The 20 Best Places to Visit in Paris in 2024

Paris is a city that needs no introduction. The capital of France is synonymous with romance, history, and culture. From the iconic Eiffel Tower to the Louvre Museum to the charming Montmartre neighborhood, there’s something for everyone in Paris.

But with so much to see and do, it can be tough to know where to start. That’s where we come in.

The 20 Best Places to Visit in Paris

Here is a list of the 20 best places to visit in Paris, according to our travel experts:

1. The Eiffel Tower

Standing nearly 1,000 feet (300 meters) tall on the banks of the Seine River with an adorable park surrounding it, the Eiffel Tower is easily one of the best places to visit in France and one of the most iconic spots in the city.

But you might be surprised to learn that a trip to the top isn’t what belongs on your to-do list — just a visit to the tower or up to the second floor is enough for a memorable experience! 

There’s no better way to spend a Parisian afternoon than enjoying a simple picnic (baguette, cheeses, meat, and wine) as the tower, well, towers over you in the lovely Champ de Mars gardens. At night, the tower is illuminated and absolutely magical to see.

There are 3 levels inside the tower, each offering a new and higher perspective over Paris. On the first floor, the Ferrié Pavillon boasts its own restaurant, bar, and gift shop with “glass” floors where you can look down onto the city below you.

Take stairs or an elevator to the second floor, where you’ll amazing views over Paris with boutiques, gift shops, a macaron bakery, and Jules Verne restaurant offering elegant French cuisine in a setting that feels exclusive and romantic — even amid the tourist-y environment. 

With the right ticket, you can take a glass elevator 900 feet up to the top floor for historical offices of the tower’s creator, Gustave Eiffel, and amazing wax figures to complete the feeling of stepping back in time. The views and champagne bar up here are nice, but scoring tickets even 2-3 months out can be tough. 

If you can’t get tickets to the top (especially in June and July), the views from the Arc de Triomphe, the Galeries Lafayette rooftop, La Défense, and Montmartre hilltops offer similarly stunning views over Paris. 

2. Versailles

To experience jaw-dropping opulence unlike anything you’ve seen in Paris, head just 40 minutes west of the city to the Palace of Versailles. You’ll be completely overwhelmed by its scale, elegance, and surrounding gardens and estates, and it’s one of the can’t-miss spots when you’re visiting Paris. 

Take the Transilien Line N from Montparnasse in Paris and you’ll be dropped about 0.5 miles from the palace. Follow the crowds to reach it (and hopefully, you’ve already booked a timed ticket in advance).

It looms before you with its incredibly manicured and impossibly detailed gardens, exterior, and palatial estates surrounding it. If you’re on the fence about visiting, don’t be — just go! 

See the display of luxury and wealth that King Louis XIV dreamed up in the 17th century in this palace of a thousand rooms. The dazzling Hall of Mirrors is a jaw-dropping experience that you’ll never forget. The King and Queen’s apartments, Grand Chapel, and special touches like gilded pipe organs and French Baroque architectural elements make it truly stunning. 

Around the palace, the estate surpasses 2,000 acres and is filled with amazing sights and structures, all palatial or romantically French. You can paddle a boat across the mile-long Grand Canal, catch a concert or fountain show, and more. 

Get away from the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds by heading out to meander (or rent a golf cart to ride) through the gardens, explore the Queen’s Hamlet farmland with its model village, and the nearby Petit and Grand Trianon chateaux (through the gardens, roughly a mile away).

Plan on spending several hours at the Palace of Versailles to give plenty of attention to the various palace rooms, surrounding estates, gardens, and mock village. You’ll be so glad you came, but know that it’s crowded in the summer months! 

3. The Louvre

The Louvre Museum can’t be left off any self-respecting Parisian itinerary, and for good reason: It’s one of the world’s greatest museums inside a former palace and filled to the brim with treasures, relics, and famous and historic artwork. 

It’s an expansive museum with over 650,000 square feet of endless works of art and relics from centuries past (6th century B.C. to the 19th century) totaling more than 500,000 objects across its 8 massive departments. And that’s just the permanent collection!

