Things to Do in Paris: Must-Visit Attractions

If there’s one visit not to miss during a stay in Paris, it’s undoubtedly the Louvre. The most famous and most visited museum in France, renowned for its iconic entrance beneath a glass pyramid.

The Louvre is simply the largest museum in the world; it is truly immense. Spanning nearly 210,000 square meters, it houses hundreds of thousands of artworks and exhibits, all grouped into nine thematic departments:

• Department of Egyptian Antiquities
• Department of Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Antiquities
• Department of Near Eastern Antiquities
• Department of Byzantine Art and Eastern Christianity
• Department of Islamic Art
• Department of Graphic Arts
• Department of Decorative Arts from the Middle Ages, Renaissance, and Modern Times
• Department of Paintings
• Department of Sculptures from the Middle Ages, Renaissance, and Modern Times

The paintings department alone has over ten thousand works. Among them are several masterpieces such as Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, The Raft of the Medusa by Théodore Géricault, and Liberty Leading the People by Eugène Delacroix, an iconic painting that has left an indelible mark on French cultural and ideological heritage.

Of all the activities available in Paris, the Louvre is the cultural activity not to be missed. A single day is not enough to discover even half of the museum, as it is so vast. Focus on one or several of the five thematic trails proposed by the museum. Lasting from an hour to an hour and a half, these trails are designed to highlight major works according to your interests. Whether you’re young or old, an art enthusiast or just curious, visiting the Louvre is a must during a first trip to Paris.

The Seine is the iconic river that flows through Paris, a central and historical element that has played a crucial role in the city’s development since Roman times, when Paris was known as Lutetia. Today, the Seine is above all a symbol of French romance, but it also represents a unique way to discover the history, culture, daily life, and architecture of Paris.

The Seine can be explored on foot by strolling along its lively quays, but the ideal way is, of course, to board one of the many Bateaux Mouches that navigate the river. A river experience offering a unique perspective of the city and its monuments. Drifting along the water, you can discover some of Paris’s iconic landmarks, such as the Eiffel Tower, the Pont Alexandre III, the Grand Palais, and the Notre-Dame Cathedral.

The many houseboats that sail along the river offer an exceptional viewpoint and an unforgettable experience for all visitors to Paris. For couples discovering Paris, planning a nighttime cruise is a must-do to immerse yourselves in the romantic atmosphere of the City of Love.

Montmartre is a unique district, once favored by artists, writers, and bohemians. The neighborhood was for a long time the nerve center of Parisian artistic life. And although the soul of the area has faded over time, it still retains many remnants of its past, making it an essential place to visit.

The Montmartre district exudes a village-like atmosphere in the heart of Paris, with its small cobblestone streets, café terraces, and street caricaturists and portrait artists who bring its streets to life, offering a retro and romantic vibe.

At the top of the hill, 130 meters above sea level, overlooking Louise-Michel Square, stands the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, offering one of the most beautiful views of Paris. For those less inclined to climb, a funicular will take you there.

A piece of advice not to overlook to preserve the magic of the place: never engage with street vendors selling bracelets or other trinkets.

After suffering the ravages of a fire in 2019, the Notre-Dame Cathedral of Paris has risen from its ashes and reopened to the public on Sunday, December 8, 2024, more resplendent and luminous than ever, following five years of restoration.

This monument, located in the heart of the capital on the Île de la Cité, once again stands as one of Paris’s must-visit landmarks. Access to the cathedral’s interior is entirely free. Visitors can also attend daily masses and vespers at no cost. For those seeking a deeper experience, the cathedral offers a visit to the Notre-Dame Treasury for 10 euros, a unique place showcasing a collection of precious liturgical objects.

With 850 years of history, trials, and resilience, Notre-Dame Cathedral remains a symbol of enduring cultural significance, recognized far beyond French borders, and a must-see in Paris. Nearby, you can also visit the Sainte-Chapelle, another religious building constructed under King Louis IX, renowned for its nearly entirely stained-glass walls.

How can one imagine visiting Paris without strolling along its famous Champs-Élysées? France’s most famous avenue stretches nearly 1.91 km from Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe, welcoming around 300,000 visitors every day!

The avenue offers a true postcard setting with a unique atmosphere blending Haussmannian architecture with shop windows of the world’s top brands and luxury houses. Guerlain, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Cartier, Mauboussin, and Tiffany & Co all have storefronts on the Champs-Élysées.

The Champs-Élysées is also home to its iconic Arc de Triomphe, which alone is a must-visit. Commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte after his victory at Austerlitz in 1805, the Arc de Triomphe symbolizes French national pride. Beyond its symbolism, this massive tetrapylon monument rises 49.54 meters high and offers a unique view of the capital. Be aware, however, that the ascent is only via stairs, but the panoramic view of Paris is well worth the effort.

To make the most of “the most beautiful avenue in the world”, visit on the first Sunday of each month, when the avenue is reserved for pedestrians.

