Last Updated: October 14, 2022
22 Best Places to Visit In Paris
Traveling to Paris and you’re not quite sure what to do in the city? Then you’re definitely in the right place because this detailed guide covers all the best places to visit in Paris!
We’ve covered all the famous Parisian attractions that are worth visiting, from iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower to the city’s best museums and prettiest buildings. Whether you want to discover architecture, culture, history, or all of the above, you’ll find plenty of options worth checking out in this guide to all the top places you should visit while in Paris!
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Notre Dame Cathedral
Situated on île de la cité between the left and right bank of the Seine, the Notre Dame Cathedral remains one of the most recognizable landmarks in the city of Paris. It almost doesn’t count that you visited Paris if you didn’t bother to go see the iconic cathedral, so make sure it’s at the top of your list of the best places to visit in Paris!
The famous Parisian landmark suffered a lot of damage in the 2019 fire, so don’t be surprised if it’s still under construction when you go to see it. Restoring such an iconic landmark to its old glory is a process that takes years – just look at the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, which is still not finished, 140 years after construction began.
One thing worth noting is that you’re better off skipping all those cafes and restaurants that promise a spectacular view of Notre Dame. The best view of the iconic cathedral is entirely free, and all those locales are known for ridiculously high prices and extremely underwhelming quality of food and service.
Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is easily the most famous attraction in the city of Paris and the one that gets the most visitors. Even though you can see the iconic landmark from different parts of the town, many people will head to Champs de Mars and climb the iconic tower.
If you want to climb the iconic tower, it’s best to arrive at the park early in the morning. The Eiffel Tower is one of Paris’ busiest attractions, and there are usually long lines at the tower entrance. Also, the view isn’t quite as amazing when there are a dozen other tourists blocking your view.
If you just want to get a good view of the Eiffel Tower, head to one of the nearby streets. Rue de l’Université offers a fabulous view of the city’s most famous landmark, and it’s usually not as crowded as the park in front of it. If you get there early enough, you might be able to get a fabulous photo of just you and the Eiffel Tower in the distance!
Place de la Concorde
Place de la Concorde is a famous city plaza near Musée de l’Orangerie. It is the largest town square in Paris, situated at the eastern end of iconic Champs-Élysées street. The square is home to a 19th-century Luxor Obelix that the Egyptians gifted to the French, as well as two stunning fountains.
But the landmarks aren’t the most impressive thing about Place de la Concorde. The city’s largest square was a popular site for executions in the earlier centuries, and the lives of some very famous French people came to an end here – Marie Antoinette, King Louis XVI, and Maximilien Robespierre, among others.
Arc de Triomphe
Situated on one of the most famous streets in Paris, Arc de Triomphe is another one of those landmarks that are so Parisian that it gets recognized even by people who can’t find France on a globe.
Arc de Triomphe is at the western end of Champs Elyses, at the center of one of the world’s most hectic roundabouts. The spectacular landmark sometimes gets overshadowed by the nightmare of traffic around it, especially for people who haven’t really witnessed a multiple-lane roundabout without any marked lanes.
The famous landmark was erected as a monument in honor of all the people who died during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars. It was designed by Jean Chalgrin, a famous French architect whose career is defined by this spectacular attraction.
Place de la Bastille
Place de la Bastille is a large city square in Paris. It’s where the Bastille prison used to be located before it got demolished in the aftermath of the French Revolution. Bastille prison is where the French Revolution began, and it’s truly a fascinating place to visit, especially when you consider just how it reshaped Europe as it exists today.
Nowadays, the square is a popular gathering place in the city and it often hosts concerts and other outdoor events. The July Column sits at the center of Bastille square, commemorating the events that started the French Revolution.
The area surrounding the square is simply known as Bastille, and it boasts a few hidden gems so it’s a good idea to explore more than just the square if you’re in the neighborhood. See the Bastille Opera building, and Canal Saint Martin, and explore some of the many bars and cafes that line this famous Parisian attraction.
