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Things to do in Paris

Paris needs no introduction to the world. It’s a city enriched with beauty, history, and love.

The city of light has been around for more than 2,000 years and on first-time visitors, it casts an unbreakable magical spell.

The city of love is home to multiple attractions such as the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, and many more.

It also has beautiful places like the Palace of Versailles and Saint Chapelle.

It is renowned for Various art museums such as Louvre, Musee d’ Orsay, Centre Pompidou, etc.

Here’s our list of top tourist attractions in the fashion capital, along with things to do: 

Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower welcomes almost 7 million visitors every year and is one of the most-visited paid monuments in the world. 

Visitors, whenever they come to the city, always prefer to go to this 324 meters (1063 feet) tall structure made up of 18,000 iron parts and held together by 2.5 million rivets.

The 134-year-old Eiffel Tower has four levels to climb to reach its top – the first floor, the second floor, and the Summit. 

Eiffel Tower is also called “La Dame de Fer (the Iron lady).” Each level has a separate entry ticket to access the tower’s various levels. 

Eiffel Tower at night

With the aura of dusk around, the city becomes more beautiful to let the time get imbibed in memories. 

The golden gown of lights wrapped around the Eiffel Tower is scenic to watch and to be inside of it.

We suggest visitors visit the tower both at night and morning times if they got time.

Eiffel Tower restaurants

Dining at Eiffel Tower restaurants is another crucial part of the Parisian Experience.

The restaurant provides an ideal environment to sit in for every meal and occasion.

Watching Paris’s skyline, you can enjoy contemporary, responsible, inventive cuisine on your plate.

Louvre Museum

Louvre Museum Paris
Image: Louvre.fr

Housing in a magnificent, baroque-style palace, the Louvre Museum is the world’s largest museum.

Musee du Louvre has one of the most impressive art collections in history. 

It is Paris’s most visited tourist attraction along the banks of the Seine River.

Annually the Louvre Museum has eight million visitors come to the museum to pass through the halls comprising extraordinary works of art.

The Louvre has 35,000 works from diverse cultures, periods, and various schools of art. 

The museum has some priceless artwork and sculptures from antiquities, like Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and Michelangelo’s David.

Opening hours of the Louvre Museum are 9 am to 6 pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. 

The museum is closed on Tuesdays. However, the museum offers free entry on the first Sunday of each month.

To avoid the local crowds, visiting the museum on weekdays is best. Louvre Museum tickets are available both online and offline.

As the attraction gets many visitors daily, buying online tickets is best to skip the hassle of standing in a long queue.

If you want to understand the expression of various artists and their classical works, it’s best to go for guided tours.

Palace of Versailles

The Palace of Versailles is just outside of Paris and is regarded as one of the best royal residences in the World.

The Estate of Versailles has three parts – the Palace of Versailles, the Versailles Gardens Queen and Marie Antoinette’s domain.

It is a single part of the Versailles Estate with 2,300 rooms and spread over 63,154 square meters.

With fully-restored rooms of King’s and Queen’s Sumptuous apartments, the soaring Grand Chapel with its breathtaking vaulted ceiling, golden pipe organ, and the dazzling Hall of Mirrors give the visitors plenty of reasons to linger.

Many historical characters have contributed to the glory of the Place of Versailles.

If you want to explore the Palace of Versailles gardens and return to Paris, you can go for this short tour ticket.

For visitors planning a day-long visit to Versailles and the Estate of Trianon, one can opt for a Palace of Versailles ticket of day-long visit.

The Estate of Trianon is an intimate space built by kings to take a break from Palace’s courtly etiquettes.

Arc de Triomphe

Commissioned to be made by Napoleon in 1806, Arc de Triomphe honors the sacrifices made by the French army and was motivated by the Arch of Titus in Rome.

It celebrated the most extraordinary times of the French military’s prowess.

Visitors love to see the fantastic Parisian view from the observatory space at the top of this massive arc.

