Things to Do as a Tourist in Paris
Paris … The French capital of gastronomy and love, Paris enjoys an incomparable historical and cultural heritage. This is also appreciated by the millions of tourists who come to visit Paris each year. But it is not enough to be a foreigner to love Paris, because even living in the capital, it is not uncommon to be surprised by discovering or rediscovering one of the wonders that the city has to offer.
Paris deserves more than a weekend to explore, everyone will agree. You even had to go there more than once for some. But Paris is a city full of surprises – from the Louvre to the hidden pearl – you will always have the choice of a new adventure. I have mentioned some must-visit places in Paris.
The Eiffel Tower.
Built-in 1889 for the international exhibition and with a height of nearly 300 meters, the Eiffel Tower is THE Parisian monument. A ride aboard his lift will even take you to the top of the tower, from which you will have a breathtaking view of the city. You can also discover the secret apartment of the engineer Gustave Eiffel. The Eiffel Tower is open every day except July 14th.
The Louvre.
The Louvre, the most visited museum in the world has the characteristic of having to entry a pyramid of smooth glass. Once inside you’ll be amazed by its abundant collection of works of art, including the world’s most famous works of art such as Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” or Michel’s “The Dying Slave” -Angel.
The Louvre is open every day except Tuesdays.
The Notre-Dame Cathedral.
The Notre Dame Cathedral (Our Lady of Paris) is a Gothic cathedral with impressive architectural details – mixing rosettes, sculptures, and Gothic mouldings. It is also the setting of Victor Hugo’s classic “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.”
The Arc de Triomphe – The Champs-Élysées.
The Arc de Triomphe is located west of the Champs-Elysées, a lively district. It is also the most famous and recognized Arc de Triomphe in the world. Many battles and victories are engraved on its walls as well as some recognized military.
Montmartre – The Wall of I love you.
Montmartre is a district in the north-east of Paris, well known for its artistic environment where many internationally renowned artists such as Monet, Picasso, and Renoir lived there during the Belle Epoque. While visiting Montmartre do not forget to go through the Wall of I love you, where the emblematic expression is written 311 times in 250 different languages.
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart.
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart is a Roman Catholic Church in the heart of the Montmartre District. It is an iconic building in Paris and a detour is required if you walk around Montmartre.
The Moulin Rouge.
The Moulin Rouge, a great Parisian cabaret, star of the film of the same name – is the birthplace of modern dance, the “can-can.” Located near Montmartre, it offers glamorous evenings like its neighbours, the Crazy Horse or the Lido de Paris.
The Musée d’Orsay.
The Musée d’Orsay is one of the largest museums in Europe and mainly includes French art from 1848 to 1914. It is also the largest collection in the world of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works like Monet, Renoir, Cézanne or Vincent Van Gogh.
The Tuileries Garden.
Take a break in the Jardin des Tuileries located next to the Louvre and enjoy an afternoon in the sun while admiring the French gardens. Note that there is also a small children’s garden perfect for parents travelling accompanied.
The Orangery Museum.
The Impressionist Gallery of the Musée de l’Orangerie is to the west of the Tuileries Garden and is particularly known for its eight “Water Lilies” painted by Monnet.
The Pantheon – The Latin Quarter.
The Pantheon located in the heart of the Latin Quarter houses the tombs of many French characters such as Victor Hugo, Voltaire, Marie Curie or even more recently Simone Veil. Also enjoy the Latin Quarter where student life mixes with pubs, cafes, and bookstores.
The Luxembourg Garden – The Luxembourg Palace.
The lush Luxembourg Garden, on the left bank of the Seine, is the perfect place for a small picnic. The gardens are full of green spaces and will allow you to escape from the city for a few moments and spend a pleasant afternoon. The Luxembourg Palace located in the middle of the park is also worth a visit.
Saint-Germain-des-Pres.
Located at the edge of the Seine, Saint-Germain-des-Prés is a picturesque Parisian district that can be recognized by its luxurious boutiques, its galleries of paintings, trendy cafes, and restaurants. It is also an emblematic place for nightlife in Paris.
The Picasso Museum.
The Picasso Museum includes more than 5,000 works and tens of thousands of archives showing the creative genius of Spanish cubist Pablo Picasso.
The Georges Pompidou Center.
The George Pompidou Center is a building built in a high-tech architectural style. It is also the National Museum of Modern Art where you can find some original Matisse, Picasso or Andy Warhol.
The Rodin Museum.
The Musée Rodin located in the center of Paris is a museum dedicated to the French sculptor Auguste Rodin and contains some of his greatest works such as “The Thinker,” “The Kiss” and “The Door of the Underworld.”
The Marsh.
Throughout its medieval streets and its many alleys, the Marais is filled with small unique shops, trendy galleries, cafes, and restaurants, it is also there that you will find the best falafels in France. This is a very nice neighborhood that you must see in Paris.
The Chateau de Versailles.
The world-famous Chateau de Versailles is one of the largest Parisian tourist sites with French Baroque architecture. The sumptuous Palace and its gardens will make you spend a day of magic, or two.
The Catacombs of Paris.
The Catacombs of Paris are a huge collection of bones and skulls in the basements of Paris. The cemeteries of the eighteenth century being overcrowded, the city of Paris has set up these underground ossuaries so that more than 6 million bodies are moved in this maze of graves. Imagine this great underground network of cellars and tunnels filled with skulls and bones. Do not try to venture alone, it’s a deadly labyrinth.
The Palais Garnier.
The Palais Garnier, in the Opera District, also known as the Opera Garnier is an opulent Parisian theater which is also the main stage of the Paris Opera Ballet. Book a show in this opera and believe us, you will not be disappointed.
