Paycor Stadium floor seat numbering
• Cleveland Browns Stadium floor seat numbering
• Cologne Lanxess Arena floor seat numbering
• Cologne RheinEnergieStadion Stadion Köln floor seat numbering
• Columbus Nationwide Arena floor seat numbering
• Copenhagen Parken Stadium floor seat numbering
• Copenhagen Royal Arena floor seat numbering
• Dallas American Airlines Center floor seat numbering
• Dallas AT&T Stadium floor seat numbering
• Denver Ball Arena floor seat numbering
• Denver Coors Field floor seat numbering
• Denver Empower Field at Mile High floor seat numbering
• Derby Velodrome Arena floor seat numbering
• Detroit Comerica Park floor seat numbering
• Detroit Ford Field floor seat numbering
• Detroit Little Caesars Arena floor seat numbering
• Dortmund Westfalenhalle floor seat numbering
• Dublin 3Arena floor seat numbering
• Dublin Aviva Stadium floor seat numbering
• Dublin Croke Park Stadium floor seat numbering
• Dusseldorf Merkur Spiel-Arena floor seat numbering
• East Rutherford MetLife Stadium floor seat numbering
• Edinburgh Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium floor seat numbering
• Edmonton Northlands Coliseum floor seat numbering
• Edmonton Rogers Place floor seat numbering
• Fairfax EagleBank Arena floor seat numbering
• Foxborough Gillette Stadium floor seat numbering
• Frankfurt am Main Deutsche Bank Park Waldstadion floor seat numbering
• Frankfurt am Main Festhalle floor seat numbering
• Gdańsk-Sopot Ergo Arena floor seat numbering
• Gdynia Polsat Plus Arena floor seat numbering
• Gelsenkirchen Veltins Arena AufSchalke floor seat numbering
• Glasgow OVO Hydro Arena floor seat numbering
• Glendale Desert Diamond Arena floor seat numbering
• Glendale State Farm Stadium floor seat numbering
• Gliwice PreZero Arena floor seat numbering
• Hamburg Barclays Arena floor seat numbering
• Hamburg Volksparkstadion floor seat numbering
• Hannover Heinz von Heiden Arena Niedersachsenstadion floor seat numbering
• Hannover ZAG Arena floor seat numbering
• Hasselt Trixxo Arena floor seat numbering
• Houston Minute Maid Park floor seat numbering
• Houston NRG Stadium floor seat numbering
• Indianapolis Gainbridge Fieldhouse floor seat numbering
• Indianapolis Lucas Oil Stadium floor seat numbering
• Jacksonville EverBank Stadium floor seat numbering
• Kansas City GEHA Field Arrowhead Stadium floor seat numbering
• Katowice Spodek floor seat numbering
• Kraków Tauron Arena floor seat numbering
• Las Vegas Allegiant Stadium floor seat numbering
• Las Vegas Sphere floor seat numbering
• Las Vegas T-Mobile Arena floor seat numbering
• Leeds First Direct Arena floor seat numbering
• Liverpool FC Anfield Stadium floor seat numbering
• Liverpool M&S Bank Arena floor seat numbering
• Łódź Atlas Arena floor seat numbering
• London ABBA Arena floor seat numbering
• London Arsenal Emirates Stadium floor seat numbering
• London Barbican Centre Concert Hall floor seat numbering
• London Brixton O2 Academy floor seat numbering
• London Camden Roundhouse floor seat numbering
• London Hackney Empire Theatre floor seat numbering
• London Hammersmith Eventim Apollo floor seat numbering
• London Indigo at the O2 floor seat numbering
• London O2 Arena floor seat numbering
• London Royal Albert Hall floor seat numbering
• London Stadium (West Ham United Olympic Park) floor seat numbering
• London Tottenham Hotspur Stadium floor seat numbering
• London Twickenham Stadium floor seat numbering
• London Wembley OVO Arena floor seat numbering
• London Wembley Stadium floor seat numbering
• Los Angeles Crypto.com Staples Center Arena floor seat numbering
• Los Angeles Dodger Stadium floor seat numbering
• Los Angeles Kia Forum Inglewood floor seat numbering
• Los Angeles SoFi Stadium floor seat numbering
• Louisville KFC Yum! Center floor seat numbering
• Madrid Estadio Civitas Metropolitano Stadium floor seat numbering
• Madrid Santiago Bernabeu Estadio Stadium floor seat numbering
• Madrid WiZink Center floor seat numbering
• Manchester AO Arena floor seat numbering
• Manchester Co-op Live floor seat numbering
• Melbourne Marvel Stadium floor seat numbering
• Melbourne Rod Laver Arena floor seat numbering
• Memphis FedExForum floor seat numbering
• Miami Hard Rock Stadium floor seat numbering
• Miami Kaseya Center Arena floor seat numbering
• Middlesbrough Riverside Stadium floor seat numbering
• Milwaukee American Family Field floor seat numbering
• Milwaukee Fiserv Forum floor seat numbering
• Minneapolis Target Center floor seat numbering
• Minneapolis Target Field floor seat numbering
• Minneapolis U.S. Bank Stadium floor seat numbering
• Montreal Bell Centre floor seat numbering
• Munich Bayern Allianz Arena floor seat numbering
• Munich Olympiahalle floor seat numbering
• Munich Olympiastadion floor seat numbering
• Nashville Bridgestone Arena floor seat numbering
• Nashville Nissan Stadium floor seat numbering
• New Orleans Caesars Superdome floor seat numbering
• New Orleans Smoothie King Center floor seat numbering
• New York Barclays Center floor seat numbering
• New York Citi Field floor seat numbering
• New York Madison Square Garden floor seat numbering
• New York Yankee Stadium floor seat numbering
• Newark Prudential Center floor seat numbering
• Newcastle Utilita Arena floor seat numbering
• Nottingham Motorpoint Arena floor seat numbering
• Oakland Oracle Arena floor seat numbering
• Oberhausen Rudolf Weber Arena floor seat numbering
• Oklahoma City Paycom Center Arena floor seat numbering
• Orchard Park Highmark Stadium floor seat numbering
• Orlando Camping World Stadium floor seat numbering
• Orlando Kia Center floor seat numbering
• Oslo Spektrum Arena floor seat numbering
• Oslo Telenor Arena floor seat numbering
• Ottawa Canadian Tire Centre floor seat numbering
• Perth HBF Park Rectangular Stadium floor seat numbering
• Perth HBF Stadium Superdrome floor seat numbering
• Perth Optus Stadium floor seat numbering
• Perth RAC Arena floor seat numbering
• Philadelphia Citizens Bank Park floor seat numbering
• Philadelphia Lincoln Financial Field floor seat numbering
• Philadelphia Wells Fargo Center floor seat numbering
• Phoenix Chase Field floor seat numbering
• Phoenix Footprint Center Arena floor seat numbering
• Pittsburgh Acrisure Stadium floor seat numbering
• Pittsburgh PNC Park floor seat numbering
• Pittsburgh PPG Paints Arena floor seat numbering
• Portland Moda Center floor seat numbering
• Prague O2 Arena floor seat numbering
• Queensland Country Bank Stadium floor seat numbering
• Raleigh PNC Arena floor seat numbering
• Rosemont Allstate Arena floor seat numbering
• Sacramento Golden 1 Center floor seat numbering
• Saint Paul Xcel Energy Center floor seat numbering
• Salt Lake City Delta Center floor seat numbering
• San Antonio Frost Bank Center floor seat numbering
• San Diego Petco Park floor seat numbering
• San Diego Snapdragon Stadium floor seat numbering
• San Francisco Chase Center floor seat numbering
• San Francisco Oracle Park floor seat numbering
• San Jose SAP Center floor seat numbering
• Santa Clara Levi's Stadium floor seat numbering
• Seattle Climate Pledge Arena floor seat numbering
• Seattle Lumen Field floor seat numbering
• Seattle T-Mobile Park floor seat numbering
• Sevilla Estadio La Cartuja Stadium floor seat numbering
• Sheffield Utilita Arena floor seat numbering
• St. Louis Busch Stadium floor seat numbering
• St. Louis Enterprise Center floor seat numbering
• Stockholm Avicii Globe Arena floor seat numbering
• Stockholm Stockholmsarenan Tele2 Arena floor seat numbering
• Stockholm Strawberry Friends Arena floor seat numbering
• Stuttgart MHP Arena floor seat numbering
• Stuttgart Porsche Arena floor seat numbering
• Sunderland Stadium of Light floor seat numbering
• Sunrise FLA Live Arena floor seat numbering
• Sydney Qudos Bank Arena floor seat numbering
• Sydney Showground Engie Stadium floor seat numbering
• Szczecin Netto Arena floor seat numbering
• Tampa Amalie Arena floor seat numbering
• Tampa Raymond James Stadium floor seat numbering
• Tempe Mullett Arena floor seat numbering
• Toronto Rogers Centre floor seat numbering
• Toronto Scotiabank Arena floor seat numbering
• Tulsa BOK Center floor seat numbering
• Uncasville Mohegan Sun Arena floor seat numbering
• Valencia Estadio Ciudad Stadium floor seat numbering
• Vancouver BC Place floor seat numbering
• Vancouver Rogers Arena floor seat numbering
• Vienna Ernst Happel Stadion floor seat numbering
• Vienna Wiener Stadthalle floor seat numbering
• Warszawa PGE Stadion Narodowy floor seat numbering
• Washington DC Capital One Arena Center floor seat numbering
• Washington Nationals Park floor seat numbering
• Wellington TSB Arena floor seat numbering
• Winnipeg Canada Life Centre floor seat numbering
• Zürich Oerlikon Hallenstadion floor seat numbering
• Zürich Stadion Letzigrund floor seat numbering

High resolution, printable travel guide maps of cities showing top tourist attractions

• Amsterdam top 10 tourist attractions map
• Bangalore top 10 tourist attractions map
• Bangkok top 10 tourist attractions map
• Barcelona top 10 tourist attractions map
• Beijing top 10 tourist attractions map
• Berlin top 10 tourist attractions map
• Bruges top 10 tourist attractions map
• Brussels top 10 tourist attractions map
• Budapest top 10 tourist attractions map
• Cambridge top 10 tourist attractions map
• Chicago top 10 tourist attractions map
• Copenhagen top 10 tourist attractions map
• Delhi top 10 tourist attractions map
• Dubai top 10 tourist attractions map
• Dublin top 10 tourist attractions map
• Edinburgh top 10 tourist attractions map
• Florence top 10 tourist attractions map
• Frankfurt top 10 tourist attractions map
• Hong Kong top 10 tourist attractions map
• Istanbul top 10 tourist attractions map
• Jaipur top 10 tourist attractions map
• Las Vegas top 10 tourist attractions map
• Lisbon top 10 tourist attractions map
• London top 10 tourist attractions map
• Los Angeles top 10 tourist attractions map
• Madrid top 10 tourist attractions map
• Malaga top 10 tourist attractions map
• Marrakech top 10 tourist attractions map
• Miami top 10 tourist attractions map
• Milan top 10 tourist attractions map
• Mumbai top 10 tourist attractions map
• New York top 10 tourist attractions map
• Oxford top 10 tourist attractions map
• Paris top 10 tourist attractions map
• Prague top 10 tourist attractions map
• Rome top 10 tourist attractions map
• San Francisco top 10 tourist attractions map
• Singapore top 10 tourist attractions map
• Sydney top 10 tourist attractions map
• Tokyo top 10 tourist attractions map
• Venice top 10 tourist attractions map
• Vienna top 10 tourist attractions map
• Washington DC top 10 tourist attractions map
• Zurich top 10 tourist attractions map

31 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Paris

Written by Lisa Alexander Updated Mar 21, 2024 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Whether sunshine is sparkling on the café terraces of Boulevard Saint-Germain, or melancholy mists of the Seine River are shrouding Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris has a way of romancing visitors. The love affair might begin with a first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower, then continue with strolls along the wide tree-lined avenues and in lavish formal gardens.

The city is seductively beautiful. Each neighborhood ( quartier ) reveals its unique personality. The Latin Quarter is a small cluster of pedestrian streets and narrow medieval alleyways where bookshops vie for space with university students' cafés and eateries. The fashionable Champs-Élysées buzzes with energy. Outside the city center, Montmartre still feels like a country village and flaunts its bohemian past.

After seeing the museums and monuments, you will want to seek out the small surprises, like family-run bistros with handwritten menus; cobblestone lanes full of quaint shops; secluded squares adorned with flowing fountains; and elegant tea salons, where dainty jewel-like desserts beckon from glass-covered pastry cases.

In every hidden corner and at all the famous sites, Paris casts a spell of enchantment. One visit may inspire a lifelong passion.

Discover what makes the City of Light so captivating and learn about the best places to explore with our list of the top tourist attractions in Paris.

See also: Where to Stay in Paris

1. Eiffel Tower

2. musée du louvre, 3. avenue des champs-élysées, 4. musée d'orsay, 5. palais garnier, opéra national de paris, 6. cathédrale notre-dame de paris, 7. place de la concorde, 8. arc de triomphe, 9. hôtel de la marine, 10. jardin des tuileries, 11. seine river cruises, 12. musical concerts at sainte-chapelle, 13. bustling boulevards and legendary cafés, 14. jardin du luxembourg, 15. sacré-coeur and quartier montmartre, 16. panthéon, 17. place des vosges, 18. musée rodin, 19. place vendôme, 20. centre pompidou, 21. hôtel national des invalides, 22. domaine national du palais-royal, 23. place de la bastille, 24. place du châtelet and tour saint-jacques, 25. la conciergerie, 26. fondation louis vuitton, 27. parc de la villette, 28. paris plages, 29. cimetière du père lachaise, 30. parc des buttes-chaumont, 31. grande arche de la défense, where to stay in paris for sightseeing, tips and tours: how to make the most of your visit to paris, best time to visit paris, france.

The Eiffel Tower (la Tour Eiffel) ranks high on the list of places to visit in France and is one of the most-visited tourist attractions in the world. So it's hard to believe that the structure was originally dismissed as a monstrosity. The innovative metal structure shocked Victorian-era audiences when it was unveiled by Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel for the Paris Exhibition of 1889 .

Whether loved or hated, the Eiffel Tower has always impressed. Reaching a height of 324 meters, the tower is comprised of 18,000 sturdy iron sections held together by 2.5 million rivets. Although no longer the world's tallest building, the Eiffel Tower has achieved the status of an icon.

For first-time visitors, seeing the Eiffel Tower is an unforgettable experience. Upon arrival at the esplanade, the sight of the four massive pillars that support this 10,100-ton monument leaves many awestruck.

Author's Tip : Purchase your tickets to the Eiffel Tower in advance online. You first choose a specific date and during the online process, you will reserve a specific time slot for the visit. (You must arrive on time.) Tickets sell out during high season (July and August), so you should purchase your tickets as far in advance as possible.

When you arrive at the Eiffel Tower, you will first walk through the esplanade gardens. Then you will look for the correct queue (which will be labeled "Visitors with tickets"). The recently renovated gardens feature leafy trees and pedestrian pathways with close-up views of the Iron Lady.

To arrive at the Eiffel Tower's 1st floor (at 57 meters) requires an elevator ride or a walk up the 360 steps. This level has public restrooms, a gift shop, a cafeteria, a brasserie restaurant, and an open-air terrace space for admiring the views.

The 2nd floor (at 125 meters) of the Eiffel Tower is reached from the 1st floor by a staircase of 344 more steps or an elevator ride. This level has similar amenities as the 1st floor, except the viewing platforms offer a perspective onto more of the Paris monuments (such as the Notre-Dame, the Louvre, and the Basilique du Sacré-Coeur).

A highlight of the 2nd floor, the Michelin-starred Le Jules Verne delivers exceptional haute cuisine in a dreamy setting. The restaurant's dining rooms feature expansive windows, which provide a peak of the Eiffel Tower's structural beams and glimpses of Paris cityscapes. You'll also find a buffet-style cafeteria and the Pierre Hermé macaron boutique.

To arrive at the top floor (276 meters in elevation) requires an exhilarating elevator ride from the 2nd floor. The staircases only go up to the 2nd floor, so climbing up to the top is not an option.

Visiting the top floor of the Eiffel Tower is one of the most thrilling things to do in Paris , but it's not for the faint of heart. When you walk out onto the compact viewing platform at this level, you are overwhelmed by the far-reaching views and strong gusts of wind. Up this high, it feels like another world, and you can no longer hear the noise of street traffic below.

You definitely will want to spend some time taking photos of the Eiffel Tower. From either the Jardins du Trocadéro (a short walk across the Seine River) or the Parc du Champ de Mars (the lawns in front of the tower), there is just the right distance for picture-perfect photo-ops.

Address: La Tour Eiffel, Champ de Mars, 75007 Paris (Métro: Bir-Hakeim, Trocadéro, Iéna, or Passy station)

The Louvre is the most prestigious of Paris' museums and the crème de la crème of the city's cultural attractions. Besides its exceptional art collection, the building has a regal past: The Louvre was formerly the residential palace of France's kings.

Today, the Musée du Louvre displays thousands of artworks, many of which are considered masterpieces, from antiquities to European paintings of the 15th to 19th centuries.

It is impossible to see it all in one visit, but you can focus on a particular gallery, such as classical sculpture, Italian Renaissance art, or 17th-century French paintings, or take a self-guided tour to cover the Louvre Museum's highlights.

Of course, you will want to get a look at the Mona Lisa or La Gioconda (or La Joconde in French) painted by Leonardo da Vinci in 1503-1505. Many tourists breeze through the museum just to glance at this one piece, but there are other must-see works of art to admire even if time is limited.

Other masterpieces of the Louvre include the ancient Vénus de Milo sculpture; the monumental Victoire de Samothrace of the Hellenistic period; the immense Wedding Feast at Cana painting by Veronese (1563); Sandro Botticelli's Venus and the Three Graces fresco; and Liberty Leading the People (1831) by Eugène Delacroix, depicting the Parisian uprising of July 1830.

To get the most out of a visit to the Louvre, join a guided tour. The museum offers tours in multiple languages. These focus on the highlights and provide information on the palace.

The Louvre Museum Skip-the-Line Tour is another option that also takes you straight to the museum's most famous artworks, including the Venus de Milo and the Mona Lisa . On this three-hour tour, a guide (who is an art historian) provides in-depth commentary about the masterpieces.

Author's Tips : Most visitors enter the museum in the courtyard of the palace at the Pyramid du Louvre , the glass pyramid designed by Ieoh Ming Pei in 1917. This entrance almost always has long lines. The wait is especially long without a timed entrance ticket. (See tips below for alternative entrances to the museum.)

Avoid the lines of the Pyramid entrance by going to one of the lesser-known entrances. If you already have a Louvre museum ticket or a Paris Museum Pass, head to the Carrousel entrance (99 Rue de Rivoli) where you likely can walk right in without waiting in line. You may save some time at this entrance if you haven't reserved a specific time slot for admission.

Purchase a museum pass : If you plan to visit multiple museums, you can save money and time by purchasing a Paris Museum Pass . The savings depends on how many museums you visit. The advantage is that you don't have to purchase a ticket at each museum. However, you still need to reserve a specific time slot (free of charge) to visit the Louvre, the Musée d'Orsay, and Château de Versailles (otherwise you may have to wait in line).

If you have not already purchased a ticket or Paris Museum Pass, you may use the Porte des Lions entrance on the 4 Quai François Mitterrand.

Address: Musée du Louvre, Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris (Métro: Palais-Royal Musée du Louvre or Pyramides station)

Brimming with fancy boutiques and dining terraces, the Champs-Élysées epitomizes the fashionable panache of Paris.

You'd never guess that the most monumental boulevard in Paris used to be a desolate swamp. The marshland was converted into an avenue by renowned landscape designer André Le Nôtre in the 17th century. Two centuries later, the city planner Baron Georges-Eugène Haussmann added the grey stone Mansard-roofed buildings that give the boulevard its classic Parisian look.

The Champs-Élysées is divided into two parts with the Rond-Point des Champs-Élysées as its intersection.

The lower part of the Champs-Élysées, bordering the Place de la Concorde , includes a spacious park, the Jardins des Champs-Élysées , and the Petit Palais fine arts museum. The upper part, extending to the Arc de Triomphe, is lined by luxury shops, hotels, restaurants, cafés, cinemas, and theaters. This bustling area draws many tourists and is a gathering place for Parisians.

The Champs-Élysées is famous for its prestigious establishments, such as Maison Ladurée (75 Avenue des Champs-Élysées), a pâtisserie boutique and tea salon that offers exquisite French pastries (macarons are the house specialty), and upscale designer boutiques like Tiffany & Co. (62 Avenue des Champs-Élysées), Louis-Vuitton (101 Avenue des Champs-Élysées), and Cartier (154 Avenue des Champs-Élysées).

For fine dining , the top choices are the legendary brasserie Fouquet's (99 Avenue des Champs-Élysées) and the swanky gastronomic restaurant L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon Étoile (133 Avenue des Champs-Élysées), which has one Michelin star.

Although the Champs-Élysées has an image of refinement, there are many affordable places that cater to tourists and students on a budget, such as Starbucks, Quick, Burger King, and McDonald's.

Address: Avenue des Champs-Elysées, 75008 Paris (Métro: Champs-Élysées Clemenceau station to visit the Jardins des Champs-Élysées and Petit Palais, Franklin d. Roosevelt station for Ladurée, George V station for the main shopping area).

You haven't seen the best of French art until you visit the Musée d'Orsay . The Musée du Louvre may hold the most masterpieces of European painting, but the Musée d'Orsay focuses on works by celebrated French artists including Monet, Renoir, and Degas.

If you love Impressionist art , this is the place to go. The Musée d'Orsay displays a splendid collection of 19th- and 20th-century art (created from 1848 to 1914).

Although the museum's inventory begins with 19th-century Realist paintings and landscape paintings, the highlight of the museum is the Impressionism collection. Also on display are Post-Impressionist works by artists such as Pierre Bonnard, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent van Gogh, and bohemian artists like Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec.

Some of the museum's famous paintings include Claude Monet's The Magpie , Gare Saint-Lazare, Poppy Field , and Luncheon on the Grass ; Vincent van Gogh's self-portrait and Starry Night ; and Renoir's Dance at Moulin de la Galette, which depicts a festive party scene in Montmartre.

You may rent an audioguide to take a self-guided tour. The commentary (available in English and French) covers over 300 works.

The museum also has a bookstore/gift shop, two casual cafés, and a fine-dining restaurant, which is worth the splurge. Formerly the Hôtel d'Orsay (a luxury hotel within the original Gare d'Orsay) and listed as a Monument Historique , the Musée d'Orsay Restaurant features gilded ceilings and sparkling chandeliers.

On the square in front of the museum, there is a kiosk that sells sandwiches and falafel.

Address: Musée d'Orsay, Esplanade Valéry Giscard d'Estaing 75007 Paris (Métro: Musée d'Orsay, Assemblée Nationale, or Solférino station)

Commissioned by Napoleon III in 1860, the Palais Garnier Opera House was designed by Charles Garnier in an exuberant Baroque style. Garnier worked tirelessly on the project for over a decade, from 1862 to 1875. Today, this show-stopping landmark is a symbol of Napoleon's Imperial regime.

Upon entering the building, you are dazzled by the lavish 11,000-square-meter interior. Much of the building's space is dedicated to the main foyer with its fabulous Grand Escalier , marble entrance staircase, adorned by ornate gilded lamps, and the Salon du Glacier , a sumptuous Belle Époque hall decorated with mirrors, Corinthian columns painted gold, colorful mosaics, and music-themed ceiling paintings.

The horseshoe-shaped auditorium has an intimate feel, although it can accommodate 2,105 people in its plush velvet seats. Gilded balconies, an enormous crystal chandelier, and a Chagall ceiling painting add to the theater's marvelousness, creating the perfect dramatic backdrop for ballet, opera, and music performances.

The Opéra Garnier hosts a prestigious calendar of events in addition to galas. Attending a performance is one of the most exciting things to do in Paris at night. It's a wonderful way to see the building's interior while enjoying a glamorous evening. Another option is to visit (entry ticket required) on a self-guided tour or take a guided tour during the daytime.

Connoisseurs of fine dining will be delighted to discover CoCo, a chic restaurant within the Opera House (entrance is at 1 Place Jacques Rouché) that serves contemporary French cuisine prepared from seasonal ingredients. CoCo offers lunch and dinner daily, as well as weekend brunch (every Saturday and Sunday) featuring musical entertainment. The garden terrace is open Tuesday through Saturday during summertime. Reservations are recommended.

Address: Palais Garnier, Place de l'Opéra, 8 Rue Scribe (at Auber) 75009 Paris (Métro: Opéra, Chaussée d'Antin-La Fayette or Havre-Caumartin station)

Despite the damage done by the 2019 fire, it is still worth seeing the Notre-Dame Cathedral. This awe-inspiring medieval monument stands at the heart of Paris on the Île-de-la-Cité, an island in the Seine River. To get here from the Latin Quarter , simply cross the Petit Pont bridge.

The Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris was founded in 1163 by King Louis IX (Saint Louis) and Bishop Maurice de Sully, and the construction took more than 150 years. The cathedral was first created in the Early Gothic style, while later additions (the west front and the nave) show the transition to High Gothic style.

Note: A large fire in April of 2019 caused considerable damage to the cathedral: The medieval roof and the 19th-century spire collapsed. However, the monument was partly saved thanks to the work of hundreds of firefighters.

A project to repair the structure is underway. The city plans to rebuild the cathedral and restore it to its previous state. Restoration work is ongoing.

Currently, the interior of the cathedral (including the towers) and the space immediately in front of the cathedral (on the Parvis Notre-Dame) are closed to the public. A few steps away from the cathedral's facade, a section of the Parvis Notre-Dame (square) is now used for educational exhibits about the cathedral.

The Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral anticipates reopening in December 2024. A project to redesign the landscaping around the cathedral is scheduled for completion in 2027.

Until the reopening, the Notre-Dame de Paris congregation will celebrate Mass at the Eglise Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois (2 Place du Louvre) in the 1st arrondissement.

Address: Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris, 6 Parvis Notre-Dame - Place Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris (Métro: Cité or Saint-Michel Notre-Dame station)

The Place de la Concorde stands at the heart of Paris both literally and figuratively. The square was created in 1772 by the architect of King Louis XV. During the French Revolution, the Place de la Concorde was the scene of state-ordered executions , including Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette, among other victims of the guillotine. The square was also part of Napoleon's triumphal route.

One of the largest and most central squares in the city, the Place de la Concorde offers a sensational perspective of the city's landmarks. In one direction, you can admire the Arc de Triomphe and in the other, the Louvre, while the Eiffel Tower can be seen in the distance.

Two ornately decorated fountains and an Egyptian obelisk are found in the middle of the square. However, it's a bit of a hassle to get up close because you have to walk through heavy traffic. The Place de la Concorde is one of the busiest intersections in Paris.

Tip for Pedestrians : You will notice cars circulating the square at high speeds. French drivers don't always pay attention to pedestrians. Make sure to get out of the way of oncoming cars!

During summertime , the Place de la Concorde adopts a fairground ambiance, with a Ferris wheel gracing the square from June through August. The neighboring Jardin des Tuileries also has amusement park rides and fairground treats during summertime.

To arrive at the Place de la Concorde, walk from the Louvre through the Jardin des Tuileries or the Rue de Rivoli, or follow the Quai des Tuileries along the Seine River. Alternatively, you may take the Métro to Concorde station.

Nothing says capital city grandeur quite like a triumphal arch. Paris' Arc de Triomphe is dedicated to the soldiers who fought in the French armies of the Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. Napoleon I commissioned the building of this mighty structure in 1806 but did not live to see its completion in 1836.

The monument was modeled after the Arch of Titus in Rome. The massive 50-meter-high arch features bas-reliefs with larger-than-life-size figures, which depict the departure, victories, and glorious return of the French armies.

Particularly noteworthy is the bas-relief by François Rude on the Champs-Elysées-facing side: Departure of the Volunteers of 1792 , also known as La Marseillaise , illustrating the troops led by the winged spirit of Liberty. On the inner surface of the arch are the names of more than 660 generals and over a hundred battles.

The Arc de Triomphe stands at the end of the Champs-Élysées, presiding over a circular intersection (the Place de l'Étoile).

From the top of the monument, a viewing terrace affords a panoramic outlook onto the 12 avenues that radiate from the Place de l'Étoile, including the route from the Avenue des Champs-Elysées to the Place de la Concorde and the Louvre. It's also possible to see all the way to La Défense, the hilltop neighborhood of Montmartre, and the Eiffel Tower.

At the foot of the Arc de Triomphe is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier , dedicated in 1921 as a memorial to an anonymous soldier (symbol of the many other unknown soldiers who valiantly died for their country during World War One without ever receiving recognition).

The Flame of Remembrance was ignited at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on November 11th, 1923, and since that date has not ever been extinguished. Every evening at 6:30pm , a ritual takes place to rekindle the memorial flame at the tomb.

Throughout the year, events to honor national holidays are held at the Arc de Triomphe, including the November 11th (anniversary of the Armistice of 1918) ceremony commemorating those who perished in the war; the May 8th Fête de la Victoire (Victory Day) celebrating the end of WWII, and the liberation from Nazi occupation; as well as festivities for July 14th (Bastille Day).

Admission requires an entrance ticket. You may reserve a ticket in advance online. Free admission is included with the Paris Museum Pass (no reservations required). Guided tours are available.

For visitors with reduced mobility and young children, there is an elevator to reach the viewing terrace. Otherwise, you must take the stairs (284 steps).

Address: Arc de Triomphe, Place Charles de Gaulle, 75008 Paris (Métro: Charles de Gaulle-Étoile, Kléber or Argentine station)

A fascinating glimpse of ancien régime (old regime) splendor awaits you at the Hôtel de la Marine . During the reign of Louis XV, this Neoclassical palace housed the apartments of the Intendants du Garde-Meuble de la Couronne (the King's Furniture Storage Intendants). The intendant had an important job: procuring and maintaining the furnishings for the king's elaborate palaces.

The Hôtel de la Marine opened to the public in 2021 after several years of painstaking restoration work. This monument is one of the newest tourist attractions in Paris.

You enter the Hôtel de la Marine through a cobblestone courtyard off the Place de la Concorde. Then walk up the massive marble staircase and into the reception rooms, where you feel like you have stepped back in time. The interior decor has been restored to a state of perfect preservation.

Adorned with gilded moldings and crystal chandeliers, the Salons d'Honneur salons resemble the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles . Other rooms in the Intendant's Apartments reveal the refinement of the Age of Enlightenment.

During this period, aristocratic residences were lavishly decorated with exquisite furnishings, wallpaper, curtains, and paintings. You'll also see precious antiques such as a desk created by Jean-Henri Riesener , a renowned 18th-century cabinetmaker.

The dining room of the Intendant's Apartments, with its floral-patterned porcelain dinnerware, appears ready to welcome guests. On the guided tour, you will learn that the host placed servings of sugar (a precious commodity at the time) on the table to show off his wealth, along with bread, oysters, and bowls of fresh apricots, grapes, figs, and apples.

Be sure to step out onto the Hôtel de la Marine's Loggia , a colonnaded balcony that overlooks the Place de la Concorde. From this privileged spot, you can admire views of the Eiffel Tower, the gold-domed Hôtel National des Invalides, and the Jardins des Champs-Élysées.

Historical Notes : The Hôtel de la Marine is found on the Place de la Concorde, the square created in 1748 to display an equestrian statue of Louis XV and originally called Place Louis XV. During the French Revolution, the statue of the king was removed and the Crown jewels were stolen from the Hôtel de la Marine. In 1795, the square was renamed the "Place de la Concorde."

Treat yourself to some time relaxing and wandering the beautiful Jardin des Tuileries. After visiting the Hôtel de la Marine, the Place de la Concorde, or the Louvre Museum, you should spend some time wandering the nearby Jardin des Tuileries. This French formal garden was designed by celebrated landscape architect André Le Nôtre in the 17th century.

