Given its incredible range of iconic attractions, deciding on the best places to visit in Paris can be a tricky task. Newcomers to the French capital can almost feel overwhelmed. Returning travelers have to choose between visiting old favorites or experiencing something totally new in a city that is constantly evolving. While everyone will discover their own unmissable places to see in Paris, my personal picks will act as a fantastic starting point.
1. Champs-Élysées
One of the most famous streets in the world, the Champs-Élysées is an excellent place to begin any time in Paris. Comprising a wide, tree-lined avenue, it connects the Arc de Triomphe with the Place de la Concorde right at the heart of the city.
Stretching in a ruler-straight line for close to 1.5 miles (more than 2 km), its entire length is dotted with attractive cafés perfect for a cup of coffee and people watching, luxury stores, and impressive apartment buildings.
First constructed in the 1660s by King Louis XIV, its southeastern end is surrounded by the perfectly-manicured lawns and flower beds of the Jardins des Champs-Élysées. The gardens link the official residence of the French President at the Élysée Palace with the exhibition spaces of the Grand and Petit Palaces, which are also well worth exploring. Nearby you can also check out the Arc de Triomphe
2. Eiffel Tower
Known locally as La Dame de Fer (The Iron Lady), the Eiffel Tower was only ever supposed to be a temporary structure. Built to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution in 1889, it quickly became one of the top places in Paris to visit.
Equal in height to an 80-story building, the tower has held numerous records, including being the tallest manmade structure in the world right up until 1930. At just over 1,000 feet (324 m) high, the views from its observation deck stretch across Paris for miles. I would recommend you do your homework prior to visiting and I am working on a post specifically about visiting the Eiffel Tower – in the mean time check out the official visitor website here to purchase tickets
But even if you decide to keep your feet firmly fixed on terra firma, you’ll still be able to soak up the atmosphere that envelopes this incredible monument on the city’s Rive Gauche.
3. Montmartre
Further north, the Montmartre district is perhaps best known for the delicate domed architecture of the Sacre Coeur. However, there’s far more to the area than this basilica alone. Personally I love visiting the Sacre Coeur and climbing all the stairs to the top – the view is incredible (just watch out for the birds!).
Traditionally one of the most bohemian parts of Paris, Montmartre has long been associated with the city’s artists. In fact, a good number of the Louvre’s finest works were painted by artists associated with Montmartre, including Claude Monet, Vincent Van Gogh, and Pablo Picasso.
More than one of Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s masterpieces was painted in what is now the Musée de Montmartre, while Place du Tertre and the Lapin Agile cabaret were other haunts that still exist today. Degas is just one famous name buried in the district’s charming cemetery.
4. Panthéon
No, I haven’t gone crazy in naming the Panthéon as one of the best places to visit in Paris. Located in the city’s Latin Quarter south of the River Seine, the structure is modeled on its namesake building in the Italian capital.
While constructed at the request of King Louis XV to house the relics of the city’s patron saint, Genevieve, the French Revolution saw it become a mausoleum for the country’s greatest names.
An important place in Paris to visit, as a result, those interred in the crypt include Victor Hugo, the author of Les Misérables, and The Hunchback of Notre-Dame. Other notables include Marie Curie – who would be in my top 10 to dine with (dead or alive), the first woman buried in the Panthéon for her own merit.
5. River Seine
In many ways the lifeblood of the city, the Seine inevitably makes it onto my list of best places to visit in Paris. The obvious way to enjoy all the river has to offer is by stepping aboard one of the many tourist boats which drift along its tranquil waters.
Take this option and you’ll be able to absorb many of the top places to visit in Paris without getting foot sore. The long list of sights visible from the river include the Cathedral of Notre Dame, located on the île de la Cité.
A must-do for picture taking is to visit the Pont des Arts which is most famous for being the Lock Bridge in Paris. If you decide to add a lock good luck ever finding it again 😉
6. Bois de Boulogne
Tucked into a large loop in the Seine on the western side of Paris, the Bois de Boulogne is the city’s second-largest area of parkland. Spanning some 2100 acres, it’s roughly 2.5 times larger than New York’s Central Park.
In addition to stunning landscaping in the naturalistic ‘English’ style, its wooded vistas are also the location of a formal garden around the Neoclassical Château de Bagatelle, the Roland Garros tennis center, and the exquisite contemporary form of the Fondation Louis Vuitton.
Brought to life by American architect Frank Gehry and opened in 2014, the foundation provides public access to the modern art collections of Louis Vuitton and its chairman Bernard Arnault. Pay a visit and you’ll discover works by the likes of Jeff Koons and Gilbert & George.
7. The Louvre
However, for your fix of all things cultural, there’s no match to the Louvre. The most visited museum on Earth, it is one of the places to visit in Paris you simply cannot ignore.
Occupying a former royal residence and entering via the glass pyramid at the center of the Cour Napoléon, the Louvre’s galleries contain 380,000 objects. It’s been estimated that if you spend a minute admiring each and everyone, you’d remain inside its hallowed halls for 1.5 years!
Discovering the Best Places to Visit in Paris
There are arguably no wrong answers when it comes to the French capital, given the sheer number of landmarks the City of Light is able to boast. I hope the places I have chosen will help you if you are on a time crunch or have decision paralysis as to me, they are some of the very best places to visit in Paris. If you are interested in the best day trip from Paris please check out my post here