Around two million tourists visit Arc de Triomphe every year.

Musee d’Orsay

Home to some of the world’s most famous impressionist and post-impressionist paintings, Musee d’Orsay has a display collection of art from 1848 to 1914.

The famous artists whose paintings are in the exhibit are Renoir, Monet, Manet, Van Gogh, Degas, Cezanne, Seurat, Sisley, Gaugin, etc.

Musee d’Orsay has three million tourists visiting the museum every year.

Centre Pompidou

Being one of the most influential multicultural institutions globally, le Centre Pompidou brings together visual arts, literature, design, music and cinema under one roof.

The exhibits in Centre Pompidou include paintings, sculptures, drawings, photographs, cinema, architecture, design, etc.

Here are some of the primary schools of art represented in the museum –

  • Fauvism (Derain, Matisse, Marquet, Dufy)
  • Cubism (Picasso, Braque)
  • Dada (Duchamp)
  • Paris School (Soutine, Chagall, Modigliani)
  • Abstract School (Mondrian, Klee, Kandinsky, Kupka) 
  • Surrealism (Dalì, Magritte, Brauner, Masson, Giacometti, Picasso, Mirò)

Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers designed it.

The Centre Pompidou has a beautiful 6th-floor rooftop offering panoramic views over Paris.

Sainte Chapelle

Saint-Chapelle is among the highest achievements of the Rayonnant Gothic architecture period.

It houses priceless Christian relics, including Christ’s crown of thorns.

The Holy Chapel consisted of 15 stained glass windows, each 15 meters high, depicting more than 1100 scenes from the Old and New Testaments narrating the world’s history.

Entering the la Sainte Chapelle, they set foot into the smaller lower chapel, which has an incredible night sky ceiling – a ceiling painted to resemble a starry sky.

All around the Chapel, you will see 600 square meters of stained glass paneling, which shimmers along the rays of the sunlight.

More than 9 lakh tourists visit this chapel annually, which holds religious significance for believers.

Paris Zoo

Zoo de Paris is kids’ and adults’ favorite, home to more than 2000 animals of 180 different species.

Part of Parisian heritage for more than eight decades, Paris Zoo is also called Vincennes Zoo.

The landscape design of the Zoological Park is animal friendly and tries to replicate their surroundings from their natural habitat.

The Zoo of Paris comprises mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish and invertebrates.

Paris Zoo has all these animals immersed within five biozones.

Madagascar biozone: This zone has colorful birds, Lemurs and one of the largest carnivores on Madagascar Island. 

Africa biozone: This zone has White Rhinoceros, Giraffes, Zebras, West African Lion, etc. 

Amazon-Guyana biozone: This zone has white-faced Sakis, Tamarins, Sloths, Giant Anteaters, etc. 

Europe biozone: This zone has many endangered species like Black Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, Red Kite, etc. 

Patagonia Biozone: This zone has Darwin’s rhea, a relative of the ostrich, the Patagonian hare, Guanaco, sea lions, Humboldt penguins, etc.

Disneyland Paris

Having captured the hearts and minds of families and kids for decades with their production of animated films, Disneyland is an enthralling experience. 

It has a potent combination of fun, enticing architecture, elaborate theming and pure nostalgia. 

Walt Disney Company owns Disneyland Paris, which was initially known as Euro Disney Resort.

After its opening on 12th April 1992, Disneyland has seen around 350 million visitors in 30 years, making it the most visited theme park in Europe.

Disneyland Paris comprises multiple things like two theme parks, many resort hotels, a shopping center, numerous dining options, an entertainment complex, and a Golf course.

The two theme parks in Disneyland are Disneyland Park and Walt Disney studios Park.

Established as an entertainment resort, Disneyland is in a new town called Marne-la-Vallee, which is 32 kilometer east of Paris. Get Directions

Throughout the year, Disneyland Paris’s opening hours are from 10 am to 10 pm, and Walt Disney Studios Park is open from 10 am to 7 pm.