Today the garden offers an escape from the hustle and bustle in central Paris, but the ambiance was not always so idyllic. This garden is the site of the Palais des Tuileries where Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette were essentially imprisoned during the French Revolution. The palace was destroyed by a fire in the 19th century; all that remains is the gorgeous garden.

The leafy grounds feature perfectly manicured trees, statues, and pathways. You can relax on the wooden park benches or on individual green chairs which may be moved around. Find the spot that appeals to you and lounge there for a bit, while listening to birds chirp. You'll see locals having a picnic lunch or reading a book in the sunshine.

For snacks and quick meals, head to La Terrasse de Pomone , a kiosk where you can order crepes and sandwiches to-go or for dining at the outdoor tables; the Petit Plisson kiosk that sells quiches and sandwiches for dining at shaded tables; or Petit Farmers , a purveyor of artisanal ice cream.

The park's two café-restaurants, Le Pavillon des Tuileries and the Café des Marronniers offer casual meals in a tranquil setting beneath the leafy chestnut trees.

Tips : Check the opening hours of the café-restaurants and food kiosks as the hours change during different seasons. You will only find the Petit Farmers ice cream truck & stand at the Jardin des Tuileries from April through October.

Soak up the scenery of Paris on a Seine River cruise. You'll have a chance to see the sights from a different perspective. The Seine River bridges, the Eiffel Tower, the Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Louvre Museum look stunning from the viewpoint of a riverboat.

While a daytime cruise allows you to appreciate the glory of the monuments brightened by sunshine, the most romantic experience is an evening cruise. After sunset, the city's landmarks are illuminated, which creates a special effect, and somehow the city seems more magical.

For a cruise that includes dinner, try the Paris Seine River Dinner Cruise with Live Music by Bateaux Mouches. This luxurious riverboat cruise departs at the Pont de l'Alma (a short walk from the Eiffel Tower) and treats you to a romantic four-course meal. If you prefer a more casual boat ride, a good choice is the Seine River Direct Access Guided Cruise by Vedettes de Paris which includes commentary from a knowledgeable guide and breakfast or lunch.

Gourmands will be tempted by the Ducasse sur Seine restaurant boat, which departs from Port Debilly. This dining cruise offers a haute cuisine experience. Options include a lunch (two, three, or four-course meal) or dinner (four or five-course meal). Menus focus on contemporary-style French dishes prepared from seasonal ingredients.

Sainte-Chapelle is considered a rare jewel among medieval houses of worship and is certainly one of the most exquisite churches in Paris . The ravishing 13th-century chapel is tucked away on the Île-de-la-Cité , just a few blocks (about a 10-minute walk) from the Notre-Dame Cathedral.

This masterpiece of Rayonnant Gothic architecture was built from 1242 to 1248 for King Louis IX (Saint Louis) to house the precious relics he had acquired from the Byzantine Emperor. The altar displays a relic of the Crown of Thorns.

An expanse of 13th-century stained-glass windows sets this chapel apart from any other church in the world. The windows' beauty and brilliance are best appreciated on a sunny day and in the morning. If possible, try to schedule your visit accordingly.

The chapel's over 1,000 stained-glass windows (covering 600 square meters) depict scenes from the bible, both Old Testament and New Testament stories. The colors and light symbolize divinity and the Heavenly Jerusalem.

Only used for church services on rare occasions, Sainte-Chapelle is open to the public as a museum (entrance tickets are required). For an additional fee, audioguides (available in French, English, German, Italian, Spanish, and Japanese) provide one hour of commentary to help visitors appreciate the art, architecture, and history of Sainte-Chapelle.

To truly experience the serene ambiance of Sainte-Chapelle, attend one of the classical music concerts held here. In the iridescent glow of the sanctuary, performances of Baroque chamber music, sacred music, or Vivaldi string quartets have a sublime quality. A regular program of concerts is held at Sainte-Chapelle year-round, with events scheduled several times a week.

Sainte-Chapelle is located in the Palais de la Cité. To find the chapel, enter the iron gate of the Palais de Justice and walk through the inner courtyard.

Another attraction nearby is La Conciergerie (tourists may purchase combined entry tickets), the prison where Marie-Antoinette was detained during the French Revolution.

Address: Sainte-Chapelle, 8 Boulevard du Palais, 75001 Paris (Métro: Cité, Saint-Michel Notre-Dame or Châtelet station)

A visit to the City of Light is not complete without spending time on the sidewalk terrace or bustling interior of a famous café. It's the ultimate Parisian people-watching scene and a chance to imagine the historic rendezvous that occurred here.

To discover the legendary Paris cafés, the best place to start is the Boulevard Saint-Germain-des-Prés in the 6th arrondissement. This broad tree-lined boulevard features an enticing array of storefronts: designer fashion boutiques, prestigious cafés, and old-fashioned brasseries.

The most celebrated cafés are the Café de Flore (172 Boulevard Saint-Germain-des-Prés), which was the meeting place of Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir, and Les Deux Magots (6 Place Saint-Germain-des-Prés), once the haunt of poets, authors, and artists, including Arthur Rimbaud, Paul Verlaine, James Joyce, Pablo Picasso, and Ernest Hemingway.

Across from Les Deux Magots is the Eglise Saint-Germain-des-Prés , one of the most important churches in Paris .

At both Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots, you will get the classic Parisian café experience, complete with waiters wearing bow ties. Although the waiters have a reputation for their brusque service, their formality adds to the authentic ambiance.

The Saint-Germain-des-Prés area also has excellent pâtisserie boutiques, boulangeries, and chocolate shops such as the Ladurée tea salon (21 Rue Bonaparte), the Maison Le Roux Chocolatier & Caramélier (1 Rue de Bourbon le Château), and Debauve & Gallais (30 Rue des Saints-Pères), a boutique founded in 1779 that supplied Marie-Antoinette with chocolates.

Join the Paris Sweet Tooth Stroll small-group tour to sample the neighborhood's finest sweet treats.

The brasseries of Boulevard du Montparnasse were also frequented by artists and writers during the early 20th century. Le Dôme in Montparnasse is a Paris institution (108 Boulevard du Montparnasse) that has attracted luminaries including Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, and Picasso. In its glittering Art Deco dining room, the restaurant serves exceptional seafood.

Another atmospheric French brasserie with a mythical past, La Coupole (102 Boulevard du Montparnasse) has, since the 1920s, been visited by artists such as André Derain, Fernand Léger, Man Ray, Pablo Picasso, and Marc Chagall as well as the novelist Albert Camus and the philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre.

La Rotonde Montparnasse (105 Boulevard du Montparnasse) has been a gathering place for painters and writers since 1911 and still attracts cinematographers and artists today.

The Jardin du Luxembourg is the best-known park in Paris after the Tuileries. The 25-hectare park features a formal French garden, similar to the Jardin des Tuileries, as well as an English garden with shady groves of overgrown trees.

On a nice day, it's fun to grab a baguette sandwich at a nearby bakery and then find a chair in front of the garden's duck pond. This is the Paris version of going to the beach when the weather is pleasant. You'll notice many local residents taking a lunch break or simply soaking up some sunshine at the park. It's an especially popular spot among students of the Latin Quarter.

You can also visit a rose garden, apiary, Orangerie (orangery), and greenhouses filled with exotic orchids, as well as an orchard where heirloom varieties of apples flourish.

Artistic treasures are found throughout the gardens, such as the picturesque 17th-century Fontaine Médicis , a fountain basin nestled under trees opposite the east front of the Palais du Luxembourg , which today is used by the French state as the seat of the Senate.

Steps away from the Fontaine Médicis is La Terrasse de Madame , a little café-restaurant in a charming setting. You may dine at outdoor tables beneath the leafy chestnut trees. The menu includes coffee and croissants for breakfast and bistro meals for lunch, such as steak, Croque Monsieur (sandwiches), quiche, grilled fish, charcuterie, and salads. Also on the menu are traditional French desserts like profiteroles and crème brûlée .

Children love the playground, which features swings, slides, a sandpit, a games area, and pony rides. A favorite activity for the youngest visitors at the Jardin du Luxembourg is steering miniature sailboats around in the octagonal pool (the boats can be hired at a kiosk by the pond).

For French-speaking kids, watching a puppet show at the Théâtre des Marionnettes is not to be missed. The Théâtre des Marionnettes is a modern venue, in the southwest area of the park near the tennis courts, that accommodates an audience of up to 275 children and adults (which makes it the largest puppet theater in France).

Address: Jardin du Luxembourg, Rue de Vaugirard/Rue de Médicis, 75006 Paris (Métro: Luxembourg or Odéon station)

Sitting at the highest point in Paris like an ornamental decoration, the Basilique du Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre has a special aura. Its alabaster facade blends Romanesque and Byzantine styles, and from far away, it looks like a wedding cake (which is its nickname).

If you walk to the Sacré-Coeur Basilica from the Métro station, you must walk up the Esplanade, a staircase of over 200 steps, to arrive at the Basilica.

Inside the Basilica, the striking mosaic of Christ with a flaming heart gives the sanctuary an emotional and spiritual intensity, fitting for a church that was created as a symbol of hope after the Franco-Prussian War. In keeping with the somber ambiance, the Basilica's sanctuary is quite dark except for a plethora of flickering candles.

The atmosphere outside the church is quite a contrast, with Parisian joie de vivre in full swing. Locals like to hang out on the grass lawns of the Esplanade while listening to street musicians. You'll see tourists taking selfies, couples embracing, and kids playing on the grass. Below the Esplanade is an old-fashioned carousel, adding to the sense of festivity.

You can spend time on the terrace in front of the Basilica admiring the views of Paris or climb (300 steps) up to the Basilica's Dome for an even higher perspective with unobstructed panoramas. Admission to the Dome requires an entrance fee, but you may visit the Basilica free of charge .

After visiting the Sacré-Coeur, be sure to explore the enchanting neighborhood of Montmartre . This medieval country village (once considered outside of the city) has been incorporated into the city of Paris as the 18th arrondissement.

Montmartre exudes old-fashioned charm along with an avant-garde edge. Winding cobblestone streets and pedestrian staircases lead to small locally owned boutiques and restaurants, art galleries that evoke the quarter's bohemian past, and quiet squares filled with outdoor cafés .

During the Belle Époque, the village of Montmartre began to attract artists such as Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and Edgar Degas. The bohemian creative spirit of Montmartre is still found here, especially around the Place du Tertre and the Carré Roland Dorgelès .

Montmartre has several excellent art museums, where you can admire the creations of artists who resided here in the late 19th and early 20th century (the Belle Époque). During that era, the quarter was famous for its cabarets and artists' studios.

The Musée de Montmartre (12 Rue Cortot) occupies a historic house where Auguste Renoir, Raoul Dufy, Suzanne Valadon, and other artists once lived and worked. Tucked away within the museum's gardens, you'll find the Café Renoir , which features outdoor seating in the delightful space where Renoir painted several masterpieces.

If you are intrigued by Surrealist art, be sure to visit the Dalí Paris museum (11 Rue Poulbot). This innovative museum displays more than 300 works created by Salvador Dalí. The exhibits are presented in a way that reveals the symbols and motifs used in his artworks.

Address: Basilique du Sacré-Coeur, 35 Rue du Chevalier-de-la-Barre, 75018 Paris (Métro: Abbesses)

The Panthéon is the national mausoleum of France's greatest citizens. You get a sense of the important heritage just by glancing at this grand monument. The colonnaded facade and enormous dome were modeled after the ancient Pantheon in Rome.

The architecture of the Panthéon marks a clear break from the fanciful Rococo style of the Louis XV era and instead presents a simpler and more somber Neoclassical style. The inscription on the Panthéon's facade reads " Aux Grands Hommes La Patrie Reconnaissante " (" To the Great Men Recognized by Their Country ").

Many famous men (75 in total) are buried here, including philosophers Voltaire, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and René Descartes; and the writers Victor Hugo, Alexandre Dumas, Émile Zola, and André Malraux. Although the monument was originally dedicated exclusively to France's male citizens, this has changed recently.

Since 1995, several of France's most esteemed female citizens have been buried in the Panthéon including the physicist Marie Curie, a two-time winner of the Nobel Prize. Five other women are buried at the Panthéon. In November 2021, Josephine Baker (the famous Black American expatriate dancer and singer) became the sixth woman to receive the honor of being inducted into the Panthéon.

When you step inside the Neoclassical sanctuary, you will be awed by the spacious domed interior, the floor-to-ceiling paintings that depict scenes of Christian saints, and the enormous sculpture that celebrates French Revolution deputies ( La Convention Nationale ).

Beneath the monumental rotunda is an unusual centerpiece: a science experiment rather than a work of art. Foucault's pendulum , created by French physicist Léon Foucault, was installed in 1851 to demonstrate his theory that the Earth rotates. The brass pendulum hangs from the dome on a steel wire and constantly oscillates in a circular trajectory.

To find the famous citizen's monuments and tombs, you will need a map (available on-site). The underground crypt is arranged in a geometric fashion, but it is easy to get lost.

Entrance to the Panthéon requires an admission fee, unless you have a Paris Museum Pass and except for the first Sunday of every month from November through March.

From April through September (for an additional entrance fee), you may ascend to the Panthéon's dome, where a colonnaded balcony provides a sensational view of the city's landmarks. You can see the Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Louvre Museum, the Eiffel Tower, and the Sacré-Coeur Basilica in the hilltop neighborhood of Montmartre.

Address: Panthéon, Place du Panthéon, 75005 Paris (Métro: Luxembourg station)

In the charming Marais district, the Place des Vosges is Paris' oldest public square. With its uniform red-brick architecture, this elegant square provided a model for other squares such as Place Vendôme and Place de la Concorde.

The Place des Vosges was constructed between 1605 and 1612 (called Place Royale at the time) for King Henri IV. The buildings originally housed aristocratic residences.

The Place Royale offered a splendid setting for festive occasions in the 17th century, such as tournaments, state receptions, and court weddings. It was also a favorite spot for duels, in spite of Cardinal Richelieu's ban on dueling. The celebrated courtesan of Louis XIII's reign lived at number 11, and the future Madame de Sévigné was born in 1626 at number 1 on the square.

Victor Hugo rented an apartment at number 6 on the Place Royale between 1832 and 1848. Today this apartment is a museum, the Maison de Victor Hugo (6 Place des Vosges) which is devoted to educating visitors about the life and work of Victor Hugo.

The Place des Vosges is at the heart of Le Marais, a medieval quarter with narrow cobblestone streets, grand Renaissance palaces, and hôtels particuliers (mansions) of the 16th and 17th centuries. Several of these stately old buildings have been converted into museums.

A fascinating glimpse of France's history awaits you at the Musée des Archives Nationales (Museum of the National Archives) in the 17th-century Hôtel de Soubise (60 Rue des Francs-Bourgeois). The museum presents historical exhibits including the Edict of Nantes, French Revolution objects, Marie-Antoinette's last testament, and a letter written to Napoleon.

The most important museum of the quarter is the Musée Carnavalet - Histoire de Paris. This recently renovated museum illustrates the history of Paris from antiquity through the French Revolution and the Belle Époque until the present day.

In the Hôtel Salé (a 17th-century aristocratic mansion), the Musée National Picasso-Paris (5 Rue de Thorigny) wows you with its incredibly extensive collection (over 5,000 pieces) of Picasso's artwork, including some of his most iconic masterpieces.

More than just an open-air museum filled with historic monuments, Le Marais has become a trendy quarter full of fashion boutiques, cute cafés, and unique shops. Spend some time wandering the Rue de Sévigné and its cross street, the Rue des Francs Bourgeois . This area brims with youthful energy and is a fun place to visit for a stroll or a coffee break.

Another interesting fact about Le Marais is that it has a significant Jewish community. The Musée d'Art et d'Histoire du Judaïsme (71 Rue du Temple) presents the 2,000-year history of France's Jewish communities, along with educational programs about Jewish culture and exhibitions of artwork by Jewish artists such as Chagall and Modigliani.

Nearby, the Jardin Anne Frank offers the tranquility of a secluded garden. This quiet, leafy green space features benches, shady trees, and an orchard. One of the chestnut trees in the garden was grafted from a tree that Anne Frank could see from the window of the annex where she lived in Amsterdam.

For those in search of a refined Parisian experience, the Mariage Frères (30 Rue du Bourg-Tibourg) is the place to go. This tea salon serves its aromatic tea with savory and sweet delicacies in a French colonial-style dining room; its adjoining shop sells a wide selection of scented teas in distinctive tins.

Many tourists wait in line to try the authentic falafel at L'As du Fallafel (34 Rue des Rosiers), considered one of the best Middle Eastern restaurants in Paris. This area has several kosher restaurants and kosher bakeries.

Tip : Keep in mind that L'As du Fallafel and other Jewish-owned shops in the Marais are closed on Shabbat (Friday evening and Saturday during the daytime).

Address: Place des Vosges, 75004 Paris (Métro: Saint-Paul or Bastille station)

The Musée Rodin is a hidden gem in the posh 7th arrondissement. This peaceful haven of refinement occupies the Hôtel Biron , an 18th-century mansion where sculptor Auguste Rodin lived and worked for many years. The property includes a seven-acre Sculpture Garden that blooms with flowers throughout the year.

In 1908, Auguste Rodin began to rent several rooms on the ground floor of the Hôtel Biron to use as an atelier. Rodin later took over the entire Hôtel Biron, which became his place of residence for the rest of his life. In 1916, Rodin donated his artworks and collection of antiquities to the French state, and the museum was established soon thereafter.

The Musée Rodin displays a remarkable assortment of Rodin's sculptures, as well as the works of Camille Claudel. Rodin masterpieces presented in the Hôtel Biron include Danaïd , an expressive marble sculpture depicting a mythological character (created in 1890); The Age of Bronze (created in 1877); The Cathedral , a stone sculpture of two intertwined hands (created in 1908); and The Kiss , one of Rodin's most sensual works (created around 1882).

Several monumental Rodin sculptures preside over various corners of the Sculpture Garden. The Thinker , Rodin's most iconic work of art , sits on a pedestal overlooking the perfectly manicured formal garden. The expressive Monument to Balzac stands in a shady spot beneath leafy trees, while a bronze statue of Adam is sheltered behind dense shrubbery.

Adding to the romance of the garden are the park benches and the café-restaurant, L'Augustine , where you may relax on an outdoor terrace. The café-restaurant also has a casual indoor dining space. Here you can savor a classic French meal, complete with dessert supplied by the renowned Maison Lenôtre pâtisserie.

This graceful 17th-century square was designed by Jules Hardouin-Mansart , one of the leading architects of Le Grand Siècle (during the reign of Louis XIV). Originally, the square was called Place Louis le Grand and was intended to house royal establishments.

The charm of the Place Vendôme is that it has retained the consistency of the overall design, which combines regal ostentation with civic simplicity. Following careful restoration in the early '90s, it has been restored in all its splendor.

The square is known for its upscale jewelry boutiques including Boucheron, Chaumet, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Cartier. Another luxury establishment here is the Ritz Hotel , which was frequented by Ernest Hemingway, Scott Fitzgerald, and Gertrude Stein.

Coco Chanel made the Ritz Paris her home for 34 years; she decorated her suite in her signature style with velvet-upholstered sofas, lacquered furniture, and gilded mirrors. The Ritz Paris still has a suite named after Coco Chanel that exemplifies her vision of Parisian chic.

At the center of the Place Vendôme stands a landmark of historic importance, the Colonne de la Grande Armée (replacing a statue of Louis XIV that was removed in 1792). Built between 1806 and 1810, the 42-meter-high column is dedicated to Napoleon and his Grande Armée (army) who fought heroically and victoriously in the Battle of Austerlitz (in December 1805).

The column's facade is crafted from bronze plaques embossed with 108 spiraling bas-relief friezes (similar to Trajan's Column in Rome), which tell the story of the glorious events that took place during Napoleon's campaign of 1805.

Address: Place Vendôme, 75001 Paris (Métro: Tuileries or Opéra station)

In the charming Le Marais quarter, the Centre Pompidou is a cultural center devoted to modern art. The building itself features shocking modern architecture, sometimes described as an "inside out" design because the architectural details of staircases and elevators appear on the exterior.

The main attraction of the Centre Pompidou is the Musée National d'Art Moderne (National Museum of Modern Art), which displays iconic works of art chosen from an extensive collection of over 100,000 pieces. The collection focuses on contemporary art created from 1905 to the present.

The collection covers all the movements of modern art, beginning with the Post-Impressionist "Fauves" and "Les Nabis" movements (André Derain, Raoul Dufy, Henri Matisse, Pierre Bonnard, and Marc Chagall) and continuing with the famous movement of Cubism (Pablo Picasso, Georges Braque, Fernand Léger, and Robert Delaunay).

Each room highlights a specific time period or artistic movements such as Expressionism, Constructivism (Paul Klee and Piet Mondrian), Surrealism (Salvador Dalí, Max Ernst, René Magritte, and André Masson), Abstract Expressionism (Mark Rothko, Nicolas de Staël, Hans Hartung, and Serge Poliakoff), Informal Art (Jean Dubuffet), New Realism, and Pop Art (Andy Warhol, Claes Oldenburg).

Several masterpieces of the collection are not to be missed : Avec l'Arc Noir by Wassily Kandinsky, Manège de Cochons by Robert Delaunay, Portrait de la Journaliste Sylvia von Harden by Otto Dix, The Frame by Frida Kahlo, Les Mariés de la Tour Eiffel by Marc Chagall, La Blouse Roumaine by Henri Matisse, New York City by Piet Mondrian, and Les Loisirs-Hommage à Louis David by Fernand Léger.

The center has two bookstores, a casual café, and a boutique that sells gift items inspired by contemporary art.

For a special dining experience, head to the Centre Pompidou's restaurant on the museum's top floor. Restaurant Georges features floor-to-ceiling windows with spectacular panoramic views of the Paris cityscape. Tables on the terrace look out directly onto the Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, and Montmartre.

Address: Centre Pompidou, Place Georges-Pompidou, 75004 Paris (Métro: Rambuteau, Hôtel de Ville, Châtelet or Rambuteau station)

Louis XIV founded the Hôtel Royal des Invalides in the late 17th century as a home for disabled soldiers. The building was constructed between 1671 and 1676 under the direction of the architect Libéral Bruant and centered on the Eglise Saint-Louis-des-Invalides, which was later redesigned by the architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart in 1706.

Today, the Hôtel National des Invalides still has a hospital (Institution Nationale des Invalides) that provides medical care for disabled veterans.

The monument also includes several tourist attractions: three museums and two historic churches. You could easily spend hours here, and luckily the site has excellent amenities: a café-restaurant, the Angelina tearoom (famous for its hot chocolate and pastries) in a tree-shaded courtyard, and a bookstore/gift shop.

Founded in 1794, the Musée de l'Armée (Army Museum) presents a large collection of military equipment and uniforms, weapons, prints, and armor from various historical periods. The museum covers the military history of France from the 13th century (the Crusades) to the 17th century. There are also paintings of Napoleon and well-known generals, as well as maps that depict the French campaigns.

The Musée de l'Ordre de la Libération honors the soldiers who fought for the liberation of France during the Second World War, from 1940 to 1945. This museum also educates visitors about the deportation of Jews from France, the Resistance, and life in France during the war.

The military strategy of the 17th century comes to life at the Musée des Plans-Reliefs (Museum of Relief Maps). The museum displays 97 detailed (1 to 600 scale) relief maps of France's fortified towns (citadels) and fortresses that date from 1668 to 1871. Louis XIV's Minister of War (and later ministers) used the maps for military planning purposes.

A gold-domed Neoclassical church, the Eglise du Dôme des Invalides was built in 1677 as a royal chapel for Louis XIV but is most famous for being the site of Napoleon's Tomb , installed here in 1861 by the orders of King Louis-Philippe. The imperial tomb stands beneath a magnificent cupola, which was painted by Charles de la Fosse.

Designed for veterans to worship, the Cathédrale Saint-Louis des Invalides (constructed around 1676) connects with the Eglise du Dôme des Invalides. This chapel was built in keeping with the etiquette of the 17th century and has a separate entrance from the Eglise du Dôme. The Eglise Saint-Louis des Invalides still serves as the cathedral for the French army.

Address: Hôtel National des Invalides, Esplanade des Invalides, 129 Rue de Grenelle, 75007 Paris

Just steps away from the Louvre Museum, you will find a welcome retreat amid the bustle of Paris' 1st arrondissement. Visiting this secluded spot feels like a secret getaway, even though it's right in the center of the city.

The Palais-Royal was created as a residence for Cardinal Richelieu in 1633, during the reign of Louis XIII. Richelieu later bequeathed the palace to the royal family, and it became the childhood home of Louis XIV.

Exemplifying classical French architecture, the Domaine National du Palais-Royal is made up of 60 pavilions surrounding a courtyard and a garden, the Jardin du Palais-Royal . This peaceful enclosed space has the feeling of being its own little village within the city.

After wandering the busy streets of Paris, you will be delighted by the lush tree-shaded grounds. You might be surprised to see that the courtyard features a contemporary sculpture installation, a striking contrast to the historic architecture.

The buildings are connected by a colonnaded pathway and arcaded galleries (verandas) filled with high-end boutiques . There are fancy cafés with pleasant outdoor terraces and two gastronomic restaurants: the haute-cuisine Palais Royal Restaurant (two Michelin stars); and Le Grand Véfour in an 18th-century dining room featuring ornate " art décoratif " design motifs.

The Palais-Royal area has two theaters: the Théâtre du Palais-Royal (38 Rue de Montpensier), which dates back to 1783 and continues to present theater performances in French; and La Comédie-Française (1 Place Colette), a theater known as the " La Maison de Molière " because it has staged so many of the famous playwright's works. The Comédie-Française was inaugurated in 1790 and is still in use during its theater season.

A lovely place for a stroll, the Domaine National du Palais-Royal is open every day, free of charge. The Centre des Monuments Nationaux offers guided group tours.

Address: Domaine National du Palais-Royal, 8 Rue Montpensier, 75001 Paris (Métro: Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre or Pyramides station)

Now, only the name of this square is a reminder that the notorious state prison known as the Bastille, the much-hated symbol of absolutist power, once stood here. After the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, the prison was completely demolished.

In the center of Place de la Bastille is the 51-meter-high Colonne de Juillet , topped by a graceful gilded figure of Liberty ( Génie de la Liberté ). The monument commemorates the July Revolution of 1830, which overthrew King Charles X and brought Louis-Philippe d'Orléans to power.

Four Gallic cocks and a lion relief on the base of the column symbolize the free people of France. A spiral staircase of 283 steps inside the column leads to a viewing platform.

On the site of the Bastille prison is the new Opera House, the Opéra Bastille , inaugurated by President Mitterrand on July 13, 1989. This immense modern theater has seating for 2,745 people. Both the view of the stage from the auditorium and the acoustics are superb.

The Opéra Bastille presents a calendar of events that includes opera and ballet performances by the Opéra National de Paris and the Corps de Ballet de l'Opéra de Paris.

For a memorable evening in Paris, attend one of the performances at the Opéra Bastille and then dine in the Bastille area. This trendy neighborhood is brimming with quirky boutiques, hip clothing shops, stylish restaurants, and happening cafés.

Address: Place de la Bastille, 75012 Paris (Métro: Bastille)

The Place du Châtelet stands at the very center of Paris in the 1st arrondissement, overlooking the Seine River. The Pont au Change (bridge) provides access from the Île de la Cité to the Place du Châtelet.

Tip : It's just a short walk from Sainte-Chapelle and La Conciergerie on the Île-de-la-Cité to the Place du Châtelet, so it would make sense to visit these tourist attractions at the same time.

Two theaters grace the Place du Châtelet. The opulent Second Empire Théâtre du Châtelet (1 Place du Châtelet) presents a wide variety of music concerts, as well as dance and theater performances. A listed Monument Historique where Sarah Bernhardt once directed shows, the Théâtre de la Ville (2 Place du Châtelet) stages a diverse program of dance, music, and theater performances.

The area around Place du Châtelet is also worth exploring. Continue towards the Rue de Rivoli, past the Boulevard de Sébastopol, and wander through the small park to find the Tour Saint-Jacques . The 16th-century Flamboyant Gothic clock tower is all that remains of the Eglise Saint-Jacques-de-la-Boucherie (the patron saint of butchers), the town's old parish church.

The Saint-Jacques Tower is also famous as the place where Blaise Pascal conducted one of his barometric experiments, which showed the effect of altitude on the height of a column of mercury.

Never mind the inviting name, this imposing medieval fortress was an infamous place of detention and a courthouse (from 1793 to 1795) during the French Revolution. Here, prisoners including Marie-Antoinette and Robespierre were kept in dank cells while awaiting their fate.

The Conciergerie is a remnant of the Palais de la Cité , the royal residence of France's kings in the 13th and 14th centuries until the royal residence was moved to the Louvre. During the Restoration (return of the Bourbon monarchs to the throne), the Conciergerie was no longer used as a prison and Marie-Antoinette's cell was converted into a commemorative chapel.

Today, the Conciergerie is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is open to the public as a museum. It's possible to purchase a combined entry ticket for the Conciergerie and Sainte-Chapelle. Admission to the Conciergerie is included with a Paris Museum Pass.

During your visit, you will have a chance to walk through the Prisoners' Corridor which includes a replica of French Revolution-era prison cells. An evocative exhibit, the Salle des Noms lists the names of more than 4,000 people who were put on trial by the Revolutionary Tribunal and includes their biographies.

Of course, you must visit the expiatory chapel of Marie-Antoinette (the commemorative chapel). Look for the motif of tears painted on the walls.

Other highlights of the visit include the Salle des Gardes which exhibits artifacts from the bloody Reign of Terror, including a guillotine blade, prison regulations, and a copy of Marie-Antoinette's last letter.

The Salle des Gens d'Armes is a 14th-century vaulted Gothic hall of awesome proportions. In this forbidding room, the condemned prisoners were handed over to the executioner.

For an exceptional view of the building's Neo-Gothic facade, stand on the opposite side of the Seine River on the Quai de la Mégisserie. From this distance, with its three round towers and the Tour de l'Horloge (Clock Tower), the fortress resembles a fairy-tale castle rather than a penitentiary.

Address: 2 Boulevard du Palais, 75001 Paris (Métro: Cité or Saint-Michel Notre-Dame station)

Formerly royal hunting grounds, the Bois de Boulogne is now home to a surprising modern landmark. Opened in 2014, the Fondation Louis Vuitton was commissioned by Bernard Arnault, chairman of the Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy corporation.

Acclaimed American architect Frank Gehry designed the striking building, using 3,600 glass panels and more steel than the amount in the Eiffel Tower. The museum features 3,500 square meters of exhibition space with 11 different galleries illuminated by natural light.

In keeping with the museum's modern theme, the permanent collection focuses entirely on 20th-century and 21st-century art organized into four different categories: Expressionism, Contemplative Art, Pop Art, and Music & Sound.

The Fondation Louis Vuitton offers a year-round calendar of events and temporary exhibits. Cultural events and music performances are presented in a 1,000-seat auditorium.

Not to be missed are the four outdoor terraces on the rooftop, which afford sweeping views of the Bois de Boulogne, La Défense district, and the Eiffel Tower in the distance. You may also shop at the bookstore and enjoy a snack or meal at Le Frank Restaurant .

A tourist attraction in itself, the 850-hectare Bois de Boulogne has walking paths, gardens, bicycle rentals, picnic areas, and a lake for boating. Three upscale restaurants, including La Grande Cascade , the Auberge du Bonheur , and the three Michelin-starred restaurant Le Pré Catelan , offer traditional French fine dining. At the park's hippodrome used for horse races, La Brasserie Paris Longchamp serves casual sit-down meals.

Within the Bois de Boulogne is the Parc de Bagatelle with picnic tables, a snack bar, and a rose garden. The 18th-century Château de Bagatelle is open on Sundays and for temporary exhibitions. The Orangery of the Parc de Bagatelle hosts a Chopin Festival every year from mid-June until mid-July.

Address: 8 Avenue du Mahatma Gandhi, Bois de Boulogne, 75116 Paris (Métro: Pont de Neuilly or Avenue Foch)

Covering 55 hectares, the Parc de La Villette is the largest landscaped green space in Paris. The park is brimming with attractions, including children's playgrounds and the Cité de la Music .

