The 20 Best Attractions in Paris

Fully restored and reopened since December 2024, and it's breathtaking, cleaner and brighter than most people alive have ever seen it. Entry is free. A friend absolutely sends you. Caveat: reserve a free timed slot online or expect a long queue, and it's genuinely mobbed.

The Arc de Triomphe is Paris's iconic 19th-century monument honoring military victories, located at the center of Place Charles de Gaulle. You can climb the 284 steps to the top for sweeping 360-degree views of the city and the twelve radiating avenues below, or explore the small museum inside dedicated to the monument's history. Be prepared for significant crowds—this is one of Paris's most visited attractions, especially during peak hours.

The Louvre is the world's largest art museum, housing over 38,000 works including the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. Spend hours wandering its vast galleries across multiple wings, or focus on specific collections if time is limited. Expect massive crowds year-round—arrive early or book timed tickets in advance to avoid long queues.

The Basilique du Sacré-Cœur is a stunning white-domed basilica perched at the highest point in Paris, famous for its striking Romano-Byzantine architecture and massive golden interior mosaic. Visit for the free admission, peaceful atmosphere inside, and exceptional panoramic views of the city—especially at sunset from the front steps. Be prepared for crowds and heat on summer days, and note that there can be a wait to enter, though the climb or funicular ride up Montmartre is well worth it.

Jardin du Luxembourg is one of Paris's most beautiful and expansive public gardens, featuring elegant fountains, colorful flowerbeds, tree-lined paths, and the stunning Luxembourg Palace as a backdrop. Visitors can relax in the famous green chairs, watch children sail model boats on the central pond, stroll the peaceful walkways, or enjoy activities like table tennis and music at the bandstand. Note that the area around the central pond has limited shade on hot days, though shaded seating is plentiful along the tree-lined walkways elsewhere in the gardens.

Les Invalides is a grand 17th-century complex built by Louis XIV for wounded soldiers, crowned by a gleaming golden dome. Beneath the dome lies the imposing tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte, and the site holds the Army Museum, one of the world's great collections of arms and armor. The complex is large, so budget a few hours to see the tomb and the museum together.

The over-the-top royal palace and gardens that defined French absolutism, and it's genuinely jaw-dropping. Worth a day if you love history. Honest caveat: it's a mob scene in the State Apartments, closed Mondays, and the gardens (often the best part) can be a separate cost on fountain days.

Paris's unmistakable icon, and yes, worth doing once. Book online well ahead for a fixed time. Honest caveat: the queues and prices are brutal, and the view from the second floor is nearly as good as the pricier summit.

The Musée d'Orsay is a world-class art museum housed in a stunning former railway station, famous for its exceptional Impressionist and Post-Impressionist collection featuring works by Van Gogh, Monet, and Manet. The fifth floor and the iconic giant glass clock with views over Paris are must-sees. Plan for at least half a day to explore properly, and note that popular exhibits like the Renoir and Van Gogh sections get extremely crowded during peak hours—visiting Thursday evenings or during special evening openings offers a quieter, more intimate experience.

A tiny 13th-century royal chapel whose upper level is a jaw-dropping cage of stained glass, arguably the most beautiful interior in Paris. A friend sends you without hesitation. Caveat: it's small, the line and security can be slow, and the magic needs sunlight, so pick a bright day.

The gilded 19th-century opera house behind Phantom of the Opera, and honestly one of Paris's most underrated interiors, the grand staircase and Chagall ceiling are worth the ticket alone. A friend happily sends you. Caveat: rehearsals can close the auditorium, so no visit guarantees you'll see it.

Frank Gehry's spectacular glass-sail building in the Bois de Boulogne is one of the most architecturally stunning contemporary art spaces in Europe. The foundation hosts world-class temporary exhibitions — past shows have featured Basquiat, Morozov, and Hockney — alongside a strong permanent collection of contemporary works. The building alone justifies the trip, and the surrounding park makes it a full half-day outing. Take the shuttle from Charles de Gaulle–Étoile rather than navigating the Bois on foot.

The Catacombs of Paris are an underground ossuary holding the remains of more than six million people, arranged in eerie walls of stacked bones and skulls. A roughly 1.5-kilometer route winds through the tunnels beneath the 14th arrondissement. It is not for the claustrophobic, and the walk-up queue is long, so book a timed ticket to skip it.

Place de la Concorde is Paris's largest public square, spanning 7.56 hectares in the 8th arrondissement between the Tuileries Garden and Champs-Élysées. The main draw is the 3,300-year-old Luxor Obelisk at its center, flanked by two monumental fountains, offering sweeping views and a powerful sense of history. It's an excellent spot for a stroll and to sit, though the square itself has limited amenities beyond its architectural grandeur.

Built atop Roman baths dating to the 1st century AD, this medieval museum is one of Paris's most atmospheric and underrated gems. The highlight is the extraordinary Lady and the Unicorn tapestry series — six panels of breathtaking 15th-century Flemish weaving displayed in a purpose-built circular room. The museum reopened after a major renovation in 2022 and is now better than ever, with excellent English signage. Crowds are light compared to the big-name museums, making it a genuine local recommendation.

The Panthéon is a vast neoclassical mausoleum in the Latin Quarter where France honors its greats, including Voltaire, Rousseau, Marie Curie, and Victor Hugo. Beneath the dome hangs a working replica of Foucault's pendulum demonstrating the Earth's rotation, and you can climb to the colonnade for Left Bank views. The crypt is somber and the upper dome is seasonal, so check before planning to climb.

The most famous cemetery in the world, a hilly, green, wonderfully atmospheric place where Jim Morrison, Chopin, Wilde, and Piaf all rest. Free and genuinely worth a slow wander. Caveat: it's huge and confusing, so grab a map or you'll get pleasantly lost hunting for graves.

The Jardin des Tuileries is a beautifully maintained public garden stretching between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde, featuring fountains, sculptures, topiary, and wide walking paths perfect for a peaceful stroll. Grab coffee, glace, or snacks from one of three food carts scattered throughout, and enjoy views of the Eiffel Tower from the upper steps. Note that it's extremely popular and can get crowded, especially in warm weather.

The world's largest art museum and a historic monument, the Louvre houses over 35,000 works including the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and Winged Victory of Samothrace. Book timed tickets well in advance and consider a focused visit — trying to see everything in one day is a mistake even locals warn against. The Richelieu wing and the Islamic Arts department are often less crowded and equally spectacular. Free on the first Friday evening of each month for visitors under 26.

A sprawling hilltop park in north Paris with winding paths, cliffs, a peaceful lake, and a gazebo with panoramic views. It's ideal for picnics, running, dog-walking, or simply sitting with food and watching the scenery—there's a pizza shop and small café inside. Note that the cliff gazebo path is sometimes closed off, though views from below are still excellent.