There are many incredible places to visit in Paris.
Whether you are a lover of fine arts or enjoy contemporary architecture; whether you like tiny cobbled alleys or prefer the grandeur of large boulevards; whether you like hitting all the tourist spots or finding hidden gems; and even if you are a lover of gourmet food and good wine, you will find something for you in Paris.
With so many things to see in Paris, you could spend years there without ever getting bored. It’s not without reason that this is one of the most visited cities in the world. According to Forbes, more than a 19 million people visited Paris in 2018 only. The city was second only to Bangkok.
In this post, I will point out all the best places to visit in Paris, as well mention some Paris hidden gems. I will also mention a few places that are perfect for a day trip out of the city. Ready to discover all the must-see in the Ville Lumiere? Continue reading!
43 Gorgeous Places To Visit In Paris
Eiffel Tower
Think of Paris and the first thing that comes to mind is probably the Eiffel Tower – it really is one of the unmissable places to visit in Paris. Built for the 1889 World Expo, the tower is 324 meters (1063 feet) high and was the tallest structure in France until 2004. It also has the highest accessible observation deck in Europe – it’s at 276 meters (905.5 feet).
The Eiffel Tower is open daily from 9:30 am to 11:45 pm. Admission tickets vary depending on which level you want to reach. You can get tickets to the second floor here. For tickets to the summit, click here.
Make sure to read my post How To Get Eiffel Tower Tickets.
Right below the tower, you will find the Eiffel Carrousel, one of the most beautiful merry-go-rounds in the city. Other beautiful ones are the the Dodo Manège, located Jardins des Plantes, and the one right below the Sacré-Cœur.
Champ de Mars
If you visit the Eiffel Tower, chances are you’ll also be walking through the Champ de Mars. This park, which was first opened in 1780, is located next to the École Militaire and is often used for national events. It’s a favorite of both tourists and locals, who can often be seen there having a picnic or just relaxing and enjoying the fabulous views of the tower. The bonus? It can be accessed for free!
Trocadéro
For one of the best views of Paris, wake up before dawn and head to the Trocadéro. The sunrise light is just gorgeous, and the fact that not many people make the effort to get out of bed so early means that you are likely to have unobstructed views.
Arc de Triomphe
Another one of the symbols of Paris is the Arc de Triomphe, located on Place de l’Etoile at the end of the Champs-Elysées and right at the center of the Axe Historique, a line that links all the monuments from La Défense to the Louvre.
This massive arch was erected to celebrate war victories and to homage those that died during the French Revolution and in the Napoleonic Wars.
The rooftop of the Arc de Triomphe is open every day from 10:00 am to 10:30 or 11:00 pm, depending on the season. Get your admission tickets here or here.
Champs Élysées
This long boulevard runs all the way from Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe, and it is (rightly) thought to be the boulevard that symbolizes the city. Along the Champs Élysées you will find restaurants, cafés beautiful boutiques, gorgeous palaces, movie theaters and even the Lido, one of Paris most famous cabaret shows.
Palais-Royal
This is one of the most interesting places to visit in Paris.
Once a royal property and called Palais-Cardinal, the Palais-Royal used to be the not-so-humble home of Cardinal Richelieu, who lived there until his death in 1642. It then became property of Philippe II Duke of Orléans, who was the regent of the monarchy when Louis XV became king at age 5 in 1715.
The building is now home to the Constitutional Council and the Ministry of Culture. It’s located right opposite the Louvre Museum. Its courtyard houses an art installation of striped columns of different sizes.
Louvre
The largest museum in the world, the building is itself a work of art. Originally a fortress, in the 1700s Louvre Palace became a gallery where artists could study and practice. The museum houses some of the most famous paintings in the world, including Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.
The Louvre is open Wednesday to Monday, from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. Advance ticket purchase – with a selected time-slot – is a requirement. Get your ticket here.
The Tuileries Gardens right behind the museum are a fantastic place for a walk!
Musée d’Orsay
Art lovers can’t skip this museum, located very close to the Louvre. It houses the largest collection of impressionist and post-impressionist art in the world, with works of artists such as Monet, Manet, Renoir, Van Gogh and many more. The building itself is stunning – it was once a train station (Gare D’Orsay, built for the universal expo) and it was finely renovated to house the museum.
