Paris, the City of Love, the City of Lights, and the epicentre of culture, art, and history. The streets of Paris are loaded with things to see, so the question isn’t what to do but rather how to decide. This may be why Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world. Whether you’re visiting Paris for the first time or want an overview of what the city has to offer, this ultimate guide to Paris has you covered; all you have to do now is pack your bags!
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The Notorious Sights
Any trip to the French capital will undoubtedly include visiting a long list of monuments. With the endless list of renowned sights in Parisian guides, you won’t run out of things to see. For ticketed sights, we recommend booking in advance to avoid queues as much as possible and perhaps get better online or early bird deals.
Eiffel Tower: The Eiffel Tower hardly needs an introduction. It’s right next to the Champ de Mars, where you can have a break from walking and take in the tower in all its glory. The tower sparkles during the first 5 minutes of each hour after nightfall. The last sparkle varies from 23:00 to 01:00, depending on the time of year.
Basilique du Sacré-Coeur: This Catholic basilica sits on the highest hill in Paris in the Montmartre neighbourhood, making it a beautiful place to pause and adore the city’s panorama. Its height is topped only by the Eiffel Tower. The church is open all day for anyone wanting to visit.
Musée du Louvre: The Louvre is the world’s most visited museum and home to numerous masterpieces, including the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. It can take a lifetime to experience the 35,000 artworks, so don’t stress about seeing it all; multi-day passes are available if you’d like to spread out your visit. After being in the museum, head to Cafe Marly for a cute meal with a beautiful view of the Louvre in the background. You should also walk around the nearby Tuileries Garden to top everything off.
Les Champs-Elysées: One of the most famous avenues in the world, known for its theatres, cafes, and designer stores. You’ll find the Arc de Triomphe proudly standing at the end of the boulevard.
Arc de Triomphe: You can admire the Arc from the street or climb to the top for a stunning panoramic view of the city, which includes the Eiffel Tower and Champs-Élysées, all the way to the Louvre. A lift is also available in addition to stairs.
Cathédrale Notre-Dame: The Notre-Dame still stands majestic on the Île de la Cité despite the fire in 2019. You’ll love its Gothic architecture, magnificent stained glass, and fascinating history. The outside continues to be remarkable while the interior is being restored.
Seine: Walk along this infamous river and enjoy the stalls, art, and Parisian atmosphere. You can also do a river cruise and effortlessly sightsee. For maximum vibes, grab a bottle of wine and picnic foods and enjoy the banks of the Seine during sunset.
Musee D’Orsay: The Musée d’Orsay, the second-most-visited museum in Paris, hosts a vast collection of Impressionist art. Enjoy exploring the various rooms filled with masterpieces by artists like Degas, Cézanne, Manet, Renoir, and Monet. Pre-booking online is recommended for priority access.
Palace of Versailles: The Palace of Versailles served as the primary residence of French kings from the time of Louis XIV to Louis XVI. Refined by several generations of architects, decorators, sculptors, and landscape architects and for more than a century, it was a model for the ideal royal palace in Europe. It’s absolutely breathtaking, but you must also rent a bike and cycle around the gardens, it’s the most magical experience.
Palais Garnier: One of Paris’ most opulent buildings, this opera house is the pinnacle of Napoleon III architecture. Inside, make sure to channel a “Phantom of the Opera” moment on the famous lobby’s Grand Staircase, a triumph of grandiose Parisian design. Maybe even see an opera if you have the chance!
Other Nice Things to Do:
See a cabaret show: Check out Crazy Horse, a favourite amongst many. Or hit the legendary Moulin Rouge, the birthplace of the French Cancan.
Visit a bookshop: Some good picks include The Abbey Bookshop, Shakespeare & Co, La Hune, Librairie Galignani, Le Gai Rossignol, we could go on. Check some out!
Listen to jazz: Is there a better way to experience the Parisian vibe than with music? There are countless well-known jazz clubs in Paris, some of which have been around for decades. They offer a range of styles, from the traditional to the avant-garde. A few include Sunset/Sunside Jazz Club, Le Duc des Lombards, 38 Riv and Chez Papa Jazz Club.
Canal Saint Martin: This is where all the locals hang out, and we don’t blame them. It’s away from the tourists, and the vibe here is much slower and calmer. Walking along, there are plenty of restaurants, great cafes, boutiques, bookstores, gelato places – absolutely everything.
Père Lachaise Cemetery: Visiting this cemetery is dreary but in the best possible way. A fascinating look at how the city has changed over time may be found in the display of countless layers of Parisian history. Edith Piaf, Frédéric Chopin, Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde and Eugène Delacroix are some of the most visited graves here.
BNF Richelieu Library: An absolute hidden gem! This is the most magical library you’ll ever see. Whether you want to read or just walk through, don’t miss out.
