Paris, the capital of France, is synonymous with romance and love. It is the most popular tourist place in the world. Situated on the banks of the Seine River, this city is often called the ‘city of love’ and the ‘city of lights’. Paris is an iconic place where tourists from all over the world come for a vacation, celebration and honeymoon. Paris boasts beautiful architecture, monuments, palaces, art museums, cathedrals, landscaped gardens and shopping hubs. We give you the 10 best places to visit in Paris and things to do.
Tourists from India can board direct flights from Delhi and Mumbai to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in France, 23 km from central Paris. The train system in Paris provides good connectivity within and outside the city. Six train stations operate timely train services to and from various cities. The Eurostar high-speed railway operates to other European cities, as well.
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Paris famous places to visit #1: Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is the world’s most-visited tourist attraction. The iconic tower is the most famous Paris destination, designed by Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel in 1889 to mark the centenary of the French Revolution. The Eiffel Tower has three levels. The first floor has museum exhibits, a glass floor, souvenir shops and restaurants. There is a large observation deck on the 2nd floor of the Eiffel Tower, which provides stunning views of Paris. Reach the top level, at a height of 276 metres, through an exciting elevator ride from the second level. Stairs to the summit are closed to the public. You can reach the summit through a separate elevator on the second floor. Known as the ‘Iron Lady’, the Eiffel Tower is a symbol of the Parisian culture that is lit with about five billion lights every night.
How to reach the Eiffel tower
The nearest metro stations to the Eiffel Tower are Ecole Militaire on Line 8 and Bir-Hakeimon on Line 6. The nearest train station is Champ de Mars. Purchase tickets online in advance to avoid long queues.
Ticket with access to the top of the tower:
Adults: €26.80
Children (4 to 11 years): €6.70
Timings
The Eiffel Tower remains open from 9 am to 11:45 pm, which is the time of the last admission. Closure/evacuation begins at 12:45 am.
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Best places to visit in Paris #2: The Louvre Museum
The Louvre, the world’s largest museum, is one of the must-visit tourist places in Paris. The Louvre, which has a beautiful glass pyramid entrance, has one of the most impressive art collections with artwork and artifacts representative of 11,000 years of human civilization and culture. The 73,000-sq-metre exhibition space is divided into three sections: the Denon, Richelieu and Sully wings. This magnificent building was once the palace of French kings. Each wing has nearly 70 rooms displaying paintings and art objects and huge halls filled with sculptures. The world’s most visited museum, the Louvre Museum is located in the Louvre Palace with collections from early Mesopotamia, ancient Greece and Egypt, the Roman Empire and others. The Louvre is home to Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, Mona Lisa. This Renaissance painting is protected by bulletproof glass. Other works of art include the Code of Hammurabi, the Venus of Milo and The Dying Slave by Michelangelo, Egyptian antiquities and paintings by masters like Rembrandt and Rubens.
How to reach Louvre Museum
Nearest metro stations: Louvre-Rivoli (Line 1), Tuileries (Line 1), Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre (Lines 1 and 7) and Pont-Neuf (Line 7).
Tickets
Ticket price: €17
Admission to the temporary exhibitions and permanent collections is free for visitors aged below 18 years.
Timings
The Louvre is open on all days of the year from 9 AM to 6 PM, except on January 1, May 1 and December 25.
Best tourist places to visit in Paris #3: Palace of Versailles
A Paris trip is incomplete without a visit to the Palace of Versailles. The UNESCO-listed Château de Versailles is known for its extravagant royal court during the rule of Louis XIV. The Versailles Palace includes The Gardens, The Main Palace, Trianon Estate and the Queen’s Hamlet. The Main Palace has more than 2,300 rooms. The Hall of Mirrors (357 mirrors decorating 17 arches) and the King’s Bedchamber are worth visiting. The Royal Opera is another famous room in the Palace which was designed by Ange-Jacques Gabriel in 1692-82. It forms a part of the early Louis XVI architectural style. Around 1200 guests can be seated at a time in the Opera. This luxurious 17th-century palace was the residence of French monarchs, from Louis XIV to Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette, the last queen of France. The massive edifice is ornate and opulent. A tourist can enjoy a walk in one of the beautiful gardens set across 800 hectares, decorated with sculptures, flowers, fountains, a canal and alleys. The huge park is surrounded by a forest.
How to reach the Palace of Versailles
Versailles Château-Rive Gauche Station on Line C of the RER network is closest to the main entrance of the Palace (a 10-minute walk).
Tickets
Adults: €18
Children below 18 have free entry.