The park is also home to 400-seat La Géode IMAX theater; the Zénith Paris - La Villette concert hall; the Philharmonie de Paris performance venue; and Le Trabendo , which stages rock, rap, and hip-hop music concerts.

During summertime, Parisians (and a few tourists) enjoy attending cultural events at the Parc de La Villette. For several days at the end of May, the Villette Sonique festival draws huge crowds to outdoor music concerts. Other festivals include Jazz à La Villette held from late August through early September and an outdoor film festival ( Cinéma en Plein Air ), which takes place in the park from mid-July to mid-August.

The park features a variety of themed gardens with walking paths, footbridges, and bright red architectural "follies" designed by Bernard Tschumi. The area around the Canal de l'Ourcq is embellished with ponds and fountains.

Address: 211 Avenue Jean Jaurès, 75019 Paris (Métro: Porte de la Villette)

Planning to visit Paris during summertime? Be sure to pack your swimsuit! Even though the city is far from the sea, you can still find "beaches" for sunbathing.

From early July through late August, the Seine River becomes a beach destination. The riverbanks along the Quai de Seine and Quai de Loire are transformed into little resorts, complete with lounge chairs, sun umbrellas, and palm trees. Recreational opportunities include table football, tai chi, and petanque.

Other summertime recreational opportunities (in July and August) include swimming at the Bassin de La Villette , which has three swimming pools with lifeguards, and sports activities at the Jardins du Trocadéro .

Outside of central Paris, the Père Lachaise Cemetery in the 20th arrondissement is the city's most famous and most visited cemetery. This 44-hectare space is the final resting place of many famous men and women, including Honoré de Balzac, Frédéric Chopin, Edith Piaf, Oscar Wilde, and Jim Morrison.

Some of the tombs and graves of the most admired personalities attract a cult following, with flowers and tributes left by visitors on a daily basis.

Address: Cimetière du Père Lachaise, 21 Boulevard de Ménilmontant, 75020 Paris (Métro: Père Lachaise or Philippe Auguste station)

Locals escape to this peaceful oasis when they need a break from urban life. Among Parisians, this park is a favorite place to go for picnics and basking in the sunshine on warm days.

The 25-hectare park has the feeling of an untamed pastoral landscape, in contrast to the typical Parisian formal French gardens, with their orderly rows of flowerbeds and pollarded trees.

This romantic English-style garden features caves, waterfalls, and an artificial lake. Large shady trees and spacious grassy areas invite visitors to pull out a blanket and relax. Some areas of the park offer panoramic city views.

The convivial Rosa Bonheur café serves Mediterranean cuisine on an outdoor terrace. Rosa Bonheur is also known for its musical entertainment and evening dances.

For a gourmet lunch or brunch, Le Pavillon du Lac delights you with its lake views and garden patio. Le Pavillon du Lac is open for lunch and dinner Wednesday through Saturday and for brunch on Sundays.

Address: Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, 1 Rue Botzaris, 75019 Paris

The Grande Arche de la Défense is found in a business district at the end of Avenue Charles-de-Gaulle. This area just outside the city limits of Paris is named La Défense, which recalls the bitter resistance by French forces in this area during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871.

Designed by Johan Otto von Spreckelsen, the Grande Arche makes a striking impression. This huge 110-meter-high rectangular triumphal arch is faced with glass and granite.

The monument was inaugurated in 1989 on the bicentenary of the French Revolution, and the contemporary structure symbolizes France's national value of fraternity. The arch was originally called " La Grande Arche de la Fraternité ".

Address: La Grande Arche, 1 Parvis de la Défense, 92040 Paris (Métro: La Défense)

Deciding where to stay in Paris depends on your taste in hotels and travel preferences.

An abundance of quaint small hotels are scattered throughout the 5th, 6th, and 7th arrondissements, which is also known as the Rive Gauche (Left Bank). Tourists appreciate this area for its central location, excellent restaurants, and lively sidewalk cafés.

The Marais quarter (4th arrondissement) on the Right Bank rivals the Left Bank for old-world charm and trendy ambiance. This neighborhood is filled with magnificent historic palaces and mansions, while enticing boutiques, cozy restaurants, cafés, and tea salons line the quarter's cobblestone streets.

Many luxury hotels are found on the boulevards near the Louvre and the Champs-Élysées, in an area of the 8th arrondissement known as the Triangle d'Or (Golden Triangle) because of its designer fashion boutiques and upscale gourmet restaurants.

Montmartre is farther from most tourist attractions but has a special atmosphere thanks to its bohemian heritage, excellent art museums, and atmospheric pedestrian alleyways. Some of the hotels in this hilltop neighborhood offer sweeping city views.

Here are some highly-rated hotels in these areas of Paris:

Luxury Hotels:

• In the fashionable 8th arrondissement near the Jardins des Champs-Élysées is the five-star Le Bristol Paris . This legendary hotel epitomizes Parisian elegance with sumptuous guest rooms featuring Louis XV or Louis XVI furnishings and tailor-made bed linens. Guests enjoy the courtyard garden, spa, rooftop swimming pool, tea time at Café Antonia, and fine dining at the hotel's Michelin-starred gastronomic restaurant or Michelin-starred brasserie.
• La Réserve Paris - Hotel and Spa is another ultra-luxurious accommodation in the 8th arrondissement near the Champs-Élysées. The five-star hotel occupies a palatial 19th-century mansion decorated in a classical style, yet has the intimate ambiance of a private home. Guests appreciate the top-notch amenities: spa, fitness center, indoor swimming pool, and two gourmet restaurants including a dining room with two Michelin stars.
• Art Deco interiors create an inviting feel at the Four Seasons Hotel George V in the 8th arrondissement. This opulent five-star hotel occupies a landmark building that dates to 1928 and has been beautifully maintained. Guests are pampered by the hotel's amenities: an upscale spa, swimming pool, and three fine-dining options including a vegetarian restaurant. The hotel's gastronomic restaurant, Le Cinq, boasts three Michelin stars.
• The Hôtel Plaza Athénée graces the tree-lined Avenue Montaigne, a prestigious boulevard lined with haute couture boutiques. Housed in a stately Haussmann-style building near the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, this five-star hotel features plush guest rooms with Art Deco furnishings. Amenities include the Dior Spa, and three dining options, including a garden courtyard restaurant and La Galerie, a salon that serves afternoon tea.

Mid-Range Hotels:

• In the Latin Quarter steps away from the Panthéon, the impeccably maintained Hôtel Résidence Henri IV exudes old-fashioned Parisian charm with its traditional interior decor and balconies overlooking the street. The spacious guest rooms have flat-screen televisions and updated bathrooms; the apartments have kitchenettes. This four-star hotel has a hammam and offers spa treatments. The breakfast (available for an additional charge) includes artisanal and organic products.
• The Relais Christine has a quiet and cozy ambiance, which makes it feel like a family home. This five-star hotel in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood is surrounded by cafés, bistros, and restaurants. The tastefully adorned guest rooms feature garden, courtyard, or street views and Nespresso coffee machines. Amenities include an upscale spa, fitness center, breakfast for an additional charge, and room service.
• Near the legendary Boulevard Saint-Germain cafés and a short walk to the Jardin du Luxembourg, the boutique three-star Hôtel Left Bank Saint Germain des Prés occupies an 18th-century building on an ancient street where Molière had a residence. The hotel's suite has a living room with windows that look out onto Notre-Dame Cathedral. A continental breakfast with croissants, café au lait, and fresh-squeezed orange juice is available.
• The charming Relais Médicis is tucked away on a quiet street near the Luxembourg Gardens. This four-star hotel is a welcome retreat from the busy streets of the Saint-Germain neighborhood. The guest rooms blend old-fashioned French country decor with modern amenities. Breakfast (available for an additional charge) includes yogurt, cheese, fresh-squeezed orange juice, coffee, tea, and croissants from a neighborhood bakery.
• Montmartre is considered Paris' most enchanting neighborhood, although it is a Métro ride to the main tourist attractions. A few steps away from the Métro station in the heart of the quarter's narrow, winding streets is Hôtel Le Relais Montmartre . This four-star hotel has quaint guest rooms with vintage-inspired decor. The hotel offers a breakfast buffet (generous for the price) that includes croissants, yogurt, charcuterie, cheese, and fruit.

Budget Hotels:

• The Legend Hotel by Elegancia is conveniently located in the Montparnasse district of the 6th arrondissement (Rive Gauche) and about a 10-minute walk to the Luxembourg Gardens. This cozy three-star boutique hotel has chic contemporary-style rooms. The hotel offers a 24-hour front desk, buffet or continental breakfast (for an additional charge), and concierge services.
• In the Latin Quarter (Rive Gauche) near the Panthéon, the family-run Hôtel Diana has stylish modern rooms with renovated bathrooms and courtyard or city views. Considering the central location and 24-hour front reception desk, this hotel provides excellent value for the price. A continental-style breakfast buffet is available for a small charge.

Paris Sightseeing Overview:

• For first-time visitors, the Paris Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour is a good choice. You can decide which monuments you would like to see, such as the Louvre Museum, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Place de la Concorde, the Champs-Élysées, and the Musée d'Orsay. The tour provides commentary while you're on the bus and includes an entrance ticket to the Arc de Triomphe as well as a short Seine River Cruise.

Hop-on Hop-off Seine River Tour:

• The Hop-on Hop-off Seine River Tour covers the city's highlights by cruising down the Seine River. This self-guided tour allows you to stop at eight different places on the Seine River over a one-day or two-day period. You will have a chance to see the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, the Musee d'Orsay, the legendary Saint-Germain-des-Prés cafés, the Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Place de la Concorde, and the Hôtel National des Invalides.

Visit the Normandy Battlefields:

• History buffs will want to see the famous World War II battlefields, about a three-hour drive from Paris. One recommended day trip is the Normandy D-Day Beaches Tour . Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, tourists will see the Omaha and Juno Beaches, and the American Cemetery. The tour also includes a visit to the Arromanches harbor.

Must-See Sights Outside of Paris :

• Another popular outing from Paris is the Versailles and Giverny Day Trip . This full-day excursion explores the vibrant gardens of Giverny, which Monet depicted in many paintings, and the Château de Versailles, Louis XIV's extravagant palace. The tour includes a gourmet lunch at the Moulin de Fourges riverside restaurant, which is housed in an 18th-century mill inspired by Marie-Antoinette's hamlet at Versailles.

Many seasoned travelers say the best months to visit Paris are in the spring (April, May, June), the summer (especially June and the first half of July), and early autumn (September and October) . As a general rule, this is also the best time to visit France.

April is in the off-season , and hotel prices are reduced. The drawback is that the weather is capricious and can be quite chilly or rainy . Average low temperatures are mid-40 degrees Fahrenheit. With some luck, the weather could be refreshingly crisp and sunny. Average highs are low-60 degrees. On the upside, April offers the chance to experience the magic of early spring. Trees begin to bud their first leaves in the parks and lining the avenues. Daffodils and tulips bloom in the gardens.

In May , the weather is still fickle , with a mix of sunny days and chilly or rainy days. The temperature averages range from high 60 degrees to low 50 degrees Fahrenheit. By early May, trees, burgeoning vegetation, and colorful flowers enliven the leafy grounds of the Jardin du Luxembourg, Jardin des Champs-Élysées, Jardin des Plantes, Parc Monceau, Bois de Boulogne, and the Buttes-Chaumont. On warm days, café terraces come back to life.

June is a delightful time to visit Paris because of the balmy weather and long days . Daytime temperatures are comfortable, with high temperature averages in the low 70 degrees. Thanks to Paris' northern latitude, the sun sets at almost 10pm in June. It seems that the entire city is out and about to celebrate the beginning of summer. The sidewalk café scene bustles and there is a sense of joie de vivre in the air.

The first two weeks of July are the most exciting time to visit Paris, with Parisians' anticipation of vacation just around the corner. Plus, the weather starts to feel like summer. The entire month of July is a great time to visit because of warm days with average high temperatures of 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

July and August are the hottest months of the year in Paris. August also has average high temperatures of 70 degrees Fahrenheit. However, travelers should keep in mind that many shops and restaurants close in August when Parisians leave for summer holidays after the Fête Nationale (Bastille Day) on July 14th.

September is a marvelous time to visit Paris because the weather is still pleasant , yet it is in the off-season , so hotels are more affordable, and tourist attractions are less crowded. Similar to the springtime, September promises a mix of weather, with some sunny days and some rain. The average high temperatures are low-70 degrees Fahrenheit and average low temperatures are mid-50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Another good time to visit is October which is in the off-season . October weather can be chilly. The daytime high-temperature averages start to dip into the 60s Fahrenheit and the average low temperature is 48 degrees.

Tips for What to Wear : For a Paris vacation in April, May, September, or October, travelers should pack layers and bring sweaters, a jacket, raincoat, boots, and an umbrella. In June and July, the weather is warm enough for summer dresses and short-sleeve shirts. Packing requirements during the late fall and winter months (November through March) include heavy coats, scarves, wool hats, gloves, warm socks, and boots.

More Related Articles on PlanetWare.com

Easy Paris Day Trips: There are many wonderful places to visit within easy reach from Paris . Just outside the Paris metropolitan area is a tranquil rural landscape that is rich in cultural treasures: lovely little villages, historic castles, splendid churches, and interesting medieval towns. A must-see destination is the Château de Versailles , the 17th-century palace of Louis XIV (the "Sun King").

For those who prefer cities to the countryside, several worthwhile destinations are just a one- to two-hour train ride away: the elegant and cultured city of Lille (one hour by TGV train) with its distinct Flemish character, the delightful town of Amiens (about one hour and 30 minutes by train), and Lyon (two hours by TGV train) known as the gastronomic heart of France.

Adored by tourists for its perfectly preserved medieval ambiance, picturesque canals, and enticing chocolate shops, atmospheric Bruges (two hours 30 minutes by train) is simple to visit even though the train crosses the border into Belgium.

Historic Sites in Normandy: The scenic Normandy region wows visitors with its natural beauty and fascinating history. Along its dramatic coastline are the Landing Beaches of World War Two, and nearby are military cemeteries and memorial museums. One of the top attractions of France and Normandy's most visited site is Mont Saint-Michel , a UNESCO-listed medieval pilgrimage site with a sublime 12th-century abbey church. Tourists will also enjoy discovering the historic town of Rouen , with its marvelous cathedral, handsome half-timbered houses, and abundance of Gothic churches.

Gorgeous Castles and Pastoral Landscapes: The fairy-tale Loire Valley landscape is home to the most magnificent Renaissance châteaux in France. With a lush natural environment of woodlands and rivers, this enchanting region is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The naturally beautiful region of Brittany boasts a wild, rugged coastline, with many idyllic fishing villages and an unspoiled countryside with medieval castles. The Burgundy region is dotted with historic towns such as Dijon , quaint villages, ancient abbeys, and Romanesque churches.

More on France

Map of Paris - Interactive Map of Paris

Information about the map.

Check out the main monuments, museums, squares, churches and attractions in our map of Paris. Click on each icon to see what it is.

To help you find your way once you get to your destination, the map you print out will have numbers on the various icons that correspond to a list with the most interesting tourist attractions. This way, you’ll be able to see where each attraction is.

Icons on the Paris interactive map

The map is very easy to use:

• Check out information about the destination: click on the color indicators.
• Move across the map: shift your mouse across the map.
• Zoom in: double click on the left-hand side of the mouse on the map or move the scroll wheel upwards.
• Zoom out: double click on the right-hand side of the mouse on the map or move the scroll wheel downwards.

You may also be interested in

2-Day Paris Itinerary

If you are staying in Paris for a few days and want to see and visit the city's top tourist attractions and museums, read our itinerary, which includes detailed information on what to see and how to get to the places.

General Information

If you’re planning your visit to Paris, you might be wondering what travel documents you need to travel to France, what the country's currency is, and other frequently asked questions all answered here below:

The Ultimate FREE Paris Tourist Map (Things to Do, Photo Spots & More!)

Last Updated: April 25, 2024

*FYI - this post may contain affiliate links, which means we earn a commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase from them. Also, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Check out our Privacy Policy and Disclosure. for more info.

Looking for a Paris tourist map that covers all the main sights?

Great news! Hi – I’m Christina, a shameless travel nerd who has already made one. WITH cute stamp icons… that are colour coded.

So yes, below, you’ll find a handy Google Map that you can use on your phone that includes…

• Top Paris museums & sights
• The prettiest photo spots and views in Paris
• Paris food & drink recommendations
• Fun shops to visit in Paris

I hope you find it helpful!

Save this Free Paris Map for Later!

You’ll be very glad you did.

My Free Paris Tourist Map

On mobile? Click this link here and the map should automatically open on your Google Maps app.

NOTE: Free sights are marked with a green background – be sure to expand the Map Legend to see the different layers and categories I’ve included!

Paris Travel Tips Video

First time in Paris? Here’s a video that explains some of the important must-knows to keep in mind before your trip.

More Paris Travel Resources

Finally, if you’re a bit more old school, then here are some articles and blog posts to help you out with your Paris planning!

• Free Things to do in Paris
• Paris Travel Tips
• France Travel Tips
• Paris to Disneyland Paris Day Trip Guide
• Disneyland Paris Tips

My Go-To Travel Favourites:

🧳 Eagle Creek: My favourite packing cubes

💳 Wise: For FREE travel friendly credit cards

🍯 Airalo: My go-to eSIM

🏨 Booking.com: For searching hotels

📷 Sony A7IV: My (amazing) camera

✈️ Google Flights : For finding flight deals

🌎 WorldNomads: For travel insurance

🎉 GetYourGuide: For booking activities

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

By using this form you agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website. *

• Paris by night Paris by night
• Versailles Versailles
• Giverny Giverny
• France France
• Day trips from Paris Day trips from Paris
• Fooding Fooding
• Cruises Cruises
• Find your order
• Our Sanitary Program
• +33 (0)1 44 55 60 00

Choose a place

Map of Paris monuments: download your PDF map

What would the City of Lights be without the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral or the Sacré- Cœur Basilica?  Download your free PDF map of Paris monuments and discover the most beautiful Paris tourist destinations!   Whether you are staying in Paris for a few hours or for several days, you will find this monument map very useful.  

A PDF tourist map in PDF format that is always accessible 

Tourist guidebooks, even pocket editions, take up a lot of space in your backpack and weigh you down. What about mobile apps? Although they are more practical, they require a network connection to work properly. 

Download this map of Paris monuments in PDF format and register it on your smartphone or tablet.  You can easily plan your next vacation by organizing a visit to iconic Parisian monuments like the Eiffel Tower , Notre Dame Cathedral or the Arc de Triomphe , located at the end of l’Avenue des Champs Elysées. 

A map of the famous monuments of Paris…and others! 

You need a map that identifies the most iconic monuments of Paris . This will enable you to easily find the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Sacré-Cœur or Notre Dame, and locate them in relation to each other. 

But other lesser-known tourist destinations also deserve your attention.  Our map invites you to discover remarkable buildings which are less popular with tourists. 

This allows you to easily organize and plan your own sightseeing tour to include all the Paris monuments you choose, in no time at all. 

Do you want to be able to slip it into your pocket and add notes?  You can also very easily print our map in PDF format . 

Map listing Must-see  Paris monuments 

Our map lists the main monuments, from the most famous to the lesser-known:

Other downloadable tourist maps 

Plan your trip in advance and download our different maps on your smartphone or tablet in PDF format:

• Paris tourist map 
• Map of Paris museums  
• Map of Paris districts
• Map of Montmartre  

Paris Tourist Map in PDF

Get this map in PDF

• Paris Map in PDF Free download (1.5 MB)

Share with others!

Tripomatic recommends

Save more than €100 on your trip to Paris with the Paris Pass . Get free entry to over 60 of the best attractions and unlimited public transport.

Locate the best sights and attractions in Paris using our free PDF tourist map. 26 must-see places in Paris have been carefully selected and pinpointed on the map. Make sure you don't miss any of Paris' highlights. Download the map in PDF and take it with you on your trip to Paris.

Tripomatic helps you in making the most of your trip to Paris. Discover the best Paris attractions on the map. Select the ones you like the most and turn them into your own tourist map. Available as a free PDF download.

• Amsterdam map in PDF
• London map in PDF
• Rome map in PDF
• Washington D.C. PDF map

Sygic Travel on the go

Featured trips, popular content.

• Privacy Policy
• STOCK 360° TRAVEL VIDEOS

Hotels Find

List of best hotels

Discover Your Perfect Stay

25 Top tourist attractions in Paris (with map and photos)

As the capital of France, Paris has endured as an important city for more than 2,000 years. Often referred to by nicknames such as 'city of love' and 'city of lights', Paris is now one of the world's most important centres for business, fashion, entertainment, art and culture.Just the mention of Paris conjures up images of the city's world-famous landmarks, museums and cathedrals.

Also called the capital of fashion, Paris is home to some of the world's top fashion designers, including Yves Saint-Laurent, Lancôme, L'Oréal and Christian Dior.The city's shopping scene ranges from malls to open-air markets, boutiques and flea markets.An overview of Paris's top tourist attractions :

The best organised tours

Skip the Line: Eiffel Tower Tickets and Small Group Tours - 4453 reviews

Louvre Museum Skip the Line with the Venus de Milo and the Mona Lisa - 3302 reviews

Versailles Bike Tour from Paris - 1617 reviews

Paris Segway Tour - 1173 reviews

When planning a trip to the captivating city of Paris, finding the perfect accommodation is key to a memorable experience. Hotel Bel Ami on bel-ami.parishotelinn.com , located in the heart of the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district, offers a stylish and contemporary retreat for travelers. With its modern design and sophisticated atmosphere, this boutique hotel provides a luxurious haven amidst the bustling streets of Paris. Its prime location allows easy access to iconic landmarks and cultural attractions, making it an ideal choice for exploring the city. For those seeking a more intimate and charming setting, Hotel Relais Bosquet Paris on relais-bosquet.parishotelinn.com is a hidden gem near the Eiffel Tower. This family-run hotel combines comfort and elegance, offering personalized service and a warm ambiance. With its proximity to the Eiffel Tower, guests can enjoy breathtaking views of this iconic symbol of Paris from the comfort of their rooms. Another excellent option is Les Jardins d Eiffel Hotel on les-jardins-deiffel.parishotelinn.com , which boasts a tranquil setting in the heart of the 7th arrondissement. Surrounded by beautiful gardens, this boutique hotel provides a peaceful oasis within the bustling city. Its comfortable rooms and friendly staff ensure a pleasant stay, and its close proximity to the Eiffel Tower and other attractions makes it a convenient choice for travelers. Whether you prefer modern luxury, intimate charm, or serene surroundings, these hotels offer a range of options to suit different preferences and provide a delightful base for your exploration of Paris.

25. Place des Vosges

The Place des Vosges, formerly called Place Royale, was the prototype for all residential squares in Europe. All the houses were built with the same design: red brick with blue slate roofs with sloping pitches. Not only is it shaped like a real square, but it is also the first square in the city designed by a monarch (Henry IV in the early 17th century) and, thirdly, it turned the Marais into a fashionable place for the French nobility in the decades before the French Revolution.

24.Moulin Rouge

The year 1889 is known as the year when France's most famous landmark, the Eiffel Tower, was built. The Moulin Rouge is still considered the main entertainment venue in Paris and has been the subject of numerous films.

23.Conciergerie

The Conciergerie was built in the 10th century to be the main palace of the kings of France, who expanded it over the centuries. Its Great Hall was one of the largest in Europe; in another hall ate the palace's 2,000 workers; some of the buildings were converted into a prison in the 14th century; later the palace became a revolutionary court and prison during the Reign of Terror, with famous prisoners including Marie Antoinette and Madame du Barry; today the Conciergerie is a popular tourist attraction in Paris, but still serves as a court.

The Pantheon is the place where famous French citizens are buried. Modelled after the Pantheon in Rome, it was originally a church dedicated to St. Geneviève, the patron saint of Paris, and her relics. The church was converted into a mausoleum during the French Revolution to honour the revolutionary martyrs. Famous people buried here include Voltaire, Victor Hugo and Marie Curie.

21.Pere Lachaise Cemetery

The most visited cemetery in the world, Pere Lachaise became a municipal cemetery in 1804 under Napoleon. It is the final resting place of many famous people, including Jim Morrison of The Doors, writer Oscar Wilde and singer Edith Piaf. The cemetery contains many sculptures, as each family of the deceased tried to outdo the monuments placed there by other wealthy families. The result is many spectacular works of art that are just as interesting as the various graves of famous people.

20.Disneyland Paris

When Europeans cannot get to Los Angeles to see the original Disneyland, they head for Disneyland Paris, Europe's most visited theme park. In 1992, it became the second Disney park to open outside the United States.It is located about 30 km (20 miles) from the centre of Paris.A companion park, Walt Disney Studios Park, opened in 2002.

19.Musee de l'Orangerie

Travellers who appreciate impressionist and post-impressionist art need to check out the Musee de l'Orangerie. The museum, located in a corner of the Tuileries Garden, houses eight murals of Claude Monet's Water Lilies; these murals are considered the museum's highlight and also contain works by other Impressionist artists, including Picasso, Renoir, Cezanne, Matisse and Modigliani. The orangery was originally built in 1852 to protect the orange trees of the Tuileries Palace.

18.Palais Garnier

Architect Charles Garnier spared no ornamental detail when he designed the Palais Garnier in the 19th century, which is perhaps why the building was the most expensive of its time. Today, the Palais Garnier is still mainly used for ballet and also houses the Opera Library Museum.

17.Les Invalides

Les Invalides is a complex of buildings honouring the French army, built in 1670 as a hospital and rest home for veterans. Les Invalides is home to military museums and a church that is the burial place of its war heroes, including Napoleon Bonaparte.Les Invalides is the place where the insurgents obtained the cannons and muskets they later used to storm the Bastille, thus starting the French Revolution.

16. Cruise on the Seine

The Seine River crosses France for almost 800 km (500 miles) and heads towards the English Channel. A cruise on the Seine is one of the most romantic things visitors can do. Cruises on the Seine pass under many bridges in Paris, passing attractions such as the Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Eiffel Tower. A cruise on the Seine takes about an hour, but what a magical hour! A cruise on the Seine is also a good way to experience Paris by night.

15.Rodin Museum

Travellers who have seen copies of the famous sculpture The Thinker can visit the real thing when they're in Paris. The statue was sculpted by Auguste Rodin, a famous French artist of the early 20th century.The Thinker and 6,600 other sculptures can be found at the Rodin Museum, founded in 1919 in his former studio, the Hotel Biron in central Paris. Many of his famous sculptures can be found in the gardens surrounding the museum.

14. Les Catacombes

In contrast to the City of Lights, Les Catacombes represents the dark side of Paris. A little less than a mile below the streets of Paris, this tourist attraction has a creepy side: the remains of millions of Parisians who were moved there when the old cemeteries began to close years ago. Some bodies, such as those killed during the French Revolution, came straight here, bypassing the cemeteries.

13.Champs-Elysées

The tree-lined avenue of the Champs-Elysées is the most famous street in Paris and has even been described as the most beautiful avenue in the world. Just over one and a half kilometres long, the avenue connects the Arc de Triomphe and the Place de la Concorde.Life in Paris is located around the Champs-Elysees, an avenue lined with restaurants, luxury boutiques, museums and nightclubs. It is the site of the Bastille Day military parade and the end of the Tour de France.

12.Pont Alexandre III

In a city where romance reigns, what could be more romantic than the Pont Alexandre III, a bridge considered the most extravagant and ornate in Paris. Named for the Russian tsar, this single-arch steel bridge spans the Seine, connecting the Champs-Elysees, Les Invalides and the Eiffel Tower. Seeing the bridge is almost like going to an art gallery, as numerous French sculptors created the statues, including winged horses, nymphs and cherubs that adorn its top.

11.Palace of Versailles

The Palace of Versailles began life as a royal hunting lodge, but later became a palace housing the king's court. Its gigantic structure is ornate, opulent and over-the-top in its wealth. It is one of the most visited landmarks in Paris, with its magnificent gardens and the Hall of Mirrors with its 357 mirrors decorating 17 arches. The Palace of Versailles ceased to be a royal residence during the French Revolution and today houses a museum of French history.

When it comes to experiencing the authentic charm of accomodation nearby, staying at bed & breakfast in Paris is a fantastic choice. Paris is home to numerous charming and cozy bed and breakfast establishments that offer a unique and personalized experience for travelers.

10.Place de la Concorde

At the eastern end of the Champs-Elysées is Place de la Concorde, the largest square in Paris with fantastic views in every direction. It was in this square that King Louis XVI of France, Marie Antoinette and many others were guillotined during the French Revolution. The large 3200-year-old Egyptian obelisk in the centre of Place de la Concorde was brought from the Temple of Luxor in the 19th century.

9.Sainte-Chapelle

Begun after 1239, the Sainte-Chapelle is considered one of the highest achievements of Gothic architecture. Its construction was commissioned by King Louis IX of France to house his collection of Passion Relics, including the Crown of Thorns of Christ, one of the most important relics of medieval Christianity. Although damaged during the French Revolution and restored in the 19th century, it retains one of the largest in situ collections of 13th century stained glass windows in the world.

Centre Pompidou

Designed in the style of high-tech architecture, the Centre Pompidou is a cultural institution in the Beaubourg area of the 4th arrondissement. It houses a large public library, the Musée National d'Art Moderne which is the largest museum of modern art in Europe, a bookshop, a cinema and a panoramic terrace.The library occupies the first three floors of the building, while the museum's permanent collection is located on the 4th and 5th floors.' 'The Centre is named after Georges Pompidou, President of France from 1969 to 1974, who commissioned the building.

7.Musée d'Orsay

A must for art lovers, the Musée d'Orsay is known for housing the world's first collection of Impressionist paintings. Located in a former railway station, this large museum displays thousands of works of art and objects covering a period from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s. Visitors can walk through several rooms to see works of art by many famous artists such as Monet, Van Gogh, Cezane, Degas, Pissarro, Renoir and Jean-Francois Millet.

6. Jardin du Luxembourg

Known in English as the Jardin du Luxembourg, this public park is the second largest in Paris. Visitors can picnic or take a leisurely stroll through beautiful lawns, formal gardens and orchards that feature many artistic statues and fountains. For fun and sports, there are jogging trails, tennis courts and fitness facilities. Children can play in the huge playground, ride ponies, watch a puppet show and sail model boats in a pond.

5.Sacre-Coeur

One of the most notable landmarks in Paris is the striking white-domed basilica of Sacre-Coeur. Located at the highest point of the city on the hill of Montmartre, this stunning basilica attracts many tourists each year to see its marble architecture and beautiful interior. A tour rewards visitors with views of golden mosaics, stained glass windows and one of the largest clocks in the world.

4.Notre Dame de Paris

No trip to Paris would be complete without a visit to the famous Notre Dame cathedral.More than 120 metres high, with two tall towers and a spire, this stunning church is considered a supreme example of French Gothic architecture. A tour of this 13th century masterpiece allows visitors to admire the beautiful rose windows, Gothic sculptures and a collection of relics.

3.Arc de Triomphe

One of the most popular tourist attractions in Paris, the Arc de Triomphe was built in 1806 to commemorate Napoleon Bonaparte's triumphal battles. Standing 164 feet tall and 148 feet wide (50 by 45 metres), the arch features intricate reliefs depicting victorious battles and engraved with the names of many who died fighting for the emperor.Beneath the arch is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of the First World War.

Topping the list of the world's most visited museums, the Louvre Museum is located in the Palais du Louvre, with its glass pyramid marking its entrance. Housing a collection of over 1 million objects, the Louvre boasts some of the world's most famous works of art, such as Leonardo da Vinci's 'Mona Lisa', Michelangelo's 'Dying Slave' and the Greek statue 'Venus de Milo'. Other popular exhibits include the extravagant flats of Napoleon III, the ancient Codex of Hammurabi, Egyptian antiquities and paintings by masters such as Rembrandt and Rubens.