The iconic Louvre Pyramid is also the entrance, and before you go in, you’ll be able to wander through the museum’s gardens in a picturesque setting near the Seine River. 

This is where Leonardo da Vinci’s famed Mona Lisa resides in eternal smirk, along with Géricault’s The Raft of the Medusa, the Ancient Greek Winged Victory of Samothrace statue, the Venus de Milo statue, Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People, and the French Crown Jewels.

You can easily spend the better part of a day (5-6 hours) just wandering the Louvre’s hallowed halls, drinking in the intense emotion, talent, and artistic vision that fills the ornate museum with a sense of historic importance in almost-reverence.

Guided tours offer the most well-rounded and educational experience, but even then, you won’t be able to see it all in one visit. 

Souvenir and gift shops, boutiques, restaurants, and French cafes scattered around the museum and gardens make it the perfect place to spend your time during a Paris trip. Make sure to grab your tickets ahead of time or get a skip the line pass for quicker entry! 

4. Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris

As classically French as croissants and the Eiffel Tower, the Notre Dame Cathedral, or Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris, is a Gothic medieval architectural marvel on the Seine River island of Île de la Cité. 

Only some parts of the cathedral are currently open to the public, like the Place Jean-Paul II square and its underground crypts containing archaeological finds as well as the Pont au Double footbridge, following the devastating 2019 fire that destroyed much of the monument. 

Reopening is planned for December 2024, but you can see the recently-erected cross-topped spire rising brilliantly from the top along with a new cockerel (rooster) that’s remained a Parisian symbol for centuries. 

Visiting this world-famous wonder won’t be quite as magnificent until it reopens for entry, but until then, even viewing its massive size, menacing gargoyles, and beautiful Gothic detail is enough to make your visit memorable. You’ll still be glad to say you’ve been to Notre Dame! 

Nearby, you’ll find Sainte Chapelle, another fascinating cathedral you can tour (find it further down the list), as well as the oldest hospital in Paris, Hotel-Dieu de Paris. 

5. Musée d’Orsay

While the Louvre gets all the glory, art appreciators know that Musée d’Orsay is equally as evocative and visit-worthy with its massive collection of Impressionist works, photography, sculptures, and other French artwork from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s. 

While the Louvre sits on the Right Bank of the Seine River, the Musée d’Orsay sits on the Left Bank in an old train station (once Gare d’Orsay) from the late 19th century.

Vincent Van Gogh’s Self-Portrait and Starry Night Over the Rhone, Monet’s famous Poppy Field and Blue Water Lilies, Renoir’s bustling Paris street cafe depiction in Bal du Moulin de la Galette, and Manet’s controversial Olympia all hang on the walls of the D’Orsay. 

You’ll find plenty of stunning photographs to look over and striking sculptures to admire, like Degas’ bronze Small Dancer Aged 14 and Pompon’s marble Polar Bear, are fascinating to see in person. 

If you’re a Renaissance art lover, you’ll probably appreciate the Louvre more, but for Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, and Realist art, d’Orsay is truly phenomenal. It doesn’t take long to wander the museum and see its highlights, so plan on around 2-3 hours for a fulfilling visit. 

There’s a 2nd floor restaurant and 5th floor cafe to help you break up your visit with lunch, coffee, snacks, or dinner. The cafe is behind one of the old train station’s massive clock faces and lines can be long, but it’s well worth stopping by for its delectable menu and wine list. 

For a less-crowded visit, aim to go in the evening, around 2 hours before closing. You’ll be able to make your way through the most popular exhibits without shoulder-to-shoulder masses of people, which can be the reality during the peak summer months in the mornings and afternoons. 

6. Montmartre

As the highest point of Paris set on a hilltop overlooking the city, Montmartre has earned a reputation as one of the most charming and classically Parisian neighborhoods in this historic city.

From its village-esque narrow cobblestone streets that slope up and down the hill to the impressive Sacre-Coeur Basilica that sits on the summit like a beacon, it’s one of our favorite places to spend time in the City of Light. 