The Galeries Lafayette.
The culmination of shopping in Paris is in the breathtaking Galeries Lafayette. Located in the upscale Opera District, Galeries Lafayette is spread over three buildings and offers major French fashion houses such as Chanel, Hermes or Louis Vuitton.
The Sainte Chapelle.
The Sainte Chapelle is a Gothic Royal Chapel. These stained glass windows of the 13th century are among the most impressive in the world both in their size and their beauty.
The Père Lachaise Cemetery.
One of the most visited cemeteries in the world, Père Lachaise Cemetery is the posthumous home of several personalities such as Oscar Wilde or Edit Piaf.
The Alexander III Bridge.
The Alexandre III Bridge is the most sumptuous bridge overlooking the Seine with unique ornaments. Built-in 1900 for the international exhibition of Paris. It is now listed as a historic monument and considered one of the most beautiful bridges in the world.
Place de la Bastille – The Bastille Market.
Place de la Bastille is the place where the prison of the Bastille was located where took place the beginning of the French Revolution with the taking of the Bastille. It can also be nice to make a detour to the Bastille market where you can find a large number of products.
The Clignancourt Flea Market.
With Paris, which is an antique and vintage collection, it is no surprise that the largest antique market is founded here in Clignancourt. With more than 70,000 square meters, the flea market in Clignancourt is the perfect place for a treasure hunt.
The New Bridge.
Pont Neuf is the very oldest bridge crossing the Seine. Built-in medieval times, this old stone bridge connects the island of the city to the left and right banks of the Seine.
The Madeleine.
The Church of the Madeleine is often confused with an old Greek temple because of its neoclassical facade. It is a Romanesque Catholic church built as the Pantheon, to the glory of Napoleon’s army.
The Seine.
One of the best ways to discover the “City of Lights” is by crossing it on the Seine, so you will have the best views. To do nothing better than the Bateaux-Mouches that sail on the Seine all day long.
The Montparnasse Tower.
The Montparnasse Tower is the only skyscraper in the city of Paris. Despite its offbeat appearance of the Parisian decor, the Tower offers on its top floor a terrace with a 360 ° view that will take your breath away.
The Vivienne Gallery.
One of the most luxurious galleries in Paris, Galerie Vivienne is one of the many passages in the Parisian Grands Boulevards. These passages, also called covered passages, are shopping arcades with glass roofs, Galerie Vivienne is the best known. If you walk there, you will have the chance to discover charming shops as well as cafes or restaurants.
The Chateau de Fontainebleau.
The Chateau de Fontainebleau is one of the largest French royal chateaux. It served as a residence for the Kings of France from Louis VII to Napoleon III. The museum is now an incredible collection of archives and decoration. Perfect for lovers of French royal history.
The Château de Chambord.
Château de Chambord, almost 500 years old, located in the south-east of Paris is the most visited castle of the Loire Valley. This hunting lodge built by King Francis I on a large forest estate with sumptuous gardens will offer you a trip in the French Renaissance.
Giverny – The Monet Foundation.
Come and discover the Monet Foundation in Giverny. Claude Monet, a great impressionist painter lived there for almost 40 years and created his most beautiful works as “The Japanese Bridge” or “The Water Lilies.”
Chateau de Chantilly.
The castle of Chantilly, with its lakes and enchanted gardens will make you travel in a fairy tale. In addition to its extraordinary environment is the Condé Museum, one of the largest collections of paintings in France, you can see paintings by Raphael or Delacroix.
Disney Land Paris.
Enter the magical world of Disneyland Paris, and find your favourite characters in these two theme parks – Disneyland and Walt Disney Studios. It’s the perfect place for a family weekend or a timeless trip.
The Village Valley.
The Village Valley is an open-top shopping center located within walking distance of Disney Land Paris, with nearly 115 luxury boutiques ranging from haute couture to trendy brands like Burberry and Armani. It’s the best place in Paris to go shopping.
Asterix Park.
The Parc Asterix is the indomitable Gauls of amusement parks inspired by the comic strip “Asterix.” He is well known for his large number of roller coasters.
The Parc des Princes – Paris Saint Germain.
One of the biggest stadiums in France, the Parc des Princes is the home of the Paris Saint Germain (PSG) Paris Football team.
The Louis Vuitton Foundation.
The Louis Vuitton Foundation is a museum of art, fashion and a cultural center founded by the LVMH group. With a revolutionary architectural design, this building with unique glass shapes and curves makes it a work of art both inside and out.
Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche.
Discover the biggest brands at Bon Marché. This store is one of the most luxurious in Paris with its luxury brands. It is the perfect place for a bit of shopping while avoiding the big crowds of tourists.
Palais de Tokyo.
The Palais de Tokyo, located just a stone’s throw from the Eiffel Tower, is a building dedicated to modern and contemporary art that regularly offers exhibitions and artistic events.
The Royal Palace.
With its entrance north of the Louvre, the Palais Royal was, before the construction of the Palace of Versailles, the home of the Kings of France. Today is the home of the Comédie Française. In the Palace’s main courtyard are 260 black and white striped columns known as the Burien Columns, perfect for photo lovers.
I hope you like this article as it covered all the best places to visit in Paris as a tourist. Thank you for reading.
Hello everyone, I am the main writer for SIND Canada. I’ve been writing articles for more than 10 years and I like sharing my knowledge. I’m currently writing for many websites and newspaper. All my ideas come from my very active lifestyle. I always keep myself very informed to give you the best information. You can contact me on our contact page or by email at: [email protected].
Hi, I will be arriving at Nord station by Thalys on t August. Please give me the direction to catch the bus so that I can go to Eiffel tower. What is the ticket cost for the bus?