Best Spots in Paris

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This is the entry point to the Eiffel Tower, where visitors can purchase tickets and access the first and second floors or the summit by elevator or stairs. Expect queues, especially in high season, though evening visits offer a calmer atmosphere. The site also includes restaurants, a champagne bar, and event spaces such as the Salle Gustave Eiffel.

The Avenue des Champs-Élysées has been Paris's grand ceremonial boulevard since the 17th century, running in a straight line from the Arc de Triomphe down to Place de la Concorde. Today it mixes flagship stores, car showrooms, and cafés, and remains one of the most-walked streets in the city, especially lively in the evening when it's lit up.

Standing at Place de l'Étoile, the Arc de Triomphe honors those who fought for France and shelters the tomb of the Unknown Soldier beneath its sculpted arch. Visitors climb 284 steps to a rooftop terrace for panoramic views over the Champs-Élysées and the city. The monument also features sculpted groups on its facade and hosts guided tours, family-oriented activities, and workshops.

Place de la Concorde is a vast, open square at the foot of the Champs-Élysées, part of the Paris, Banks of the Seine UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its centerpiece is the ancient Egyptian Luxor Obelisk, flanked by ornate fountains and statues. The square offers wide views across the Seine and toward the Tuileries Garden, making it a notable stop for walking Paris's historic landmarks.

Climb 284 steps to the terrace of this national monument on Place de l'Étoile for panoramic night views over the Champs-Élysées and the illuminated city. The lift is currently under maintenance, so access is by stairs only. Tickets cost €22, free for under-26s.

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.

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.

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.

The Champ-de-Mars was originally a parade ground for the adjacent military academy before becoming the public park it is today, hosting the 1889 and 1900 World's Fairs along with countless picnics and gatherings at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. It remains one of the best free spots in Paris to sit, picnic, and watch the tower, especially as it lights up at night.

A guided tour of the Eiffel Tower climbing 674 steps to the second floor with a small group (up to 20), with commentary on the tower's history and role in both World Wars. An elevator ride to the summit (3rd level) can be added for panoramic views over Paris.

A guided Louvre tour with reserved (skip-the-line) access, covering major works including the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Winged Victory of Samothrace, and pieces by Caravaggio and Michelangelo. An expert guide provides context and stories behind each masterpiece throughout the visit.

A 45-75 minute guided tour covering both the exterior and newly restored interior of Notre-Dame Cathedral. The guide explains the Gothic facade's symbols, flying buttresses, and rose windows, then leads guests inside to see the light-filled interior following its five-year post-fire restoration.

A 2-3 hour guided tour through the Louvre with a pre-reserved ticket for fast entry. The guide leads a route through the museum's most iconic works, including Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, and the Winged Victory of Samothrace, sharing the stories behind each. Guests can continue exploring independently after the guided portion ends.

Le Marais escaped much of Haussmann's 19th-century redevelopment, preserving narrow medieval streets and elegant 17th-century mansions alongside the Place des Vosges, one of the oldest planned squares in Paris. Today it mixes historic sites with an eclectic concentration of independent boutiques, galleries, and one of the city's most vibrant nightlife and LGBTQ+ scenes.

Near the Canopée des Halles and the Louvre, this brasserie has served round-the-clock since 8am to 5am, seven days a week. The menu features generous, traditional French dishes such as frog legs, cassoulet and pig's trotters, alongside a seafood selection also available for takeaway. With its classic Parisian décor, terrace and lively atmosphere, it's a spot for family lunches, late dinners or gatherings with friends.

Brasserie Des Prés serves classic French brasserie fare in Paris's 6th arrondissement. It belongs to the La Nouvelle Garde group, known for reviving traditional bistro cooking with a contemporary touch. Expect a lively, convivial setting suited to casual meals or drinks, in keeping with the group's other Parisian brasseries.

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.

This Rue Marbeuf branch of the Paris bistro chain offers just one dish: a walnut green salad followed by tender contre-filet steak in a secret sauce, served with homemade matchstick fries. Founded in 1959 by Paul Gineste de Saurs, the format has remained unchanged across generations. The setting reflects a classic, elegant Parisian bistro atmosphere, with efficient service and no menu to choose from.

Opened in 1875 to mark the inauguration of the Opéra Garnier, this Grands Boulevards brasserie retains its period charm. Open daily from 7am to 1am, it serves traditional French cuisine including pâté-croûte, steak au poivre and seafood platters. A sunny terrace and private salons make it suited to family lunches, post-theatre dinners or private events.

Le Petit Grain is a modern bakery popular for breakfast and coffee breaks, offering pastries, grab-and-go sandwiches, and high-end juices. Regulars praise the consistent quality of its pain au chocolat and croissants, often returning daily. Prices are considered good value for the quality, and the spot regularly draws a line of customers out the door.

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.

Saint-Germain-des-Prés dates back to the 6th century, making it the oldest church still standing in Paris, though most of the current structure was rebuilt around the 11th century. It anchors the historic square and neighborhood that share its name, and remains an active parish church as well as a landmark stop for visitors exploring the Left Bank.

The Bois de Vincennes is even larger than the Bois de Boulogne and anchors the eastern edge of Paris, combining woodland, a boating lake, the Paris Zoo, and the medieval Château de Vincennes within its grounds. It offers enough to fill a full day, and reviewers note it rewards a longer visit rather than a quick pass-through.

The Grand Palais is a landmark exhibition hall known for its massive glass dome and grand architecture. It hosts rotating art exhibitions, drawing queues for popular shows. Visitors praise the building itself as much as the exhibitions, along with thoughtful curation and well-stocked museum shops. It stands directly across from the Petit Palais.