must visit near paris

14 Beautiful Towns & Cities Near Paris That Are Worth Visiting

Want to explore some towns and cities near Paris ? From artsy towns and beautiful hamlets to historical and architectural cities, this article has them all.

Paris is not only the capital of France but also the most famous and most visited city in the country too.

The city of love , art, impressive architecture, and elegance, there is so much that makes Paris one of the most beautiful cities in Europe .

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While there are so many things to do in Paris , sometimes you just want to get away from the hustle and bustle of this magnetic city and explore other places.

Whether you want to go on a day trip or a weekend trip from Paris , there are so many charming and cute cities near Paris that will leave you wondering why you haven’t explored them yet.

Right from Chantilly which is one of the closest cities to Paris to Normandy which is approximately 3 hours away, here is a list of 14 beautiful cities close to Paris that are worth visiting and I guarantee, they’ll leave you spellbound.

I’ve also included some fun facts and unique bits of information so be sure to read those as well.

Before You Go, Here’s How to Plan Your Visit To Paris: Practical Quick Tips

WHERE TO STAY Best Eiffel Tower Views:  Hôtel Le Walt  (9.0) Luxury stay:  Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel  (8.2) Mid-range stay:  Hôtel Eiffel  (8.7) Budget Stay:  People – Paris Bercy  (8.9) Apartment Rental:  Résidence Charles Floquet  (9.1)  

BEST GUIDED TOURS Louvre Museum guided tour : (4.5/5) Seine River Dinner Cruise : (4.7/5) Montmartre Walking Tour : (4.8/5) Le Marais Walking Food Tour : (4.5/5) Versailles Guided Tour : (4.8/5) Eiffel Tower Guided Tour : (4.4/5)  Private Transfer from CDG Airport to Paris : (4.7/10)

MUST-DO EXPERIENCES HAPPENING NOW IN PARIS Luminiscence at Saint-Eustache Church : A music and lighting show in one of Paris’s most beautiful churches: (4.7/10) Candlelight show : Perfect if you want to be treated to a candlelit music show in a beautiful Parisian venue: (4.8/10) Cabaret at Moulin Rouge : A cabaret in the iconic Moulin Rouge is a must: (4.7/10)

Psst… Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel. World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation, and more. If you’re considering travel insurance for your trip, check out World Nomads .

Stunning Towns & Cities Near Paris, France

For convenience’s sake, I have listed the French cities near Paris from closest to farthest though they may not necessarily be in the same direction.

1. Chantilly

• Travel time: 25 mins from Gare du Nord by train or 40 mins if you rent a car and drive to Chantilly .
• Where to stay in Chantilly: Budget hotel (2 stars)| Mid-range Hotel (Bed & Breakfast)| Luxury Hotel (5 stars).

Famously known because of an opulent Château which takes on the same name as the city, Chantilly is the nearest city to Paris!

Though Château de Chantilly is usually thought of as just one castle, it is in fact made of 2 Châteaux – the Petit Château and the Grand Château which together form the Domaine de Chantilly.

The entire Domaine houses several museums including the Living Museum of the Horse or Musée du Cheval , Musée Condé , Musée de la Dentelle , Great Stables or the Grandes Ecuries (which are the largest horse stables in Europe), and the immaculately maintained gardens.

Besides the castle, you can also marvel at the Church of Notre Dame of Chantilly which you can find near the Great Stables of Domaine de Chantilly.

If a long walk surrounded by nature is what you long for, look no further than the Chantilly Forest.

While in this beautiful town, don’t forget to try the eponymous French Chantilly Cream (Crème Chantilly) which has influenced the whipped cream business all around France. In fact, whipped cream is referred to as creme chantilly or just la chantilly everywhere in the country.

Before your trip, be sure to buy this Château de Chantilly skip-the-line ticket to enjoy your visit without waiting in line for long.

2. Versailles

• Travel time: Paris to Versailles will take you 40 mins to 1 hour by train .
• Where to stay in Versailles: Budget hotel (2 stars) | Mid-range Hotel (Apartment)| Luxury Hotel (5 stars).

One of the easy day trips from Paris you should take is to the town of Versailles which is home to the opulent Château de Versailles or Palace of Versailles, a former residence of King Louis XIV and the former seat of the French Government.

While there, be sure to check out the Hall of Mirrors , the Grand Chapel , Marie Antoinette’s bedroom , Le Grand Perspective for the best view of Versailles, Galerie des Carrosses or Gallery of Coaches in the Great Stables, and the dazzling and beautiful gardens of Versailles .

The grounds and the place’s park also house some architectural marvels of the Grand Trianon and the Petit Trianon .

The Queen’s Hamlet or The Hameau de la Reine is another beauty in the Palace park that was built especially for Marie Antoinette as an escape place to get away from it all.

If watching an opera, orchestra, or ballet performance is on your bucket list, then you’ll be glad to know that the Royal Opera of Versailles is located here as well. Dress up like royalty and attend a show at night.

While in the town, I’d also recommend checking out the Versailles Market to try out a wide range of French foods like baguettes, crêpes, and cheese but if organic food is what you prefer, then the Jussieu-Montreuil market is the place you’ll want to explore.

You can also admire the architectural beauty of Notre Dame de Versailles before you leave this historical town.

To visit Versailles, you can either go on your own by purchasing this skip-the-line ticket that comes with an audio guide or book this guided tour if you want to learn about the history of the palace from a knowledgeable tour guide.

Not sure how to get to this opulent castle? You can read my detailed guide on how to get from Paris to Versailles .

3. Fontainebleau

• Travel time: A 45 mins to 1-hour train ride from Paris departing from Gare de Lyon .
• Where to stay in Fontainebleau: Budget hotel (3 stars) | Mid-range Hotel (3 stars) | Luxury Hotel (4 stars).

Since I’ve mentioned Versailles, I should also add the lesser crowded alternative; the gorgeous Château de Fontainebleau located in the beautiful town of Fontainebleau.

Besides its grandeur architecture and the famous Horseshoe staircase, this UNESCO-listed site houses Marie Antoinette’s bed and Napoleon’s throne among other royal artifacts.

The castle is also surrounded by beautiful gardens which take on different designs including the French formal garden style and the French landscape garden.

If you’re a history buff, then the Napoleon Museum of History and Art and the Obelisk of Marie Antoinette will fascinate you.

What makes this castle even more special is that it’s the only château to have been continuously inhabited for 7 centuries by the French royal families with each royal family adding its unique taste and architectural design to what we see today. It is the only château in France to have this honor.

Hikers, picnic goers, and equestrians will be delighted with the scenic Fontainebleau Forest and its offerings.

Psst… Purchase this Fontainebleau entry ticket in advance to make your visit easier.

• Travel time: 1-hour train ride from Gare du Nord or more than a 2-hour drive by car .
• Where to stay in Lille: Budget hotel (3 stars) | Mid-range Hotel (3 stars) | Luxury Hotel (Apartment).

Located just 1 hour away from Paris and at the Border of Belgium, Lille is one of the beautiful cities near Paris that has a mixture of both French and Flemish cultures and languages.

The bustling city center, the beautiful French and Dutch-inspired architecture, and the thriving nightlife all make the city of Lille a cultural hub perfect for both youngsters and history nerds.

The highlight of course is the old town that has a Flemish touch. From the 18th-century houses, cobblestone streets, and baroque buildings, Old Lille will definitely grab your attention.

Stroll around its main square known as the Grand Place to either people watch, rub shoulders with the locals, or even admire the Colonne de la Déesse (The Column of the Goddess).

Some of the other places worth visiting while in Lille include;   Maison Natale Charles de Gaulle which is the birthplace of Charles de Gaulle, a former President of France who played a huge role in shaping the history of the country, La Maison Meert to taste the traditional thin-waffle delicacy, Le Palais Des Beaux Arts De Lille which is one of the largest museums in France dedicated to art and antiquities, Citadelle de Lille to learn about the history of the city and so many others.

Since it’s near, it can easily be treated as a day trip from Paris but if you prefer to sleep there, I recommend staying at this hotel .

And while you can visit independently, I recommend booking this 2-hour guided walking tour that will take you through all the major highlights of the city especially if you’re just visiting for a day.

5. Auvers-Sur-Oise

• Travel time: 1 hour by train departing from Gare du Nord .
• Where to stay in Auvers-Sur-Oise: Budget hotel (Bed & Breakfast) | Mid-range Hotel (4 stars) | Luxury Hotel (Bed & Breakfast).

This small and underrated hamlet caught the fancy of none other than the famous artist, Vincent Van Gogh , who lived here for a couple of months before his death. Actually, it is also his and his brother’s resting place.

Château d’Auvers , which is located close to the station, is a 19th-century palace that looks magnificent and is worth checking out.

The église d’Auvers or the Church at Auvers is also another attraction depicted beautifully in Van Gogh’s painting of the same name.

To get your spirits up, quite literally, you can visit the only absinthe museum in the world located in Auvers at the Musée de l’Absinthe . Right from its history to abuse to actually tasting it (if you can risk it), you can experience it all.

• Travel time: A 1-hour drive by car or 2 hours 30 mins by train will get you from Paris to Giverny.
• Where to stay in Giverny: Budget hotel (Bed & Breakfast) | Mid-range Hotel (Holiday home) | Luxury Hotel (Guest house).

This quaint village is famous because Claude Monet lived here for over 4 decades and died here as well. The picturesque surroundings are probably what draws aesthetes here and inspires them.

For example, the Giverny Gardens with the iconic water lily pond and Japanese bridge are what inspired some of Monet’s most famous paintings .

Art lovers can also check out the Musée des Impressionnismes Giverny or Museum of Impressionism Giverny which as the name suggests is dedicated to the art and history of Impressionism.

You can check out my detailed guide on how to plan a day trip to Giverny from Paris to know exactly what to expect.

But if you don’t feel like planning the visit on your own, you can book this day trip guided tour that comes with a professional guide .

This tour will transport you from Paris to Giverny (since there is no direct public transport between the 2 places) and then the tour guide will take you all around the museum and the gardens while telling you about the history of the place and the famous painter.

7. Chartres

• Travel time: 50 mins drive by car and 1 hour by train .
• Where to stay in Chartres: Budget hotel (2 stars) | Mid-range Hotel (Apartment)| Luxury Hotel (4 stars).

Chartres is most famous for the Notre-Dame de Chartres Cathedral which is not only a UNESCO World Heritage site but also one of the best-preserved cathedrals from the 13 th century.

The two differently built and decorated spires on the exterior with its Gothic art and stained glass windows on the interior are what will grab your attention when you visit the cathedral.

Do not miss the Chartres Light Show or Chartres En Lumieres if you visit between the end of April to mid-October. Once it’s nightfall, 25 buildings across Chartres, including Notre-Dame de Chartres, illuminate with impressive light shows.

Another unique charm of this town is Maison Picassiette , which is a short bus ride away. Raymond Isidore the man who built this house used different bits and materials to decorate it.

You will be fascinated to find everything from glass shards to pieces of wood to bottle caps used in a creative manner.

Plus, the sculpture garden behind his cottage has mosaic replicas of stained-glass windows of Notre Dame de Chartres, an old windmill, and even the Eiffel Tower .

• Travel time: 1 hour 30 mins from Gare de l’Est by train .
• Where to stay in Provins: Budget hotel (Apartment) | Mid-range Hotel (3 stars) | Luxury Hotel (Bed & Breakfast).

The town of Provins is another UNESCO World Heritage site that you should visit if you want to be transported back in time.

Everything about it screams medieval and dates back centuries like the 12th-century medieval tower, Tour César , or the medieval tunnels, Les Souterrains de Provins .

The city also holds a medieval Christmas market annually which you can visit if you go around Christmastime .

The town itself is pretty laidback but it does have medieval shows that you can watch like knights performing with horses and falconry.

You can also visit or attend mass at Saint-Quiriace Collegiate Church , a church where Joan of Arc attended mass.

One of the other interesting things to do in Provins is to walk up Saint-Jean’s Gate and climb the medieval ramparts.

Though some of the walls are no longer there, the few that exist are well maintained so you’ll be able to enjoy the construction that dates back to the 12th century.

• Travel time: A 1 hour 20 mins train journey from Gare du Nord to Amiens .
• Where to stay in Amiens: Budget hotel (2 stars) | Mid-range Hotel (Apartment) | Luxury Hotel (4 stars).

Situated in the northern region of France, Amiens is one of the cutest cities near Paris.

The Amiens Cathedral or Cathédrale Notre-Dame d’Amiens which is the most famous attraction in the city is also the largest cathedral in France.

This UNESCO site which stands tall at over 42 meters (137 feet) will mesmerize you with its intricate façade, oak choir stalls, and gothic carvings.

If you’re a bibliophile and know of Jules Verne or have read his books, then you should also know that he spent a big part of his life in this city specifically in Maison de Jules Verne which now houses models of innovations and the Winter Garden.

For fine art lovers, the Musée de Picardie will amaze you. It includes artifacts and masterpieces right from the prehistoric era.

Also, the Quartier Saint-Leu, a medieval quarter in Amiens will have you exploring and trying out different restaurants, cafés, and boutiques.

10. Strasbourg

• Travel time: 2 hours from Gare de l’Est by train .
• Where to stay in Strasbourg: Budget hotel (2 stars) | Mid-range Hotel (Apartment) | Luxury Hotel (4 stars).

Apart from being a poster town for the Christmas Market or Marché de Noel, Strasbourg offers so much more.

For example, the Saint-Pierre Le Jeune Church has a unique history that you may not know about. Until recently, neither did I.

This neo-Romanesque church started off as a Catholic church and was converted to a Protestant one.

Later on, for nearly 2 centuries, it was split among the Protestants and the Catholics by a dividing wall inside.

In 1898, the New Saint-Pierre Le Jeune Church was constructed and the Catholic congregation moved there and the wall was taken down. It is now back to being a Protestant church.

Then there’s the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg with its beautiful Gothic architecture in red sandstone and stained glass windows from the 12 th and 13 th centuries.

Even Strasbourg’s historical centre, the Grande-Île district, is a UNESCO-listed site. Beyond the impressive architecture that portrays both the German and French styles, there is so much to do and see in Strasbourg.

From Place Kleber , a beautiful square, Palais Rohan a beautiful palace near Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg to Petite France which is the most beautiful place in the city with its colorful half-timbered houses lined along the river.

With all this beauty, it’s not hard to see why Strasbourg is one of the most beautiful cities near Paris to visit.

To make your visit to Strasbourg smooth, you can pre-book your activities in advance to be guaranteed a spot.

You can either book this Strasbourg guided tour by Segway if you want to discover the city in style or this Strasbourg city center guided bike tour with a local to get the most out of your visit.

11. Chablis

• Travel time: 2 hours’ drive by car from Paris will get you to Chablis or around 3 hours by train.
• Where to stay in Chablis: Budget hotel (Apartment) | Mid-range Hotel (3 stars) | Luxury Hotel (Holiday Home).

Located in the region of Burgundy, this medieval town of Chablis is well known for growing Chardonnay grapes and hence known for its wineries.

Besides learning about the whole winemaking process, you can visit the 9th-century Obédiencerie monastery where the monks, the Canons of Saint Martin of Tours, honed the craft of winemaking which eventually led to the white wine of the Chablis region.

Other notable things to do that make Chablis worth visiting include visiting Saint-Pierre and Saint-Martin churches , admiring the beautiful old town, and ofcourse visiting the various vineyards.

In brief, Chablis is one of the towns near Paris perfect for wine lovers!

12. Loire Valley

• Travel time: To get to the Loire Valley region, you will have to rent a car and it takes about 2 hours 15 mins or 1 hour 30 mins by train.
• Where to stay in Tours: Budget hotel (1 star) | Mid-range Hotel (2 stars) | Luxury Hotel (Apartment).

Loire Valley is one of the best regions to savor your wine. Where are the oenophiles at? Besides that, it also has the largest concentration of châteaux in France .

Here, even some of the châteaux have their own vineyards so if you like castles, adore your “Vin” time, and want to feel like royalty while you’re at it, this is the ideal place to go.

Some of the famous châteaux worth visiting include Château de Chambord , Château de Amboise , Château Royal de Blois , Château de Chenonceau and so many others.

And when you’re not drinking amazing wine or getting lost in one of the Loire Castles, take a tour of Tours, a picturesque town located between two rivers (Cher and Loire).

You can immerse yourself in art at the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Tours which houses masterpieces by Monet and Rembrandt.

Here are some of the entry tickets to the famous castles you shouldn’t miss while in the region.

• Skip-the-line ticket for Château de Chambord
• Priority entrance ticket to Chenonceau Castle
• Château Royal d’Amboise Entrance Ticket
• Chateau de Blois Entry Ticket

Alternatively, you can just book this full-day Loire Valley guided tour that will take you through 3 of the above castles including wine tasting and a transfer from Paris if you don’t want to plan anything.

• Travel time: 2 hours 30 mins by train or 5 hours by car from Gare de l’Est .
• Where to stay in Colmar: Budget hotel (2 stars) | Mid-range Hotel (4 stars) | Luxury Hotel (2 stars).

Colmar is one of those cities near Paris that looks like it came out of a picture postcard.

This idyllic town with its bucolic setting will transport you back in time. The old town with its intricate, cobblestone pathways, timber-framed, colorful houses, and medieval buildings will charm their way into your heart the minute you set foot in the town.

What’s more, you ask? Well, it lies on the Alsace wine tour route along with other smaller villages in the vicinity.

If riding in a boat through the canals of Venice was on your bucket list of things to do but the crowds put you off, Colmar offers a less crowded alternative in Little Venice .

The canal area with its two dreamy bridges albeit small will offer you just as much if not a more scenic and romantic setting.

If you happen to be here around Christmas, then the Les Marchés de Noel are worth staying for.

One of the other things not to miss out on is this 2-hour Segway tour of Colmar to get a glimpse of this beautiful city in style.

14.  Normandy

• Travel time: A 2 hour 45 mins drive by car and around 2 hours 30 mins by train.

Located along the English Channel, Normandy is one of the cities close to Paris that sits on years of history (and terror in some instances)!

What sets Normandy apart compared to other closest cities to Paris is that it has a little bit of everything!

You can find stunning beaches to relax on, impressive natural landmarks and human-made monuments , castles, and museums to get lost in history, and small towns and villages to connect with the locals.

Visit the town of Étretat to the North of Normandy to enjoy a cliffside picnic while enjoying the breathtaking view of the English Channel or admire the beauty of the white chalk cliffs.

The famous D-Day beaches out of which Omaha beach is the most popular is a 1 hour 30 mins drive from Normandy if you fancy some sunbathing while learning more history about the D-day landing.

Another site worth making a trip to is the Mont Saint-Michel , a UNESCO World Heritage Site, whose abbey rises to 100m (328 ft.) tall. (Make sure you buy this entry ticket to Mont Sant Michel in advance .)

But beware, during high tide, it becomes an island accessible only by one road. The Abbey has 350 steps to the highest point but the view from there is worth the effort.

You can also explore the Museum of the Battle of Normandy to learn more about WWII, wander around Honfleur , chill on the beaches of Deauville , or visit Château de Fontaine-Henry which is the most beautiful castle in Normandy.

If you don’t want to plan a thing, you can opt for one of these tours below.

• D-Day Landing beaches day tour with transfer and lunch
• Mont Saint-Michel full-day guided tour

Final Thoughts on the Closest Cities to Paris

I hope you liked my picks of the best cities close to Paris. Of course, it’s none-exhaustive but I’d add more as explore other towns near Paris.

Let me know which of these cities around Paris you have visited or plan on visiting.

NEVER TRAVEL TO PARIS WITHOUT TRAVEL INSURANCE One of the biggest mistakes you’ll ever make when planning a trip to Paris is to forego Travel Insurance ! You might think that it’s expensive, but when you think of how much it will save you when you lose your valuables or even get sick, then you’ll know that it’s NOT that expensive! Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel. World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation, and more. If you’re considering travel insurance for your trip, check out World Nomads .

Check out these posts to help you plan your trip to Paris

• Nontouristy things to do in Paris
• Stunning views from the Eiffel Tower
• How to plan a perfect picnic in Paris
• Big mistakes to avoid while traveling in Paris
• Things to know before traveling to Paris
• Skip the lines tickets for popular Paris attractions
• Best Hotels in Paris with Eiffel tower views
• Things to do in Paris at night
• How to skip the long lines in Paris
• Best places to get stunning views of the Eiffel Tower

Was this post on the best towns and cities around Paris helpful? Then please consider sharing it with others.

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Esther is the face and voice behind Dreams in Paris! She has always been obsessed with Paris even before she moved there. She has lived in Paris for a couple of years, and that obsession has not changed! That love for Paris, plus her passion for writing led to the birth of Dreams in Paris! She now shares all the practical tips and guides she’s picked along the way to help you plan a memorable trip to the city of love! You can learn more about her here !

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Paris Top Ten

Best of Paris

16 Best Towns and Cities Near Paris to Visit

A visit to the City of Lights is always a mesmerizing experience, but there’s more to explore outside Paris. Many towns and cities near the French capital are worth a visit, offering unique experiences, culture, and sights. From charming small villages to historically significant cities, these picturesque destinations promise an enchanting escape from the hustle and bustle of Paris.

Château lovers and history enthusiasts will find the royal city of Versailles an essential destination. The grandeur of the Royal Palace is a sight to behold, with its opulent architecture and sprawling gardens.

Other nearby cities and towns boast rich heritage and charm – from Chantilly’s stunning castle to Deauville’s beautiful beach and palaces, and the lovely small towns capture rural France’s essence. Making the most of your trip to Paris also requires knowing some essential travel tips. Whether it’s navigating the city’s top attractions or discovering hidden gems, being informed and prepared will make your visit a truly unforgettable experience.

By exploring the captivating towns and cities near Paris , you will soon cherish the memories of your French adventure. There are some towns and cities near Paris that are worth visiting.

Table of Contents

Versailles – Royal Vibes Galore

Chartres – a gothic beauty worth visiting, chantilly – a blend of art, history, and horse racing, lille – vibrant and historical, giverny – a brush with nature’s beauty, blois – gateway to the loire valley, fontainebleau – where nature meets royalty, rouen – medieval charm meets modern vibrancy, provins: medieval village in the heart of france, exploring auvers-sur-oise, orléans: the joan of arc city, amiens: where history, culture, and warmth converge, reims – cheers to the champagne capital, vézelay: the spiritual and artistic retreat, troyes: a journey back to medieval times, vaux-le-vicomte: a luxurious historical retreat, frequently asked questions, what are some picturesque towns near paris, which cities can be reached from paris via a short train ride, where should i visit for a day trip near paris, what are the best french countryside locations close to paris, which cities north of paris are worth exploring, what are the most charming fairytale towns near paris, find things to do in paris, find accommodation, explore paris with our guides & reviews.

Versailles, a city steeped in history and opulence, is an ideal day trip from Paris, just about 20 kilometers away. Known as the home to the grand and luxurious Palace of Versailles, this town has an unparalleled allure with its royal vibes and architectural splendor.

The Palace of Versailles, once the residence of King Louis XIV, is an iconic symbol of French royal grandeur. A testament to lavish taste and artistic excellence, the palace boasts rich decorations and unquestionable architectural brilliance. A must-see attraction within the royal palace is the glittering Hall of Mirrors, a room with gilded walls, ceiling paintings, and floor-to-ceiling mirrors where iconic events such as the Treaty of Versailles were signed.

Surrounding the palace are the mesmerizing Gardens of Versailles, meticulously designed and impeccably maintained. Spread over 800 hectares, the gardens offer a serene escape with their symmetrical floral arrangements, pristine lawns, and more than 200 statues dotting the landscape. Make sure to visit the Apollo Fountain, a skillful blend of sculpture and waterworks that showcases the mastery of the garden’s designers.

While the town of Versailles is irrevocably linked to the royal palace, it also offers a quaint atmosphere beyond the grand palace and grounds. Stroll along the historic streets, soaking in the ambiance of traditional French cafés, charming boutiques, and impressive architecture.

When planning your visit to Versailles, remember that public transport is easily accessible, with frequent trains from Paris. This fascinating city near Paris is a must-visit for anyone intrigued by the grandeur of French history, the allure of royal power, and the intriguing story of the sun king, Louis XIV.

Chartres, a picturesque town in the Eure-et-Loir department, is just a short day trip away from the city center of Paris. This charming destination is known for its magnificent Chartres Cathedral, a prime example of European Gothic architecture.

The Chartres Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the town’s centerpiece. It boasts exquisite art and craftsmanship, notably its stunning stained-glass windows. Most of the original windows have been preserved, allowing visitors to experience their beauty and historical significance.

But the allure of Chartres doesn’t stop at the cathedral. While exploring the town, visitors can also walk along its quaint cobblestone streets, admire well-preserved medieval houses, and soak in picturesque views. The town center’s charming cafés, restaurants, and small shops provide a pleasant and relaxing atmosphere.

For those interested in art and culture, Chartres offers the opportunity to visit the Fine Arts Museum and International Stained-Glass Centre. Both venues celebrate the town’s rich artistic heritage and provide insight into the techniques and history of stained-glass creation.

One of the unexpected marvels of Chartres is the annual light show, Chartres en Lumières. Typically held between April and October, this event transforms the town into a mesmerizing spectacle of light and sound. Historic sites such as the Chartres Cathedral, public squares , and streets come alive every evening with enchanting illuminations, making it a must-see experience for visitors.

Chantilly, a charming town near Paris, France, is widely celebrated for its medieval architecture, Château de Chantilly , art, and rich equestrian history. The town was born from the will of the Grand Condé, Louis XIV’s cousin and the Château’s owner. In 1692, his son ordered the construction of the Notre-Dame Church, marking Chantilly’s development into an independent parish.

The grandeur of the Château de Chantilly is perfectly complemented by the enchanting collection of artwork housed in the Musée Condé, one of the finest art museums in France. Art enthusiasts visiting Chantilly can feast their eyes on the exquisite paintings and sculptures adorning the museum’s walls. Horseracing has been an integral aspect of Chantilly’s identity. Since 1834, the town has garnered worldwide recognition for its prowess in equestrian sports.

It is home to some of the most eminent racing facilities, including the Chantilly Racecourse, the renowned Musée du Cheval, and the magnificent Grandes Écuries. These establishments collectively offer visitors an opportunity to immerse themselves in France’s profound equestrian culture.

One notable experience Chantilly offers visitors is a tour of the Musée du Cheval, situated within the Grandes Écuries. This museum is dedicated to the history and role of horses in the region and is an essential stop for equine enthusiasts. In addition, visitors should not miss the opportunity to witness a race at the Chantilly Racecourse, a true spectacle of equine agility and speed.

While indulging in the beauty and history of the historical city of Chantilly, treat your taste buds to the local culinary delight, the crème Chantilly. This delicate whipped cream is a delightful finish to any meal, encapsulating the essence of French gastronomy.

Lille, a lively city in northern France, is situated just two hours away from Paris and makes for an excellent destination for those seeking day trips from the French capital. The city’s vibrant atmosphere is complemented by its rich historical heritage, ensuring a delightful experience for visitors.

In the heart of Lille, you will find the Grand Place, a bustling square surrounded by beautiful architecture. This prominent location is the ideal starting point for exploring the city and immersing yourself in its local culture. With numerous shops, cafes, and restaurants lining the square, something is always happening at the Grand Place.

As you wander through Lille’s streets, be sure to venture into the Old Town, locally known as Vieux Lille. This charming district boasts a unique blend of Flemish and French architecture, with baroque elements dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries. Cobblestone streets and impeccably restored bourgeois houses transport you back in time while providing a picturesque backdrop for your visit.

Another noteworthy aspect of Lille’s Old Town is its array of interesting museums and galleries. Travelers interested in history and art will be thrilled to discover all the cities’ various exhibitions, showcasing everything from antiquities to contemporary works.

Giverny , a picturesque village located approximately 70 kilometers northwest of Paris, provides an ideal day trip for art enthusiasts and nature lovers. Best known for its connection to the world-famous Impressionist artist Claude Monet, this quaint French town allows visitors to immerse themselves in the stunning landscapes that inspired some of Monet’s most beloved works.

The primary attraction in Giverny is the Foundation Claude Monet, which consists of Monet’s former residence and magnificent gardens. Guests can wander through the vibrant surroundings, admiring the blooming flowers and the iconic water lily pond that inspired Monet’s renowned Water Lilies series. To delve further into Impressionism, the nearby Musée des Impressionnismes Giverny showcases various artists from the Impressionist movement, offering a comprehensive look at this influential artistic period.

When planning a day trip from Paris to Giverny, there are multiple transportation options. Car travel takes approximately 1.5 hours, and travelers can follow highway A13 towards Rouen before exiting 14 or 16 to reach Giverny.

Alternatively, visitors can opt for the train, which arrives at the nearby station of Vernon and requires a short transfer to Giverny. Giverny’s natural beauty extends beyond the well-trodden paths of Monet’s gardens .

The town’s idyllic location along the Seine River allows for peaceful strolls and picturesque views. With its charming streets, vibrant art scene, and accessible location, Giverny represents an enchanting and memorable escape from the bustling city of Paris.

Blois, a charming city nestled on the banks of the Loire River, is the perfect day trip destination for travelers looking to escape the bustling city of Paris. Located only one hour and 22 minutes from Paris by train, Blois offers an ideal starting point for exploring the Loire Valley’s famous castles and picturesque towns. The star attraction of Blois is its royal château.

Positioned on a hillside overlooking the Loire River, the castle has been a favored stronghold of kings throughout history. Its grand façade and intricate Renaissance architecture are best appreciated from the lovely square and adjacent park . Visitors can feel the rich history while strolling through the castle’s hallways and admiring its well-preserved wonders.

Beyond the château, there’s more to discover in this enchanting city. The medieval old town is brimming with winding cobblestone lanes and charming churches, offering a glimpse into the life of past centuries. The gardens sprinkled throughout Blois provide opportunities to enjoy a serene moment amid the city’s vibrant greenery.

For those interested in outdoor activities, the surrounding Loire Valley is an ideal setting. The spring and autumn months offer pleasant temperatures for walking and cycling, providing a comfortable way to explore the lovely towns and cities along the river. Among these destinations, travelers will find Nantes, Angers, Saumur, Tours, Amboise, and Orleans – beautiful towns with unique allure and history.

Fontainebleau, a charming town in France, is a popular day trip location known for its rich history, beautiful palaces, and stunning natural landscapes. Fontainebleau offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience French culture, architecture, and nature with its invaluable proximity to Paris.

The primary attraction of this picturesque town is the Château de Fontainebleau, one of the largest royal palaces in France. Steeped in history, the château played an essential role in the country’s past and served as a residence for French monarchs for centuries. Today, visitors can explore the various halls, galleries, and opulent interiors adorned with valuable art and intricate designs, reflecting the luxurious lifestyle of French royalty.

Surrounding the Château de Fontainebleau, visitors can enjoy the splendid Château de Fontainebleau Gardens & Park, offering a serene atmosphere with manicured lawns, picturesque water features, and well-tended flowerbeds. A leisurely stroll through the gardens further enhances the royal experience and is a gateway to another significant attraction – the Fontainebleau Forest.

The Forêt de Fontainebleau, beginning just 500 meters south of the château, covers an area of approximately 280 square kilometers and is one of the most beautiful woods in the region. A haven for outdoor enthusiasts, the forest is an excellent location for rock climbing, cycling, walking, and even wild-water swimming and canoeing during warmer months.

Reaching Fontainebleau is a seamless journey from Paris, with trains between the two locations frequently operating. The travel time is approximately 40 minutes, making it a convenient day trip for those who wish to explore more of France’s beauty beyond the boundaries of its iconic capital city.

Visiting Fontainebleau allows travelers to experience the intricate blend of nature and royalty in a captivating, serene setting. Its proximity to Paris, rich history, and stunning landscapes make Fontainebleau an appealing destination for locals and tourists looking to glimpse France’s royal past and natural wonders.

Nestled in the heart of Normandy, Rouen is a captivating medieval town just a short distance from Paris. Steeped in history and boasting a wealth of gothic architecture, this city gem offers visitors a perfect blend of the past and present.

As the capital of Normandy, Rouen is known for its striking Rouen Cathedral, which held the title of the world’s tallest building for four years in the late 1870s. Its neo-gothic tower is an impressive testament to the city’s architectural prowess and is a must-see for any visitor.

The historical significance of Rouen extends beyond its beautiful cities and architectural marvels. It is also the place where Joan of Arc met her untimely fate. To explore her legacy and delve into the rich tapestry of the region’s history, a visit to the city’s Joan of Arc Museum is highly recommended.

A stroll through Rouen’s charming Old Town will transport you back in time. Cobbled streets and half-timbered buildings provide a picturesque backdrop as you meander among the vibrant shops, bustling markets, and inviting cafes. The city’s signature charm comes to life in this maze of delightful alleys and plazas, offering a unique and authentic glimpse of French life.

