Things To Do In Paris
Things To Do In Paris
There is never enough time to take in everything that Paris has to offer. Visiting the sights and museums is immersive, awe-inspiring, and could easily keep you occupied for months. But visitors are best rewarded by simply venturing out into the city. One thing is for sure, you will never run out of things to see, do, and experience in Paris. To help you save time and money, our travel experts have listed below the best attractions in Paris as well as things you should not miss while visiting the French capital.
Ekaterina Pokrovsky/Shutterstock.comEiffel Tower
Built by Gustave Eiffel for the 1889 World's Fair to commemorate the centennial of the French Revolution, the Eiffel Tower is now one of the world's most recognizable monuments as well as one of the most visited ones, attracting nearly seven million visitors every year. It towers over the city at 324 meters (1,063 feet) and weighs over 10,000 tons, making it both an imposing monument and an engineering marvel. Climb all the way to the top for a breathtaking view of the City of Light.
Anthony DELANOIX/UnsplashLouvre Museum
The Musée du Louvre, among the world's largest museums, houses a vast collection of masterpieces, including the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and works by Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Caravaggio. Its iconic entrance is adorned by the 21-metre-high glass Pyramide du Louvre. With 35,000 paintings, sculptures, and artifacts spanning from Assyrian to Islamic art, as well as antiquities from prehistory to the 19th century, the Louvre stands as a cultural treasure trove in the heart of Paris.
Michael Fousert/UnsplashArc de Triomphe
Commissioned by emperor Napoleon Bonaparte in 1806 on account of the French victory at the Battle of Austerlitz, the Arc de Triomphe took 30 years to be erected and was then inaugurated by the French king Louis-Philippe in 1836, 15 years after Napoleon's death. Standing tall at 50 meters (164 feet), it is one of the most famous monuments in Paris. Located at the center of Place Charles de Gaulle at the western end of the Champs-Élysées Avenue, the arch honors those who fought and died for France in the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars. Under its vault, lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from the First World War.
Benh LIEU SONG/Wikimedia CommonsCathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris
With its 10 million yearly visitors, Notre-Dame was the most visited site in Paris until a devastating fire ravaged a significant part of the cathedral in April 2019. The structure of the building itself was preserved, as well as most works of art that used to be contained inside. The place has always been the religious centre of the city: the Celts considered the grounds sacred, the Romans built a temple here, the Christians, a basilica, and the last religious structure before the Notre-Dame cathedral was erected was a Romanesque church. The Gothic cathedral of Notre-Dame, finished in 1345, is a tectonic masterpiece. The massive structure is 128 metres (420 feet) long and has two 69-metre-tall (226 feet) towers.
TTstudio/Shutterstock.comMontmartre
Montmartre is one of the most charming and bohemian neighborhoods in Paris, with the white-domed Sacré-Cœur Basilica and its beacon atop the 130-metre Montmartre hill, being the highest point in Paris. Montmartre is famous for the cafés and studios of many great artists, such as Dalí, Monet, and Picasso. It is also easily recognisable as the filming location of the movie 'Amélie'. Other famous places in the area are the Moulin Rouge and Lapin Agile, downhill to the southwest, in the red-light district of Pigalle.
Kazuo ota/UnsplashSacré-Cœur Basilica
Perched atop Montmartre hill, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris, or simply Sacré-Cœur, is a Roman Catholic church and minor basilica with a majestic view of Paris. Inaugurated in 1914, it is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and boasts over 500 statues. Its iconic status makes it a regular sight on film.
Sergei25/Shutterstock.comMoulin Rouge
A trip to Paris is not complete without a visit to the legendary Moulin Rouge. Since 1889, this iconic Parisian landmark has held the title of the most famous cabaret in the world, thanks to its French can-can and the larger-than-life shows featuring expertly choreographed dancing, elaborate sets, and glamorous costumes. Sip on French Champagne, enjoy dinner in a beautiful Belle Époque venue, and experience the show Féerie, which you are sure to remember for years to come.