Access to the gardens is free. However, if there are special shows in the garden (Musical Gardens and Musical Fountains), an additional ticket may need to be purchased.
Timings
The Palace is open every day from 9 am to 6.30 pm, except on Mondays and May 1.
Places to visit in Paris #4: Rodin Museum
Rodin museum is home to the largest collection of 19th-century French sculptor, Auguste Rodin’s works. Rodin is considered the founder of modern sculpture. Hôtel Biron, which was the artist’s former residence, is one among the two Rodin museums in Paris, the other being his studio in Meudon. The artworks include 6,500 sculptures made of marble, bronze, terracotta and plaster and about 10,000 drawings, including lithographs, watercolours and engravings. The Musée Rodin has most of Rodin’s significant creations, including The Thinker, The Kiss and The Gates of Hell. Tourists can also enjoy Rodin’s personal art collection, including paintings by Van Gogh. The seven-acre French-style garden is the highlight of the museum. The garden is divided into thematic areas and provides a good view of the Eiffel Tower. It is a beautiful place to visit in Paris.
How to reach the Rodin Museum
The Saint-François-Xavier station is the nearest metro station to Musée Rodin in Paris. The closest train station to Musée Rodin is Les Moulineaux.
Tickets
Entry Fee: €12
Children below 18 have free entry.
Timings
Tuesday to Sunday: 10 AM – 6:30 PM (last entry at 5:45 PM). Closed on Mondays, January 1, May 1 and December 25.
Best tourist places to visit in Paris #5: The Latin Quarter-Luxembourg Park
The Jardin du Luxembourg (known in English as the Luxembourg Garden or the Senate Garden) is the second-largest public park in Paris and one of the most popular tourist places to visit in Paris. The picturesque gardens, spread over 25 hectares of land, have two parts: French gardens and English gardens. Between these two, lies a geometric forest and a large pond. There is also an orchard, an apiary to learn about bee-keeping, greenhouses with collections of colourful orchids and a rose garden. The garden has 106 statues throughout the park, the monumental Medici fountain, the Orangerie and the Pavilion Davioud. Luxembourg Garden is simply a place to relax and enjoy the lovely nature as the park has chairs and numerous benches.
How to reach the Luxembourg garden
The Saint-Sulpice station is nearest to Jardin du Luxembourg.
Tickets
Admission to the Jardin du Luxembourg is free though you might have to buy tickets for Luxembourg Garden’s activities such as the playground and the puppet theatre.
Timings
The gardens open every day between 7.30 AM and 8.15 AM and closed between 4.30 PM and 9.30 PM, according to the season.
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Visiting places in Paris #6: Champs Elysées/Arch of Triumph
The Arc de Triomphe is located at the western end of the Champs-Élysées, at the centre of the Place Charles de Gaulle. The arch honours those who fought for France, especially during the Napoleonic wars. The names of all the generals and wars fought are engraved on the inside and at the top of the arch. There are inscriptions on the ground, underneath the vault of the arch, which includes the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I and the Memorial Flame, making the Arc de Triomphe a patriotic place for Parisians. The monument measures 164 ft high and 148 ft wide. Climb the stairs to the top for a scenic view of the Elysian Fields and the avenues branching from the Arc in a star shape, giving it the historical name Place de l’Etoile (Square of the Star). The Champs Elysée is one of the most famous avenues in the world. Symbol of Paris, the Elysian Fields hosts events like the military parade on Bastille Day (July 14th) and it is the conclusion of the Tour de France. The Champs Elysées houses leading fashion houses.
How to reach Arc De Triomphe
You can reach the Arc de Triomphe via Lines 1, 2 or 6 on the city’s metro system or Line A on the RER commuter express train. Disembark at Charles de Gaulle Etoile.
Tickets
Adults: €13
Children below 18 have free entry.
Visiting place in Paris #7: Disneyland
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Disneyland Paris is one of the favourite visiting places for kids and adult fans of Disney in Paris. The 140-acre resort has two parks (Disneyland and Walt Disney Studios), eight resort hotels and a high-speed rail station. Disneyland Park has 50 rides and attractions across five themed lands – Adventureland, Fantasyland, Discovery land, Frontierland and Main Street USA. Disneyland Paris is situated in Chessy, a small French town, 40 minutes away from Paris city centre. It is the most-visited theme park in Europe. From Star Wars hyperspace and other thrill rides and mountain roller coasters to kid-friendly attractions like Sleeping Beauty Castle, it is a happy place to be in. Do not miss the world-famous Disney Stars on Main Street USA and their iconic night shows.