Pantheon Paris

Watching over the Latin Quarter of Paris, France, the Pantheon is as beautiful inside as it is from the outside. 

It was a church dedicated to the Patron saint of Paris, St. Genevieve, in the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions.

The Pantheon Paris now functions as a secular mausoleum containing the remains of distinguished French citizens such as Marie Curie, Pierre Curie, Victor Hugo, Alexandre Dumas, etc.

One of the first things to notice walking into the Pantheon is the inscription at the entrance, which reads: To great men, the grateful homeland.

In the pediment of the Pantheon, you will spot French sculptor Pierre-Jean d’Angers’s best work.

He was the one who sculpted the key liberal figures of France since the 18th century, grouped around a figure of La Patrie.

Once inside the Pantheon, you will see 22 Corinthian-inspired columns with mosaic decorations and painting scenes from French history.

Do not miss watching the beautiful canvas paintings depicting highlights of the life of Saint Genevieve, the birth of Christianity, and the French monarchy.

Also, if you are eager for some science stuff, don’t miss out on the exciting Foucault Pendulum, which proves that the world rotates on its axis.

Visitors also like to see the Pantheon’s Dome, inspired by St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and St Paul’s Cathedral in London, constructed entirely of stone.

Paris Catacombs

The catacombs of Paris are considered one of the earliest tourist attractions of the city. 

Many visitors have been going to Paris Municipal Ossuary since 1809. Nearly half a million visitors tour the Catacombs of Paris annually.  

Catacombs were initially to serve as limestone quarries but now hold the human remains of more than six million Parisians.

Experience of the Catacombs involves visitors going underground and seeing bones and skulls stacked into one another.

During the late eighteenth century, cemeteries were overwhelmed with bodies of the dead. As a result, city officials looked for an alternative to transfer the remains left. 

The new spot was found outside the city and officially named Paris Municipal Ossuary in 1786.

Inspired by the 5th-century burial grounds in Rome, the Roman Catacombs, the Parisian soon started calling this site the Paris Catacombs.

You can always choose between a self-guided tour or a guided tour to explore this underground burial site.

The tour lasts around 45 minutes requiring visitors to travel 1.5 kilometers from 1 Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy to 21 bis Avenue René-Coty.

Opéra Garnier

Opera Garnier, also known as Palais Garnier or Opera de Paris, isn’t just about the performances.

One of the renowned French architects, Charles Garnier, built the structure from 1861 to 1875 at Emperor Napoleon III’s request.

As a result, thousands of tourists line up for a tour of Opera Garnier every day. 

Paris Opera performed at Opéra Garnier until 1989; they relocated to a new building, Opéra Bastille.

During the tour of the Palais Garnier, visitors are amazed by the almost 150-year-old building’s facade, the grand staircase, the Auditorium, Grand Foyer, Ceiling, etc.

Going inside the Opera Garnier, you will witness that no space is without decoration and was designed to house 1,979 people in its auditorium. 

Picasso Museum Paris

Named after Spanish-born artist Pablo Picasso, the Picasso museum in Paris exhibits paintings, drawings, engravings and sculptures. 

Also called Musee Picasso-Paris, the museum has Picasso’s 400 best works and paintings. 

The museum also consists of paintings by other artists, such as Paul Cezanne, Henri Rosseau and Henri Matisse, which were part of Picasso’s collection.

With around 5000 items on display, the Picasso museum has the most extensive collection of works by one of the well-known artists of the 20th century.

Nowadays, art lovers worldwide visit the Picasso Museum to research Picasso’s life and work.

Montparnasse Tower

Montparnasse district is in the capital’s south-central arrondissement. 

For visitors seeking fantastic panoramic views of Paris, don’t mistake missing out on the vantage points of the tower of Montparnasse.

