Discover Paris’s 200 best Elegant Eye spots for your trip

Montmartre rose to fame in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as home to artists like Picasso, Renoir, and Toulouse-Lautrec, and its steep, winding streets and staircases still carry that bohemian, village-like character despite the crowds. The Sacré-Cœur basilica and Place du Tertre are the main draws, but the quieter streets just off the tourist path retain much of the neighborhood's original charm.

Dover Street Market Paris occupies a striking 18th-century building in the Marais, its interior reimagined with an ever-changing series of art installation-style displays for a carefully curated mix of high fashion labels. It's a destination for serious fashion fans, with reviewers particularly praising the creative vision behind the space itself.

The Lavirotte Building, completed in 1901, is considered one of the finest examples of Art Nouveau architecture in Paris, with an elaborately sculpted facade of flowers, animals, and sinuous ironwork. It's viewed from the street rather than entered, making it a quick but memorable stop for architecture fans exploring the area near the Eiffel Tower.

AURA Invalides uses projection mapping and sound design across the historic courtyard of the Invalides to tell the story of the monument and Napoleon's tomb after dark. Reviewers consistently praise the quality of the lighting and storytelling as a fresh way to experience a site many have already seen by day.

The Luxembourg Palace was built in the early 17th century for Marie de' Medici and now houses the French Senate, set within the beloved Jardin du Luxembourg. While the palace interior has limited public access, the surrounding gardens — with their fountains, tree-lined paths, and green metal chairs — are one of the most cherished green spaces in Paris.

Built by Gustave Eiffel for the 1889 World's Fair, the Eiffel Tower remains the defining symbol of Paris and one of the most visited monuments in the world. This ticket gives access to either the 2nd floor, with sweeping city views, or all the way to the summit, weather permitting, and reviewers consistently praise the guided assistance included with the ticket.

The Salle Ovale reopened to the public in 2022 as part of the restored Richelieu site of the Bibliothèque nationale de France, its elegant oval design and glass-domed ceiling making it one of the most beautiful free public spaces in Paris. It functions as both a working reading room and a striking architectural sight, popular with students and visitors alike.

The Hôtel de la Marine occupies one of the twin buildings on Place de la Concorde designed by Ange-Jacques Gabriel in the 1770s, and served as the headquarters of the French Navy for over two centuries before its recent restoration and public opening. The interiors have been meticulously recreated to their 18th-century splendor, and reviewers consistently rate it among the best museum experiences in Paris.

This day trip travels roughly two hours from Paris to Étretat, a small coastal town in Normandy famous for its natural chalk arches and cliffs that once inspired painters like Monet and Courbet. Reviewers consistently praise the scenery and the knowledgeable guiding, describing it as a relaxing break from the pace of the city.

Basilique Sainte-Clotilde, completed in 1857, was one of the first major neo-Gothic churches built in Paris and its twin spires remain visible across the surrounding 7th arrondissement. Reviewers frequently describe it as an underappreciated gem, with particular praise for its stained-glass windows and peaceful atmosphere compared to the more crowded churches in the city center.

Maison La Roche was designed by Le Corbusier and his cousin Pierre Jeanneret in 1923-25 for the art collector Raoul La Roche, and stands as one of the earliest built expressions of Le Corbusier's modernist principles — pilotis, ribbon windows, and open floor plans that would influence architecture worldwide. It's now run by the Fondation Le Corbusier and open to the public as a museum.

Parc de Bagatelle centers on an 18th-century château built in just 64 days on a bet, and today is best known for its extensive rose garden, which peaks in bloom around June. Reviewers consistently rate it among the most beautiful gardens in Paris, especially during rose season, while remaining relatively uncrowded compared to central parks.

The Louvre occupies a former royal residence along the Seine, displaying tens of thousands of artworks and artifacts spanning ancient civilizations to the 19th century. Its collection includes the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, and the Winged Victory of Samothrace.

The museum's modern glass pyramid entrance, added in 1989, has become a landmark in its own right.

Palais Garnier opened in 1875 as the primary home of the Paris Opera, designed by architect Charles Garnier in an opulent Beaux-Arts style. The building features a grand marble staircase, gilded interiors, and a ceiling painted by Marc Chagall above the auditorium.

Visitors can tour the building during the day or attend ballet and opera performances.

Notre-Dame de Paris is a medieval Gothic cathedral known for its sculpted portals, stained-glass windows, and towers overlooking the Seine. It houses relics including the Crown of Thorns and a treasury of tapestries, icons, and liturgical art.

Visitors can attend Mass, explore the nave and chapels, or view exhibits on its architecture and history.

The Palais Garnier hosts the Opéra national de Paris's opera, ballet and concert performances, alongside exhibitions and guided tours of its lavish interiors. Built as part of the Opéra national de Paris's network of venues, it marks 150 years of history in 2025.