Musee d’Orsay is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm, except on Thursday when it is open until 9:45 pm. Get your ticket and book a time-slot in advance here.
Jacquemart-André
Another interesting art museum – not to mention one of the most unique places to visit in Paris – is Jacquemart-André, a private museum in what used to be the house of the André-Jacquemart and that displays their fabulous collection.
Palais Garnier
Palais Garnier is the French Opera House – the very one where the Phantom of the Opera is set. It’s a truly gorgeous theater where you can see opera or ballet. You can decide to visit on a guided tour or attend a show for an even better experience.
Centre Pompidou
Even if you don’t go inside, make sure to at least pass by the Centre Pompidou. Located in the 4th arrondissement, it houses the National Museum of Modern Art – Europe’s largest modern art museum with works of the likes of Picasso, Matisse, Kandinsky, as well as regular exhibits; and a huge library.
If you are interested in visiting, you can get your tickets here.
Right behind the center, you will find one a small square that is one of the most beautiful places in town for people watching.
Notre Dame
Notre Dame Cathedral is currently not open to visitors, as a massive fire destroyed it in April 2019. Yet if you are going to Paris you should at least pay homage to one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the world. It’s located in Ile de la Cite.
Sainte-Chapelle
Sainte-Chapelle is a truly gorgeous church that was built in the 13th century in Gothic style. Like the Notre Dame, it is located in Ile de la Cite. It’s known for its floor to ceiling stained glass windows.
The church is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. From 1 April to 30 September it closes at 7:00 pm. Get tickets in advance here.
Saint-Jacques Tower
Close to Sainte-Chapelle, with its 52 meters (170.6 feet), this the only thing left of the 16th century Gothic Church of Saint-Jacques-de-la-Boucherie, which was destroyed during the revolution.
Au Vieux Paris d’Arcole
The combination of making good coffee, being the cutest little coffee shop in Paris, and being close to Notre Dame Cathedral make this café just about perfect. It’s located in the lovely Rue Chanoinesse, a nice medieval street. Not far from the café you’ll find a small courtyard paved with gravestones.
Seine
One of the nicest things to do in Paris is cruising the Seine river. Perhaps a bit touristy, but this is also a great way of seeing the city from a different angle and – depending on the time of day you do it – in a different light.
Several companies organize the cruise – some include lunch or dinner with it, some include champagne, some have a live guide and others just an audio guide. Most of the time cruises depart from the area of the Eiffel Tower, but there are some that depart near Notre Dame. The most popular company is the Bateaux-Mouches.
You can book your River Seine cruise here or here.
The Bouquinistes
If you happen to walk along the Seine river near the Cathedral, you will definitely spot the Bouquinistes. These are small stands selling used book and small, pretty souvenirs – a tradition that exists since the 16th century!
Catacombs
The Catacombs easily qualify as one of the spookiest places to visit in Paris. The area where they are located in what used to be a limestone mine started being filled with bodies at the end of the 18th century, when cemeteries started being too packed.
They are excavated at 20 meters (65.6 feet) below street level, so the temperature is steady year round. Bones were moved here up to 1810, at first being placed in no particular order but then organized in a more logic way.
The Catacombs are open Tuesdays to Sundays from 10:00 am to 8:30 pm. The best way to visit the Catacombs is on a guided tour such as this one.
Montparnasse Tower
Montparnasse is one of the coolest neighborhoods in Paris, that well deserves to be explored. The best thing to do there is to get on Montparnasse Tower, Paris’ second highest building with its 210 meters (689 feet), which was built in the early 1970s. The views from there are fabulous.
You can get your ticket to Montparnasse Tower roof terrace here.
Galeries Lafayette Haussmann
Paris’ most famous department store, Galeries Lafayette opened in 1894, and it was refurbished a few times. It was in 1932 that it was given the Art Deco lift. It’s a fantastic place to shop for luxury items, but you can also catch wonderful views of the Tour Eiffel and the Opera Garnier from the rooftop.