Montmartre is starkly different during the day and night. When the sun is up, the streets are alive with locals and tourists wandering the streets into sidewalk cafes, little boutiques, and cool spots with artistic history (like Place Émile Goudeau and its Bateau Lavoir, where Picasso once lived and worked). 

At night, the neighborhood transforms into a bohemian nightlife hub that makes it popular for anyone seeking to sip, dance, or mingle. The famous Moulin Rouge cabaret at the bottom of the hill is the most well-known, but Place Vendôme’s classy bars and small bars and dance clubs are also options. 

Experiencing Old Paris is still possible here in Montmartre, and it boasts some of the most incredible views of Paris you’ll find outside of the Eiffel Tower. The hilltop Sacre-Coeur offers some of the most panoramic, unobstructed (and free!) views. The basilica itself is truly stunning. 

This is a neighborhood you should wander without an agenda, getting lost on the small streets and checking out every sho, gallery, and cafe that draws your interest along the way. 

Montmartre’s less-traveled back streets, like Rue l’Abreuvoir, Place Dalida, and even Paris’ final remaining vineyard, Vigne du Clos Montmartre, are excellent places to visit if you want to get off the main roads.

7. Champs-Elysées

Champs-Elysées is a large street in Paris, famous for being the location of the Arc de Triomphe, luxury shops and boutiques, and bustling public plazas with historic monuments that are well worth visiting. 

The Arc de Triomphe sits in the historic Place Charles de Gaulle and makes a fantastic point to start your path down the avenue (more info on this monument in the next section). 

Walk the sidewalk down and see the Grand Palais and Petit Palais museums, coming to Place de la Concorde, Paris’ largest square with the Luxor Obelisk at the center. 

You can continue on to see the famous Jardin des Tuileries and Louvre Museum from there, but there’s much more to see if you just wander along the avenue and its perpendicular streets. 

You’ll see luxury brands and their flagship Paris stores here, including Louis Vuitton, Dior, Lacoste, Pierre Hermé, and Apple. Smaller local boutiques and showrooms are also scattered up and down the avenue for a full day or afternoon of wandering. 

The Théâtre des Champs-Elysées nearby is perfect for entertainment, offering plays, operas, ballets, and symphonies from its historic building.

While there are better streets for food (this one tends to skew expensive and tourist-y), you’ll still find some great options here, like Brasserie L’Alsace for seafood, wine, and terrace dining or Bistro Marbeuf for delicious French food just off the main strip.

8. Arc de Triomphe

Rivaling the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral in terms of Parisian monument fame, the iconic and ornately-sculpted Arc de Triomphe is one of the best places to visit in Paris and offers some great views of the city from its top terrace. 

The arch is perfectly aligned with the Luxor Obelisk on Champs-Elysées. It was built in the 19th century to commemorate Napoleon’s Grande Armée victories in the Great War.

Sites like the Tomb of the Unknown Solider and the Eternal Flame (lit every night) honor their bravery and triumph. You can check out an exhibit showcasing the monument’s history and symbolism while you’re here. 

You’ll access the Arc de Triomphe safely through a tunnel that leads from the northern side of Champs-Elysées across the rotary (always bustling with traffic) to get into the arch.

But the real treat is the view you’ll have over Paris once you reach the top. Lines can be long (definitely grab your tickets in advance for a shorter wait), but the views are truly special. It’s 284 steps up to the top, but there’s a little-known elevator you can take if you ask.

Looking to the east, you’ll see Champs-Elysées, Sacre-Coeur on Montmartre’s hilltop, the Louvre, Notre Dame, the Grand Palais, and the Jussieu and St. Jacques tower.

Southeast, the Eiffel Tower, churches like Sainte-Clotilde, Saint-Sulpice, and the American Church are visible, along with the Les Invalides gilded dome. Look northeast to see the domes and towers of St. Augustin, St. Trinité, and St. Vincent de Paul, and views up and down Parisian boulevards. 