Jardin du Luxembourg
Jardin du Luxembourg is the beautiful garden in front of the famous Luxembourg Palace. The garden is situated in the 6th arrondissement, just a short walk away from the Latin Quarter and all its famous attractions.
Palais du Luxembourg is a former royal palace, constructed in the 17th century for Marie de’ Medici, the wife of king Henry IV. It’s the highlight of the entire garden but it’s certainly not the only remarkable attraction here. Jardin du Luxembourg boasts more than a hundred different statues, fountains, and monuments all over its grounds.
The Grand Basin is the largest fountain here and it’s situated right in front of the palace. Don’t miss out on the Medici Fountain either – the Florentine fountain maker Tommaso Francini was flown to France at the behest of King Henry IV just to design it!
Overflowing with beautiful flowers and trees, Jardin du Luxembourg is a great place for people to relax and breathe fresh air. Its tranquil and romantic scenery also makes it a great venue for a dreamy Paris elopement.
Le Marais
Le Marais is a trendy neighborhood in the 3rd arrondissement of Paris, best-known for lively nightclubs, gay bars, and art galleries. If you’re looking to live the life of culture and party while you’re in the city of lights, this is by far the best neighborhood in Paris to visit!
This stylish district is also home to a few famous Paris attractions, the most notable of which is Place des Vosges. This is the city’s oldest planned town square, built in the early 17th century at the behest of king Henry IV.
The popular town square often hosts open-air art exhibitions that are completely in the spirit of Le Marais. This neighborhood is also where you’ll find Marche des Enfants Rouges. It’s a 17th-century covered market that’s always been a great place to go if you want to shop for fresh produce, flowers, or dairy.
Musée de l’Orangerie
Musée de l’Orangerie is an art gallery in the 1st arrondissement of Paris, best known for housing eight of Monet’s Water Lillies murals. If you want to see some stunning Impressionist and post-Impressionist art, this is by far one of the best museums to visit in Paris, along with Musee d’Orsay.
Other prominent artists featured at this Parisian museum include Matisse, Modigliani, Picasso, and Renoir, among others. But the art isn’t the only impressive thing about this museum. The building that houses all the artworks was built in the mid-19th century, at the behest of Napoleon III.
Musée de l’Orangerie is situated on the grounds of Tuileries Garden, so it’s on the way if you’re anywhere near the Louvre or Place de la Concorde.
Palais Garnier
Palais Garnier is a famous opera house in central Paris. Napoleon III ordered the construction of the opera house in the late 19th century, and it was initially referred to as the new Paris Opera. It didn’t take too long until it started to become known as Palais Garnier, to honor the architect behind it, Charles Garnier.
The Palais Garnier Opera House is one of the most famous opera houses on the planet and an important symbol of the city of Paris. One of the reasons why it’s so famous is because of the novel Phantom of the Opera, which is set in this very building.
The opera house is open for tours every day from 10 AM to 5 PM, except on days when there is a performance in the afternoon. Tickets start at 12 Euros for self-guided tours, which is pretty affordable for an iconic Paris landmark.
The Louvre Museum
The Louvre is easily the most famous of all the museums in Paris. It’s the most visited museum in the entire world, best-known for the fabulous glass pyramid at the center of Napoleon’s Courtyard. The Louvre is home to some of the most famous artworks ever created including the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo, so it’s definitely a Parisian attraction you don’t want to miss while you’re in the city.
The only problem is that the world’s most visited museum usually features excruciatingly long lines. It’s common knowledge that people often wait hours in queue, just to get a chance to go inside this iconic museum and see the spectacular art inside.
It’s possible to purchase skip-the-line tickets for the Louvre, which guarantee you entrance to the museum within 30 minutes. This is by far the best option if you don’t want to spend hours standing in line, plus it also gets you free entrance into the Musée Eugène-Delacroix.
Musée d’Orsay
Musée d’Orsay is arguably the best museum in Paris. It’s not quite as famous as the Louvre, but it’s still a very famous museum with a collection that impresses everyone who walks through its entrance doors.