Rouen’s modern vibrancy shines through in its thriving art and culture scene. The numerous galleries and museums, including the Museum of Fine Arts and the Gros Horloge astronomical clock, showcase the city’s appreciation for historical and contemporary works.

Located just 90 km southeast of Paris, Provins is a picturesque medieval town well worth a visit. This UNESCO World Heritage site boasts a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages, making it a perfect day trip destination for those looking to indulge in a journey through time.

The town’s vast network of well-preserved walls, constructed between the 11th and 13th centuries, houses an array of historical marvels. One iconic landmark is the Tour César , a massive 12th-century tower that once served as a watchtower and prison. Visitors can climb to the top to enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

Another must-see attraction is the labyrinth, an innovative garden feast for the senses. Visitors can wander through the intricate network of pathways, surrounded by medieval-themed sculptures, fragrant flowers, and enchanting surprises.

In addition to its historical monuments , Provins offers a variety of entertaining activities. Live medieval-themed shows and reenactments bring the spirit of the Middle Ages to life, providing an immersive experience for guests of all ages. Explore charming timber-framed houses and experience the warm atmosphere of the town, away from the bustling Parisian streets .

Numerous shops and markets throughout the village offer regional products, making it a great spot to pick up souvenirs or sample authentic French cuisine. Don’t miss the opportunity to stroll along the ancient cobblestone streets and appreciate the well-preserved history that defines this quaint medieval town.

Auvers-sur-Oise is a charming, picturesque town located just an hour away from Paris. Easily reachable by train, this small town is a popular destination for art enthusiasts and history buffs. One of the main attractions in Auvers-sur-Oise is its connection to the famous Impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh.

During his time in the town, van Gogh was incredibly productive, creating numerous masterpieces that captured the beauty and essence of the area, including the renowned Church at Auvers . Visitors to Auvers-sur-Oise can embark on a self-guided tour to relive the moments and follow the paths van Gogh tread, allowing them to see the locations that inspired some of his most iconic works.

Aside from its artistic history, Auvers-sur-Oise is home to the fascinating Absinthe Museum. This unique establishment is dedicated to fascinating history of the infamous drink absinthe, which many artists and writers favored during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Visitors can dive into the intriguing world of the “Green Fairy,” learning about its production, history, and the controversies surrounding it.

As one meanders through the cobblestone streets of Auvers-sur-Oise, the true charm of this charming French town comes to life. Vibrant flower gardens, the enchanting Oise River , and historical buildings can be found around every corner. With its art, history, and scenic beauty, Auvers-sur-Oise is a destination that offers a profound experience for those looking to explore the hidden gems of small towns near Paris.

Orléans, a charming city located only 100km south of Paris, is known for its rich history and close association with Joan of Arc. It is situated along the picturesque Loire River, making it an ideal destination for those looking to explore the beauty of France beyond the capital city. As you stroll through the historic streets of Orléans, you cannot miss the significant influence of Joan of Arc, the city’s renowned heroine.

One of the must-visit sites is the Maison de Jeanne d’Arc at 3 place du Général-de-Gaulle. This half-timbered structure reconstructs the city treasurer’s house where Joan stayed in 1429. Here, you can watch an excellent 15-minute film that traces her origins, accomplishments, and historical impact in French and English.

Another notable location is the Centre Jeanne d’Arc, on the edge of the former medieval city. This center serves as the home to the world’s leading documentary collection on the subject of the Maid of Orléans. Additionally, the city boasts various chapels and churches closely connected to Joan of Arc, such as the Notre-Dame-des-Miracles Chapel and St Paul’s Church.

Orléans also has remnants of its Roman and Medieval history, such as the Tour Blanche, or ‘white tower,’ standing alongside a portion of the Roman curtain wall. These vestiges add an extra layer of historical intrigue to your visit.

The city isn’t just rich in history and offers modern amenities, broad boulevards lined with sparkling boutiques, and elegant buildings. Whether you’re interested in exploring the life and legacy of Joan of Arc or simply enjoying the vibrant atmosphere, Orléans makes for an engaging day trip from Paris.

See Related: When Does the Eiffel Tower Sparkle? A Guide to its Stunning Light Display

Amiens, a charming city in northern France, is an ideal day trip destination from Paris. Known for its rich history, cultural attractions, and inviting atmosphere, visitors will appreciate the unique experience that awaits in this picturesque locale.

One of Amiens’ most iconic landmarks is the Cathédrale Notre-Dame d’Amiens. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the largest Gothic cathedral in France and the largest in the world by volume. Constructed in 1220, the cathedral boasts intricate and astounding details that draw visitors from all over the globe. As a centerpiece of the city, the impressive cathedral is a must-see attraction for any Amiens visitor.

In addition to the impressive architecture of Cathédrale Notre-Dame d’Amiens, the city offers insight into regional history and diverse art forms at the Musée de Picardie. This expansive museum displays fascinating exhibits of local pre-history, fine arts, and ceramics. The museum’s variety of collections ensures that visitors find something to pique their interest during their Amiens excursion.

The vibrant street life and friendly ambiance of Amiens make it a perfect escape from the bustling Parisian streets. Leisurely walks through quaint streets and leafy parks offer travelers a chance to appreciate the warmth and charm of this inviting city.

While exploring Amiens, visitors will have ample opportunities to indulge in succulent local cuisine and experience first-hand the engaging and youthful energy that stems from the city center’s thriving university and large university hospitals.

Reims, the capital city of the Champagne-Ardenne region, is a must-visit destination for those interested in exploring France’s iconic Champagne and its rich history. Located just about 45 minutes from Paris via the high-speed train TGV, Reims offers a quick and convenient day trip for visitors staying in the French capital.

Steeped in history, Reims boasts several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Palais du Tau and the stunning Gothic Notre-Dame de Reims Cathedral, where French kings were once crowned. The historical charm of Reims is also evident in its elegant buildings, cobblestone streets, and impressive monuments.

Of course, no visit to Reims would be complete without indulging in the world-renowned sparkling wine from the Champagne region. Visitors can tour the cellars and vineyards of some of the most prestigious Champagne houses, such as Taittinger, Veuve Clicquot, and Mumm, and learn about the art and science behind the production of this exquisite beverage. Be sure to enjoy a glass (or two) of bubbly during your stay.

Apart from its historical and gastronomical allure, Reims provides an enticing selection of shops, restaurants, and cafes that cater to various tastes and budgets. Spend time wandering the bustling pedestrian streets, or relax in one of the city’s inviting parks.

Located just a few hours from Paris, Vézelay is a small village in France that has captured the hearts of spiritual seekers, art enthusiasts, and travelers alike. Vézelay boasts a rich history and stunning architecture, making it a picturesque destination for those looking to unwind and explore.

The crown jewel of Vézelay is undoubtedly the Basilica of Saint Mary Magdalene, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture. This religious site has been a popular destination for pilgrims since the 11th century and continues to enchant visitors with its tranquil atmosphere and captivating sculptures.

Art lovers will be drawn to the Jules Roy House and the Zervos Museum, two unique cultural institutions showcasing the region’s artistic heritage. The Jules Roy House is a beautifully preserved literary haven where the famous French author once lived. The Zervos Museum displays a collection of modern art from renowned artists such as Picasso, Calder, and Miró.

Vézelay is also a prime location for those interested in exploring the vinicultural aspect of the region. The village is surrounded by lush vineyards where one can partake in wine tastings and learn about the local winemaking traditions.

For a more adventurous and breathtaking experience, visitors can embark on a hot-air balloon flight over the Vézelay region, taking in the scenic views of the picturesque medieval village and surrounding Morvan Regional Nature Park. This activity offers an unparalleled perspective of the beautiful French landscape.

Visitors looking for a more immersive experience in nature can explore Morvan Park, as Vézelay provides easy access to this lush expanse of greenery. The Morvan Regional Nature Park is characterized by its forests, rivers, and rolling hills – making it an ideal setting for outdoor enthusiasts.

Troyes, located in the Champagne region of France, is a hidden gem that takes you on a captivating journey into a medieval town with beautifully preserved Gothic architecture. Just around 170 km (105 miles) from Paris, it is easily accessible by train from Paris Est, taking about an hour and a half, or by car via the A5/E54.

The old town will capture your attention as you enter the city with its charming half-timbered buildings, cobbled streets, and vibrant atmosphere. The heart of Troyes lies in its rich history, evident in the numerous museums and remarkable monuments scattered throughout the city.

One of the most interesting places in Troyes is the Museum of Modern Art in the former Bishop’s Palace. Acquired from hosiery manufacturers Pierre and Denise Levy, the museum exhibits an impressive collection of 19th and 20th-century art pieces. In addition, the Church of St. Jean showcases the city center’s historic Gothic architecture that attracts tourists and art enthusiasts alike.

Nature lovers can spend a peaceful time alongside the Canal du Trévois, constructed in the 17th century, offering insight into the city’s history and development. Although the canal was never filled with water and fell into ruin, it remains a picturesque site worth exploring.

Vaux-le-Vicomte, situated southeast of Paris near Melun, is a prime destination for a day trip from the City of Lights. This lavish estate features a castle, which once belonged to Nicolas Fouquet, a finance superintendent during the early years of Louis XIV’s reign.

One of the major attractions of Vaux-le-Vicomte is its architectural harmony and collaboration between the landscape architect Andre Le Nôtre, the architect Louis Le Vau, and the famous painter-decorator Charles Le Brun. Together, they created the château’s stunning design that ultimately caught the young king’s attention.

The castle’s exterior is surrounded by well-manicured gardens designed by Le Nôtre, which perfectly balance nature and architecture. As visitors explore the grounds, they will be mesmerized by the breathtaking landscapes that make this a sought-after retreat near Paris.

Inside the château, the Domed Grand Salon stands out as the centerpiece, showcasing elegant and royal decoration. This circular room offers stunning views of the formal gardens to the south and the Courtyard of Honor to the north. The harmonious blend of interior design and natural beauty is a testament to the collaborative genius of the creative trio behind Vaux-le-Vicomte.

Overall, a visit to Vaux-le-Vicomte allows guests to step back in time and immerse themselves in France’s rich history while enjoying luxurious surroundings. The easy accessibility from Paris makes this location an ideal choice for a picturesque day trip that also serves as an enlightening cultural experience.

Some picturesque towns near Paris include Giverny, known for Monet’s gardens and house; Colmar, with its colorful half-timbered houses and medieval buildings; and Gordes, a hilltop village in Provence with stunning views. Each of these towns boasts unique charms and is definitely worth a visit.

Cities that can be reached from Paris via a short train ride include Fontainebleau, home to a beautiful royal palace, and Chantilly, another elegant château surrounded by extensive gardens. Alternatively, you can visit Versailles, famous for its majestic palace and gardens.

For a day trip near Paris, consider exploring Versailles for its historical significance and grand architecture, or visit the town of Bayeux in Normandy, renowned for its medieval tapestry. Both destinations can be easily reached from Paris and promise to leave you with lasting memories.

The French countryside offers many beautiful locations close to Paris, such as the Loire Valley, known for its stunning castles and vineyards, and Champagne, world-famous wineries and bubbly. Visiting either of the cities close to these regions will provide a delightful break from the city atmosphere.

Cities north of Paris worth exploring include Arras, with its medieval town square and underground tunnels used during World War I; Lille, a vibrant city with a rich history and notable architecture; and Rouen, the capital of Normandy, known for its Gothic cathedral and historic charm.

For charming fairytale towns near Paris, consider visiting Colmar in the Alsace region, with its colorful half-timbered houses and cobblestone streets, or Provins, a medieval town with impressive fortifications and well-preserved architecture, perfect for immersing yourself in a fairytale-like atmosphere.

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• 10 Places To Visit Near Paris For A Fun-Filled Tour Around The City

Paris is one of the most popular cities in France. It is a major European city and also a global centre for art, fashion, culture, and gastronomy. Large chunk of travellers with innumerable purposes generally come here to explore the charm of the region especially Paris city that leaves a deeper impression on their souls. Interestingly, besides Paris, there remains so much to be explored.

Mont Saint-Michel Apart from the amazing spots that you’ll find here, the places to visit near Paris too will leave a lasting impression on you. They are so engrossing that perhaps you will fall short of time visiting all the places.

Places To Visit Near Paris

Here is the list of these amazing places to visit near Paris. As they are located near Paris, you can visit most of those places by using any mode of public transportation. These places are going to cast a spell on your senses. Just have a look!

1. Versailles

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The city of Versailles will welcome you for a dazzling day. You will be impressed and seduced by the beauty of this place. Famous for its marvellous castles and its luxurious gardens in the whole world, the estate used to be the residence of the Kings of France, like Louis XIV, Louis XV, and Louis XVI. At the entrance itself, a bronze statue of Louis XIV welcomes you into his humble home.

Versailles is also known to play with its visitors with optical effects and visual illusions. So, be careful and keep your eyes open to explore its beauty as it is among the best places to visit near Paris.

Distance from Paris: 23 kilometres away from Paris Public Transport Access: : Versailles Château (RER C)

Must Read: 10 Churches in Paris to Make You Go ‘Wow’

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2. Deauville

Among the famous places to visit near Paris, Deauville is well-known not only for its racetracks but also for its beach and palaces. Built-in 1864 by Duc de Morny, its three polo fields regularly witness the remarkable hostilities between the best teams in the world in this sport. You should also visit the painter Eugène Boudin’s house, where he spent the last 14 years of his life. This painter created more than 100 oil and gouache paintings in Deauville.

Distance from Paris: 200 kilometres away from Paris How to reach Deauville: : By car – 2h 28 via the A13 Highway and by train – 2h14 via TGV – Intercité

Suggested Read: Day Trips From Paris: Head Out To These 8 Places For Invigorating Excursions

3. Mont Saint-Michel

The rocky islet of the Mont-Saint-Michel, bounded by its beautiful bay, is waiting for you for a memorable visit! This monument is on the list of World Heritage Site of UNESCO since 1979 and is the scene of the biggest tides of continental Europe. Such importance makes this place one amongst the best places to visit near Paris. Once famous as a pilgrimage place too, the skilful mix of the religious and medieval military of its architecture will surprise many of you. If you’re looking for an original trip, we invite you to discover the Mont-Saint-Michel on horseback or in ULM flight for the daring of you!

Distance from Paris: 361 kilometres away from Paris How to Reach Mont-Saint-Michel: By car – 3h 56 via the A13 Highway and by train – 3h 40

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Orléans is considered to be one of the most dynamic cities in France. Modern and easy to live in, this city has many means of transportation. It will make you feel at home while you tour here. Known for its art and history, this city is the most famous place to visit near Paris among nature and history lovers.

Distance from Paris: 135 kilometres away from Paris How to reach Orléans: By train – 1h via the Intercité trains and by car – 1h 37 via the A10 Highway

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5. Honfleur

With its authentic charm, Honfleur is among the major tourist places to visit near Paris in Normandy. Surrounded by scenic streets, slate-covered, and half-timbered houses, this painter city has seen the birth of the painter Eugène Boudin and composer Erik Satie, whose house has become a museum today and is visited by hundreds and thousands of tourists.

If you’re passing by Honfleur for a weekend, we suggest you stop at the Vieux Bassin, which is clearly one of the most attractive places in this city!

Distance from Paris: 197 kilometres away from Paris How to reach Honfleur: 2h 23 via the A13 Highway

Suggested Read: 7 Extravagant Paris Cruises That Are One Of A Kind Experience!

Points Of Interest Near Paris

If you want to visit some specific spots during your Paris trip but not sure what lies beyond the city, then you must add the below-listed points of interest in your itinerary!

6. Parc Astérix

The Parc Astérix is about the adventures and the world of the well-known French comics “Astérix the Gaul.” Formed of the six worlds taken from the comics, this resort offers you about 40 roller coasters. Among them, le Tonnerre de Zeus, La Trace du Hourra, Romus et Rapidus, Les Chaises Volantes, and La Forêt des Druides are truly awesome. As part of the most adventurous place to visit near Paris, here you’ll find rides for everyone! You will even find the exact reconstruction of the Astérix’s village as it is in the comics!

Distance from Paris: 40 kilometres away from Paris Location: Parc Naturel régional Oise – Pays de France, 60128 Plailly Opening Hours: Monday to Friday – 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM How to reach Parc Astérix: Take the RER B until Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 1 station and get to the Parc Astérix desk. You will be directed to the shuttles there that go to the park

Suggested Read: How To Spend 2 Days In Paris: A Stopover Guide!

7. Château De Chantilly

Built in the middle of the waters, around 7800 hectares of forest, the Chantilly Estate pleats the castle, the park, the Condé Museum, the Grandes Ecuries, and the Musée du Cheval. The park here will offer you an astonishing panorama of the art of Western gardening. Don’t hesitate to come and take a look as it is among the perfect tourist places near Paris to spot the aerobatic shows and also the dressage demonstrations here at this place!

Distance from Paris: 25 minutes away from Paris Location: Rue du Connétable, 60500 Chantilly Opening Hours: Generally open from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Public Transport Access: : From the Gare du Nord station, take the TER to the ‘Chantilly-Gouvieux’ station and then take the RER D to the ‘Chantilly-Gouvieux’ station Prices: INR633/- for a ticket for the park; INR870/- for a ticket for the estate

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8. Château De Fontainebleau

Fontainebleau hosts the well-known Château de Fontainebleau. It is the only royal estate to have been continuously inhabited for 7 centuries, as each of the members of the 7 royal dynasties of the kings of France had lived here that still has the reins of the royal walls. The design of this castle is marked with the wealth of the decorations and exclusive aspects of the furniture in apartments. Considered as one of the biggest and most beautiful forests of France, the diversity of its environments, of its relief and its spirits, make it one of the most outstanding places to visit near Paris for a memorable tour exploration.

Distance from Paris: 57 kilometres away from Paris Location: Château de Fontainebleau – 77300 Fontainebleau Opening Hours: The castle is open every day except on Tuesdays, on the 1st of January, the 1st of May, and the 25th of December from 9:30 AM Prices: INR870/- per person Public Transport Access: : From Paris, take the A6 Highway, then take the Fontainebleau exit and follow the ‘château’ signs to reach there

Suggested Read: Paris In Winter: All That You Can Do In This Winter Wonderland

9. Disneyland Paris

The land of Mickey Mouse opens its doors for you and also invites you to try out its 343 roller coasters rides including Big Thunder Mountain, Alice’s Curious Castle, Space Mountain, The Ghost Manor, Pirates of the Caribbean, and many others here! It is among the best places to visit near Paris for children and also adults as it offers you a great chance to meet your favourite Disney characters too while visiting the Sleeping Beauty’s Castle.

If you’re afraid to get hungry, restaurants and fast-food restaurants of many types are available here. Among them, you will find the Auberge de Cendrillon or Café Mickey.

Distance from Paris: 40 kilometres away from Paris Location: Disneyland Paris, Boulevard du Parc, 77700 Serris/Coupvray Public Transport Access: : Marne-la-Vallée-Chessy station (RER A)

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10. Thoiry Zoological Garden

The Thoiry Zoological Garden is unique as you can also see the animals from your car while driving through the 8 km of the ‘Safari’ part of this park. More than 750 animals will welcome you in their 150-hectare park including the giraffes, springboks, deer or warthogs literally waiting for your arrival! It is among not to miss places to visit near Paris.

Distance from Paris: 50 kilometres away from Paris Location: Parc de Thoiry, 78770 Thoiry Opening Hours: The zoo is open every day from February 4th to November 12th included, except on Mondays and Tuesdays in March. Open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (6:00 PM in July and August) Access: Take the A13 Highway at the Porte d’Auteuil. At the junction between A13 and A12, take the A12 Highway, and then N12 towards Dreux. Take the Thoiry exit, follow the D76, then the D11 towards Thoiry Prices: INR2214/- per adult and INR1740/- per children (between 3 and 11 years old)

Further Read: Paris In October: 10 Things To Do To Make The Most Of The Season Of Fall!

So, are you excited about these amazing places to visit near Paris? These are the places that take just 3-4 days to make for a perfect weekend getaway. Head to these places and explore them to your heart’s content for a memorable trip to Paris .

For our editorial codes of conduct and copyright disclaimer, please click here .

Frequently Asked Questions About Places To Visit Near Paris 

Where should I visit outside Paris?

Some of the elegant places to explore outside Paris in France are Palace de Versailles, Puy de Fou, Mont Saint Michel, Loire Valley, Bordeaux, Futuroscope, Parc Asterix, Mont Blanc Helicopter and Hiking Chamonix, French Riviera, and Carcassonne.

What are the best outdoor activities to do in Paris?

Paris, known for its beautiful architecture, also offers several fun activities for its visitors such as rollerblading, punting, pony riding, cruising through canals, visiting Buttes Chaumont, and spending the afternoon at Joséphine Baker swimming pool & solarium.

Is it safe to visit Paris during covid times?

The French government has issued some strict protocols to prevent covid from spreading such as a vaccination pass that can be obtained on arrival and is mandatory to explore the city. Fully vaccinated visitors don’t need to provide a negative RT PCR test on arrival. Wearing masks is mandatory in indoor public places only. Unvaccinated travelers should provide a negative RT PCR test report done prior to departure.

What countries are easy to visit from Paris?

Paris is considered to be a prime location and is also connected with different countries. Countries which are easily accessible from Paris are Netherlands, Luxembourg, Belgium, and England.

Is Rouen worth a day trip from Paris?

Rouen is a lovely Normandy town with great architecture and history, and just one hour away from Paris. Although it has the potential of a major tourist attraction, you won’t find too many visitors in Rouen.

Which food is Paris known for?

If you are visiting Paris, then some of the most popular and delicious food that you must try are Eclairs, Falafel, Oysters, Couscous, Macarons, Baguettes, Croissants, Jambon-beurre, Magret de Canard, and the French cheese.

How far is Versailles from Paris?

The Palace of Versailles is about 12 miles away from the center of Paris. To go to Versailles, you will need to get the RER C, which is a train that will take you directly to the Palace of Versailles.

What is the best time to visit Paris?

Paris is crowded with tourists during June and July in the summer and from mid December to January in the winter. If you wish to travel when Paris is thinly crowded, then mid January is the best time and you can also find some affordable accommodations.

How many days are required to visit Paris?

At least a 3 days tour is required to explore Paris and visit some famous tourist attractions. For a relaxing holiday, you may extend it to a 7 days tour and experience this exquisite city to the fullest.

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Asif Anwar Alig is Co-Founder cum Editor-in-Chief at www.seocontentindia.in. He formerly served as an Executive Producer at ETV; Editorial Coordinator at Management Development Institute, Gurgaon, India; Media Specialist at Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University, Saudi Arabia; and Assistant Professor in the Saudi Ministry of Education for two decades.

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Best Day Trips from Paris

• See & Do
• Day Trips from Paris

13 Epic Day Trips from Paris

Just beyond Paris lies a whole other world for you to visit and explore:   thrillingly beautiful chateaus, castles, and cathedrals, the Normandy beaches where heroic D-Day invasions unfolded, fabulous vineyards where you can savor the best Champagne in the world, a medieval abbey almost surrounded by water, and for kids of all ages, Disneyland Paris.

Planning a Day Trip from Paris?

The most popular day trips from Paris fill up quickly, especially from April through October.  Book early to get the dates you want:

The most popular day trips from Paris:

• Versailles Skip-the-Line Guided Tour & Gardens  - Optional garden tour
• Giverny: Monet's Garden Half-Day Tour  - Our favorite Giverny tour
• Day Trip from Paris to Champagne with 8 Tastings & Lunch - Loads of fun!
• Disneyland Paris 1-Day Ticket  - Choose 1 or 2 parks; enter fast
• Normandy D-Day Landing Beaches Full-Day Tour from Paris - Small group tour

Thanks to convenient tours including transportation from Paris, you can easily make day trips from Paris to Versailles, Giverny, Mont Saint-Michel, and all of these other magical places . 

You can even leave Paris in the morning and spend the day enjoying famous sights in London, sampling delicious wines and lunching at a château surrounded by vineyards near the city of Bordeaux in Southwestern France , or cruising down the picturesque canals of Bruges, Belgium - and still return to Paris in time for a late dinner.

Check out our suggestions for 13 best day trips from Paris and the best ways to explore them during a one day adventure.

Here's what you'll find in this article:

1.  Claude Monet's Garden & Pond at Giverny    2.  Versailles Palace & Gardens   3.  Normandy D-Day Beaches 4.  Disneyland Paris   5.  Mont Saint-Michel   6.  Loire Valley for Champagne Tasting   7.  Castles in the Loire Valley   8.  Chartres Cathedral   9.  Chateau de Vaux Le Vicomte   10.  Chateau de Fontainebleau     11.  Weekend Getaway to London   12.  Bruges, Belgium   13.  Wine Tasting in Bordeaux

Top photo: The King's Gate at Versailles, less than an hour outside of Paris, (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

1.  Day Trip to Giverny: Monet's Home, Garden, & Water Lily Ponds

Impressionist artist Claude Monet spent the last half of his life in Giverny, a tiny village in Normandy about 45 miles (about 1 hour and 15-30 minutes) outside of Paris.  Using his favorite Japanese wood block prints as inspiration, he created lush flower gardens and a pond filled with floating water lilies, where reflections of light inspired his famous Water Lilies paintings.

Visiting Giverny  is a quick and easy day trip from Paris, and if you're a Monet fan, it's an experience you should put at the top of your bucket list.  Thanks to a meticulous restoration after Monet's death, you will see his house, gardens, and water lily pond much as they were when he lived here and painted some of his finest masterpieces.

You'll stroll among the masses of flowers in the breathtaking gardens, explore the charming pink stucco house filled with mostly-original furnishings where Monet lived with his second wife and their six children, and perhaps best of all, immerse yourself in the tranquil Japanese-style water garden where the lilies fill the air with fragrance during July and August while other plants bloom from late March through early November.

Here are two of the best guided day trips with transportation from Paris:

• Giverny: Monet's Garden Half-Day Tour - For this small-group tour, you'll travel to Giverny in an air-conditioned minivan with a guide who will speed you through a fast-entry tours-only gate for tours.  You'll explore Monet's beautiful house, gardens, and lily pond, and will also visit the peaceful graveyard where he is buried.  Book your ticket
• Giverny & Versailles Palace Guided Day Trip - This combo full-day tour gives you the perfect way to combine a visit to Giverny with a trip to the Palace of Versailles, where you'll visit the Hall of Mirrors, Royal Apartments, and the spectacular gardens.  Book your ticket

Find more of our recommended day trips to Giverny

Compare the best ways to get to Giverny from Paris

2.  Versailles Palace & Gardens

The Palace of Versailles' over-the-top opulence and famous former occupants including Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette attracts around 10 million visitors a year, and for good reason. 

With its dazzling c rystal chandeliers, priceless art and antiques, and masses of gleaming gold, mirrors, tapestries, and gilded ornaments everywhere you look, Versailles Palace packs a visual punch - and that's before you explore the vast 2,000 acre grounds  filled with flower gardens, trees, statues, fountains, a mile-long Grand Canal, a couple of smaller palaces called the Grand and Petit Trianon, a lake, and Marie Antoinette's rustic Queen's Hamlet, a small village of thatched roof cottages. 

There's no other place in the world that's quite as magnificent or fascinating - or that symbolizes extravagance, royal power, and decadence in quite the same way.  You can easily spend an entire day here, and still wish you had longer.

Even better:   Spend a night or two at one of the luxury resorts or cute apartments close to the Palace (or a budget-friendly 2- or 3-star hotel), and explore the Palace, gardens, and other attractions at the estate at your leisure.  Did you know there's a new hotel inside the Palace?

• Top things to see & do Inside the Palace of Versailles and Its Gardens
• Best guided walking and bike tours of Versailles from Paris
• How to get to Versailles from Paris: 6 options
• Where to stay near Versailles Palace

Located 14 miles (23 km) and about 30-45 minutes travel time from the center of Paris, Versailles is quick and easy to reach by the RER C train plus a 10 minute walk to the palace - but there's a catch.   Remember those 10 million visitors per year?  During high season - April 1st through October 31st - you'll swear they're all there on the same day as you.

Forget all the tips you may have heard about how to beat the crowds during the high season.  No matter how early you arrive in the morning and no matter which day of the week you visit, you'll almost always face a 2-hour or longer wait in line even when you have a so-called "skip-the-line" ticket. 

Why?  While those tickets let you avoid the ticket line, you still have to go through the very, very long security line.   At other Paris attractions, skip-the-line tickets shorten your wait to almost nothing - but not here, due to the massive crowds.

Fortunately, there's an easy solution right at your fingertips:  book a guided tour.   Groups accompanied by a tour guide get to use a special "guided tours only" entrance where the security line moves much faster. 

A wide variety of guided Versailles tours are available, so you can choose the combination of transportation (or not) from Paris, tour length, and other experiences you prefer.  All include your admission ticket to the Palace and Garden and, of course, entrance to Versailles through the group tour gate.  Here are 3 popular choices:

• Versailles Skip-the-Line Half-Day Tour & Hotel Transfer  - Experience the lavish palace and gardens enjoyed by French kings and queens, including Marie Antoinette as an expert guide shows you the famous Hall of Mirrors, State Apartments, King's Bedroom, and more.  Find out more
• Versailles Bike Tour with Palace & Queen Farm Entrance - For a different type of experience, this 8-hour bike tour  includes train tickets to/from Paris, a visit to the local farmer's market for picnic provisions, bike rental and helmet, and a guided bike tour of the palace grounds, including the Petit and Grand Trianon plus Marie-Antoinette's Hamlet.  Your guide will take you through the guided tour entrance to the palace, where you'll get an audio guide so that you can the Hall of Mirrors and other rooms on your own.   Find out more
• Versailles by Train Escorted Tour from Paris with Skip the Line Tickets - A guide meets you at a designated spot in Paris, escorts you on the RER train to Versailles, and takes you through the guided tour direct entrance to avoid the lines.   After lunch (on your own, or add on a gourmet 3-course lunch with wine when you book), you'll visit the Petit Trianon, Marie Antoinette's personal domain and her quaint country "village."  After your tour, you'll take the direct train back to Paris.

More Highly-Rated Versailles Tour Choices

3.  normandy d-day beaches.

No matter how many times you may have seen photographs, videos, or movies of the Normandy beaches where American, Canadian, British, and other nations' troops landed during D-Day for a courageous and successful military operation leading to the end of World War II in Europe, there is nothing quite as moving or as fascinating as seeing this part of Northern France in person.

The easiest and most convenient way to see the D-Day beaches from Paris is to join a 1-day tour.  Not only does a comfortable coach provide your transportation to and from Normandy, but it also makes getting from one site to another easy, and you don't have to deal with parking. 

The tours last 12-14 hours and typically include visits to a couple of the landing beaches where you can also see the remains of Nazi bunkers, Pointe du Hoc where US Rangers scaled the 100-foot high cliffs as they dodged German fire, the American Cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach, and a museum dedicated to World War II history and the D-Day landings. 

These two popular 1-day tours are similar, but their itineraries and lunch options may differ.  Both are excellent - so check them both out and choose the one you like best:

• Normandy D-Day Beaches: Day Trip from Paris

Can You Get to the Normandy D-Day Beaches by Train from Paris?

No, but you can get close.  Although you can take a train to Normandy from Gare Saint-Lazare train station in Paris, none of the trains go directly to the landing beaches. 

Your best option is to take the train to Caen or Bayeux, and then rent a car to travel along the 50-mile swath of the Normandy coast where the five D-Day landing beaches, museums, cemeteries, bunkers, and other important sights are located. 

To do this trip on your own as quickly as possible, plan on two days.  For a more leisurely pace and/or in-depth exploration, plan on three days - or even more if you decide to visit Mont Saint-Michel while you're on the Normandy coast.

4.  One Day (or More) in Disneyland Paris

With the Magic Kingdom, a fantasy castle, and of course Mickey and all the other lovable Disney characters, parades, and evening fireworks, a day at Disneyland Paris offers loads of fun for kids of all ages. 

The park offers you two exciting experiences:  Disneyland Park with Big Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain Mission 2, and lots of other kid-friendly rides and adventures, and Walt Disney Studios Park with stunt demonstrations and other behind-the-scenes shows.  Whether you choose one or both, you'll enjoy a day packed with entertainment and adventure. 

Best ways to get to Disneyland Paris from Paris

Disneyland Paris tends to be somewhat more relaxed and low-key than the parks in the US and other countries (and tickets are usually slightly less expensive ). 

Even so, you should expect big crowds on weekends, during summer months, during French and European school vacations in the spring and fall (basically, late March-May and October-November), and of course at holidays when Disney puts on spectacular celebrations.  

To save time at the entrance by skipping the ticket line , buy your Disneyland Paris 1-Day Ticket  before you come.

