What to See and Do in Paris: Must-Visit Places
- Apr 24
- 5 min read
Updated: May 12
If it’s your first time in Paris, this guide will help you plan what to see and do without missing the essentials.
In Paris, you’ll always find something to do: from the most iconic landmarks to other lesser-known spots that are just as important for understanding the essence of the city.
What You’ll Find in This Paris Guide
What to See and Do in Paris
🗼Visit the Eiffel Tower
Of course, we can’t not start with it. It’s the most visited monument in the world, with more than 7 million people every year. Since it’s always crowded and lines can get extremely long, we recommend going early in the morning.
To go up, you have two options:
By elevator: You can go all the way to the top for the highest view.
By stairs: There are 1,665 steps, although for safety reasons, the stairs only go up to the first and second floors.
To avoid long lines, we recommend booking your tickets in advance.
With this ticket, you’ll be able to access all three levels of the tower, see the structure up close, and enjoy incredible views of the entire city.
🌿 Walk around Trocadéro Square
Located right in front of the Eiffel Tower, crossing over here is one of the best experiences you can have. Walking through the gardens and seeing the tower from the front, in all its scale, is something you never get tired of.
To avoid crowds, we recommend going early in the morning or even at night, when it’s illuminated and the atmosphere is much calmer. It’s also a great spot if you want to have a picnic and spend the afternoon relaxing with one of the best views in Paris.
Travel tip: The gardens that go down from the square toward the river are perfect for finding different angles and taking amazing photos without so many people around.
🖼️ Visit the Louvre Museum
It’s the most famous and visited museum in the world, a must-stop on any trip to Paris! Inside, you’ll find masterpieces like the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, the Venus de Milo, and the Winged Victory of Samothrace.
To avoid long lines (which can easily exceed two hours), we recommend:
🕒 Opening hours:
Open every day except Tuesdays
Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday and Friday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM (ideal for a night visit with fewer people)
🎟️ Free entry for:
Visitors under 18
People with disabilities and one companion
EU residents under 26 (with valid ID)
⛪ Be amazed by Sainte-Chapelle
It’s considered one of the most beautiful churches in the world. Built in Gothic style and located on Île de la Cité, it’s famous for its massive 13th-century stained glass windows that cover almost the entire upper chapel.
It’s a truly stunning and unique place that won’t disappoint.
We recommend booking your ticket online in advance to secure entry, as the space is small and tickets sell out quickly.
🕒 Opening hours:
April 1 to September 30: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
October 1 to March 31: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
🎨 Walk around Montmartre
For us, this is the most beautiful neighborhood in Paris, with a bohemian vibe you won’t find anywhere else. As you walk through its cobblestone streets, you’ll come across artists painting and selling their work, especially around Place du Tertre.
At the top of the hill, you’ll find the famous Sacré-Cœur Basilica, which we highly recommend visiting not only for its architecture but also for the incredible views over the city from its steps.
One thing to keep in mind is that many restaurants in the area are quite touristy, it might be worth walking a few streets away from the main squares to find more authentic options.
Also located in this neighborhood is the legendary Moulin Rouge, the most famous cabaret in the world. Taking a photo with its iconic red windmill is a classic you can’t miss.
📸 Take a photo at the Arc de Triomphe
Besides being an architectural icon, it’s also a key piece of French history. It’s located in the center of Place Charles de Gaulle, where twelve avenues meet.
Entry: €16 (includes access to the top with panoramic views)
📍 Access: You can only reach it through an underground passage from Champs-Élysées Avenue or Avenue de la Grande Armée. Don’t try to cross the roundabout above ground, it’s very dangerous.
🕒 Opening hours:
April 1 to September 30: Wednesday to Monday from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM and Tuesday from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
October 1 to March 31: Wednesday to Monday from 10:00 AM to 10:30 PM and Tuesday from 11:00 AM to 10:30 PM
🌅 Enjoy the sunset along the Seine River
Walking from the Notre Dame area to the Eiffel Tower along the river is something you can’t miss. Along the way, you’ll cross some of the most beautiful and historic bridges in the city:
Pont Neuf: Despite its name, it’s the oldest bridge in Paris
Pont des Arts: Famous for being pedestrian-only and for its romantic views of Île de la Cité
Pont Alexandre III: For many, the most impressive of all, with golden statues and vintage lampposts
Pont de l'Alma: Known worldwide for being near the tunnel where Princess Diana’s accident occurred
You also have the option to take a boat cruise along the Seine, some of which include dinner on board.
🕍 Don’t miss Notre Dame Cathedral
Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, it’s one of the oldest and most famous Gothic cathedrals in the world. Its two 69-meter towers offer incredible views of Paris, where you can see the famous gargoyles up close.
Notre Dame has been the setting of major historical events, such as the coronation of Napoleon Bonaparte, the beatification of Joan of Arc, and the coronation of Henry VI of England.
If you’re planning to climb the towers, be ready to go up 387 steps, as there’s no elevator.
To avoid long waits, we recommend using the JeFile app to reserve a time slot in advance.
Our experience exploring Paris
For us, the trip was a bit chaotic because we were a large group trying to see as much as possible in just 3 days. We were left wanting to explore Paris more deeply and also discover other parts of France.
Even so, our time in the city was very family-oriented and beautiful. Watching the Eiffel Tower lights turn on at sunset was absolutely incredible, one of those moments you never forget.
We highly recommend this destination, although the one thing we would have done differently is choosing better travel dates. Since we visited during the holiday season, many places were closed and we couldn’t fully enjoy everything.
Also, be prepared to be surrounded by people all the time, this is a city that never takes a break from tourists.
Still planning your trip to Paris?
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