Situated inside Gare d’Orsay, a former Beaux-Arts railway station, this iconic museum houses French art from the mid-19th to the early 20th century. The museum’s collection includes paintings, sculptures, photographs, and many other kinds of artworks that are truly fascinating to observe.
Musée d’Orsay is one of the largest art museums in entire Europe, housing the world’s biggest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art. Visit this museum if you want to see the masterpieces from some of the greatest artists in the world, including Van Gogh, Manet, Renoir, Monet, Degas, and many others.
Montmartre
Montmartre is a pretty large hill in the 18th arrondissement of Paris. It’s one of the most popular neighborhoods in the city and home to some of Paris’ best-known tourist attractions. This is where you’ll find the iconic Sacre Cour Cathedral, as well as quite a few great museums.
Stop by Musée de Montmartre to learn more about the history and culture of this famous Parisian neighborhood. You can even see the garden where Renoir worked once upon a time, and he’s not even the most famous artist to be commemorated in Montmartre.
Both Dali and Picasso lived here once, and they’re both immortalized in different parts of the neighborhood. Also, Boulevard de Clichy with all of its famous attractions is at the foot of Montmartre, so you can easily discover several important Parisian landmarks in the same visit!
Tuileries Garden
Tuileries Garden is an expansive formal garden in the 1st arrondissement of Paris. It dates back to the 17th century, and it is famous for the many statues visitors can see dotted around its grounds. The garden is home to 18 bronze statues by Maillol, and they’re by far the most impressive sights.
The formal garden is situated between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde, so it’s definitely one of the attractions that you can’t miss even if you’re not looking specifically for it. If you’ve walked down Champs-Elyses you’ll eventually walk all the way to this garden, which happens to be the perfect place to take a break in between seeing the different attractions.
In addition to perfectly manicured lawns and impressive bronze statues, Tuilleries Garden is also home to local restaurants and fast food kiosks. It’s a popular meeting and hangout place for the locals, so don’t be surprised if it’s crowdy while you’re there!
Rodin Museum
The Rodin Museum is a 20th-century museum entirely dedicated to the life and works of Auguste Rodin. The museum occupies two separate spaces – one is the Hôtel Biron and its surrounding grounds in the heart of Paris, and the other one is the former residence of the French sculptor, Villa des Brillants at Meudon.
Meudon is a little outside Paris, so Hôtel Biron is your best bet if you want to admire some of Rodin’s artworks in the city. Everything surrounding the building is dedicated to the famous sculpture, and even the closest metro station to the museum is adorned with a few Rodin sculptures.
Sainte-Chapelle
Sainte-Chapelle is a 13th century Gothic chapel on île de la cité. The chapel is thought to be one of the most important achievements of Rayonnant period French Gothic architecture, and it’s an absolute must if you want to see the most impressive architectural landmarks in the city of Paris.
It’s worth noting that this is no longer a church – after the French Revolution, the chapel was secularized and it is operated by the French Center of National Monuments. Nonetheless, it remains an astounding sight, and touring the interior of this mesmerizing building is definitely one of the top things to do in Paris.
The former chapel is famous for the incredible collection of stained glass windows inside. It has the largest collection of stained glass from the 13th century in the entire world, and that alone is reason enough to take half an hour to tour the inside of the building.
Rue des Rosiers
Rue des Rosiers is the main street in the Jewish district of Paris and by far the best place in town to visit if you’re craving Falafel. The street is home to mostly kosher middle eastern restaurants, and it’s an absolute must-stop on any foodie tour in Paris.
Also, this is pretty much the only street in town where you will find shops and restaurants open on holidays. The locales along Rue des Rosiers were given a pass because of Sabbath, even though the working hours for such establishments are restricted.
The street has become more and more famous for fashion over the years. Some of Europe’s trendiest labels have set up showrooms along Rue des Rosiers, and if you’re trying to shop for modern and trendy looks, this is a great place to visit in the city.