Milena Nadier/ShutterstockSeine River Cruise
Boat cruises on the Seine embark at the foot of the Eiffel Tower and take you through the heart of Paris where you can admire the prestigious monuments and landmarks of the city and the stunning architecture from bridge to bridge and bank to bank. To learn history along the way, plug in your audio guide and choose your language. Come back at night for another tour, and it will be a different Paris before your eyes, yet just as magical.
alexandria / pixabay.comPalace of Versailles
The town of Versailles is a wealthy Parisian suburb and municipality, located 20 kilometers outside the city. In the 11th century, Versailles was merely a country village enveloping a castle and the church of Saint-Julien. Today, it is mostly known for the lavish Château de Versailles, which served as home to King Louis XIV and the summer palace to Napoleon. It also saw the historic signing of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919 in the now-legendary Hall of Mirrors.
S-F/Shutterstock.comMusée d’Orsay
Housed in a former railway station, the Musée d'Orsay holds a mesmerizing collection of mainly French paintings, sculptures, and photography, including the world's largest collection of impressionist and post-impressionist paintings, with works from artists such as Van Gogh, Cézanne, Renoir, and Monet.
DXR / Wikimedia CommonsCatacombs of Paris
Installed in the tunnels of former quarries, in the heart of Paris, the Catacombs are at once a fascinating and eerie attraction. Walk down the many steps to experience this spooky underground cemetery. Here you will find the osseous remains of more than 6 million people, moved to this location from an old cemetery.
Skreidzeleu/Shutterstock.comDisneyland Paris
If you can be drawn away from the magical allure of the city, venture to a different type of magic at Disneyland Paris. The resort consists of two parks, Disneyland Park, which consists mainly of the usual rides, restaurants, cafés, and tons and tons of shops, and Walt Disney Studios, which has cinemas and stages on top of that. Wander down Main Street USA, explore exotic sceneries in Adventureland, or visit your favorite and most beloved characters at Fantasyland. Tons of fun is waiting to be had by visitors of all ages.
Heather Cowper / Wikimedia CommonsPanthéon
Originally built as a church to house the reliquary of Saint Genevieve, this neoclassical building in the Latin Quarter, modeled after the Pantheon in Rome, is the final resting place of numerous writers, philosophers, poets and scientists, such as Rousseau, Voltaire, Victor Hugo, Émile Zola, and Marie Curie.
Nikitin Mikhail/Shutterstock.comPlace de la Concorde
Place de la Concorde is an expansive 84,000m² square located at the eastern end of the Champs-Élysées. It holds historical importance for several reasons: the liberation struggle during World War II brought many battles to Place de la Concorde; during the French Revolution, over a thousand people were beheaded here, many of them famous: Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette, and revolutionary Robespierre, just to name a few. The site is dominated by the 24-metre Obélisque de Louxor, one of Cleopatra's needles - a gift from Egyptian viceroy Mohammed Ali to Louis Philippe.
Bill Poon/Shutterstock.comCentre Pompidou
The Centre Georges Pompidou is a vast postmodern and high-tech architectural space that hosts the Musée National d'Art Moderne (the largest modern art museum in Europe) along with an expansive public library, and a centre for music and acoustic research. Its construction was controversial, as it was necessary to demolish the emblematic market that stood at that location at Les Halles, and it was initially despised by many Parisians for its unusual architectural esthetic, which many thought clashed with the city's classical and sophisticated style.
Jorge Felix Costa/Shutterstock.comPère Lachaise Cemetery
Père Lachaise is the largest cemetery in Paris and is reputed to be the most visited in the world. It is a huge and peaceful park and the final resting place of many Frenchmen and foreigners who have enriched French life over the past 200 years: Edith Piaf, Oscar Wilde, Camille Pissarro, Marcel Proust, Molière, Max Ernst, Maria Callas, and Jim Morrison, to name just a few.
bensliman hassan/Shutterstock.comChamps-Élysées
This iconic promenade is nearly two kilometers long and goes all the way from Place de la Concorde to Place Charles de Gaulle, bookended by the Arc de Triomphe and the Musée du Louvre. It is a lovely walk on any day of the year, and it is the place to be during times of celebration, be it the French National Day or New Year's Eve. In July, the final stage of the Tour de France takes place right on this very street.
