So you’re visiting Paris. Perhaps for the first time, perhaps for the fifth. Either way, there is plenty to see that you have not yet seen, and you might be feeling a little unsure about how to craft an itinerary that hits everything you feel should be hit and everything you want to hit, with good food and drinks in between.
We’ll help you start that process today by talking about some of the most popular attractions in Paris, and some of the lesser-known-but-we-love-them-too. The reality is that if you went to Paris and all you did was wander the beautiful historic streets and drank wine at local wine bars, you’d have an amazing time, and we’d consider that a success. That said, we understand the pull of the major sights!
Our Must-Visit Sights and Attractions in Paris
There is an incredible variety of sights and attractions in this city. Museums for every age, and of every interest. Monuments ranging from very old to really quite new. Because there are so many things to do and such a variety of places to visit, you’ll find that you can spend a full day in just one neighborhood. Because of this, it’s important not to be too ambitious in your itinerary, or you might find yourself leaving a corner of town before you're ready, all because you booked tickets to a monument elsewhere. Our tip when planning your days is to stay as close as possible to one neighborhood per day - that way, you’ll be able to maximize your time there before moving to the next place.
But first, let’s talk about what to expect on your visit to Paris:
What is Paris Known For?
Paris is known for its
- Landmarks, which we’ll talk about in a moment.
- Museums, galleries, historic architecture, which we’ll also touch on
- Food scene (our personal favorite scene!)
- Fashion and design
- Romantic atmosphere
Yes, that’s a lot of pressure for just one city. But we promise, it lives up to the hype.
How Many Days Do You Need in Paris?
As many days as possible! Seeing Paris in 2-3 days is very difficult. Chances are you might only hit the big sights and leave feeling like Paris is mobbed, sweaty and full of pickpockets. Anyone who leaves with that impression didn’t get a chance to see the real Paris - the Paris of art, passion, and day to day life.
We recommend at least a week in the city. If you can do more, you won’t regret it. Unlike other smaller cities, you won’t run out of things to do, see, eat or drink. It’s simply not possible. We’ve been in Paris for over a decade and are still discovering new corners each day. The longer you have, the better it will be.
What is the Best Time to Visit Paris?
Winter
Cold, rainy, and generally pretty miserable. We’d avoid it if possible. While holiday time can be magical, there are other places in Europe with better lights, better Christmas markets, and better weather. And probably better hot wine. And less rain. It can be cozy, but not really worth it.
If you are travelling, we still have cool things for you to do in January, February, and March.
Spring
Hit or miss with the weather. Sometimes spring is gorgeous and lightly warm, other times the winter rain persists. Still, it’s usually a solid halfway point if you don’t want freezing weather but can’t stand the heat of the summer. Flowers will start blooming, and the afternoon sun shines; towards the end of spring, expect crowds.
Travelling in the spring? Here’s what to keep in mind in April, May, and June.
Summer
A great, bustling time to visit the city. A little tricky if you insist on visiting all the highly touristed attractions which will be terribly crowded. But if you stick to the local side of the city, summer in Paris is beautiful. Sprawling terraces, pétanque on every corner, and a general happiness.
It might be hot, but there’s still plenty of fun things to do in July, August, and September.
Autumn
A fantastic time to see the city. Crowds ease a bit as people return home for school and work. The weather remains warm - sometimes even hot. Tourism companies are still in their high season, with great availability for tours and experiences. The lighting is beautiful and the trees start to turn.
Here’s what you need to plan when travelling in October, November, or December.
How to Get Around Paris
Walk
If it’s a 15-20 minute walk, just walk it. You might stumble upon a cute boutique or wine bar. You’ll see some beautiful architecture and fun street names. If you’re able to, hoofing it is the way to go.
Bike
Our favorite way of getting around town! Rent a bike from Le Peloton Café, and explore the city on your own. Paris is busy, so be sure to grab a helmet and at least one lock per bike. Favor routes with bike paths, like Rue de Rivoli, or along the canal. The Quayside is also a wonderful place to cycle, depending on the season and how busy it is.
Nervous on a bike? Book a tour with Bike About Tours, and be sure to tell them Jay Swanson sent you!
Bus
This can be a really fun way to go a short distance in the city - you can see out the window, and if you’re a wheelchair user or can’t safely use all those stairs in the metro, this is a fantastic option for getting around inexpensively.
Metro
Fantastic, easy, and our preferred way of getting around when the weather isn’t bikable. Grab your tickets on the IDF mobilités app, and stay tuned for more information about how the Paris metro is changing and upgrading their system - we’ll have a video about it soon.
Cab
If you can take any of the other options, do that instead. Cabs add unnecessary traffic to the already crowded Parisian streets, and they are an important and necessary option for travelers with accessibility needs.
And now, let’s talk about sights and attractions in Paris - because there are a lot of them.
What are the Main Attractions in Paris
When planning a trip to Paris, you might feel overwhelmed with information overload. There are how many museums?! The Louvre is how big?! There are how many monuments to visit? We’re here to help you sort it all out. You can start here, with this blog, or you can skip to the full package and grab our guide. The Paris in My Pocket Guide to Paris is an online interactive website that provides you with not only hundreds of recommendations on where to eat and drink in the city of light, but where to go, how to get there, and even how to pack and where to stay. Think of it as a travel agent without all the back and forth. Everything you need, right in one place.