Louis Vuitton Foundation
Louis Vuitton Foundation is a modern and contemporary art museum situated in an impressive, deconstructionist building. The museum building was designed by Frenk Gehry, an American architect who is world-famous for his unique creations. It’s truly a work of art, just like many of the other objects housed inside this museum.
The most prominent artists featured at this museum are Jeff Koons, Gilbert & George, and Jean Michel Basquiat. In addition to that, many working artists were commissioned to create installations specifically for this museum. If you’re an art-lover and you want to see some unique modern artworks, it’s definitely worth it to go out of your way to visit the Louis Vuitton Foundation in the 16th arrondissement.
Au Vieux Paris d’Arcole
Au Vieux Paris d’Arcole is a classic French restaurant in Île de la Cité. It’s a great hidden gem because it’s nowhere near as busy as you’d expect it to be, especially considering it’s located in one of the busiest parts of the city.
Enjoy classic French dishes while sitting in a locale inside a townhouse that dates back to the 16th century! This is one of the oldest restaurants in Paris and it’s even designated a French Historic Monument!
Au Vieux Paris d’Arcole is easily recognizable for the wisteria growing on its facade. The interior of the restaurant is very Belle Époque, and for a moment you might believe you’ve somehow traveled back in time.
Galeries Lafayette (Haussmann)
Galeries Lafayette is the most famous French department store chain with several objects in the city of Paris. Galeries Lafayette Haussmann is easily the most popular and most famous of all their stores, mostly because it’s been in the same Art Nouveau building for more than a century. It’s situated at Haussmann Boulevard close to Palais Garnier, in the 9th arrondissement.
The building itself is iconic for the glass dome and the steel frame that can be best seen from the restaurant court. It’s a great place to visit in Paris if you want to check out a building that’s more than a hundred years old, but also if you need to do some shopping.
There are many fashion and jewelry stores at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, but it’s worth noting most are high-end designer shops like Chanel and Tag Hauer.
Seine River Cruises
The river Seine flows through Paris, dividing the city into two distinct parts – the Right Bank and the Left Bank. The river itself is not an amazing attraction, but it does allow for some amazing and romantic experiences.
Sunset cruises on the Seine are incredibly romantic and a little bit cliche, but still a great way to spend an evening with a loved one. Discover the city of love from the water and gain a new perspective on its most famous attractions.
A variety of different companies operate cruises on the Seine, so there’s everything from an affordable sightseeing cruise, to an all-out group cruise with dinner and live music. If you just want to explore Paris from the water, any quick sightseeing cruise is fine. But if you want to spend a memorable evening with your loved ones, opt for one of the more elaborate river cruises.
National Museum of Modern Art (Centre Pompidou)
Centre Pompidou is another impressive building in Paris worth checking out. It’s situated in Beaubourg in the 4th arrondissement, and it’s popular for its avant-garde architecture. The building looks great and the contrast between it and all the older buildings in Paris is quite impressive.
The late modernist architecture isn’t the only reason to visit this complex. It houses the National Museum of Modern Art, which happens to have the second largest collection of modern and contemporary art in the entire world. Prominent artists featured at this museum include Kandinsky, Frida Khalo, Andy Warhol, and Pablo Picasso, among myriad others.
Latin Quarter
The Latin Quarter is a district in central Paris that’s known for universities and student life. It’s home to Sorbonne University, as well as the iconic Shakespeare & Company bookstore and cafe. All bookworms who have traveled to Paris should come to this neighborhood and visit the famous bookstore at least once.
Pantheon, Jardin des Plantes, and the National Museum of Natural History are all situated in this Parisian district, and they’re all worth visiting. Also, the Latin Quarter offers spectacular views of the Seine and Notre Dame, which is just one of many reasons why you need to at least walk through this part of Paris.
About the Author Anna Timbrook
Anna is the co-owner of expert world travel and can't wait to share her travel experience with the world. With over 54 countries under her belt she has a lot to write about! Including those insane encounters with black bears in Canada.