1.Eiffel Tower

Visiting the iconic symbol of Paris is usually the number one thing to do for most tourists. Over 300 metres high in the Champ de Mars park, this iron structure was built for the 1889 World Fair. One of the most photographed tourist attractions in the world, the Eiffel Tower provides an excellent photo opportunity both day and night. Visitors can ride the lift to see incredible views of the city or dine at one of the two fine restaurants inside the tower.

Which Paris attraction do you find most interesting?

Related articles

Paris in 3 days: the best itinerary

30 (great) ideas for your next hikes in France

5 ghost towns to visit in France

World Map » France » City » Paris » Large Detailed Tourist Map Of Paris With Metro

Large detailed tourist map of Paris with metro

You may download, print or use the above map for educational, personal and non-commercial purposes. Attribution is required. For any website, blog, scientific research or e-book, you must place a hyperlink (to this page) with an attribution next to the image used.

Maps of France

• France maps
• Ski resorts

Cities of France

• La Rochelle
• Carcassonne
• Montpellier
• Clermont-Ferrand
• Saint-Tropez
• Val d’Isère

Regions of France

• Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
• Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
• Centre-Val de Loire
• Île-de-France
• Hauts-de-France
• Nouvelle-Aquitaine
• Pays de la Loire
• Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
• North America Map
• South America Map
• Oceania Map

Popular Maps

• Australia Map
• Germany Map
• Singapore Map
• United Arab Emirates Map
• United Kingdom Map
• United States Map
• New York City Map
• Los Angeles Map

U.S. States

• California Map
• Colorado Map
• Florida Map
• Georgia Map
• Illinois Map
• New York Map
• North Carolina Map
• Virginia Map

Hotels Find

List of best hotels

Discover Your Perfect Stay

32 must-see places in Paris (map + itineraries)

This list of the best places to see in Paris will help you prepare your trip and make sure you don't miss anything important in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Known as the City of Love, the capital of France is perfect for long romantic walks along the banks of the Seine or through the Montmartre and Le Marais neighbourhoods and visiting some of the world's most famous monuments such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Sainte Chapelle or the ill-fated Notre Dame Cathedral, which will hopefully soon shine again.

Although Paris is a city to come back again and again, for a first trip we recommend you to stay 4 or 5 days, perfect time to visit the most important places and enjoy typical Parisian experiences such as having a coffee with a croissant in a nice terrace, having a picnic with a view of the Eiffel Tower or going shopping in its elegant galleries.

Remember that the quickest and most convenient way to get around Paris is to use the extensive metro, which has stops at all the city's main attractions, except for the Montmartre district, which can be reached by funicular or on foot.

Based on the experience of the several times we have visited this city, during the last one we wrote this list of Paris travel tips and this guide to Paris, we have made this selection of 32 must-see places to visit in Paris . Let's get started!

1. Trocadero Square

Getting there early in the morning by metro, bus or walking to Trocadero Square for the best views of the Eiffel Tower is one of the best things to do in Paris . If you arrive early in the morning, you can take a pleasant, uncrowded stroll through the Trocadero Gardens, a collection of green spaces, ponds and fountains decorated with sculptures such as the famous "Bull and Fallow deer", leading down from the Palais de Chaillot to the Pont de Jena over the Seine River. At the end of the gardens you'll come across a photogenic carrousel and the banks of the Seine, from where you also have an excellent view of the Eiffel Tower.

Other spots we love where you can see the Eiffel Tower and are located in the surrounding area are Rue de l'Université and Champ de Mars, perfect for a picnic with an unforgettable view.

2. Eiffel Tower, one of the must-see sights in Paris

The Eiffel Tower was created for the Universal Exhibition of Paris in 1889 and although Parisians did not like its design at first, over time it has become the most important symbol to see in Paris and the most visited monument in the world with more than 7 million people a year.

To get to the top of this 300-metre-high iron structure, built by the famous engineer Gustave Eiffel, we recommend you take the lift rather than the 1665-step staircase, not forgetting that unlike the staircase, the lifts form endless queues, which you can save by booking this ticket to the first floor or this one to the third floor. Also with this ticket you can access the 3 floors of the tower which allows you to see the structure of the building up close and enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the whole city or enjoy one of the best restaurants in Paris " Le 58 Tour Eiffel ", perfect for a special occasion. If you prefer to dine in another restaurant, we recommend the Italian restaurant Chez Pippo, one of our favourites in Paris, which is located nearby.

A comfortable and interesting option to learn about the history of the tower and the city is to book this tour with an English speaking guide that includes the entrance without queues, a boat ride and a panoramic bus tour of the main neighbourhoods, squares and monuments of Paris. For more information you can check this post on how to visit the Eiffel Tower.

Visiting hours: daily from 9am to 0:45am July and August, the rest of the year from 9:30am to 11:45pm.

3. The Louvre

The Louvre , the most famous and visited museum in the world , is another must-see in Paris . Inaugurated at the end of the 18th century, this enormous space located in the Louvre Palace houses some of the most important masterpieces of history such as Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo or the Seated Scribe from ancient Egypt. In addition to its incredible structure, in 1989 a glass pyramid was built in the centre of the square, which acts as the entrance, and which is worth seeing at night, illuminated. An image that we are sure will stay in your memory forever.

Remember that to avoid the long queues at the entrance, which can take over two hours, we recommend that you buy your tickets in advance from this page. Another great way to skip the queues and learn more about the history of the most important pieces is to book this tour with an English-speaking guide, an expert in art and history.

If you are not a great art lover, you can complete the tour of the museum in about 3 hours, following a small map where the most important works to see in the Louvre are marked on the 3 floors. If you're going to visit quite a few of the city's tourist attractions, it's worth buying the Paris Pass, which gives you free entry to over 60 Paris attractions like the Louvre.

For more information you can read this post on how to visit the Louvre Museum and this one with all the information about the Paris Pass.

Visiting hours: Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 6pm; Wednesday and Friday from 9am to 9.45pm and closed on Tuesday.

4. Royal Palace Gardens

The Royal Palace Gardens, located a few metres from the Louvre Museum, are a haven of peace where you can relax after a visit to the museum and another of the must-see places in Paris .

These gardens of the Palais Royal, built as a residence for Cardinal Richelieu, are surprising for having a courtyard at one end with columns of different heights (colonnes de Buren) that have become one of the favourite places for instagramers and photographers. Although our favourite part is the garden area with magnificent fountains where you can cool off and benches where you can sit and read a book, surrounded by arcades where you can find small antique and vintage clothes shops.

A good way to learn more about the history and not miss anything important in Paris is to book this free tour or this free tour of mysteries and legends, both with an English speaking guide and ranked among the best free tours in Paris.

5. National Library

Entering the Richelieu-Louvois branch of the National Library of France, located between the streets des Petits-Champs, Vivienne, Louvois and Richelieu, is one of the best free things to do in Paris. If you don't have a library card, you'll only have access to a small part of this building, but enough to see its beautiful reading room covered with nine domes supported by iron arches and illuminated by natural light. Another library worth visiting in Paris is the Bibliothèque Mazarin, located on the Quai de Conti, on the banks of the Seine, and considered the oldest public library in France.

Opening hours National Library: Tuesday to Saturday from 9am to 7.30pm, Sunday from 10am to 6pm and Monday from 2pm to 7.30pm. Mazarin Library opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 10am to 6pm.

6. Sainte Chapelle, one of the places to see in Paris

The Sainte Chapelle is our favourite church to see in Paris and one of the most beautiful in the world. Gothic in style and located on the beautiful Île de la Cité, it was built between 1241 and 1248 to store various relics such as the crown of thorns, part of the cross, the iron lance and the sponge of the martyrdom of Jesus Christ. What stands out most about the interior is its lack of walls, which enhances the impressive stained-glass windows of the upper chapel, where you will be left speechless in front of so much beauty. The lower chapel is more sober and has a 13th-century fresco of the Annunciation, considered the oldest mural in the city.

A good option to get to know the history of this church and not miss any detail is to book this visit with an expert guide in Spanish that includes a tour of the island. If you don't want to take a guided tour, you can book this skip-the-line ticket in advance or this one that includes the Conciergerie, a former Gothic palace that was used as a prison for historical figures such as Marie Antoinette, whose cell can be visited.

For more information you can read this post on how to visit the Sainte-Chapelle.

Visiting hours: from April to September from 9am to 7pm and the rest of the year from 9am to 5pm. Free entrance with the Paris Pass .

7. Vivienne Gallery

You can't leave the city without visiting one of its traditional shopping arcades full of fashion and antique shops, perfect for a coffee with a croissant in one of its cafés or patisseries, another of the best things to do in Paris. Among our favourites are the Passage des Panoramas and the Galerie Vivienne, two beautiful galleries with similar architecture that prioritises natural light and early 19th-century Parisian design, which will take you back to a bygone era of splendour.

8. Montmartre neighbourhood

Montmartre is our favourite neighbourhood in the city, along with Le Marais, which is another must-see in Paris . Although nowadays it is very touristy, we can say that it still retains a certain bohemian air of yesteryear when painters like Picasso and Van Gogh lived there and it is also the perfect place to stroll through its beautiful streets and buildings, paying special attention to the Place du Tertre, full of artists painting or selling their paintings, as well as visiting the Basilica of the Sacré Coeur, one of the most beautiful places to see in Paris .

This church, which was built between 1875 and 1914, stands out for its white façade, its mix of Roman and Byzantine architecture and its staircase, where you can enjoy one of the best experiences in Paris: an unforgettable sunset, with magnificent views of the city.

The only aspect of Montmartre that we don't recommend, at least in our experience, is staying for lunch or dinner, as most of the restaurants offer tourist menus with a fairly tight quality/price ratio that, in our opinion, doesn't justify staying for lunch or dinner.

To get to Montmartre, take metro line 2 to Anvers or metro line 12 to Abbesses and from there walk up or take the Montmartre Funicular. A good way to explore this neighbourhood and learn about its history and anecdotes is to book this tour of Montmartre with a free English-speaking guide.

Visiting hours of the Sacré-Coeur Basilica: every day from 6am to 10.30pm.

9. Arc de Triomphe, one of the places to visit in Paris.

The Arc de Triomphe, built between 1806 and 1836 by Napoleon to commemorate his great victory in the battle of Austerlitz, is the most famous in the world and one of the must-see sights in Paris . At 50 metres high by 45 metres wide, and inspired by the Arch of Titus in Rome, it is located in one of the largest roundabouts in the world, so you will have to enter through an underground passage, and once in front of it, you will see the moving Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of the First World War. As well as being a symbol of Paris and France as a whole, this Arc de Triomphe is one of the best vantage points in Paris with excellent views of the grand avenue of the Champs Elysées. You can get in for free with the Paris Pass or book this skip-the-line ticket in advance.

For more information you can check this post on how to visit the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

Visiting hours: every day from 10am to 11pm.

10. Seine River

The Seine River, which crosses the city forming some islands such as the Île de la Cité and the Île Saint-Louis, has become another of the points of interest to see in Paris where you can stroll during the sunset from the Notre Dame Cathedral to the Eiffel Tower along the river to enjoy one of the most romantic walks in the world. Along the way you'll cross some of the city's most beautiful bridges, including the Pont Neuf, Pont des Almes, Pont Alexandre III and Pont des Arts, which all have great views of the Île de la Cité, although our favourite is the late 16th-century Pont Neuf , which is the oldest bridge and links the Île de la Cité to the city.

In our experience, the best way to tour the river and see the city lit up is to book this boat trip on the Seine or this gourmet dinner cruise, both of which rank among the best tours in Paris. For more information you can check out this post about the best boat trip on the Seine.

11. Visit the Musée d'Orsay, one of the things to do in Paris.

Visiting the Musée d'Orsay, located in a former train station built for the Universal Exhibition of 1900, is another of the most interesting things to do in Paris . In addition to observing the architecture of this imposing building covered by a large glass and steel vault that illuminates the interior with natural light, and which still preserves the old station clock, it is worth taking the time to see the masterpieces of great painters such as "Lunch on the Grass" by Manet, "The Starry Night" and several self-portraits by Van Gogh, "Women of Tahiti" by Gauguin, "Poppies" by Monet and "The Card Players" by Paul Cézanne, among many others.

To learn more about the history of the museum and its main pieces, we recommend you book this guided tour or just buy this ticket (included in the Paris Pass).

Visiting hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 9.30am to 6pm (Thursdays until 9.45pm).

12. Place Vendome

The Place Vendome, which has at its centre the impressive Vendome Column, erected by Napoleon in 1810 in imitation of the Trajan Column in Rome, is our favourite square to visit in Paris. Surrounded by historic buildings that house some of the most expensive hotels in Paris such as the Ritz and the Vendome, it is home to luxury fashion boutiques such as Dior and Chanel, and especially fine jewellers and watchmakers such as Cartier.

13. Notre Dame Cathedral

Notre Dame Cathedral, built between 1163 and 1345, is one of the oldest and most beautiful Gothic cathedrals in the world. Unfortunately, nowadays, as a result of the tragic fire of 15 April 2019, the building was badly damaged, and only its magnificent exterior can be seen today, with the western façade and the two towers standing out. Above the gates of the façade, there are 28 statues representing the kings of Judea and Israel.

For the moment, waiting and hoping for an exact reconstruction of the cathedral before the fire, we are left with the memory of its luminous interior thanks to its large windows and the ascent to its two towers, in which you can find its famous and mysterious chimeras or gargoyles, from where you can enjoy views to remember.

14. Montparnasse Tower, the best viewpoint to see in Paris

The Montparnasse Tower, with a height of 210 metres, is our favourite viewpoint to see in Paris . This office building, which clashes with the classical architecture of the city, has a viewing platform on the 56th floor and a spectacular terrace on the 59th floor, protected by glass but with open-air photo opportunities, from which you can enjoy breathtaking 360-degree panoramic views of the whole of Paris, with the Eiffel Tower as its most important landmark. Although it's a bit far from the centre, it's easily accessible by metro on lines 4, 6, 12 and 13, which stop at Montparnasse-Bienvenüe. We recommend booking your ticket in advance, especially at weekends and during the high season, as there is a limited number of places per day.

Visiting hours: daily from 9.30am to 11pm. Free admission with the Paris Pass .

15. Champs Elysées

The Champs Elysées, a wide avenue of two kilometres connecting the Place de la Concorde with the Arc de Triomphe, is another of the most famous places to visit in Paris , where you can see the countless windows of luxurious shops, international restaurants and great historic buildings such as the Petit and Grand Palais. At the end of the walk you will reach the Place de la Concorde, where more than 1000 people were executed by guillotine during the French Revolution and where today you can see an Egyptian obelisk more than 3,000 years old.

If you are looking for a place to stay nearby, we recommend Splendid Etoile Hotel on hotel-splendid-etoile.parishotelinn.com . Located on Avenue de Friedland, just steps away from the Champs-Élysées, it embodies the essence of Parisian charm and sophistication. The hotel's classic Haussmannian architecture exudes elegance, while its interior boasts contemporary design elements and modern amenities. From the moment you arrive, you'll be captivated by the seamless blend of luxury, comfort, and unparalleled service.

16. Tuileries Gardens

Past the Place de la Concorde are the magnificent Florentine-style gardens of the Tuileries, created by Catherine de Medicis in 1564 as the garden of the Tuileries Palace. It is worth strolling along the central avenue, decorated with trees, statues, fountains and ponds, until you reach the Arc de Triomphe de Carrousel, built by order of Napoleon, although for us the best part of the garden is to buy an ice cream or a crêpe at one of the stalls and sit in the comfortable chairs around the two ponds.

17. La Conciergerie, one of the must-see places in Paris

La Conciergerie, located on the Ile de la Cité, is one of the most historic places to see in Paris . A royal residence between the 10th and 14th centuries, this place was a royal residence until 1392 when it became one of the harshest prisons from which few prisoners emerged unscathed. Among several famous people of the time, Queen Marie-Antoinette was there for a time, before dying at the guillotine in 1793. During the tour of the prison you can see a reconstruction of Marie-Antoinette's cell and the differences in conditions that existed between the poor prisoners, who slept on the floor, and the rich prisoners, who had all kinds of comforts, including servants.

If you don't have much time, we recommend you book this skip-the-line ticket or this one, which also includes the skip-the-line ticket to the Sainte-Chapelle, located next door.

Visiting hours: daily: 9.30am-6pm.

Recommended travel cards Remember that to avoid paying commissions and to always have the current exchange rate, we recommend you use the Revolut card and the N26 card, which are the ones we use, are free and will save you a lot of money. You can find more information in this article on the best cards for commission-free travel.

18. Le Marais, one of Paris's must-see neighbourhoods

Strolling through the bohemian neighbourhood of Le Marais, located in the heart of the city by the Seine, is another of the best things to do in Paris . Here you'll get a taste of old Paris as you stroll through cobblestone streets lined with vintage shops, hidden courtyards, art galleries, fashion boutiques, elegant mansions, designer restaurants and picnic spots such as the fantastic Place des Vosges, the oldest square in the city and home to Victor Hugo 's former home and the charming courtyard of the Hôtel de Sully. The most famous streets in the neighbourhood and where most of the locals are concentrated are Rue de Rivoli, Rosiers, Charlot, des Archives, Bourg Tibourg, Vieille du Temple, Obenkampf and Rue des Francs-Bourgeois, as well as the alleyways adjacent to them all.

A trip to Paris, the city of love and romance, is an enchanting experience filled with architectural wonders, artistic treasures, and a vibrant cultural scene. To fully immerse yourself in the charm of the city, consider staying at the exquisite Hotel Brighton on brighton.parishotelinn.com . Nestled in the heart of Paris, this elegant establishment captivates with its timeless beauty and unparalleled location. Join us as we explore the allure of Hotel Brighton and discover a luxurious retreat that embodies the essence of Parisian elegance.

The neighbourhood is also home to some of the best restaurants in Paris, including L'As du Fallafel, Benedict, Comptoir Gourmet and Pain Vin fromage, where they serve a delicious fondue.

19. Paris City Hall

Listed as a Historic Monument, the City Hall or Hôtel de Ville, the seat of the Parisian municipality since 1357, is another of the most beautiful buildings to see in Paris . We love to sit in the bronze statue-adorned Place de l'Hôtel de Ville to take in its magnificent atmosphere and imposing neo-Renaissance façade.

A few metres from the Town Hall is another historic monument, the flamboyant Gothic-style Saint-Jacques Tower, set in a pretty garden. This 52-metre-high bell tower is all that remains of the former 16th-century church of Saint-Jacques-de-la-Boucherie, which was demolished in 1797 during the French Revolution, and during the summer you can climb it for a 360-degree view of central Paris.

20. Les Halles

From the Saint Jacques Tower you can start a tour of the Les Halles neighbourhood, which revolves around the Pompidou Centre and is another of our must-see places in Paris . Neighbouring Le Marais, this neighbourhood allows you to take a trip through different countries thanks to its multiculturalism, passing through different corners and buildings with history such as the Stock Exchange, the Nelson Mandela Garden and the Church of St. Eustache. One of our favourite areas is Rue Montorgueil, full of shops and terraces where you can have a drink, and the restaurant Au Pied de Cochon, where you can try different typical French dishes such as onion soup, foie gras and escargots (snails).

To finish the route, nothing better than seeing the original Stravinsky Fountain and entering the Georges Pompidou National Centre of Art and Culture, which stands out for its original exterior design with coloured tubes on the façade and for its valuable collection of modern art with works by Picasso, Kandinsky, Matisse and Miró. You can book your ticket to the museum on this page.

Opening hours of the Pompidou Centre: Wednesday to Monday from 11am to 10pm.

21. Luxembourg Gardens, another of the places to see in Paris.

The Luxembourg Gardens are one of the most beautiful green spaces to see in Paris as well as a perfect place to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the city. Located opposite the Palais du Luxembourg, near the Latin Quarter, it's a popular spot for Parisians to picnic, listen to free concerts or just chat with friends on the lawn, especially when the weather is nice. In these gardens with a large central pond, you'll also find several sculptures worth spending a few minutes in, among all kinds of plants and trees. One of its most charming and historic spots is the Medici Fountain, which dates back to the early 17th century when Queen Maria de' Medici had it built to recreate the Boboli Garden in her native Florence.

22. Catacombs

Another of the places to visit in Paris that have become more fashionable in recent times are the Catacombs. In this extensive network of tunnels and underground chambers at a depth of 20 metres, the remains of more than 6 million skeletons from different eras can be found, forming a large rosary. It is important to know that of the 300 kilometres of tunnels, only 800 metres of bone-lined wall galleries are open to the public.

A good option to skip the long queues, which can take more than 3 hours, is to book this ticket in advance. Bear in mind that the catacombs are a bit far from the city centre, so the best option is to get to the Denfert-Rochereau stop on metro lines 4 and 6.

Visiting hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 8.30 pm, last admission one hour before closing time.

23. Other museums to visit in Paris

Paris is a city that breathes art in every corner, but at the same time, it is full of interesting museums with world-famous collections and works of art, which we recommend you to take into account during your visit.

Other museums to see in Paris, besides the Louvre, Orsay and Pompidou, are:

Musée du quai Branly : located very close to the Eiffel Tower, this modern space exhibits samples of indigenous art, cultures and civilisations from Africa, Asia, Oceania and America. You can book your ticket from this page.

Rodin Museum : in the rococo style palace of the Hotel Biron and its gardens, some of Rodin's most famous sculptures are exhibited, such as The Gates of Hell, The Thinker and The Kiss. You can book your ticket from this page.

La Orangerie : located in a former orangery, this museum has such great gems as Monet's huge paintings of The Water Lilies. You can book your ticket from this page.

All these museums are included if you have the Paris Pass. For more information you can check this post about the best museums in Paris.

24. Saint-Martin Canal

Another of the best things to do in Paris is to take a pleasant stroll along the banks of the Canal Saint-Martin, starting at the Place de la Bastille, the symbolic site of the French Revolution and presided over by the Column of Jules. As you walk along the banks, you'll pass several parks and bridges from where you'll get the best views of this canal full of small boats, and then finish by relaxing in the Jardin des Plantes.

25. The Invalides

The National Palace of Invalides is one of the most iconic and historic monuments to see in Paris , housing the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte. Baroque in style, this immense complex was built in the late 17th century as a residence for homeless war veterans and today, in addition to Napoleon's mausoleum and some of his marshals' tombs, you can visit the Army Museum, among the best of its kind, and the Saint Louis Cathedral. This is because in the past, so that soldiers and royalty would not mix, this cathedral was divided into two: the Church of Saint-Louis-des-Invalides for the military and the Church of the Dome for the royal family, the latter containing the sarcophagus with Napoleon's ashes.

A good option if you only have a few days in Paris is to book this tourist bus with recorded commentary in English that stops at the main tourist attractions in the city, such as Les Invalides. For more information you can read this post about the tourist bus in Paris. To enter the Saint Louis Cathedral, if you don't have the Paris Pass, you will have to book the entrance from this page.

Visiting hours: every day from 10am to 6pm. Closed on the first Monday of every month.

26. Latin Quarter of Paris

If you want to go out at night for dinner or a drink, you cannot miss the Latin Quarter, located to the south of the Ile de la Cité, a neighbourhood in which in its lively and busy streets such as Rue Huchette, you will find a wide variety of restaurants with terraces and signs showing prices much cheaper than in the rest of Paris. In the neighbourhood, as well as enjoying the atmosphere, you can take the time to see the Saint Michel square and fountain, visit the Church of Saint Sulpice, which has some beautiful frescoes by Delacroix and was featured in the film "The Da Vinci Code", or go into the beautiful Shakespeare & Co bookshop, although the most outstanding monument in the neighbourhood is the Pantheon of Paris, where the remains of illustrious French figures such as Voltaire, Victor Hugo, Marie Curie, Louis Braille and Alexandre Dumas, among others, rest in its interior.

If you don't want to waste time on your visit, we recommend you book this skip-the-line ticket in advance. A good option to learn more about the history and curiosities of the neighbourhood is a free tour of the Latin Quarter with an English-speaking guide.

Pantheon opening hours: daily from 10am to 6pm.

27. Galeries Lafayette, another place to visit in Paris.

The Galeries Lafayette Haussmann is one of the most famous shopping centres in the world and one of the most beautiful places to visit in Paris. With 7 floors distributed in a circular shape, which looks like a theatre thanks to its huge colourful dome, it also has a rooftop terrace where you can enjoy one of the best views of central Paris for free. Inside the art nouveau-style interior, you'll find plenty of reasonably priced brands, a gourmet section to buy typical French products and an area of good-quality restaurants and cafés. One of the best times to visit is at Christmas, when the incredible window displays seem to come to life and a large tree inside sets the store apart from the rest of the city's Christmas decorations.

Visiting hours: Monday to Saturday from 9:30am to 8:30pm and Sundays from 11am to 7pm.

28. Paris Opera Garnier

The Opéra Garnier, an immense neo-baroque building built by order of Napoleon in the 19th century, is another of the most beautiful places to see in Paris . The ornate interior offers a luxurious and ostentatious image, full of gilding, mosaics and large chandeliers, and some of its highlights include the grand marble staircase and the impressive red and gold decorated auditorium, which inspired the play " The Phantom of the Opera ".

If you don't feel like spending a lot of money on tickets to see a show, we recommend you book this guided tour or this free entrance.

Visiting hours: daily from 10am to 5pm. Entrance included in the Paris Pass .

For more information you can check this post about how to visit the Opera Garnier in Paris.

29. Pere Lachaise Cemetery

Pere Lachaise is one of the most famous cemeteries in the world as well as being the largest cemetery to visit in Paris. Known for being the resting place of many famous people, such as Maria Callas (her ashes were laid to rest here, but nowadays you can only see a commemorative plaque), Edith Piaf or composers such as Chopin. In addition, you can also find the grave of the singer Jim Morrison, leader of The Doors, which is one of the most famous in the place and is always full of souvenirs and gifts.

Another of the most beloved graves is that of writer, poet and playwright Oscar Wilde, which has a figure of a naked angel with wings outstretched and is protected by glass, as fans used to paint their lips and mark the grave with a kiss. To find the most famous tombs you can buy a map at a kiosk near the entrance.

A great way to learn about the history of the cemetery and not miss anything is to book a guided tour in English. The cemetery is a little out of town but is easily accessible by metro on lines 2 and 3, which stop at Philippe Auguste and Pere Lachaise stations.

Visiting hours: every day from 8am to 6am, except Sundays when it opens at 9am.

30. Pigalle, one of the neighbourhoods to visit in Paris

An evening stroll in the Pigalle district, located at the foot of the Montmartre hill, along the boulevard de Clichy, is another of the things to do in Paris . This red-light district, dotted with sex shops and erotic clubs, has several trendy nightclubs and, above all, the famous Moulin Rouge where artists such as Edith Piaf, Liza Minelli and Frank Sinatra have performed, and where the Féerie show is currently being staged. You can book your ticket in advance on this page.

If you visit Montmartre in the morning, you can walk to Pigalle for lunch at one of its best-known restaurants, such as Les Apotres de Pigalle or Café des Deux Moulins, famous for its appearance in the film Amelie.

31. Madeleine Church

The Church of the Madeleine, whose architecture is reminiscent of the classical temples of Ancient Greece, is another must-see in Paris. Surrounded by 52 Corinthian columns 20 metres high and erected in honour of the Great French Army by order of Napoleon, this church is impressive for its pediment with a scene of the Last Judgement and for its spectacular interior where the relics of Saint Mary Magdalene are kept.

Visiting hours: daily from 9.30am to 7pm.

32. The Defence

If you have more time, you can complete this list of places to visit in Paris by taking the metro to La Défense, the city's financial district. As well as numerous skyscrapers and the huge Quatre Temps shopping centre, it's worth a trip to this out-of-the-way spot to see the 110-metre-high Grande Arche de la Défense and take the lift up to its terrace for a unique view of Paris. You can book entry to the terrace on this page.

On your way back to the centre you can stop at the Bois de Boulogne for a pleasant stroll among the trees and ponds.

Paris itineraries

To complete this list of things to do in Paris, we recommend you follow these itineraries around the city, optimised according to the days you have available:

Paris in one day

Paris in two days

Paris in 3 days

Paris in 4 days

Paris in 5 or 6 days

To get to the centre of Paris in the quickest and most comfortable way, we recommend you follow these guides on how to get from Charles de Gaulle Airport to Paris, how to get from Beauvais Airport to Paris and how to get from Orly Airport to Paris.

Where to stay in Paris

A trip to Paris, the epitome of romance and elegance, is an experience that captivates the senses. To truly immerse yourself in the authentic Parisian atmosphere, consider staying at a charming bed and breakfast. These hidden gems offer a unique blend of personalized hospitality, cozy accommodations, and a glimpse into the local way of life. Join us as we explore the world of bed and breakfast in Paris, France , and discover a delightful alternative to traditional hotels.

A great area to stay in Paris is Le Marais, as it has a wide range of restaurants, is close to the main points of interest and has good metro and train (Chatelet) connections that will take you to Disneyland Paris and the Palace of Versailles.

Our recommended accommodations in this neighbourhood are the Hotel Le Compostelle , Le Relais du Marais and the Paris France Hotel . Another good value for money option is the Hotel Londres Saint Honoré , located near the Louvre and the Tuileries Gardens.

One more recommendation is Hotel Costes on costes.parishotelinn.com . It offers a range of meticulously designed rooms and suites, each showcasing the perfect balance between comfort and sophistication. Adorned with sumptuous furnishings, rich fabrics, and elegant décor, the accommodations provide a sanctuary of tranquility amidst the vibrant city. Unwind in the plush surroundings, indulge in modern amenities, and experience the epitome of Parisian luxury.

For more information on the best hotels and neighbourhoods to stay in Paris, read this post on where to stay in Paris.

Excursions from Paris

If you have time to spare, you can see some of the wonders of France by booking some of these recommended excursions:

Excursion to the Palace of Versailles

Excursion to Disneyland Paris

Excursion to Mont Saint Michel

Excursion to Bruges

Frequently asked questions about Paris

How much time do I need to see Paris? Although Paris is a huge city with long distances between the different points of interest, we believe that 4 or 5 days are enough to enjoy the best Parisian experiences and visit the main tourist attractions. If you have less time you can focus on visiting its most emblematic buildings such as the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Sainte Chapelle or the Louvre and stroll through its most charming neighbourhoods such as Montmartre and Le Marais, and then complete the whole list of Paris must-sees with another trip.

How to get around Paris? The quickest and most comfortable way to get around Paris is by metro, which stops close to all the most important sights in Paris, although sometimes you'll be better off on the RER train, which makes fewer stops. The price of a single ticket in zone A is 1.90 euros, although if you're going to take the metro more than once it's a good idea to get a 10-trip pass which will cost you less. Another good option for getting around the city if you're short on time is the one- or two-day tourist bus, which stops at the main sights of Paris and you can hop on and off as many times as you like.

What's the most beautiful thing about Paris? If you have less time and can't complete this list of the 32 most beautiful places in Paris, our top 10 would be: Eiffel Tower, The Louvre, Sainte Chapelle, Notre Dame, Le Marais, Montmartre, Arc de Triomphe, Walk along the Seine, Les Halles and Latin Quarter.

Related articles

What are the closest ski resorts to Paris?

Shopping in Paris: the top shopping centres in Paris

Paris with children - the 20 top highlights for families

What to do in Paris if you love nature: 10 must-see places

Halal restaurant Paris: the top 42 best places

Top 8 Places to Celebrate New Year's Eve 2024 in Paris

Paris sights: 25 beautiful places you must see

Christmas 2024 in Paris, the best parties and good deals

Paris tourist map pdf

Locate the top tourist sights in the city on Paris tourist maps pdf : places to visit , monuments , museums , stores , restaurants , hotels . Print Paris tourist map pdf and use it while you are in the city. Paris maps .

The top Paris tourist maps pdf

Print and use in town printable Paris tourist map pdf

Paris metro map pdf

Print metro map pdf with 14 metropolitan metro lines and the 5 regional metro lines (RER).

RER metro map pdf

The RER is the Parisian regional metro. It connects the city with Disneyland, Fontainebleau, Versailles Palace, Orly Airport and Charles de Gaulle Airport. Print the RER metro map pdf .