If one day isn't long enough, get a Disneyland Paris Multi-Day Entrance Ticket and stay over at one of the Disney resorts or other hotels nearby. 

Find the best places to stay at Disneyland Paris and make your reservations

5.  Day Trip to Mont Saint Michel

Rising from a tiny island just off the Atlantic Coast between Normandy and Brittany, Mont Saint Michel Abbey is an unforgettable sight.  Inspired by a bishop's vision of the Archangel Michael, worship began here in 708 and the abbey's construction started in 966.  The magnificent abbey has been the destination of pilgrimages since medieval times. 

Comfortable transportation  from Paris makes it possible to visit Mont Saint Michel in just one day, while seeing the beautiful French countryside along the way. 

Here are two of the most popular day trip choices:

• Small Group Mont Saint Michel Tour & Cider Tasting - Explore the famous abby and fortified island town mostly at your own pace, and make a special stop to enjoy some famous Normandy Cider Pommeau and Calvados
• Full-Day Mont Saint-Michel Guided Tour - Choose this tour if you prefer a fully-guided experience, including lunch, during your time at Mont Saint Michel

6.  Champagne Tasting in the Loire Valley

A day trip to France's beautiful Champagne region, located less than 100 miles east of Paris, gives you a memorable opportunity to sample the country's most famous beverage at champagne houses such as Mumm, Taittinger, Nicolas Feuillatte, Veuve Clicquot, and Moët & Chandon, and visit the renowned vineyards where the Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grapes used to make champagne grow.

Although you can travel by train from Paris's Gare de l'Est to Reims or Epernay, the major city and town along the Champagne route, you'll need a car (and a designated driver) or other transportation to get to the vineyards as well as to producers in smaller villages.  A much easier and more efficient option is to go on a day trip to Campagne country from Paris. 

Here are several of our favorites:

• Day Trip from Paris to Champagne with 8 Tastings & Lunch - With visits to 2 or more champagne houses (including a world-famous choice and 1-2 small traditional champagne houses), champagne and food pairings during lunch (included with your tour), and a masterclass in a vineyard, this small-group tour gives you the opportunity to taste 8 different champagnes during the day.  You can also privatize this tour for your group of 1-8 people.
• Small Group Tour from Paris to Champagne with 3-Course Lunch - You'll be picked up from your Paris hotel for a full-day excursion to 3 Champagne houses including Moët & Chandon, where you'll have a guided tour and sip some fine vintage Champagne.  You'll also visit a small local winery for more tastings, savor a 3-course lunch at a local restaurant, stop by a local producer who works with 80+ farmers to create special sparkling wines, and sample sample 4 more glasses of Champagne before your return back to Paris, where you'll be dropped off at your hotel.  Limited to 7 participants.
• Champagne Region Bike Tour & Tastings - After traveling by train from Paris to Reims (as quick as 39 minutes on the high-speed TGV train from Gare de l'Est), your guide will meet you and provide you with an electric bike  to use during the tour through the Champagne region countryside past historic vineyards and picturesque villages.   You'll visit Champagne houses and their cellars, learn how the beverage is made, and enjoy tastings as well as a traditional lunch.

7.  A Day (or Weekend) Trip to London

Hop on the high-speed Eurostar train to London at Paris's Gare du Nord train station and in just over two hours, you'll be in a different country - ready to begin your day of adventure exploring one of the world's great cities. 

A fun and easy way to see London is on top of a double-decker Hop-On Hop-Off bus.   The narrated tour route includes all of London's iconic sights:  Tower of London, Big Ben, the London Eye, Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge, and Buckingham Palace.  Your ticket also includes a Thames River cruise and a free walking tour.  Hop off to explore on foot, shop, or enjoy some tasty pub grub whenever you please, and then hop back on. 

Save time by getting your tickets in advance for specialty tours or experiences such as a Harry Potter guided walking tour or thrilling ride on the London Eye . 

Read our review of the Magical London: Harry Potter Guided Walking tour

If you want to visit lots of places in one day, consider a 1-day London Pass, which lets you choose from 80+ attractions.

You can book your Eurostar tickets online before you go.  Prices vary based on how close to your travel dates you book your seats (book up to 3 months ahead for the cheapest seats) and whether you choose Standard, First Class, or Business seats.  In case you're wondering: Standard seats are quite comfortable, but First Class and Business seats give you more amenities if you're planning to work on your laptop during the 2+ hour trip.  Booking information:   Eurostar website

8.  Fabulous Loire Valley Castles

Over 300 castles built between the 10th and 15th centuries dot the beautiful Loire River Valley south of Paris and stretching west all the way to the Bay of Biscay.  

Some of the grandest and most beautiful of these historic châteaux from the Renaissance period have been authentically restored inside and out, and are open to the public to tours. 

If you have only one day to spend seeing chateaus in the Loire Valley, choose a day tour from Paris to make the most of your time. 

You'll see the beautiful scenery and small villages of the Loire Valley, explore 2-3 of the most famous castles, and learn a lot about the region's history and nobility who lived here.  Depending on which tour you choose, you may also get to combine this with good food and wine.

Our favorite is the small group (25 or fewer) Fairytale Loire Castles, Wine Tasting, and Lunch tour - a fantastic day packed with wonderful experiences, including tours of two very different but spectacular castles,  Château de Chambord (fans of Disney's Beauty and the Beast will instantly recognize it!) and the magnificent Château de Chenonceau, built partly over the River Cher and filled with original furnishings and art. 

You also get to see visit a smaller family-owned castle, Château de Nitray, where you'll be served a tasty lunch featuring local products and wine from the castle's own vineyard/winery.  The tour of Chenonceau is in the afternoon, where you'll be offered another wine tasting (alternately, you can spend time exploring the castle's gardens) - a nice end to a perfect day.

9.  Chartres Cathedral - The Most Stunningly Gorgeous Stained Glass in Europe?

Twelfth century Chartres Cathedral, a soaring French Gothic masterpiece with incredible stained glass windows, is renowned for its beauty.  In fact, it's considered one of the most magnificent cathedrals in Europe because of the dazzling jewel-like colors of its stained glass, especially the vivid reds, blues, and purples.

In case you are wondering if Chartres is worth a visit, considering that Paris has its own magnifcent cathedral and many lovely churches, our opinion is a strong "yes."  The brilliance of its stained glass puts it in a class by itself.  Seeing it for the first time can feel like a transformative experience.

The cathedral conveniently lies just over an hour by train outside of Paris in the Loire Valley - an easy and rewarding day trip, and an excuse to explore the charming medieval town of Chartres.

You can catch the train to Chartres at Montparnasse Station in Paris.  Buy your tickets in the station for around 25€ each way.  Trains run about every hour on the weekends, and even more frequently during the week - you can check the schedule on the SNCF website.  

When you arrive in Chartres, you'll easily spot the spires of the Cathedral slightly to the left as you exit the train station - a 3-5 minute walk.  Since it's the only cathedral in town, you really can't miss it.

As you walk around the outside of the cathedral, look up to see flying buttresses and pointed arches, and massive expanses of intricate stone carvings - about 4,000 in all.

The only newish elements are the metal roof, put in place in 1837 after a massive fire - similar to the tragic fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris - destroyed the original roof, and an early 16th century Flamboyant-style spire that contrasts with the plainer original spire.

Inside, be sure to notice the Gothic rib-and-panel vault, numerous statues, and of course, the stunningly beautiful mostly-original 12th and 13th century stained glass including its three exquisite and enormous rose windows.  You can also (usually) visit an 11th century crypt.

After you explore the cathedral, walk around the nearby narrow Medieval-period streets with half-timbered buildings.  You'll find boutiques and many appealing bistros and cafes.   

Next to the cathedral in the former bishops' palace is the Chartres Museum of Fine Arts (free admission).  The museum buildings date from the 15th, 17th, and 18th centuries, and contain interesting collections from the Middle Ages to the mid-20th century.

If you prefer a guided tour , take a look at this VIP option which offers the luxury of a private driver and guide from Paris who will pick you up at your hotel and drive you to Chartres for a customized experience based on your personal interests and preferences.  This 5-hour private tour can accommodate from 2 to 7 people.  After the tour, you'll be driven back to Paris and dropped off at your hotel.

Book the private VIP tour now

10.  Château de Vaux Le Vicomte:  See the Inspiration for Versailles

Built in the 1600s by a team including the top architect, top painter, and top landscape artist of the time, the magnificent Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte is located in the small village of Maincy just 35 miles outside of Paris.  When King Louis XIV visited, he loved it so much that he hired the same team to transform a rustic hunting lodge into his splendid Château de Versailles. 

When you visit today, you'll see how the privately-owned Vaux le Vicomte rivals Versailles for its beautiful and harmonious design, fabulous gardens and fountains, and lavishly decorated rooms - but without the crowds.

The castle has welcomed the public since 1968 and offers a variety of experiences.  You can tour the chateau and gardens (and you can even rent a golf cart for going farther afield, also like Versailles). 

You can also visit a carriage museum, watch water and fountain shows on a couple of Saturday afternoon each month, and enjoy romantic candlelight evenings (and optional dinners) from May to October. 

At Christmas, Vaux le Vicomte's spectacular holiday decorations make the castle a popular winter attraction from mid-November through early January.  The castle then closes for the remainder of January through late March.

Tours with Transportation Provided to Vaux le Vicomte

Getting to the Chateau by train or bus is actually a bit complicated, but fortunately several tours provide transportation that make getting there easy.  Here are several of our favorite ways to visit Vaux le Vicomte:

• Fontainebleau & Vaux le Vicomte - Day Tour from Paris - If you'd like to also see Fontainebleau, this package gives you luxury coach transportation from Paris to both castles and also includes admission and audio guides to both places.  A great value, and much easier than trying to coordinate train schedules/shuttles/taxis, especially if you want to see both castles in a day. 
• Chateau de Fontainbleau & Vaux-Le-Vicomte Small Group Tour from Paris - If you prefer a more personalized experience when you visit these magnificent and historically significant castles, this small group tour is a wonderful option.  You'll travel on an air conditioned minibus with an expert guide who share information and insights, plus you'll also have time to explore on your own (and even, as we discovered, rent a golf cart to reach the farthest corners of the estate). 
• A Candlelit Evening at Vaux-le-Vicomte Palace with Dinner & Fireworks - On this VIP experience, you'll travel to the chateau from Paris by a mini-van with pick up/drop off at your hotel included.  Then you'll be seated for a tasty 3-course candlelit dinner at Les Charmilles restaurant overlooking the illuminated chateau and gardens.  After dinner, you can explore the château on your own, visit the carriage museum where you'll see everything from a Roman carriage to 20th century saloons, and stroll around the beautiful gardens illuminated by 2,000 candles.  A fireworks show ends this special evening.  Available May - October, with limited availability - so don't wait to book this unforgettable experience.   Make your reservations

Getting there by Train

If you do decide to go on your own, here's how to do it: 

From Gare de l'Est in Paris, take the direct train Line P (in the direction of Provins) to Verneuil l'Etang station (about 35 minutes; direct trains run every hour).  At the station, the "Chateaubus" shuttle meets each train, and will take you to the castle in the town of Maincy and then back to the station at the end of the day.  (Please double-check availability, especially for going back to the station, because it doesn't run all the time.) 

You must buy your timed-entry admission tickets to the Chateau in advance online.   If you want to see the Christmas decorations between late November and early January, get your ticket far in advance as they sell out much sooner than you might expect.

11.  Château de Fontainebleau

Fontainebleau, another magnificent palace with medieval roots as a hunting lodge, overlooks spectacular gardens including the largest formal garden in Europe.  The castle itself has served as a residence for French rulers including 34 kings and two emperors from the 12th through the 19th century. 

Located just 42 miles from Paris, Fontainebleau is a popular day trip destination from Paris.

You can explore numerous meticulously maintained rooms filled with beautiful antiques, art, wall coverings, and artifacts. With elaborately painting ceilings, paneled walls, door-top decorations, frescoes, and hand-carved moldings, Fontainebleau rivals Versailles for beauty and artistry, although it doesn't have nearly as much gold or as many mirrors (or as many crowds).  Must-see rooms include Marie-Antoinette's boudoir, Napoleon's Throne Room, and the Pope's Apartment.

Fontainebleau, itself a UNESCO World Heritage site and museum, also contains four other museums: The Empress's Chinese Museum dedicated to East Asian treasures (some plundered by Napoleon, some given as gifts), the Napoleon 1 Museum, a Paintings Gallery, and a Furniture Gallery exhibiting collections of the castle's furniture from different time periods.  In addition, Fontainebleau includes three exquisite chapels.

To visit on your own, buy an inexpensive priority entrance ticket online, and then take a train from the Gare de Lyon station in Paris to the Fontainebleau Avon station (three different train lines stop there - it's about 40 minutes from Paris).  Walk to the nearby bus station, take the Aérial 1 bus toward Les Lilas, get off at the Château stop, and walk two minutes to the castle. 

For greater convenience, choose one of these special combo tours with transportation from Paris:

• Fontainebleau & Vaux le Vicomte - Day Tour from Paris - This excursion gives you luxury coach transportation from Paris to both castles as well as admission and audio guides to both places.  A great value, and much easier than trying to coordinate train schedules/shuttles/taxis, especially if you want to see both castles in a day.  Book Now
• Chateau de Fontainbleau & Vaux-Le-Vicomte Small Group Tour from Paris - Prefer a more personalized experience when you visit these magnificent and historically significant castles?  This small group tour by air conditioned minibus combines information and insights from an expert guide with time to explore on your own with audio guides.  Book Now
• Chateau de Fontainbleau & Chateau de Versailles Private Tour - After picking you up at your hotel, your driver/guide will first take you to the Chateau de Fontainebleau for a private tour of the magnificent palace, where you'll also see Napoleon's Throne.  After lunch in the nearby village, you'll head to Versailles for a tour of the Hall of Mirrors and other famous rooms and a walk around the magnificent gardens before heading back to Paris.   Book Now

12.  A Day in Bruges, Belgium

Sometimes called "the Venice of the North," Bruges looks like it stepped out of a movie set in the Middle Ages with its medieval Flemish architecture, quaint cobblestone streets, winding tree-shaded canals, and photo-worthy bridges. 

Thanks to this comfortable coach tour from Paris, you can get there and back in one day  and still have plenty of time to explore the compact city.  A guide leads you on a walk through the city center and points out the famous cathedral, museums, and other important sites. 

After your guided tour, you're free to take a boat cruise along the picturesque canals (the ticket is included with your tour), photograph the famous Grote Markt (market square) lined with colorful neo-Gothic buildings, and admire the fabulous architecture of City Hall and other buildings in the Burg.

For lunch, savor a bucket of steamed mussels with fries and a mug of Belgium beer at a cafe, and then buy some Belgium chocolates or other souvenirs offered by the many small shops before heading back to Paris. 

Reserve your place on this tour

13.  Wine Tasting in Bordeaux

Imagine spending a day in Bordeaux on the Garonne River in southwestern France, visiting vineyards and sampling a variety of world-famous Bordeaux wines, sightseeing, and perhaps savoring a gourmet lunch in a château.  

Bordeaux is actually quite a distance from Paris, but thanks to high-speed SNCF trains covering almost 200 mph, you can get there in as little as 2 hours and 6 minutes.  Trains leave Paris from the conveniently-located Montparnasse station on the Left Bank, and arrive at the Bordeaux-Saint Jean station.  Getting your round-trip ticket is easy - book online on the official SNCF website.  

Tip:   Book as early as possible for the best selection of cheap tickets, and choose an early arrive to allow plenty of time to connect with your tour group.

To make the most of your time (translation: savor lots of great wines!), join a guided day tour such as the small-group Saint-Emilion & Medoc Wine Day Tour with Lunch.  Your guide will meet you in central Bordeaux for a wine-tasting workshop, and then you'll go by minibus to two different grand chateaus in the Medoc region, where you'll sample at least 10 wines, see beautiful scenery, and enjoy a picnic lunch.  At the end of your tour, you'll return to Bordeaux by minibus, where you can take the train back to Paris.

For a shorter-duration adventure, consider a half-day small-group tour from Bordeaux to Saint Emilion .  In this shorter experience, you'll head out for a guided walking tour of the charming village with its winding lanes and Romanesque churches, and then go in a Mercedes minivan to visit a classified-growth chateau for a wine-tasting.

If you want more than just one day in this fascinating part of France, consider spending a night or two in Bordeaux.  Pro tip:   You'll find much cheaper hotel rates here than in Paris.

Our hotel recommendations for Bordeaux include: 

• Le Palais Gallien Hotel & Spa (144 Rue Abbé de l'Épée) - Gorgeous 5-star boutique hotel in a 19th century mansion with air conditioning plus spacious guestrooms and suites in central Bordeaux; amenities include a seasonal swimming pool and spa
• Mama Shelter Bordeaux (19 Rue Poquelin Molière) - Trendy 2-star hotel designed Philip Starck with super-comfortable beds near the cathedral in central Bordeaux; rooftop bar and restaurant
• Hilton Garden Center (17 Allee de Rio) - This 4-star hotel is close to the river and a short walk from the train station, but a bit outside of Bordeaux center

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Want to Save on Your Paris Hotel?

Check our tips on how to find discounts, deals, and bargains for Paris hotels.  Whether you're looking for cheap accommodations or want to pay less for luxury, we'll show you how to save on hotels in Paris.  

Here are some shortcuts: 

• Booking.com: Need last minute reservations?  Check out Today Deals on their website
• Trip Advisor: Use their Best Value Deals & save BIG on your Paris hotel
• Priceline: Find the lowest prices on Paris hotels with their Express Deals

Top Attractions & Tours

• Eiffel Tower - Enjoy sweeping views of Paris
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• 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

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5 Scenic Day Trips From Paris For You

Paris, the City of Light, is a treasure trove of history, culture, and romance . But beyond its iconic landmarks and bustling streets lies a world of destinations waiting to be explored. Whether you’re a history buff, a nature lover, or simply looking to escape the city’s hustle and bustle, these five beautiful day trips from Paris offer something for everyone. From the opulent palaces and gardens of Versailles to the charming town of Chartres, each destination promises a unique and unforgettable experience. So, pack your bags, grab your camera, and get ready to discover these gems just a short journey from Paris. Here are five must-visit day trips that will make your Parisian adventure even more magical.

The Palace of Versailles, just a short 23 km from Paris, is one of France's most historically significant sites. The palace's grandeur, with its Hall of Mirrors, lavishly decorated rooms, and expansive gardens, makes it a must-visit. The meticulously manicured gardens, with fountains, statues, and the Grand Canal, are perfect for a stroll. While in Versailles, you can also explore the Trianon palaces and Marie Antoinette's Estate, which offer a more intimate glimpse into royal life . A visit to Versailles provides a glimpse into the splendour of French royalty, and it’s an easy and rewarding day trip from Paris.

Giverny, located about 75 km from Paris, is a picturesque village famous for being the home of Claude Monet, the father of Impressionism. The highlight of a trip to Giverny is visiting Monet’s house and gardens, which inspired some of his most famous works, including the iconic water lilies series. The gardens are a riot of colour, with flowers blooming every season, and the Japanese bridge over the water lily pond is instantly recognizable. After exploring Monet's gardens, you can visit the Museum of Impressionism, which features works by Monet and other Impressionist painters. Giverny offers a serene and artistic escape from the bustle of Paris.

Fontainebleau

Fontainebleau is home to the magnificent Château de Fontainebleau, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Nestled, about 78 km from Paris, this royal residence was home to French monarchs for over 700 years, from Louis VII to Napoleon III. The château’s vast interior is filled with opulent rooms, galleries, and chapels, showcasing a blend of Renaissance and classical architecture. The surrounding Fontainebleau Forest is equally impressive, offering miles of hiking trails, rock climbing opportunities, and beautiful natural scenery. A day trip to Fontainebleau combines history, art, and nature perfectly.

Chartres is best known for its cathedral, Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. This UNESCO World Heritage site is renowned for its intricate stained glass windows dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries. The cathedral’s two contrasting spires, one Romanesque and the other Gothic, dominate the skyline of the charming town. Chartres is a lovely town to explore, with its narrow medieval streets, half-timbered houses, and beautiful riverside walks. A visit to Chartres, about 100 km southwest of Paris, offers a peaceful retreat with a rich cultural experience.

Located about 144 km from Paris, Reims is the unofficial capital of the Champagne region and a city steeped in history. The town is famous for its magnificent Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims, where French kings were crowned for over a thousand years. The cathedral is a living example of Gothic architecture, with its intricate façade and beautiful stained glass windows. Reims is also the perfect place to indulge in a champagne-tasting tour, with many famous Champagne houses offering guided tours and tastings.

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Top 13 things you can only do in Paris

Jun 17, 2024 • 12 min read

From dining on the Seine in a floating restaurant, to finding your favorite view of the Eiffel Tower, here are the best things to do in Paris © Neirfy / Shutterstock

Rooksana Hossenally is one of the authors of the new  Lonely Planet Paris guidebook . Here she shares her suggestions for the top things to do in Paris.

Paris has retained its place as the leading city destination in the world, according to Euromonitor International’s latest report , and it’s not hard to see why. Being a Paris local, I may be biased, but the French capital really does have it all, from centuries-old architecture and fascinating history to dynamic food and art scenes and a multicultural population pushing the boundaries of creativity.

What really draws crowds, though, are the things you can only do in Paris. From Michelin-star dining on the River Seine to flea-market shopping on the outskirts of the city, here are some of the top things to do on your next visit to Paris.

1. Have dinner on the Seine imagined by Michelin-star chefs

The range of dinner cruises on the Seine is overwhelming and it can be hard to choose between them. If you want to splash out, failsafe options include the floating restaurants led by the three-Michelin-star chefs Frédéric Anton and Alain Ducasse.

For a more intimate experience, go for the Don Juan II , overseen by Frédéric Anton. Belonging to the Yachts de Paris , the restaurant only has a handful of tables but has itself earned a Michelin star under Anton's leadership. Inside, mahogany paneling, thick carpets and opulent Pierre Frey fabrics give the space a homely feel. The boat leaves at sundown, and guests get to gaze out at Paris’ most magical highlights, from Notre Dame Cathedral to the Eiffel Tower lit by hundreds of little lights, as they tuck into a five-course seasonal menu, with highlights such as creamy stracciatella with lashings of caviar, and fleshy langoustine.

The other, livelier option is a table on board the shiny-steel-and-glass Ducasse sur Seine , which takes the same route and serves four- to six-course menus designed in conjunction with Alain Ducasse.

You can go up on deck on both boats, which is the best spot for watching the Eiffel Tower dazzle on the hour.

Planning tip: Do make reservations as far in advance as possible as both dinner cruises tend to get booked up. The ports can be tricky to find, especially when you’re not familiar with the quays, so allow for plenty of time to arrive because the cruises won't wait.

2. Enjoy a picnic with a view of Notre-Dame

Notre-Dame Cathedral is (rightfully) a major highlight in all the guidebooks, but it has become a victim of overtourism. The interiors are beautiful, but if you don't want to queue up to visit, you can see it from a different perspective instead.

Pack a picnic – perhaps a baguette, salted butter, ham and cheeses – and set up on the small stretch of the Seine riverbank west of the Port de Montebello. From here, you can see the cathedral’s wooden lattice structure known as the “forest” because it was made using oak trees. Before the roof was destroyed in the 2019 fire, it was one of the oldest frameworks in Paris and it is slowly being rebuilt. The 16 statues of the Apostles and Evangelists, which were staggered on the roof of the cathedral, eerily looking down from above, were spared from the fire and will be replaced in time for the Olympics.

Planning tip: As with any outdoor activity, make sure to check the weather conditions before you put together your picnic and set off.

3. Renew your appreciation for croissants

Croissants might be an everyday staple in France, but the painstaking work that goes into making the buttery viennoiseries  (breakfast baked goods) is sometimes taken for granted. However, after taking a croissant-making class at the Seine-side La Cuisine Paris cooking school , I learned that it takes several days to make croissants. They have no less than 81 layers of pastry and butter that are lovingly kneaded, delicately rolled together and plaited before they can go in the oven. That was just one of many interesting facts we learned from taking the class, making it a novel way of getting to know about French food and culture.

Planning tip: Book in advance as the classes are very popular. La Cuisine also does gift vouchers, which could make good presents for friends and family traveling to Paris in the near future.

4. Dive into Paris’ contemporary art scene with your own guide

Swap Paris’ overcrowded museums for some gallery hopping across the city, from the chic Marais to bohemian Belleville. It’s here that you’ll catch much of the art scene’s latest emerging talent and you won’t need to queue – in fact you’ll often get the chance to be alone in a room to take in the works. If you’re lucky, you might even get to meet the artists as they stop by to check in on their show.

If you don’t know where to start, get in touch with Paris art guide Alexandra Weinress , who will take you on a tailor-made tour in English or French, based on your interests. She can also include fun pit stops like a lunch at one of her favorite modern brasseries.

5. Explore a mass grave below ground

First and foremost, a word of warning that this isn’t for the fainthearted. But head 20m (66ft) below ground, and you'll enter the maze of galleries that make up the Catacombs of Paris , containing the remains of several million Parisians. During the 18th century, the rise in public health risks linked to the city’s cemeteries led to bones and skulls being exhumed and transferred here, arranged several meters high along the walls in underground galleries. Today, you can listen to an audio guide of the giant tomb, which brings to light yet another fascinating and offbeat part of Parisian history.

Planning tip: Be warned that the Catacombs are accessible via stairs only, including on the way out, which may not be suitable for some visitors.

6. Visit the largest museum on Earth

If you guessed the Museé du Louvre , then you guessed right. Yes, it may be firmly on the well-beaten tourist track, but it’s there for good reason, one being its size. Once the royal palace that housed none other than Napoleon, the Louvre has borne witness to centuries of history since it was founded in 1793. The largest museum in the world, it has almost 73,000 sq meters (785,765 sq ft) of exhibition space, 403 rooms, and 14.5km (9 miles) of corridors, where 33,000 artworks out of nearly 500,000 held by the museum are showcased. The works span several thousand years and continents, from the Americas to Asia, with the Egyptian wing being a favorite.

Head-spinning facts aside, for visitors who aren’t fans of the museum experience, it’s also possible to get a sense of the Louvre’s size, importance and beauty by walking the full length of its exterior from the rue de Rivoli to its interior courtyards, which are accessible for free throughout the day.

Planning tip: The museum is open until 9pm on Wednesdays and Fridays, when it tends to be less crowded. Like many museums in Paris, the Louvre is closed on Tuesdays. Check the latest timings on the Louvre website beforehand, as they can vary from season to season.

7. Travel back in time to bohemian Montmartre

Montmartre is a village with bohemian artistic roots. Perched on the highest hill of Paris, it's crowned by the gleaming white Sacré-Coeur Basilica , which opened in 1910. One of the last villages to join the arrondissements of Paris proper, it has retained its village atmosphere, with narrow lanes that wind down the hillsides, lined with stone houses, cafes, restaurants and boutiques. This was once a stomping ground for artists including Pablo Picasso, who would hole up at Le Bateau Lavoir – an artists’ residency that to this day seldom opens its doors to visitors – and party at the numerous nightlife spots.

The village was scattered with windmills that once ground flour and crushed grapes, giving rise to debauched nights in the area’s cabarets and guinguettes (popular outdoor taverns where there is dancing). Some of these have survived, like Chez Michou and Le Lapin Agile . Today, there is only one functioning windmill left, the Blute-Fin windmill , which is not accessible to the public. The Radet windmill you see as part of the Moulin de la Galette restaurant on rue Lepic once stood next to the Blute-Fin and was moved here in the 1920s. The Clos Montmartre vineyard still exists and there is an annual grape harvest festival in October, which is worth coming to the city for.

Planning tip: The best way to see Montmartre is by taking one of our itineraries in the latest Lonely Planet Paris guidebook . Alternatively, take the Promotrain or Montmartrain , which carry visitors around Montmartre to the main sites. It’s about an hour’s round trip, and they're especially good for people with restricted mobility, families with young children, and visitors short on time.

8. Soak up the magic of the Latin Quarter at sundown

The Latin Quarter is one of Paris’ oldest districts, with some parts dating back to Roman and Medieval times. Some vestiges from the Roman period are still visible to this day, like the Arènes de Lutèce , a former amphitheater, and the baths inside the Cluny Museum; and from the Middle Ages too, such as the Church of Saint Séverin as well as La Sorbonne  university, founded in 1253.

While the Latin Quarter is one of the most atmospheric areas of the city, it’s also one of the busiest. A way around that is to visit at sundown, when most visitors go back to their accommodations. One of the highlights of Paris in general is strolling at nightfall because the buildings are lit up in such a way that it brings out lots of small details you might miss in the daytime. The Latin Quarter is no exception. Stop at the Bombardier pub for a drink on the terrace, right across from the regal Panthéon , where some of the country’s greatest thinkers have been laid to rest, including Simone Veil and Victor Hugo.

9. Get under the surface of France’s food scene

France's food scene is a major draw for visitors, and in Paris there are over 80 fresh produce markets, hundreds of delis and bakeries, and thousands of restaurants and cafes to try. To really understand the locals’ love of food, the history behind its national importance, and to taste some local favorites too, book a tour with a guide.

Food guide Neil Kreeger ( [email protected] ) puts together bespoke itineraries based on your preferences and unpacks the mysteries behind every major French classic, from macarons and croque monsieur to the numerous cheeses and wines, as well as the more recent food trends. Experiences last about three hours in one neighborhood.

10. Ponder the lives of luminaries departed

A great way of seeing another side of Paris is through some of its beautiful cemeteries. The most famous is Père-Lachaise in the 20th arrondissement, which spans 44 hectares (108 acres) and contains no less than 70,000 burial plots. Created in 1804, it’s halfway between a leafy park and a huge shrine, where the style of the graves ranges from Gothic mini chapels to impressive Haussmannian burial chambers and great big mausoleums for whole families.

Some of the cemetery’s most famous “residents” include Oscar Wilde, Molière, Edith Piaf, Frédéric Chopin and Jim Morrison, whose graves are popular tourist spots for visitors from all over the world – three million a year descend on the cemetery, to be exact.

11. Find your favorite view of the Eiffel Tower

Of course, it’s obvious that Paris is the only place you can see the Eiffel Tower . But where’s the best vantage point? That’s the million-dollar question that could keep locals debating all night long. Catching glimpses of the Grande Dame from all over the city is half the fun. For visitors who want the real, full-size, unobstructed view, then the Trocadero is the number one spot. For a 360-degree view from the skies, then the Montparnasse Tower rooftop observation deck has to be it. And for more fleeting glimpses, catch the metro line 6 between the stops of Passy and Bir-Hakeim. Otherwise, there are several rooftop restaurants and bars where you can dine while gazing at Paris’ most popular monument, like at Le Printemps and Galeries Lafayette department stores, and many five-star hotel rooftop restaurants like the Peninsula’s L’Oiseau Blanc , the Cheval Blanc’s Tout-Paris or Le Jardin , or the Shangri-La ’s champagne garden in summer.

12. Resurrect the Phantom of the Opera

You can book to see a show at the Palais Garnier , Paris’ world-famous opera house. Built in 1875, it was named after Charles Garnier, its architect. It’s an Italian-style auditorium known for its celestial ceiling fresco by artist Marc Chagall, and can hold up to 2054 visitors in one sitting. Possibly the most famous opera house in the world, it was immortalized in the novel The Phantom of the Opera , keeping the legend of terrifying ghostly happenings alive.

It’s possible to visit the incredibly opulent opera house, with its heavily gilded interiors and grand marble staircases. You'll walk the maze-like corridors of dressing rooms and rehearsal spaces, behind and under the stage, and even see the underground lake that flows below the opera house.

Planning tip: There are a number of ways to  visit the opera house , including self-guided visits, guided tours, through an immersive game based on the story of the 1905 fictional thief and master of disguise Arsène Lupin, and via games for children.

13. Lose yourself in the world’s biggest flea market

While it is true that most of Paris' blockbuster sights are found within the city center, it’s worth venturing a little further afield  to visit St-Ouen flea market, the Puces de St-Ouen . One of the biggest markets in the world, it’s actually made up of 15 markets selling all sorts of wares, from antique jewelry to furniture, clothing and records. Hidden in the markets are also restaurants and cafes that make great pit stops to sit and watch life go by. Start on rue des Rosiers in St-Ouen, which isn’t in Paris proper, and wander through the markets that sprawl out on either side in warehouse spaces. You could easily spend a whole day exploring.

This article was first published Jul 1, 2019 and updated Jun 17, 2024.