S1001/Shutterstock.comPont Neuf
Pont Neuf (New Bridge) is, ironically, the oldest bridge over the river Seine in Paris. Its construction dates back to the 16th century, and the iconic bridge stands today at 278 metres (912 feet) long and 28 metres (92 feet) wide, connecting the Île de la Cité with either side of the Seine.
Luciano Mortula/Shutterstock.comMontparnasse Tower
Montparnasse Tower, an iconic skyscraper in the Parisian skyline, offers breathtaking panoramic views of the City of Light. Standing at 210 metres (689 feet), it provides a unique perspective, as it is the only skyscraper within the city centre. The observation deck on the 56th floor provides uninterrupted vistas of famous landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Notre-Dame. With its modern design and a swift elevator ride, Montparnasse Tower provides an alternative viewpoint for those seeking an awe-inspiring Parisian experience beyond the traditional cityscape.
Henrique Ferreira/UnsplashLe Marais
Le Marais is a historic district situated on the Right Bank of the Seine, spread across the 3rd and 4th arrondissements. It is a trendy district with beautiful architecture dating back to the 17th century. Now home to a vibrant LGBT community, Le Marais is famous for its many museums, art galleries, hip boutiques, lively nightlife, numerous kosher restaurants, and historic sites, such as Paris' oldest square, Place des Vosges, where you will find the Musée Victor Hugo, site of the writer's former residence.
Luciano Mortula/Shutterstock.comLa Seine
The river Seine flows 776 kilometres through northern France and offers a great opportunity to become familiar with many of Paris's impressive monuments while enjoying a boat ride through the heart of the city. A romantic cruise for couples or a fun-filled ride for the whole family, just sit back on the water and enjoy the scenic setting of Paris. Most boat lines offer similar itineraries and are equipped with an audio announcement system, as the multilingual guides provide commentary on the passing sights in several different languages.
Marco Saracco/Shutterstock.comLuxembourg Garden
Nestled in the heart of Paris, the Jardin du Luxembourg, colloquially known as the Garden of the French Senate (Jardin du Sénat), is a haven of tranquility and charm. Originally commissioned by Marie de' Medici, the garden exudes elegance with its meticulously manicured lawns, vibrant flowerbeds, and regal statues. A central palace, the Luxembourg Palace, adds a touch of grandeur, while tree-lined promenades, ornate fountains, and the iconic Medici Fountain create an enchanting atmosphere. This is one of the most interesting places in the city to people watch, where you will encounter frolicking families, strolling students, runners, rushing politicians, pickup chess matches, and lovers holding hands.
Brian Kinney/Shutterstock.comLouis Vuitton Foundation
Apart from the undeniably breathtaking architecture, the Louis Vuitton Foundation contains a plethora of artwork by various artists from across the globe and hosts different events and workshops. A must-visit for everyone with even the slightest interest in creative expression, in the form of art, architecture, or music.
Amy Johansson/Shutterstock.comCheese and Wine Workshops
Immerse yourself in the quintessential French art of making cheese at Paroles de Fromagers. Join a workshop that not only guides you through the art of making cheese but also offers an exquisite cheese and wine tasting session. Learn the craft of cheese-making firsthand and diskover the perfect wine pairings for each variety — an absolutely great experience for gourmets.
George Dolgikh/Shutterstock.comParc Montsouris
Parc Montsouris is one of four large public parks built by Emperor Napoleon III at the cardinal points around the city. The large lake, the cascade, and the extensive lawns make it a favorite among locals in any weather.
Rrrainbow/Shutterstock.com