Planning your trip in Paris: all the must-sees

Every year, millions of visitors come to Paris from all over the world. Many of you marvel at a cultural, architectural and historical heritage that is unique in Europe. With so much to discover, how do you plan your trip and choose which monuments, sites and activities to visit? Discover our selection of must-see attractions to suit all tastes and audiences!

6 must-see tourist sites in Paris

Paris boasts an impressive number of monuments and museums that delight tourists from all over the world. Are you planning a trip to the City of Light? Our must-see tourist sites will help you plan your vacation.

1. The Eiffel Tower, symbol of Paris

Built for the tenth Universal Exhibition, the Eiffel Tower has dominated the Paris skyline since 1889. Although it has since lost its status as the world's tallest tower, it remains the place that epitomizes French art de vivre and elegance.

Every year, the Eiffel Tower attracts millions of visitors who take its elevators or staircases to reach its three floors. From the various platforms, you'll enjoy breathtaking views of the Seine, the rooftops of Paris and the capital's other emblematic monuments. Several restaurants welcome you for a dinner between heaven and earth, to discover French gastronomy. Fine gourmets can dine at Jules Verne, a Michelin-starred restaurant on the 2nd floor, or discover the cuisine of Madame Brasserie, created by chef Thierry Marx. 

Our advice? Book your Eiffel Tower ticket online to save precious time on arrival and make the most of your visit! You can also opt for a package deal combining reserved access to the Eiffel Tower and dinner at Madame Brasserie.

2. The Louvre, the world's largest museum

Created during the French Revolution, the Musée du Louvre was conceived from the outset as a universal museum. Its exceptional collections are housed in the sumptuous rooms of a palace that was once the residence of the kings of France. 

A visit to the Louvre allows you to admire Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece, the Mona Lisa. But there's much more to the Louvre, the museum of superlatives, than just this painting, exceptional though it may be. The institution houses half a million works, over 33,000 of which are on public display. Its departments cover a wide range of themes: Oriental, Egyptian, Greek, Etruscan and Roman Antiquities, Islamic Arts, Works of Art, Sculptures, Paintings, Graphic Arts and Byzantine and Oriental Christian Arts invite you on a journey to discover some of history's greatest civilizations.

Our advice? Opt for your visit to the Musée du Louvre with priority access and save precious time at the entrance with an escort to the Mona Lisa, one of the world's most famous paintings. You can then continue your visit at your leisure and explore the museum at your leisure.

3. The Sainte-Chapelle, a showcase of light

In the 13th century, Saint-Louis acquired the Crown of Christ from the Latin emperor of Constantinople, considered by Christian tradition to be the crown worn by Christ at the crucifixion. He then acquired the True Cross, the Holy Sponge and the iron of the Holy Lance, other relics of the Passion. The price was commensurate with their religious value, as the sum spent represented nothing less than half the annual income of the French Crown.

To provide these precious relics with a setting worthy of their unique value, King Louis IX commissioned the construction of the Sainte-Chapelle, a Gothic chapel with large windows adorned with sumptuous stained glass. The light passing through the colored glass brings to life 1,113 scenes from the Old and New Testaments, recounting the history described in the Bible, from the creation of the world to the arrival of the relics in Paris in the 13th century. The poetry and elegance that emanate from the site should not blind you to the architectural prowess behind its construction. Self-guided and guided tours allow you to discover this Paris landmark.

4.The Basilica of the Sacré Coeur, a place of perpetual adoration

The 1870 defeat by the Prussian armies and the Commune uprising had a profound effect on Parisians.The decision was taken to build a great basilica as reparation for the sins committed and as a symbol of appeasement and reconciliation. Land was acquired at the top of a hill where saints had been tortured, and a large-scale national subscription campaign was organized to raise the necessary funds for the construction site. Architect Paul Abadie drew inspiration from Romanesque and Greek churches to design a basilica unlike any other in Paris, whose white stone domes seem to soar skyward. 

Although it can be visited, the Sacré Coeur Basilica remains a building dedicated to religious services. Day and night, all year round with the exception of the day and night of Good Friday, the faithful take turns in perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. This practice has never stopped, even during the two world wars and the pandemic of 2020.

During your visit to the Sacré-Coeur Basilica, you can also discover Montmartre, a picturesque district that has welcomed artists from all over the world for over a hundred years.

5. The Musée d'Orsay, a temple to Impressionism

Just a few hundred meters from the Louvre, you'll find another of Paris's must-see museums. Housed in a former railway station built at the very end of the 19th century, the Musée d'Orsay boasts one of the world's finest collections of Impressionist art. The large, bright exhibition spaces showcase paintings by Manet, Renoir, Monet, Pissarro and Cézanne, which take on new dimensions under the immense glass roofs. The museum also features a collection of sculptures, medals, photographs and decorative arts.

Temporary exhibitions regularly renew the pleasure of your visit, and introduce you to the techniques and secrets of the greatest painters of the 19th and early 20th centuries.