Samaritaine Paris Pont-Neuf: This Art Nouveau and Art Deco landmark is one of Paris’s oldest department stores. It’s a destination for those looking to shop for souvenirs, luxury labels and up-and-coming designers. Thanks to an €847 million renovation, it’s a magnet for lovers of architecture, too. There’s also a spa in the basement, so go on, treat yourself!
Fashion Museums: Paris being a fashion capital means there’s a lot to do for fashion lovers. Check out The Palais Galliera, Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Musée Yves Saint Laurent, La Galerie Dior and Le19M.
More Art Museums: The art in Paris is neverending. Visit Musée Picasso, Musée Marmottan Monet, Petit Palais, Centre Pompidou, Musée du Quai Branly, Jeu de Paume or Musée de l’Orangerie.
Districts and Neighbourhoods
Le Marais: Le Marais is the historic heart of Paris. It’s a blend of old charm and modern creativity with a trendy and charming atmosphere. As you walk through the streets, you’ll find 17th-century mansions turned into museums, fashionable boutiques and cute cafes to get some French pastries. It’s lovely to walk around; make sure to head to Place des Vosges, the oldest planned square in Paris, with perfectly landscaped gardens and elegant arcades.
Montmartre: Full of charm with a bohemian village feel, Montmartre was once home to Van Gogh and Picasso. The place has vibrant streets and bars and some iconic monuments such as the Sacré-Coeur and Le Mur des Je t’aime. If you take the Line 40 Bus, which used to be called the Montmatre Bus, you’ll go all over Montmatre without walking up and down the hills – it’s a local secret.
Le Quartier Latin: The Latin Quarter is the hub for thought and the arts, where great thinkers like Hemingway and Fitzgerald once roamed. The place has a lively and youthful atmosphere and is home to the Sorbonne University. Have a wander through the historic streets and dine in charming bistros.
Two Birds, One Stone: Attractions Accompanied by Free Views
Galeries Lafayette: Lafayette is a century-old department store and one of the most beautiful in the world. There also happens to be one of the best viewpoints of Paris inside. Head up to the top floor, follow the signs for the terrace and take it all in.
Centre Pompidou: Home to Europe’s most extensive modern and contemporary art collection, Centre Pompidou houses 100,000-pieces that date back to 1905. For the view, go to the fifth floor. The place is lit well during night, too.
223 Rue De L’universite: Come here if you want to see the Eiffel Tower from a less touristy angle. You’ll have a gorgeous close-up view with way less people and more of an authentic ambience.
Getting Around
Public transportation is the best and most affordable way to get around Paris. Paris has a robust metro system that can take you to most places faster and cheaper than a taxi. Purchasing tickets is straightforward; simply find a ticket box at any metro station and select the right option for you.
In Paris, there is so much you can see on foot. Walking from A to B means you’ll see the streets and be immersed in the vibe as you go along. Paris is also small enough to achieve this, although there may be times you’d want to take public transport.
We would also recommend renting a scooter. It’s a fun activity in addition to a method of transport.
Food and Drink
Cafés, boulangeries and patisseries: Paris is well known for its vibrant café scene. Take your time with a café au lait or a glass of wine while people-watching at a sidewalk café. For this iconic Parisian experience, the Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots in Saint-Germain-des-Prés are classic choices. Treat yourself to mouthwatering pastries, such as éclairs, pain au chocolat, and fresh croissants. You’ll discover why Parisians are so passionate about their pastries.
Markets: The Marché des Enfants Rouges is the oldest food market in Paris; it first opened in 1615. Have a wander through the bustling maze of stalls that offer everything from North African grains to Italian deli specialities. This market offers a laid-back and mainly outdoor social ambience for people who want a break from the formality of the usual French dining experience. Other markets include Rue Mouffetard or Marché d’Aligre.
Fine dining: There are countless Michelin-starred restaurants in Paris, delivering an unmatched culinary experience. You can indulge in stunning meals prepared by top chefs at restaurants like Le Jules Verne in the Eiffel Tower and Alain Ducasse’s Louis XV.
Paris Travel Tips
For those on a budget with food browsing this guide to Paris, walk at least five streets away from any touristy sight. Food will be a lot better as well as cheaper. That’s a rule for any trip, but especially Paris. If you want to drink some wine, go to the grocery store; wine is very cheap and excellent.
You’ll probably want to visit the Louvre but won’t want to wait in the queue. You should check out one of the secret entrances to the Louvre. Our favourite is through the metro station “Le Carrousel Du Louvre”, and you can enter the museum from the underground.
If you’re planning to visit a lot of museums, which Paris has some of the best, most museums are free on the first Sunday of every month. They’re always free if you’re under 26 and an EU citizen. If these traits don’t apply to you, you can save by getting a museum pass. Some museums are also closed on Mondays, so make sure to plan in advance.
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