9. Sainte-Chapelle

Sainte-Chapelle is famous for its huge, artistic stained glass windows and medieval Gothic architecture. It’s located on the Île de la Cité in the Seine River (just like the Notre Dame Cathedral) in the Palais de la Cité, which was the French royal palace through the 13th and 14th centuries. 

The church has been an important part of Christian history in Paris (and worldwide) with its housing of religious relics, like pieces of the True Cross and the Crown of Thorns.

These relics were the reason for its construction (which only took 7 years at a record pace), though they’re now located in the Notre Dame Cathedral treasury. 

You might not realize that the iconic stained glass panels of the church tell stories, and two-thirds of them are all original. They depict Old and New Testament events and history, totaling over 1,100 individual panels and 13 windows with heights of 49 feet (15 meters).

You should view the panels from left to right and bottom to top to “read” the stories. The stained glass of Sainte-Chapelle is the oldest you’ll find in Paris. Entering Sainte-Chapelle is akin to entering a kaleidoscope, with its dizzying array of colors as light streams through the ornate stained glass.

The church itself is a magnificent example of Gothic architecture with high, vaulted ceilings that make it a popular site for concerts. You’ll feel a sense of reverence as you walk through, and it’s certainly one of the best places to go in Paris. 

10. Quartier Latin

The Quartier Latin, or Latin Quarter, is the 5th district of Paris with distinctively bohemian vibes and a long history as a hangout and residence for students, artists, and eccentrics who appreciate the area’s gardens, cobblestone streets, and Roman ruins. 

See the stately Sorbonne University within Place de la Sorbonne, the National Museum of Natural History, the domed, colonnaded Pantheon sitting high on Montagne Sainte-Geneviève, and Gallo-Roman Baths from the 1st century. 

Lively streets like Rue Mouffetard buzz with sidewalk cafes, outdoor markets, and small boutiques that immerse you in the true Paris. Place Saint-Michel and its famed fountain depicting the Archangel’s battle and victory over Evil is an excellent spot to stroll.

Haussmann’s Boulevard Saint-Michel leads from there, taking you past unique bookstores, cinemas, and Luxembourg Gardens. You’ll find great restaurants along nearby Rue Saint-André des Arts and Rue de la Huchette. 

Look for the stunning 12th-15th century medieval Gothic churches, Saint-Severin with its stained glass and palm tree-shaped pillars and Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre (Paris’ oldest) with a stunning, columned interior.

Medieval homes along Rue Galande are fascinating to see with their sculptural reliefs. Take it from Sandy, our awesome content reviewer, who recommends visiting the Shakespeare and Co. bookstore, the Cluny museum, and the Odeon Theater when visiting.

11. Moulin Rouge

Moulin Rouge is one of Paris’ famous cabarets, known worldwide as the birthplace of the can-can dance and show, featuring dancers outfitted in flashy, skimpy costumes with feather boas, rhinestones, and sequins galore.

Moulin Rouge puts on a nightly dinner and show that’s incredibly popular with locals and tourists. The name means “red mill” and refers to the red mill on top of the building’s exterior. 

The Féerie revue features 4 separate acts that tell stories in gardens, pirate ships, circuses, and Paris under the seductive dim and candle-lit interior with striped ceiling swag and tiered tables to watch the show along with a French meal, champagne, and wine. 

Originally called Le Bal du Moulin Rouge, this famous cabaret was responsible for the trend hitting all of Europe and features a talented troupe of dancers (around 60) who bring the show to life with their performances. 

You can expect some nudity in the risqué Féerie show, making it unsuitable for children, but the venue says there are other family-friendly shows you can catch at other times. Don’t bring cameras inside and don’t snap photos with your phone — it’s prohibited. 

The theater itself is small and intimate, creating a setting not unlike underground theaters in New York City. Dinner and drinks (if you add it to your ticket) is at 7PM, while shows start at 9PM and 11PM. 

12. Père Lachaise Cemetery

If you’re itching to do something different with a peaceful feeling of tranquility in Paris, visit the Père Lachaise Cemetery. It’s filled with incredible tombstones and mausoleums that are more like works of art and the burial site of many famous artists, musicians, and writers. 

