Things to do in Paris: the must-sees and our tips

In short: Paris is best explored on foot, area by area, with the metro for longer distances. Book the big sights in advance (Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Versailles), leave time to wander the Marais, Saint-Germain-des-Prés and Montmartre, and end a day by the Seine.

The Eiffel Tower and the Trocadéro

No trip to Paris is complete without the Eiffel Tower. Book your ascent on the official website to avoid the queues, or simply enjoy the view: the most famous one is from the Trocadéro esplanade, across the Seine. In the evening, the tower sparkles for a few minutes at the start of every hour.

The Louvre, Orsay and the great museums

• The Louvre: one of the largest museums in the world (the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, the Egyptian antiquities). Book a time slot and pick two or three departments rather than trying to see everything.
• The Musée d’Orsay: the finest Impressionist collection (Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh), in a former railway station on the Seine.
• The Musée de l’Orangerie: Monet’s large Water Lilies, in two oval rooms in the Tuileries Garden.

Notre-Dame, the Sainte-Chapelle and the Île de la Cité

Notre-Dame de Paris reopened in December 2024 after its restoration: stepping inside the cathedral is one of the highlights of a stay. A few steps away, the Sainte-Chapelle and its stained glass are a marvel, even more beautiful on a sunny day. Then cross over to the quieter Île Saint-Louis for a walk along the quays.

The Marais

Mansions, small streets and boutiques: the Marais is one of the most pleasant areas to explore on foot. Don’t miss the Place des Vosges, the oldest square in Paris, the Picasso Museum and the Musée Carnavalet, dedicated to the history of the city. The area is very lively at weekends.

Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Latin Quarter

Literary cafés, bookshops and galleries: Saint-Germain-des-Prés embodies writers’ Paris. Head up to the Luxembourg Gardens for a break, then to the Panthéon and the narrow streets of the Latin Quarter, around the Sorbonne.

Montmartre and the Sacré-Cœur

On its hill, Montmartre still feels like a village: the Sacré-Cœur basilica and its view over all of Paris, the Place du Tertre and its painters, the cobbled lanes and stairways. Go up early in the morning to enjoy the calm.

The Seine, the Champs-Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe

• A Seine cruise gives you an overview of the monuments, especially beautiful at the end of the day.
• The Champs-Élysées lead to the Arc de Triomphe, whose terrace overlooks the great avenues radiating from it.
• The quays, the bridges (Pont Alexandre III, Pont Neuf) and the booksellers are best discovered on foot.

Off the beaten track

For a more everyday Paris: the Canal Saint-Martin and its footbridges, Belleville and its view over the city, the covered passages around the Grands Boulevards, or the neighbourhood markets in the morning.

Day trips from Paris

• The Palace of Versailles: the palace, the Hall of Mirrors and the gardens, to be booked in advance. The RER C serves the town.
• Disneyland Paris, in Marne-la-Vallée, by RER A: ideal for families.
• Giverny and Monet’s house, in spring and summer.

Getting around and planning

• The metro and RER cover the whole city and serve the airports; fares change regularly, so check the official Île-de-France Mobilités website before your stay.
• On foot, many sights are close to each other: group your visits by area.
• Book the big sights in advance, especially in high season and during school holidays.

To get in from the airports and plan the rest of your trip, see our guide Travel in France.

Where to stay in Paris

The right area depends on how you travel: the Marais for nightlife, Saint-Germain for a first visit, Opéra for families, Montmartre for a tighter budget. Every area is detailed in our guide Where to stay in Paris. For a day-by-day plan, see Paris in 3 days.