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Paris   Travel Guide

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32 Best Things to Do in Paris, France

If it's your first visit to Paris, you'll probably want to spend some time at the world-renowned  Eiffel Tower , the Louvre (home of the "Mona Lisa") and the Notre-Dame. Don't miss out on other notable city jewels either, such as the Musée

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• 3-Day Itinerary

Eiffel Tower (Tour Eiffel) Eiffel Tower (Tour Eiffel)

U.S. News Insider Tip:  For the best photo opportunities of the Eiffel Tower, head to Place du Trocadéro. (Just expect to contend with some crowds!) – Nicola Wood, Senior Editor

Designed and constructed for the 1889 Exposition Universelle (the World's Fair), the Eiffel Tower was always meant to be a temporary structure, but it has skirted demolition twice. The first time, in 1909, the tower was kept around because of its potential as a transmission tower (an antenna was installed atop the tower). Gustav Eiffel, chief architect of the Eiffel Tower, had a variety of scientific experiments tested on the tower with the hope that any discoveries would help prolong its lifespan. One of these included a wireless transmissions test, which the tower passed with flying colors. During World War I, the Eiffel Tower's transmission capabilities enabled it to intercept communications from enemies as well as relay intel to troops on the ground. The second time the Eiffel Tower was almost destroyed was during the German occupation of France during World War II. Hitler planned to get rid of the tower, but never ended up going through with his plan.

Musée du Louvre Musée du Louvre

U.S. News Insider Tip:  The Louvre is free for all visitors on the first Friday of the month after 6 p.m. (except in July and August), and all day on Bastille Day (July 14). – Laura French  

If you only had time to visit one museum in Paris, it should undoubtedly be the Musée du Louvre. That's because the Louvre is not only widely considered to be one of the best art museums in Europe, but one of the best in the world. The museum first opened its doors in 1793 and features more than 35,000 works of art on display. Here, you can get up close to a variety of art from different time periods and cultures.

Notre-Dame Cathedral (Cathedrale de Notre Dame de Paris) Notre-Dame Cathedral (Cathedrale de Notre Dame de Paris) free

Note that the cathedral sustained significant damage as a result of a fire on April 15, 2019. Its wooden roof and spire collapsed during the fire. The interior of the cathedral remains closed to the public until further notice. It is set to reopen in December 2024. In the meantime, visitors can peruse a new exhibit that debuted in March 2023. It's located in an underground facility in front of the cathedral, the free exhibit highlights the ongoing construction work at the site, including the expertise of the workers, as well as some remains from the fire and works of art from the cathedral. There are also free, volunteer-led informational tours around the outside of the cathedral select days of the week. Consult this online calendar to see when English tours are offered.

Like the Eiffel Tower , the Notre-Dame Cathedral is seen as a Parisian icon. Located along the picturesque River Seine , the Notre-Dame Cathedral is considered a Gothic masterpiece and is often regarded as one of the best Gothic cathedrals of its kind in the world. Construction of the famous cathedral started in the late 12th century and final touches weren't made until nearly 200 years later. Once you get an eyeful of the cathedral yourself, you'll start to understand why it took so long.

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Champs-Élysées Champs-Élysées free

Musician Joe Dassin once sang "Il y a tout ce que vous voulez aux Champs-Élysées," which translates to "There's everything you could want along the Champs-Élysées." And he's right. Paris' most famous boulevard – stretching more than a mile from the glittering obelisk at Place de la Concorde to the foot of the Arc de Triomphe – is a shopper's mecca. Along its wide, tree-lined sidewalks, you'll find such luxury stores as Louis Vuitton and Chanel rubbing elbows with less-pricey establishments like Adidas and Zara.

While the Champs-Élysées is no doubt a shopping paradise, recent travelers noticed the price tags at most stores can be pretty high. And the more affordable options are constantly swamped with people. The Champs-Élysées itself is no different. Because this is such a famous street in Paris, expect there to be crowds galore, both during the day and the nighttime. Still, many travelers enjoyed taking in the Champs-Élysées' bustling atmosphere and observing both locals and tourists come and go. Some recent visitors said a trip to the Champs-Élysées is not complete without a stop at Ladurée, the city's famous macaron shop.

Arc de Triomphe Arc de Triomphe

Situated at the western end of the Champs-Élysées , the towering Arc de Triomphe was commissioned by Napoléon to honor the Grande Armee during the Napoleonic Wars. The arch, which is the largest of its kind in the world, is adorned with several impressive, intricately carved sculptures. Underneath the arch, travelers will find the names of the battles fought during the first French Republic and Napolean's Empire, as well as generals who fought in them. Travelers will also find the famous tomb of The Unknown Soldier. The unknown soldier currently buried there is meant to represent all the unidentified or unaccounted for soldiers who lost their lives during World War I. The flame that was lit when the soldier was laid to rest has not extinguished since it was initially lit in the 1920s, and is rekindled every night at 6:30 p.m. by a member of the armed services.

Aside from admiring the arch, visitors can climb to the top and take in the Parisian panorama. Most visitors are wowed by the immense size of the structure and recommend ascending to the top for the spectacular Paris views. Visitors caution that you'll have to wait in line to get to the top and the climb, which is made up of hundreds of stairs, can be a serious workout.

Latin Quarter Latin Quarter free

U.S. News Insider Tip: If you're in the area, check out the Grand Mosquée de Paris, next to the Jardin des Plantes. It's a beautiful mosque with a hidden-away courtyard, and there's an atmospheric tearoom attached that serves Middle Eastern sweet treats. – Laura French

Architecture lovers should not miss the Latin Quarter. Also known as the 5th arrondissement, the Latin Quarter is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Paris. Its narrow cobblestone streets, winding whimsically through the larger city grid, recall its medieval history. Why does this densely packed neighborhood of attractions, shops and restaurants retain this unique character? It escaped Baron Haussmann's planning reform of the city, thus retaining a more ancient ambience.

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Seine River Seine River free

You won’t have much trouble finding the Seine, as it flows directly through the heart of Paris. The river is perhaps one of the most famous waterways in the world and an attraction in itself. It's also useful for more practical reasons: It flows from east to west, dividing the city into the Left Bank and the Right Bank. Knowing where you are in relation to the Seine can help you find your way around during your trip.

For tourists, the waterway mostly serves as a photo backdrop, but it is a lifeline for locals. It's a reliable water supply, a major transportation route and vital for many kinds of commerce. It has also served as a source of sustenance for many fishermen dating back to the third century. In 1991, the Seine River was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its cultural significance in both the past and the present.

Musée d'Orsay Musée d'Orsay

U.S. News Insider Tip: Visit on the first Sunday of the month for free entry (when it’s also free to enter the Centre Pompidou, Musée de l'Orangerie, Musée du Rodin, Musée Picasso and several other attractions). – Laura French

Housed in a former railway station along the Left Bank, the Musée d'Orsay is regarded for its rich collection of impressionist works. You'll see paintings by French artists like Degas, Monet, Cezanne and Van Gogh, among many, many others. The museum also houses a number of sculptures, as well as photography and even furniture displays. And if you climb to the museum's top balcony, you can catch a breathtaking view of the Sacré-Coeur Basilica through the museum's massive transparent clock.

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Luxembourg Gardens (Jardin du Luxembourg) Luxembourg Gardens (Jardin du Luxembourg) free

U.S. News Insider Tip:  Pick up picnic provisions at a nearby farmer's market, such as Marché Raspail, to enjoy in the gardens. –  Ann Henson, Assistant Managing Editor

A warm-weather oasis that offers the simplest of pleasures, the Luxembourg Gardens provide ample green space (60 acres) for sun-soaking and people-watching, plus there are plenty of activities to keep kids entertained. When the city bustle becomes too overwhelming, meander around the paths and formal gardens, or just relax with a picnic. Kids can float sailboats at the Grand Basin, ride ponies, take a spin on the merry-go-round, or catch a puppet show at the on-site Theatre des Marionnettes. Adults might delight in the on-site Musée du Luxembourg, the first French museum that was opened to the public. Though with 106 sculptures to its name, including a replica of the Statue of Liberty, the Luxembourg Gardens could easily be considered an open-air museum itself.

Sacred Heart Basilica of Montmartre (Sacre-Coeur) Sacred Heart Basilica of Montmartre (Sacre-Coeur) free

Rising high above Paris, the Sacré-Coeur (meaning "Sacred Heart") looks more like a white castle than a basilica. Towering over the eclectic neighborhood of Montmartre (once a hangout for Paris' bohemian crowd), this Roman-Byzantine, 19th-century masterpiece is easily recognized by its ornate ivory domes. As blanched as it may appear on the outside, the basilica's interior is a sight worth beholding: The ceilings glitter with France's largest mosaic, which depicts Jesus rising alongside the Virgin Mary and Joan of Arc.

You'll also likely be left in awe with the panoramic views found from atop the Sacré-Coeur's outdoor staircase. But for an even better photo-op, climb all 300 steps to the top of the dome. The dome is accessible to visitors every day from 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Mass is held multiple times a day every day.

Centre Pompidou Centre Pompidou

The Centre Pompidou is one of the most visited cultural sites in Paris. But keep this in mind – and recent travelers attest to this – if you're not a fan of modern art, you probably won't enjoy this museum. The Pompidou is all modern and contemporary art (think cubist, surrealist and pop art, among others). Even its exterior is a little "out there," with its insides (piping, plumbing, elevators, escalators, etc.) exposed on the outside.

Inside the inside-out museum, you'll find one of the largest collections of modern and contemporary art in the world (more than 120,000 pieces of art are in its complete collection). The most notable attraction within is France's National Museum of Modern Art, which features works from 20th and 21st-century artists. Here, you can find big names such as Matisse, Picasso and even Andy Warhol. Also within the Centre Pompidou is additional exhibition and entertainment spaces as well as a library, rooftop restaurant and cinemas.

Jardin des Tuileries Jardin des Tuileries free

U.S. News Insider Tip: While you’re here, don’t miss Angelina, just across the street on Rue de Rivoli. This historic, belle epoque-style salon de thé opened in 1903 and serves excellent French delicacies and pastries alongside its famous, indulgently rich hot chocolate. – Laura French

Centrally located between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde, the Jardin des Tuileries is a free public garden that spans approximately 55 acres. Though it was initially designed solely for the use of the royal family and court, the park was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1991 (as part of the Banks of the Seine) and has been open to the public since the 17th century.

Sainte-Chapelle Sainte-Chapelle

Nowhere in Paris does stained-glass windows quite as well as Sainte-Chapelle. The panes – dating back to the chapel's construction in the 13th century – depict 1,113 scenes from the Old and New Testaments of the Bible in vivid color. Sainte-Chapelle, which took just seven years to build, is a treasured example of French Gothic architecture and originally held Christian artifacts acquired by Louis IX. The building underwent a rigorous restoration between 2008 and 2014 and now welcomes visitors every day of the year except Christmas Day, New Year's Day and May 1 (France's Labor Day).

Admission costs 13 euros (about $14) per person ages 18 and older. Audio guides are available in English (among other languages) for an additional 3 euros (about $3.50). 

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Pantheon Pantheon

Situated in the Latin Quarter – or the 5th arrondissement – of Paris, the Panthéon is a large church and burial ground with a storied history. The structure was completed in 1790 at the start of the French Revolution, and it served as a mausoleum, a church and an art gallery throughout its early years. In 1851, scientist Leon Foucault installed the Foucault pendulum within the building to demonstrate the rotation of the Earth. The pendulum was removed and replaced a number of times, and a replica was installed in 1995 and is still in operation today. The Panthéon also contains a crypt where a number of important historians, philosophers, scientists and writers are buried, including Voltaire, Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Marie Curie.

Most recent travelers loved seeing the museum's noteworthy gravesites and Foucault's pendulum. They also recommended taking a dome tour for exceptional views of Paris; you’ll see the Eiffel Tower from the top, as well as many other well-known landmarks. Still, some visitors said the admission fee is too high.

Palais Garnier - Opera National de Paris Palais Garnier - Opera National de Paris

A masterpiece of architectural opulence, the Opéra Garnier – also known as the Palais Garnier – still exudes the opulence it radiated in the late 1800s. This palpable sense of intrigue and mystery that permeates the opera is due in part to its awe-inspiring Old-World interiors as well as Gaston Leroux, the author of "Phantom of the Opera," for which the Garnier served as his inspiration. Leroux claimed the phantom was indeed real, successfully incorporating real life opera occurrences (such as the chandelier falling and killing a bystander) into his fiction. The Garnier's lack of a robust historical record, as well as Leroux's writing talents, have left many wondering if there really was a dweller that lurked beneath the opera. Staff have claimed otherwise, but say with the opera's very real underground "lake" (water tank), it's easy to see how the story could be so convincing. Without Napoleon III, who was responsible for commissioning the opera, Leroux's tale may never have never come to fruition.

The best way to fully experience the Palais Garnier is by purchasing a ballet or opera ticket. Remember to book your tickets several months in advance, as performances are highly coveted. If you won't be in town for a performance or aren't up for forking over the oftentimes high price of a performance, you can explore the building's magnificent interiors on your own.

Le Marais Le Marais free

U.S. News Insider Tip: On Place des Vosges, Paris’s oldest square, you’ll find the former house of Victor Hugo, which is now a museum that’s free to enter. – Laura French

Straddling the 3rd and 4th arrondissements (districts), Le Marais is one of Paris' oldest and coolest districts – so cool, in fact, that French writer Victor Hugo (author of "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" and "Les Misérables") called it home. With all of its cobblestone streets, stately stone architecture and tucked away courtyards, it's easy to feel as if you're strolling through medieval Paris. Back in the day, Le Marais housed some notable French royalty. King Henry IV was the one responsible for the construction of the Place des Vosges, Paris' oldest square. And Louis XIV called this neighborhood home for a while until he decided to move his family and court to Versailles . Much of Le Marais also survived the destruction of the French Revolution.

Versailles Palace (Chateau de Versailles) Versailles Palace (Chateau de Versailles)

U.S. News Insider Tip: In summer, the palace hosts weekend fountain shows in the gardens, featuring music and special effects; come on a Saturday night to see the best, with grounds lit up to magical effect and a firework display at the end. – Laura French

The Château de Versailles, the sprawling palace and former seat of power, is located 10 miles southwest of Paris in Versailles. Every year, nearly 10 million travelers make the trek from Paris to bear witness to the chateau's world-famous grandeur in person. But between all of the gold figurines, dramatic frescoes and cascading crystal chandeliers you'll no doubt find in bulk throughout the chateau, you might be surprised to learn that King Louis XIV's extravagant former residence had pretty humble-ish beginnings.

Musée Rodin Musée Rodin

A hidden jewel in the city, the Musée Rodin is actually the former residence of famed 19th-century sculptor Auguste Rodin. But in the place of furniture and kitschy lawn ornaments are Rodin's emotive sculptures, including The Walking Man, The Kiss and The Thinker, among many more. In addition to the sculptures, the museum houses 8,000 of the artist's drawings in its collection – a fraction of those are on display –  as well as an area dedicated to the work of his muse and mistress, artist Camille Claudel. Visitors will also get to view pieces from the Rodin's personal art collection, including paintings by Van Gogh.

Recent travelers found Rodin's sculptures to be nothing short of stunning, and highly recommend a visit even if you don't consider yourself an art buff. Another big favorite, and for some visitors as much of a highlight as the art, were the beautiful on-site gardens. To travelers, the gardens, in combination with the museum's manageable size, created a serene and peaceful atmosphere not easily found at other top Parisian museums.

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Saint-Germain-des-Prés Saint-Germain-des-Prés free

The arts abound in Paris. Although visual art gets the most attention here, the city is also a historic literary center. Saint-Germain, in the 6th arrondissement, is known as a 19th- and 20th-century intellectual hub. Here, great writers, thinkers and artists mixed and mingled in their homes and nearby establishments. Anyone battling writer's block will want to spend an afternoon wandering its picturesque streets, stopping by famous literary cafes or enjoying one of the museums located in the neighborhood's borders.

After filling your mind at the Musée Delacroix, Musée du Luxembourg or Musée de Mineralogie, unwind at Les Deux Magots or Café de Flore. The former was visited by everyone from Ernest Hemingway, Simone de Beauvoir, James Joyce, Jean-Paul Sartre, and more recently, Julia Child. Nearby Café de Flore opened in the 1800s as well, and claims visitors from Leon Trotsky to Albert Camus to Picasso. Sartre worked from here – using the space as a historical Starbucks – while New Wave celebrities like Bridget Bardot or fashionista Karl Lagerfeld graced its seats later on, in the 1960s. There are plenty of mouthwatering pastry shops and bridge views, too.

Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann free

Whether or not you plan to shop, the Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann department store is a sight to be seen. What started as a small novelty shop in 1893 has since grown into an approximately 750,000-square-foot megastore containing hundreds of brands, from budget-friendly options like Levi's and Carhartt to high-end labels like Prada and Cartier. And while you might be dazzled by the unending collection of fashionable goods, don’t forget to look up. The pièce de résistance of the luxury bazaar is the stunning neo-Byzantine glass dome 141 feet above the ground. There's also a glass walkway on the top floor of the building that allows the bravest of visitors to stand above all the action below. 

Several recent visitors called Galeries Lafayette the most beautiful shopping center in the world, pointing out that even if you aren't there to buy luxury products, the stunning building is a destination in itself. They also recommend going up to the roof of the complex (accessible from the eighth floor), which is open to visitors free of charge, to take in breathtaking views of the city below. From the roof, you'll be able to spot the Eiffel Tower , Sacré Cœur and Notre Dame .

Paris Catacombs (Les Catacombes de Paris) Paris Catacombs (Les Catacombes de Paris)

Not every inch of Paris is as romantic as you think – in fact, the Catacombs are downright chilling. Prior to the creation of the Catacombs in the late 18th century, Parisians buried their dead in cemeteries. But as the city continued to grow, burial grounds ran out of space, graves started to become exposed and stunk up surrounding neighborhoods. The limestone quarries located 65 feet beneath Paris eventually became the solution, providing ample and safe space for the city's deceased loved ones. It took years to move millions of bodies from all the Parisian graves.

Today, the solemn, skull-and-boned lined tunnels weave beneath the heart of the City of Love, beckoning to visitors with an interest in the departed. The catacombs stretch for miles all over the city, but visitors are only allowed to access about a mile's worth for 45 minutes at the Denfert-Rochereau (lines 4,6 and RER B) metro station. Trying to access the catacombs at any other entrance throughout the city is illegal. You'll want to wear sturdy footwear as the paths inside are full of gravel, uneven and even slippery in some sections. What's more, you'll have to descend 131 steps and climb 112 steps back up. As such, the catacombs are not wheelchair-accessible. And because of the attraction's unique nature and popularity, expect a queue.

Pere-Lachaise Cemetery (Cimetiere du Pere-Lachaise) Pere-Lachaise Cemetery (Cimetiere du Pere-Lachaise) free

A cemetery as a tourist attraction? If any city can pull it off, it's Paris. Covering nearly 110 acres of the 20th arrondissement (district), the Père-Lachaise Cemetery is considered one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the world. It's also Paris' largest green space. Père-Lachaise is a maze of cobblestone pathways lined with leafy, cascading trees which perfectly shade the striking 19th-century burial chambers that permeate the grounds. Aesthetics aside, Père-Lachaise is one of the world's most famous burial grounds: Everyone from Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison to Edith Piaf and Gertrude Stein can be found here. Make sure to pick up a map before you venture in, there are more than 100,000 burial plots here (exact estimates vary dramatically).

Travelers admitted the main reason they made the trek to Père-Lachaise was to visit the famous faces buried here, though after discovering the enchanting grounds, they were happy to stay and wander. Visitors found the architecture of the individual tombstones and burial chambers to be stunning, especially with the many dramatic statues included with the plots. Others particularly appreciate the overall peaceful atmosphere of Père-Lachaise. Because the cemetery is so big, visitors say it's unlikely you'll be sharing lots of space with fellow visitors or tourists at any given time.

Bateaux Mouches Bateaux Mouches

For those who want to cruise down the Seine River , hopping on one of the six Bateaux-Mouches boats is a go-to option. Just about any meal you can think of is offered as you glide along the river – or as the company puts it, Paris's "most beautiful avenue." There are also hourlong cruise-only trips, for those who want to efficiently view some of the city's most iconic sights, including Notre Dame and the Musée d'Orsay . These cruises are among the best Paris tours . Combo tickets that include a bus tour or a cabaret show are also available.

Travelers who recently took a cruise loved the views from the boat and the informational nature of the tour. Many people took a night cruise, which was frequently lauded for its romantic atmosphere. However, a few visitors expressed disappointment with meal portions and the check-in process.

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Musee de l'Orangerie Musee de l'Orangerie

An extension of Musée d'Orsay , Musée de l'Orangerie features a wide selection of impressionist and post-impressionist art. It is best known for its enlarged "Water Lilies" paintings by Claude Monet. The eight massive paintings are divided across two oval rooms that are filled with natural light from a glass roof. Monet increased the size of these paintings with the intention of fully immersing viewers in their beauty, especially after the hardships of World War I. Beyond the "Water Lilies" series, Musée de l'Orangerie houses the Jean Walter-Paul Guillaume collection, which features works by artists like Renoir, Cézanne, Picasso, Matisse and more.  

Museum visitors – especially Monet fans – said this gallery is a must-see. They were pleased to discover it was a relatively small building, meaning it can be seen fairly quickly if you short on time. The smaller space also translates to less crowds, which many museumgoers appreciated.

Montparnasse Tower Observation Deck Montparnasse Tower Observation Deck

U.S. News Insider Tip: Walk about 10 minutes around the corner and you’ll find the Montparnasse Cemetery – a fascinating alternative to Père Lachaise , home to the burial places of artists and intellectuals, including Jean-Paul Sartre, Samuel Beckett, Guy de Maupassant and Charles Baudelaire. – Laura French

The Montparnasse Tower Observation Deck claims to have the best views in Paris – and once you reach the top, it's easy to see why. The lower deck stands more than 650 feet high and overlooks major attractions, like the Eiffel Tower , through floor-to-ceiling windows. Travel another 32 feet upward to the rooftop terrace, and you'll find panoramic vistas of the City of Lights 365 days a year. On a clear day, you can see as far as 25 miles in every direction.

Moulin Rouge Moulin Rouge

If you're looking for the famed Parisian nightlife experience, Moulin Rouge will likely fit the bill. The legendary cabaret club opened in 1889, wowing crowds with dazzling dancers, free-flowing Champagne and outrageous elements like a gigantic model elephant in the garden. With its rich history and extravagant performances, Moulin Rouge has become an important staple in the City of Lights.

On a night at the Moulin Rouge, visitors can be wined and dined while watching talented burlesque dancers adorned in feathers, rhinestones and sequins. While many recent travelers felt that the show was a spectacular must-see while vacationing in Paris, others felt it was overhyped and overcrowded. However, those who opted for the dinner show said the food was fantastic with top-notch service to match.

Parc des Buttes-Chaumont Parc des Buttes-Chaumont free

Paris is home to many beautiful public parks, where visitors and locals alike relax in grassy squares during periods of pleasant weather. Parc de Buttes-Chaumont's 61 acres boasts this – plus a lake, a suspension bridge and walking paths – and a dark history. Its name comes from the bare hill once occupying the site. Stone was mined here, sewage dumped and even horse carcasses discarded. When Napoleon III renovated Paris in the 19th century, it was selected as a large park site, and the artificial lake created. That transformation also washed away its medieval reputation as a gallows. Known as Gibbet of Montfaucon at that time, the bodies of people executed in the city were sometimes displayed here for months on end.

If you can put that history behind you, cross the Gustave Eiffel-designed suspension bridge, or ascend the hill with the Temple de la Sybille for beautiful views of Montmartre. Inside the hillside, quarrying created a cavern. Napoleon's park builders took the opportunity to add a human-made waterfall to the 65-foot-tall space. Summer visitors will especially enjoy the misty reprieve from Paris's heat and humidity.

Conciergerie Conciergerie

Located next to Sainte-Chapelle , the Conciergerie was once a royal residence for various French leaders. At the end of the 14th century, King Charles V and the rest of the palace's inhabitants moved to new residences at the Louvre . The abandoned building was then turned into a new parliament and office space for the kingdom. However, during the French Revolution (and for many decades thereafter), the Conciergerie served as a prison compound to hold both political and common criminals. Most famously, it held Marie Antoinette, the fallen queen of France, in the weeks before she was executed by guillotine in October 1793. In the 19th century, Antoinette's cell was transformed into a chapel, and in 1914 the entire building was deemed a historic monument and opened to the public.

Recent travelers said the site is a delight for history buffs. Still, others noted that if you aren’t particularly interested in the French Revolution or Marie Antoinette, you may find the empty jail cells and barren halls a bit dull. All visitors are given a "HistoPad" (available in six languages) to help enhance their experience. The iPad allows visitors to see what the rooms would've looked like centuries ago with the help of augmented reality, 3D reconstructions and interactive functionalities.What everyone seemed to agree on was the medieval architecture, which is said to be stunning both inside and out.

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Rue de Rivoli Rue de Rivoli free

One of the most famous shopping streets in Paris, the elegant Rue de Rivoli is lined with neoclassical buildings housing designer boutiques, galleries, cafes and restaurants built into historic arcades.

Named after Napoleon's victory at the Battle of Rivoli and stretching from Place de la Bastille in the east to Place de la Concorde, it's where you'll find the Louvre , the Jardin des Tuileries , Hôtel de Ville (Paris's elaborate city hall) and other attractions. It's also home to the Musée des Arts Décoratifs and the Bazar de l'Hôtel de Ville – an elaborate department store founded in 1856. Other shops range from affordable brands like Sephora, L'Occitane and Mango to high-end designer stores and local French boutiques.

Bois de Vincennes Bois de Vincennes free

U.S. News Insider Tip: Come in the summer to catch the Paris Jazz Festival, when the Parc Floral hosts performers from Paris and beyond. – Laura French

Used as a royal hunting ground from the 12th century, this scenic, easterly refuge is Paris's biggest park, sprawling nearly 2,500 acres (making it nearly three times larger than New York's Central Park , and slightly bigger than its westerly sister, the Bois de Boulogne). It's home to verdant woodland as well as the Parc Floral, a botanical garden with its own mini golf course and various other family-friendly attractions. You'll also find four artificial lakes in the park – boats are available to rent on the Lac Daumesnil – alongside the Parc Zoologique de Paris, several cafes and restaurants and the Château de Vincennes, a lavish former royal residence built in the medieval era.

Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen free

Set on the northern edge of Paris and home to the highest concentration of antiques dealers in the world, this famous flea market is a must for anyone looking to browse and buy vintage treasures. Spread across twelve covered markets and five streets, the Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen houses everything from 17th-century furnishings to vintage jewelry, designer clothes, art, books and beyond. When your feet need a break, there are also a handful of restaurants.

At its heart is the Marché Vernaison, an eclectic mishmash of nearly a million objects, spread across nearly 100,000 square feet and selling pretty much anything you can think of. Equally unmissable is the Marché Dauphine, which sells books, vintage records, clothes and more in a huge pavilion, and the Marché Paul Bert Serpette, an upmarket spot specializing in avant-garde interior design that's seen everyone from Julia Roberts to Mick Jagger grace its floors.

Louis Vuitton Foundation Louis Vuitton Foundation

Open to the public since October 2014, the Louis Vuitton Foundation is the brainchild of the LVMH Group (which owns luxury fashion brand Louis Vuitton) and famed American architect Frank Gehry. In addition to the art gallery, Gehry also designed the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Spain and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles , among other renowned museums, university buildings and residences.

Outfitted with curved panels of glass and smooth concrete, the foundation's daring and modern design stands out among Paris' abundance of centuries-old buildings. Inside, you'll find collections of modern and contemporary art housed in both permanent and temporary exhibits. The museum's goal is to promote art and culture on the outskirts of Paris, and it succeeds by attracting more than 1 million visitors each year. 

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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.

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29 Beautiful Places in Paris Everyone Should Visit (at Least) Once

Compiling a list of the most beautiful places in Paris is no easy task. The city has a nearly endless supply of charming shops, artsy museums, boutique hotels, and world-famous landmarks—so choosing just a few dozen of those sites takes a good deal of restraint.

Still, we were able to put together a collection of Parisian wonders that we feel encapsulate this great city best—from the iconic Eiffel Tower to the romantic banks of the Seine River, with plenty of bookstores and cathedrals in between.

If you’re planning a trip to the City of Light, be sure to add these must-visit places to your itinerary. And even if you’ve already experienced most of these attractions, the wonderful thing about Paris is that every repeat visit unveils something new about the city. Whether it’s your first or fifth time walking along the cobblestoned streets of Saint-Germain or hearing the bells toll from Notre-Dame, you’ll find that the charm of Paris transcends cliche.

With gilded history reflected across so many arrondissements, here are 29 of the most beautiful places in Paris.

This article has been updated since its original publish date.

Jardin du Luxembourg

One of the most famous green spaces in Paris (and even greener during the spring), Jardin du Luxembourg is a favorite spot for locals to stroll and relax. While the overall vibe here is quite grand and regal, there are still intimate corners to be found.

Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel

Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel has long been one of Paris’s most fabulous grande dames, but the property became even more luxurious after unveiling its four-year renovation in 2017. The current iteration features Karl Lagerfeld–designed suites, dreamy terraces for afternoon tea, and a world-class spa with a glittering indoor pool.

Cathédrale Notre-Dame

When you think of French Gothic architecture, chances are you think of Notre-Dame . Although the cathedral’s spires were destroyed in a devastating fire in 2019, the iconic facade and rose windows still draw massive crowds—and serve as a testament to the enduring beauty of Paris.

Musée Jacquemart-André

Once the home of a refined, art-collecting couple, Musée Jacquemart-André now serves as a museum with works from Rembrandt, Bellini, Botticelli, and more. The 19th-century mansion is just as much of a draw, with grand marble staircases and gallery walls that redefine #apartmentenvy.

Shakespeare and Company

A former haunt of Ernest Hemingway and Gertrude Stein, Shakespeare and Company is as historical as it is charming. Bibliophiles could spend hours perusing the bargain racks on the sidewalk (especially on a sunny afternoon), ideally followed by a slice of lemon pie at the on-site café.

Fondation Louis Vuitton

Open since 2014, this spectacular museum is home to some of the city’s best contemporary art. But we think the sailboat-shaped building—designed by Frank Gehry—is a masterpiece in and of itself.

Eiffel Tower

You had to be expecting this one, right? There is no city-landmark pairing as iconic as Paris and the Eiffel Tower, which has defined the skyline since 1887. For some of the best photo ops, head to Place du Trocadéro , an elevated, open space with a stellar view of the tower.

Who needs a reason to visit the Panthéon ? Its gorgeous neoclassical architecture is lure enough. Don't forget to look up.

La Maison Rose

Since the 19th century, Montmartre has served as the bohemian hub of Paris’s creative and nightlife communities. The neighborhood has an endless string of postcard-perfect shops, but few are quite as recognizable as La Maison Rose—a rosy pink restaurant sitting pretty on a street corner.

Musée de l’Orangerie

Musée de l'Orangerie —located at the far end of the Tuileries Gardens—strengthens the case that Paris’s smaller museums are just as important as, say, the Louvre. Plus, it’s the only place you can stand in awe of Monet’s famous Nymphéas (Water Lily) murals.

Arc de Triomphe

As if the views of the Arc de Triomphe aren’t stunning enough, the views from the Arc de Triomphe are even more incredible. It's a pretty claustrophobic climb to the top, but the fresh air and 360-degree views of Paris are well worth it.

Musée d'Orsay

A vast collection of Impressionist artworks is the focus at the Musée d’Orsay , Paris’s second most-visited museum. But don’t forget to look past the artwork for a moment to admire the arched ceiling, a reminder of the building’s past as a train station.

Rue Crémieux

This little throughway in the 12th arrondissement might just be the most charming street in all of Paris. Just beware of the fashion influencers and Instagram celebs trying to take advantage of those pastel-colored backdrops.

Palace of Versailles

Though it technically lies just outside of Paris, the Palace of Versailles is an essential stop on any City of Light itinerary. The former residence of King Louis XIV is a study in opulence, with the Hall of Mirrors and manicured gardens drawing some 15 million visitors each year.

Palais-Royal

The Palais-Royal complex is in some ways Paris in a nutshell: shops, cafés, art, history, architecture, and spectacular gardens, all across the street from the Louvre. Keep an eye out for Instagram photoshoots around the Colonnes de Buren , an art installation consisting of black-and-white-striped columns of varying heights.

Musée Rodin

We make this a stop on every trip to Paris, and sometimes, we don't even go inside. Musée Rodin is a light-filled estate with a serene garden filled with sculptures like The Thinker and The Gates of Hell . It's as intimate and personal (and relatively uncrowded) a museum-going experience as you'll get in the city.

Place de la Concorde

Despite its macabre history (it was the site of guillotine executions during the French Revolution), this public square is now one of the most beautiful places in Paris. Landmarks like the Luxor Obelisk and mermaid-filled fountain only add to the glamour.