This is the largest cemetery in the city, spanning 110 acres and drawing millions of visitors each year to see beloved celebrities’ resting sites and to wander through the still, silent, shaded walkways that curve and wind in the most picturesque way. 

Make a list of some of the famous people you want to “visit” in the cemetery, like Jim Morrison of The Doors, Edith Piaf, Oscar Wilde (apply lipstick and kiss the tomb, according to tradition), Sarah Bernhardt, and Frederic Chopin. 

At the center of the cemetery, you’ll find Casimir Perier’s massive tomb, featuring a marble monument topped with a bronze statue. It’s impressive and stands alone in the heart of the cemetery.

Other graves, like that of Victor Noir, feature stunning bronze statues and are also associated with eccentric traditions (like rubbing the statue for luck in fertility and love).

It’s totally free to enter and walk through the cemetery, and if you’re a fan of any of the people buried here, it can be an even more meaningful stop.

If you’re just here to see the artistic tombstones and monuments, like Monument aux Morts, or to wander a peaceful garden-like cemetery setting, it’s still worth a visit. 

13. Galeries Lafayette

Paris is a fashion and shopping capital of the world, and if you’re up for a full day of browsing, buying, and pining over luxury items and clothes, you should head to the Galeries Lafayette for upscale shopping. 

This Art Nouveau Parisian department store houses top brands and small boutiques, eateries, bakeries, salons, and spas that make a visit appealing for just about anyone. 

You’ll find so many luxury shops to check out, from Chanel and Christian Dior to Armani and Prada. Stop by a macaron bakery for a sweet treat, or enjoy a gourmet or ethnic meal from one of the highly-rated restaurants inside.

Take a moment to relax and unwind at the Wellness Galerie on the lower ground floor, where you can get a massage or facial, take an exercise class, and dine at a healthy restaurant to treat your body to something good. 

Stroll the long, transparent Glasswalk suspended above shoppers’ heads in the Coupole, taking photos and overlooking the mall from your unique perspective. This can be a tough one if you have a fear of heights! 

Fashion shows are held in the Galeries Lafayette on a regular basis, while cooking classes can teach you how to make classic dishes like mushroom risotto and chicken fricassee. Heritage tours provide history on the mall and its beginnings through today.

14. Jardin des Tuileries

Jardin des Tuileries, or Tuileries Garden, is another iconic Paris stop. It spans nearly 70 acres, with rectangular lawns lined with gardens, trees, and pathways that once hosted royal events in front of the former Tuileries Palace (burned down in 1883). 

As expansive as it is lush and perfectly manicured, Jardin des Tuileries stretches from the Louvre Museum to the Place de la Concorde square. It’s been here since the mid-1500s, taking its spot as one of the most-visited attractions in this romantic, scenic city. 

Sculptures and statues on pedestals are staggered along the paths and throughout the park, with areas like the Carrousel Garden and the ramps to the Jeu de Paume (media and photography museum) and Musée de l’Orangerie (home to Contemporary and Impressionist art) boasting some of the most impressive. 

From the heart of the garden, you can see the Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, the Seine River, and even the Eiffel Tower. It’s a truly memorable experience, especially during the warm spring and summer season when the garden is verdant and lively. 

Walk past tranquil ponds surrounded by chairs, stop at bubbling fountains, marvel at the statues and sculpted wonders, ride the summertime Ferris wheel, and grab a bite to eat at an outdoor cafe while children play and laugh at the playground. 

Can you think of a more pleasant place to spend an hour or two enjoying the fresh air, sunshine, and buzzing crowds of people on your trip to Paris? It’s always a favorite spot for tourists to visit. 

15. Palais Garnier

The Palais Garnier, or Opera Garnier, is a study in opulence and cultural richness. As Paris’ most famous opera house, it sits in the diamond-shaped Place de l’Opera and was built under the reign of Napoleon III.

