Paris is called the City of Light for good reason: its palaces along the Seine, world-class museums and atmospheric cafés have drawn travellers from all over the world for centuries. The French capital is at once elegant and bohemian, monumental and intimate. Whether you're visiting for the first time or a returning guest, these places offer a lasting experience.
1. Eiffel Tower
Paris's undisputed symbol was designed by Gustave Eiffel for the 1889 World's Fair, originally intended as a temporary structure. You can reach the three levels of the 330-metre iron structure by lift or stairs (674 steps to the second level). On a clear day you can see 70 km from the top, and in the evening the tower sparkles for 5 minutes every hour. Advance booking is compulsory, queuing can take 2–3 hours without a prior reservation.
2. Louvre
The world's largest and most visited museum displays more than 35,000 works, including the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo and the Winged Victory of Samothrace. You enter through the glass pyramid of the former royal palace, I. M. Pei's iconic creation is a sight in itself. One day isn't enough for everything, so pick your favourite sections in advance. On Wednesday and Friday evenings it's open until 21:45 and far less crowded.
3. Notre-Dame
This masterpiece of Parisian Gothic stands on the Île de la Cité, and after the restoration following the 2019 fire it shines more beautifully than ever. Begun in 1163, the cathedral's rose windows, pointed vaulting and gargoyles are captivating. Climbing the towers (422 steps) lets you admire the gargoyles and the Parisian panorama up close. The area around the cathedral, the Île de la Cité and the neighbouring Île Saint-Louis are lovely to stroll through too.
4. Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur
Paris's highest-lying district, where Toulouse-Lautrec, Picasso and Modigliani once created their art. From the steps of the white-domed Sacré-Cœur basilica you get one of the best panoramas of Paris, especially magical at sunset. On Place du Tertre, painters and portraitists still work today, while atmospheric bistros and wine cellars hide in the narrow streets. The windmill of the Moulin Rouge stands in the Pigalle district at the foot of the hill.
5. Champs-Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe
The world's most famous avenue runs nearly 2 km from Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe. From the top of the arch (284 steps) there's a stunning view over the star-shaped junction of avenues and the Eiffel Tower. Luxury brands, cafés and cinemas line the avenue, in December the Christmas illuminations are magical. Beneath the arch, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the eternal flame commemorate the victims of the First World War.
6. Musée d'Orsay
Housed in a former railway station, this museum holds the greatest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art. The most important works by Monet, Renoir, Degas, Van Gogh and Cézanne are all here. The building's interior, with its huge glass roof and giant clock, is impressive in itself. The museum stands on the bank of the Seine, opposite the Louvre, so the two can be combined in a single day.
7. Palace of Versailles
The former residence of the Sun King, Louis XIV, is a 30-minute train ride from Paris (RER line C) and the embodiment of French absolutism. The Hall of Mirrors, with its 357 mirrors and crystal chandeliers, is the climax of the palace, and the gardens are a geometric masterpiece spanning 800 hectares. Set aside a whole day, as the Trianon palaces and Marie Antoinette's farm are worth seeing too. Closed on Mondays; Tuesday has the fewest tourists.
8. Latin Quarter (Quartier Latin)
The district on the left bank of the Seine has been defined by the Sorbonne and its students for centuries. In the narrow streets you'll find Greek restaurants, bookshops (the legendary Shakespeare and Company!) and jazz clubs. The Luxembourg Gardens are within walking distance of the quarter and a favourite resting spot for Parisians, you can sail model boats on the pond. Beneath the dome of the Panthéon rest Victor Hugo, Marie Curie and Voltaire.
9. A stroll along the Seine
Both banks of the Seine are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the loveliest way to discover Paris is a riverside walk or a boat trip. The one-hour tours of the Bateaux Mouches and the Vedettes du Pont Neuf are most beautiful in the evening, when everything is lit up. Along the embankment, the green stalls of the bouquinistes (antiquarian booksellers) are an iconic Parisian sight. In summer, the Paris Plages programme sets up a beach on the quay, with sun loungers and palm trees.
10. Sainte-Chapelle
The crown jewel of Gothic architecture stands on the Île de la Cité near Notre-Dame, yet fewer people know about it. The 15 huge stained-glass windows of the upper chapel depict 1,113 biblical scenes, and the incoming light creates a kaleidoscopic experience. The chapel was built by Louis IX (Saint Louis) in 1248 to house Christ's relics. It's best to visit on a sunny morning, when the windows shine brightest, a combined ticket with the Conciergerie is also available.
Practical tips
- Museum Pass: a 2- or 4-day museum pass that provides skip-the-line entry to 50+ museums and monuments, worth it for 4 or more sites.
- Bakeries vs. cafés: a breakfast croissant and coffee at the corner bakery costs €3–4, while a café terrace charges double, the quality is the same.
- Metro etiquette: don't hold the metro doors open, keep to the right on escalators, and give up designated seats, Parisians appreciate this greatly.
- Free days: most national museums are free on the first Sunday of each month, expect bigger crowds on these days.
- Tipping: in France the service charge is included in the price (service compris), so tips aren't required, but €1–2 for the waiter is a mark of appreciation.