Galeries Lafayette

On the famed Boulevard Haussmann, Galeries Lafayette is a department store known for its upscale French products and stunning neo-Byzantine stained-glass cupola. If you can swing it, visit during December to see one of the world’s grandest Christmas displays .

Pont Alexandre III

This ornate, Beaux-Arts–style bridge connects the Left and Right Banks of Paris, and is one of the biggest tourist photo-ops in the city. We get it: With all those gilded statues and river views, the selfie urge is real.

Palais Garnier

Palais Garnier is one of the most opulent Beaux-Arts buildings in Paris. Prepare to be dazzled by the grand marble staircase, gilded chandeliers, and frescoed ceilings.

Sainte-Chapelle

Photos of Sainte-Chapelle are apt to take your breath away, but they hardly do justice to this Gothic chapel on Ile de la Cité. After struggling your way up the narrow spiral staircases to the upper chapel, that first glimpse of the 50-foot stained glass windows is an experience you’ll never forget.

Saint-Germain

Not only is this 6th arrondissement neighborhood the cocoa capital of Paris , but it also happens to be extremely picturesque, with cobbled streets and pretty French balconies everywhere you look.

Père Lachaise Cemetery

Pretty much everything in Paris is next-level beautiful—even its cemeteries skew more divine than dismal. Spend an overcast afternoon walking across Père Lachaise’s 108 acres, then pay your respects at the graves of Gertrude Stein and Oscar Wilde.

Sacré-Coeur

Second in height only to the Eiffel Tower, Sacré-Coeur is a towering Romano-Byzantine basilica one very steep climb up into Montmarte. Everything about it—its architecture, its views from the hilltop—inspires awe.

Parc des Buttes-Chaumont

Featuring cliffs, lakes, and waterfalls, the 62-acre Parc des Buttes-Chaumont is an au naturel alternative to Paris’s more groomed, rigidly formal parks. Hike up rocky elevations to catch amazing views of the city, including the aforementioned Sacré-Coeur.

Jardin des Tuileries

This perfectly manicured park also has the advantage of a perfect location—turn one direction and you'll find the Louvre, turn the other, Place de la Concorde. Walk the entire length to really admire the formal French garden design of the 17th century.

Musée du Louvre

The Louvre is famously crowded—it is the most-visited museum in the world, after all. But even if you aren’t willing to fight a hundred camera-wielding tourists to see the Mona Lisa, at least stroll past the museum to see I.M. Pei’s famous glass pyramid.

Hôtel Plaza Athénée

Open for more than a century, Hôtel Plaza Athénée is one of the most elegant, fashionable, and surprisingly playful hotels in all of Paris. Its signature red awnings are best enjoyed with a side of Michelin stars, at restaurant La Cour Jardin's ivy-covered terrace.

River Seine

The River Seine is essentially the beating heart of Paris, bordering half of the French capital's arrondissements. We’re partial to views of the river at dusk, but thanks to a few recent additions—a floating hotel and pedestrian-only walkway , for starters—the watery pathway is pretty damn gorgeous around the clock.

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Paris Travel Guide

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The 50 best things to do in Paris right now

Where do you start in this marvellous metropolis? We'll help. This is our pick of the very best things to do in Paris

Let’s get one thing out of the way first: Paris is huge. Your to-do list might be eight pages long. And if you’re just here for the weekend, there’s no way you’ll be able to fit absolutely everything in (though God does love a trier, so they say). 

But don’t panic. The team over at Time Out Paris know this city like the back of their hand, and that means they know the spots that are really worth your time (and dough). On this list, we’ve got everything from alternative tours of the Louvre to the best egg mayo in the city, and plenty of places to dance in between. Whatever you’re after, here are the best things to do in Paris right now. 

RECOMMENDED: 🥘 The best restaurants in Paris 🏘️ Where to stay in Paris 🏺 The best museums in Paris 🏡 The best Airbnbs in Paris 🎢 The best  rides at Disneyland Paris

This article was written by the editorial team at Time Out Paris . At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines .

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

Best things to do in Paris in 2024

1.  take a different tour of the louvre.

• Art and design
• price 3 of 4

What is it?  The thing Paris is known for, this spectacular glass pyramid has been around since 1983, when it was commissioned by Mitterrand. 

Why go?   You could spend hours wandering around the outside of it with a coffee, but the inside is a never-ending treasure trove of cultural artefacts, from the likes of the ancient Greeks to the Egyptians. What we’d suggest is to try one of the niche tours of the museum, like a feminist tour , or even the Beyoncé and Jay-Z tour , which showcases the iconic creations featured in the ‘Apeshit’ music video filmed at the Louvre in 2018.

Don’t miss: Géricault's ‘The Raft of the Medusa,’ David's ‘The Coronation of Napoleon I and the Crowning of Empress Joséphine,’ or the Venus de Milo.

2.  See modern art masterpieces at the Centre Pompidou

• 4e arrondissement

Why go? Because no visit to Paris is complete without a spin around Beaubourg.

Why go? Behind Richard Rogers’ and Renzo Piano’s piping and air ducts lies  one of the richest collections of modern art in the world. Step inside the Centre Pompidou to fall under the spell of Picasso, Magritte, Duchamp, Pollock, Warhol and Tinguely.

Don’t miss:  Head to the top floor for a truly eye-popping view.

3.  Catch big-hitting art shows at Fondation Louis Vuitton

• 16e arrondissement

What is it?  One of Paris’s most impressive museums.

Why go?  A spectacular building designed by starchitect Frank Gehry hosts the collection of LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault. Far out in the western suburbs of Paris, this brand-new stage for contemporary art showcases the biggest names of our time, from Jean-Michel Basquiat to Charlotte Perriand.

Don’t miss:  Its prime location by the  Bois de Boulogne  makes for a convenient forest stroll. 

4.  Visit famous graves at the Cimetière du Père-Lachaise

• Attractions
• Père-Lachaise

What is it?  Undoubtedly the world’s best-known graveyard.

Why go?  A favourite among Parisians and tourists, the Cimetière du Père-Lachaise allows bookworms to enjoy an intimate moment with some of their literary heroes and learn about the Paris Commune. It is also beautifully picturesque: a vast, shaded labyrinth with snaking hillside paths and pretty stone stairs. Careful not to get lost...

Don’t miss:  Treat yourself to a spooky late-night grave walk with the park’s ‘vampire expert’.

5.  Admire contemporary art at the Bourse de Commerce

What is it? A much-awaited contemporary art gallery in a restored historical monument, which opened its doors (finally) in spring 2021.

Why go?  This museum is as grand and central as it gets, fully restored from floor to dome by Tadao Ando with a nine-metre-high concrete cylinder right in the middle. It took something this impressive to house François Pinault's private collection of 10,000 artworks. Within the 7,000 square meters of the Bourse, you'll find 24 creations by Bertrand Lavier, feminist photographs by Cindy Sherman, and a wonderful collection of African and African-American figurative paintings.

6.  Order cocktails from the poolside at Piscine Molitor

• Sport and fitness
• price 4 of 4

What is it?  Put simply, the most beautiful swimming pool in Paris. 

Why go?  This legendary establishment and listed building was bought by the AccorHotels group several years ago. The result? A luxury complex with a five-star hotel, an excellent restaurant, a 48-metre spa and all-around architectural beauty. 

Don’t miss:  Order cocktails from the bar without leaving the pool.

7.  Let loose at electronic club Virage

What is it?  After a first year of testing the waters, this electronic hub tucked beneath the ring road hit full speed in 2023.

Why go? Led by Rag, Benjamin Charvet, and Samy Znimi, who respectively head up Barbi(e)turix, Badaboum and Panic Room, the lineup – gender-balanced and inclusive – takes the plunge into the realm of cutting-edge electronic music. From headliners to emerging gems, must-know labels and collectives of the moment, it's all about techno, house, and disco here.

8.  See Monet's ‘Water Lilles’ at Musée de l'Orangerie

• 1er arrondissement
• price 2 of 4

What is it? A remarkable showcase of Monet's work at one of our favourite museums in Paris. 

Why go? This Monet showcase is now firmly on the tourist radar: expect long queues. The look is utilitarian and fuss-free, with the museum's eight, tapestry-sized Nymphéas (water lilies) paintings housed in two plain oval rooms. They provide a simple backdrop for the astonishing, ethereal romanticism of Monet's works, painted late in his life. Depicting Monet's 'jardin d'eau' at his house in Giverny, the tableaux have an intense, dreamy quality – partly reflecting the artist's absorption in the private world of his garden.

9.  Host a private pool party at Maison Souquet

• Saint-Georges

What is it?  A design hotel and bar with a sordid past. 

Why go?  Inspired by the Parisian brothels from the Belle Époque period, Maison Souquet’s hidden frontage leads to a vision of orientalist splendour designed by Jacques Garcia. Styled on Arabian Nights, it’s all pretty pleasing to the eye: from the 1895 Cordovan leather on the walls to the Moorish tiles, porcelain, copper and vintage furniture. 

Don’t miss:  If you fancy a private pool party, you can rent theirs by the hour. 

10.  Ogle Impressionist classics at the Musée d’Orsay

• 7e arrondissement

What is it?  A mecca of impressionist art in a stunning former train station. 

Why go?  In the old Gare d’Orsay, you’ll find one of the finest collections of 19th-century art. It’s got Realism, Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Pointillism and all the other great ‘isms’ that appeared between 1848 and the beginning of the 20th century. 

Don’t miss:  Savour a coffee in the fantastic coffee shop nestled behind the clock, designed by the Campana brothers in tribute to Jules Verne’s ‘Nautilus’.

11.  Eat at insanely stylish neo-bistro Septime

What is it?  Michelin-starred chef Bertrand Grébaut’s unique restaurant venture in Faubourg Saint-Antoine, and one of the best restaurants in Paris .

Why go?  Offering up two tasting menus (one a little more extravagant than the other), this is a dining experience for a special occasion. Interiors feature antique ornaments, huge mirrors and bare wood, and the food is delicate, fresh, and expertly balanced. 

Don’t miss:  It can get booked up a year in advance. If you can’t get a table, try  Septime La Cave next door.

12.  Double up at the Palais de Tokyo and Musée d’Art Moderne

What is it?  Two of the best museums near the Eiffel Tower. 

Why go?  A pair of museums with totally different vibes. The first, the  Musée d’Art Moderne , pays tribute to the Avant-gardistes, while the second, the  Palais de Tokyo , combines installations, videos and new-age icons, cementing its status as a temple of contemporary art. 

Don’t miss:  Grab a bite at Monsieur Bleu , the Palais de Tokyo restaurant.

13.  Tour the Latin Quarter’s arthouse cinemas

What is it?  Storied picture houses that put on obscure screenings at low prices. 

Why go?  A historic   flytrap for Parisian cinephiles, the 5th and 6th arrondissements are still full of independent cinemas, most notably  Le Champo  on Rue des Écoles, where many of the Nouvelle Vague directors hung about in the ’50s and ’60s. 

Don’t miss:  Legend has it that on his travels to Paris, Quentin Tarantino would often make a pilgrimage to the Latin Quarter’s  Filmothèque .

14.  Head to a dirt-cheap punk gig at La Station

• House, disco and techno
• 18e arrondissement

What is it?  A former coal station turned live music hotspot.

Why go?  The MU collective has made the most of this old coal station’s architectural quirks and turned it into an events space reminiscent of underground Berlin. Explore its three rooms, an outdoor stage, and two indoor stages, playing everything from hardcore punk to pure techno. 

Don’t miss:  The edgy atmosphere and budget-friendly prices.

15.  Witness razor-sharp talent at the Théâtre Nanterre-Amandiers

What is it? An iconic theatre in Nanterre (the western suburbs of Paris) which has been around since 1976. 

Why go? We'll be the first to admit that this theatre is a little way off the usual beaten track, but if you've got a bit more time, it's worth it. Positioned as a major player in French theatre in the ‘80s by Patrice Chéreau, elevated by Philippe Quesne, and now under the direction of Christophe Rauck, Théâtre Nanterre-Amandiers  hosts the crème de la crème of today's actors, choreographers, and directors. Our top tip? The bar and restaurant area offers seasonal dishes to recharge before heading back to the bits. 

16.  Get stuck in at the Marché des Enfants Rouges

• Markets and fairs
• price 1 of 4

What is it?  A small food market that feels like – and is? – the 'real' Paris.  

Why go?  This historic Parisian market takes its name from the Enfants Rouges (Red Children) orphanage, which was built in the 16th century and closed down just before the revolution. Saturdays are when the market is at its liveliest, but expect a hard time choosing between the different stalls: Moroccan, Italian, Lebanese, or a refined blowout at the  Enfants du Marché . Try it all if you can. 

Don’t miss: T ake a look around the cactus shop Les Succulents. 

17.  Sample cocktails and soul tunes at Fréquence

What is it? A funky, inventive and genuinely cool bar in Paris (and one of the 50 best bars in the world, according to 50 Best ).

Why go? Fréquence is run by Matthieu Biron and Guillaume Quenza, who are equally as passionate about fine drinks as they are about Motown on vinyl. The fruits of their labour have culminated in this delightful bar, where turntables and records share the spotlight with bottles and shakers. The cocktails are as clever as they are slap-you-in-the-face strong, like the doud (salted pine nuts, white Cap Corse, shochu and calvados).

18.  Try the best restaurant in Paris, Le Clarence

• Haute cuisine
• Champs-Elysées
• 5 out of 5 stars
• Recommended

What is it? The best restaurant in the city, according to the editors at Time Out Paris. 

Why go? If you've got enough time to book in advance, this is guaranteed to be an unforgettable meal, cooked by some really brilliant chefs. Le Clarence is incredibly eccentric, impeccably OTT, and certainly not cheap, but to sample veal sweetbread gyoza, ink and cuttlefish tartare and a poached oyster all in a single lunch ? That's once-in-a-lifetime stuff. It ain't cheap, we'll warn you (but you might have guessed that already). 

19.  Eat, drink, dance and play pétanque at the Cité Fertile

What is it?  A gargantuan 10,000-square-metre cultural complex in fast-gentrifying Pantin.

Why go?  Following in the thriving footsteps of Ground Control and Grands Voisins, the Cité Fertile is the latest multidisciplinary cultural pop-up to pull in the summer crowds. Opened in a former train depot in August 2018, it’s got a three-year licence from national train firm SNCF and, like its predecessors, has a wide array of food offerings, a rich cultural programme, a vast 800-square-metre urban farming lab, and – perfect for families – a beach where you can play volleyball, pétanque and ping-pong.

Don’t miss:  Canal de l’Ourcq institution  Paname Brewing Company  brews on-site. 

20.  Head to Belleville’s Combat for mixology with a punch

• Cocktail bars
• 19e arrondissement

What is it?  A homey cocktail bar run by Elena Schmitt and Margot Lecarpentier (formerly of Experimental Cocktail Club).

Why go?  Perched atop Belleville hill, Combat’s cocktails are punchy and well-balanced. We also like their bar snacks, especially the terrine, prepared by Repaire de Cartouche chef Rodolphe Paquin and served with pickles and pain de campagne.

Don’t miss:  The Parc de Belleville across the road. Those views are unbeatable.

21.  See classic films en plein air at the Parc de la Villette

• Parks and gardens
• La Villette

What is it?  THE place to be during the summer months.

Why go?  Spread out over 35 hectares, this is the largest of Paris’s parks, and from mid-July, it hosts the annual open-air cinema festival. There’s always a good vibe, and we’ve even witnessed a crowd of more than 2,000 get up and dance beneath the stars at the end of ‘Grease’. It was a moment, to say the least.

Don’t miss:  Round off the night at beach-style nightclub Plage du Glazart, which is kitted out with sand and deckchairs.

22.  Stock up on souvenirs at concept mall Merci

What is it?  The city’s best-looking concept store.

Why go?  In a light-filled building at the end of a courtyard on the Rue Beaumarchais, Merci brings together a collection of influential stylists and designers, from Isabel Marant to Stella McCartney. There’s also an array of luxury stationery, homeware and accessories. It’s hard to know where to look. 

Don’t miss:  Enter via the ‘literary’ cafe for a break, order a fresh OJ and let your eyes wander around the book-lined walls. Why not read one if you have time?

23.  Get lost in wonder at the stunning Ovale of BnF Richelieu

What is it? A beautiful reading room with over 20,000 books, 9,000 comics and 160 cosy reading spots. 

Why go?  For its three-hundredth anniversary, the historic site of the National Library fully reopened its shelves in September 2022. Besides a new museum, the BNF ’s astonishing Ovale room, with 18 metres high and crowned by a glass roof, is now accessible to all. The best part? It's totally free. 

24.  Sail to the culinary high seas at Clamato

What is it? A stylish seafood bar, in which they’ve taken the name of the house speciality and pressed copy and paste (the ‘clamato’, by the way, is a spicy bouillon of clams and tomatoes)

Why go? For a fresh, spicy taste sensation. Depending on the season, you might get wild Belle Corde n°3 oysters with Tabasco, some delightful Quiberon barnacles in a punchy lemongrass vinaigrette or a gorgeously silky fillet of haddock served with asparagus and a ‘red miso’. 

25.  Take to the stage at the Festival D'Automne

What is it? For fifty years, the Autumn Festival has been the pulse of contemporary stage creation, setting the hearts of thousands of spectators racing in various cultural venues across Paris.

Why go? A must-attend event dedicated to the performing arts in all their diversity – and their radicalism – the festival has witnessed the rise of some of the biggest names in the international contemporary scene, from American choreographer Merce Cunningham to director Robert (known as Bob) Wilson.

26.  Try Giovanni Passerini’s signature pasta all’amatriciana

• 12e arrondissement

What is it?  The best Italian restaurant outside Italy. (Yes, we went there.)

Why go?  Since ex-Rino chef Giovanni Passerini opened this eponymous Italian restaurant in 2015, it has been one of our favourites for a simple, traditional Italian meal among friends. Nothing beats their cult pasta all’amatriciana.

Don’t miss:  The top-notch menu of sulphite-free French and Italian wines.

27.  Discover alternative music at Macki Festival

What is it?  A festival collaboration between the Mamie’s collective and Cracki Records label in the park of Carrières-sur-Seine.

Why go? Since 2013, Macki Festival ’s organisers have been crafting lineups that ride every stylistic wave, avoiding the (very) big names in favor of adventurous artists. Be quick to grab tickets, as they always sell out fast.

28.  Watch comedy with dinner at Madame Sarfati

What is it? A comedy club with secret lineups of top-notch and well-established comedians.

Why go? Downstairs (the performance space is upstairs), there’s a cool bar with elegant decor and a small restaurant area with Maghrebi-inspired cuisine. The big plus: Madame Sarfati ’s spacious terrace, bustling with activity in the summer, is perfect for soaking up the sun and nibbling on snacks.

29.  Dance at a queer night at Rosa Bonheur

• Buttes-Chaumont

What is it?  A  bopping bar a t the very top of Paris's largest park,  Parc des Buttes-Chaumont .

Why go?  This is one of the most vibrant hangouts in the capital. Run by Mimi and Zouzou, former owners of iconic noughties lesbian club Pulp, this riverside bar hosts some of the wildest queer nights in the city. Come on a Sunday when the tracks get especially wild. It's legendary.

30.  Stroll along the abandoned Petite Ceinture

• Things to do
• Walks and tours
• 20e arrondissement

What is it?  An old network of railway lines has been transformed into the perfect romantic walk.

Why go?  Built 150 years ago, La Petite Ceinture is almost 32km long. A public transport network until 1934, it was then used to transport goods until the late 1970s. Untouched for years, it has been cut up and transformed into various distinct sections, much like New York’s High Line. The Petite Ceinture’s best-known part begins in the 12th, a bucolic vision of plants and trees, but stretches across the 15th, 16th and 18th arrondissements, too.

Don’t miss: Grabbing evening drinks at The Recyclerie , a bar at the former Boulevard Ornano station

31.  Rifle through the racks (and boogie) at Dizonord

What is it? A pan-genre record shop that hosts dangerously good DJ sets.

Why go? From New Orleans jazz to Japanese ambient, Dizonord ’s racks overflow with deep cuts. And prices aren’t bad, either. Finally, north Paris has the record store it deserves.

Don’t miss: Grab a beer at one of the Friday-night DJ sets.

32.  Go to the dance at Théâtre de la Bastille

What is it? A small theatre showcasing innovative contemporary dance and drama pieces.

Why go? Saved from bankruptcy in the 1970s (and renamed several times thereafter) the theater is now an emblematic figure of Parisian independence. Find two auditoriums where adventurous dance and theatre take the spotlight, and a nice bar for afters.

33.  Channel your inner bookworm at Un Regard Moderne

What is it?   Remember Gaston Lagaffe's brilliant book storage ideas? Well, Regard Moderne is like that... but better. Stacks of books towering several meters high, inaccessible shelves hidden behind columns, and narrow passages where you can only squeeze through by sucking in your stomach.

Why go? It was Jacques Noël who conceived this place, before passing the baton to his successor upon his death, who diligently stored all of these precious volumes, whether they be beautiful works about Duchamp, collections of surrealist poetry or Beat novels in their original language. If you've got an interest in the peculiar in literature, this is the place. 

34.  See Paris become an open-air museum during Nuit Blanche

What is it? One of Parisians' favourite cultural events.

Why go? Every year since 2002, Nuit Blanche has illuminated Paris with its artistic brilliance. And here's the new twist: since 2023, the event has ditched the autumn gloom and moved to the summer. What hasn't changed is that, for one night, a multitude of artists from all stylistic backgrounds descend upon the capital, turning it into an immense open-air museum with a flurry of creations and unprecedented openings. If you can make it down in the summer, it's a must. 

35.  Devour top-notch loaves at Shinya Pain

What is it? A tiny, chaotic bakery in Abbesses, with inconvenient opening hours and bread scattered everywhere, where you might just taste the best bread you’ve ever had. 

Why go? Shinya Pain ’s breads are distinctive but never divisive, with delicate crusts, subtle sourdough acidity that brings out the fragrance of roasted grains. The classic loaf made with khorasan wheat (the Rolls Royce of ancient grains) is a delight that you devour like cake.

36.  Party and feel good while you’re at it at We Love Green

What is it?  This eco-conscious festival is the most talked-about event in Paris’s spring calendar.

Why go?  When it comes to top-tier festivals, all Paris had ten years ago was Rock en Seine and Solidays. Fast forward to today, and We Love Green has displaced the pair as the most eminent music event of the year. The line-up brings together Pitchfork-approved rap, indie rock and techno.

Don’t miss:  The food is almost as much of a draw. The likes of  Septime , Cheval d’Or and  Les Enfants du Marché  have all taken part.

37.  Sip cocktails at Cravan, a bar classified as a historical monument

What is it? A seriously classy cocktail bar in the far west of Paris. 

Why go? While its new little big brother in the Latin Quarter has reigned over the Left Bank since the summer of 2023, Franck Audoux's original establishment remains a safe bet (if not the only one) for cocktail enthusiasts in this neighbourhood. In a fully Art Nouveau setting from floor to ceiling, you can sample drinks that are all about simplicity; few ingredients, no garnish, and a very delicate balance. 

38.  Check out a classical concert at the Philharmonie

• Music venues

What is it?  Paris’s ultra-modern temple to classical music, near the gently flourishing Pantin area.

Why go?  The Philharmonie, which forms part of the  Cité de la Musique , has a rich and abundant live music programme. In addition to its impressive concert hall, the Philharmonie has an exciting exhibition space and an educational centre like its neighbour, the  Cité des Sciences .

Don’t miss:  The prices are super-accessible, so you can experiment without breaking the bank.

39.  Try first-class sashimi at Ogata

What is it? A Michelin-starred Japanese omakase restaurant with a minimalist five ‘flavour’ tasting menu and a seasonal cocktail. 

Why go?  Picture this: a hint of barely audible music, no dishwasher to avoid disturbing the tranquility of the place, and small whisperings as customers eat. Here, silence reigns supreme. The entrance fee to this piece of Japan is €8, but includes three delights (during our visit: poutargue and daikon, cauliflower fritter and wasabi, persimmon and tofu cream) smuggled out from the restaurant.

40.  Sip seriously good cocktails at Bar Nouveau

What is it? A relatively new bar that quickly became our favourite in Paris. 

Why go?  For Bar Nouveau ’s highly refined menu with subtly nuanced recipes. The neo-Art Nouveau decor upstairs and more industrial vibe downstairs – mirror frames reminiscent of tendrils, elegant arum-shaped (or chanterelle-shaped) suspensions, azure walls – is a success, and the warm welcome from the Moudoulaud duo convinces us further that this is a great little bar.

41.  Have the best egg mayo of your life at Grande Brasserie

What is it? A beautiful brasserie which we voted best retro restaurant at the Time Out Paris Food and Drink Awards. 

Why go?  1920s mosaics, post-war frescoes and starched tablecloths shape a cozy cocoon for timeless cuisine, whipped up with meticulous sourcing. But really, you’re going for Grande Brasserie ’s world champion egg mayonnaise (at a premium price, mind). 

42.  Flick through books at the BSG

What is it? The Pantheon of Parisian libraries. Facing the real Pantheon and just a stone's throw from the Sorbonne, the Sainte-Geneviève Library has been welcoming students from all backgrounds since 1851.

Why go? It’s a timeless setting where you can choose and consult – yes, there’s no borrowing at the BSG – your documents from among the 1.5 million printed works, 85,000 microforms, and 15,000 titles of periodicals in the general collection. And there’s no bias here; all disciplines are properly represented. All that's left is to arm yourself with patience and arrive early!

43.  Get down with an orange wine at Bambino

What is it?  A natural wine bar with a penchant for turntables and draft cocktails.

Why go? Bambino ’s decor is seriously impressive: walls of vinyl records and speakers larger than a small car, a Cantona jersey under glass, and a baseball bat atop the shelf. As the evening progresses, the tables gradually make way for DJ sets and pros of the one-two steps. Let the party begin.

44.  Dig into fuss-free French cuisine at Les Arlots

• SoPi (South Pigalle)

What is it?  An elegant, old-school bistro serving fuss-free French cuisine.

Why go?  At this excellent Right Bank spot, the charismatic maître d’ perches behind a bar and advises punters on the best red to enjoy with their confit beef cheeks (or whatever else they order). It’s perfect for Sunday lunch, a boozy dinner with mates, or even a solo trip. However you do it, you’ll savour every single bite.

Don’t miss:  You won’t find sausage and mash like this anywhere else, so loosen your top button and dig in.

45.  See the future of digital art at the Gaîté lyrique.

• Arts et Métiers
• 4 out of 5 stars

What is it? An ultra-modern setting designed by Manuelle Gautrand boldly shaking up the original ornamental Belle Epoque style.

Why go? The Gaîté lyrique has been the epicenter of Parisian cultural life 2.0 since 2011. Taken on since 2023 by a new artistic team, the seven interdisciplinary floors propel visitors into the depths of the digital age, encompassing visual arts, music, graphic design, cinema, fashion, design, and video games. Admission is free, and some of its offerings are free, including immersive exhibitions and workshops.

46.  Try the city’s best jambon-beurre at CheZaline

What is it?  A deli serving the best ham and cheese baguette in the city.

Why go?  It may be a tight squeeze inside, but the interiors are charmingly retro, with old-fashioned kitchen scales, vintage enamel advertising signs and yellow tiles on the walls. Take your pick from the mouth-watering menu; think classic Prince de Paris jambon-beurre, smoked chicken baguette and chorizo tortilla.

Don’t miss:  The perfect way to eat on the run while rushing to catch a show at the  Théâtre de la Bastille .

47.  Swing by La Gare for a killer jazz night

What is it? A former train station-turned-jazz bar.

Why go? Every day at 9pm, this former train station foyer hosts free jazz concerts. The setting is perfect: the airy four-metre-high space enhances the warmth of the saxophones and trumpets.

Don’t miss:  Make a beeline for the patio in summer.

48.  Join Sunday drag bingo at A la Folie

What is it? This gigantic fire-engine red bar with its huge terrace fits in well with the rest of the Parc de la Villette’s gaudy architecture.

Why go? Set between imposing trees in the 19th arrondissement park, this colourful enormo-bar exudes a trendy atmosphere redolent of a Berlin beer garden, but drinks prices are unfortunately Paris standard (€6.50 a pint, €7 after 10pm). Still, the excellent tapas and kebabs go down much better than a sticky late-night currywurst. Make sure to visit for the Sunday drag brunch, which gets pretty crazy. 

49.  Sip cocktails with an Eiffel Tower view at Les Ombres

What is it? A rooftop  glass-and-iron restaurant and terrace lounge bar on the top floor of the  Musée du Quai Branly . 

Why go?  The full-on view of the Eiffel Tower at night would be reason enough to come here, but the food at the restaurant is also excellent. Or just have a drink at the bar (view still included), for swish cocktails, posh nibbles and plush sofas. You'll feel like you've strolled into a postcard.

50.  Eat French cheese at La Laiterie de Paris

What is it? A cheese shop that's been serving the best of Paris-made fromage since 2017. 

Why go?  Pierre Coulon, a former employee of Androuet and a connoisseur of local cheese, has been turning organic milk into palate-pleasing delicacies at the heart of Goutte d'Or for a while now. This urban cheesemaker produces exceptional soft cheeses, such as a Saint-Félicien with raw cream, a Brillat-Savarin made with triple cream, or a Labat crafted with Breton goat milk... You can also find cheeses from small local producers, aged on-site, and a Normandy camembert from Pierre's farm in the city of the same name.

More great things to do in Paris

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The Ultimate Paris Bucket List: Top 44 Places to Visit

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You might have heard countless things about Paris. You might have been there more than once. But Paris is a city brimming with many tourist attractions – from world-class museums to less-known hidden gems – you will never exhaust the adventures it offers.

To help you discover the crème de la crème of Paris attractions, TourScanner has curated the 44 best places to visit in Paris and put them on this ultimate Paris bucket list .

Now keep scrolling and join us on a virtual tour to Paris (map a the end of the article).

Are you ready?

1. Eiffel Tower

Paris’s most iconic attraction, the Eiffel Tower was constructed for the 1889 World Exposition and reaches an astonishing height of over 300 meters.

A ride on its elevator will bring you to the top of the tower, where you can absorb a panorama and find the engineer Gustave Eiffel’s secret apartment on display.

• Open everyday, except 14th July, from 9 am to 11 pm.
• Eiffel Tower tickets

2. The Louvre

The world’s most visited museum, the Louvre has it entrance characterized by a sleek glass pyramid.

Once you enter, you’d be amazed by its abundant art collection including some of the world’s most celebrated artworks, such as, Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” and Michelangelo’s “Dying Slave”.

• Open everyday, except on Tuesday, from 9 am to 6 pm.
• Tickets and tours of the Louvre

See also: Best museums in Paris

3. Notre-Dame Cathedral

The Notre-Dame Cathedral (Notre-Dame de Paris) is a Gothic cathedral with awe-inspiring architectural details – combining rose windows, stunning sculptures and Gothic carvings, built in 1163.

It is also the setting of Victor Hugo’s literature classic “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame”.

• Visit the Notre-Dame Cathedral

4. Arc de Triomphe – Champs-Élysées

The Arc de Triomphe (Triumphal Arch) stands at the western end of the bustling Champs-Élysées and is the most renowned and emblematic triumphal arch in the world.

Engraved on the surfaces are some of the French historic victories, battles and great military leaders. It is one of the most emblematic Paris attractions.

– Open everyday, except 1st January, 1st May, 8th May, 14th July, 11th November and 25th December, from 10 am to 9.45 pm.

5. Montmartre – Wall of Love

Montmartre is a large hill in the northeast of Paris and is best known for its artistic environment where a number of world-renowned artists, including Monet, Picasso and Renoir, had stationed during the Belle Époque.

When you visit Montmartre, don’t forget to take a break at the Wall of Love (Le Mur des Je t’aimes) on which “I love you” is written 311 times in 250 languages.

6. Sacré-Coeur Basilica

The Sacré-Coeur Basilica is a Roman catholic church sitting atop of the Montmartre hill. It is a Parisian landmark and popular place to visit when you tour around Montmartre.

• Open everyday from 6 am to 10.30 pm.

7. Moulin Rouge

The famous cabaret Moulin Rouge – spiritual birthplace of the modern can-can dance – is located close to Montmartre and offers glamorous evening shows among which the most representative are Crazy Horse, Moulin Rouge and Lido de Paris.

You can book for a dinner and show, for a show, for a VIP evening or for a “matinée”.

• Moulin Rouge Shows

Read more: Check out the best cabaret shows in Paris .

8. Musée d’Orsay

The Musée d’Orsay (Orsay Museum) is one of the largest museums in Europe and features mainly French art dating from 1848 to 1914. I

t is home to the world’s greatest collection of impressionist and post-impressionist classics, including works of Monet, Renoir, Cézanne and Van Gogh.

