Paris, often referred to as the "City of Love" and the "City of Lights," is one of the most iconic tourist destinations in the world. Nestled along the Seine River, Paris has a deep-rooted history, a vibrant art scene, and a unique culture.
Best Places to Visit in Paris
As a hub of enlightenment, Paris tourist attractions are one of a kind. From the romantic ambience of the Eiffel Tower to the treasures of the Louvre Museum, Paris offers a diverse range of experiences that cater to all interests. Almosafer will uncover the 15 best places to visit in Paris, as well as help you book cheap flights & hotels.
1. The Eiffel Tower
On the top list of places to see in Paris, the Eiffel Tower ranks the highest. You can go up to enjoy amazing views of the city. Alternatively, you can have a picnic at the bottom of the Champ de Mars park. It would also be a plus if you stayed in a hotel room with a view of the Eiffel Tower.
Just make sure to book your ticket to Eiffel Tower before you go.
Best Time to Visit: Spring and Fall
Ideal Duration: Half a day
Popular Attractions: Eiffel Tower observation decks, Gustave Eiffel's office
Things to Do: Enjoy panoramic views, dine at Jules Verne Restaurant, take photos at Trocadéro Gardens
Best Places to Stay: Hôtel Plaza Athénée - Dorchester Collection
2. Louvre Museum
Wander through the Louvre Museum, home to thousands of art treasures, including the world-famous Mona Lisa. Secure your tickets online to avoid queues and explore at your own pace.
Best Time to Visit: Year-round
Ideal Duration: Full day
Popular Attractions: Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Winged Victory of Samothrace
Things to Do: Art appreciation, explore the glass pyramid, visit Napoleon III Apartments
Best Places to Stay: Hotel Regina Louvre
3. Notre-Dame Cathedral
This medieval Gothic cathedral mirrors the era's architecture. The hundreds of years old building is a masterpiece of both exterior and interior design.
Best Time to Visit: Spring and Fall
Ideal Duration: Half a day
Popular Attractions: Bell towers, stained glass windows, archaeological crypt
Things to Do: Sightseeing
4. Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur Basilica
Perched atop Paris' highest hill, Montmartre's crown jewel is the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, offering stunning city views. Below, Place du Tertre vibrates with artistic spirit, where generations of painters have displayed their work and created custom portraits in minutes. Art lovers and panorama seekers flock to this charming Parisian village, steeped in history and brimming with beauty.
Best Time to Visit: Late Spring and early Summer
Ideal Duration: Half a day
Popular Attractions: Sacré-Cœur Basilica, Place du Tertre, Moulin Rouge
Things to Do: Climb the steps, enjoy panoramic views, dine at local cafes
Best Places to Stay: Le Relais Montmartre, Terrass Hotel
5. Seine River Cruise
Aside from exploring Paris tourist places, discover the city’s best with a Seine River cruise. Choose an evening cruise to see the city's landmarks illuminated, and enjoy a peaceful atmosphere that's hard to beat.
Best Time to Visit: Evening for illuminated views
Ideal Duration: 1-2 hours
Popular Attractions: Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Musée d'Orsay
Things to Do: Dinner cruises, sightseeing tours, photography
Best Places to Stay: Hotel Le Narcisse Blanc & Spa, Hotel d'Aubusson
6. Palace of Versailles
Visit the Palace of Versailles by taking a short train ride from Paris. Explore the opulent palace and stroll through the stunning gardens. Note that free admission is available only for some categories, so you need to check beforehand.
Best Time to Visit: Spring and early Fall
Ideal Duration: Full day
Popular Attractions: Hall of Mirrors, Gardens of Versailles, Trianon Palaces
Things to Do: Explore the royal residence, rent a golf cart for garden tours
7. Musée d'Orsay
This museum is home to the world's largest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art, including works by Monet, Renoir, Cézanne, and Van Gogh.
Book online and skip queues. Check the official website for more information.
Best Time to Visit: Year-round
Ideal Duration: Half a day
Popular Attractions: Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces
Things to Do: Admire Monet, Van Gogh, and Degas, enjoy delicious food at the museum’s café.
8. The Champs-Élysées and Arc de Triomphe
Avenue des Champs-Élysées will amaze you with its multiple architectural buildings, museums, restaurants, shops, hotels, and parks!
Located at the western end of Champs-Élysées, the Arc de Triomphe stands as a symbol of national pride. Known for its iconic neoclassical design, it was commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1806 to honour the French army's victories.