Visitors can attend performances, public rehearsals, or explore the building independently or with a group tour.

Designed by architect Frank Gehry, this striking glass-and-steel structure sits in the Bois de Boulogne park. The building's sail-like glass panels create a distinctive, deconstructed silhouette that draws attention alongside the art inside.

Exhibitions feature contemporary and modern art, with the architecture itself considered a major part of the experience. Visitors can also take in views of Paris from its terraces.

Printemps has anchored Boulevard Haussmann since 1865, its flagship store crowned by an ornate stained-glass cupola dating to 1923. Beyond the extensive fashion floors, the rooftop terrace offers one of the best free panoramic views in central Paris, making it a worthwhile stop even for non-shoppers.

Le Bon Marché opened in 1852 as the world's first modern department store, and today remains one of the most stylish and carefully curated shopping destinations in Paris, distinct from the larger, more crowded stores near Opéra. Its adjoining food hall, La Grande Épicerie, is considered a destination in its own right.

Built for Saint Louis, Sainte-Chapelle is a UNESCO-listed masterpiece of Rayonnant Gothic architecture within the Palais de la Cité. Its upper chapel is lined with towering stained-glass windows depicting biblical scenes, illuminating the space in color.

The Rose Window of the Apocalypse adds further detail to this soaring, light-filled interior. Tickets cost €22, with free entry for visitors under 26.

The Eiffel Tower rises above Paris with a ground-level parvis, a 2nd floor at 154m and a summit at 276m, each offering different views of the city. Visitors can ascend by elevator or stairs, with tickets sold for various levels and combinations.

Onsite dining includes the Madame Brasserie and a champagne bar, plus a boutique selling official souvenirs. Evening visits offer a quieter atmosphere with shorter queues.

Set in a former 18th-century palace overlooking Place de la Concorde, Hôtel de Crillon is a Rosewood property combining French heritage with contemporary design. It offers rooms and suites with marble detailing, several restaurants and bars including Nonos par Paul Pairet and Bar Les Ambassadeurs, plus a spa, hair salon and event spaces such as the Salons Historiques.

Expect an elegant, historic atmosphere in the heart of Paris.

The Eiffel Tower stays open into the evening, offering access to the 2nd floor and summit by elevator or stairs with typically shorter queues than daytime. Visitors can take in illuminated views over the Ville Lumière from the esplanade, 2nd floor (154m) or summit (276m).

Restaurants and a champagne bar are available on-site for those wanting to extend the experience.

Built for the 1900 World's Fair, this arched bridge links the Invalides quarter to the Champs-Élysées area near the Grand Palais. Its single steel span is adorned with gilded bronze sculptures, cherubs, and nymphs at each end, reflecting Belle Époque design.

The bridge offers open views along the Seine and makes for a scenic stop while walking between riverbank landmarks.

L'Oiseau Blanc pays tribute to early aviation, its decor and name inspired by the pioneering aircraft. Perched on a rooftop, it offers panoramic views of Paris alongside a refined dining experience.

Service is attentive, with staff often praised for enhancing the atmosphere. A notable choice for those seeking both scenery and a memorable French dining setting.

Butte Bergeyre sits on a small hill just above Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, a quiet cluster of streets that stayed largely undeveloped until the early 20th century and now includes a small community vineyard. Reviewers consistently describe it as a genuine hidden gem, with a surprising, unobstructed view toward the Eiffel Tower from one of its streets.

A roughly 2-hour dinner at Madame Brasserie, on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower, with a seasonal menu created by chef Thierry Marx. The set menu includes a starter, main course(s), dessert, and drinks (champagne, wine, beer, or soft drinks).

Small groups of up to 10 diners, with a choice of Eiffel Tower-view or Seine-view seating.

Place du Trocadéro sits atop the Chaillot hill, flanked by the twin wings of the Palais de Chaillot. The square opens onto terraces overlooking the Jardins du Trocadéro, with tiered fountains cascading down toward the Seine and the Eiffel Tower beyond.

It draws visitors for photographs and views, with street performers and vendors often present, and serves as a starting point for walks through the surrounding gardens.

Housed in a converted 19th-century foundry, this Culturespaces venue opened in 2018 as a digital art centre. Large-scale projections cover the walls, floor and ceiling, immersing visitors in works by artists such as Van Gogh alongside contemporary digital creations.

A rotating programme includes different shows on different days, plus a children's workshop space and a bookshop-boutique.

Musée d'Orsay occupies a former Belle Époque railway station, its grand hall and glass roof forming a striking backdrop for the collection inside. The museum specializes in Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works, alongside sculpture and decorative arts.

Timed-entry tickets help manage visitor flow, and many describe the building itself, with its ornate architecture and large clock, as a highlight alongside the artwork.