Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world, and it’s a city people tend to visit not just once, but multiple times throughout their lives. It’s known for its historical monuments, cultural significance, and historic architecture - and a lot of it. First-time visitors may discover that not all famous attractions in Paris deliver a worthwhile experience. Some monuments, restaurants, and shops are overrated TikTok trends, some museums aren’t worth it unless you have a very specific interest, and some areas of town aren’t worth a wander.
The team at Paris in my Pocket has been wandering the city for over a decade, helping travelers like you to have the best possible time in the City of Light. Today, we’re going to share a roundup of the most well-known places in Paris that just might not be worth your time (especially during peak tourist seasons!). We’ll go over some better alternatives, whether for better value, atmosphere, or authenticity.
The Most Famous Places in Paris
Here are some of the most famous places in Paris. This is a non-exhaustive list, and we’re not necessarily recommending them all. But we recommend a few, and what we advise against:
The Eiffel Tower: The symbol of Paris, located in Western (not central!) Paris. We’d skip this.
The Louvre: An enormous fortress in central Paris turned art museum, housing over 36,000 pieces of art, including the Mona List. We’d skip this unless you have a guide and are a huge art enthusiast.
Notre-Dame: A gorgeous gothic cathedral in the heart of Paris, recently renovated after a fire tore through it in 2019. We’d visit this.
Sacré-Cœur: A white domed basilica perched atop the hill of Montmartre, giving a stunning view of Paris. We’d skip the inside of this, but visit the outside.
Arc de Triomphe: One of the best views of Paris from this archway commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte. We’d visit this; we love this view.
Champs-Élysées: A famous Parisian boulevard that now feels a bit like an outdoor strip mall. We’d skip this.
Musée d'Orsay: A fantastic musuem with lots of impressionist works; smaller and more manageable than the Louvre. We’d visit this.
Sainte-Chapelle: A beautiful chapel located in the center of Paris, with stained glass windows that will take your breath away. We’ve visit this only if you have time on a perfect sunny afternoon.
Montmartre: The hill of Paris, famous for it’s wild, artistic energy of the last 1800s and early 1900s. We’d visit this, going up the back way.
Palais Garnier: The famous opera house in the 8th arrondissement, inspiration for Phantom of the Opera. We’d visit this.
Panthéon: A church turned mausoleum housing tombs of France’s greatest. We’d visit this.
Luxembourg Gardens: A central garden in Paris; wonderful for walking and people watching. We’d visit this.
Père Lachaise: A huge cemetery boasting famous tombs and beautiful little alleys. We’d definitely visit this.
Pont Alexandre III: A bridge with golden statues and a great view of the Eiffel tower. We’d skip this, but you can see if from afar easily.
The Latin Quarter: A neighborhood once known for being the home of academics and writers. You’ll likely not skip this.
Is Paris Overrated?
As a team of people who love to live in, share, and promote Paris, we feel confident in our ability to say: No, Paris is not overrated. Are there overrated experiences in Paris? Absolutely. Overrated restaurants? Plenty. There is a side of the internet that shows the boutique, high-end, ultra-wealthy side of Paris that exists really only for tourists who can spend their way through the city, and while this side certainly exists, we’d call it overrated. Why? It’s not the experience of true Paris, the Paris of locals, and the Paris of the dreamers.
However, because of this highly curated projected vision of the city we so often run into (hello, Emily in Paris), when people arrive here, they often feel let down or scammed to find that at the end of the day, Paris is another big city. And because of its popularity - the scale of its tourism and commercialization - we recommend ditching some of the most famous spots in favor of exploring local neighborhoods, markets, and lesser-known museums. Paris our way won’t let you down.
Speaking of our way, if you like this guide, there’s much more where it came from. You can see all of our blog posts here (we post several new ones each month, and update old ones regularly). You can also access all of our extensive articles on preparing for your trip to Paris by grabbing our Guide. The Paris in My Pocket travel guide boasts hundreds of recommendations for the best bars, coffee shops, and restaurants in the city. We update it monthly, if not weekly, and do a full audit every year. If a location drops in quality, we drop it from the guide (it’s that simple). Plus, one purchase gives you access for life.
What Are Famous Places in Paris To Skip?