Pont Alexandre III
Paris’ most famous bridge, Pont Alexandre III was built in 1900 for the World Expo and was named in honor of Tsar Alexander II in order to celebrate France’s new ties with Russia. It’s decorated with nymphs, cherubs and various other statues and it joins the two sides of the Seine where the Grand Palais and Les Invalides are located.
Les Invalides
This 17th century complex was built in order to take care of war veterans. It eventually became a museum and the tomb of several prominent French figures, including Napoleon I. It’s one of the most beautiful buildings in town, so make sure to stop by for a peak even if you don’t intend to visit the Musée de l’Armée which is hosted there.
Conciergerie
Currently hosting the law courts, parts of this beautiful building are open to the public who can enjoy the various halls. Up until the 14th century it was the seat of the French kings. But in 1358 King Charles V moved to the Louvre Palace. It then became a prison where inmates were organized based on their wealth. Famous inmates include Marie Antoinette and Napoleon III.
Place de la Concorde
This is Paris’ largest square, located between the Champs-Elysées and the Tuileries Garden. Its construction was completed in 1772, when it was named Place Louis XV. During the Revolution time, the square was named Place de la Révolution: this is where King Louis XVI and his wife Queen Marie Antoinette were executed.
Nowadays, the square hosts a fountain that dates back to the reign of Louis-Philippe and an obelisk that used to be at the entrance of Luxor Temple in Egypt.
Père Lachaise Cemetery
If you have a thing for historical cemeteries, then make sure not to skip Père Lachaise Cemetery. Located in the 20th arrondissement, it was opened in the early 1800s and there are around 70000 plots, some of them hosting famous figures such as singers Edith Piaf and Jim Morrison, writers Balzac and Oscar Wilde, and many more.
It’s a very large park so you may want to go on a guided tour to explore it. You can book it here.
Musee de l’Orangerie
This museum that was built by Napoleon III and hosts impressionist and modern art. Other than the works of Picasso, Matisse and Cezanne, the masterpiece here is the eight Water Lilies murals that were painted by Claude Monet and donated to the French government. It’s located in the west corner of the Jardine des Tuileries.
Le Marais
Known as the nicest neighborhood in Paris, Le Marais is packed with excellent restaurants, cafés and bars and it’s a nice place to explore. You’ll see beautiful buildings, quaint streets, artists’ ateliers, boutiques and even the Museum of French History.
Buttes-Chaumont Park
For a unique place away from the tourist crowds, opt to go to Buttes-Chaumont Park. It’s located in the 19th arrondissement at about 40 minutes walk from Les Marais.
Canal Saint-Martin
One of the coolest places to visit in Paris is this 4.6 km (2.8 miles) canal which connects the Canal de l’Ourcq to the river Seine. More than half of it was actually filled (the part going from Rue du Faubourg du Temple to the Place de la Bastille) and it now is a pleasant place filled with boulevards where you will find nice boutiques and cafés. It’s great for a walk and even a picnic, and locals enjoy hanging out there whenever the sun is out.
Pigalle
Formerly the Red Light district of Paris, Pigalle is a really interesting neighborhood with lots to see and do. Its most famous street is Rue des Martyrs, which is packed with nice cafés, bookshops, antique stores, bakeries and even a live music venue – Le Divan du Monde. Pigalle is also home to the famous Moulin Rouge.
Moulin Rouge
Whether or not you want to sit down to see a show, you should at least pass by the Moulin Rouge. This popular cabaret is famous for being the place where the can-can dance was invented.
You can get your tickets for a show here.
Sacré-Coeur
One of the most iconic churches in Paris, this Romano-Byzantine white-domed basilica is located on top of Montmartre hill, where its construction was started in 1875. From the church – especially from its dome – you’ll be able to enjoy one of the best views of Paris.
Square Marcel Bleustein Blanchet
One of the nicest views of Sacré-Coeur is from this small square. It’s a fairly hidden spot, where once the windmills of Paris where located and that is now perfect for some quiet time. Enjoy time in the small park – bring your book or a picnic. You can even visit the small museum about the history of the area.