The Orsay Museum is an iconic site in the capital with a fascinating history. Originally built as a train station for the 1900 World’s Fair, like the Eiffel Tower, it was later transformed into a museum and inaugurated in 1986. It stands out for its unique architecture, immense glass ceilings, and a grand clock from another era, but most notably for the richness of its art collections.

The Orsay Museum boasts a collection of over 2,000 sculptures and nearly 5,000 paintings, including the world’s largest collection of Impressionist paintings (nearly 500 canvases) and Post-Impressionist works (nearly 600 canvases).

Among these masterpieces, the museum showcases about twenty paintings by Édouard Manet, dozens by Vincent van Gogh, several by Renoir and Monet, as well as the provocative canvas “The Origin of the World” by Gustave Courbet.

The Orsay Museum is a unique and undoubtedly one of the most beautiful museums in France, making it a must-see in Paris.

The iconic symbol of Paris and France is an essential visit for any traveler exploring the City of Light. The Iron Lady, designed by engineer Gustave Eiffel and inaugurated in 1889 for the World’s Fair, towers over the capital at 324 meters.

For the daring, visiting the Eiffel Tower involves climbing 674 steps to the second floor; an elevator is available for those less inclined. On the second floor, curious visitors can explore a small museum dedicated to the tower’s history.

The top floor, located 276 meters high and accessible only by elevator, features a reconstruction of Gustave Eiffel’s office, but more importantly, offers a breathtaking panoramic view of Paris. A 360-degree view allows visitors to observe all of the capital’s iconic landmarks.

In short, the Eiffel Tower, though very popular and often crowded, remains a unique site to see at least once in a lifetime and a must-do for a first trip to Paris.

The Palais Garnier, or Opéra Garnier, is an architectural masterpiece inaugurated in 1875 at the request of Napoleon III. It is one of Paris’s major monuments, showcasing France’s cultural influence on the international stage.

Located on Place de l’Opéra, in the heart of Paris’s famous boulevards, the palace is a sumptuous blend of sculptures and paintings integrated into Haussmannian architecture. At its core is the red-and-gold performance hall and its monumental 220-square-meter ceiling painted by Marc Chagall.

If you’re visiting Paris, a tour of the Opéra Garnier is essential. To fully appreciate this unique site, it’s highly recommended to join a guided tour or use an audio guide to delve into its rich cultural heritage. It’s a unique opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the famous Phantom of the Opera!

The Latin Quarter in Paris is one of the city’s most beautiful districts. It is also one of the oldest, with its history dating back to Roman times. As a fun fact, it owes its name to the centuries-old presence of the Sorbonne University, where teaching was conducted in Latin.

At the heart of this district, the highlight to include in any travel itinerary is the majestic Panthéon. The Panthéon of Paris, a masterpiece by architect Soufflot, boasts grandiose architecture with an impressive dome and Corinthian columns. This imposing neoclassical monument alone is worth the detour.

Inside the Panthéon, visitors can marvel at the famous Foucault pendulum, climb 206 steps to the dome for a 360-degree view of the 5th arrondissement, and explore the renowned crypt of the Panthéon.

The crypt houses the remains of great men and women who have been honored by the French Republic and recognized by the nation. Among them are Victor Hugo, Émile Zola, Jean Jaurès, Jean Moulin, Marie Curie, Joséphine Baker, and Simone Veil, to name just a few. It is an iconic monument for delving into French history and its notable figures.

The Jardin des Plantes is a magical place, a green oasis nestled in the heart of Paris. This historic botanical garden, created in May 1635 under the initiative of Louis XIII, spans 24 hectares entirely dedicated to the life sciences.

The garden hosts an impressive variety of plants and trees, both outdoors and in greenhouses. Visitors can also explore a mineralogy gallery, a paleontology gallery for dinosaur enthusiasts, as well as the famous Grande Galerie de l’Évolution. The garden also features a menagerie (the zoo of the Jardin des Plantes) with numerous unique animal species such as the Malayan tapir, the extravagant takins, and the elegant panthers.

A unique place that appeals to both nature lovers and science enthusiasts, it will delight young and old alike and introduce you to fascinating insights about fauna and flora.

Wondering what to visit in Paris? Why not a cemetery! But not just any cemetery: the Père Lachaise Cemetery. Located in the heart of Paris, it was inaugurated in 1804 and is now the most visited cemetery in the world, attracting nearly 3.5 million visitors annually. A unique and essential visit during a trip to Paris.

The site spans nearly 43 hectares and houses over 70,000 graves, numerous memorials, and more than 4,000 trees. Among the monuments, the most iconic is undoubtedly the Mur des Fédérés, a tribute to the 147 federates shot by the Versailles army, now a symbol of the fight for freedom.

The Parisian cemetery is renowned worldwide for its many sculpted graves, which make it an open-air museum, as well as the presence of numerous notable figures. These include writers Molière, La Fontaine, Oscar Wilde, and Honoré de Balzac; composer Frédéric Chopin; painter Amedeo Modigliani; singer Édith Piaf; and the iconic grave of Jim Morrison, the legendary Doors singer, which draws thousands of visitors each year.