Discover Paris’s 127 best Landmark Hunter spots for your trip

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Built by Louis XIV as a home for wounded soldiers, this landmark complex now houses the Musée de l'Armée and Napoleon's tomb beneath its gilded dome. The emperor's remains, returned from Saint Helena in 1840, were placed here in a ceremony known as the Retour des Cendres.

Visitors can explore military history exhibits alongside the tomb itself.

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.

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.

This landscaped garden links the Louvre to Place de la Concorde, offering tree-lined paths, fountains, and statues alongside a central café. Visitors can expect a peaceful escape amid manicured lawns and gravel walkways, with occasional attractions like a Ferris wheel.

It's a popular spot for a quiet stroll or rest between museum visits.

Managed by the French Senate, this garden features landmarks such as the Médicis Fountain, the Orangerie, ornamental gates, statues and notable trees. Visitors can join guided tours, free horticulture courses, family-friendly trails and games, or explore the on-site Musée du Luxembourg and Davioud pavilion.

A music kiosk and beehive school add to its varied attractions across the grounds.

A 2-hour small-group guided tour of the Musée d'Orsay, housed in a former Beaux-Arts train station. The guide covers major works by Monet, Van Gogh, Renoir, Cézanne, and Degas, with skip-the-line entry and context on the Impressionist movement.

The Musée de l'Orangerie houses Claude Monet's Grandes Décorations, immersive Nymphéas paintings displayed in oval rooms designed for the works. It also holds the Walter-Guillaume collection, featuring paintings by artists such as Renoir, Cézanne, and Picasso.

Set in the Tuileries Garden, the museum offers guided tours, family workshops, and accessibility-adapted visits alongside its permanent and temporary exhibitions.

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.