Metro map in English pdf

Download tourist travel kit pdf in English with sights and metro lines. Print it and use it while in town.

The top Paris tourist maps

Locate our favorite hotels on hotel map .

Shopping map

Locate the best shopping venues on shopping map : includes fashion streets, department stores.

Tourist map of Champs-Elysées

Explore the most exclusive district in town with streetview on map of Champs-Elysées .

Map of Paris monuments

Locate and view the top monuments on monument map . Includes Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, Sacré-Coeur, Arc de Triomphe.

Map of Paris museums

Locate and view the top museums on museum map . Louvre Museum, Musée d'Orsay, Musée Picasso.

Paris sightseeing map

Locate and view the top sights on sightseeing map .

Tourist map of Montmartre

Discover Montmartre, the last village in the city, Sacré-Coeur and its other top sights on Montmartre map .

Tourist map of Disneyland

Locate and view Disneyland top attractions on Disneyland map .

Paris tourist apartment and hotel map

Top paris tourist hotel.

Located near Sorbonne University in the left bank, 3-star Hotel Henri IV offers 13 luxury rooms with period furniture and painted ceilings. It is a 10 minute walk to Notre-Dame. Marble fireplaces and vintage paintings give the rooms a 19th-century feel. This property has one of the best-rated locations and is also rated for the best value in town.

Visit top Paris tourist places

You have one day. For convenience, take a half a day or a one day Paris bus tour to see the top tourist places.

If you have more time, focus each day on a tourist district: Ile de la Cité, Le Marais, Montmartre, the Left Bank, the Champs-Elysées and the Seine River Banks are some of the best tourist places. Spend a day outside of the city in Versailles Palace or another tourist place in France .

Places to visit in Paris

Paris activities

Choose one out of 1300 activities in Paris and major cities in France such as Bordeaux and Nice. All activities are done in English.

Cooking lessons, macaroons workshops, wine tasting and create your own wine workshops, perfume creation workshops, sightseeing bike tours, tours in a 2CV vintage car, river cruises, limo tours are some of the bookable activities that will turn your stay into a memorable experience.

Paris activity guide and booking

Eiffel Tower, the tourist monument

Completed in 1889 for Paris' world exhibition, the Tour Eiffel - Eiffel Tower in English - was designed and built in just two years by 132 workers and 50 engineers. At 300 meters, it remained the world tallest monument until 1930 when the Chrysler Building was completed in New York City.

Due to the addition of a broadcasting aerial at the top in 1957, it is now taller than the Chrysler Building by 5.2 meters and the tallest monument in the city. It is also the world's most visited paid monument. Detailed Eiffel Tower facts .

Visit the Eiffel Tower monument on your own or as part of a guided bus city tour . There are many options.

Montmartre, the tourist district

Topped by the famous Sacré-Coeur Basilica, Montmartre is the highest Paris hill at 128 meters. Rural until 1900, Montmartre became famous in the late 1800ies with the arrival of artists such as Auguste Renoir, Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso. In spite of the affluence of tourists, most Montmartre streets, almost free of car traffic, keep their village-like atmosphere, which set them apart in busy Paris.

Detailed information on Montmartre

Louvre, the top tourist museum

One of the world's top art museum and certainly the largest, the Louvre is also the most visited by tourists with over 10 million visitors every year. Housed in the former Palace of the French Kings, the Louvre displays the famous Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, attracting crowds of visitors. It has many other first class European paintings from Italy, France, Flanders, Netherlands and England. It also displays superb collections of ancient Arabic, Egyptian, Greek and Roman art. Each department of Le Louvre is a museum by itself and would justify a visit of half a day.

Top Paris restaurant

Bouillon Racine represents over 100 years of culinary history close to the Sorbonne University in the heart of the left bank.

It was created in 1906 as a bouillon, the ancestors of Parisian brasseries serving food to working people. Its Art Nouveau setting made of carved wood, ceramics, mirrors and glass paintings, is one of the most beautiful in town.

Now listed as an historical monument, Bouillon Racine offers an immersion in the Paris of the 1900s. Where food is concerned, the chef Alexandre Belthoise has selected a subtle blend of modern day and more traditional dishes.3 course menu at 35 euros for lunch and dinner. Lunch review .

Paris metro : Cluny La Sorbonne station, Luxembourg metro station. Map .

Bouillon Racine 3 rue Racine Paris 75006 France

Paris, a tourist city

In 2022, 44 million tourists visited the city and its region. The city remains year after year the most visited one in the world ahead of Dubai, London and New-York City.

The top reason to come are sightseeing and shopping. 393 000 people work for tourism in the city, the largest Airbnb market in the world.

The top sights. 2022 facts and figures in million visitors.

Disneyland Paris (15), Sacré-Coeur (11), the Louvre Museum (7.726), Versailles Palace (6.9), the Eiffel Tower (5.849), Musée d'Orsay (3.270), Centre Pompidou (3), Notre-Dame (13 before the fire).

Download Tourism in Paris 2022 facts .

10 interesting Paris facts

1. The Eiffel Tower was the world tallest building until 1930. 2. Sainte-Chapelle was built in 1246 as a shrine for Jesus' crown of thorns, hosted in Notre-Dame until the 2019 fire. 3. The world most famous picture, Mona Lisa , is hosted in the Louvre , the largest museum in the world. 4. French King Louis XVI was guillotined on Place de la Concorde in 1793, during the French revolution. 5. The Louis Vuitton megastore is located 101, avenue des Champs-Elysées , one of the most famous avenues in the world. 6. Pablo Picasso, the famous Spanish painter, lived in Paris from 1900 to 1946, mostly in Montmartre and Montparnasse . 7. Jim Morrison is buried in Père Lachaise cemetery. 8. Hélène de Pourtalès, born Helen Barbey in New York City, was the first woman ever to won a gold medal at the Olympics games (Paris Olympics Games 1900). 9. The universal declaration of human rights was signed in Palais de Chaillot in 1946. 10. Emperor Napoléon was buried in Les Invalides in 1840. His tomb attracts 1.2 million visitors yearly, 70% international.

More Paris facts

• Paris RER Map
• Paris Transilien Map
• Paris Bus Map
• Paris Noctilien Night Bus Map

Map of Paris Attractions

Open tour hop on hop off bus map, big bus tour map, batobus river tour map.

• Paris Arrondissements & Districts Map
• Paris Neighborhoods Map
• Paris Airports Transportation Map
• Roissy Charles de Gaulle Airport & Terminal Map (CDG)
• Paris Orly Airport & Terminal Map (ORY)
• Paris Beauvais Airport & Terminal Map (BVA)
• Paris Bike Route
• Velib Stations Map
• Disneyland Resort Map
• Disneyland Paris Map
• Walt Disney Studios Map

Paris Tourist Map

You can find on this page the map of Paris monuments, the map of Paris tourist buses and the map of Paris river bus Batobus. Paris is the capital of France and the most visited city in the world with 28 million tourists per year including 17 million foreigners. Thanks to its numerous monuments, museums, sightseeings, landmarks and attractions, Paris was declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Paris, capital of France, is the most touristic city in Europe. Every year it attracts millions of visitors from all over the world. The site offers you maps of the monuments of Paris to guide you efficiently through the city. Tourists can also enjoy Paris thanks to tourist bus lines designed especially for them. The Opentour or Big Bus line vehicles allow you to visit the capital in an original way.

Paris sightseeing map

In Paris you can visit:

• museums: Orsay Museum, Louvre Museum, Quai Branly museum
• monuments: Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe
• neighborhoods: Latin Quarter, Montmartre, Pigalle, Marais
• religious buildings: Cathedral of Notre Dame, Sacré-Cœur Basilica
• squares: Place de la Concorde, Place de la Bastille
• different attractions: Trocadero, Invalides, Pont Alexandre-III, Grand Palais, Champs Elysées, Opéra Garnier, Jardin du Luxembourg, Moulin rouge, Centre Pompidou, Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand

The Paris monuments map gives useful addresses but also information on the most famous monuments such as the Eiffel Tower which is located northwest of the Champ-de-Mars. The Arc de Triomphe, located at the top of the Avenue des Champs-Élysées and northwest of the Place de la Concorde is also a monument not to be missed.

The Sacré-Cœur, at the top of Montmartre, as well as La Sainte-Chapelle and Notre-Dame-de-Paris represent French Gothic architecture and are also must-see monuments in the city of Paris.

The monuments of Paris are scattered all over the capital. It is highly recommended to have a map of the monuments of Paris. Many trips can be made on foot to discover the capital in detail. The subway, buses or tramway will help you to go from one monument of Paris to another: you should also have a map of Paris transportation.

Paris hop on hop off

L'OpenTour of Paris is an original way of visiting Paris and discover its monuments, museums, attractions while getting on and off at your disposal. This concept of hop on hop off bus or open-top double-decker buses offers a network of 4 tourist tours and routes and 50 stops with commentary in 10 languages.

The Opentour buses offer to discover Paris thanks to 3 different day tours, as shown on the Open Tour map. You can switch from one tour to the other as you wish and the commentaries are available in 12 languages. You can get on and off freely and enjoy an exceptional view from the upper deck of the buses.

Details of the three Open Tour circuits :

• Red line: Montmartre - Grands Boulevards - Gare du Nord - République. Duration : 1 h 20
• Blue line: Opera - Madeleine - Louvre Museum - Champs - Elysees - Eiffel Tower - Concorde - Orsay Museum. Duration : 2 h 20
• Green line: Notre Dame - Luxembourg - Pantheon - Tour Montparnasse - Invalides. Duration : 1 h 20

The main Open Tour tourist bus stops: Madeleine, Opera, Louvre Museum, Notre-Dame, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Orsay Museum, Concorde, Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Trocadero, Invalides, Montmartre-Antwerp, Gare du Nord, the Grand Boulevards, Saint-Lazare Station, Saint-Germain, Montparnasse...

Hop on hop off bus paris

The Big Bus / Cars Rouges is a second hop on hop off bus company with open roofs to discover the city of Paris via a tour. Big Bus offers 2 lines, a tourist bus line and a river cruise line on the Seine. Tours are commented in 9 languages.

The Big Bus Tours of Paris (called the red buses) are buses with an open roof allowing you to admire the monuments throughout the route. The Parisian Big Bus Tours offer a Hop On Hop Off sightseeing bus service. Free Wifi, air conditioning, ponchos in case of rain bring comfort to the visit. The Big Buses stop at the company's bus stops every 10 minutes or so. The audio guides provided have commentaries in several languages (up to 14 different ones). In the minibuses, the drivers are multilingual.

Big Bus Paris offers 2 routes: 

• The Big Bus Rouge line has a fairly classic route: Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Elysées, Eiffel Tower... First departure from the Eiffel Tower at 9:30 am, last departure shortly before 5:41 pm. Frequency: every 5 to 15 minutes. Duration of the complete tour: 2 hours and 20 minutes.
• The blue Big Bus line gives access to the Circuit Montmartre. You can take the bus at the Louvre-Pyramide stop or at Gare du Nord. Please note that there is no real stop on this route. At Louvre-Pyramide, first departure at 10 am, last departure at 5:30 pm. Frequency: every 30 minutes. Duration of the complete circuit: 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Paris river cruises

The Batobus of Paris is a regular river hop on hop off shuttle service transporting passengers on the Seine to visit Paris.

The Batobus takes you all along the Seine in the heart of Paris to reach different areas of the capital. Batobus allows you to visit the capital by looking at the monuments along the Seine and giving you the freedom to go up or down as you wish. Batobus is also a practical, river-based Parisian means of transport, accessible to bicycles.

It is made up of a fleet of 6 panoramic trimaran boats and has 9 stations. Its Pass is valid for 24 hours. With its panoramic view, its terrace, its heating and air conditioning, the Batobus offers a pleasant cruise and a practical means of transport.

• First departure from the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame station at 10am.
• Last departure from the Eiffel Tower station at 5pm from Monday to Thursday and at 7pm from Friday to Sunday.
• Last departure from Beaugrenelle station at 6:50 pm from Monday to Thursday and at 8:45 pm from Friday to Sunday.

Stations and itinerary: Eiffel Tower, Invalides / Pont Alexandre III, Musée d'Orsay, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Notre-Dame, Jardin des Plantes / Cité de la Mode et du Design, Hôtel de Ville, Louvre, Champs-Élysées, Beaugrenelle. The whole loop takes about 2 hours, and the navigation time between each station takes about 8 to 12 minutes depending on the route.

Touropia Travel

Discover the World

25 Top Tourist Attractions in Paris

By Kay Pierce · Last updated on May 4, 2024

As the capital city of France, Paris has endured as an important city for more than 2,000 years. Often called by nicknames like the “city of love” and “city of lights,” Paris is today one of the world’s leading centers for business, fashion, entertainment, art and culture. Just the mere mention of Paris conjures up images of the city’s world famous landmarks, museums and cathedrals.

Also called the Capital of Fashion, Paris is home to some of the world’s finest designer names including Yves Saint-Laurent, Lancôme, L’Oréal and Christian Dior. The city’s shopping scene ranges from shopping centers to open-air markets, boutiques and flea markets. An overview of the top tourist attractions in Paris :

Map of Paris

25. Place des Vosges

The Place des Vosges, formerly called Place Royale, was the prototype for all residential squares in Europe. All houses were built using the same design: red brick with steep pitched blue slate roofs.

Not only is it shaped like a true square, it is the first city square that was planned by a monarch (Henry IV in the early 17th century). Third, it turned the Marais into a fashionable spot for French nobility in the decades before the French Revolution.

24. Moulin Rouge

The year 1889 is known as the year when France’s most famous landmark, the Eiffel Tower, was constructed. It’s also the year the Moulin Rouge opened its doors as an entertainment venue. When it opened, it catered to the rich who wanted to “slum” it.

Courtesans worked there and were responsible for inventing the can-can, a dance considered racy for the era. The Moulin Rouge is still considered Paris’s premier entertainment venue and has been the subject of numerous films.

23. Conciergerie

The Conciergerie was built in the 10th century to be the main palace for French kings who, over the centuries, enlarged it. Its Great Hall was one of the largest in Europe; another hall was where the palace’s 2,000 workers ate. Some buildings were converted into a prison in the 14th century.

The palace later became a revolutionary tribunal and prison during the Reign of Terror, with famous prisoners including Marie Antoinette and Madame du Barry. Today the Conciergerie is a popular tourist attraction in Paris but also still serves as courts.

22. Pantheon

The Pantheon is where famous French citizens are buried. Modeled after the Pantheon in Rome, it was originally a church dedicated to St. Genevieve, the patron saint of Paris, and her relics.

The church was rebuilt in the neoclassical style by King Louis XV to thank God for his recovery from serious illness. It was changed to a mausoleum during the French Revolution to honor revolutionary martyrs. Famous people buried here include Voltaire, Victor Hugo and Marie Curie.

21. Pere Lachaise Cemetery

The world’s most visited cemetery, Pere Lachaise became a municipal cemetery in 1804 under Napoleon. It is the final resting place for many famous people, including the Doors’ Jim Morrison, author Oscar Wilde and chanteuse Edith Piaf.

The cemetery contains many sculptures, as each family of the deceased tried to out-do the monuments placed by the other wealthy families. The result is many spectacular works of art that are equally as interesting as the various gravesites of famous individuals.

20. Disneyland Paris

When Europeans can’t get to Los Angeles to see the original Disneyland, they head to Disneyland Paris, the most visited theme park in Europe. Just like its namesake, Disneyland Paris is more than just a theme park with spectacular rides.

It’s a resort with hotels, shopping and golf among its varied activities. In 1992, it became the second Disney park to open outside of the United States. It’s located about 30 km (20 miles) from central Paris. A companion park, Walt Disney Studios Park, opened in 2002.

19. Musee de l’Orangerie

Travelers who appreciate impressionist and post-impressionist art need to check out the Musee de l’Orangerie. The museum, located in a corner of the Tuilries Garden, is home to eight Water Lilies murals by Claude Monet; these murals are considered the museum’s centerpiece.

It also contains works by other impressionist artists, including Picasso, Renoir, Cezanne, Matisse and Modigliani. The orangerie was originally built in 1852 to protect the Tuileries Palace’s orange trees.

18. Palais Garnier

Architect Charles Garnier spared no ornate detail when he designed the Palais Garnier in the 19th century. Perhaps this is why the building was the most expensive of its era. Seating nearly 2,000 people, the Palais Garnier is home to the National Opera of Paris.

It is the star of the novel and subsequent films, Phantom of the Opera. The Palais Garnier is still in use today though mainly for ballet and also is home to the opera library museum.

17. Les Invalides

Les Invalides is a complex of buildings that honors the French military. It was built in 1670 as a hospital and retirement home for vets. It still serves that function today as well as many more.

Les Invalides is home to military museums and a church that is the burial site of its war heroes, including Napoleon Bonaparte. Les Invalides is where rioters obtained the cannons and muskets they used later that day to storm the Bastille, thus kicking off the French Revolution.

16. Seine Cruise

The River Seine runs nearly 800 km (500 miles) through France on its way to the English Channel. Cruising the river as it winds through Paris is one of the most romantic things visitors can do.

Seine cruises pass under numerous bridges in Paris, going by such sights as the Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Eiffel Tower. A Seine cruise lasts about an hour, but what a magic hour it is! A Seine cruise also is a good way to experience Paris at night.

15. Musee Rodin

Travelers who’ve seen copies of the famous sculpture The Thinker can visit the real thing when they’re in Paris. The statue was sculpted by Auguste Rodin, a famous early 20th century French artist.

The Thinker as well as 6,600 other sculptures can be found at the Musee Rodin, established in 1919 in his former studio, the Hotel Biron in central Paris. Many of his famous sculptures can be found in gardens that surround the museum.

14. Les Catacombes

In contrast with the City of Lights, Les Catacombes represents the dark side of Paris. Just under a mile long beneath the streets of Paris, this tourist attraction presents a gruesome side: the remains of millions of Parisians who were

Bones are arranged artistically; poems and other passages can be found throughout. Some bodies, such as those killed in the French Revolution, came directly here, bypassing the cemeteries.

13. Champs-Elysees

The tree-lined Avenue des Champs-Elysees is Paris’s most famous street and has even been described as the most beautiful avenue in the world. Just over a mile long, the boulevard connects the Arc de Triomphe and the Place de la Concorde. Life in Paris centers around the Champs-Elysees.

It’s an avenue lined with restaurants, upscale boutiques, museums and night clubs. It’s home to the Bastille Day military parade and the end of the Tour de France.

12. Pont Alexandre III

In a city where romance reigns, what could be more romantic than the Pont Alexandre III, a bridge that is deemed to be the most extravagant and ornate in Paris. Named for the Russian tsar, this steel single arch bridge spans the Seine, connecting the districts of Champs-Elysees, Les Invalides and Eiffel Tower.

Seeing the bridge is almost like going to an art gallery, since numerous French sculptors made the statues, including winged horses, nymphs and cherubs that adorn the top.

11. Palace of Versailles

The Palace of Versailles started out life as a royal hunting lodge, but later became a palace housing the king’s court. The mammoth structure is ornate, opulent and over the top in its richness.

It is one of Paris’s most visited landmarks, with visitors coming to see its magnificent gardens and the Hall of Mirrors with its 357 mirrors decorating 17 arches. The Palace of Versailles ceased being a royal residence during the French Revolution and today houses a museum of French history.

10. Place de la Concorde

At the east end of the Champs-Elysées is Place de la Concorde, the largest square in Paris with fantastic vistas in every direction. It was in this square that the French King Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette and many others were guillotined during the French revolution.

The large 3200 years old Egyptian obelisk in the center of the Place de la Concorde was brought from the Temple of Luxor in the 19th century.

9. Sainte-Chapelle

Begun sometime after 1239, the Sainte-Chapelle is considered among the highest achievements of Gothic architecture. Its construction was commissioned by King Louis IX of France to house his collection of Passion Relics, including Christ’s Crown of Thorns, one of the most important relics in medieval Christendom.

Although damaged during the French revolution, and restored in the 19th century, it retains one of the most extensive in-situ collections of 13th-century stained glass anywhere in the world.

8. Centre Pompidou

Designed in the style of high-tech architecture, Centre Pompidou is a cultural institution in the Beaubourg area of the 4th arrondissement. It houses a vast public library, the Musée National d’Art Moderne which is the largest museum for modern art in Europe, a bookshop, a movie theater and a panoramic terrace. The library occupies the first three floors of the building, while the museum’s permanent collection is located on floors 4 and 5.

The first and top floor are used for large expositions. The Centre is named after Georges Pompidou, the President of France from 1969 to 1974 who commissioned the building.

7. Musee d’Orsay

A must-do for art lovers, the Musee d’Orsay is known for housing the world’s premier collection of impressionist paintings. Located in a former railway station, this grand museum showcases thousands of art works and objects that cover a period between the mid-1800s and the early 1900s.

Visitors can walk through several rooms to view amazing art works by many famous artists such as Monet, Van Gogh, Cezane, Degas, Pissarro, Renoir and Jean-Francois Millet.

6. Jardin du Luxembourg

Known in English as the Luxembourg Gardens, this public park is the second largest in Paris. Visitors here can picnic or stroll leisurely among beautiful lawns, formal gardens and fruit orchards that feature many artistic statues and fountains.

For fun and sport, there are jogging paths, tennis courts and fitness equipment. Children can play in the huge playground, ride ponies, watch a puppet show and sail model boats in a pond.

5. Sacre-Coeur

One of the most noticeable landmarks in Paris is the striking white-domed basilica of the Sacre-Coeur. Situated at the city’s highest point on Montmartre hill, this stunning basilica draws many tourists every year to see its marble architecture and gorgeous interior.

A tour awards visitors with views of gold mosaics, stained-glass windows and one of the world’s largest clocks.

4. Notre Dame de Paris

No trip to Paris could be complete without a visit to the world famous Notre Dame cathedral. Standing more than 400 feet (120 meters) high with two lofty towers and a spire, this marvelous church is considered a supreme example of French Gothic architecture.

A tour of this 13th century masterpiece allows visitors to admire the awe-inspiring rose windows, Gothic carvings, beautiful sculptures and a collection of relics.

3. Arc de Triomphe

One of the most popular tourist attractions in Paris, the Arc de Triomphe was constructed in 1806 to memorialize the triumphal battles of Napoleon Bonaparte.

Standing 164 feet high and 148 feet (50 by 45 meters) wide, the arch features intricate reliefs depicting victorious battles and engraved names of many who died fighting for the emperor. Beneath the arch is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from the first world war.

Topping the list of the world’s most visited museums, the Louvre Museum is located in the Louvre Palace with its signature glass pyramid marking its entrance. Housing a collection of more than 1 million objects, the Louvre boasts some of the world’s most famous art works such as Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa,” Michelangelo’s “Dying Slave” and the Greek statue, “Venus of Milo.”

Other popular exhibits include the extravagant apartments of Napoleon III, the ancient Code of Hammurabi, Egyptian antiquities and paintings by masters like Rembrandt and Rubens.

1. Eiffel Tower

Visiting the iconic symbol of Paris usually ranks as the number one thing to do for most tourists. Towering more than 1,000 feet (300 meters) high in the Champ de Mars park, this iron structure was constructed for the 1889 World Exposition.

One of the world’s most photographed tourist attractions, the Eiffel Tower presents an excellent photography opportunity for both day and night times. Visitors can ride the elevator to see incredible views of the city or dine in one of the two fine restaurants that are situated within the tower.

Share this post:

Best Time to Visit Paris: Month-by-Month Guide

12 Best Museums in Paris

How to Spend 3 Days in Paris: The Perfect Itinerary

Navigating Paris on a Budget

9 Best Day Trips from Paris

A Beginner’s Guide to Paris: How To Not Be A Useless Tourist

How to Travel from Paris to Amsterdam by Train

6 Spookiest Attractions In France

Beginner’s Guide To Bordeaux: Exploring The Wine Capital Of The World

10 Most Amazing Destinations in the South of France

Reader interactions.

September 10, 2020 at 9:11 am

Paris is my favorite place to travel. I’ve been there 3x , but still eager to go back someday. You can’t be bored with the place, it is amazing! If you love history and arts, this is where you belong.

September 7, 2018 at 8:26 pm

I wait for 45m to go up Eiffel tower , not bad. Need at least 10 days in Paris otherwise you don’t have enough time. Disney Land Paris is cool, especially if you have children. I like Arc de Triomphe , but it depends on every one’s taste

August 28, 2018 at 4:02 am

The best view of Eiffel i think is at night with the wonderful lights, seen from trocadero park. It was magnificent.

November 1, 2016 at 11:34 am

I was in love when I went to paris it is so amazing!!!

September 20, 2016 at 10:44 am

I visited Paris and it was lovely …the wait for the Eiffel Tower tour was not long but we had a fast pass…we waited maybe 15 minutes. It was worth the wait though..

August 21, 2016 at 2:27 pm

Wow….paris is really amazing…. its so wonderful i wish i could visit the place someday

September 27, 2015 at 3:14 am

Wow…. Paris is really amazing….. Its so wonderful, I wish i could visit this place someday.

August 29, 2013 at 9:44 pm

I loved how you had the pictures of all the tourist attractions so we veiwers had an Idea of what they looked like

March 27, 2013 at 1:49 am

List is full but missing for me is…underground city under Paris downtown!!! A lots of tunels and secret gates/rooms etc – mysterous and very very old The Catacombs of Paris are welcome!

February 26, 2013 at 11:34 am

I’ve always wanted to go to the Eiffel tower but I hear the wait times, to go up it, are really long. Anyone experience short wait times and are there any good times to go, where one doesn’t have to wait too long?

February 15, 2013 at 12:13 pm

Paris is truly magnificent and a dream place for travelers. Your photos really captured the loveliness of Paris especially the Louvre and the Eiffel tower. Excellent!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

What's where in Paris?

Locate the city's major sites.

• Explore France ►
• Where to stay
• Find a hotel
• Climate & weather
• Plan your trip
• France on a budget
• Eating in France
• Camping in France
• Search About-France
• A-Z of French life
• Driving in France
• Motorway services
• Routes from Calais
• Rules of the road
• Driving checklist
• Ferries to France
• Flying to France
• Rail travel in France
• Bus and coach travel
• Other main cities
• Choose a region
• The south of France
• The Dordogne
• The French seaside
• The Loire valley
• The Massif central
• Top attractions
• Best of France
• Heritage cities
• Skiing & wintersports
• Best small towns
• Best of rural France
• Wild France
• Tourist map of France

Top sites - the iconic monuments to visit

The five most iconic landmarks in paris.

• The Eiffel Tower  -  Paris's emblematic landmark. Click for ► more about the Eiffel Tower & tickets
• The Arc de Triomphe.  The Triumphal Arch on the Champs Elysées, with the tomb of the unknown soldier
• The Champs Elyseés. Free   The world's most famous boulevard - tree-lined shopping street from the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe / Etoile
• Notre Dame cathedral,  Due for reopening in 2024, following the catastrophic fire
• Montmartre village .  Free The offbeat and artists' quarter of Paris  - funicular, Sacré Coeur basilica ►. More about Montmartre 

Best Paris Museums and Art Galleries

Best art museums in paris.

• The Louvre    One of the greatest art collections in the world
• The  Musée d'Orsay / Orsay Museum - Nineteenth and twentieth century art, including the Impressionists. 
• The Orangerie - permanent home of Monet's most famous set of waterlilies paintings,
• The Pompidou Centre   contemporary art museum and cultural centre in a building designed by William Rogers. 
• Musée Monet / Marmottan, The Monet museum .   ► More on Monet in Paris .
• Museum of Modern Art    - The Paris Modern Art museum, at the Trocadero.  Entrance  free
• Picasso Museum  -  The largest collection of works by Picasso in a public museum, plus other artists.
• Rodin Museum -  The world's largest collection of Rodin's sculptures
• Petit Palais. - City of Paris Art gallery  A good collection, including paintings by the Impressionists. Entrance  free .
• Vuitton Foundation  - opened 2014. Modern and contemporary art, in a building designed by Frank Gehry.
• Les Invalides - The French military museum -   
• Cité des Sciences - The Paris Science Museum at La Vilette
• Musée Carnavalet -  Museum of the City of Paris - local history. Entrance  free .
• Museum d'histoire naturelle   The Paris Natural History Museum
• The Paris Sewers museum  A guided tour under the streets of Paris.

Other sites

• The Banks of the Seine .  Free Enjoy views of the  river.
• The Pantheon and the Sorbonne .  Where France remembers its greatest - tombs of Voltaire, Rousseau, Victor Hugo, Zola, Marie Curie and others
• The Latin Quarter .  Free The oldest part of Paris with the narrowest streets. Around the Sorbonne. Boutiques, cafés, restaurants.
• La Sainte Chapelle     Magnificent medieval chapel, with remarkable stained glass windows
• Place de la Concorde   Free .   Between the Jardin des Tuileries and the Champs Elysées
• La Madeleine church   Free   - Large neoclassical church  
• Le Moulin Rouge - Historic French cabaret venue

Going further:

Partner websites.

• About the USA - a beginner's guide to the USA - tourism, life, institutions.
• About Britain - an introduction to Britain covering institutions, life and tourism
• Angleterre.org.uk - Le guide de l'Angleterre, en français
• About-Portugal.com - Discover Portugal and its regions
• About Spain  - discover the real Spain - an incomplete guide to Spain on and off the beaten track.

Guided tours from

• A range of Paris sightseeing tours including Paris by Night Tours (with the option of a dinner cruise on the Seine)
• Dinner & Show at the Moulin Rouge.
• Tour & Show at the Crazy Horse
• Guided tour of Versailles 

Day trips from Paris

• The palace of Fontainebleau
• The Châteaux of the Loire
• The Normandy D-Day beaches 
• Monet's house at Giverny half-day 
• Champagne vineyards and tasting

Private minibus tours from your hotel

Paris Tourist Map | Attractions, Churches, Museums, Cabarets, Tours & More

Things to do in Paris Paris Travel Guide Paris Tourist Map

Paris is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. A city known for its stunning architecture, delectable cuisine and the latest fashion, you will never have a dull day during your visit in the City of Lights. With numerous things to do and places to see, you will find the Paris Tourist Map useful in helping you navigate the city’s attractions. From the Eiffel Tower to the Arc de Triomphe, the map of Paris attractions gives you a visual idea of the places to see which will help you get the most out of your stay in the city.

To help you get started, here are some of the top attractions in Paris that should be a part of your itinerary. Starting with the Eiffel Tower, these top attractions in Paris are popular among tourists of all ages. Each of them will make you fall in love with the City of Lights a little more with every step. Take a look at what is on the list of Paris’ top attractions.

Most of Paris’s beautiful architecture is because of the city’s historical and majestic churches and cathedrals. With over a hundred churches in the city, these structures stand as a reflection of the fall of the Roman Empire and the beginning of the French Revolution. Visit at least of one the churches on the list below to marvel at its intricate architectural details, while getting a peek into the history of Paris as you explore the influence of the church on colonial French rule.

The City of Light has over a hundred museums that you can visit to get a deeper understanding of Paris and its culture and history. The city has an array of diverse museums showcasing paintings, sculpture, photography, contemporary art, science and collections on a whole range of subjects. We’ve compiled a list of the best museums in the city to help you decide which ones to visit. Each museum has an allure that is sure to give you a memorable experience.

A cabaret is a type of theatrical performance that takes place in a smaller area than a traditional theater, wherein the performer is on a stage with the audience a few feet away. This provides an intimate setting, shattering the “fourth wall” and allowing the audience to connect with the performer better. Famous for their Vegas-style glitzy performances, there are over ten cabarets in Paris that entertain you with cancan, exceptional choreography and acrobatics. Here’s a list of cabarets you should see in Paris.

Touring Paris on your own can leave you lost and overwhelmed as there are many places to see. That is why we recommend taking a guided tour as it leaves you in the hands of an expert and allows you to experience the city through new eyes. A guided tour ensures you see as much of the city as possible in an organized manner. Check out these tours that make sightseeing more convenient for you.

Get €5 discount on your first Headout booking using the code GOPARIS !