The Eiffel Tower
… or the need to be right next to it or even on top of it. The Eiffel Tower is magical because it’s unlike any other monument in the world, it’s huge, and it’s the pinnacle of Paris. Yes, you have to see this on your trip, but there are ways to do it where you can avoid being directly underneath it or on the Champ de Mars. For instance, here’s our video on the best locations for photos of the Eiffel Tower that allow you to avoid being part of the crowds, and will keep you from being a pickpocket's next victim:
Alternative
Worried about missing the view? The view from the Arc de Triomphe is better - you’ll see the whole of Paris, including the Eiffel Tower. Open Daily 11AM-11PM
The massive fruit desserts at Cédric Grolet
Don’t get us wrong, we love a dessert. But do you really want to wait in line for upwards of an hour to buy a couple of oversized realistic replicas of fruit? To go? These desserts go for €10-€20+ a pop, and there’s no place to sit, so you’ll have to scour the area for a park or a bench to sit down on (and in this part of town, the second arrondissement, this can be tricky - you’ll have to walk down to the Tuileries gardens).
Alternative
Instead, opt for a traditional French pastry, tarte, or cake from one of the thousands of absolutely delectable boulangeries in town. You’ll have a more affordable, authentic experience, and your money will be supporting a small business that could really use it.
The Louvre
Unless you know exactly what you love and what you want to see, barring the Mona Lisa, for a lot of people the Louvre isn’t worth it. It sounds crazy, of course, but part of what makes the Louvre so impressive is its architecture, and it’s easy to take the outside for granted when you’re spending hours inside of it.
Have a wander around the pyramid, and into the back courtyard, and even into the Tuileries gardens. It’s truly spectacular. If your only reason to visit the Louvre is for the Mona Lisa, we can tell you it’s not worth it. The painting is tiny, and you won’t get very close. Instead, you’ll stand in a sea of iPhones (side note, can we stop the trend of taking endless photos and videos in art museums?), and leave feeling crowded and disgruntled. If you don’t have a plan - don’t visit. The Louvre has over 33,000 pieces of artwork on display. It would take years to visit everything.
Alternative
Instead of rushing the crowds at the Louvre, you could wander through the quiet rooms of the Orangerie viewing Monet’s water lilies… It’s open Wednesday through Monday 9AM-6PM.
PRO TIP
If you have a specific area of interest that’s relevant to the Louvre (Italian Renaissance Art, Ancient Egypt, Sculptures, etc), then bring a tour guide to guide you around. They’ll keep you focused and interested. Our favorite tour guide for pretty much any museum in Paris is our good friend Amber Minogue. She’s also a comedian, so you’ll learn something new while having a really good time. To inquire, pop her an email at [email protected] and let her know we sent you.
Anything at Carette
We tested it, but we weren't impressed. The pastries were overpriced and fine, the hot chocolate was nice, but expensive, and the service took forever; worse than the usual French service. This place is now overrun by people who saw it on TikTok and thought it was cute. Often you’ll have to wait in a line, and chances are you won’t be greeted with a smile. In our opinion? Nothing to write home about.
Alternative
Grab a hot chocolate at Plaq, an incredible boutique chocolate shop. Careful, you might not be able to stop at just one hot chocolate…
Versailles
Yes, we know, Versailles doesn’t technically fall in Paris, because it’s outside the city. However, it often makes its way onto travelers’ itineraries, and when we ask why… we’ve found many people fail to articulate an answer other than, “it’s one of those must-do day trips, right?” There’s no denying that a visit to Versailles is a once-in-a-lifetime experience… in that you truly won’t want to return. Check it off the list, it’s done and dusted.
Except what if you don’t have to go at all? Versailles is a full day trip out of the city. If anyone tells you it will only take you half a day, they’re either lying or they skip the Estate (The Queen’s Hameau, the Trianons, etc.) AKA the best part. Don’t listen to that person, they don’t know anything. Versailles is a symbolic palace of the repression and eventual liberation of the French people from their monarchy. You’ll be staring at their treasures while sardined with other sweaty travelers. No thanks!
Alternative
If you want gold gilded splendor, visit the Opera Garnier. Take a tour and admire the vast ballroom and intimate corners. More information on ticket and visits here.
The Moulin Rouge
It’s a fun show, but only really worth your time if you enjoy the classic Vegas Vibe showgirl show and have an evening (and a buck) to spare. These dancers are amazing, but there is so much to do and see in this city, we’d knock it off the list and get a photo from the outside.
Alternative
Go see something at the Comédie Française! Even though it will be in French, pick a play that you’re familiar with and enjoy the history and architecture of the building.
What Are The Best Places To Visit In Paris, France?
So we’ve told you where not to go, but you’re probably wondering where you should visit instead. After all, you still have an itinerary to build! Here are some of our favorite places to visit off the beaten path. They might not yet have all the hype, so they can’t yet be overrated.