6. Notre-Dame de Paris, a jewel of Gothic art

It took almost two centuries to build one of the most magnificent cathedrals of the medieval era. The architecture of Notre-Dame de Paris bears witness to this two-hundred-year project, borrowing features from both Early Gothic and Radiant Gothic. Hard hit by a violent fire in 2021, France's most famous cathedral saw a whole nation mobilize at its bedside. The edifice is currently undergoing impressive restoration work to restore its beauty and grandeur. 

The interior and immediate surroundings of the cathedral are not open to visitors during the restoration work, but you can make the most of a stroll along the Ile de la Cité to get closer to this unmissable monument.

3 activities to share as a couple in Paris

Are you visiting Paris as a couple? As the romantic destination par excellence, the City of Light has become a melting pot for the memories of many couples. Discover a selection of places to visit and activities to enjoy together in Paris!

1. Embark on a cruise on the Seine

A cruise on the Seine gives you a different view of Paris, allowing you to admire the city's landmarks as you go. The barges provide a romantic backdrop for a cruise, which can be accompanied by lunch or dinner in the dining room or on deck.

Away from the hustle and bustle of France's leading city, make the most out of your cruise on the Seine to enjoy a special moment for two. Our advice? Opt for an evening cruise, and let yourself be carried away by the romantic atmosphere of a sunset experienced from the Seine, set against the backdrop of illuminated monuments and the glittering Eiffel Tower.

2. Stroll through the Parc des Buttes Chaumont

The largest public garden in the city of Paris is an ode to the landscapes of France. The 25-hectare garden showcases different natural regions, from the cliffs of Étretat to Mediterranean groves and Alpine meadows. A cave has been recreated from scratch, and a rocky island stands in the middle of a lake, crowned by the Temple of Sybil.

A couple's stroll through the alleys of the Parc des Buttes Chaumont promises an enchanted interlude during your visit to Paris. From the top of the Belvédère island, you and your loved ones can contemplate an unusual view of Paris as you exchange kisses.

3. Visit the Museum of Romantic Life

Housed in a former 19th-century mansion at the foot of the Butte Montmartre, the Musée de la Vie Romantique is dedicated to love. On the first floor, you'll discover the life of George Sand, a novelist known for her iconoclastic character and passionate love affairs with famous men such as composer Frédéric Chopin. On the second floor, you'll find sculptures and objects on the themes of love and romanticism. 

You can round off your visit with a stroll through the garden and a break in the small café. This is the perfect opportunity to express your love for each other, with words, glances or kisses!

3 family activities in Paris

Activities and tourist sites welcome children and their parents for special family moments.

1. Experience the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie

Just north of Paris, in the Parc de la Villette, the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie lets children explore the secrets of science. Numerous fun, interactive and unusual experiments appeal to their senses and stimulate their imagination. Younger visitors can have fun learning about a variety of themes, including the body, communication, the garden, the factory, the TV studio and water games. They can even relive the daily life of submariners by exploring the Argonaute, a real submarine transformed into a museum.

From the age of 2 up to 77 and beyond, the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie is the place to be with your children... or grandchildren!

2. Reaching for the stars at the Palais de la découverte

Another place that combines science and fun, the Palais de la découverte is one of the leading child-friendly museums in Paris. It introduces the youngest visitors to the secrets of science through interactive experiments. You can introduce the youngest visitors to astronomy in the Planetarium, invite them to explore the solar system in the Sun and Planets room, and let them discover the secrets of sound in the Acoustics room.

Located in the heart of Paris, on the Champs Elysées, the Palais de la découverte promises unforgettable family moments!

3. Meet the animals of the Parc zoologique de Paris

 

Covering an area of around 15 hectares, the Parc zoologique de Paris is home to several hundred animal species, and runs for 4 kilometers. The animals evolve in areas that faithfully recreate their natural habitat, and children and parents alike can see giraffes, lions, monkeys, jaguars, wolves, penguins and sea lions, among others.

There are also food and beverage outlets where you can enjoy a gourmet break or an ice cream with the whole family. You can also share in the day-to-day life of the animal caretakers through hands-on experiments, accessible to children aged 6 and over.

What to see in Paris in 1, 2 or 3 days

 

A lifetime is not enough to discover all the treasures of Paris! Can you devote just one day or a two- or three-day weekend to discovering the City of Light? If so, you'll have to make choices in order to enjoy an immersive experience and diversify your discoveries. We've put together a selection of tourist sites and activities to help you get to know the soul of Paris, capture the beauty of the capital and enjoy an unforgettable experience in the time you have available!

• 1 day in Paris: access a selection of activities and visits and discover the must-see tourist attractions.

• 2 days in Paris: prepare your stay in Paris in two days with our suggested tours to the capital's most beautiful destinations.

• 3 days in Paris: prepare your stay in Paris in three days with our suggested tours to the capital's most beautiful destinations.