Day Trips from Paris

• Loire Valley
• Mont St. Michel
• Moulin Rouge
• Paradis Latin
• Crazy Horse

Attractions

• Disneyland Paris
• Eiffel Tower
• Louvre Museum
• Notre Dame de Paris
• Montparnasse Tower
• Orsay Museum
• Palace of Versailles
• Picasso Museum
• Palais Garnier
• Arc de Triomphe

Paris Experiences

• Paris at Night
• Paris City Pass
• Paris Museum Pass
• Paris Food Tours
• Paris Hop-on-Hop-off Bus Tours
• Paris Sightseeing Tours
• Paris Night Tours
• Seine River Cruises
• Museums in Paris
• Paris Travel Card

Water Parks

• Yas Waterworld
• Wild Wadi Water Park Dubai
• Aquaventure Waterpark
• LEGOLAND Water Park
• Ice Land Water Park Dubai
• Laguna Waterpark

Beaches in Dubai

• Best Beaches in Dubai
• Watersports in Dubai
• Flyboarding in Dubai

Lakshmi Menon

Born to parents bit by the wander bug, Lakshmi calls her love for travel "hereditary and habitual". Perpetually ensconced with a book in her hand and a mug of coffee in the other, she has been to over 15 countries in her 23 years of existence and is currently saving miles and money for her solo trip to Iceland. Always hustling towards the least trodden path, she has encountered some wonderful people during her escapades and if you ever meet her, she won't stop gushing about them.

Be a smart traveler

The first to know about trending destinations, travel deals, tips and all things travel.

• Paris Arrondissements

Map & Guide

Paris Arrondissements Map & District Guide

If you're planning a visit to Paris, you've perhaps already come across the word "arrondissements"   and maybe figured out that it somehow relates to location.  But what exactly are Paris arrondissements?   

Basically, arrondissements are administrative districts.   Despite being a fairly compact city, Paris contains 20 arrondissements. Instead of having names, they're known by their numbers:  1 through 20.   So again, at a basic level each area designates a specific area, or part of the city.

You might reasonably think that if the numbers simply designate an administrative area, you don't need to give them another thought, right? 

But in reality, you do because everyone uses the numbers to mean not only location, but much, much more.

Here's why:

Each of the 20 Paris districts has its own unique identity, history, and personality, and vibe, along with popular attractions, special events , and other interesting things to do and see.

So when someone says to you, "You'd probably love staying in the 8th," that means that you might like the leafy Right Bank location as well as the many designer boutiques, wonderful bistros, occasional views of the Eiffel Tower, and elegant, upscale vibe."

Favorite Paris Arrondissement Tours

Although these tours (which are among my own personal favorites) focus on neighborhoods within and across arrondissements, they give you a great way to feel the vibes of each special area:

• Food & Wine Tasting Walking Tour in Le Marais - Small group tour in the 3rd & 4th arrondissements - highly rated
• Iconic Paris Neighborhoods Guided Walking Tour - Choose from several different neighorhoods; discover top attractions and secret places
• Montmartre Cheese, Wine, & Pastry Guided Walking Tour - Highly rated food & sightseeing tour in the 18th arrondissement

Whether you're planning your first visit or a return trip to the City of Light, knowing which Paris arrondissements have the attractions, activities, neighborhoods, and events you want to experience will help you make the most of your time, decide where to book a hotel room or reserve an apartment, and discover more to do and see nearby. 

In our Paris Arrondissement Guide below, you'll find a quick explanation of the city's layout, an interactive arrondissement map , highlights about top neighborhoods, destinations, activities, major events, tours, and hotels in each district, the best arrondissements to stay in based on what you want to see and do, and tips for using the district numbers to help you plan your trip to Paris.

We've packed lots of useful information into this article, but it's long .  If you're looking for details about a specific topic or district, use these Quick Links to find it fast: 

Arrondissement Map

Arrondissements Guide:  1st Arr   -  2nd Arr   -  3rd Arr   -  4th   -  5th   -  6th   -  7th   -  8th   -  9th   -  10th   -  11th   -  12th   -  13th   -  14th   -  15th   -  16th   -  17th   -  18th   -  19th   -  20th   - FAQs

Top photo:  Paris arrondissement map, (c) Paris Discovery Guide

Paris Discovery Guide is a reader-supported publication.  When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost for you.  Learn more

Paris Arrondissement Map:  Understanding the City's Layout

You'll find single-digit arrondissements in the center of Paris , which is also the oldest part of the city.  They are where you can explore most of the top historic attractions and not surprisingly, find the most tourists. 

As you can see when you look at our Paris arrondissements map below, districts with higher numbers spiral out clockwise from the center (kind of like the shell of a snail, or that favorite French food, an escargot). 

The city of Paris annexed most of the outer arrondissements such as the 18th, home to the Montmartre neighborhood, back in the 1800s when they were villages, and you can still experience plenty of their original charm. 

They are mostly residential and aside from the gorgeous Sacre Coeur Basilica perched on the highest hill of Montmartre and a few popular attractions such as Atelier des Lumières in the 12th and Père Lachaise Cemetery in the 20th, you usually won't see many tourists.

Our interactive Paris map shows the 20 arrondissements with attractions and landmarks, the city's two great forests, the Seine River, and top attractions plus a few key destinations outside of the city such as Versailles, Disneyland Paris, La Vallée Village discount shopping center, the La Défense business district, and the three closest international airports. 

Zoom in to get a closer view of Paris streets and neighborhoods, or zoom out to see more of France.

Right Bank, Left Bank, and the Seine River Islands

The blue line of the Seine River divides the city into the Right Bank (above the river) and the Left Bank below it. 

In the middle of the Seine are two small islands, Île de la Cité and Île Saint-Louis.  

Île de la Cité, the historic heart of the city includes parts of the 1st and 4th arrondissements.  This is where the area's first settlers, a Celtic tribe called the Parisii , made their home over 2,300 years ago.  It is also where you'll find some of the city's most famous attractions. 

Île Saint-Louis belongs to the 4th district, and is a quiet residential area with 17th century homes, a main street lined with boutiques and bistros, and a few small upscale hotels.

The large green areas at each side of Paris (think of them as the snail's head and tail) represent two enormous tree-filled parks ( bois ), sometimes called the "lungs" of the city because their many trees contribute to the quality of the city's air.

The Périphérique: Paris's Circle Road

One final thing you should know about Paris's layout is that an almost-constantly congested multi-lane highway, the Périphérique (Parisians normally call it "la Périph"), circles the outer districts (but not the parks). 

If you take a taxi or private transport to or from Charles de Gaulle Airport, you'll most likely experience the Périph first-hand - for better or worse.  (Usually for worse, unless you're very, very lucky.)

Paris Arrondissement Guide 

Now, let's take a look at the landmarks and attractions that make each arrondissement special to help you choose where to stay and what to see and do during your visit.

1st Arrondissement:   Louvre Museum, Sainte-Chapelle, Les Halles, Tuileries Garden

Why visit:   Famous attractions, spectacular gardens, and excellent cafés, restaurants, and boutiques pack the 1st arrondissement with must-see "bucket list" sights for first-time as well as returning Paris visitors

Top Attractions in the 1st Arrondissement

Discover:   The Louvre Museum, home to the Mona Lisa and many other treasured works of art.  Tuileries Gardens, filled with flowers and statues, pools and fountains, cafes, and a giant ferris wheel.  Musée de l'Orangerie , featuring Monet's lush waterlily paintings.  Musée des Arts Decoratifs is a must if you're into design, decorative items, or just like beautiful things.

Find more ways to experience the Louvre

Experience:  Royal Paris in the almost-hidden Palais Royal Garden and shopping arcades, two of the city's biggest and best Christmas Markets during November and December, the soaring stained glass windows and concerts at Sainte-Chapelle, and Marie Antoinette's last days in the Conciergerie, a medieval palace and infamous Reign of Terror prison.

Join a walking tour of Ile de la Cité

The Vibe:  Elegant, lively, historical, with almost-hidden pockets of tranquility

Shop:  Famous designer boutiques along Rue Saint-Honoré, market streets, and the most popular French cookware shops in Paris pack the 1st. 

Explore:  Les Halles, once the city's largest food market before being torn down in the name of urban renewal, now attracts enthusiastic crowds with its new shopping, entertainment, and dining plaza.  Don't miss the jazz clubs in nearby Rue des Lombards or the epic market pedestrian-only street, Rue Montorgueil.

Visit:   Île de la Cité, the tiny Island in the Seine River straddling the 1st and 4th arrondissements where you'll find the historic heart of Paris, medieval masterpieces, hidden gardens, and lots more.

Fun 1st Arrondissement Wine & Food Experiences

• French Wine Tasting Class with Sommelier - Savor French wines, Champagne, and fresh bread as you learn about France's wine region, how Champagne is made, and lots more from the popular O Chateau wine bar about a 5-minute walk from the Louvre
• 2-Hour Seine River Lunch Cruise - See the Louvre Museum and other famous sites in the 1st arrondissement and other parts of Paris as you cruise by while relaxing over a wonderful 3-course lunch
• Wine Museum Guided Tour with Wine Tasting - Tour the former wine cellars of the King of France across from the Louvre Museum, learn how wine is made, find about about different French grapes and wine regions, and taste some delicious wines

1st Arrondissement Complete Guide:  Find more things to do & see

Where to Stay in the 1st Arrondissement 

• Top Hotels in the 1st - See our recommendations for best places to stay near the Louvre, Sainte-Chapelle, Rue Saint-Honoré and Les Halles shopping districts, and other top 1st District attractions

Best places to stay in the 1st District during winter months

See Top Attractions from a Seine River Cruise

2nd arrondissement - covered arcades, sentier, bourse.

Why visit:   You'll love the 2nd arrondissement's covered 19th century shopping arcades, the best Japanese and Korean restaurants in Paris, and fascinating glimpses of the Paris's thriving wholesale textile and design industries in the Sentier neighborhood. 

Top Attractions in the 2nd Arrondissement

The 2nd Arrondissement sometimes gets overlooked as being a mostly-business district dominated by the Bourse (Palais Brongiart), the former Paris stock exchange now used for special trade shows, and at its east end by the Sentier quartier, home to the Paris textile industry and wholesale-only clothing showrooms.

However, you'll find some hidden treasures tucked away in the 2nd - especially if you enjoy shopping and dining.   And at the lively western end of the district, excellent shopping, hotels, and restaurants near the Paris Opera House and bustling Avenue de l'Opéra attract numerous visitors.

Discover:   Japanese restaurants lining Rue Saint-Anne.  Designer boutiques around Place des Victoires, and more affordable shopping along Avenue de l'Opéra. 

Explore: 19th century Passages Couverts , the glass-roofed covered retail arcades and galeries lined with boutiques and bistros - inspiration for today's indoor shopping malls.  Look for Galerie Vivienne (elegant shops and bistros), Passage du Caire (wholesale textiles and clothing), Passage de Choiseul (Korean specialties), Passage du Grand Cerf (art, crafts, esoteric collections), and Passage des Princes (toys and games).  Treasure hunters will want to explore the stamp, coin, and antique dealers in Passage des Panoramas not far from the Drouot Auction House in the 9th.  Explore on your own - or join a secret passages tour.

In and around Sentier, hip restaurants started popping up a few years ago, and now chic hotels are following, making this an increasingly trendy neighborhood for visitors - plus Sentier is next door to the even trendier Marais.

The Vibe:  A buzzy mix of chic and industrial, with fascinating slices of old Paris next to the new and trendy

2nd Arrondissement Complete Guide:  Find more things to do & see

Where to Stay in the 2nd District

• Hotel Edouard VII - 4-star hotel in a superb location on Avenue de l'Opéra, less than a 5-minute walk from the Paris Opera House.  Find current rates
• Hotel Bachaumont - Lovely 4-star hotel with an Art Deco vibe on a quiet side street between the pedestrian-only Rue Montorgueil market street and a stretch of Rue Montmartre lined with luxury boutiques.  Compare rates
• The Hoxton - Elegant and contemporary, located in a gorgeous 18th century building in the bustling Sentier district.   Find lowest rates

Find more hotels in the 2nd arrondissement

Want to Get Around Paris the Fun & Easy Way?

Hop On/Hop Off double-decker buses give you an easy way to explore Paris arrondissement and see the city's top attractions.  Your ticket gives you access to 3 different tour routes  past all the famous landmarks, sights, and shopping areas.   Hop off as often as you wish to explore on foot, and then hop back on to see more attractions as you enjoy the panoramic views from the top deck.   For a few additional Euros, you can get a 2 or 3 day ticket - a fun and economical way to get around the city as you sightsee.

3rd Arrondissement ( Temple ) - Picasso Museum, Upper Marais, Musée Carnavalet

Why visit:   Known as the Haut ("Upper") Marais, the 3rd Arrondissement gives you a glimpse of medieval Paris plus plenty of ornate 17th century mansions, popular museums, and fashion boutiques.

Top Attractions in the 3rd District

You'll find a number of outstanding museums here including the famous Picasso Museum housed in a 17th century mansion, Musée des Arts et Métiers with its displays ranging from airplanes to perfume, and Musée Carnavalet.  

- Find all the best ways to visit the Picasso Museum

Discover:   Jewish culture in France in the Museum of Jewish Art and History.

Dine on tasty couscous or kebabs at an outdoor table next to the food stalls at Marché des Enfants Rouges, the oldest covered market in Paris where residences have shopped for 400 years. 

Stroll along narrow cobblestone streets and explore the indie designer boutiques.

The Vibe:   Tranquil, arty, family-friendly, with quiet residential enclaves and flower-filled gardens

Recommended Self-Guided Paris Walk:  Rue Payenne Gardens

Where to stay in the 3rd arrondissement

4th Arrondissement - Notre Dame, Pompidou Center, Île Saint-Louis, Place des Vosges, Hôtel de Ville

Why visit:   The 4th Arrondissement is "must see" area for first time and return visitors. So many famous historic sites and top attractions are located here - plus the medieval Marais neighborhood offers some of the best shopping in Paris. 

Top Attractions in the 4th Arrondissement

The 4th includes Île Saint-Louis, half of Île de la Cité, and a swath of the Right Bank, including part of the Marais, and is packed with top attractions, historic neighborhoods, chic shopping, and superb restaurants.

Discover:   The magnificent Cathedral of Notre Dame on Île de la Cité.  Bertillon ice cream, considered the best in Paris, in Île Saint-Louis.   

Explore the trendy boutiques and galleries in the Marais, and visit antique stores and artisans in historic Village Saint-Paul.  

Admire modern and recent art on a private tour at Centre Pompidou, go for carryout falafel in Rue de Rosiers in the Marais home of the oldest Orthodox Jewish community in Paris, and picnic in picture-perfect Place des Vosges.

The Vibe:   Trendy and lively

Fun Ways to See the Marais

• Le Marais District & Jewish Quarter Guided Walking Tour - On this small group tour with maximum 8 people, you'll see important attractions and beautiful parks, and explore the historic Jewish Quarter and its wonderful kosher restaurants and boutiques.  Find out more 
• Marais Walking Food Tour: Cheese, Wine, & Delicacies - You'll stroll around this charming neighborhood and see its many art galleries, boutiques, cafes, and centuries-old architecture as you stop at 8-10 places to sample cheese, wine, pastries, and seasonal specialties.  This tour lasts 3+ hours.  Find out more
• Marais Pastry & Chocolate Tour - You'll explore small streets and hidden nooks of the Marais while learning about the neighborhood, visiting chocolate shops and bakeries, and tasting some samples.   Find out more

Best places to stay in the Marais

Where to stay in the Marais during winter months

Best Paris Arrondissements for Your Visit

Which district should you choose when choosing where to make hotel reservations or book an apartment for your Paris visit?  Here's a quick guide:

Are you a . . .

• First-time (or return) visitor who wants to see top Paris attractions?  Focus on these arrondissements:  1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, part of 16 (Trocadéro) and part of 18 (Montmartre) 
• Return visitor who wants to explore the "real" Paris off the tourist path and discover hidden treasures?   Explore these arrondissements:    2, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 (beyond Trocadéro), 17, 18 (beyond Montmartre), 19, and 20

5th Arrondissement - Latin Quarter, Cluny Museum, Arènes de Lutèce, Panthéon

Why visit:   Layers of history, the famous Latin Quarter and other top attractions, charming street markets, and winding cobblestone lanes make the 5th Arrondissement another "must-see" part of the city for first-time and returning visitors.

Top Attractions in the 5th Arrondissement

Discover:   The famous Pantheon, towering majestically over much of the district  

The Roman-era Arènes de Lutèce and Roman baths under Musée Cluny, home to magnificent tapestries and other medieval treasures. 

The Jardin des Plants, where you'll find an ancient botanic garden, Natural History Museum, and the small but appealing Paris Zoo.

Don't miss the Rue Mouffetard street market, Shakespeare and Company Bookstore, and Tunisian pastries and tiny glasses of mint tea at the Arab Institute's terrace restaurant overlooking the most scenic parts of Paris.

The Vibe:   Relaxed and still slightly bohemian, thanks to all the students in the area - although upscale in a low-keyed way

Find best hotels & apartments in the Latin Quarter

6th Arrondissement - Luxembourg Garden, Saint Germain des Prés, & Saint-Sulpice Church

Why visit:   The lovely 6th arrondissement, famous for its formerly bohemian Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood and a slice of the chill Latin Quarter, is a lovely upper-class mostly-residential district with commercial areas devoted to superb boutiques, art galleries, and dining.

Top Attractions in the 6th Arrondissement

Discover:   Beautiful Luxembourg Garden.   Cafés and bistros along Boulevard Saint-Germain made famous by French Existentialists and American writers during the last century.

Visit: The magnificent Church of Saint-Sulpice, setting for The Da Vinci Code, and Paris's oldest church, Eglise Saint-Germain-des-Prés

Explore: The district's wonderful antique shops, home furnishing boutiques, and clothing stores.  

Buy:  Holiday gifts at the large Christmas market by Saint-Germain Church from mid-November through December

The Vibe:   Reminiscent of a 19th century romantic painting of the city, a favorite of many American tourists

Recommended 6th Arrondissement Tours

• Saint-Germain Pastry & Chocolate Walking Tour - You'll sample pastries, chocolates, and breads on this walking tour through this posh Paris neighborhood
• Saint-Germain-des-Prés Private Tour - From famous cafes and churches to fantastic chocolate and pastry shops, your guide will customize this private tour to suit your interests

Where to Stay in the 6th Arrondissement

• Hotel Clémont - This charming 2-star boutique hotel with 28 guestrooms has air conditioning and an elevator, and serves a fantastic breakfast; great value near the Saint Germain Market and Saint Sulpice Church
• Hotel de Buci - This charming 24-room boutique hotel on the Rue Buci market street features furnishings with a romantic Louis XV 18th century très-Parisian vibe
• Hotel Madison - Lovely 4-star boutique hotel with 50 rooms and suites across from Saint Germain des Prés church in a fantastic location near two metro stations
• Hôtel Montalembert - Excellent 5-star boutique hotel in Saint Germain de Prés near museums, the Bon Marché luxury department store and food hall, and numerous small boutiques and antique shops Find best rates
• Hotel de Seine (52 Rue de Seine) - This centrally-located small 3-star boutique hotel features 30 guestrooms, air conditioning, and an elevator in an excellent location near the Seine River - Book Now

Find more hotels & apartments in the 6th arrondissement

Where to stay in Saint-Germain-des-Pres during winter months

7th Arrondissement - Eiffel Tower, Orsay Museum, Bon Marché, Champ de Mars 

Why visit:   The 7th arrondissement is where you'll find the world's most famous landmark - the Eiffel Tower - as well as several top museums, the only department store on the Left Bank, a popular market street, and many top-notch restaurants.

Top Attractions in the 7th District

Discover:   Sweeping Paris views from the top of the Eiffel Tower.  

Find out how to get skip-the-line-priority entrance to the Eiffel Tower

See Impressionist masterpieces at Musée d'Orsay, non-western art at the Branly Museum, and magnificent sculptures and a romantic garden at Musée Rodin. 

Find skip-the-line tickets & guided tours to the Orsay Museum

Shop for luxury goods and gourmet food and wine selections at Le Bon Marché.  

History buffs will want to explore Les Invalides , where you'll find the Musée de l'Armée and Napoleon's tomb in Dome Church (get a priority entrance ticket that covers both).  

After your visit, walk a few blocks to reach the popular Rue Cler market street, overflowing with small cafes and yummy bakeries where you enjoy a wonderful lunch or dinner.  Or buy a few gourmet goodies and head over to nearby Champ de Mars for a picnic.

The Vibe:   Elegant, quiet, upscale (except for the tourist-packed area around the Eiffel Tower)

Where to Stay in the 7th Arrondissement

Find best hotels near the Eiffel Tower

Best hotels in Paris's 7th arrondissement

8th Arrondissement - Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, Golden Triangle, Parc Monceau

Why visit:   With the Arc de Triomphe and Champs Élysées as major tourist attractions, the 8th arrondissement ranks high on the "must visit" list for most first time visitors.  But there's so much to see and do here that you'll want to return whenever you're in Paris.

Top Attractions in the 8th Arrondissement

Discover:   Expansive views from the top of the Arc, the beautiful but blood-soaked Place de la Concorde, and an eternal flame marking the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the base.   Excellent art collections, exquisite architecture, and a little-known tea room overlooking a lovely garden at the Petit Palais .  Special exhibits at the enormous glass-roofed Grand Palais.  Luxury goods on display in designer showrooms along the Golden Triangle.  

Need a change of pace in this wealthy, tourist-filled arrondissement? 

Head over to tranquil Parc Monceau , and visit one of the nearby specialty museums - Musée Cernuschi , Musée Nissim de Camondo , or Musée Jacquemart-André.

Fun Things to Do in the 8th Arrondissement

• View Paris from the top of the Arc de Triomphe - You'll experience panoramic views of the entire city and all its iconic sites.  That's where we took the photo of Sacre Coeur at the top of this page.  Tickets are cheap - but admission lines can be long, so do yourself a favor and get a skip-the-line ticket online before you go.

Find out more about visiting the Arc de Triomphe

Best places to stay in the 8th arrondissement

Fun Ways to See & Do near the Arc de Triomphe

9th arrondissement - palais garnier, pigalle, galeries lafayette, printemps, wax museum, covered passages.

Why visit:   For most tourists, the top reason to visit the 9th arrondissement is shopping at the Grands Magasins (big luxury department stores) - Galeries Lafayette and Au Printemps - in this lively district filled with gorgeous19th century Haussmannian architecture.  

Top Attractions in the 9th Arrondissement

More to discover:  

• The spectacular Opéra Garnier (Paris Opera) - the largest and possibly the most flamboyant opera house in Europe, and a must-visit destination for Phantom of the Opera fans.

    Explore the Paris Opera House, a Baroque masterpiece

• Musée Grévin, the wax museum, located in Passage Jouffroy, one of the many historic covered arcades in the 9th. 

    Get your Grevin Museum tickets online and skip the (usually) long ticket queue at the entrance

If you enjoy exploring newly hip neighborhoods, head to trendy South Pigalle, known as SoPi where you can visit the Musée de la Vie Romantic (but do know that SoPi's northern edge bordering the 18th can still feel a bit sketchy due to the remaining sex shows in this former red-light district, although in reality it's quite safe). 

Stop by the famous Drouot auction house, and explore the surrounding streets where you'll find many dealers specializing in stamps, coins, antiques, and other collectibles.

9th Arrondissement Complete Guide:  Find more things to do & see

Where to stay in the 9th arrondissement

Best places to stay in the 9th during winter months

10th Arrondissement - Canal Saint-Martin, Place de la République, Gare du Nord, Gare de l'Est

Why visit:   The diverse 10th arrondissement contains two major Paris train stations, Gare du Nord and Gare de l'Ést, surrounded by numerous popular bistros and cafes, and a variety of neighborhoods - some more gentrified (which means more hotels, etc) than others. 

What to Discover:   Scenic bridges and locks along Canal Saint-Martin - Take a cruise, or simply stroll around the neighborhood and enjoy the colorful street art, lively cafes, and boutiques - in particular, look for up-and-coming young designers and pop-up stores.  

Place de la République (shared with 11th) - another trendy spot filled with bars and bistros, nightlife, and towering over the square, a magnificent statue of Marianne, Goddess of Liberty and symbol of the French Republic.

Where to stay in the 10th arrondissement

11th Arrondissement - Place de la Bastille, Oberkampf, Nightlife, Atelier des Lumieres

Why visit:   The 11th arrondissement is a pleasant mostly residential area, formerly working class but now trendy and increasingly gentrified, with no major landmarks aside from Place de la Bastille and the enormous Opéra Bastille where you can catch a Paris Opera concert or ballet. 

For a unique immersive digitized art and music experience in a former iron foundry, visit Atelier des Lumières.

If you are looking for a lively nightlife scene, check out the bars and clubs in the Oberkampf neighborhood.  If you need any camera equipment or accessories while you are in Paris, you may want to visit one of the specialized camera stores along Boulevard Beaumarchais, near the Chemin Vert Metro Station.

Discover:    Lots of ethnic and French cafes around and near Place de la Bastille.  Vintage furniture and clothing stores around Rue de Marché Popincourt and Rue Nueve Popincourt. 

The Bastille Arts and Crafts Market held from 9am - about 6pm every Saturday along Boulevard Richard Lenoir, starting just beyond the Bastille Métro Station. 

If you are adventurous, explore the almost-hidden passages and interior courtyards along the north side of Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, once occupied by 19th century furniture makers and artisans, and now art galleries, craft studios, and boutiques.

12th Arrondissement - Proménade Plantée, Marché d'Aligre Market, Bercy Village

Why visit:   Although the 12th arrondissement is primarily residential, it has several attractions worth exploring if you're on a return visit to Paris and want to interesting sites beyond the major tourist attractions.  On the 12th's eastern side is the largest public park in Paris, Bois de Vincennes, complete with a chateau, English-style gardens, and a zoo.

Discover:   Interesting city views and exquisite gardens along the elevated parkland of the Proménade Plantée.  Thrilling ballet performances at the glittering Bastille Opera.  Treasures (and junk) at the Marché d'Aligre, the city's most popular flea market.  Spend an afternoon browsing in the boutiques and sipping wine at an outdoor cafe in Bercy Village, converted from 19th century wine warehouses next to the Seine.

Find best places to stay in the 12th arrondissement

Paris Arrondissement Numbers:  4 Ways You Can Use Them

• Avoid getting lost:  Most street signs display the arrondissement number - an easy way to confirm roughly where you are. 
• Find your destination's location:  Not sure where you're going?  Look up the address, which almost always include a 5-digit postal code . The code's last two digits are the arrondissement number, which tells you where your destination is located.   For example, if you look up the address for the Picasso Museum, you'll see the street address plus the postal code: 75004.  That means the museum is in Paris's 4th district.   (Paris addresses always have " 75 " as the first two digits.)
• Plan your trip:   Do you have a bucket list of attractions and places you want to visit?   Look up their addresses, note the district numbers, and plan your itinerary based on locations to minimize your travel time between attractions.
• Choose where to book accommodations :  Once you identify the arrondissement where most of your bucket list attractions are located, choose a hotel or apartment in the same district for ultimate convenience.

13th Arrondissement - Gobelins Tapestry, Place d'Italie, Street Art, Butte aux Cailles

Why visit:   Fans of street art will find plenty to enjoy in the 13th arrondissement, where an innovative mayor and many modern concrete high-rise buildings provide a welcoming canvas space for street art professionals and amateurs.  Otherwise, this is another mostly residential neighborhood - no major tourist attractions, but plenty of interesting local spots to explore.

Discover:   How tapestries are made at Gobelins Manufactory, creators of museum-worthy pieces since the mid-1400s.  A large enclosed shopping mall - a rarity in Paris - in Place d'Italie.  Charming leafy streets in the hilly Butte aux Cailles neighborhood.  And of course, look for street art - some discrete, some mammoth - wherever you go in the 13th.

How to Explore: 

Street Art in the 13th District Walking Tour - You'll see a lot of exciting street art including some by internationally famous graffiti artists in this fascinating tour of the 13th arrondissement- Find out more & book your ticket

Off the Beaten Track in Paris - Travel in style in a vintage Citroen 2CV convertible to see Butte aux Cailles in the 13th as well as a number of other hidden but wonderful places around the city:  the beautiful Place des Vosges park in the Marais, the Roman arena Arènes de Lutèce, the site of the Bastille Prison, arty Village Saint Paul, and seven other special places you might not find on your own - Find out more & book your ticket

14th Arrondissement - The Catacombs, Montparnasse Cemetery, Fondation Cartier

Why visit:  The 14th arrondissement offers an interesting mix of commercial and residential areas, with plenty of cultural and historical attractions worth seeing, including the always-popular Paris Catacombs.

Discover:   A maze of underground tunnels where the remains of about 6 million people are buried in the Catacombs.  The tombs of famous artists, writers, and performers in Montparnasse Cemetery.  Contemporary art exhibits at Fondation Cartier, in a striking building designed by architect Jean Nouvel.  Lots of theaters, restaurants , and several famous bistros in the area around the triangle formed by the Montparnasse-Bienvenue, Edgar Quinet, and Vavin Métro Stations. 

Find out why & how to get skip the line priority tickets for the Catacombs

See all the Skip the Line and Priority Access ticket choices for the Catacombs

Must-visit destination for history buffs:  Musée de la Liberation, a museum that examines the history of the French Resistance and the Liberation of Paris from the Nazis during World War II by focusing on heroic actions of individuals. 

Next to the 14th, on the other side of the Périphérique:   Vanves Flea Market

15th Arrondissement - Parc André Citroen, Montparnasse Tower, Beaugrenelle Mall

Why visit:   The 15th arrondissement is a large, mostly residential middle-to-upper income district with lovely parks, a spectacular shopping mall, and easy access to Île-des-Cygnes (Island of the Swans), an almost-hidden park in the middle of the Seine. Visit the 15th to get a feel for how real Parisians live and play.

Discover:   Hot air balloon rides at Parc André Citroen.  Spectacular views of Paris from on top of Montparnasse Tower.   The weekend antiquarian and used book market at Parc Georges Brassens.   A collection of top clothing and specialty stores in the upscale Beaugrenelle shopping mall.  

For the perfect afternoon, head to the Mirabeau Bridge and walk down the ramp to Île-des-Cygnes, a lovely sliver of an island in the Seine with excellent views of the Eiffel Tower.

Find out where to stay in the 15th district

16th Arrondissement - Trocadéro, Palais de Tokyo, Musée Marmottan, Bois de Boulogne, Paris Aquarium

Why visit:   Although much of the 16th arrondissement is a wealthy residential area (a favorite of well-off American ex-pats), numerous superb museums, excellent Eiffel Tower views, and the huge Bois de Boulogne park give you plenty of reasons to visit. 

Discover:   Unobstructed views of the Eiffel Tower from the marble-paved platform at Trocadéro.  A large collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings by Claude Monet at Musée Marmottan.  The French Open, Fondation Louis Vuitton, a chateau and lake, a zoo, and greenhouses containing 100,000 plants in the Bois de Boulogne park. 

You could easily spend days exploring treasures in the 16th's many specialty museums - anthropology at Musée de l'Homme, avant-garde contemporary art at Palais de Tokyo, Asian art at Musée Guimet, fashion at Musée Galliera, 20th century masterpieces at Musée d'Art Moderne, and the world of counterfeiting at Musée de la Contrefaçon, to name just a few.  And if you're visiting Paris with kids, the Paris Aquarium will be a big hit.

Find recommended hotels in Paris's 16th arrondissement

17th Arrondissement - Batignolles Square, Martin Luther King Park

Why visit:   The 17th Arrondissement's economic diversity makes it hard to categorize, and because it lacks any major tourist attractions aside from the Arc de Triomphe (which it shares with the 8th and 16th), you might easily skip over it on your first, second, or even third trip to Paris. 

But if you want to explore the "real" Paris, head to the leafy Batignolles neighborhood in the eastern part of the 17th, where you'll find a mix of 19th century charm and 21st century modernization.