The originality of the building comes from its story. It was initially the station of Orsay, then Valéry Giscard d’Estaing (French President, 1974-1981) decided to redesign it in a museum.

• Open everyday, except on Monday, 1st May and 25th December, from 9.30 am to 6 pm.
• Musée d’Orsay tickets

9. Tuileries Garden

Allow yourself a break in the Tuileries Garden located right next to the Louvre and enjoy the afternoon sun while admiring the French formal garden design.

Note that there is a small-scale amusement park which would be perfect if you’re travelling with children.

• Open everyday, from 7.30 am to 7.30 in September-March, from 7 am to 9 pm other months.

10. Musée de l’Orangerie

The impressionist art gallery Musée de l’Orangerie (Orangerie Museum) is found in the west corner of the Tuileries Garden, and is best known for hosting eight “Water Lilies” murals by Monet and other masterpieces of Renoir and Picasso.

• Open everyday, except on Tuesday, 1st May, 14th July and 25th December.
• Tickets for Musée de l’Orangerie from 10$

11. Panthéon – Latin Quarter

The Panthéon located in the dynamic Latin Quarter houses a crypt containing the tombs of well-known French figures such as Voltaire, Victor Hugo and Marie Curie.

A visit to the Panthéon will also bring you to its surrounding Latin Quarter – a lively student neighborhood known for quaint bookstores as well as cheerful cafés and bistros.

• Visit the Panthéon

• Open everyday, from 10 am to 5.45 pm.

12. Jardin du Luxembourg – Palais du Luxembourg

The beautiful Jardin du Luxembourg (Luxembourg Park) on the left bank of River Seine is the perfect spot for a cozy picnic.

The substantial lush green surroundings allow you to take a break from the city’s hustle and bustle and enjoy a quiet afternoon.

The Palais du Luxembourg (Luxembourg Palace) located right inside the park is also worth a visit.

– Open everyday from 7.30 am to 8.15 pm until September, then earlier.

13. Saint-Germain-des-Près

Located along the picturesque River Seine, Saint-Germain-des-Près is a classic Parisian neighborhood distinguished by upscale shops, galleries, trendy cafés and restaurants.

It is also a top place for night out in Paris.

14. Musée Picasso

The Musée Picasso (Picasso Museum) houses over 5,000 works and tens of thousands of archive pieces demonstrating the creative process of the Spanish cubist master Pablo Picasso.

There you can discover different artworks of the artist: painting, drawing, sculpture, and engraving. Thus, it is the unique public collection in the world to see his whole work and also these of close artists.

• Open everyday, except on Monday, 25th December and 1st May, from 10h30 am to 6 pm.

15. Centre Georges Pompidou

The Centre Georges Pompidou (Pompidou Centre) is a complex building constructed in high-tech architectural style.

It is home to the National Museum of Modern Art where some of the originals by Matîsse, Picasso and Andy Warhol are exhibited.

Open everyday, except on Tuesday and 1st May, from 11 am to 9 pm.

• Tickets for Pompidou Center

16. Musée Rodin

The Musée Rodin situated in central Paris is a museum dedicated to the French sculptor Auguste Rodin and contains some of his most significant works including “The Thinker”, “The Kiss” and “The Gates of Hell”.

• Open everyday, except on Monday, 1st January, 1st May and 25th December, from 10 am to 5.15 pm.

17. Le Marais

Along the meandering medieval streets and alleys in Le Marais are plenty of unique small shops, trendy galleries, hip cafés and restaurants.

It is a neighborhood of great interest and a must-see for most tourists with an avant-garde reputation.

Hot tip: Check out our list of the best walking tours in Paris .

18. Versailles Palace

The world-famous Versailles Palace, often ranks among the top places to visit in Paris, exudes extravagantly the grandeur of French Baroque architecture.

The splendorous palace and its gigantic gardens will easily make you spend one or even two days to visit all. The Versailles Palace is the most visited attraction near Paris.

• Tickets and tours of the Versailles Palace

• Open everyday, except on the Monday and 1st May, from 9 am to 6.30 pm.

19. Catacombs of Paris

The Catacombs of Paris are an enormous collection of bones and ossuaries under the city.

The overpopulated cemeteries in the 18th-century Paris gave rise to these subterranean ossuaries and more than 6 million people were moved over to this tremendous grave. Imagine this whole underground network of caves and tunnels – all lined with skulls and bones!

Open everyday, except on Monday, 1st January, 1st May, from 10 am to 7.30 pm.

• Catacombs tickets and tours

See also: Catacombs Paris ticket price – Everything you need to know

20. Palais Garnier

Landmark of the Opéra neighborhood, the Palais Garnier Opera House (also known as Opéra Garnier) incorporates an opulent theatre and is the stage of the prestigious Paris Opera Ballet.

Include a ballet show in your bucket list and it won’t disappoint you.

• Tickets for the Palais Garnier

• Open everyday except 1st January, 1st May, from 10 am to 4.30 pm.

21. Galeries Lafayette

The ultimate Paris shopping experience can be found here in the dazzling Galeries Lafayette .

Located in the posh Opéra neighborhood, the department store features 3 blocks of buildings to present you some of the most luxurious stores including Chanel, Hermès and Louis Vuitton. Don’t forget to go at the last floor of the building to have an amazing view of Paris.

Open everyday, from 9.30 am to 8.30 pm Monday-Saturday, from 11 am to 8 pm on Sunday.

22. Sainte Chapelle

The Sainte Chapelle is a Gothic royal chapel boasting one of the most jaw-dropping stained glass interior.

Its 13th century stained glass collection is considered one of the most extensive of its kind around the world.

Open everyday from 9 am to 5 pm, except on 1st January, 1st May, 25th December.

• Sainte Chapelle tickets & tours

23. Père Lachaise Cemetery

One of the most visited cemeteries in the world Père Lachaise Cemetery is the last homes of famous figures including Oscar Wilde and Edith Piaf.

It is also the biggest cemetery in Paris Intramuros, with 44 hectares.

• Open everyday, from 9 am to 5.30 pm.

24. Pont Alexandre III

The Pont Alexandre III is the most ornate and sumptuous bridge that spans the River Seine, connecting the Champs-Élysées and Eiffel Tower quarters.

Built for the 1900 World Exposition, the Pont Alexandre III is now a listed Historical Monument and is regarded as one of the most beautiful river crossings in the world.

25. Place de la Bastille – Bastille Market

The Place de la Bastille (Bastille Square) is the former locale of the Bastille prison where the “Storming of the Bastille” took place and marked the start of the French Revolution.

It is nice to also have a tour of the Bastille Market nearby where a huge range of products are offered.

26. Clignancourt Flea market

With Paris being the haven of antiques and vintage collectibles, it is no surprise that the world’s largest antique market is found here – at Clignancourt.

Covering 70,000 square meters and 15 different markets, the Clignancourt Flea Market is the perfect place for your treasure hunting.

Open on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays, it is easy to spend a full day there, whether you are looking for antiquities or luxury pieces.

27. Pont Neuf

The Pont Neuf is the oldest standing bridge across the River Seine.

Constructed during the medieval times, the ancient stone bridge consists of two discrete spans connecting Île de la Cité – the island in the middle of the river – to the left and the right banks.

28. La Madeleine

La Madeleine (Madeleine Church) might be mistaken for an ancient Greek Temple due to its neoclassical façade. It is, in fact, a Roman catholic church designed as a pantheon to the glory of Napoleon’s army.

• Open everyday, from 9.30 am to 7 pm.

29. Bateau-Mouche

One of the best ways to discover the City of Light is to cruise along the enchanting River Seine on a Bateau-Mouche riverboat.

• boat tours in Paris

See also: Seine River Cruises in Paris – Which One is Best?

30. Tour Montparnasse

The Tour Montparnasse (Montparnasse Tower) is the only skyscraper in the city of Paris.

Despite its outlandish appearance not being widely admired, a trip to the rooftop will afford you an unobstructed 360° panoramic view over the whole city which is absolutely breathtaking.

• Open everyday, from 9.30 am to 11 pm.
• Go to the top of the Tour Montparnasse

31. Galerie Vivienne

The elegant Galerie Vivienne is one of the many passages in the Grands Boulevards area. Passages are unique glass-roofed shopping galleries in between buildings, also known as les passages couverts , among which Galerie Vivienne is the most iconic.

Strolling along the charming arcades would allow you to discover hidden cute shops, cafes and restaurants.

32. Palace of Fontainebleau

The Palace of Fontainebleau is one of the largest French royal palaces and served as a residence for the French monarchs from Louis VII to Napoleon III.

The museum it is housing today showcases fascinating furniture, decorations, and archives. Perfect for those who want to know about French royal and aristocratic history.

Read more: Fontainebleau day trips from Paris – all you need to know

33. Château de Chambord

The nearly 500 year-old Château de Chambord (Chambord Castle) located southeast to Paris is the largest and most visited chateau in the Loire Valley.

Built by King Francis I as his “hunting lodge”, the castle boasts a magnificent French Renaissance architectural style and offers stunning sceneries with its surrounding gardens and forests.

If you are interested about visiting places outside Paris, take a look at our list of best day trips from Paris .

• Open everyday, except on 1st January and 25th December, from 9 am to 5 pm.
• Loire Valley tours from paris

34. Giverny – Monet’s House and Garden

Jump into Monet’s “Water Lilies” in Giverny , where the impressionist master had lived for over 40 years and created some of his most distinguished masterpieces such as “Water Lilies” and “Japanese Bridge”.

• Open everyday, from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm.

35. Château de Chantilly

The Château de Chantilly (Chantilly Castle) along with its enchanting lake and gardens affords scenery right out of a storybook. It also hosts the prestigious Musée Condé – the finest art collection in France second to the Louvre – where paintings by Raphael and Delacroix can be found.

• Open everyday, from 10.30 am to 5 pm.

36. Disneyland Paris

Visit the fairy-tale Disneyland Paris and join your favorite Disney characters in its two theme parks – Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney Studios Park – and marvel at the whimsical surroundings!

Read our latest blog post about how to find Disneyland Paris tickets deals online.

• Open everyday, from 10 am to 11 pm.
• Get your ticket for Disneyland

37. La Vallée Village

The open-air outlet center La Vallée Village located close to Disneyland Paris includes 115 luxury outlet boutiques ranging from high-fashion to lifestyle brands such as Ferragamo, Burberry and Armani. Definitely one of the top places to go shopping in Paris.

• Open everyday, from 10 am to 7 pm.

38. Parc Astérix

Parc Astérix is a theme amusement park based on the French comic series “Astérix” and is famous for its large variety of roller coasters.

39. Parc des Princes – Paris Saint Germain

One of the largest and oldest stadiums in France, the Parc des Princes is the home ground of the Paris Saint Germain (PSG) football team and where they play all of their home matches.

• Parc des Princes stadium tours

40. Louis Vuitton Foundation

The Louis Vuitton Foundation is an art museum and cultural center founded by the group LVMH. The revolutionary architectural design demonstrates unique shapes and curves with glass which makes it a striking art piece both in and out.

• Open everyday, except on Tuesday, 1st January, 1st May, 8th May and 25th December, from 12 pm to 6.30 pm.

41. Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche

Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche is the world’s oldest department store and features an elegant architectural design.

It houses a refined selection of high-end stores and is a perfect place for shopping niche fashion and luxury brands without plunging into the tourist crowds.

• Open everyday, from 10 am to 7.45 pm.

42. Palais de Tokyo

The Palais de Tokyo located just a stone’s throw from the Eiffel Tower is a building dedicated to modern and contemporary art and offers exhibitions, screenings and performances to visitors.

It is not just a museum, but also an experimental and innovative place. In May 2018, it was possible to visit the museum naked for a special day in partnership with the Naturists of Paris Association.

• Open everyday, except on Tuesday, from 12 pm to 12 am.

43. Palais Royal

The Palais Royal has it main entrance right opposite to the Louvre and was the residence of royal families until the Versailles Palace was built.

In the inner courtyard (Cour d’Honneur) are 260 black and white striped columns known as Colonnes de Buren which would make terrific snapshots.

• Open everyday, from 7.30 am to 8.30 pm.

44. Monnaie de Paris

Founded in 864, the Monnaie de Paris is the oldest company in the world and the last operating factory in the heart of historic Paris.

With more than 12 centuries of history, innovation and know-how, it is fully dedicated to monetary striking and the production of artistic craftsmanship.

In the heart of its neo-classical 18th-century building, the Monnaie de Paris Museum has been open since 2017 to reveal its trade secrets and exceptional heritage.

Did you enjoy browsing through our recommended places to visit? Leave a comment below and tell us which your favorite one is!

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Home > Paris Attractions > The 50 Best Things to Do in Paris

The 50 Best Things to Do in Paris

Unique things to do in paris.

With so many gorgeous things to do in Paris, it’s no wonder that the French capital is on the top of so many people’s bucket lists. Some of the must-do unique experiences in Paris include photographing the Eiffel Tower, exploring the Louvre, admiring the stunning Notre Dame, and seeing the world-famous cabaret at the Moulin Rouge, but there’s much more!

If you’re planning a trip to Paris or even just dreaming about a trip, then this list of the 50 best things to do in Paris is going to provide you with some great inspiration. In this comprehensive list, we don’t just list the top things to do in Paris, but also some of the more unique things to do in Paris.

One thing for sure is that there are so many wonderful and fun things to do in Paris that you’ll need to book multiple trips to enjoy them all. Use this Paris things-to-do list as a little checklist if you wish, and happy exploring!

Top 50 Things to Do in Paris

In no particular order, here is our list of the 50 best things to do in Paris.

1- Watch the Sunrise on the Seine

For the early rises, head down to the Seine just before dawn and be rewarded with a spectacular sunrise over the city of Paris.  One of the best spots to watch the sunrise over the Seine is from the gorgeous Pont Alexandre III , where you’ll have a great view of the Eiffel Tower.

2- Admire the Exterior of Beautiful Notre Dame

Notre Dame Cathedral is and will always be the beating heart of Paris. Despite the devastating fire in April 2019, which destroyed part of the cathedral, a visit to Notre Dame is still one of the most iconic places in Paris for tourists to visit.

While you won’t be able to explore inside this gorgeous cathedral, you can still get reasonably close and admire her beauty from the outside. Our Lady of Paris is still watching over Paris and the Parisians from the rose window of the west facade.

3- Explore Medieval Ile de la Cité

Ile de la Cité is one of two small islands in the center of Paris and is the location where the medieval city was established. This is the historic center and one of the oldest areas in Paris.

Today three main medieval buildings remain on Ile de la Cité – the Cathedral of Notre Dame , Sainte Chapelle , and the Conciergerie where Marie-Antionette awaited execution in 1793. But of course, there’s much more to explore!

4- Admire the Amazing Stained Glass Windows at Sainte Chapelle

Located on Ile de la Cité, and just a short stroll from Notre Dame, this gorgeous chapel was built in the early 13th century by King Louis IX – also known as Saint Louis – and has one of the world’s best display of stained glass .

If you want to  visit the Sainte-Chapelle  in all its glory, the best time to visit is during sunset.

5- Browse the Bouquinistes’ Stalls along the Seine

As you walk along the Seine River, you can’t miss the numerous bouquinistes’ stalls.  These stalls sell a range of items such as second-hand books, magazines, and artwork.  This is the perfect place for tourists to come and purchase a few souvenirs.

The tradition of selling used books along the Seine started in the 16th century and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

6- Explore the Iconic Artworks at the Louvre

From the Royal Palace to the world’s most visited museum in the world, you cannot miss the Louvre , one of the most iconic sites in Paris!

Cross the glass pyramid and wander aimlessly through its maze of galleries, with iconic artworks such as the Mona Lisa, The Coronation of Napoleon, Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People, or the Venus de Milo.

If your time in Paris is limited, but still you don’t want to miss one of the most famous museums in the world, we tell you how to make the most of the Louvre in 2 hours or less .

7- Walk through the Tuileries Gardens

Either before or after you visit the Louvre, be sure to stop by the nearby Tuileries Gardens . This is a lovely place to relax with friends and family or to explore the beautiful gardens, particularly in spring and summer when the flowers are in full bloom.

During the warmer months, you will find a range of stalls selling ice cream and pastries as well as many artists creating gorgeous artworks.

If you’re interested in learning more about the history of the Tuileries Gardens whilst having fun, you can also arrange your own self-guided scavenger hunt in the Tuileries Garden .

8- Discover the Secret Covered Passages of Paris

While many tourists are familiar with all the iconic buildings and monuments in Paris, they may not be aware of Paris’ secret passages .  During the 18 th and 19thcenturies, there were more than 150 of these passages; however, only a few remain these days.

These charming passages that are dotted throughout the city are indoor laneways filled with boutique stores and cafes. The passages themselves are complete works of art, with their colorful stained glass roofs, mosaic floors, stunning architecture, and antique décor.

Some of the passages to explore include Passage des Panoramas , Galerie Vivienne, and Passage du Grand-Cerf .

9- Watch the World Go by from the Terrace of a Parisian Café

The streets of Paris are lined with gorgeous little cafes, and one of the best ways to enjoy the Parisian Cafés is to sit outside on the terrace and watch the world go.

This will not only give you a chance to indulge in some delicious Parisian food but also get a glimpse into the lives of local Parisian people as they go about their day-to-day business.

10- See Paris from the Summit of the Eiffel Tower

No doubt for many visitors, one of the must-do in Paris is to go to the summit of the Eiffel Tower . The Eiffel Tower is not only one of the most recognizable structures in the world, but with millions of visitors every year, it is also considered to be the most visited paid tourist attraction.

Opened in 1889 for the Paris World Fair, the Eiffel Tower is 324 meters high, which is the tallest structure in Paris. The tower has three levels, with restaurants being on the first and second levels.  Levels one and two can be reached via stairs or a lift, but the top level, which sits at 276 meters, can only be reached by a lift. From the Eiffel Tower’s summit, you will enjoy great views of Paris.

It can be very busy at the Eiffel Tower, and so it is recommended to purchase your tickets well in advance .

11- Explore the Bohemian Neighborhood of Montmartre

One of the most popular areas of Paris to explore is Montmartre , a picturesque bohemian district with a very particular atmosphere that was an independent village from Paris until the 19th century.

Put on a good pair of walking shoes and stroll around the narrow hilly streets. Use this self-guided walking tour with a map to explore the main sights and learn the stories and legends behind them.

Admire the quaint and colorful shop fronts that line the streets, pop into several of the little stores along the way, or relax at one of the many cozy little cafés or Montmartre restaurants that spill onto the streets.

If you prefer to visit the Montmartre off the beaten path, then have a look at our Secret Map of Montmartre .

12- See the Can Can Dancers at the Moulin Rouge

For an evening of fun, head to the Moulin Rouge to see one of the most iconic cabarets in Paris. Running since 1889, at the Moulin Rouge, as well as witnessing the crazy cancan dance , you’ll see a range of world-class acts.

This is one of the most unique things to do in Paris, so be sure to book your tickets early to avoid disappointment. Although the Moulin Rouge has multiple shows every night, it is a sell-out most nights.

The basic ticket includes a glass of champagne but you can also book the Moulin Rouge dinner-show for a perfect night out in Paris.

13- Spoil yourself with a Hotel with Eiffel Tower Views

Imagine waking up to a view of the Eiffel Tower every morning during your visit to Paris?  Well, it is possible to do just that as there are numerous hotels in Paris with fantastic views of the Eiffel Tower.

Some of the best Paris hotels with Eiffel Tower views include the Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel, Shangri-La Hotel , or Hotel Plaza Athenée but there are many more. Because there is nothing like an amazing view of the Eiffel Tower to say you’re in the City of Lights…

14- Enjoy a Traditional French Breakfast

During your trip to Paris, you’ll no doubt enjoy at least a few typical French breakfasts. Unlike most parts of the world, a typical French breakfast is a fairly light meal consisting of bread, a pastry like a croissant or pain au chocolat, jam, yogurt or cheese, and of course, orange juice, coffee, or tea.

15- Explore the City by Bike

While on foot would have to be the best way to explore Paris, for those wanting to give their feet a rest, why not hire a bike and explore the city. Paris by bike is great as there are plenty of bike paths and bike lanes around the city.

There are some great cycling routes designed to show you the best landmarks around the city as well as a range of places where you can rent a bike. Alternatively, you can always join one of the organized bike tours that cover Paris’ highlights.

16- Search the City for the Best View of the Eiffel Tower

On top of every tourist’s list is to ascend the Eiffel Tower – but did you know that the best way to really appreciate this iconic monument is from afar?

Some of the places with the best Eiffel Tower views , include Trocadéro , Pont Alexandre III, Champ de Mars, and Rue Saint-Dominique . From these places, you’ll get some great photographs of the Eiffel Tower in all its glory.

17-Find Paris’ most Beautiful Art Nouveau Architecture

For lovers of art nouveau architecture , you’ll find some gorgeous examples in Paris. The art nouveau movement was popular in Paris from about 1895 to 1914 and left many beautiful buildings in the city. Today you can spot the style in various metro stations, department stores, and apartment buildings.

For some gorgeous examples of art nouveau architecture in Paris check out Paris 16 with many buildings designed by the architect Héctor Guimard. Also, there is the Immeuble Lavirotte (Paris 7), Castel Béranguer (Paris 16), Restaurant Maxim’s (Paris 8), or the Synagogue of Rue Pavée (Paris 4).

18- Lunch at Le Train Bleu, the Most Romantic Classic Restaurant

Considered to be one of the best restaurants in all of Paris, Le Train Bleu located at Gare de Lyon is the perfect place for a romantic lunch.

The food here is incredible, and the service is impeccable, not to mention the elaborately decorated interior, rivaling many of the churches and palaces throughout the city.

This is a very popular restaurant and to avoid disappointment, it’s highly recommended to book in advance.

19- Try the Colorful Cakes of Paris

It’s no secret that you’ll find some of the best desserts in Paris from the famous tartes au citron, classic pastries as well as traditional cakes.

Some of the must-try Parisian cakes – the cakes born and perfected in Paris – include Saint-Honoré , Paris-Brest, financiers, Opéra, Baba-Au-Rhum, and many more.

20- Learn about the Impressionism at Orsay Museum

For people with an interest in Impressionist artwork, then a visit to the Orsay Museum is a must. This gorgeous museum was once a railway station and now has the largest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist artwork in the world.

At the Orsay Museum, you’ll find artwork by painters such as Monet, Degas, Renoir, Seurat, Gauguin, and Van Gogh from the period 1848 to 1914.

21- Choose your favorite Ice-Cream at Berthillon

For the very best ice cream in all of Paris, head to Berthillon. Dating back to 1954, Berthillon makes over 70 different flavors of sorbets and ice cream, including pink grapefruit, salted caramel, candied Ardèche chestnuts, gingerbread, and licorice.

There are many sellers of Berthillon ice-creams in Paris.  However, the original address in Paris, with the very best selection of flavors, is the store at 29-31 Rue Saint-Louis en l’Île .  It’s easy to spot as you’ll no doubt see the long line of people outside.

22- Take a Day Trip to Versailles

If you can bear to leave the city center, a day trip to Versailles is well worth it. Just half an hour by train from Paris, Versailles is a royal castle located on the Paris outskirts. This World Heritage castle was once the official royal residence for more than 100 years until the French Revolution in 1789.

At Versailles, visitors can visit the Palace of Versailles inside as well as explore the magnificent manicured Versailles Gardens beautifully decorated with fountains and other water games. Also, be sure to visit the nearby le Petit Trianon, designed by the order of King Louis XV for his long-term mistress Madame de Pompadour, or L’Hameau de la Reine , which was once the quarters of Queen Marie-Antionette.

To get the most out of Versailles and the Gardens, leave for Versailles as early as you can. This Versailles bundle with transfer, audio guide, and skip-the-line tickets is highly recommended as lines at Versailles are always very long. For a self-guided visit, there are different kinds of Versailles tickets to visit the Palace, Marie-Antoinette’s Estate, and garden shows.

23- See Paris City Lights from a Seine Boat Cruise

While Paris is just lovely during the day, when the city is lit up at night, it’s just magical.  The perfect way to see all the Paris city lights is on a night cruise along the Seine River .  As you cruise down the river, you’ll see all the city’s iconic landmarks and monuments aglow.

Sailing the Seine River is one of the best things to do in Paris and you will find different Seine River Cruises in Paris to choose from. You could even combine a river cruise with a few drinks or a dinner cruise for something even extra special.

24- Visit the Grand Opera of Paris (Palais Garnier)

For lovers of opera or (mostly) ballet, a show at the Palais Garnier (also known as Opera Garnier Paris or Paris Opera) is a must.  Considered to be one of the most distinguished opera houses in the world, this 1979 seat opera house was built for Paris Opera from 1861 to 1875 at the request of Emperor Napoleon III.

Even if you’re can’t see a show, a tour of the Palais Garnier is a great way to admire its grand exterior and exquisite interiors as well as learning about its fascinating history and visiting the phantom of the opera private box seat (only available at night tours ).

25- Visit Basilica of Saint-Denis, the Burial Place of the Kings of France

One of the most famous religious buildings in all of France is the Basilica of Saint-Denis . This Basilica has great historical and architectural importance as it’s the first Gothic church ever built and is also the burial place of the Kings and Queens of France.

The best way to explore the impressive gothic cathedral is by a guided tour with a knowledgeable guide where you’ll learn all about this historical site. Although it is possible to also do a self-guided tour.

26- Indulge in a Typical Thick Chocolat Chaud

You cannot leave Paris without indulging in a thick chocolat chaud . Basically, chocolat chaud is a super thick and rich hot chocolate. Some of the best chocolat chaud served in Paris can be found at Angelina , Chocolaterie Jacques Genin , Maison du Chocolat , and Jean-Paul Hevin .

Angelina Paris (226 Rue de Rivoli, in Paris 1) usually sees the crowds. However, few people know that there’s an Angelina with zero crowds inside the Louvre Museum, not far from the Apartments of Napoleon iii.

27- Explore the Luxembourg Gardens

A lovely place to escape the hustle and bustle of Paris is the Luxembourg Gardens . The Luxembourg Gardens are the perfect place to relax and explore, particularly if you happen to be visiting during spring and summer when all the flowers are in bloom.  Be sure to stop by the Médicis Fountain , one of the prettiest places in the gardens as well as in Paris itself.

Also, for families visiting Luxembourg Gardens, you could even arrange a self-guided treasure hunt for the kids (but also great for adults alone) to learn more about this pretty place and its first owner, Queen Marie de Médicis.

28- Walk along Canal Saint-Martin

Wander along Canal Saint-Martin , a small waterway crossed by metallic bridges and lined with lovely little boutique shops and cafes. This neighborhood – world-famous thanks to the film Amélie Poulain – is a popular area for the locals,  where you’ll find coffee shops, vintage shops, and trendy bars perfect for an afternoon apéritif.

Canal Saint-Martin is the perfect place if you’re wanting to explore one of the less touristy areas of Paris.

29- Learn about the History of Paris at Musée Carnavalet

The best place to learn about Paris’s history from its origins to the present day is at the Musée Carnavalet . Located in the historic Marais district, the museum is housed across two mansions from the 16th and 17th centuries.

With its expansive collections, including medieval and Gallo-Roman archeological collections, relics of the French Revolution , paintings, sculptures, furniture, and items of art, this is easily one of the best free museums in Paris .

After four years of renovation works, the Musée de Carnavalet re-opened its doors in May 2021.

30- Walk on the Rails Following La Petite Ceinture

For visitors who love to explore hidden gems not found in tourist guides, then walking along the rails at La Petite Ceinture is one to add to your to-do list.  Once a 32 km railroad line that circled Paris, today you can explore the area where you’ll find abandoned train stations and railroads.

Constructed from 1852 to 1869, La Petite Ceinture’s decline started with the construction of the Parisian Metro and eventually stopped operating in the 1970s.  Today the area is converted into several green spaces and is an interesting, offbeat place to explore.

31 – Enjoy a Picnic at the Foot of the Eiffel Tower

One of the most unique things to do in Paris is to have a picnic on the grass at the foot of the Eiffel Tower at Champ de Mars . This is particularly a great thing to do in the warmer months during spring and summer when on any given day you will find lots of locals doing just that.

Head to a nearby supermarket and buy a range of local delights such as a freshly baked baguette, cheese, chocolate, and of course, French wine.  Then relax and enjoy a few hours relaxing with your friends and family while basking in the beauty of the Eiffel Tower.

32- Sail your own Electric Boat along the Canal de l’Ourcq

If you’re looking for more unique things to do in Paris, head down to Canal de l’Ourcq and sail your own electric boat. This is such a fun way to not only relax with family and friends but also to see the city sights along the canal.

Marin d’Eau Douce is the company that proposes these electric boats and they are moored at Canal de la Villette, the starting point of your crazy boat tour. There is no license or permit required to hire these electric boats, and you can hire them from a few hours to an entire day.

33- Pay your Respects at the Père Lachaise Cemetery

Père Lachaise Cemetery , with its 44 hectares and 70,000 burial plots, is the largest cemetery in Paris today.  Père Lachaise Cemetery is visited by around 3.5 million visitors each year mostly because it is the final resting place of France’s most prominent people.

The cemetery is a must-do in Paris during fall , when it is especially gorgeous with the autumn colors.

Some of the most popular visited tombs here include Oscar Wilde , Abélard and Héloïse , Edith Piaf , Chopin , and Jim Morrison. Still, we recommend wandering around this beautiful cemetery with no particular direction.

34- Create your Own Parisian Perfume

Have you ever wanted to make your own perfume?   Well, in Paris, you can. There is a range of perfume workshops on offer in Paris where you can design your very own personal fragrance. While you’re concocting your scent, you’ll also learn about the history of perfume.

Most perfume workshops last an hour or two, and in the end, you’ll get to take home your very own custom-made blend.

35- Play Pétanque with the Locals

A popular game among the locals in Paris is pétanque. Pétanque is a game like boules and is mostly played during the summer months.

The game of pétanque doesn’t discriminate, and across Paris, you’ll find young and old players, men and women, professionals and amateurs. Basically, people from all walks of life love playing this game.

Places, where you will usually find locals playing pétanque, include Les Arènes de Lutèce , Place Dauphine, the banks of Canal de La Villette, Park Buttes Chaumont (outside, on the top of the park), and along Canal of Saint-Martin.

36- Look for the 100 Villages of Paris

Paris is the city of the Haussmannian buildings and boulevards, but it is also the city of a hundred villages: flowery alleys, country villas, bucolic dead ends are a total change of scenery, and the joy of the curious walkers.

In the heart of the city of stone, try to venture off the beaten path, and you may find a Paris stuck in time, exotic and out of the ordinary. These micro-neighborhoods such as  Butte Bergeyre ,  Mouzaïa , or  the Butte aux Cailles  are all wonderful places – far from the urban rush – waiting to be discovered.

37- Learn about French Wines at a Wine Tasting Session

If you love wine and are eager to sample some of the best French wines, then add a wine-tasting session to your list of things to do in Paris. In Paris, you’ll find a range of bars that offer wine-tasting sessions as well as guided tours to the nearby French wine regions .

A popular place for wine tasting is Les Caves Du Louvre , a beautiful and historic place that was the Royal Wine Cellar of King Louis XV. Les Caves du Louvre proposes visitors an interactive visit and cool wine tastings.

38- Enjoy some Cheese Tasting in Paris

Be sure to sample as much cheese as you can while in Paris!  With over a thousand different types of cheese in France and over 250 fromageries (cheese shops) in Paris, there is plenty of cheese to eat to try.

For cheese tasting in Paris, you can either do it yourself by heading to your local market or nearest fromagerie to purchase a range of cheese or join a cheese-tasting workshop.  Better yet, join a combined cheese and wine-tasting session in a typical cheese cellar, and you will feel closer to Heaven.

39- Laugh as you Learn How to Become a Typical Parisian

A great way to learn how to become a Parisian is by seeing Olivier Giraud’s fun one-man show How to Become Parisian in One Hour. In just an hour, Olivier provides a hilarious introduction to everything you need to know to understand Parisian people.

If you are wondering what to do in Paris after dinner, this one-man show is a great idea. The show is entirely in English, and by the reviews , it is easy to understand why this is the most popular one-man show in Paris for visitors and locals. After the show, you’ll be well on your way to being a local.

40- Dine in a Traditional Parisian Bistro

During your visit to Paris, you need to at least once dine at a traditional Parisian bistro .

A typical Parisian bistro is a small casual restaurant serving affordable French food .  A meal at a traditional Parisian bistro here is the perfect way to not only enjoy French cuisine but also to sample French culture too.

41- Aperó Time from a Rooftop Bar

French apéritifs – a couple of drinks with friends, usually after work and before dinner – is one of the fun, unique experiences in Paris.