Best Time to Visit: Late Spring and early Fall
Ideal Duration: Half a day
Popular Attractions: Arc de Triomphe, luxury shopping, theatres
Things to Do: Stroll down Champs-Élysées, ascend the Arc de Triomphe for panoramic views
Best Places to Stay: Hotel Napoleon
9. Luxembourg Gardens
Regarded by many as one of the most beautiful places in Paris, the Luxembourg Gardens offer serene views. Enjoy a leisurely walk around the fountains and the palace, or rent a traditional wooden boat for a calm ride on the pond.
Best Time to Visit: Spring and Summer
Ideal Duration: Half a day
Popular Attractions: Medici Fountain, Luxembourg Palace
Things to Do: Relax by the fountains, explore the palace, take a boat ride
Best Places to Stay: Hôtel Observatoire Luxembourg
10. Palace of Fontainebleau
A Renaissance palace that was once the residence of French kings and emperors. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Pre-book online for specific times to skip the queues, or enjoy free entry at specific times.
Best Time to Visit: Spring and Fall
Ideal Duration: Full day
Popular Attractions: Renaissance and classical architecture, Napoleon's apartments
Things to Do: Explore the grand château, visit the gardens and lakes
11. Paris Opera House
Immerse yourself in Parisian music and dance at the Palais Garnier, known as the Paris Opera House. Attend performances by world-renowned ballet and opera companies. Online booking is recommended for the best seat selection and to avoid queues.
Best Time to Visit: Fall and Summer
Ideal Duration: 1-2 days. Guided tours take 90 minutes, performances may be longer.
Popular Attractions: Grand Foyer, auditorium, Chagall ceiling, backstage tour.
Things to Do: See a performance, tour the opera house, explore nearby attractions like Galeries Lafayette, Louvre Museum, and Jardin du Palais Royal
Best Places to Stay: Grand Hôtel du Palais Royal
12. Musée Rodin
If you’re a fan of art, tourist places in Paris like Musée Rodin will highly interest you. It’s a museum dedicated to the work of the French sculptor Auguste Rodin, including his famous sculptures "The Thinker" and "The Gates of Hell."
Secure tickets online to avoid queues, or visit for free during specific days of the month.
Best Time to Visit: Spring and early Summer
Ideal Duration: Half a day
Popular Attractions: Beautiful gardens
Things to Do: Admire Rodin's sculptures, stroll through the serene gardens
13. Canal Saint-Martin
Cruise or stroll along the Canal Saint-Martin and immerse in the tranquil vibes or sip coffee by the sun-kissed banks. This charming oasis, buzzing with life, welcomes city escapes and Parisian adventures.
In short, it’s a fascinating canal lined with shops, restaurants, and cafes.
Best Time to Visit: Spring and Summer
Ideal Duration: Half a day
Popular Attractions: Quirky boutiques, picturesque bridges, lively atmosphere
Things to Do: Take a canal cruise, enjoy a picnic, explore trendy shops
Best Places to Stay: Hotel Fabric
14. Musée de l'Orangerie
A museum that displays 2 large-scale water lily paintings by Claude Monet as well as Renoir, Cezanne, Matisse, and Picasso.
Walk through small galleries and admire the precious artworks. Have a delicious French lunch with a view of the river, or relax in the quiet gardens.
It is recommended to book tickets online in advance, especially during peak season. This will ensure that you have a specific time slot, so you can avoid the queues.
Best Time to Visit: Year-round
Ideal Duration: Half a day
Popular Attractions: Monet's Water Lilies, Impressionist masterpieces
Things to Do: Immerse in Monet's art, admire the oval rooms
15. Disneyland Paris
Enter a world of endless possibilities at Disneyland Paris, where Disney characters come to life. Enjoy the thrilling rides and attend the shows. Share unforgettable moments with your family and friends in this theme park wonderland!
Check the official website for ticket details.
Best Time to Visit: Spring and Fall. Avoid peak summer and holiday seasons.
Ideal Duration: 2-3 days. Multiple parks (Disneyland Park, Walt Disney Studios Park) and diverse attractions require time.
Popular Attractions: Space Mountain, Tower of Terror, Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain, Peter Pan's Flight, Disneyland Railroad.
Things to Do: Ride thrill rides, meet characters, watch shows, explore themed lands, shop for souvenirs, enjoy parades and fireworks.
Best Places to Stay: Disneyland Hotels offer park proximity and benefits. Disney Village also provides themed options. However, you can find cheap hotels off-site
On every corner, you’ll find plenty of things to see in Paris. Whether you're drawn to its world-famous landmarks or the hidden gems, Paris has it all!
Fly now to Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), which is Paris' main airport. Located 23 km northeast of the city, CDG boasts multiple terminals and welcomes flights from countless airlines across the globe.
With careful planning, you’ll have a lifetime trip to this European Icon.
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