Discover:   Gourmet treats from all over France and freshly harvested organic produce in the Batignolles outdoor markets.  

Charming sidewalk cafes lead up to Batignolles Square, a neighborhood park filled with landscaped hills and dells, a duck pond, and pétanque courts. 

On the other side is Parc Clichy-Batignolles, a gorgeous new recreational arena once occupied by freight yards, where you'll find a skate park, basketball courts, and a playgound surrounded by natural landscaping, scenic walks, and sustainable energy displays including wind turbines and solar panels.

Explore the Artsy & Bohemian Side of Batignolles in this 3-Hour Walking Tour

Find the best places to stay in the 17th arrondissement

18th Arrondissement - Montmartre, Sacré Coeur, Moulin Rouge, Les Puces Flea Market

Why visit:   Famous attractions, village-like neighborhoods once populated by artists and writers, and fantastic views of Paris attract large numbers of visitors to the 18th Arrondissement.  You'll also find plenty of appealing cafes and boutiques, especially along Rue des Abbesses where a Christmas Market pops up during December.

Top Montmartre Attractions

Discover:   The sloping hills, vineyard, and stories about famous artists and musicians who once lived in Montmartre.  The charming village of Abbesses.  

Enjoy: Spectacular views from Sacre Coeur.  

Treat yourself to:  Unforgettable shows and dinner at Moulin Rouge.  

Find out about a VIP evening at Moulin Rouge:  Champagne, dinner, and tickets to the hottest show in town

Explore:   Five floors of dazzling textiles and trims at the Saint-Pierre Fabric Market .

Spend a day at:  The biggest flea market in Paris (and the world), Marché aux Puces (Flea Market) in Saint-Ouen located just north of the Peripherique at Clingancourt.  And no, Saint-Ouen is not part of Paris (historically, this was to avoid taxes) and Les Puces isn't technically in the 18th - but it's just across the city line.

Find top Montmartre hotels & apartments in Montmartre

Recommended Montmartre Tours

19th arrondissement - parc de la villette, buttes chaumont park, paris plages.

Why visit:   Cultural, recreational, and scenic attractions fill the 19th Arrondissement's two huge parks - plus the district boasts the city's largest artificial lake, the site of summer festivals, sports, and even a "beach."

Discover:   Cité de la Science et l’Industrie science museum, Cité de la Musique music instruments museum, and Philharmonie de Paris concert hall at Parc de la Villette.  

Enjoy:  Bassin de la Villette's beach and row boats during Paris Plages.   Flower-covered slopes, a waterfall, and some of the best views of Paris in Parc des Buttes-Chaumont.

Find out about the 17 best locations to see spectacular Paris skyline views

20th Arrondissement - Père Lachaise Cemetery, Belleville, Street Art

Why visit:   The 20th's biggest attraction is Cimetière du Père-Lachaise - the famous Père Lachaise Cemetery - where rows of ornate tombs and monuments of famous writers, musicians, artists, philosophers, and politicians perch on the landscaped hills.  The 20th District also includes a swath of the sprawling and dynamic Belleville neighborhood, which spans parts of the 19th, 10th, and 11th districts as well.

Discover:   The final resting spots of Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, Frédéric Chopin, Edith Piaf, Rossini, and many other luminaries at Père-Lachaise, along with some of the city's most fascinating and poignant tombstones.  For a special experience, take a guided tour (or choose a small-group or private option).

Where to find the most famous 101 graves at Père-Lachaise

Enjoy:  Sweeping views of Paris from a hilltop covered terrace adorned with graphic art in Parc de Belleville , and at the back, a small historic vineyard; down the side of the hill is a 300-foot long tiered waterfall-fountain, plus expanses of award-winning flower gardens.

Explore:  The interesting street art, indie boutiques, art galleries, green space, and the city's second largest Chinatown (complete with wonderful, affordable restaurants) in Belleville.  And on the other side of the Périphérique from the 20th:  Montreuil Flea Market

Find out where to stay in Paris's 20th arrondissement

Paris Hotel Map - Where to Stay in Your Favorite Paris District

Want to find a convenient Paris hotel or apartment close to your bucket list attractions? 

Find out where to stay on your first trip to Paris:  best neighborhoods

Use this map to find available accommodations & best rates for your travel dates, and make your reservations:

Check out the newest Paris hotels

More to Know about Paris Arrondissements, Names, Quarters, & Neighborhoods

Paris districts:  do they have names.

Yes.  Each arrondissement has a historic name in addition to a number.  But there's no need to learn them because they are not normally used in daily conversation, directions, or much of anything else.

You'll almost always hear Parisians refer to districts by only the number .  For example, "She works in the 7th."

Confused?  Don't worry about it.  By the time you've spent a few days in Paris, all of this will make more sense.

The practice of compartmentalizing Paris into administrative districts and numbering them sequentially dates back to 1795 when the city was divided into 12 arrondissements.  

In 1860, Emperor Napoleon III more than doubled the size of the city by annexing 11 surrounding towns and expanding the number of arrondissements to the present 20. 

The recent formation of "Paris Centre" by administratively combining the first four districts doesn't really change much.  The only practical difference is that now the Paris Centre arrondissements share one mayor and one city hall.  So don't worry - everyone still refers to them as the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.

Is a Quartier (Quarter) the Same as a Neighborhood in Paris?  

Sometimes - but not usually.

Each of Paris's 20 arrondissements contains four distinct quartiers (administrative sub-districts) and each quartier has a historic name.

Although many quartier names such as Croulebarbe and Gaillon are no longer used in everyday conversation, others such as Les Halles (1st arrondissement), Sentier (2nd), Saint-Germain-des-Prés (6th) - serve double duty as neighborhood names , although (just to keep things confusing) neighborhood boundaries usually don't align with quartiers boundaries.

Additionally, some neighborhood names such Latin Quarter and Marais   reflect what Parisians have traditionally called the area, and have no relationship at all to the names of their quartiers.

For example, the Latin Quarter covers an area in the 5th, 6th, and even a bit of the 13th districts where students from all other Europe gathered during the Middle Ages while studying at the Sorbonne University.  They spoke Latin as their common language, and that's how this Paris neighborhood got its name. 

Similarly, the chic Marais neighborhood spanning large swaths of the 3rd and 4th arrondissements used to be swamp land, and so Parisians called it (somewhat derisively) Le Marais ("the swamp").  

Bottom line:  Paris neighborhood names and locations within or across arrondissements are useful to know.   Quartier names, not so much.

What Arrondissement Has the Most Tourist Attractions? 

Probably the 1st arrondissement (although not everyone may define "tourist" attraction the same way).

In this old and historic Paris area, you'll find the Louvre Museum (former Palais du Louvre, home to Paris kings and queens, and now the world's most-visited museum.

More to the point, Paris 1 is where you can visit Sainte Chapelle with its stunning gorgeous medieval stained glass walls and wonderful classical concerts and La Conciergerie, a medieval palace and Reign of Terror prison.  Both are located on Ile de la Cité  - but only half of the island is in the 1st; the rest, including the part with Notre Dame Cathedral) is in the 4th. 

Across the Seine on the Right Bank is the rest of the 1st, and that's where you'll find da Vinci's Mona Lisa) in the Louvre, Monet's famous water lily paintings in Musée de l'Orangerie, the Forum des Halles shopping center where the old Les Halles wholesale food markets once stood, some of the city's best kitchenware stores (including Dehillerin), part of the appealing Rue de Montgoreiul market street, along Rue Saint Honoré  with its numerous designer boutiques, Tuileries Garden, and the Palais Royal Garden, just to name a few of the top attractions. 

And last but certainly not least, the 1st is where you'll find the super-popular Tuileries Christmas Market and Hotel de Ville Christmas Market.  

What Does "1er" Mean?  What about "1ère"? 

This is how Parisians (and everyone else in France) abbreviates "1st Arrondissement" ( "la premier" in French) - and yes, there's a very short ("1er" or "2e" etc) and a slightly longer ("1ère" or "2ème") way (which you'll much less frequently see written as "1ière" or "2ième") to do this and both are used interchangeably.  

Although the longer version is technically incorrect, that doesn't stop people from using it - so don't be startled if you see it.

However ... older street signs may show the arrondissement number as a Roman numeral  - so if you're feeling fuzzy about whether "IX" means 9 or 11 (or maybe 4 or 6), brush up on those as needed.  (This really isn't a quiz, but here's the "answer":  IX = 9)

Here's a cheatsheet with arrondissement numbers in English, French (along with Roman numerals), short and longer French abbreviations, and historical names in case you do happen to hear them:

Arrondissement

• First (1st)
• Second (2nd)
• Third (3rd)
• Fourth (4th)
• Fifth (5th)
• Sixth (6th)
• Seventh (7th)
• Eighth (8th)
• Ninth (9th)
• Tenth (10th)
• Eleventh (11th)
• Twelfth (12th)
• Thirteenth (13th)
• Fourteenth (14th)
• Fifteenth (15th)
• Sixteenth (16th)
• Seventeenth (17th)
• Eighteenth (18th)
• Nineteenth (19th)
• Twentieth (20th)
• Première (I)
• Deuxième (II)
• Troisième (III)
• Quartrième (IV)
• Cinquième (V)
• Sixième (VI)
• Septième (VII)
• Huitième (VIII)
• Neuvième (IX)
• Dixième (X)
• Onzième (XI)
• Douzième (XII)
• Treizième (XIII)
• Quatorzième (XIV)
• Quinzième (XV)
• Seizième (XVI)
• Dix-septième (XVII)
• Dix-huitième (XVIII)
• Dix-neuvième (XIX)
• Vingtième (XX)

Abbreviations

•  2e (2ème)
• 10e (10ème)
• 11e (11ème)
• 12e (12ème)
• 13e (13ème)
• 14e (14ème)
• 15e (15ème)
• 16e (16ème)
• 17e (17ème)
• 18e (18ème)
• 19e (19ème)
• 20e (20ème)
• Hôtel de Ville
• Palais-Bourbon
• Observatoire
• Batignolles-Monceau
• Butte-Montmartre
• Buttes-Chaumont
• Ménilmontant

Pin Now, Read Again Later

More Articles about Paris Districts & Neighborhoods

• Where to Stay on Your First Trip to Paris: Best Neighborhoods
• Find out about Île de la Cité's medieval masterpieces in the heart of Paris
• Where to stay in the 1st arrondissement:  Paris hotel recommendations
• Best 4-star Paris hotels near the Arc de Triomphe
• New hotels in some of Paris's trendiest districts

Top Attractions & Tours

• Eiffel Tower - Enjoy sweeping views of Paris
• Louvre Tour - Soak up art & see the Mona Lisa
• Palace of Versailles - Best way to see the famous Chateau
• Paris Museum Pass - Choose 2, 4, or 6 days
• Paris Disneyland - Get express tickets & transport from Paris

Happening in Paris

January in Paris

• The famous Paris winter sales, concerts, new museum exhibits

February in Paris

• Valentine's Day, Chinese New Year Parades

March in Paris

• Mardi Gras, Fountain Shows at Versailles, French Open

April in Paris

• Paris Marathon, Easter concerts, spring flowers

May in Paris

• Mother's Day, jazz festival, concerts

June in Paris

• Summer sales, Pride week, music fests, air show

July in Paris

• Bastille Day, Tour de France, beaches

August in Paris

• Free concerts & movies, Rock En Seine

September in Paris

• European Heritage Days, Fashion Week

October in Paris

• Wine festival, Halloween, Motor Show

November in Paris

• Armistice Day, Salon du Chocolat

December in Paris

• Christmas, New Year's Eve

Hanukkuh in Paris

• Menorah lightings 

Christmas in Paris

• Holiday celebrations & decorations

Christmas Markets

• Gifts, holiday food, mulled wine, and Santa

Newest Articles & Latest Updates

• 2024 Paris Olympics Visitors Guide
• How to Stay Cool in Paris during Summer Heat Waves
• How to Get to Disneyland Paris from Paris
• Best Palace of Versailles Tours from Paris
• 101 Famous Graves in Pere Lachaise Cemetery
• Where to Find Paris's Best Covered Passages
• Best Paris Food Tours
• Best Hotels with Free Shuttles to Disneyland Paris

Book Your Paris Hotel

Eiffel Tower Hotels

• Watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle from your balcony

Arc de Triomphe Hotels

• Where to stay near the famous arch

New Hotels in Paris

• Stay in Paris's newest chic accommodations

Hotels near the Louvre

• Where to stay near the famous museum

Hotels near Notre Dame

• Wonderful hotels close to top Paris attractions

Deals & Discounts

• How to save on your Paris hotel

Plan Your Paris Trip

• Why visit Paris?
• What to do & see in each Paris district
• Check out top Paris attractions
• Paris Museum Pass:  Should you get one?
• Which neighborhood should you stay in?
• Choose your Paris hotel  
• How to spend your first day in Paris
• How to skip the ticket lines
• Day trips - Versailles, Giverny, Disney, & more
• 7 Reasons why you need travel insurance
• Electric adapters and converters  
• How to get Euros before you come
• Best Paris guide books
• Find cheap flights to Paris

Discover Paris: 20 Iconic Sights You Can't Miss

A re you planning a trip to Paris and looking to immerse yourself in the city’s rich cultural heritage? The City of Light is home to some of the most iconic and diverse museums, churches and architectural marvels in the world. From classic art collections to modern exhibits, Paris offers a museum experience for every interest. Whether you’re an art enthusiast, history buff, or curious traveler, our guide will help you navigate through the best sights that Paris has to offer. Discover must-visit concert halls, unique gardens, and hidden gems that will make your Parisian adventure unforgettable.

Louvre Museum

The Louvre Museum is one of the largest and most prestigious museums globally, home to masterpieces such as the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and Winged Victory. Its vast collection spans diverse cultures and historical periods, making it a treasure trove for art lovers. The museum is open on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and on Friday from 9:00 AM to 9:45 PM. 

Admission fee starts at $43.07 per adult. Located at 99 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France, it is easily accessible from the Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre Metro station (3 minutes’ walk) and the Louvre-Rivoli station (5 minutes’ walk). Nearby dining options include Granite, Casa Festa, and Restaurant Mumi. 

Other attractions in the area include the fountains featured outside the museum and the Seine River.

Musée Marmottan Monet

Located in a 19th-century mansion, the Musée Marmottan Monet boasts the world’s largest collection of works by Claude Monet and Berthe Morisot, second only to the Musée d’Orsay in its Impressionist offerings. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM and Thursday until 9:00 PM, tickets start at $22.09. Situated at 2 Rue Louis Boilly in the 16th Arrondissement, it's a short walk from the Ranelagh Metro station. Nearby restaurants include Chez Tony, Quarante & Un, and Le Bois. Attractions within six miles include the Jardin du Ranelagh gardens, and Statue de Cain.

Musée d’Orsay

Housed in a former railway station, the Musée d’Orsay boasts an extensive collection of Impressionist and post-Impressionist art. Its architectural beauty is matched by the artworks within, including pieces by Monet, Van Gogh, and Degas. The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM, and on Thursday from 9:30 AM to 9:45 PM. 

Admission tickets are available from $16.57 per adult. Located at 1 Rue De La Légion d’Honneur, 75007 Paris, France, it is just a short walk from Musée d’Orsay (2 minutes) and the Solférino Metro station (5 minutes). 

Nearby restaurants include Akabeko Restaurant, La Bonne Excuse, and Les Antiquaires. Attractions close by include the Musée de la Légion d’honneur, the Statue La Victoire, and the Statue La Force de la Volonté.

Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris

The Notre Dame Cathedral is a masterpiece of French Gothic architecture, built in the 12th century. It was the inspiration for Victor Hugo's classic novel, The Hunchback of Notre-Dame. Tourists will appreciate its grand exterior, intricate statues, and stunning stained glass windows. Entry into the cathedral is free, but tickets are required to climb the towers. 

Located at 6 Parvis Notre-Dame Place Jean-Paul II, it is a 4-minute walk from the St-Michel – Notre-Dame Metro station. Nearby restaurants include Oriental Bowl – Bar à couscous, Ya Bayté, and Restaurant L’INITIAL. Attractions in the vicinity include the Archeological Crypt of the Parvis of Notre-Dame and the Square Jean XXIII park.

Luxembourg Gardens

The Luxembourg Gardens, with its 55 acres of beautifully manicured lawns and flower beds, is a peaceful haven in Paris. Overlooked by the grand Luxembourg Palace, it's perfect for leisurely strolls, picnics, and family outings. Enjoy the pétanque court and chess areas for a quintessentially Parisian experience. The gardens are open daily from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM. 

Admission to the gardens is free. Located on the Rue de Médicis Rue de Vaugirard, it is a 3-minute walk from the Luxembourg Metro station. Nearby restaurants include Karavaki Au Jardin Du Luxembourg, Les Papilles, and Le Perraudin. Other attractions within the area include the annual Paris Techno Parade and the La Femme aux Pommes statue.

Arc de Triomphe

The Arc de Triomphe, commissioned by Napoleon I in 1806, honors the victories of his Grande Armée. Inspired by ancient arches, this monument is symbolic and commemorative, playing a vital role in France's national identity. Every evening, the flame on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from the Great War is lit. Visitors can explore an exhibition on its history and symbolism and enjoy superb city views from the terrace. Open daily from 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM, admission starts at $24.30. Located at Place Charles de Gaulle, it's a minute walk from the Charles de Gaulle – Étoile Metro station.

Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre

The Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre is a stunning 19th-century basilica built by the French government following the Franco-Prussian War. Open daily from 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM, it features a large medieval dome offering excellent views of Paris. Located at 35 Rue du Chevalier-De-La-Barre, 75018 Paris, it’s easily accessible with a 6-minute walk from the Abbesses or Anvers station. Nearby restaurants include L’Atelier Ramey, and La Bonne Franquette. Local attractions within 6 miles include the Montmartre neighborhood and the Equestrian Statue Of Joan Of Arc.

Musée des Arts Forains

The Musée des Arts Forains, housed in 19th-century wine warehouses designed by a Gustave Eiffel apprentice, boasts one of the largest collections of fairground art. Visitors can explore four unique venues: Théâtre du Merveilleux, Salons Vénitiens, Théâtre de Verdure, and the Musée des Arts Forains. Each venue features themes like Venetian carnivals and Belle Epoque funfairs. Open daily from 11:00 AM to 4:30 PM, visits are by appointment, allowing guests to enjoy carousels and automaton shows in an interactive tour. Located at 53 Avenue des Terroirs de France, 75012 Paris, it's a short walk from the Cour Saint-Émilion Metro station.

Palais Garnier

The Palais Garnier, an opulent 19th-century opera house, is renowned for its stunning interiors and the stellar performances by the Paris Opera Ballet. Open 24 hours daily, it offers a captivating visit for 1-2 hours, with admission starting at $16.26. Located at Place de l'Opéra, at the corner of Scribe and Auber streets in the 9th Arrondissement, it's easily accessible from Opéra and Auber metro stations. Nearby restaurants include Frog Hop House and Midi 12. Attractions within 6 miles include Devialet Opéra, Le Buste de Charles Garnier, and Bibliothèque-musée de l’Opéra.

Montmartre is a charming artists' enclave in Paris, brimming with quirky cafes and shops. Enjoy stunning views from the Sacré-Cœur, watch artists at work at Place du Tertre, and visit the Wall of Love where “I love you” is written in hundreds of languages. Don't miss the famous Moulin Rouge show or Paris' oldest vineyard. Visit early for fewer crowds and wear comfortable shoes for the hilly cobblestone streets. The white Little Train of Montmartre is free with the Paris Pass. Located in the 18th Arrondissement, it's a short walk from Abbesses and Lamarck – Caulaincourt Metro stations. Nearby restaurants include Alix et Mika, La Bonne Franquette, and Signature Montmartre. Nearby attractions include Picasso’s First Studio, and the Dalí Museum Paris.

Musée Rodin

Housed in the elegant 18th-century Hotel Biron, Musée Rodin showcases an impressive collection of works by renowned French sculptor Auguste Rodin and his circle, including Camille Claudel. The museum features beautifully curated indoor galleries, an exquisite garden, and a temporary exhibition hall. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 6:30 PM, tickets start at $22.09. Located at 77 Rue de Varenne, 75007 Paris, near the Bois de Boulogne, it's a short walk from the Varenne and Saint-François-Xavier Metro stations. Nearby restaurants include Auguste, Le Florimond, and L’Arpege.

Pont Alexandre III

Pont Alexandre III, a deck arch bridge spanning the Seine in Paris, connects the Champs-Élysées quarter with Les Invalides and the Eiffel Tower. Widely regarded as the city’s most ornate and extravagant bridge, it offers sweeping views of Paris. Laid by Tsar Nicholas II of Russia between 1896 and 1900, the bridge is a marvel of elegance. Nearby dining options include restaurants like Alleno Paris, Au Petit Tonneau, and Tomy & Co.

Musée de l'Orangerie

The Musée de l'Orangerie, located in the Tuileries Gardens, is renowned for its dedicated display of Monet’s Water Lilies. This gallery also houses a wide collection of impressionist and post-impressionist works. Open Monday and Wednesday to Sunday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with admission starting at $20.98. The museum is situated at Jardin des Tuileries – Cote Seine, Place de la Concorde, 75001 Paris, near the Concorde and Musée d’Orsay metro stations. Nearby restaurants include Flottes, Le Soufflé, and Happy Caffe. Attractions in the area include the Jardin des Combattants de la Nueve, Obélisque de Louxor, and Statue de Marseille.

Le Marais is one of the most charming neighborhoods in Paris, known for its unique boutiques and stylish art galleries. This vibrant area is home to a lively LGBTQIA+ community and has a rich Jewish heritage, with winding streets lined with historic medieval architecture. For nightlife, visit one of the many bars or clubs. Explore the area through a walking tour to uncover fascinating sights or a food tour to enjoy its culinary delights. Nearby restaurants include Bistrot Instinct, Comptoir Gourmet, and TATA Burger.

Sainte-Chapelle

Sainte-Chapelle, a royal chapel built in the 13th century by Louis IX, is renowned for its exceptional stained-glass windows. Open daily from 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM, tickets start at $22.09. Located at 8 Boulevard du Palais, 75001 Paris, it's near the Cité and Saint-Michel – Notre-Dame Metro stations. Nearby restaurants include Oriental Bowl, Ze Kitchen Galerie, and Grains Nobles et Plus.

Champs-Élysées

The Champs-Élysées is a cultural hotspot, boasting cinemas, theatres, and exhibition venues. Theatre lovers can head to the famous Théâtre du Rond-Point, Théâtre Marigny, Espace Pierre Cardin, or Théâtre des Champs-Elysées. Open 24 hours, the avenue's shops operate from 10 AM to 8 PM. Located at Avenue des Champs Elysees, 75008 Paris, it's near the George V and Charles de Gaulle – Étoile Metro stations. The area is characterized by grand embassies, impressive offices, and haute-couture boutiques. Nearby restaurants include Bustronome Paris, Figuig, and Le Maxan Restaurant. Attractions include Arc de Triomphe, La Tombe du Soldat Inconnu, and Maison du Danemark.

Jardin des Tuileries

The Tuileries Garden, nestled within the historic Place de la Concorde, is a testament to French history and intricate Parisian landscaping. During the 1789 uprising, Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette sought refuge here after being taken from Versailles. Open daily from 7:00 AM to 9:30 PM, entry is free year-round. The garden offers 2-3 hours of serene strolls amidst beautiful flower beds and statues. Located at Pl. de la Concorde, 75001 Paris, it’s a short walk from Tuileries and Musée d’Orsay. Nearby dining includes Happy Caffe, Flottes, and Le Soufflé. Attractions like La Statue de Medee, Grand Bassin Rond, and Maillol au Jardin des Tuileries are within 6 miles.

Place des Vosges

The Place des Vosges, one of the oldest and most beautiful squares in Paris, is open daily from 12:00 AM to 11:59 PM. Visitors can stroll under the arches or along the paths of the meticulously manicured central garden, admiring the red brick facades of the 17th-century townhouses. Shops open on Sundays add to the lively atmosphere. Located in the 4th Arrondissement’s Le Marais neighborhood, it's a 4-minute walk from the Chemin Vert station and a 5-minute walk from the Saint-Paul station. Nearby restaurants include B.Better, Bistro Chez Pradel, and Restaurant H. Attractions within 6 miles include Statue de Louis XIII, Fontaines de la Place des Vosges, and Galerie de Medicis.

Quartier Latin

The Quartier Latin, located on the Left Bank, is a historic neighborhood renowned for its vibrant and authentic Parisian atmosphere. It earned its name because university students here spoke Latin until the French Revolution. Open 24 hours, it offers free admission and endless exploration. This neighborhood, in the 5th Arrondissement, is easily accessible via the Cluny – La Sorbonne station (2 min walk) and Saint-Michel station (3 min walk). Visitors can enjoy nearby restaurants such as Oriental Bowl, Maison Cluny, and Selva. Attractions within 6 miles include the Musee De Cluny, Eglise Saint-Séverin, and La Sorbonne.

Musée de l'Armée des Invalides

Located in the prestigious Hôtel national des Invalides, Musée de l'Armée houses one of the world’s largest military history collections. Founded by Louis XIV for veterans, the museum now displays over 500,000 artifacts from the Middle Ages to present. Open daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, tickets start at $16.26. Located at 129 rue de Grenelle, 75007 Paris, it's near Varenne and La Tour-Maubourg. Nearby restaurants include Le Florimond, Davoli, and Zia. Nearby attractions include Le Dôme des Invalides, Musée Rodin, and 7ème Arrondissement.

Final Thoughts

Exploring the best sights in Paris should be more than just a visit-it’s a journey into the heart of the city's rich cultural and historical heritage. From the timeless masterpieces at the Louvre to the modern elegance of the Musée d’Orsay, each location offers unique insights and captivating exhibits.

As you plan your next cultural adventure, be sure to consider essential travel tips to make the most of your museum visits. Looking for ways to enhance your experience? Check out our top travel hacks for budget-friendly and efficient strategies. And if you’re still seeking inspiration, explore our additional travel destination recommendations for even more exciting places to visit in Paris.

The post Discover Paris: 20 Iconic Sights You Can’t Miss appeared first on Travel Reveal .

10 Things You Have To Experience On A First Trip To Paris

by Mark and Kristen Morgan

Published: August 5, 2024

UPDATED: August 8, 2024

Paris is one of our favorite capital cities in the world. It’s filled with famous attractions, iconic museums, stunning architecture, a lively atmosphere, delicious food and diverse arrondissements. But what attractions and activities should you prioritize when you visit Paris for the very first time?

In this guide we show you 10 unmissable things to do on a first visit to Paris, based on our own extensive experience in the City of Lights.

Our Experience

We first visited Paris back in 2018 during our 18 month honeymoon around the world, and we’ve visited many times since then. Some of our family members live in northern France, so Paris has become one of our regular haunts because it’s where we always connect through. But even though we’ve visited on several occasions, we never fail to fill our days with fun activities. If you’re a serious planner like us, take a look at our popular Paris travel guidebook which covers everything you need for a first visit.

Over the years we’ve seen most of the top highlights in Paris and we truly believe the city offers unique experiences you won’t find anywhere else in the world. So we created our own version of what we think are the must-see attractions on a first trip to Paris. These are the landmarks, museums and activities we’d prioritize if we were to visit for the first time again. Read more about us .

1. Climb The Eiffel Tower

One of the most popular things to do in Paris is visit the Eiffel Tower and it really is something you simply can’t miss. Completed in 1889, this world famous structure was originally meant to be a temporary piece for the World’s Fair. It was heavily protested during construction, but it has since turned into one of the most recognizable landmarks on the planet. So it’s only fitting that most first time visitors to Paris head straight for la tour Eiffel.

We’ve climbed the Eiffel Tower twice and explored all 3 floors. Most people opt for the elevator straight up to the top floor, but we like to take the stairs to the second floor then ride the elevator the remaining way. Naturally, the Eiffel Tower is one of the busiest attractions in Paris, so we recommend you book your tickets online before you arrive in the city. Without tickets, you may end up waiting in a long line.

When buying tickets you’ll select the date, level and visit time. Here’s the official website , or you can also buy one of the following entrance tickets with guided tours included in the price if you want to learn about its history:

• Get Your Guide
• Tiqets (use WATM10NOW for 10% off)

READ : How to visit the Eiffel Tower

Travel Tip : Our favorite place to take a photo of the Eiffel Tower is from the Place du Trocadero. This popular photo spot will give you a great front on view of the tower from a distance, but it’s also known for pickpockets so always watch your belongings.

2. Explore The Louvre

The Louvre is the most visited museum in the world and it’s on almost everyone’s Paris bucket list. Whether you’re interested in art or not, you should plan to visit the Louvre simply because it’s home to some of the most iconic masterpieces on the planet. We’ve visited twice and we still haven’t seen it all, so trust us when we say you’ll need a good few hours inside. It’s enormous.

Once a former palace for kings, the Louvre contains over 30,000 works of art spanning Greek sculpture, Egyptian artifacts plus numerous French and Italian paintings. There are 3 main areas including the Denon, Richelieu and Sully wings which showcase different artworks spread across various floors. The Denon wing is the most popular because it’s home to the Mona Lisa and the Winged Victory of Samothrace.

Last time we visited in November with a timed entry ticket for 9:00am, we had to wait for over 30 minutes just to get through security. If you want to avoid the crowds, we recommend visiting in the afternoon. The Louvre is open from 9:00am-6:00pm daily, but it’s open until 9:45pm on Fridays. We highly recommend you read our guide below if you want to visit the Louvre because it explains everything you need to know about visiting for the first time.

READ : Tips for visiting the Louvre in Paris

3. Day Trip To The Palace Of Versailles

The town of Versailles is located about 12 miles (20 km) southwest of Paris and it’s one of the most popular day trip options for first time visitors. It actually took us a few visits to Paris before we finally made it to Versailles because it’s such a time commitment. But now that we’ve walked around the palace and grounds, we definitely think it’s worth using up a half day on your itinerary.

Just like the Eiffel Tower and Louvre, you can expect to the Palace of Versailles to be exceptionally busy. For reference, we’d say Versailles is comparable with the Vatican Museum in Italy in terms of crowds. So, you need to book a timed entry ticket in advance to visit Versailles. Here’s the official website . Even on a rainy day in November, we had to queue for over 30 minutes after our time slot was called out. Those without a pre-booked time slot had to wait much longer.

We took to the RER train on line C to get from Paris to Versailles. It’s about a 30 minute ride with a 15 minute walk from the station to the palace and then the same back to Paris. If you don’t want to navigate on your own, you can book various tours with transportation included. Here are some popular options:

READ : What to see at the Palace of Versailles

4. Take A Seine River Cruise

Enjoying a casual stroll along the banks of the River Seine with a tasty French baguette and a coffee is one of our favorite things to do in Paris. But cruising on the Seine is a great way to see Paris from a unique vantage point. During a cruise, you’ll pass by the Louvre, Conciergerie, Notre-Dame, Eiffel Tower and bridges such as the Pont Alexandre III. The river cruises are popular because they’re affordable, scenic and relaxing. We’ve done it twice and we’ll likely do it again next time we’re in Paris.

There are several companies offering one hour cruises along the Seine, and so far we’ve taken cruises with two different companies. Bateaux-Mouches was a large open-top, double-decker boat with free narration. We liked this company because we could freely move around on the top deck and take photos with no windows, but it was packed with tour groups. Bateaux Parisiens was a smaller boat with fewer tour groups, but sometimes they only have one deck rather than two.

Need help planning your trip to Paris?

Our popular Paris travel guidebook helps you with planning every aspect of your visit, including must-visit attractions and museums, where to eat and stay, itinerary ideas and map!

5. Explore Montmartre

Montmartre (the 18th arrondissement) is a unique, charming and artsy neighborhood in Paris, and we love it. Its focal point is the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, which sits atop the natural highest point in Paris and has far reaching city views. We decided to stay in Montmartre for a few nights and we really enjoyed exploring the area. It’s filled with steep and winding cobble stone streets, and it has great restaurants and cafes.