The Carnavalet Museum
Not just any museum in Paris. One of our favorite museums in Paris, and it’s free. The Carnavalet museum is the museum of the history of Paris, and it truly covers everything. You’ll be wowed from the moment you enter the huge ground floor chamber of large, playful wrought-iron signs that once graced Paris’ streets. Our biggest tip is not to skip the top floor, as that’s where all the information about the French Revolution of 1789 is, and thus is an exciting and familiar floor. You can reserve a ticket for a time slot here. Get directions. Open Tuesday through Sunday, 10AM-6PM.
Sobremesa
With a rotating menu every month depending on their guest chef and a killer natural wine list, you’ll want to visit the north side of Montmartre for this restaurant. While Montmartre can be overhyped, it didn’t make the list because there are ways to do it where you don’t fall victim to tourist traps (any food up there) or crowds (Place du Tertre anyone?) Try visiting early in the morning or late in the day, maybe even on a walking tour, and stay nearby for dinner, because you won’t want to miss out on Sobremesa. Get directions. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 6:30PM-12AM.
Buttes-Chaumont
The best park in Paris, in our opinion. While we don’t classify any park as overhyped, because they all have their positives (even the Luxembourg Gardens in the center of town are amazing!), this one is a local’s dream. You’ll find things to do for the kids, ice cream, bars, picnic spots, and people watching. Plus, it’s right around the corner from Mardi, a lovely little coffee shop in a sleepy neighborhood. Hours vary depending on the season.
Looking for more of the best coffee in Paris? We’ve got you covered. In a city where hundreds of new “specialty coffee shops” open their doors every few months, we do our best to stay on top of them to find out which cafés actually care about coffee, and which are more about aesthetics and overpriced lattes. We have tons of tried-and-true coffee shop recommendations spread across the city and you can find them all in our Guide here.
Bonnie Bar
Incredible cocktails with a rooftop view of Paris - one that not too many people know about. Bonnie Bar can be for a special evening or a casual night out. The cocktails are creative and refreshing, the ambiance is killer, and the views are the best. Get directions. Open daily around lunchtime and dinner time.
Père Lachaise Cemetery
Many travelers have heard of this enormous cemetery in Paris, but it often only makes the B-list, if at all. Père Lachaise is its own little neighborhood, with cobblestones and little winding paths that have actual street names. Find the names of people from all walks of life here, and visit the tomb of someone who was important to you in some way. This is great for a peaceful afternoon walk, when you’re needing a break from the crowds. Get directions. Opening hours depend on the season.
Best Time to Visit These Places
For the places listed above, you’ll want to visit in spring or autumn. This is before tourist season really ramps up, but it should still be warm enough to enjoy the outdoor elements of these recommendations. That said, even in the summer, much of this list will still stand up - they’re off the beaten track just enough that they shouldn’t be flooded with guests!
How To Plan A Trip To Paris?
Do it All Yourself
If you’re planning everything yourself via google searches and Tripadvisor reviews, good on you! It’s not easy to plan a trip this way - it’s time consuming in this age of information overload. When planning a trip, be sure to always book ahead of time, for attractions or restaurants, and group your attractions by neighborhood, or you’ll waste a lot of time going back and forth. Be sure to leave lots of free time - and try not to spend it looking up the next thing.
Wade Through AI Slop
We have yet to be impressed with AI itineraries. So if you do decide to use AI to plan your trip, you’ll want to double check each recommendation to be sure it’s correct, open, and actually what you’re looking for - which in the end, can use more time rather than save it.
Invest in a Trusted Travel Guide
Paris is home to many locals and immigrants, each with their own voice and opinion. Word of mouth is still one of the best ways to travel. If you find a content creator or travel guide that has the same ethos and interests as you, stick with them. This is why we have a full Paris in my Pocket Guide for you - and if you get the Guide+, you’ll receive three full-day itineraries with your purchase, in addition to one virtual walking tour. If you like our recommendations, you’ll love our Guide+. It’ll give you the best possible time in Paris, money back guaranteed.
Hire a Travel Planner
Boutique travel agencies are very popular these days! If you want to leave it all to someone else, our advice is to be very clear about the experience you’re looking for, and find the travel agency that seems to best fit that. Do you want luxury? Do you want an adventure? Do you want to be local? Make sure to have a clear vision of what you want, so that someone else can easily interpret and fulfil that.
What are your favorite iconic places in Paris?
We gave you a good look at some of the most famous places in Paris, and shared with you why we would avoid several of them in favor of other places. Did we miss any?