Montparnasse Tower has two observation decks on the 56th and 59th floors, offering dazzling 360-degree views of the whole city.

The rooftop terrace is at the height of 210 meters (690 feet), and one of the highlights of your journey would be the opportunity to travel in the fastest elevator in Europe.

Also referred to as Tour Montparnasse, it opens at 9.30 am every day throughout the year. 

‘Guinguette On Top’ is the 59th-floor, highest rooftop bar in Paris that you will be able to go on your tour of Montparnasse.

For visitors planning to have lunch or dinner along with the tour to the tower, there are two Montparnasse Tower restaurants – Ceil de Paris or the 360 cafes. 

Seine River Cruises

Seine River Cruise
Image: Viator.com

Seeing Paris by boat gives you a different perspective, riding through the city’s must-see attractions.

You will see the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre Dame, the Conciergerie and the Musee d’Orsay.

It enables you to peep into Paris’s heart in a new way and from a different angle.

The Seine river cruise is popular because they help visitors catch the city’s highlights in a short time.

The Seine is the third-longest river in France, which extends 485 miles from Dijon to the English Channel. 

River Seine has inspired many famous impressionist paintings, including Monet’s Bathers at La Grenouillere and Renoir’s Seine River at Asnieres.

Visitors prefer to go on dinner cruises in the evening to watch all of Paris’s monuments lit up.

There are various combo tours to take you on a tour of the river Seine like Gourmet Dinner Cruise, Early evening Dinner Cruise, Lounge Dinner Cruise, Romantic Dinner Cruise, Dinner Cruise + Moulin Rouge and Cruise + Bistro Dinner.

Dinner cruises come in various flavors and get customized for occasions such as Valentine’s Day, Bastille Day, Christmas, New Year’s, etc.

These dinner cruises on the seine are suitable for couples, families with kids and groups of friends.

Montmartre Paris

Montmartre Paris
Image: Freepik.com

Situated at 130 meters (427 feet), Montmartre is a large hill in Paris’s northern 18th arrondissement. 

Primarily known for its artistic history, the Sacre-Coeur’s white-domed Basilica is on its summit and for the fun rides of a nightclub district.

Montmartre is a French term that means the martyr’s hill in English. 

Visitors mainly come to this place to feel its unique Parisian local ambiance. 

Crammed with eateries and cafes, Montmartre has lost very little of its colorful charm of a village atmosphere.

Most artists refer to this place as ‘the painter’s neighborhood.’

With its maze of cobbled lanes, ivy-clad houses, and enriching history, Montmartre is a precious gem of Paris and is a must-see on any visit.

Moulin Rouge 

In 1889, the Moulin Rouge endeavored to prosper as a performance concept. In English terms, Moulin Rouge means the red windmill.

It presents distinctive imagery and a singular universe. It is today recognized worldwide for its success both in France and abroad.

Moulin Rouge Paris is famous for its elegant surroundings and the renowned cancan dance, which, since it originated in France, has gained international fame and affection that persists today.

The renowned cabaret and its dancers are the reason behind attracting worldwide visitors to Moulin Rouge.

Moulin Rouge is on the south of the Butte Montmartre 82 Boulevard de Clichy, at Palace Blanche, the intersectional terminus of Rue Blanche.

Musee De L’Orangerie

Musee De L’Orangerie Paris
Image: Vogue.fr

It’s a magnificent building constructed in 1853 as an orangery.

The Musee de l’Orangerie Paris has an impressive collection of impressionist paintings.

The museum accommodates impressive works of art from the late 19th and early 20th-century paintings, including a monumental Water Lilies cycle by Claude Monet.

Located close to the garden of Jardin Tuileries, it opens daily from 9 am to 6 pm, except on Tuesdays.

Note: You can visit the museum free of charge on the first Sunday of every month, but we suggest going on other weekdays cause the crowd would be less.