When the weather is warm, just before sunset, make your way to one of the many rooftop bars in Paris . On arrival, order yourself an aperó and then watch the sunset across the city. 

A rooftop bar is also the perfect place to enjoy a fabulous meal while watching the city come alight with an array of colorful lights.

42- Experience ‘Immersive Art’ at Atelier des Lumières

Digital art galleries are opening all around the world, and in Paris, you can experience immersive art at Atelier des Lumières .

Unlike regular art galleries, with the use of 140 video projectors and a spatialized sound system, visitors to Atelier des Lumières are encouraged to become part of the art exhibits by physically walking inside it or interacting with it.

43- Explore the Underground Catacombs of Paris

In the 18th  century, the cemeteries within the boundaries of Paris were cleared, and bones moved into a labyrinth of tunnels under the streets of Paris.

These tunnels are known as the Catacombs of Paris , and now visitors can explore some of these underground galleries, which are said to be the final resting place of around six million Parisians.

Visiting tunnels and tunnels decorated by skulls can become monotonous after a while, plus the lines to enter are always super long. To get the most out of this Paris underground experience and avoid the lines, we highly recommend joining a Paris Catacombs guided tour with skip-the-line access and access to restricted areas.

44- Enjoy 360-degree Views of Paris from the Top of the Arc de Triomphe

For one of the best views of Paris , climb the 284 stairs to the top of the Arc de Triomphe .  In every direction, you’ll get marvelous views of the city’s most iconic landmarks.

To the east, you’ll see down the famous Champs-Elysees to the Louvre with the hills of Montmartre in the background, while in the southeast, you’ll have a fantastic view of the Eiffel Tower.

45- Eat Yummy Crêpes in the Best Crêperies in Paris

One of the best things to eat in Paris is crêpes!  Whether you prefer sweet or savory or want to sit down and eat them with a knife and fork or roll them up and eat on the go – the crêpes in Paris are some of the best you’ll ever eat.

Originally from Brittany, Parisians did not take long to adopt crêpes, and crêpes are today one of the most popular things to eat in Paris. While you can get crêpes on pretty much every street corner in Paris, it’s good to have some suggestions for the very best crêperies in Paris .

46- See Paris’ Cherry Blossoms

If you time your visit to Paris in Spring , in the first few weeks of April, you’ll be just in time for the cherry blossom season.  This is such a stunning time to visit Paris as many of the city’s parks and gardens become covered in a splash of pink.

Some of the best places to see the cherry blossoms in Paris include the Jardin des Plantes , the Tuileries Gardens , around the Eiffel Tower, Trocadéro Gardens, and around Notre Dame. 

47- Visit one of the French Food Festivals

As you can see from our list of top 50 things to do in Paris so far, Paris is a foodie’s heaven!  A great way to try all these wonderful delights is at one of the many French food festivals held throughout the year in Paris.

No matter what month of the year you’re visiting Paris, there is sure to be a food festival ongoing.  Some of the most popular food festivals in Paris include Omnivore, Bouche à Bouche, Salon du Chocolat, Street Food International Festival, and Taste of Paris.

48- Visit the Picturesque Towns Near Paris

If you want to escape the city for a day, there are plenty of gorgeous small towns near Paris to explore.  The city can get busy, particularly during the weekends, so a day trip to a nearby town is one of the best things to do in Paris to break up your visit as well as explore a different side of France.

Some of the nearby picturesque towns worth visiting include Provins, Fontainebleau, Auvers-Sur-Oise, Marly-le-Roi, and Bougival . Most of them are very easy to reach by public transportation.

49- Take a Day Trip to Giverny to Admire Monet’s Gardens

Monet’s House and Gardens is one of the best day trips from Paris , and a must-visit for Monet’s art lovers. Monet’s Gardens are located about an hour from Paris, in the picturesque village of Giverny. During this day trip, you’ll no doubt recognize several scenes from many of Monet’s famous paintings.

Transportation to Giverny is not straight forward so a good option for exploring Monet’s house and gardens is to join a small group guided tour .  During these tours, you’ll learn more about Monet while exploring the village and visiting his grave, house, and gardens.

50- Buy a Box of Macarons for your Friends before Leaving Paris

Did you even go to Paris if you didn’t eat at least one macaron?  But don’t keep these Paris delights all to yourself; before leaving be sure to buy a box of macarons for your friends at home. They will no doubt be indebted to you forever! Some of the best places to buy macarons from in Paris include Pierre Hermé and Ladurée .

So there you have it, the list of the 50 best things to do in Paris! Now all you need to do is decide which things you will do on your trip to Paris (but we suggest doing them all!).

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Quirky parisian explorer with a preference for lesser-known sights, i am continuously looking for new ideas and tips to bring you the best of the city of light read more about me ., i am elisa, the travel blogger behind world in paris. quirky explorer with a preference for the local side of my city and its lesser-known sights, i am continuously looking for new ideas to enjoy the best of paris & around . do you want to go beyond the louvre museum or the eiffel tower keep clicking for first-hand information & my best tips learn more.

Home » Travel Guides » France » 75 Best Things to Do in Paris (France)

75 Best Things to Do in Paris (France)

Even if you’ve never been to Paris you may feel like you already know the City of Light. And in most cities in the world you’d be scraping the barrel trying to find 75 genuinely worthwhile things to do. But that will never be the case in Paris.

Such is the amount of world-beating museums and sights we all know and love, there will never be a shortage of ideas. We reckon you could make another 75 with the rejects and still have the time of your life in Paris.

You can’t compose a list like this without having tried and trusted favourites like the Louvre or the Eiffel Tower, but we also have a few recherché places and experiences that merit the extra minutes on the RER or Métro.

Let’s have a look at the best things to do in Paris :

1. The Louvre

The world’s largest and most visited art museum has more than enough material for an article of its own.

The Louvre Palace started out as a medieval fortress, before becoming a gallery for artists to study antiquities and the works of Old Masters in the 1700s.

Fast forward 230 years and you have a museum that you’d need weeks to fully appreciate.

There are antiquities from scores of world cultures and a collection of Renaissance and Baroque art that puts every other museum in the world to shame.

If you are pressed for time, see the crème de la crème like the 2,200-year-old Winged Victory of Samothrace, Liberty Leading the People (Delacroix), the Portrait of François I (Jean Clouet), the enigmatic Gabrielle d’Estrées and one of her sisters (Unknown) and of course the Mona Lisa (Leonardo da Vinci).

2. Musée d’Orsay

In the astonishing confines of a Beaux-Arts railway station is a compendium of French art and culture from the mid-19th century to 1914. The Gare d’Orsay is on the left bank of the Seine and was completed in 1900 for the Exposition Universelle.

After becoming obsolete for modern rail travel the building sat idle before being listed and turned into one of the largest art museums in the world, filling the gap between the Louvre and the National Museum of Modern Art at the Pompidou Centre.

In this unforgettable environment are scores of iconic works of art by Impressionists and Post-Impressionists like Renoir (Bal du Moulin de la Galette), Cézanne (The Card Players and Apples and Oranges), van Gogh (Starry Night Over the Rhône) and Manet (Le Déjeuner sur l’Herbe).

3. Eiffel Tower

Even taking on board the queues and safety measures, how could you possibly come to Paris and not go up one of the world’s most famous landmarks? Built in time for the 1889 World’s Fair, the tower stands at 324 metres and was the tallest structure in the country until the Millau Viaduct was completed in 2004. As an attraction it hardly needs introduction.

If you’re in the city for the first time then it needs to be a priority, but if you’re returning after a few years you can spot the city’s new landmarks, like the Fondation Louis Vuitton, from the observation decks.

Close to 7 million people ascend the Eiffel Tower every year; most go up to the first two levels where there are shops and restaurants, while the third level is still the highest accessible observation deck in Europe at 276 metres.

4. Notre-Dame de Paris

Hands-down the most famous and beloved Gothic monument in the world, the Notre-Dame’s unmistakeable towers rise from the eastern point of the Île de la Cité in the Seine.

In Paris’s Medieval core, the cathedral was begun in 1163 and completed just under 200 years later.

After picking up damage in the Revolution this monument was revitalised in the 19th century by the master restorer Viollet-le-Duc.

There are many reasons to brave the crowds and see the Notre-Dame, from the peerless sculpture on the facades (including the famous gargoyles), to the rose windows, stained glass, bell (enshrined in literature by Victor Hugo) and the view that can be had from its towers.

Despite the Revolution the treasury still has relics like the Crown of Thorns, while you can peer into Paris’s distant past in the excavations at the Archaeological Crypt.

5. Palace of Versailles

The largest and maybe the most famous palace in the world isn’t something to take lightly.

A testament to the opulence and excess of the ancient régime, Versailles grew from a hunting lodge in the 17th century to the ultimate statement of power in the century that followed.

André Le Nôtre, who perfected the French formal garden style, and the virtuoso artist and decorator Charles Le Brun are just two of the masters to leave their mark at Versailles.

You need a lot of time to get the most from the palace, its opulent apartments and the historic Hall of Mirrors that links them.

And the main palace is only one element, along with the bewilderingly large grounds, the Royal Opera House, Grand Canal, Neptune Basin, Grand and Petit Trianon, and not to forget Marie Antoinette’s own idyllic village, the Hameau de la Reine.

6. Hôtel des Invalides

Louis XIV founded the sumptuous Hôtel des Invalides in 1670 to house destitute and infirmed war veterans.

The building still fills that purpose, as a retirement home for servicemen and women, equipped with medical facilities.

For the military-minded or people enthused by French history there are also museums with martial themes inside.

One, the Musée des Plans, has tactical scale models of cities, designed for military commanders in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries.

The Musée de l’Armée is France’s national military museum and has Medieval armour, canons, uniforms, military figurines, artillery, a Renault FT17 tank and a V-2 missile.

The Dôme des Invalides is what many come for, a former church and burial place for military heroes.

Here Napoleon’s red quartzite and green granite tomb sits in a circular hollow under the dome.

7. Musée de l’Orangerie

Built by Napoleon III, the grand orangery of the Tuileries Palace’s is a sensational museum for Impressionist and modern art.

The building had been put to a variety of uses before Monet donated his Nymphéas (Water Lilies) panels to the French government.

These were a monument to the end of the First World War and are displayed in the orangery’s fabled oval rooms.

More than 90 years later this cycle of eight paintings on the ground floor remains as subtly powerful as ever.

In the basement you’ll be treated to pieces by some of the most illustrious names in the history of art, like Paul Cézanne, Matisse, Renoir, Rousseau, Sisley, Picasso and Chaim Soutine.

8. Centre Georges Pompidou

Now more than 40 years after it sprouted in the 4th arrondissement’s Beaubourg Area, the postmodern Pompidou Centre and its inside-out design can still provoke a reaction.

Within, there’s an enormous library and alongside it is the IRCAM, avant-garde music institute.

But the main event is of course the Musée National d’Art Moderne, Europe’s largest modern art museum and one of the 10 most visited art museums in the world.

The collections take in every notable movement in modern and contemporary from 1905 to today.

Think Matisse, Picasso, Kandinsky, Braque, Calder and Klee, but also giants from the last 60 years like Yves Klein, Warhol, Lichtenstein, Nam June Paik and Joseph Beuys.

There are also major temporary exhibitions on the panoramic top floor: Jeff Koons, Henri Cartier-Bresson and Dalí have all featured in the last five years alone.

9. Arc de Triomphe

On Place de l’Etoile at the western end of the Champs-Elysées is the monumental astylar arch erected to celebrate the victories and remember the war dead of the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.

The Arc de Triomphe is also at the centre point of the Axe Historique, a long, straight line linking monuments from La Défense in the west to the Louvre in the east.

And as for the arch its facades are carved with reliefs of key episodes from the 1790s and 1800s, like the Battle of Austerlitz and Fall of Alexandria.

On the pillars are sculptural groups, including the iconic Marsellaise, which has a winged personification of liberty leading the volunteers, to symbolise the Revolution’s 10 August uprising.

And finally, the names of the military leaders of the day are etched in the pillars, and those who died in battle are underlined.

10. Sainte-Chapelle

Embedded within the maze-like complex of the Palais de la Cité, the seat of France’s Kings up to the 1300s, the Sainte-Chapelle is a royal chapel constructed in just ten years up 1248. This is one of the first and most important works of Rayonnant Gothic architecture, a style known for its lightness and sense of height as you’ll know the moment you look up at the blue vaults trimmed with gold and dotted with fleurs-de-lis.

The Saint-Chapelle was ordered by King Louis IX to contain the relic of Christ’s Crown of Thorns, which has since been moved to the Notre-Dame.

And even though there was some damage in the Revolution the 15 breathtaking stained glass windows have survived almost unscathed since the 13th century and are held as some of the finest in the world.

11. Musée Marmottan Monet

This museum on the eastern cusp of the Bois de Boulogne started out as a repository for works from the First Empire (Napoleon Bonaparte’s rule). But in the 1950s and 60s the Marmottan received a series of massive donations of Impressionist art, including one from Michel, the second son of Claude Monet.

So in one stroke the museum had the largest single collection of Monet paintings in the world.

Among them is Impression, Sunrise, Monet’s seminal depiction of the port at Le Havre that gave the Impressionist movement its name.

There are also pieces from other luminaries of the period like Renoir, Degas, Gauguin, Morisot, Sisley and many more.

That collection of art and decorative items from the Napoleonic era remains, together with a spellbinding set of Medieval illuminated manuscripts.

12. Place de la Concorde

Paris’s largest square was plotted in 1755 and completed in 1772 between the Champs-Elysées and the Tuileries Garden.

Early on it was named Place Louis XV, while at the northern end of the square are a couple of splendid examples of the Rococo Louis Quinze architecture in fashion during his reign.

But the times soon changed, and the equestrian statue of Louis XV was dismantled in 1789 when the square became known as Place de la Révolution.

A guillotine was set up, and pillars of the French nobility, including Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, were executed here.

Today you have to see the fountains created during the reign of Louis-Philippe in the 1830s, and the 3,500-year-old obelisk at the centre, which once stood at the entrance to the Luxor Temple.

13. Place des Vosges

In the Marais district allow an hour or so to bask in the historic ambience on this square.

Designed and built in one go at the start of the 17th century, the Place des Vosges is what made the Marais so fashionable for Paris’ upper class over the next 200 years.

The square is still lined with rows of red brick mansions in the Mannerist Louis XIII style, boasting dormer windows and white stone quoins.

You can marvel at the arcades on the ground floor or take in the scene from the dainty garden in the square.

Many of these mansions are now museums, including one preserving Victor Hugo’s residence.

Some other distinguished former residents are the woman of letters Madame de Sévigné and Cardinal Richelieu.

14. Musée Rodin

When August Rodin passed away in 1917 he bequeathed his works and personal collection to the French government, provided his workshop at the fine Hôtel Biron was converted into a museum.

This mansion dates back to the 1700s and is a fitting backdrop for some of the world’s most celebrated sculptures.

Rodin’s greatest works like The Thinker, The Kiss, The Burghers of Calais and The Gates of Hell all await.

Rodin’s muse, Camille Claudel is also represented, and there are thousands of sketches and photographs, many owned by Rodin himself.

Rodin was also an avid collector and gathered ancient antiquities from Egypt, Greece and Rome, as well as paintings by contemporary artists like Renoir and van Gogh.

15. Sacré-Coeur

At the highest point of the Butte Montmartre hill is a monument born out of a catastrophe.

Designed as a Romano-Byzantine basilica, the Sacré-Coeur is known the world over and was started in 1875 as penance for France’s defeat in the Franco-Prussian War.

The ghostly white stone is travertine quarried south of Paris at Château-Landon.

You have to battle up Square Louise Michel below to be rewarded by what might be the best view of Paris.

Head inside to see the apse, which has one of the world’s largest mosaics in its ceiling, named Christ in Majesty.

For an even more complete view of the city you can scale the church’s iconic dome.

16. Musée de Cluny

South of the Île de la Cité by the Sorbonne is in the sumptuous Gothic and Renaissance mansion of the Abbots of Cluny.

The building’s earliest architecture is from the 14th century, and outside you can potter around the Medieval garden and courtyard dating to the 15th century and embellished with intricate stonework and mullioned windows.

The interior abounds with Medieval art of the highest order and has stained glass, Limoges enamel, carved ivory, illuminated manuscripts, 8th-century gold, sculpted reliefs, architectural fragments and religious statues.

Finest of all though is the Lady and the Unicorn, a set of six wool and silk tapestries woven in Flanders around 1500, seen by many as the pinnacle of art in the Middle Ages.

Also on the site are the sizeable remnants of the 2nd-century Gallo-Roman baths, Les Thermes du Nord.

17. Musée Jacquemart-André

In the 19th century Édouard André, the heir to a banking fortune, invested his wealth in an extraordinary art collection.

André and his wife, the respected painter Nélie Jacquemart, had an nose for Italian Renaissance painting and would head off to Italy each year to buy the works that grace their mansion in the 8th arrondissement.

On the tour of the couple’s state apartments, informal apartments, winter garden, an Italia gallery and private apartments there are paintings by Botticelli, Canaletto, Bellini, Perugino, Uccello, van Dyck, Rembrandt, Frans Hals, as well as sculpture by Donatello and Luca della Robbia.

18. Petit Palais

Another Beaux-Arts monument built for the Exposition Universelle in 1900, the Petit Palais is opposite its big brother the Grand Palais, between Pont Alexandre III and the Champs-Élysées.

The building has a trapezoidal shape and in the Beaux-Arts spirit abounds with ostentatious decoration on its facade and in its central courtyard.

Inside is the City of Paris Art Museum, which holds its own against the many other cultural attractions nearby.

With 1,300 pieces, the exhibition charts the entire history of art from antiquity to the 21st century.

Best of all are the Old Masters like Poussin, Rubens and Rembrandt, as well as a complete timeline of 19th-century French painting from Ingres to Cézanne, via Delacroix, Monet, Courbet, Sisley and Pissarro.

19. Palais Garnier

As much a hallmark of Paris as the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre, the Palais Garnier may well be the world’s most famous opera house.

The venue was commissioned by Napoleon III to coincide with Baron Haussmann’s grand renovation of Paris in the 1870s.

In an exuberant Beaux-Arts style, Palais Garnier is named for its architect Charles Garnier.

The facade has busts of famous composers between its Corinthian columns above figurative sculptures embodying the arts.

You could experience the interior as it was intended at an opera performance (expect to queue at short notice), or take a tour to be overwhelmed by the splendour of the Grand Foyer and Grand Staircase.

20. Jardin du Luxembourg

In the 6th arrondissement one of Paris’s go-to parks was conceived at the start of the 17th century by Marie de’ Medici for the Luxembourg Palace.

The French Senate now sits at the palace, and also owns the gardens.

In the summer you won’t find a better place to take a few minutes out from a busy day of sightseeing, amid this parterre of formal lawns and gravel paths.

The Jardin du Luxembourg is also a sight of its own, dotted with more than 100 statues, among which is a series for 20 French queens and illustrious women commissioned by Louis-Philippe in 1848. Also present is an orchard with rare apple varieties, several greenhouses and an apiary.

Not to be missed is the Medici Fountain, dating to 1630, but moved and updated in the 19th century.

21. Jardin des Tuileries

On the Axe Historique between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde is the garden of the former Tuileries Palace.

This space was first landscaped in the 1560s by Catherine de’ Medici on the site of former tile factories, which is where the name comes from.

Later, the court landscape architect André Le Nôtre reworked the grounds in his French formal style, centred on the round Grand Bassin fountain.

As a royal property, the Jardin des Tuileries only opened to the public after the Revolution.

In 1792 it was the scene of a massacre when the palace was stormed by a mob trying to get to Louis XVI, and the Swiss Guard protecting the king was killed.

The gardens are rich with public art by Giacometti, Rodin and Maillol.

22. Musée du Quai Branly

A few steps along the Seine from the Eiffel Tower is a museum for the indigenous cultures of Oceania, the Americas, Asia and Africa.

There’s no danger of missing the Musée du Quai Branly because one of its buildings is literally alive.

The “green wall” on the “Bâtiment Branly” is the brainchild of botanist Patrick Blanc and is made up of 15,000 plants of 150 varieties.

In the dimly lit and creatively designed interior you’ll go on a winding trip through places and times, confronted by artefacts like Moorish brooches, West African ritual masks, Native American totem poles, portrait masks from Peru and a ceremonial throne from Indonesia.

The museum gardens are also extraordinary, resembling a miniature wilderness, in an environment of pools, streams, tree groves and little hills.

23. Catacombs

In the final decades of the 18th century Paris was in dire need of extra cemetery space.

As grim as it sounds the mass graves at Les Innocents cemetery were quite literally overflowing at that time, so for the answer the city looked to a network of limestone mines dating back to medieval times.

These are in the 14th arrondissement, 20 metres below street level where the temperature is a steady 14 degrees.

Some six million bones were moved here up to 1810. At first these were stacked randomly, but the engineer Louis-Étienne Héricart de Thury decided to make the catacombs a visitable mausoleum, and had the femurs, skulls arranged in jaunty, decorative patterns.

People still get lost in this eerie, 1.7-kilometre maze of tunnels so remember to keep close to your guide!

24. Coulée Verte René-Dumont

In 1988 the old railway line heading east through the 12th arrondissement was cleverly reconfigured into a park.

The Coulée Verte runs for almost five kilometres from the Opéra Bastille to the edge of the Boulevard Périphérique using a viaduct and tunnels on the way.

The lines dates back to 1859 and had been left abandoned since the 1960s before being regenerated by architects Philippe Mathieux and Jacques Vergely.

In some places the vegetation that had cropped up along the railway has been kept, while in others, particularly on the Viaduc des Arts in the west, the Coulée Verte has been neatly landscaped with water features, trimmed hedges and manicured bushes.

25. Tour Montparnasse

In the neighbourhood of the same name towards the south of the city proper is Paris’s second highest building.

A 210-metre office skyscraper, the Tour Montparnasse went up in the early 70s and its black, monolithic outline stands out against the stone architecture beneath it.

For this reason and many others the Tour Montparnasse has never been an object of universal affection.

But one thing you can’t criticise the tower for is its view, partly because the Tour Montparnasse isn’t part of it! The fastest elevator in Europe will whisk you up 200 metres in 38 seconds.

And at the top you can see more than 40 kilometres on clear days, behind the windows on the 56th floor or on the open-air terrace above.

26. Père Lachaise Cemetery

On a hill in the eastern 20th arrondissement, the Père Lachaise Cemetery opened at the beginning of the 19th century and is the city’s most coveted place to be laid to rest.

The site itself has some history as it was once the home of François de la Chaise, Louis XIV’s confessor.

Among the cemetery’s 70,000 plots are hundreds of important historical figures.

The joy of a visit is tracking down their plots and checking out the Historicist designs of their mausoleums and memorial stones among in the surrounding greenery.

And to give a sense of who’s buried here, the list includes Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison, as well as French cultural giants like Balzac, Camille Corot, Chopin, Géricault, Molière, Pissaro and Edith Piaf to name just a few.

27. Musée des Arts Décoratifs

In a labyrinthine building on the Rue de Rivoli between the Louvre and Tuileries is a museum for decorative arts from Medieval times to the 20th century.

Established by the Union des Arts Décoratifs in 1905, the museum and its collection are vast.

Around 6,000 objects are on show at any one time, from Renaissance tapestries, to tableware, graphic arts, silk wallpaper and sculpture.

If you’re pushed for time you could decide to concentrate on one sphere, be it Art Nouveau and Art Deco design (covered by 10 whole rooms), or porcelain by the Sèvres Manufactory.

The glass collection is the richest in France, and has incredible pieces by Lalique, Baccarat, Tiffany and Gallé to name a few.

28. Musée Nissim de Camondo

In 1911 the banker Moïse de Camondo had this regal Neoclassical mansion built in the 8th arrondissement to house his invaluable collection of decorative arts from the 17th and 18th centuries.

The house has been preserved exactly as it was a century ago, with furniture and decorative pieces still in place.

Anyone with an eye for French savoir-faire will be in their element among three floors of the finest furniture, textiles and porcelain.

There are paintings by Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun, Savonnerie carpets woven in the 1600s for the Louvre’s Grand Galerie, Aubusson and Beauvais tapestries, and chairs, tables and desks by artisans associated the Garde Meuble (Royal Furniture Repository).

29. Panthéon

On the Latin Quarter’s Montagne Sainte-Geneviève, the Panthéon looks out over the Seine and is where some of France’s most famous citizens have been interred.

Constructed between 1758 and 1790, it was originally intended as a church.

But no sooner was it completed than France was in the midst of the Revolution and Mirabeau ordered it to be secularised and turned into a mausoleum for great Frenchmen.

The Panthéon borrows from the Pantheon in Rome, and was one of the first Neoclassical buildings in France.

Among the burials in the necropolis are the cream of French science, thought and culture, like Marie Curie, Rousseau, Voltaire, Victor Hugo, Alexandre Dumas and Émile Zola.

30. Jardin des Plantes

France’s chief botanical garden, the Jardin des Plantes has more than 10,000 species growing in themed gardens and greenhouses on the left bank.

One of the centrepieces is the Alpine Garden, with 3,000 species next to twisting paths.

There’s also an experimental garden, an Art Deco-style winter garden, an exceptionally diverse rose garden and Australian and Mexican greenhouses.

On the north side the park has a small zoo, which was moved from Versailles during the Revolution.

And on top of all that there are branches of the French Museum of Natural History on the edges of the park, including galleries for Palaeontology and Anatomy, Botany, Mineralogy and Geology and Evolution, all in separate pavilions.

31. Musée des Arts et Métiers

At the Saint-Martin-des-Champs Priory by the Arts et Métiers Métro station is a museum championing France’s greatest inventions.

The setting is historic on its own, as the monastery buildings are among Paris’s best preserved pieces of Medieval heritage.

But what’s inside them is even more thrilling.

The museum was founded in 1794 to recognise French contributions to science and technology, and around 2,500 objects from an archive of more than 80,000 are on show.

Some that helped change the world are Foucault’s pendulum, Bartholdi’s model of the Statue of Liberty, a host of early aircraft like Ader Avion III by Clément Ader, a Panhard & Levassor Type A (one of the earliest cars) and Lenoir’s Gas Engine from 1860.

32. Bois de Vincennes

Southeast of the city, the Bois de Vincennes is the largest park in Paris at almost 1,000 hectares.

To put that into perspective that is 10% of Paris’s total area! The park was founded between 1855 and 1866 as part of Napoleon III and Baron Haussmann’s Renovation of Paris.

Long before that it had been a hunting park for the Medieval Kings of France, who resided at the Château de Vincennes on the northern border of the park.

That property, famed for its towering keep was where the English King Henry V died in 1422. There’s a host of attractions in the Bois de Vincennes, which is hardly surprising for the park’s size.

As well as the Paris Zoo there’s also the Parc Floral, a 31-hectare botanical attraction that has a sculpture garden with works by Alexander Calder and Alberto Giacometti.

33. Saint-Germain-des-Prés

On the left bank of the Seine, Saint-Germain-des- Prés is a quarter that rose to fame in the middle of the 20th century when it became the haunt of thinkers, writers and artists like Jean-Paul Sartre, Juliette Gréco, Samuel Beckett and Alberto Giacometti.

The quarter’s reputation for wild nightlife and non-conformism went back to just after the First World War: Low rents and proximity to the university drew young, fashionable types, and Saint-Germain-des-Prés was home to Paris’s jazz clubs and its gay community, which continued to thrive even in the Second World War.

Now, although the louche ambience and artists have gone, Saint-Germain-des-Prés remains young, stylish and dynamic, and somewhere to come for bookshops, bars, galleries, historic cafes and design shops on narrow streets.

34. Grand Palais

Across from the Petit Palais, the Grand Palais is from that flurry of construction leading up to the Exposition Universelle in 1900. Crowned with Le Tricolor, the building is nothing short of spectacular and another of Paris’s enduring monuments thanks to its exuberant Beaux-Arts design and floating steel and glass vaults.

The Grand Palais is still among the city’s top exhibition venues: At the time of writing there were concurrent exhibitions for Gauguin, Rubens and Irving Penn.

Also inside is the Palais de la Découverte, a much-loved science museum founded in 1937. A fascinating exhibit here is the School of Rats, where real research is being done on the learning processes of animals.

35. Le Marais

In the 3rd and 4th arrondissements, the Marais was once swampy, uninhabitable ground north of the city.

But from the 13th century to the 18th century it became the preferred address for Paris’s nobility.

The neighbourhood’s golden age was in the 1600s and 1700s, when the delightful Place des Vosges was built.

There are dignified properties from around this time across the district.

See the Hôtel de Soubise, now housing the Museum of French History, and the neighbouring Hôtel de Rohan, which holds the National archives.

The Marais is now one of the hippest quarters in the city, with a large LBGT community, endless art galleries, artists’ ateliers and enough boutiques to last a lifetime.

36. Canal Saint-Martin

Crossing the cosmopolitan 19th, 10th and 11th arrondissements, the Canal Saint-Martin is 4.5 kilometres long and dates back 200 years.

Beginning at the reservoir in Parc de la Villette, the canal is open-air all the way to Place de la République when it moves underground until Place de la Bastille.

The canal was started under Napoleon in 1805 with the intention of channelling clean drinking water into the city and minimising diseases like cholera.

Later that century warehouses were built on its banks, and these have since become stylish homes.

The banks are lined with shops, cafes and bars with waterside terraces, and you can pause for a few minutes under the foliage in an area of the city not many tourists see.

37. Montmartre

A byword for Belle Époque bohemianism, Montmartre is a more intimate Paris away from the grand boulevards and towering apartment blocks.

These cobblestone streets on the stiff slope of the Butte Montmartre are flanked by cute, low houses and invite you to explore to your heart’s content.

Montmartre was really put on the map in the last decades of the 19th century when Monet, Toulouse-Lautrec, Renoir, Pissarro, van Gogh and Modigliani lived and worked in the neighbourhood.

There’s nightlife of course, and this becomes bawdier further down the hill in the Pigalle quarter, home of the Moulin Rouge.

Look for the Moulin de la Galette, a 17th-century windmill immortalised by Renoir, van Gogh and Pissarro.

38. Église Saint-Sulpice

An obligatory sight in Saint-Germain-des-Près, the Église Saint-Sulpice is Paris’s second largest church behind the Notre-Dame.

Anne of Austria, Queen to Louis XIII, laid the foundation stone for a dramatic Baroque redesign in 1646, although work would drag on for almost a century due to conflicts like the Fronde civil wars from 1648 to 1653. The western facade, begun in 1732, was initially inspired by St Paul’s Cathedral in London, but was reworked throughout the 18th century to bring it more in line with Classical architecture.

The grand scale of the church becomes clear as soon as you step inside: The highlight is the first side chapel on the right, the Chapelle des Saints-Anges, which has murals painted by Delacroix from 1855-1861.

39. Latin Quarter

In the days of Ancient Lutetia, the Roman elites lived on the Montagne Sainte-Geneviève, now capped by the Panthéon.

The name, Latin Quarter, doesn’t come from that time, but is related to the Paris-Sorbonne University: As Latin was the language of academia, lectures were held in Latin all the way up to the Revolution, so it was the main tongue in this part of the city.

Despite rising rents, the Latin Quarter still has a young feel on its tangle of alleyways.

That’s down to the many institutions of higher education and research centres.

And the high concentration of young people made it the nerve centre of the protest movements in the 1960s that shook France to its foundations.

In May 1968 students took Place St.

Michel and even declared it an independent state.

40. Les Passages Couverts

Paris wouldn’t be Paris without its covered shopping arcades, which are mostly found in the 1st, 2nd and 8th arrondissements on the right bank.

Nearly all are from the first decades of the 19th century, smartly cutting between two parallel streets to make the most of the limited space in the city at the time.

Of the 150 passages before 1850, most were lost during Baron Haussmann’s renovation of Paris, but nearly all of the survivors are in immaculate condition and host tearooms, cafes and sometimes quirky, old-time shops.

The swankiest are Passage du Grand-Cerf, Galerie Véro-Dodat and Galerie Vivienne.

And two others worth a mention are Passage du Caire, the longest at 360 metres and hosting clothing wholesalers, and Galerie Colbert, which is owned by the National Institute of Art History and the only public passage without shops.

41. Jardin d’Acclimatation

As a city of art, serious museums and nightlife, Paris isn’t always ideal for kids.

But a more convenient and much cheaper alternative to Disneyland Paris lies in the northern part of the Bois de Boulogne.

This theme park has changed a lot since it was opened by Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie in 1860, but is old-school and traditional at heart.

There are carousels, pony rides, a zip-line, a miniature train, an enchanted river ride, a boating lake, small roller coasters and all manner of playgrounds including one with water that is always a hit with little ones in summer.

