15 Must See Places to Visit in Paris (France)

Stunning palaces and castles, top neighborhoods, quaint cafés, romantic views over the Seine…. How could anyone ever truly finish discovering Paris?

The city has plenty of sights and attractions that marvel every visitor, even those arriving in Paris for the tenth time!

In this list, I have decided to introduce those must-see attractions that you wouldn’t want to miss during your first visit to this magical destination.

Here are 15 must-see places to visit in Paris for first-time visitors to the City of Light.

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Eiffel Tower

The beloved Eiffel Tower is probably the most famous tourist attraction in the world and one of those must-see places that you won’t want to miss. It’s on everyone’s Paris itinerary.

Designed by Gustave Eiffel for the Paris Exhibition of 1889, the 324-meter-high (1,063 feet) tower is the most emblematic sight in France.

Locally known as the Iron Lady, it is also possible to climb to its different levels and even enjoy a meal at one of its restaurants or simply enjoy the views from the observation platforms.

Buy a ticket now: Skip the line Eiffel Tower Summit Priority Access

On the second level, there is a Michelin-starred restaurant, Le Jules Verne, with a spectacular setting and inspiring views.

You can enjoy dinner in the restaurant, but keep in mind that it should be booked well in advance.

To take the best photos of the tower, you can head to the Jardins du Trocadéro, opposite the Seine, the Parc du Champ de Mars, right in front of the tower, or walk to the nearby Rue de la Université or Rue Buenos Aires.

READ MORE: Paris at Night – Best Things to Do

 

Musée d’Orsay

Housing a magnificent art collection with pieces dating between the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the Musée d’Orsay is a masterpiece in itself.

It is hosted in a former Belle Epoque railway station (the Gare d’Orsay), and it is worth a visit to admire the impressive clocks with views of Paris.

The museum hosts some of the most famous paintings in history, featuring an important collection of impressionist art such as works by Monet, Gauguin, Degas, Manet, Renoir, Bonnard, Cézanne, and Van Gogh, among others.

LEARN MORE: One Day in Paris Itinerary

Louvre Museum

Second in popularity only to the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre is the biggest and most visited museum in the world.

Featuring thousands of artworks, from antiquities and sculptures to European paintings dated between the XV and the XIX centuries, the Louvre is magnificent.

Many forget, however, that the Louvre in itself is a structure worth visiting.

The imposing palace served as the home of France’s kings, so expect luxurious architecture, impressive ceilings, and majestic staircases everywhere.

Seeing the whole collection in a day is nothing but impossible.

You could easily spend 6 or 8 hours at the Louvre and see only a fraction of it.

Therefore, focus on a particular period that interests you, or map out what pieces you want to admire.

The most visited of them all, Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, is often surrounded by crowds, and you don’t get more than a quick glimpse of it.

There are, however, many more works of art worth admiring; therefore, visiting with a knowledgeable guide is nothing but a winning move.

Buy skip the line Louvre ticket now

If you are visiting on a budget and prefer not to book a tour, then grab a map once you have entered the museum and take 15 minutes to sit and check all the places you want to see.

It might feel like you are wasting time at first, but trust me, it is a great solution to have an accurate idea of what exhibition room to visit next!

LEARN MORE: 8 Best Day Trips from Paris

 

The Panthéon

Originally built as a church, the Panthéon is now the national mausoleum of France’s greatest citizens.

The structure was built in a somber Neoclassical style with an imposing colonnade and towering dome.

The Panthéon is the final resting place of remarkable men that made the history of the country, including philosophers Voltaire, Rousseau, and Descartes, but also the writers Victor Hugo, Émile Zola, and Alexandre Dumas.

Buried in the Panthéon are also the physicist Marie Curie and the singer, dancer, and civil rights activist Josephine Baker, among other remarkable women.

Notre Dame de Paris

The city’s most important church, Notre Dame, is located in the center of town, on the Île-de-la-Cité, and right opposite the gorgeous Latin Quarter.

The cathedral dates back to 1163, and it took more than 150 years to build.

Part of the building was heavily destroyed by fire back in 2019, but the city has promised its final restoration and reopening will be in December 2024.

Built in Early Gothic style, featuring also later additions with a clear architectonic transition to High Gothic style.

The impressive facade and its spectacular stained glass windows are stunning examples of refined medieval architecture.

LEARN MORE: Weekend in Paris Itinerary for 2 – 3 Days

 

Palais Royal

Officially known as the Domaine National du Palais Royal, this Paris landmark is located opposite the Louvre Museum.

Originally designed to be the residence for Cardinal Richelieu, it later became the palace for the royal family.

Surrounding the palace, there is a well-manicured French garden, the Jardin du Palais-Royal with sculptures, courtyards, fountains, and a huge variety of colorful flowers.

Cafés and fine dining restaurants can also be found in the area, while inside the Palais Royal, there are also two theaters.

Arc de Triomphe

Another of Paris’ most iconic landmarks, the Arc de Triomphe is an impressive arch built to pay homage to the French soldiers who fought in the armies of the Revolution and the Napoleonic War.

It was commissioned by Napoleon and was completed in 1836.

The arch is 50 meters in height, and it displays bas-reliefs with images of the victories and glorious return of the French armies.