On Sundays, usually, the crowd is more in numbers at museums that offer free entries, so you won’t be able to see the exhibits at your own pace and in peace.

Rodin Museum

The Musee Rodin comprises more than 120 of Rodin’s sculptors and a fascinating collection of drawings, paintings and studies.

François-Auguste-René Rodin is generally considered the father of modern sculpture.

Their repository has the most extensive collection of works by Auguste Rodin outside of Paris, featuring treasures such as The Gates of Hell and a bronze caste of The Thinker.

It was in 1919 that the museum of Rodin was devoted to preserving and presenting Rodin’s works.

For art enthusiasts, the museum would serve as heaven. However, even if you are not an art lover, it is worth visiting the place to lose yourself in its romantic gardens.

Rodin museum in Paris is sheltered from the noise and enveloped in a sense of calm. It has two exhibition spaces along with an expansive sculpture garden.

Musee Du Quai-Branly (Jacques Chirac)

Musee Du Quai-Branly is in the 7th arrondissement of Paris (37 Quai Branly), on the left bank of the Seine, close to the Eiffel Tower and Pont de l’Alma.

The Quai Branly Museum opened in 2006 and is the newest of the major museums in Paris and still receives more than one million visitors annually.

It houses a superb collection of indigenous art and other cultural artifacts from Asia, Africa, the Americas and Oceania.

With more than 370,000 objects, 700,000 iconographical pieces and more than 200,000 reference works, the museum is one of the wealthiest European public institutions.

It is to study, preserve and promote non-European arts and civilizations. 

The closing times may differ, but the museum opens daily at 10.30 am. Every Monday, the museum is closed.

Grevin Wax Museum

Grevin Wax Museum Paris
Image: Museos.com

Grevin Wax museum has two rooms: a viewpoint and a theatre.

Approximately half a million visitors visit the Musee de Grevin every year.

The museum Grevin is as impressive as Madame Tussauds in London. In Paris, the Grevin museum is at 10, Boulevard Montmartre. You can find directions using this Google map link.

Grevin museum features over 500 life-like wax characters representing the world’s best-known celebrities (mainly from France). 

It includes personalities like athletes, politicians, singers and actors.

While walking from one room to another, visitors can remember some of the most important events of the twentieth century.

On most weekdays, the museum opens at 10 am, but at weekends (Saturdays and Sundays), it opens at 9.30 am.

Jardin D’ Acclimation

As a cross between a funfair, a zoo, a garden and a Large playground, the park of Jardin d’Acclimatation is one of the best amusement parks in Paris. 

Each year close to one million visitors come to see and explore the funs at this park.

Emperor Napoleon III and Empress Eugenie inaugurated it in 1860 after 15 years of work. It was built to be a zoo initially.

Children are sure to have their life’s best times, with many rides from merry-go-rounds, bumper cars, go-karts, distorting mirrors, a zip line and a mini-canal ride.

Most kids also enjoy pony, donkey and camel rides organized through the park’s walkways.

Jardin d’Acclimatation Paris is famous for its family-friendly, enchanted boat rides and the Big Carousel.

It is located Bois de Boulogne, 75116 Paris. You can get help with directions using this Google map link.

Giverny

Giverny is a community (commune) based society in the northern French department of Eure. The village is located on the right bank of the river Seine at its confluence with the river Epte.

The place is most famous for being the home of the impressionist painter Claude Monet. 

Claude Monet moved to Giverny in 1883 and not only lived there but also painted its gardens to make the series of painting Water lily.

Visitors often find themselves in the middle of Giverny’s Monet masterpiece when they go to these gardens.

You can see different flowers bloom at different seasons of the year. The houses where Monet lived and died are delightful and worth visiting.

The water lilies that caught Monet’s imagination do appear around the time of July.

There are several combo ticket options to choose from; touring Monet’s garden in Giverny with a guide is one of the best options for a worthy visit to the Monet garden.

Featured Image: StockByM / Getty Images

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