Most visitors go to Montmartre to see the Sacré-Cœur Basilica or to watch a show at Moulin Rouge. Over the years the neighborhood has become more touristy and expensive, but there are still some lovely hidden gems once you got off the main streets and away from the main square called Place du Tertre. Here’s what you should see in Montmartre:

• Sacré-Cœur Basilica – Entrance is free, but its 8,00€ to climb the dome
• Moulin Rouge – Birthplace of the can-can dance and Europe’s first cabaret shows
• La Maison Rose – Picturesque pink restaurant occasionally visited by Picasso
• Musee de Montmartre – A museum filled with works about Montmartre
• Place du Tertre – Lively square with artists selling their work
• Bouillon Pigalle – Extremely popular restaurant that always has a long line
• La Mascotte Montmartre – Popular 1889 art nouveau brasserie serving seafood
• Caves des Abbesses   – A very popular wine bar

Travel Tip : If you want to go for a meal in Montmartre, don’t eat in the touristy areas. While these restaurants look nice, they are a tourist trap. We highly recommend getting off the main streets and watching where the locals go. We enjoyed Le St. Graal  (burgers and beer) and Autour du Moulin (traditional French spot).

6. Visit The Musée d’Orsay

After the Louvre, the next most popular museum to visit in Paris is the Musée d’Orsay . And we personally think it’s one of the best places to visit in Paris because it showcases Europe’s largest collection of Impressionist and post-Impressionist art through paintings, sculpture, and decorative objects. Similarly to the Eiffel Tower, the Orsay train station was inaugurated in 1900 specifically for the World Fair, but today it houses the Musée d’Orsay.

We like the Musée d’Orsay because it begins at the exact time period where the Louvre ends, featuring artists like Monet, Manet, Degas, Renoir, Van Gough, Seurat, Toulouse-Lautec and Cézanne. So you’ll cover a lot of ground by visiting just the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay, which is why we always recommend these two over all the others.

The Musée d’Orsay spans 5 impressive floors and is centered around a beautiful clock originally used in the old train station. We like the layout of the museum and it’s less overwhelming than the Louvre. Many of our favorite pieces are located on the 5th floor so don’t forget to go all the way up to the top. Finally, you can eat in a beautiful restaurant surrounded by French Frescos or grab a quick treat from one of the smaller cafes.

Travel Tip : Head to the 5th floor and look for an enormous clock face near the gift shop in the back of the museum. On a clear day, you can see the Sacré-Cœur Basilica in the distance.

7. Climb The Arc de Triomphe

Exploring the base of the famous Arc de Triomphe is completely free, but it costs 16,00€ per person to climb up and enjoy views over Paris. Don’t worry if you don’t climb to the top because there’s plenty to see on the ground floor, like the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and intricate carvings of battles found all around the exterior of the arch. It’s still worth seeing if you don’t pay to climb up, and afterwards you should walk down the Champs-Élysées to tick off another bucket list attraction in Paris.

We used our Paris Museum Pass to climb the 284 steps to the terrace at the top. It was a bit of a lung buster and we didn’t know what to expect, but we were pleasantly surprised. First, we climbed 202 steps to the attic room which highlights important information about the monument. Then we climbed another 82 steps to the terrace which ended with extensive 360 degree views over the Champs-Élysées, the unique 12-lane traffic pattern surrounding the famous arch, and all of Paris.

If you want to learn more, you can book a guided tour for 23,50€ on the official website .

Travel Tip : Do not cross traffic to visit the Arc de Triomphe. Look for an underground tunnel on the Avenue de la Grande Armee which connects directly to the base of the landmark.

8. Admire Notre-Dame de Paris

The Notre-Dame de Paris is a medieval Catholic cathedral located on the Île de la Cité and it’s another iconic landmark you shouldn’t miss the first time you visit Paris. It’s a stunning example of Gothic architecture from the Middle Ages with beautiful stained glass windows, an ornate flying buttress and gargoyles surrounding the entire perimeter. Mark prefers the York Minster in England, but it’s where he grew up so he’s biased!

Sadly, Notre Dame caught fire in April 2019 and had to be carefully reconstructed over several years but it’s reopen for visitors as of the end of 2024. Tickets are not required to enter the cathedral, but guided tours are required to access any other areas. There’s always very long lines to get inside Notre Dame, so plan your time accordingly if you want to go inside.

You can also take an outdoor walking guided tour or visit the Archaeological Crypt underneath the building. We visited the Archaeological Crypt and we found it to be well worth a quick hour of our time. It’s a small but interesting museum showing the foundations of buildings constructed between the Gallo-Roman era and the 18th century.

9. Indulge In The Paris Café Culture

What is a first trip to Paris without immersing yourself into the typical Parisian culture? You’ll find endless cafes, restaurants and bars with tables and chairs spilling out into almost every street. One of our favorite things to do in Paris is to simply grab a seat in a cosy looking café, have a slow lunch with a glass of wine, enjoy with a crepe for dessert and watch the world go by. In Paris, meals are meant to be leisurely and social affairs, so don’t rush.

A huge proportion of eateries, especially those with prime real estate on street corners will serve up traditional French fare. Some offer non-stop service from morning until night, whereas some upscale options will close for a few hours between lunch and dinner. Always check the hours of operation before visiting any restaurant. And in peak months you should reserve a table when possible.

Here are some of the most iconic places to eat in Paris :

• Café Procope – Oldest and most established café dating back to 1686
• Au Pied de Cochon – Open 24 hours a day
• Les Deux Magots – Opened in 1885, its been a favorite famous artists and writers
• Bofinger – One of the most magnificent brasseries in Paris
• La Poule au Pot – A brasserie with 2 Michelin stars
• Le Train Bleu – Lavish spot inside Gare de Lyon train station

Travel Tip : One of the bad things about sitting in a Parisian café is the cigarette smoke. If you’re a non-smoker like us, this is the one thing we just can’t get on board with. If you want to avoid most of the smoke, pick a seat inside because all of the smokers will sit outside on the patio.

10. Take A Wine Tasting Or Pastry Making Class

The French are known for their wine and pastries, so Paris is naturally one of the best places to learn about these delicious delights. We’ve taken both a wine tasting class and a macaroon making class in Paris and we can highly recommend both. There are lots of companies offering similar tours, so it’s best to read the detailed descriptions and the reviews. Here are the classes we took:

1 – Wine tasting class at Les Caves du Louvre . This was an exceptional tour through a wine cellar that was formally used by the royal family. We took the guided tour with premium tasting and our sommelier was exceptional. After it finished, we walked away amazed at how much we learned and it was really cool to see historic cellar. You can book it here .

2 – Macaroon making class at Galeries Lafayette . This was another fantastic tour on which we learned how to make 2 different types of macaroons, the classic French pastry. It’s a lot harder than it looks and it has a steep learning curve! But we learned how to create the shells and make the ganache. You can book it here .

For more options, check out these highly rated tours:

If You Have More Time

There are so many more fun things you can do in Paris that we haven’t discussed in this guide. The things we have covered are what we recommend you prioritize on a first visit. But if you have more time available, here are the attractions, museums and landmarks you can add to your Paris itinerary:

• Sainte-Chapelle – Stunning gothic style chapel famous for its stained-glass windows
• Cluny Museum – Middle ages art museum inside an old Roman bath house
• Conciergerie – Former courthouse and prison where Marie-Antoinette was housed
• Jardin du Luxembourg – 60 acre green space with popular pond known for sailboats
• Palais Garnier – Stunning 1,979-seat opera house
• Musée Rodin – Sculpture museum showcasing the work of Auguste Rodin
• Mansion of Victor Hugo – The house of Victor Hugo from 1832 to 1848
• Tuileries Garden – Public green space located between the Louvre and Place de la Concord
• Musée de l’Orangerie – Impressionist and post-impressionist paintings near the Tuileries Garden
• Hôtel des Invalides – Army museum with tomb of Napoleon I
• Paris Catacombs – Underground ossuaries holding the remains of 6 million people
• Panthéon – The final resting place of many prominent French citizens
• Montparnasse Tower – A 59-story skyscraper with sweeping city views
• Centre Pompidou – Various multi-media exhibits with childrens play center

Travel Tip : If you want to visit Sainte-Chapelle, we highly recommend you book a time slot or you may be waiting in a very long line. This happened to us during our last visit because we didn’t have a timed entry ticket.

Interactive Paris Map

Click or touch the map below to active. Zoom in and out, move around and find the locations of the top attractions in Paris.

• Red – Our top recommendations
• Purple – Restaurants
• Yellow – Things to do with more time

You can also open up the full map here for a better and larger view.

Our Paris Photos

We always take so many photos when we visit Paris! Here are just a few more of our favorites to get you even more excited for your trip:

The Morgan Conclusion

What we like : Paris is an incredible city filled with famous landmarks, museums and attractions which is one of the reasons we like it so much. Even after multiple visits, we always discover something new. We also love the food scene in Paris because you can find just about anything you want. Coming from the US, you can eat extremely well for a fraction of the cost because you won’t pay much tax and there is no tip required as wait staff are paid a livable wage.

What we don’t like : Not everyone loves Paris and in truth, it took us a few visits to fall in love with the city too. If you’re visiting for the first time, it can be really overwhelming. We also don’t like the smoking culture as non-smokers and last time we visited, Kristen was pregnant so it wasn’t fun dodging cigarette smoke all over town. It’s also important to note hotels are very expensive and most don’t have air conditioning, so if you visit in summer it can be extremely warm.

Is Paris worth visiting?  Yes, Paris is definitely worth visiting. It’s known as one of the most romantic places on Earth for a reason. There are so many amazing things to do for visitors of all ages, including some of the most prestigious museums in the world. We highly recommend you visit Paris at least once in your lifetime.

More Paris Guides

• The best way to spend a few days in Paris
• Are any of the Paris Passes worth it?
• Tips for climbing the Eiffel Tower
• How to visit the Palace of Versailles
• What to know for visiting the Louvre

Want more France content? Head over to our France Travel Guides to explore Paris and beyond.

We hope our guide featuring the best things to do in Paris helps you plan amazing trip!

Please let us know if you have any questions about visiting Paris in the comments below.

Happy Travels ,

Mark and Kristen

Enjoy this Paris attraction guide? Pin it for later!

Note : This article contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

All Rights Reserved © Where Are Those Morgans, LLC. Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (text, photography, maps, graphics, etc.) in whole or in part is strictly prohibited.

Mark and Kristen Morgan are travel, hiking and photography experts. Over the last 6 years traveling full time, they have explored more than 40 countries and 30 US states.

Where Are Those Morgans has been featured in USA Today, Gestalten, Get Your Guide, CityPASS and Condé Nast Traveler along with various other publications. Read more about us .

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest in travel straight to your inbox

Click here to subscribe

• Car Rentals
• Airport Transfers
• Attractions & Tours
• Flight + Hotel
• Destinations
• Trip.com Rewards

Top 20 Best Things to Do in Paris 2024: Paris Travel Guide

August 8, 2024

Check the best things to do in Paris. Find out about Paris top attractions, the best food, hotels, transportation, and everything you need to know for your Paris trip.

Paris Basic Info for Tourists

Paris is a city full of best things to do like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, and Notre-Dame Cathedral. Paris is called the City of Light, the Fashion Capital of the World, and the City of Art. It is home to prestigious fashion houses like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Dior. Paris is also famous for its food. You can enjoy fresh baguettes, croissants, and pastries from local bakeries.

Some fun facts about Paris🤣

• The French army still uses carrier pigeons, kept at Mont Valérien near Paris, for emergencies. 🐦
• The “bisou” or Parisian kiss involves a kiss on both cheeks, starting from the left, and is a common greeting in the city. 💋
• The Eiffel Tower can be up to 15 cm taller in summer due to thermal expansion. 🌞
• Paris is called "La Ville Lumière" (City of Light) because it was one of the first cities to install street lighting. 💡

Best Time to Visit Paris and What to Wear

The best time to visit Paris is during the spring (March to May) and fall (September to November). These periods offer mild weather and fewer tourists compared to the peak summer months. However, summer (June to August) and winter (December to February) in Paris also have their special best things to do and can be enjoyable depending on your interests.

• Spring (April to June): Pleasant weather (15°C to 20°C);
• Autumn (September to November): Mild temperatures (10°C to 17°C), fewer tourists;
• Winter (December to February): Cold but festive (3°C to 7°C)​

Check the table below to decide your best times to visit Paris: 👀

Get connected in France

More about Global eSIM

How to get to paris: flight & train deals.

To get to Paris from the USA, Singapore, Australia, the UK, and other European countries, the fastest and most efficient way is to take a direct flight to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) or Orly Airport (ORY) from major cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Singapore, Sydney, Melbourne, and London. You can find great flight deals on Trip.com .

Pls find Cheap Flight Deals to Paris below 👇👇🎁

For European tourists, you can use Europe high-speed trains to reach Paris Gare du Nord or Gare de Lyon. For train travel within Europe, Trip.com offers an exclusive 3% off coupon for additional savings. Likewise, from the UK, you can take the Eurostar train from London St. Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord.

🔥Exclusive Europe Train Coupon: Get 3% OFF Now!

Book European train tickets as a new user on Trip.com App and enjoy a special 3% Off 🎁! Use our exclusive coupon to save big on your first trip in Europe!!👀

Paris Transportation Guide

Source from silvias-trips

How to Get Around Paris

Paris has a well-integrated public transportation system including the Metro, RER trains, buses, trams, and taxis, making it easy to get around Paris and its suburbs.

• Metro The Paris Metro consists of 16 lines and operates from 5:30 AM to 1:15 AM, extending to 2:15 AM on weekends. A single ride costs €2.10 ($2.30), with discounts available for bundles of 10 tickets. Travel durations range from 2 to 30 minutes depending on the route, with trains arriving every 2-5 minutes. The Metro is fast and covers most of Paris, though it can be crowded during peak hours.
• RER (Regional Express Network) The RER network includes five lines (A, B, C, D, E) that connect Paris with distant suburbs and key locations like Charles de Gaulle Airport, Orly Airport, and Disneyland Paris. Operating from 5:30 AM to 1:20 AM, ticket prices range from €2.10 to €12.10 ($2.30 - $13.50) based on distance. RER trains are faster and reach further outlying areas but have fewer stops in central Paris.
• Buses Buses provide extensive coverage within Paris and its suburbs, operating from 5:30 AM to 12:30 AM, with some night buses available. A single ride costs €2.10 ($2.30). Travel times vary based on route and traffic, with buses arriving every 5-15 minutes. Buses offer scenic routes but are slower due to traffic​.
• Trams Paris has 10 tram lines that primarily operate around the city's periphery. They run from 5:30 AM to 12:30 AM, with a fare of €2.10 ($2.30) per ride. Trams are modern and less crowded but have limited coverage in the city center​.
• Taxis Taxis are available 24 hours a day throughout Paris. The base fare is €7.10 ($7.90), with an additional charge of €1.07 per km ($1.20). Travel times depend on traffic conditions. Taxis offer convenient door-to-door service but are more expensive and can be delayed by traffic​.
• Funicular (Montmartre) The Montmartre funicular provides a quick and scenic route up Montmartre hill to the Sacré-Cœur Basilica. It operates from 6:00 AM to 12:45 AM, with a fare of €2.10 ($2.30). The journey takes about 2 minutes, with funiculars arriving every 5-10 minutes​.
• Rent a car with Trip.com and enjoy 12% off on your booking! Planning to explore Paris and its surroundings? Choose from a variety of models to suit your needs:

Paris Airport Transportation

From Paris airports (Charles de Gaulle and Orly) to downtown Paris, multiple transportation options are available.

Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)

• RER B : Direct train to central Paris. Operates from 4:50 AM to 11:50 PM. One-way ticket costs €11.45 ($12.80), with a travel time of about 35 minutes.
• Roissybus : Direct bus service to Opéra. Runs from 5:15 AM to 12:30 AM. Ticket price is €12 ($13.40), with a travel time of about 60 minutes.
• Taxis : Available 24/7. Flat fare to central Paris is €53 ($59) from Terminal 1 and 2, and €58 ($65) from Terminal 3. Travel time is about 45-60 minutes depending on traffic.

Orly Airport (ORY)

• Orlyval + RER B : Automated shuttle to Antony, then RER B to Paris. Operates from 6:00 AM to 11:35 PM. Combined ticket costs €12.10 ($13.50), with a travel time of about 35 minutes.
• Orlybus : Direct bus to Denfert-Rochereau. Runs from 5:35 AM to 12:30 AM. Ticket price is €9.50 ($10.60), with a travel time of about 30 minutes.
• Taxis : Available 24/7. Flat fare to central Paris is €37 ($41) to the Left Bank and €32 ($36) to the Right Bank. Travel time is about 30-40 minutes depending on traffic​.

What are the Main Attractions in Paris

Paris is home to many best things to do like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, and Notre-Dame Cathedral.

You can stroll along the Seine River, visit the artistic Montmartre district, and enjoy the peaceful Tuileries and Luxembourg Gardens. Each corner of Paris has its own unique charm and story to tell.

Here is a guide to some of the must-visit sites in Paris 💗

Check out the details about these attractions below. 👇👇👇

Top 20 Best Things to Do in Paris

Things to do in Paris #1: Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile

The Arc de Triomphe is one of Paris's most iconic monuments, standing at the western end of the Champs-Élysées. Built to honor those who fought and died for France during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, the arch features the names of all French victories and generals inscribed on its inner and outer surfaces. Visitors can climb to the top for a stunning panoramic view of Paris.

*Opening hours may differ. Please confirm the opening hours for specific days.

Things to do in Paris #2: Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is the most recognizable landmark in Paris and one of the most famous structures in the world. Visitors can take an elevator or climb the stairs to the top for an unparalleled view of the city. The tower is also beautifully illuminated at night, making it a must-visit at any time of the day in Paris.

Things to do in Paris #3: Louvre Museum

The Louvre Museum is the world's largest art museum and a historic monument in Paris. It is home to thousands of works of art, including the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. The museum's vast collection spans from ancient civilizations to the 19th century, offering a rich cultural experience.

Things to do in Paris #4: Seine River

The Seine River flows through the heart of Paris, offering beautiful views of the city’s landmarks. Visitors can enjoy a leisurely cruise along the river to see sights such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Louvre Museum. Many cruises offer dinner and live music for a memorable experience.

Things to do in Paris #5: Palais Garnier

The Palais Garnier is a stunning opera house and a masterpiece of 19th-century theater architecture. Visitors can tour the grand foyer, the chandeliered auditorium, and the museum of the Opera House. The Palais Garnier is also home to the Paris Opera Ballet.

Things to do in Paris #6: Avenue des Champs-Élysées

The Avenue des Champs-Élysées is one of the most famous avenues in the world, known for its theaters, cafes, and luxury shops. The avenue stretches for 1.9 kilometers from the Arc de Triomphe to Place de la Concorde and is the site of many significant events and celebrations.

Things to do in Paris #7: Musée d'Orsay

The Musée d'Orsay is housed in a former railway station and contains the largest collection of Impressionist and post-Impressionist masterpieces in the world. Notable artists include Monet, Van Gogh, Degas, and Renoir. The museum also features sculptures, photography, and decorative arts.

Things to do in Paris #8: Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Paris, located in Chessy, is a world-renowned theme park that brings Disney magic to life with thrilling rides, enchanting shows, and beloved characters. The park is divided into two main areas: Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park. It’s a perfect destination for families and Disney fans.

Things to do in Paris #9: Seine River Cruise

A Seine River Cruise is a fantastic way to see Paris’s landmarks from a unique perspective. Cruises typically pass by the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Louvre Museum. Options include daytime sightseeing cruises, evening dinner cruises, and private tours.

Things to do in Paris #10: The Centre Pompidou

The Centre Pompidou is a contemporary art museum and cultural center known for its unique architecture. The building houses the Musée National d'Art Moderne, Europe's largest museum for modern art, and features works by Picasso, Kandinsky, and Matisse. The center also hosts exhibitions, film screenings, and performances.

Things to do in Paris #21: Rodin Museum

The Rodin Museum, housed in the Hôtel Biron, shows the works of the famous French sculptor Auguste Rodin. The museum has many of Rodin's significant works, including "The Thinker," "The Kiss," and "The Gates of Hell." Visitors can explore both the indoor galleries and the beautiful sculpture garden, which provides a tranquil setting for appreciating Rodin's masterpieces.

Things to do in Paris #12: Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris

Notre-Dame Cathedral is a masterpiece of French Gothic architecture and one of Paris’s most visited monuments. Although it is currently undergoing restoration after the 2019 fire, visitors can still admire its exterior, including the famous gargoyles and the rose windows.

Things to do in Paris #13: Musée de l'Orangerie

The Musée de l'Orangerie is an art gallery in the Tuileries Garden, famous for housing Claude Monet's Water Lilies series. The museum also features works by artists such as Cézanne, Matisse, and Picasso. It offers a serene and intimate setting to appreciate Impressionist and post-Impressionist art.

Things to do in Paris #14: Moulin Rouge

Moulin Rouge is the most famous cabaret in the world, known for its glamorous shows with the can-can dance. The cabaret offers a dinner show experience with fine French cuisine and spectacular performances in a historic setting. It’s a must-see for those wanting to experience Parisian nightlife.

Things to do in Paris #15: The National Residence of the Invalids

The National Residence of the Invalids, also known as Hôtel des Invalides, is a complex of buildings containing museums and monuments related to France's military history. It also houses the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte. The impressive architecture and historical significance make it a notable landmark in Paris.

Things to do in Paris #16: The Basilica of Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre

The Basilica of Sacré-Cœur is a Roman Catholic church located at the summit of the Montmartre hill, offering one of the most beautiful panoramic views of Paris. The basilica’s white domes are a striking feature of the Paris skyline, and the interior is equally impressive with its grand mosaics.

Things to do in Paris #17: Montmartre

Montmartre is a historic and artistic district in Paris, known for its bohemian atmosphere and as a haven for artists such as Picasso and Van Gogh. Visitors can explore the charming streets, visit the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, and enjoy street performances and local cafes. The area is also famous for its vibrant nightlife.

Things to do in Paris #18: Panthéon

The Panthéon is a neoclassical mausoleum in the Latin Quarter of Paris, containing the remains of distinguished French citizens such as Voltaire, Rousseau, and Victor Hugo. The building’s grand dome and interior architecture are impressive, and it offers a fascinating insight into French history and culture.

Things to do in Paris #19: Île de la Cité

Île de la Cité is an island in the Seine River that is home to some of Paris’s most significant landmarks, including Notre-Dame Cathedral and Sainte-Chapelle. It’s one of the oldest parts of the city and offers beautiful architecture, historic sites, and scenic views.

Things to do in Paris #20: Sainte-Chapelle

Sainte-Chapelle is a royal chapel located on Île de la Cité, known for its stunning stained glass windows that depict biblical scenes. The chapel was built in the 13th century to house relics of the Passion of Christ and is considered one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture.

Top 5 Things to Eat in Paris

Paris Food #1: Pierre Gagnaire

Pierre Gagnaire is a renowned restaurant in Paris, celebrated for its avant-garde French cuisine. Chef Pierre Gagnaire combines tradition with innovation, creating dishes like "Langoustine Five Ways" and "Foie Gras Ice Cream." The ambiance is a blend of elegance and modernity, with each plate a work of art. The restaurant has been awarded multiple Michelin stars.

Paris Food #2: Le Gabriel

Le Gabriel offers a luxurious dining experience with French haute cuisine. Located in La Réserve Paris Hotel, it features a neoclassical interior. Chef Jérôme Banctel's specialties include "Pigeon with Black Truffle" and "Blue Lobster with Citrus." The wine list is extensive, and the service is personalized. Le Gabriel has two Michelin stars and is praised for its exquisite dishes.

Paris Food #3: Epicure

Epicure at Le Bristol Paris is a three-Michelin-starred restaurant known for its luxurious setting and exceptional French cuisine. Chef Eric Frechon prepares dishes like "Blue Lobster with Coral Butter" and "Stuffed Macaroni with Black Truffle." The restaurant features an elegant dining room with large windows overlooking the garden. Guests often comment on the impeccable service and the exquisite presentation of the dishes.

Paris Food #4: Le Taillevent

Le Taillevent is a historic Parisian restaurant offering classic French cuisine. Established in 1946, it is known for its elegant setting and timeless dishes like "Turbot with Béarnaise Sauce" and "Roast Pigeon." The wine cellar is legendary, housing over 300,000 bottles. The restaurant’s decor is sophisticated, with wood paneling and fine linens. Guests appreciate the attention to detail and the excellent service.

Paris Food #5: Restaurant Le Meurice Alain Ducasse

Restaurant Le Meurice Alain Ducasse offers a refined dining experience with contemporary French cuisine by Chef Alain Ducasse. Located in the historic Hotel Meurice, the decor blends art deco and classical elements. Signature dishes include "Langoustine with Caviar" and "Guinea Fowl with Truffle."

5 Best hotels in Paris

Check Best Hotels Near Key Attractions in Paris 🏨🏨

Paris Hotels #1: Hotel Splendid

Hotel Splendid is situated in the heart of Paris, offering easy access to popular attractions like the Eiffel Tower and Champs-Élysées. The hotel features elegantly decorated rooms with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and private bathrooms. Guests can enjoy a daily breakfast buffet and relax at the on-site bar. The hotel's central location makes it perfect for exploring Parisian landmarks, shopping, and dining options.

Splendid Hotel Paris

Pets allowed

Check Availability

Paris Hotels #2: Hipark Design Suites Serris-Val d'Europe

Hipark Design Suites Serris-Val d'Europe is located near Disneyland Paris, making it an ideal choice for families. The hotel offers spacious suites with kitchenettes, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs. Guests can enjoy the outdoor pool, fitness center, and sauna. A complimentary shuttle service to Disneyland is available, and the hotel is also close to the Val d'Europe Shopping Center.

Aparthotel Adagio Serris - Val d'Europe

Swimming Pools

Paris Hotels #3: Novotel Suites Paris CDG Airport Villepinte

Novotel Suites Paris CDG Airport Villepinte is conveniently located near Charles de Gaulle Airport, offering modern suites with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and minibars. The hotel features a fitness center, bar, and 24-hour snack shop. A complimentary airport shuttle service is provided, making it ideal for travelers. The hotel is also close to the Villepinte Exhibition Center.

Novotel Suites Paris CDG Airport Villepinte

Airport pickup service

Paris Hotels #4: Golden Hotel Paris

Golden Hotel Paris is located in the 9th arrondissement, close to the Moulin Rouge and Montmartre. This charming hotel offers stylish rooms with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and minibars. Guests can enjoy a continental breakfast served daily. The hotel's central location provides easy access to public transportation, shopping districts, and various Parisian attractions.

Hôtel Veryste Paris

Paris Hotels #5: Best Western Diva Opera Paris

Best Western Diva Opera Paris is nestled in the lively Grands Boulevards area, known for its theaters and vibrant nightlife. The hotel features contemporary rooms with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and tea/coffee making facilities. A daily breakfast buffet is available, and the hotel offers a 24-hour front desk service. Its location is perfect for exploring the nearby Opéra Garnier and Galeries Lafayette.

Hotel Diva Opera

Faqs about paris travel, what shouldn't i miss in paris, how many days should i spend in paris, is there anything fun to do in paris.

• Things to Do in Paris
• 1. Paris Basic Info for Tourists
• 2. Best Time to Visit Paris and What to Wear
• 3. How to Get to Paris: Flight & Train Deals
• 4. Paris Transportation Guide
• 5. What are the Main Attractions in Paris
• 6. Top 20 Best Things to Do in Paris
• 7. Top 5 Things to Eat in Paris
• 8. 5 Best hotels in Paris

<h3>Trending Searches</h3>

Popular Guide

• Japan Travel
• China Travel
• Hong Kong itinerary
• Beijing Itinerary
• Shanghai Itinerary
• Beijing Vacation Packages
• Shanghai Vacation Packages
• Chongqing Vacation Packages
• Haneda Airport to Tokyo
• australia trip cost
• weather in Japan in August
• tokyo disneyland tickets
• China eSIM Compatible Phones
• weather in Japan in November
• china payments app
• China Train Ticket Price
• Customer Support
• Service Guarantee
• More Service Info
• About Trip.com
• Terms & Conditions
• Privacy Statement
• About Trip.com Group

Other Services

• Investor Relations
• Affiliate Program
• List Your Property
• Become a Supplier

Press Herald

Account Subscription: ACTIVE

Questions about your account? Our customer service team can be reached at [email protected] during business hours at (207) 791-6000 .

• Local & State

Maine Lobster Festival, Smashing Pumpkins and actress Kathleen Turner are all here this weekend

You can also enjoy an epic ice cream sandwich and some local hazy IPAs.

You are able to gift 5 more articles this month.

Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. Learn more .

With a Press Herald subscription, you can gift 5 articles each month.

It looks like you do not have any active subscriptions. To get one, go to the subscriptions page .

Loading....

Still from Cat Video Fest. Contributed/Cat Video Fest

Hello, August!

The dog days are summer are here, so let’s celebrate with the Cat Video Fest at Portland Museum of Art and Strand Theatre. Or head to the Maine Lobster Festival in Rockland. Those are just a few of the choices in this week’s events roundup .

Maine Lobster Festival, Wild Blueberry Weekend and Lyle Divinsky

Lily Philbrook, Kathleen Turner and Colin Anderson in the Ogunquit Playhouse production of “A Little Night Music.” Photo by Nile Scott Studios

Actress Kathleen Turner is one of the stars of “A Little Night Music” at Ogunquit Playhouse,  playing through Aug. 17. You’ll recognize her from her many film roles, including “Peggy Sue Got Married,” or maybe as Chandler Bing’s father in “Friends.” Here’s an interview with Turner, who unpacks how she got the role and how the show is going.

Actress Kathleen Turner, now performing in Ogunquit, on being in her first musical

Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins in Memphis, Tennessee in 2022. L Paul Mann/Shutterstock.com

There are still tickets left to see The Beach Boys at Snow Pond Center for the Arts in Sidney on Friday and the Smashing Pumpkins at Maine Savings Amphitheatre on Sunday. We’ve got details on these and dozens of other upcoming concerts .

See The Beach Boys or Smashing Pumpkins in Maine this weekend

Styx. Left to right Todd Sucherman, Lawrence Gowan, Chuck Panozzo, James “JY” Young, Tommy Shaw, Terry Gowan and Will Evankovich. Photo by Jason Powell

Two other notable shows are Jerry Harrison (Talking Heads) with Adrian Belew tonight in Portland and Styx with Foreigner on Saturday in Bangor. Here are interviews with Harrison and Lawrence Gowan from Styx. Tickets are still available for both shows.

Members of Talking Heads, Styx and Foreigner all perform in Maine this week

Twin Tin ice cream sandwich. Photo by Peggy Grodinsky

Sweeten up your weekend with a quintessential summer treat. The Twin Tin Ice Cream Sandwich combines ice cream from Twin Swirls with cookies from neighbor Tin Pan Bakery. Find them at the ice cream shop on Brighton Avenue in Portland.

Twin Tin Ice Cream Sandwich is the taste of summer

Hazy IPAs from Allagash, Fogtown and Rising Tide. Photo by Ben Lisle

Fans of hazy IPAs have reason to celebrate because Allagash has finally come out with its own take on the style. Want more options? Beer writer Ben Lisle also recommends a couple from Fogtown and Rising Tide. Read his tasting notes on all three.

Allagash has finally joined the hazy IPA party, and it was worth the wait

Modify your screen name

Join the Conversation

Please sign into your Press Herald account to participate in conversations below. If you do not have an account, you can register or subscribe . Questions? Please see our FAQs .

Your commenting screen name has been updated.

Send questions/comments to the editors.

Portland police arrest suspect in deadly Morrill’s Corner shooting

Sea glass fanatics scour maine beaches and craft with treasures they find, dozens of new maine laws just took effect. here’s what you need to know., opinion: wisely and over time, yes, in my backyard, hikers face charges for violating trail closure at acadia national park, member log in.

Please enter your username and password below. Already a subscriber but don't have one? Click here .

Not a subscriber? Click here to see your options