How to reach Disneyland
The Marne-la-Vallée/Chessy train station is just a 2-minute walk from the Disney Parks. The Mairie de Montrouge metro station is the nearest one to Disneyland.
Tickets
Super Magic 1 Day/1 Park
Adult: €105
Child (3-11): €97
Super Magic 1 Day/2 Parks
Adult: €144
Child (3-11): €136
Timings
Disneyland Park: 9:30 AM to 11:00 PM
Walt Disney Studios Park: 9:30 AM to 9:00 PM
Note: Timings may differ depending on the season or festive occasions. Please check the timings before booking your tickets.
Places to visit in Paris #8: Sainte-Chapelle
The Sainte-Chapelle is a well-known place to visit in Paris as it is one of the greatest Gothic masterpieces of Christendom. The Sainte-Chapelle consists of two superimposed sanctuaries: the Lower Chapel and the Upper Chapel. The altar displays a relic of the Crown of Thorns. The Sainte-Chapelle is famous for its 15 exquisite stained-glass windows that are almost 50 ft high and present over 1,000 scenes from the Bible, both the Old Testament and the New Testament. The convergence of the pointed arches at the ceiling creates beautiful shapes and shadows, highlighted by a dark blue and gold-starred night sky. The chapel was the former residence of the king of France. Built in the 13th century, the Sainte-Chapelle is an architectural wonder. It suffered significant damage during the French Revolution and was restored in the 19th century.
How to reach Sainte-Chapelle
The Saint-Michel station is the nearest one to Sainte-Chapelle.
Tickets
Adults: €11.50
Children below 17 have free entry.
Timings
Opening hours: 9:30 AM to 6 PM
Lunch break: 1 PM to 2:15 PM (Sainte Chapelle remains closed during lunch)
Sainte Chapelle remains closed on January 1, May 1 and December 25.
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Places to visit in Paris #9: Montmartre
Montmartre, located in the 18th arrondissement in Northern Paris, is one of the most popular neighbourhoods in the city that has has cobblestone alleys, hidden cafes, artists and rich history. Popularly known as Sacré-Coeur Basilica, this is located on the upland of Montmartre. This Basilica has immense spiritual significance and reflects Romano-Byzantine features. The portico, arches and walls represent nationalist themes while the garden and fountain are ideal for meditation and solemn serenity. Many eminent artists like Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, Vincent van Gogh and Amedeo Modigliani, have been inspired by Montmartre.
How to reach Montmartre
The nearest metro station to Montmartre is the Lamarck-Caulaincourt station.
Tickets
Visitors do not have to pay any entrance fee to see the basilica. However, visitors who want to explore the dome and crypt need to buy tickets.
Adults: €8
Children below 12 have free entry
Timings
DOME Opening hours: Every day from 10.30 AM to 8.30 PM.
Note: These times are subject to change and can vary according to the weather.
Paris Places to visit #10: Musée d’Orsay and Musee de L’Orangerie
The Musée d’Orsay museum and Musee de L’Orangerie has impressionist and post-impressionist paintings and a vast collection of sculptures, decorative arts and architectural elements. Museum d’Orsay is home to the iconic Bal au Moulin de la Galette by Renoir and the room at Arles de Van Gogh. Paintings by others eminent artists like Berthe Morisot, Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres, Eugène Carrière and Johan Barthold Jongkind, are also present here. An extension of Musée d’Orsay, Musée de L’Orangerie is best known for its enlarged Water Lilies paintings by Claude Monet. The eight massive paintings are divided across two oval rooms that are filled with natural light through a glass roof. Musée de L’Orangerie also has the Jean Walter-Paul Guillaume collection, which features works by artists like Renoir, Cézanne, Picasso and Matisse.
How to reach Musée d’Orsay and Musee de L’Orangerie
Auber is the closest train station to Musée d’Orsay and Cergy le Haut is the closest station to Musee de L’Orangerie.
Tickets
Musée d’Orsay
Adults: €15.40 for adults
Adults with children under 18 years: €12.40
Musée de L’Orangerie
Adults: €12.50
Children below 18 have free entry.
Timings
Wednesday – Monday: 9 AM – 6 PM.
Tuesday: Closed
Things to do in Paris
Paris has many wonderful options whether you’re an art lover, a history buff or simply a curious tourist. Here are some amazing things to do in Paris.
Cruise on the river Seine
In a city full of magical things to see and do, few activities can be more enjoyable than a trip along the river Seine. Cruise on the Seine runs nearly 800 km through France. Cruising the river as it winds through Paris is one of the most romantic things to do. Seine cruises pass under various bridges in Paris, providing beautiful scenes of the Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Eiffel Tower.