Paris’ main attractions are the ones you’ve seen in movies or read about in history class. They are:
The Eiffel Tower
We’d classify the Eiffel tower as a must-see on a first trip to Paris. However, for many people, getting up close is all they need - climbing the tower isn’t for everyone. If you’re not a fan of heights, we don’t recommend (she can sway in windy weather!), or if you love the Eiffel tower in your Paris skyline pictures - in that case, there are better vantage points for your photos. If you’d like to ascend, you can learn more here.
The Louvre Museum
Similar to the Eiffel Tower, the Musée du Louvre is absolutely worth seeing, at least from the outside. This enormous and magnificent building is steeped with history - and the exterior is a work of art in itself! If you are an enthusiast in art or history, you’ll want to visit inside the museum. If the Mona Lisa is on your must-see list, then of course it’s worth popping in to pay her a visit. If you do choose to get tickets be sure you have a solid plan on what you want to see inside. With over 30,000 pieces of art on display, you can easily get lost for hours. Nervous? How about a fantastic guided tour with our friend Amber? Pop her an email at [email protected] Best tour guide experience you’ll have.
The Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe is our personal favorite outlook in Paris. It’s far enough West that you can see the whole of Paris from its rooftop; and the Eiffel Tower is right next door. Get a gorgeous view down the stick-straight Champs-Elysées, through the Tuileries Gardens and to the Louvre. If you’re looking for exceptional views of Paris, this is your best bet.
The Musée d’Orsay
If you’re interested in both impressionist and post impressionist art, the Musée d’Orsay is for you. If the Louvre feels too big, it’s also for you. We love the Orsay because it’s a great example of a well-deserved hyped museum in Paris. Still, if even the Orsay feels overwhelming, we’ve got an alternative to recommend for you below…
The Notre-Dame Cathedral
Located on Ile-de-la-Cité in the heart of Paris lies the ever striking Notre-Dame. Notre-Dame’s doors have been open again since December 2024. She is well worth a visit, always, without question. This cathedral, even post-renovation, is an absolute majesty, and quick to visit. While the line outside might be long, it will move quickly (unlike many of the other monuments).
Bonus, if you're a stained glass lover, three minutes away you can visit Sainte-Chappelle (just be sure to research the best time to visit for maximum sunlight-through-stained-glass-window).
Hidden Gems in Paris
We can pretty much guarantee that you’ve heard of all of the monuments above. Now you have all the information you need to make the decision on whether or not you’d like to visit. However, as you’re considering that, we wanted to share some of our hidden gems for sights and attractions in this beautiful city. You may find that there is something smaller calling to you.
The Grand Mosque of Paris
Tucked away in the 5th arrondissement of Paris, you’ll find the Grande Mosquée. This is an absolutely beautiful mosque with its own magical garden, a calm reading room, and beautiful tile and stonework. It is €3 to enter the mosque, which is a separate entrance from the team room on the opposite corner, facing the Jardin des Plantes. Stop in any time for a sweet treat and a delicious glass of mint tea.
The Arènes de Lutèce
The Arènes de Lutèce is a well hidden secret of the 5th arrondissement. It’s a literal ancient Roman amphitheater, and one of our favorite secret spots in the city. Locals picnic, play pétanque, and work out here. It’s usually quite quiet, but you can sometimes catch concerts or performances here in the warmer months!
Fun fact! Both the Grand Mosque of Paris and the Arènes de Lutèce are featured in our full day itinerary: A Day in the Latin Quarter. This is one of three full-day walking tour itineraries available to you when you purchase the Guide+
Musée de Carnavalet
This is perhaps our favorite museum 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.
The Orangerie
A fantastic alternative (or addition) to the Musée d’Orsay, the Orangerie is where you’ll find two massive oval rooms with Monet’s water lily paintings. Most of Monet’s work can be found in the Musée Marmatton - but seeing as that is out in the 16th arrondissement, this is a fantastic and central way to get your Monet hit. Located at the far end of the Tuileries garden, the Orangerie is a great addition to your central Paris itinerary - and don’t miss the modern exhibitions on the bottom floor.
And if you’re looking for even more, we’ve devoted an entire post to Paris hidden gems, including places to visit and where to eat and drink.
Hopefully these recommendations on sights and attractions in Paris help you start planning a trip that is designed for you. Remember, it’s all about what I will enjoy. If you don’t like museums, then skip them! A once in a lifetime experience for some people, the Louvre will feel absolutely terrible to others. If you like heights, be sure to climb at least one monument for the view. If you don’t, check out the outlook in front of Sacré-Coeur, or up on top of park de Belleville. Paris is an incredible city because there is literally something for everything - that is not an exaggeration. Because of that, there is no need to plan the perfect trip for anyone but you. If you want to enjoy Paris, listen to yourself. And… if you feel a bit stuck, that’s where we come in.