Visitors can access the viewing platform located on top of the monument to enjoy panoramic views of the twelve avenues that radiate from the foot of the arc, where there is the memorial Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Buy Arc de Triomphe Rooftop Tickets

 

Jardin du Luxembourg

Located in the sixth arrondissement, the Jardin du Luxembourg is the most famous park and public garden in Paris.

They date from the seventeenth century and were built following the style of the Boboli Gardens in Florence.

The garden features a magnificent octagonal fountain, flanked by statues, flower beds, and curated shrubs. Inside the park, it is also possible to visit greenhouses with exotic orchids, an apiary, an orange garden, and more.

The gardens also shelter unique fountains, a café and restaurant, and plenty of chairs and benches for visitors to sit and enjoy the green landscape.

And the gardens also feature an entertaining playground for kids, with miniature boats that kids can steer as they sail around in the octagonal pool.

Palais Garnier

Known as the Opéra National de Paris, the Palais Garnier Opera House is one of the most beautiful opera houses in the world.

The imposing Baroque building was constructed between 1862 and 1875, and it remains a symbol of the Napoleonic Empire.

Symbolism and heavy baroque details give life to the facade with classical columns and eight sculptures representing allegorical figures dedicated to the arts.

Upon entrance to the building, the first thing that you will admire is the breathtaking Grand Escalier, a spectacular marble staircase adorned by lamps.

Palais Garnier’s main auditorium features a spectacular ceiling painting by Chagall as well as an enormous crystal chandelier.

You can either enjoy a night at the ballet or the opera, or you can book a guided tour of the theater to discover its magnificent secrets.

 

La Conciergerie

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is an imposing medieval fortress that functioned as a place of detention and courthouse during the French Revolution.

Part of the former Palais de la Cité, this used to be the royal residence of kings of France until the residence was moved to the Louvre.

There are several interesting exhibitions hosted in the palace, including the objects dating from the Reign of Terror, such as a guillotine blade, and a copy of the last letter written by Marie-Antoinette before her execution.

The palace also features three distinctive round towers and a gorgeous clock tower (known as the Tour de l’Horloge).

It is the deceiving look, more similar to a castle than to a prison; that is exactly what really fascinates visitors the most.

Buy a Private Tour Sainte Chapelle, Conciergerie & Cluny (through the Latin Quarter)

Sainte Chapelle

Not as famous as the Notre Dame Cathedral or the Sacré Coeur Basilica, Sainte Chapelle is a rare medieval jewel and a fine church on the Ile de la Cité.

It was built from 1242 to 1248 by the orders of King Louis IX to house the precious relics of the Crown of Thorns.

The most remarkable feature of the structure is the series of incredibly high stained-glass windows that illuminate the whole interior of the upper chapel.

The fifteen stained-glass windows depict over 1,000 scenes from the Bible. It is possible to visit the chapel to admire its architecture or to enjoy a classical music concert as well.

Buy Sainte Chapelle Skip the Line Ticket

 

Centre Pompidou

The Centre Pompidou is a museum and cultural center devoted to modern art.

Built in dazzling modern architecture, inside the premises, you can visit the National Museum of Modern Art, which houses iconic works of contemporary art dating from 1905 to the present.

From Post-Impressionist to the famous movements of Cubism, Expressionism, Constructivism, Surrealism, and Pop Art, the museum features the works of artists such as Picasso, Dali, Kandinsky, Frida Kahlo, Marc Chagall, and Henri Matisse.

Inside the Centre Pompidou, you will also find bookstores, a café, a restaurant, and a boutique.

Sacré Coeur

One more church you do not want to miss when in Paris, Sacré Coeur is an imposing basilica in the heart of the Montmartre district combining Romanesque and Byzantine styles.

The impressive white dome and magnificent mosaic of Christ inside the religious building are two of the most remarkable features that attract millions of visitors every year.

From the esplanade of the church, it is possible to admire the skyline of Paris.

Sacré Coeur is the most important landmark in Montmartre, an old-fashioned arrondissement, with winding cobblestone alleys, restaurants, art galleries, and dozens of cozy outdoor cafés.

 

Cimetière du Père Lachaise

Located in the heart of the twentieth arrondissement, the Père Lachaise Cemetery is the most visited in Paris.

It is famous for being the final resting place of remarkable figures including Frédéric Chopin, Honoré de Balzac, Edith Piaf, Oscar Wilde, and The Doors lead singer Jim Morrison.

To discover every hidden gem and the unknown secrets of the cemetery, it is a good idea to join a guided tour by a local.

Avenue des Champs Élysées

Paris is famous for its dozens of gorgeous walks and boulevards. The Champs Élysées is probably the biggest and most famous of all.

Although its history started as an infamous and desolate marshland, the area underwent heavy restoration during the Haussmannian reconstruction of Paris, which gave the boulevard its current timeless elegance.

Divided into two different sections, the area around the Place de la Concorde also features the Jardins des Champs-Élysées and the Petit Palais, which is a museum of fine arts. 

The second section of the boulevard reaches all the way up to the Arc de Triomphe, and it is home to some of the most exclusive shops in Paris as well as theaters, hotels, Michelin-starred restaurants, and more.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, Paris offers dozens of landmarks, attractions, and interesting places to visit. And when visiting the city, time seems to fly if you do not have a smart plan or well-designed itinerary for Paris.

If you’re visiting any time soon, keep this list of Paris’ must-see attractions at hand and use it as a checklist of all the things you want to visit!

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