Walking tours
There are various tour walks in Paris. The food tours will leave you wanting more. From wine shops in the historic quarter to the best of French food like cheese, baguettes, chocolate and wine, treat your tastebuds. The street art tours take you through the Pere Lachaise Cemetery. This is the perfect tour for writers and painters to explore the Paris of legendary artists such as Monet, Renoir, Matisse, Picasso, Oscar Wilde, James Joyce and Victor Hugo.
Paris at night
If Paris by day is beautiful, Paris by night is breathtaking. The Eiffel Tower is one of the best things to see in Paris at night, especially when it’s all lit up. Cabarets in Paris are an entertaining part of the Paris nightlife. Moulin Rouge is synonymous with Parisian culture. Walk through the red windmill that gives the Moulin Rouge its name to enjoy the colourful cabarets and a variety of dinner and champagne options.
Shopping in Paris
Paris, the fashion capital of the world, has something for every shopper, regardless of your style, budget and interests. Paris has luxury stores, second-hand stores, sustainable boutiques, vintage shops, antique markets, shopping malls and flea markets. From trendy dresses to gorgeous accessories and elegant bags to classy shoes, you will find everything in Paris. Located between three of Paris’ most famous boulevards – Avenue des Champs-Élysées, Avenue Montaigne and Avenue George V – ‘the golden triangle’ is the best shopping area in Paris. The area boasts of the best labels in the business, including Louis Vuitton, Dior, Gucci, Valentino and Chanel. Boulevard Saint Germain is one of the best places to shop in Paris for home décor, fashion and gourmet food. For affordable shopping in Paris, explore the Marais district, spread over the 3rd and 4th arrondissements. Rue de Rivoli has ready-to-wear brands at affordable prices and small boutiques. St Ouen Flea Market is worth exploring for antiques. Paris is known for its fragrant soaps. Soaps have been made in France since the Middle Ages and you can find them easily in almost all the shops. Your shopping cannot be complete without chocolates from Paris.
Must-have food in Paris
From Michelin-star fine dining restaurants to tasty street food, Paris has lots for food lovers. A tourist must have the baguette. These thin and long loaves of bread are ideal for sandwiches or to be simply enjoyed with a little bit of butter. You cannot call yourself a dessert lover if you don’t taste the genuine Parisian macaron, the quintessential French cookie. They come in various flavours like pistachio, chocolate, raspberry, rose petals, matcha, passion fruit, salted caramel and red velvet, Visit Ladurée, the original creator of macarons and the most renowned sweet shop in Paris. Croissant is one of the most famous French foods. This flaky, buttery pastry is perfect for breakfast or a snack. Another must-have in Paris is éclairs, which are commonly filled with custard and topped with chocolate icing. Do not miss soufflés desserts. They are usually served hot and come in a variety of flavours. Chocolate soufflés are particularly popular. France has hundreds of different types of cheese so do try a creamy brie, a salty comté and camembert, and the tangy Roquefort. French onion soup, served with toasted bread, will make you marvel at the culinary talent of the city.
FAQs
Is Notre Dame cathedral open in Paris?
A fire destroyed portions of the Notre Dame Cathedral in 2019. Hence, it is closed. The reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris is slotted for 2024.
How can I get cheap Paris attraction tickets?
A lot of websites have Paris attraction ticket deals at competitive prices for the most popular attractions. Paris combo tickets (also known as Paris bundles) are a good alternative to a Paris city pass. A Paris bundled ticket combines two or three tickets or tours in a single purchase item and saves you time and money. You can also buy the Paris Pass, which includes a Museum Pass along with other tours, cruises and metro tickets.
Is Paris hop-on hop-off bus worth it?
Using a hop-on hop-off open-top, double-decker bus tour is an interesting way of exploring Paris. You get to see the main attractions easily as the bus stops near them rather than having to refer to maps and routes. Enjoy the convenience of hop-on hop-off access at any stop along the route, to see places like the Louvre, Moulin Rouge and the Eiffel Tower as you listen to an informative audio commentary, available in 11 languages. This is ideal to explore Paris on a budget. These tours run between 9:30 AM and 8:30 PM, every 30-40 minutes. The night tour begins at 8:15 PM. Please check the websites for exact entry fees as they are subject to change depending on combination tickets. Timings are also revised as per season in Paris. While planning your sightseeing in Paris, keep in mind that many museums are closed on Mondays or Tuesdays. Most stores in Paris are usually open from 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM from Monday to Saturday.