The exterior is marvelous, but the interior will blow you away. Colorful frescoes adorn the ceilings, painted by Marc Chagall, and bas-reliefs decorate the walls with subtle protuberances on the lower and upper sections.

Grand and Forward foyers, octagonal salons, painted ceilings and wall panels, beautiful sculptures, and intimate theater areas make it worth stepping inside for a tour or to see a performance.

Twin gilded bronze sculptures beckon from the rooftop, a copper dome with aged green patina rises from the center, and statues, reliefs, and columns line the facade.

Famously portrayed in The Phantom of the Opera, this well-known opera house holds 400+ shows and performances annually. There’s a good chance you’ll be able to see something fantastic while you’re in town if you think ahead and grab tickets!

You can take a self-guided tour through the opera house to learn about its history through an audio and multimedia guide. Walk at your own pace and see the parts that interest you the most. 

However, guided tours are the better way to truly get a sense of the hall’s paintings, reliefs, and sculptures, as well as the fascinating beginnings of this opera house — born from a contest! 

16. Buttes Chaumont Park

As one of the largest gardens in Paris (and the steepest, with lots of rolling hills), the verdant and tree-covered Buttes Chaumont Park is a wonderful hidden gem in the city that envelops you in natural beauty. You’ll forget you’re in Paris and feel like it’s French countryside! 

Here in northeastern Paris, the park boasts serene walking paths that lead under mature groves of shade trees, vast lawns, playgrounds, and ponds. There are always children playing, ducks quacking, and people milling around its idyllic acres. 

The area was a gypsum mine long ago, but now you can stroll around the artificial lake from the mine days with its central, rocky island, along with a 65-foot high man-made cave hiding a 60-foot waterfall that shrouds you in cooling mist on warm summer days. 

Venture across the suspension bridge over the lake — Gustave Eiffel built it before the Eiffel Tower — to reach the stunning Temple de la Sybille, modeled after the Temple of Vesta in Rome. 

Stop by any of the restaurants or cafes, drink bars, children’s theaters, or let the kids play on the playground while you’re at the lovely Parc des Buttes Chaumont. 

The park offers excellent views of the surrounding neighborhoods and architecture, like Montmartre and Sacre-Coeur. It’s not as manicured or intentional as Tuileries, but it’s a phenomenal place to escape the hustle and bustle for a relaxing day in nature. 

17. Sacre-Coeur

Sitting high on the hilltop of Butte Montmartre in one of Paris’ most charming neighborhoods, Sacre-Coeur is a famous basilica that attracts millions of tourists each year with its outstanding architecture, reverent atmosphere, and soaring views over the city. 

This basilica is where you can climb up to incredible views over Paris as a whole, sitting at the highest point of the city from its hilltop setting. The Roman-Byzantine architectural style stands out amid Gothic cathedrals around the city, while the white-domed top can be seen from many vantage points. 

Entering the basilica is free and offers much of the experience you’re coming here to have. You’ll be walking through the hallowed halls, witnessing prayer that hasn’t ceased for 135+ years, and taking in the beautiful stained glass, grand organ, and ornate interior along with a free audio guide. 

Check out the breathtaking Christ mosaic over the altar. It’s one of the world’s largest and seeing it can be a meaningful experience, whether you’re religious or not. 

If you want to rise to the best views Paris has to offer (ever in competition with those you’ll take in at the Eiffel Tower), climb up 300 narrow, historic steps to the dome and feast your eyes on the layout of this romantic city. It’s not free to climb, but prices are under 10€ and well worth the cost. 

Come up the “back way” for the best experience, walking past the Wall of Love and along traditional Parisian side streets in Montmartre to make your way to the basilica through a bustling public square. 

18. Seine River

Flowing through Paris like a main artery, the Seine River is as much a part of the city as its awe-inspiring architecture, cathedrals, monuments, and cafes. It flows beside many of the best-known landmarks, like the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, and Notre Dame.

Ornate bridges cross this mighty river while leafy trees line its banks. Getting around the city means passing, crossing, or strolling paths alongside the Seine on a regular basis — after your trip, it’ll feel like an old friend and familiar sight. 