Montmartre
If you are a fan of low houses, quaint looking shops, cobbled little alleys, small squares and an overall bohemian look, then you will love this part of town. The neighborhood became famous in the 19th century when artists such as Monet, Renoir and Modigliani set up their studios and lived there.
Montmartre is also a fantastic place for nightlife – and it’s very close to Pigalle.
This quarter is easy to explore, but if you’d like a more in depth experience you may want to join a guided tour. You can book it here.
Latin Quarter
Named after the language of academia used as Sorbonne University until the times of the Revolution, the Latin Quarter is a very interesting area in Paris. It’s a maze of narrow alleyways with a young feel – after all this is where the protests of 1968 started. A general overlook at this part of town will reveal some of Paris’ most interesting places to visit. Make sure not to skip Place Saint-Michel!
Shakespeare and Company
Shakespeare and Company is one of the loveliest places to visit in Paris. It is an independent bookstore selling books in English and regularly holding all sorts of events. It’s located in the heart of the Latin Quarter, in a 17th century building that used to be a monastery.
Luxembourg Gardens
Built upon orders of Maria de’ Medici at the beginning of the 17th century and currently owned by the French Senate which sits at the palace, Luxembourg Gardens – Jardin du Luxembourg in French – are perfect for a stroll in the shade, especially during the summer. Scattered around the park there are statues, some of which representing 20 French queens. Make sure to also admire Medici’s fountain.
Pantheon
One of the highlights of the Latin Quarter is the Pantheon, located on Montagne Sainte-Geneviève. This is the burial ground of some of France’s most notable people such as Rousseau, Voltaire, Marie Curie, Alexandre Dumas, Victor Hugo and Émile Zola. It was built between 1758 and 1790 and – much like its equivalent in Rome, from which it inevitably borrows, it was originally meant as a church but during the Revolution time it was turned into a mausoleum.
Saint-Germaine-de-Près
This lovely quarter became very popular at the beginning of the 20th century, when it was a nightlife hotspot and thanks to the low rents attracted a young crowd and became home of jazz clubs and gave shelter to Paris’ gay community. It’s a nice place to explore if you are in search of small independent bookshops, cute cafes and art galleries. You’ll also find Saint-Germain-des-Prés church, Paris’ oldest church.
Rue Cremieux
This lovely street of very colorful buildings is a nice one to walk along. Unfortunately it became more and more popular with travelers, so if you want to have it for yourself make it a point to go very early in the morning.
La Defense
One of the coolest places to visit in Paris if you like contemporary architecture is La Defense. It’s located at the very far end of the Axe Historique and it pretty much started developing int he 1960s, when the modern skyscrapers started being built.
The nicest views of La Defense are actually from the Arc de Triomphe – from there, you can see all the way to the 110-meter Grande Arche which was completed in 1989.
Versailles
If you only go on a day trip during your trip to Paris, it has to be to Versailles. This incredible palace is the symbol of all the excesses of the French Monarchy – it went from being a hunting lodge to a proper castle where the king lived surrounded by his court. The palace is incredible – the Hall of Mirrors is the highlight of the visit – and so are the gardens.
You are better off joining a guided tour to make the most of Versailles. Book it here.
Disneyland Paris
Disneyland is one of the most popular day trips from Paris (it’s only 30 km – 18.6 miles – from downtown), especially if you have kids. This massive park is divided into two – Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park. For an adrenaline filled experience, make sure to ride the Rock’n’Roller Coaster Aerosmith – it’s the fastest ride in the park.
For tickets to Disneyland Paris, click here.
Further Readings
- A Guide To The 11 Best Cities To Visit In France
- The Best Paris Travel Tips
- The Best Museums In Paris
- A Week In Paris Itinerary: What To See And Do
- A Wonderful Itinerary For 5 Days In Paris
- A Fantastic Itinerary To See Paris In 4 Days
- Paris In 3 Days: A Great Itinerary To Make The Most Of It
- A Fabulous Itinerary For 2 Days In Paris
- The Perfect Itinerary To See Paris In A Day
- How To Avoid The Most Common Paris Scams
- How To Get From Charles De Gaulle Airport CDG To Paris
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