And ever-popular are the animal habitats for donkeys, sheep, alpacas, camels, pigs, or the peacocks that go where they please.

42. Fondation Louis Vuitton

On the southern fringe of the Jardin d’Acclimatation in the Bois de Boulogne is what looks like a massive mechanical creature crouching in the foliage.

This is Paris’s newest major art attraction and opened in October 2014 after almost a decade of planning.

The architect was Frank Gehry, as you might tell from one glance at the building’s abstract lines, comprising 12 “sails”. There’s a small exhibition about how this building was designed and constructed, and two headline-grabbing temporary exhibitions a year.

At the time of writing this article the main event was an exhibition by MoMa with works by Picasso, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Max Beckmann, Jasper Johns, Gustav Klimt, Rem Koolhaas, Paul Cézanne and many more.

43. Pont Neuf

Translating to “New Bridge”, Pont Neuf is in fact the oldest stone bridge in Paris, begun in 1578 and completed in 1606. It crosses the Seine on the western point of Île de la Cité, and there are seven arches from the right bank to the island, and then five from the island to the left bank.

Henry IV ordered the bridge, and he is remembered with an equestrian statue from 1618 at the point where the bridge crosses the island.

Like many royal monuments the statue fell victim to the Revolution and was destroyed in 1792, but then restored in 1818. Come around to the side for a better look at the bridge’s “mascarons”, grotesque faces on the corbels in the cornice.

You don’t need to count them, but there are 384 in all.

44. Musée Albert Kahn

At the dawn of the 20th century the banker Albert Kahn set out on a mission to record the world with photography and film.

Over 22 years he sent photographers and cameramen to all corners of the globe,. And the project was only stopped by the Wall Street Crash.

In the end “Archives of the Planet” amounted to 72,000 colour pictures and 180,000 metres of film.

These form the basis for the museum exhibition.

Outside are gardens of the world that he commissioned more than a century ago.

In four hectares there are French and English gardens, as well as a traditional and contemporary Japanese garden.

Kahn also recreated a patch of forest from the Vosges, and a “blue forest” where azaleas and rhododendrons flower in spring.

45. Guimet Museum

The industrialist Émile Étienne Guimet was an avid traveller and in the 1870s was sent to Asia to conduct a survey of religion on the continent.

During his trip he amassed an inconceivably large and rich collection of art.

The museum, which opened in 1889, is one of the largest arrays of Asian art outside Asia.

And what’s clever about the exhibition is the way contemporary art is sprinkled in with antiquities.

To give you sense of what’s in store, there are Indian fabrics, Greco-Buddhist sculptures from Afghanistan and Pakistan and Japanese samurai armour.

And from China there are statues and porcelain, paintings and reliefs from various dynasties dating back to the Han Dynasty in the 1st century.

46. Saint-Germain-l’Auxerrois

If you have time to kill before your entry slot for the Louvre, you could do a lot worse than take a closer look at this stunning church on the east side.

Saint-Germain-l’Auxerrois dates all the way back to the 600s, and has a mix of Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance design.

The 15th-century main portal is original, and has beautiful carvings on its archivolts and jambs, while inside is a sensational 13th-century wooden statue of Saint-Germain, a Flemish 16th-century altarpiece and a pew designed for Louis XIV by Charles Le Brun and Claude Perrault in the 1680s.

Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin, Charles-André van Loo and many other artists who once lived at the Louvre have their tombs at this church.

47. Cour Carrée

Something else to divert you while you’re waiting to go into the Louvre is the most celebrated of the palace’s courtyards: The Cour Carrée was ordered by François I as part of the Western Extension in the 16th century and is held as one of the greatest achievements of Mannerist architecture in France.

Pierre Lescot led the design between 1546 and 1551, producing a benchmark for French Classicism.

Responsible for the ornamentation was the sculptor Jean Goujon, who contributed the masterful friezes, high-reliefs, drapery and statues in the niches from 1555 to 1562.

48. Sèvres – Cité de la Céramique

Hop on Line 9 of the Métro to the western suburbs to visit the French National Ceramics Museum.

Sèvres is the most revered name in French ceramics, and has been the site of a Royal, then Imperial and now National Manufactory since 1756. In 2010 a joint museum opened in Sèvres and at the other famous porcelain centre at Limoges.

The Paris branch has almost 50,000 pieces of ceramics from all eras.

The largest chunk of the exhibition deals with invaluable European porcelain from the 1400s to the 1800s, but there’s also Moorish earthenware, Ancient Greek ceramics, Chinese porcelain and terracotta from North America.

49. Parc de Saint-Cloud

A French “Jardin Notable”, the Parc de Saint-Cloud is on the ground of a lavish royal property overlooking the Seine and blessed with a vista of the city to die for.

The Château de Saint-Cloud had been a residence for Marie Antoinette, but was obliterated in the shelling during the Siege of Paris in 1870. Now, the outline of the old chateau has been marked by yew tree topiaries, while André Le Nôtre’s Baroque formal gardens are still here, along with Mare Antoinette’s rose garden.

You can while away a few minutes at La Lanterne revelling in a panorama of Paris that not many tourists get to see.

50. Pont Alexandre III

Completed for the Exposition Universelle in 1900, what may be Paris’s finest bridge is named after Tsar Alexander II, celebrating France’s ties with Russia.

Built with a single arch to allow boats to pass below, you could call Pont Alexandre III the perfect Beaux-Arts statement in the way it combines technical mastery with extravagant decoration.

On each bank there’s a pair of tall stone pedestals or socles, serving both as a counterbalance and decoration.

They are topped with golden statues of Fames restraining Pegasus.

The two on the right bank represent the arts and science, while those on the left bank are for commerce and industry.

Then above the bridge’s arch are two nymphs to symbolise the Franco-Russian alliance, one for the Seine and one for St Petersburg’s Neva River.

51. Île Saint-Louis

The smaller of Paris’s river islands, Île Saint-Louis is a just upriver from Île de la Cité and links to neighbour by the Pont Saint-Louis.

Where Île de la Cité is full of pomp, this island is quieter and residential, but lovely in its own way.

It was developed in the reign of Louis XIII from the beginning of the 17th century, and there are still a few handsome townhouses from this period.

In the 1700s and 1800s this was a neighbourhood in the same vein as Le Marais or Faubourg Saint-Germain.

The purpose of a visit now is to escape the crowds, explore its small grid of streets and dine at one of the bistros or brasseries.

Berthillon here is an ice cream parlour with worldwide fame for its exotic sorbets like passion fruit and fig.

52. Parc des Buttes Chaumont

In 1867 a park opened on what had only recently been a quarry for gypsum and limestone in the northeast of the city proper.

The designer was Jean-Charles Alphand, Napoleon III’s trusted landscape architect during Baron Haussmann’s overhaul of the city.

The old quarry was remodelled into a thing of beauty, reminiscent of Ancient Rome.

At the top of a 50-metre cliff is the Temple de la Sibylle, based on the Temple of Tivoli in Vesta.

In the rocky mass there’s also a grotto, which is a vestige of the quarry’s galleries.

The picturesque waterfall inside the grotto is fed by waters from the Canal Saint-Martin and ends up in the lake at the base of the rock.

53. Musée des Arts Forains

In an old wine warehouse in the southeast of the city is an astounding collection of vintage fairground rides and automata put together by the art and antiques dealer Jean Paul Favand.

There are 14 rides in total, among which are carousels and merry-go-rounds, as well as 16 stalls for games and more than 1,500 smaller curiosities like a Hooghuys Organ, all dating from 1850 to 1950. Up close you’ll see the craftsmanship and attention to detail that went into the sculptures on the carousels, amusement games and automata.

Outside the Christmas period you have to sign up for a tour in advance.

These are given in French but there’s a brochure in English explaining the exhibits.

54. Galeries Lafayette Haussmann

A quick jaunt from the Palais Garnier is the flagship of the revered department store brand, Galeries Lafayette.

Receiving around 25 million shoppers a year, this one store generates 1.8 billion Euros in sales, more than London’s Harrods or New York’s Bloomingdale’s.

The Galeries Lafayette Haussmann opened in 1894, and a location designed to catch Paris’s moneyed bourgeoisie.

In 1907 it was given its first makeover, and this is when the monumental Neo-Byzantine was installed, 43 metres above the shop floor.

A later update in 1932 gave the store its characteristic Art Deco styling.

Luxury shoppers need look no further, but if you’re just here to see the sights, make sure to go up to the terrace to gaze over the Opera Garnier, Invalides and Eiffel Tower.

55. Parc Monceau

Louis Philippe II, Duke of Orléans was a cousin of Louis XVI and wouldn’t be spared the guillotine during the Revolution.

But from 1778 he built himself a park in what is now the extremely posh northern part of the 8th arrondissement.

The park was right on the Wall of the Ferme générale, a system of tolls built not long before the Revolution to collect taxes on goods brought into the city.

The big rotunda at the main entrance of the park is from 1787 and is one such toll station.

There are original monuments from Louis Philippe’s garden like an ice house shaped like a pyramid and a gorgeous Classical colonnade beside the pond.

In 1797-98 the aviation pioneer André-Jacques Garnerin performed world firsts with hot air balloons and parachutes in this park.

56. Marché d’Aligre

The best food markets in Paris are a little off the tourist trail, and there’s a great one in Quartier des Quinze-Vingts a couple of streets up from the Coulée Verte René-Dumont.

A vital local amenity the Marché d’Aligre trades six days a week, and has both outdoor stalls and a covered market with three halls.

At the permanent stalls inside are boucheries and charcuteries selling meat preparations from around France, so that might be cured Bayonne ham, rilettes, pâté, terrines, foie gras as well as chicken and pork cooked on rotisseries.

The square outside is packed with noisy traders selling seasonal fruit, vegetables, flowers and fresh herbs.

57. Basilica of Saint-Denis

All but three Kings of France were buried at this Gothic church in the suburb of Saint-Denis.

It’s a satisfying timeline of French history that begins with Clovis I in the 6th century and ends with Louis XVIII who died in 1824. The neighbourhood in the north of the city isn’t the prettiest, but is only a quick journey on the RER or Transilien trains.

Your sense of adventure will be rewarded by dozens of stunning recumbent tombs sculpted between the 1100s and 1500s.

The basilica was inevitably ransacked during the Revolution and the bodies were moved to a mass grave.

When the Bourbons were restored to the throne after Napoleon the mixed-up remains were moved to the crypt where they’re kept in an ossuary and their names are marked by marble plaques.

58. La Défense

At the far western end of the Axe Historique is a district that looks like nowhere else in Paris.

A jungle of futuristic glass and steel architecture, La Défense cropped up in the 1960s and new skyscrapers are still being built today.

It goes without saying that not many people visit Paris for the skyscrapers, but if you’re fond of modern art and architecture La Défense is a must.

More than 70 listed pieces of public art can be found here, most around the pedestrianised central extension of the Axe Historique, also home to the massive Quatre Temps mall.

There are pieces by Alexander Calder, Joan Miró and Richard Serra, along with newer installations by the likes of Guillaume Bottazzi.

But the undoubted emblem of La Défense is the 110-metre Grande Arche, clearly visible from Arc de Triomphe and completed in 1989.

59. Marché Poncelet

At the other end of the spectrum to Marché d’Aligre, Marché Poncelet is an upscale market in the affluent 17th arrondissement.

Just one stop on the Métro from the Arc de Triomphe, it’s a given that you’ll have to pay a higher price for groceries and high-quality treats.

The market is on Rue Poncelet and Rue Bayen, where permanent shops have counters along the street.

There are wine merchants, fromageries, butchers, including one selling horse meat, a branch of the revered Daguerre Marée fishmongers, and of course enormous selections of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Come by early and treat yourself to an oven-fresh croissant.

60. Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine

The terrace of the Palais de Chaillot has a view of the Eiffel Tower across the Seine that is etched in history.

This building comprising separate eastern and western wings dates to the Exposition Internationale in 1937 and replaced Palais du Trocadéro, established 50 years earlier for the 1878 World’s Fair.

There are three museums in the Palais de Chaillot, the most fascinating of which is Museum of French Monuments, set up by the highly influential architect and restorer Eugène Viollet-le-Duc in 1879. In the exhibition are casts of the marvellous cathedral portals around the country, along with a gallery of stained glass and examples of innovative modern building designs, like a full-sized replica of an apartment by Le Corbusier.

61. Saint-Eustache

Many world-changing personalities have passed through the portal of this church at Les Halles.

Louis XIV received his first communion at Saint-Eustache, while the future Cardinal Richelieu, Molière and future Madame de Pompadour were baptised here.

Later, Mozart chose the church for his mother’s funeral and the last rites for Mirabeau were read at this spot in 1791. The church was started in 1532 and its architecture is made up of Renaissance ornamentation on a Gothic plan.

Despite being relatively short the 33-metre vaults create an uplifting sense of scale and wonderful sound.

Saint-Eustache also has France’s largest organ, and free concerts are given every Sunday, while symphony orchestras regularly take advantage of the building’s superlative acoustics.

62. La Cinémathèque Française

Near the Seine in the southeast of the city is the kind of eye-popping building that only Frank Gehry could have designed.

La Cinémathèque Française is in the former American Center, built in 1994, and is a repository of wonders from the history of cinema.

There are magic lanterns from the 17th century (and a collection of 25,000 projection plates) and the inventions by Auguste and Louis Lumière, along with cameras, posters, sets, props and even costumes worn by Louis Brooks, Greta Garbo and Vivien Leigh.

Every year a new heavyweight of film is chosen for an exhibition, and recent subjects have been Antonioni, Scorsese, Truffaut and Gus van Sant.

63. Stade de France

The other big draw in Saint-Denis is France’s national sport stadium.

The Stade de France was constructed for the 1998 World Cup (won by France), and echoes with two decades of sporting memories.

You can sample the atmosphere is at national football and rugby matches, or during the many concerts held each year.

But if you’re keen to know the innovative methods used in construction, and want to go behind the scenes you can join one of the daily 90-minute tours taking you pitch-side and into the dressing rooms.

On the way there’s tons of memorabilia like signed sports jerseys and guitars, as well as handprints left by some stars who have performed in the stadium like Zidane, Laurent Blanc and Jonny Wilkinson.

64. Conciergerie

Up to the 14th century the Conciegerie (part of the Palais de la Cité) was the seat of the French kings until Charles V moved across to the Louvre Palace in 1358. From the end of the 14th century all the way up to the 1900s the Conciergerie was used as a prison, where inmates were organised according to their wealth.

The most notorious phase was the Revolution when Marie Antoinette was counted among the prisoners, but Napoleon III was also an inmate after a failed coup against King Louis Philippe.

Today the building is mostly taken up by law courts, but a large section is open to the public, revealing the historic kitchens and Gothic Salle des Gardes (Gaurds’ Hall) and Salle des Gens d’Armes (Soldiers’ Hall).

65. Faubourg Saint-Germain

To encounter Paris at its most palatial, continue along the Champ de Mars from the Eiffel Tower to enter the Faubourg Saint-Germain, France’s most wealthy district.

Up to the 17th century this patch of land on the left bank of the Seine was all marshes and farms before Louis XIV built Les Invalides.

And slowly, over the course of the 1700s Paris’s nobility started to switch their attention to this quarter from Le Marais, as the left bank was quieter and less polluted.

One of the finest palaces built in that time are Palais de la Légion d’Honneur, originally built in the 1780s for Frederick III, Prince of Salm-Kyrburg, who was guillotined in 1794.The Prime Minister’s residence, Hôtel Matignon (1725) is also in the district, and was built at such great expense that its owner was forced to sell as soon as it was finished.

66. Marché Bastille

The Boulevard Richard Lenoir, lying on top of the Canal Saint-Martin, welcomes one of Paris’s biggest and fanciest markets every Thursday and Sunday.

From roughly 07:30 ’til 14:30 on Thursday and 15:00 on Sunday there several supermarkets’ worth of produce at more than 100 stalls.

These are laden with fruit, vegetables, fresh herbs, charcuterie, eggs, cheese, preserves, bread, pastries, fish and seafood.

All this goodness is bound to leave you peckish and there’s no lack of stalls selling freshly shucked oysters and white wine to go with it, potato gratin, or chicken hot of the rotisserie.

67. Seine River Trip

Yes it may be a cliché, but there’s logic to taking a cruise on the River Seine.

And that’s because so many of the Paris’s monuments are on the river, from the Eiffel Tower in the west to the Notre-Dame in the east.

With continuous guided commentary to fill you in, you’ll float past the famous embankments and under bridges like Pont Neuf and Pont Alexandre III. The river excursions business is run by a duopoly of Bateaux Mouches and Bateaux Parisiens, and both provide a menu of cruises whether you want a simple sightseeing trip in a glass boat or fine dining on the water in the evening.

68. Rue Crémieux

If you’re waiting for a train at Gare de Lyon, give yourself a minute or two to amble along this sweet pedestrian street close by.

With its shutters and colourful pastel painted walls, Rue Crémieux looks like it could be in a village in the south rather than one of Paris’s busiest transport hubs.

Some of the odd-numbered houses on the east side have trompe l’oeil paintings of birds, vines, windows or timbers, and every house on the street has a little flourish of plants and flowers in pots along the pavement.

69. Palais-Royal

Now occupied by the Constitutional Council and the Ministry of Culture the Palais-Royal is a former royal property opposite the Louvre just off Rue Saint-Honoré.

The palace’s first name though was Palais-Cardinal, and Richelieu lived in the palace up to his death in 1642. One of many important tenants was Philippe II, Duke of Orléans, who was regent after the five-year-old Louis XV ascended the throne in 1715 and formed a government at the Palais-Royal.

At the inner courtyard is Les Deux Plateaux, an art installation of striped columns of varying sizes by Daniel Buren.

Walled by the palace’s arcades are the 18th-century gardens, designed by Victor Louis, with straight, precise rows of trees trimmed to right angles and a circular basin at the centre.

70. Musée Picasso

In Le Marais the Musée Picasso reopened in 2014 after a five-year renovation.

The museum is in the refined Hotel Salé, a Baroque townhouse commissioned in the 1650s for a tax farmer collecting salt tax, which explains the name.

The museum is state-owned, and gathered its collection by allowing Picasso’s descendants to pay inheritance tax in the form of art.

Since 1968 it has assembled a remarkable array of works, more than 5,000 in total, charting each of Picasso’ phases, but also revealing his creative process.

The sculpture collection is acclaimed, but there are also paintings, sketches, drawings, engravings, illustrations, photographs and filmed footage.

Some of Picasso’s private collection is also here, from ancient Iberian Bronzes and African statues to paintings by Matisse, Degas, Seurat and Paul Cézanne.

71. Rue Saint-Honoré

If you’re in the mood for an idle stroll there’s no better street than Rue Saint-Honoré.

East to west, this street is roughly parallel with Rue de Rivoli and runs from Les Halles to La Madeleine the famed 12th-century church re-founded as a Neoclassical temple by Napoleon.

If there’s a luxury brand worth its salt, you’ll find it on Rue Saint-Honoré.

The high-end shops are clustered around the west end of the street where there are names like Max Mara, Valentino, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Jimmy Choo and Fendi at every turn.

There’s lots of interesting trivia tied to the street: Joan of Arc was wounded here in 1429 during an attack on Paris when it was controlled by the English, and in 1610 Henry IV was assassinated just off the eastern end on Rue de la Ferronnerie by a Catholic fanatic.

72. Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen

On the other side of Montmartre, just beyond the Boulevard Périphérique is a market with the largest concentration of antiques dealers and second-hand shops in the world.

The Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen was born as an assortment of rag-and-bone dealers removed from the city, and its creation was linked to Eugène Poubelle making the dustbin compulsory in Paris in 1884. The market has permanent shops and stalls on indoor and outdoor streets, and is open Saturday to Monday.

Each street has its own character and specialty, be it furniture, vintage cameras, toys, kitchenware and books.

The most upmarket stalls are at the outdoor Marché Paul Bert Serpette frequented by the rich and famous hunting for antique jewellery, clothing and furniture.

73. Rue des Martyrs

Climbing into Montmarte from Le Pigalle, with the dome of the Sacré-Cœur in sight, Rue des Martyrs is a slice of the earthy Paris of old.

There are some 200 independent businesses on the street, from thriving cafes and bars to bookshops, antiques dealers, grocers, patisseries, specialty food shops and the live music venue Le Divan du Monde.

The street got its name for supposedly being the place where Saint Denis, patron saint of Paris, was decapitated by the Romans in the 200s.

Meanwhile its shops and the everyday people living on the street were the subject of an entire book by New York Times’ Paris correspondent Elaine Sciolino in 2016.

74. Disneyland and Walt Disney Studios Park

Disneyland is by far the furthest attraction on this list from the centre of Paris.

But it’s doable if you catch the RER A from Nation, or even faster and a bit more expensive on the TGV from Charles de Gaulle Airport.

For youngsters the whole thing will be a dream come true.

At Disneyland Park they can meet Mickey and their favourite movie characters, and hit rides like Pirates of the Caribbean, Big Thunder Mountain and Space Mountain: Mission 2. Fantasyland and the Sleeping Beauty Castle have enough magic to bring a smile to jaded grown-ups.

Older kids and adults could have even more fun at the Walt Disney Studios Park, a separate park about the moviemaking business, for stunt shows with high production values.

75. Palais de Tokyo

Upriver from the Palais de Chaillot is another monumental project for the World Fair in 1937. In 2001 the west wing of the Palais de Tokyo became a space for contemporary art exhibitions, also staging talks, fashion shows, concerts, movie screenings and performance art.

The stark, neutral design of the building makes it a kind of blank canvas for contemporary artists: Since 2012 it has added permanent “site-specific installations” by Laurent Derobert, Emmanuelle Lainé and Jean-Michel Alberola, among others.

The Palais de Tokyo also has a bookshop, two gardens, two restaurants and lots of activities and workshops for kids.

75 Best Things to Do in Paris (France):

• Musée d'Orsay
• Eiffel Tower
• Notre-Dame de Paris
• Palace of Versailles
• Hôtel des Invalides
• Musée de l'Orangerie
• Centre Georges Pompidou
• Arc de Triomphe
• Sainte-Chapelle
• Musée Marmottan Monet
• Place de la Concorde
• Place des Vosges
• Musée Rodin
• Sacré-Coeur
• Musée de Cluny
• Musée Jacquemart-André
• Petit Palais
• Palais Garnier
• Jardin du Luxembourg
• Jardin des Tuileries
• Musée du Quai Branly
• Coulée Verte René-Dumont
• Tour Montparnasse
• Père Lachaise Cemetery
• Musée des Arts Décoratifs
• Musée Nissim de Camondo
• Jardin des Plantes
• Musée des Arts et Métiers
• Bois de Vincennes
• Saint-Germain-des-Prés
• Grand Palais
• Canal Saint-Martin
• Église Saint-Sulpice
• Latin Quarter
• Les Passages Couverts
• Jardin d'Acclimatation
• Fondation Louis Vuitton
• Musée Albert Kahn
• Guimet Museum
• Saint-Germain-l'Auxerrois
• Cour Carrée
• Sèvres - Cité de la Céramique
• Parc de Saint-Cloud
• Pont Alexandre III
• Île Saint-Louis
• Parc des Buttes Chaumont
• Musée des Arts Forains
• Galeries Lafayette Haussmann
• Parc Monceau
• Marché d'Aligre
• Basilica of Saint-Denis
• Marché Poncelet
• Cité de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine
• Saint-Eustache
• La Cinémathèque Française
• Stade de France
• Conciergerie
• Faubourg Saint-Germain
• Marché Bastille
• Seine River Trip
• Rue Crémieux
• Palais-Royal
• Musée Picasso
• Rue Saint-Honoré
• Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen
• Rue des Martyrs
• Disneyland and Walt Disney Studios Park
• Palais de Tokyo

• Virginia Beach
• History & facts
• Famous people
• Famous landmarks
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Paris , Travel

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Photo by Alexander Kagan on Unsplash

The Eiffel Tower

Photo by Anthony Delanoix on Unsplash

practical information:

Eiffel tower – champ de mars, 5 avenue anatole france, 75007, paris metro station: école militaire or bir-hakeim, opening hours: open daily 9.30am-10.30pm, tickets: adult fare: ticket with access lift second floor 17,10€; via stairs to top 26,80€; ticket with access stairs to second floor 10,70€; ticket with access stairs 2nd floor+lift the top 20,40€, youth fare (age 12-24): ticket with access lift second floor 8,60€; via stairs to top 13,40€; ticket with access stairs to second floor 5,40€; ticket with access stairs 2nd floor+lift the top 10,20€, the louvre museum.

Photo by Michael Fussairt on Unsplash

musée du louvre – Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris

Metro station: louvre-rivoli or palais royal musée du louvre, opening hours: 9am-6pm; closed tuesdays, tickets: adults: €17; under-18 and under 26 of eea free, the musée d’orsay.

musée d’orsay – 1 Rue de la Légion d’Honneur, 75007 Paris

Metro station: solférino, opening hours: 9:30am-6pm; closed on mondays, tickets: adult: €16.00; admission to the “enfants & cie” museum if you are accompanying a child under 18 – €13.00, the tuileries garden.

jardin des tuilieries – place de la concorde 75001

Metro station: concorde or tuileries, opening hours: open daily from dawn until dusk, the notre dame cathedral.

notre-dame cathedral – 6 Parvis Notre-Dame – Pl. Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris

Metro station: cité or saint-michel, opening hours: temporarily closed to visitors following the fire in april 2019, luxembourg gardens.

26 rue de Vaugirard, Dans le Jardin du Luxembourg, Paris, FR 75006

Metro station: port royal or sèvres-babylone, opening hours: 7.30am and 8.15am; closing hours depend on season between 4.30pm and 9.30pm, the palais garnier.

opéra garnier – Place de l’Opéra, 75009 Paris

Metro station: opéra, tickets: adult fare: €14 (€12 outside exhibition periods) ; reduced rate: €10 (€8 outside exhibition periods); free admisssions (children under 12, unemployed), opening hours: every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last entry 45 minutes before closing)., trocadéro gardens.

Pl. du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre, 75016 Paris, France

Metro station: trocadéro, open 24 hours, the arc de triomphe.

l’arc de triomphe – Place Charles de Gaulle, 75008 Paris

Metro station: charles de gaulle etoile, tickets: adult fare: €13; free entry for those under 18 and 18 to 25 nationals and / or residents of the eu, checkout on site on the day of the visit., opening hours: 10 am-10.30 pm, the champs-élysées.

practical information

Metro station: charles de gaulle etoile or george v, the sacré-coeur basilica.

la basilique du sacre-coeur – 35 Rue du Chevalier de la Barre, 75018 Paris

Metro station: abbesses, opening hours: open daily 6.00am-10:30pm.

The Crazy Horse

Find out more about the best cabarets in Paris .

the crazy horse – 12 Avenue George V, 75008 Paris

Metro station: george v, opening hours: 8:30pm and 11:00pm from sunday to friday and 7:00pm, 9:30pm and midnight on saturday, the galeries lafayette.

galeries lafayette haussmann – 48 bouleavrd haussmann 75009 paris

Metro station: chausée d’antin lafayette or grands boulevards, opening hours: monday – sunday 10am-8pm, the latin quarter.

Boat Cruises on the Seine

Paris Street Art

Paris Catacombs

catacombes de paris – 1 Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy, 75014 Pari s

Metro station: denfert-rochereau, opening hours: tuesday – sunday 9.45am-8:30pm; closed mondays, tickets: adult fare: 29€/ 27€ (audioguide included); 5€ (-18 yo); special fare for ‘last minute’ tickets 15€ / 13 € (reduced rate), the montparnasse tower.

tour montparnasse – 33 Avenue du Maine, 75015 Paris

Metro station: montparnasse-bienvenue, opening hours: wed-thursday;saturday-sunday 12-am-8:30pm, tickets: adult: online : 17€ ; on site, at the ticket office : 18€., young people (12-18 years) and student: 12.50€, on site, at the ticket office : 13,50€ ., child from 4 to 11 years: 8€; disabled person: 7,50€, free for children under 4 years old..

Image sourced from Wikimedia Commons

75001 Paris, France

Metro station: pont neuf, just as a bonus to the list is:  pere lachaise cemetery.

Coyau /  Wikimedia Commons

Practical information

Address:  16 rue du repos, 75020 paris, france, open: monday – wednesday 8 pm – 6 am, thursday 9 pm – 6 am, friday 8 pm – 6 am, saturday 8: 30 pm – 6 am, sunday 9 pm – 6 am.

Planning a trip to Paris ? Get ready !

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Anna was born and raised in Paris. She studied Languages in Paris and Social Communication in Lisbon. Anna also lived in Madrid for a year. She has been to many places and hopes to go places. Wherever she goes, she always tries to experience each city as locals do. Anna usually has croissants for breakfast in Paris, takes a walk in Camden Town in London, eats lunch in Chiado in Lisbon, and enjoys Madrid's nightlife.

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What To See In Paris

The most important attractions of the French capital

Get inspired to organize your trip to Paris with the most popular places to visit in the city.

No matter if you come for 3 days or 20, this city deserves a visit at all times of the year: in spring and summer to enjoy the “joie de vivre” outdoors; and in the colder seasons to take advantage of its great cultural offer and soak up the bohemian atmosphere in a cafe by the Seine.

The Eiffel Tower is the most famous monument in Paris, and the Louvre Museum is one of the most famous in the world, include them in your visit. But do not leave out other special places in the city such as the Basilica of the Sacré Coeur, at the top of the Montmartre district and with beautiful views of Paris from the top.

A must-see during your visit is the Ile de la Cité , a natural island in the Seine where you will find the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Sainte Chapelle and La Conciergerie. Also, to get to the island you can use the Pont Neuf.

Once you have finished exploring the city, do not miss one of the excursions from Paris.

Places to visit in Paris

There are many places of interest that are part of your mental list of pending dreams. But there are also unnoticed places worth visiting - discover them!

Eiffel Tower

The most famous monument in Paris. It has adorned the capital since 1889. We explain how to visit it.

Buy tickets

Notre Dame Cathedral

Jewel of French history whose construction took 150 years. Located on the Île de la Cité.

Arch of Triumph

Visit it after walking along the Champs Elysées avenue and enjoy the view of the city from the top.

Louvre Museum

Thousands of treasures of world history and the best works of Leonardo da Vinci in one place. This majestic museum is much more than the Mona Lisa.

Basilica of the Sacred Heart

Sacre Coeur is worth a visit for its magnificent architecture, charming surroundings and views over Paris.

One of the oldest monuments of the city. Resting place of Voltaire, Victor Hugo and Alexandre Dumas.

The Invalides

The Palace of the Invalides in Paris housed soldiers and military. Today it houses the Navy Museum and Napoleon’s tomb.

Opera Garnier

The imposing neo-baroque façade along with the marble and gold interiors of the Opera Garnier building in Paris will keep you spellbound.

Sainte Chapelle

Jewel of the Gothic world. The Sainte Chapelle was built to keep the relics of the Passion of Christ.

Conciergerie

Former royal residence that served as a prison during the French Revolution. Marie Antoinette is among its most famous prisoners.

Seine River

The Seine River is one of the most emblematic Parisian icons. Discover its bridges and places to see on the Seine, as well as the activities and boat trips you can do along its course.

Moulin Rouge

The most famous cabaret in the world. Entertaining Parisians since 1900. It is one of the best options to enjoy Paris at night.

Catacombs of Paris

Subway labyrinth of more than 300 kilometers, where the skeletons of some 6 million people rest.

Place de la Concorde

One of the most important public squares in Paris. Here Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were executed by guillotine.

Avenue des Champs Elysées

Champs-Élysées runs through the center of Paris, linking the Place de la Concorde with the Arc de Triomphe. A very popular walk in Paris.

The Pont Neuf is the oldest bridge in Paris, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Madeleine Church

Greek style temple erected in honor of the Great French Army by order of Napoleon .

Père Lachaise Cemetery

In the 44 hectares of this famous Parisian cemetery rest figures such as Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison, Chopin and Édith Piaf.

Saint Denis Basilica

Burial place of the French monarchy, including Marie Antoinette. First Gothic temple built in Paris.

Grand Palace

At the Grand Palais in Paris you can visit temporary and permanent exhibitions inside a structure made for the Universal Exposition of 1900.

Montparnasse Tower

The most incredible views of Paris. Worth a visit on a clear day.

Opéra Bastille

Modern theater in Paris next to the Place de la Bastille. Check their agenda if you want to attend one of their shows during your visit.

Palace of Versailles

A few minutes from Paris is the Château de Versailles. A recommended excursion. You can buy your ticket alone or combined with transfer.

Excursions from Paris

Extend your visit with an excursion to the most charming places near Paris such as Versailles, Bruges, Mont Saint Michel, the Loire Castles or the Champagne region.