Bookshops, cafes, and parks can be part of your riverside walk. Stop by the Parc Rives de Seine (a UNESCO World Heritage site) with its picnic zones, playgrounds, and pathways. Marvel at the incredible architecture on the Left and Right banks as you take a guided cruise down the river.

Readers will want to check out the Bouquinistes of Paris, or the booksellers of Paris, that line the riverbanks with used and rare books from every genre and author you can imagine.

Cross pedestrian bridges, or passerelles, to look down over the river for a unique perspective, like Debilly, Léopold Sedar Senghor, and Pont des Art. These are great places to snap some photos during your trip! 

19. Catacombs of Paris

Paris’ catacombs can bring you deep into the underbelly of the city through historic tombs and caverns that double as a morgue. This hidden Paris underground world can add a unique twist to your trip, interrupting the usual sightseeing and food tours with something a bit more macabre. 

Once quarry tunnels, the underground chambers were transformed into catacombs to house the city’s dead when growth overtook the available space for burials above ground. 

You can take a tour of the catacombs, wandering 65 feet (20 meters) under the city streets in a hidden world of darkness, carved steps, and walls made of carefully-laid human bones in beautiful designs. 

You’ll be able to identify tibia, skulls, and other recognizable bones in these intricate designs as you explore this subterranean world. Some are just fragments and pieces, resulting from their initial storage method of being piled unceremoniously underground. 

Altars, columns, and tombs decorate the catacombs of Paris, making your roughly hour-long visit one of complete wonder and awe at the detail and careful creation of this underground space. 

You’ll take 131 steps down into the chambers, but only 112 back up to re-emerge in the world of light, sound, and busy streets. It’s truly an unforgettable experience. 

20. Disneyland Paris

Longing to feel like a kid again — or keep the children entertained on your trip to Paris? Head to Disneyland Paris for a day or several of theme park fun with rides, concessions, games, shops, and character events and interactions that your kids will remember forever. 

The massive park sits just outside of Paris in Chessy, spanning over 8.6 square miles with its different sections and huge, thrilling rides.

This is a place to immerse yourself in fantasy and fiction, taking strolls through the park, transporting to Disney worlds through rides, and eating and drinking your way through the top-notch eateries, concessions, and snack bars.

Two theme parks are within Disneyland Paris, Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park. Grab your tickets and make your way through both to experience the magic up close! Rides like Pirates of the Caribbean, Peter Pan’s Flight, Ratatouille: The Adventure, and Alice’s Curious Labyrinth should be on your list.

You’ll find lots of resort hotels to choose from if you’d like to stay within the park, a golf course, and plenty of options for shopping, dining, and entertainment beyond the rides. Book character interactions and meals, from breakfast with Mickey to spending the day as a princess in the company of your favorite characters.

While Disneyland Paris won’t provide you with the quintessential Parisian experience, it’s certainly a fun way to kick off or end a trip predominantly filled with sightseeing and leisurely strolls around the city’s coolest districts and neighborhoods. 

Things to Consider

Strikes and demonstrations are frequent in Paris. Since late 2022, France has been undergoing strikes protesting a change to the retirement system.

Strikes often make it hard to get around Paris, and protest marches can get violent. Check the news if there is a strike announced and avoid main areas where protest routes might go.

Remember that Paris is still a bustling, modern big city with common big city problems, including crime. Pickpockets are common, so keep a firm grasp on your valuables, especially in the metro.

Avoid common scams, such as people offering to give you bracelets (they are never free). You will also probably be doing a lot of walking, so make sure to pack comfortable shoes!

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some other questions visitors to Paris wanted to ask:

So What Is the Best Place to Visit in Paris?

It’s hard to narrow down the best place to visit in the French capital. Paris has beautiful churches such as Notre Dame, museums such as the Louvre, and of course, no visit is complete without a trip to the Eiffel Tower.

So, with so much to see and do, what are you waiting for — book your trip to Paris today and experience all that this gorgeous city has to offer. Happy travels!