Paris travel guide
Plan a trip to Paris, France — things to do, where to stay, food, transport, and local tips. Start with Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile, Champs-Élysées, Notre Dame Cathedral.
When to go
Apr–Jun
April· Ideal
Mild temperatures and low-to-moderate rainfall make walking and sightseeing comfortable while parks and gardens are at their best.
Right now
Getting there
Map
Places mentioned in this guide
Highlights
Paris concentrates an exceptional range of sights and activities, from world-famous landmarks and major museums to festivals, sports, photography, theatre, and family outings. The city’s big-name attractions are dense enough that planning matters: several major sites can have long queues, many museums close on one weekday, and the best-value passes can save time as well as money. Seasonal events and neighborhood-specific experiences add to the appeal.
Landmarks
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The Eiffel Tower is the city’s most recognizable symbol and the clearest single landmark to anchor a first visit to Paris. The Wikivoyage entry emphasizes that no other monument better symbolizes the city, making it essential for travelers who want the classic Paris image, views, and the experience of one of the busiest sight-seeing choke points in town.
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The Arc de Triomphe is presented as a monument that exudes grandeur and offers a central view of the city, so it combines historical symbolism with a useful lookout. It belongs on a Paris highlights list because it is both an instantly recognizable landmark and part of the city’s classic monumental axis.
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The Champs-Élysées is described as one of the most recognizable avenues in the world, which makes it a defining urban walk rather than just a street. Its importance comes from its fame, scale, and role in major city events, especially those that use the avenue as a ceremonial stage.
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Notre Dame Cathedral is highlighted as an impressive Gothic cathedral and the inspiration for Victor Hugo’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame. That combination of architecture and literary association gives it enduring appeal, even beyond its obvious place among the best-known historic sights in Paris.
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Sacré Coeur is worth visiting for both its position and its outlook: it sits on the highest point in Paris, with the artists’ area behind it and spectacular views of the whole city in front. That makes it a scenic destination with a strong sense of place, not just a church.
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Opera Garnier is described as a masterpiece of 19th-century theatre architecture by Charles Garnier, inaugurated in 1875 and tied to the long history of the Paris Opera. It stands out because the building itself is as much an attraction as the performances associated with it.
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The Catacombes de Paris offer a darker, more unusual side of the city’s history, with bones from more than 6 million bodies laid out in former quarry tunnels. The attraction is compelling because it turns a practical burial solution into one of Paris’s most distinctive and memorable visits.
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The Grande Arche de la Défense is notable as a modern office-building variant of the Arc de Triomphe, so it updates a classic Parisian form in a contemporary business district. It is a landmark for travelers interested in how the city reinterprets monumental design in a modern setting.
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The Panthéon combines national memory and city views in one site. Below are the final resting places of major figures such as Voltaire, Victor Hugo, and Marie Skłodowska-Curie, while above there is a marvellous view of Paris. That blend of commemoration and panorama makes it especially worthwhile.
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Père-Lachaise is singled out as unlike any cemetery in the world, with ornate gravestones and monuments along tree-lined lanes. It is especially appealing because it combines funerary art, landscaped paths, and the graves of famous people such as Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, and Frédéric Chopin.
Museums and galleries
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The Louvre is presented as one of the finest museums in the world for art and culture, and as the home of the Mona Lisa along with innumerable other works. The scale of both the building and the collection is so large that the source recommends planning at least two visits, which underlines its depth.
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Musée d'Orsay is notable both for its setting in a former railway station and for its extraordinary collection of 19th-century art. The source specifically names major works by Monet, Renoir, van Gogh, Whistler and others, making it a prime destination for visitors who want a concentrated look at that period.
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The Rodin Museum focuses on the sculptor Auguste Rodin and is housed in a charming home with a garden, so it offers both artistic context and a pleasant setting. It is especially appealing for travelers who want sculpture in a more intimate environment than the city’s largest museums.
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The Picasso Museum is notable because it contains the master’s own collection, giving visitors a direct connection to Picasso’s artistic world. That personal provenance makes it more than a generic art museum, and it is a strong stop for anyone interested in modern art and the artist’s legacy.
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Musée Marmottan-Monet is a major destination for Monet enthusiasts, with over 300 paintings by Claude Monet and works by Berthe Morisot, Edgar Degas, Édouard Manet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. The presence of Monet’s 'Impression Soleil Levant' makes it especially significant for impressionist art fans.
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The Musée de l'Orangerie is famous for housing Monet’s 'The Water Lilies' in a 360-degree presentation that recreates the atmosphere of his Giverny garden. It also includes major Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works, so the museum offers both a signature installation and a broader collection.
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Musée Delacroix is distinctive because it is housed in the home of painter Eugène Delacroix. That setting gives the museum a direct historical link to the artist rather than only displaying his works in an abstract gallery context, which adds interest for art and history visitors alike.
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Centre Georges Pompidou is the museum of modern art, but the source also notes that the building and the adjoining Stravinsky Fountain are attractions in their own right. Even though it is closed for renovation until 2030, it remains important as a landmark of modern art and architecture.
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Les Invalides is highlighted as a very impressive museum of arms and armor from the Middle Ages to the present, with the additional draw of Napoleon Bonaparte’s tomb. The combination of military history, rich collections, and a major national burial site makes it one of Paris’s most layered visits.
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The Musée national du Moyen Âge offers a medieval collection in a building that is part Roman and part medieval, which already makes the setting unusual. Its key attraction is the set of five 'The Lady and the Unicorn' tapestries, making it especially attractive to medieval art lovers.
Sports
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The French Open at Roland Garros is one of the four tennis Grand Slam tournaments and takes place over two weeks from the last Sunday in May. Because it features the world’s top-ranked players on clay courts, it is one of the biggest sporting events in Paris and a major international draw.
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Paris Saint-Germain are the city’s flagship football club, playing in Ligue 1 and often winning it, with home matches at Parc des Princes in the 16th arrondissement. The note that the club name does not refer to the Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood helps visitors avoid confusion and reach the right stadium.
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The Stade de France is France’s national stadium, with a capacity of 81,338 and a role as host for concerts, events, and sometimes soccer when a club’s home venue is unavailable. Its size and versatility make it the country’s key large-scale sports and event venue near Paris.
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Paris FC is included as a football option for travelers who want a club with a different profile from PSG. The source notes their 2025 promotion to Ligue 1 and their home at Stade Charléty in the 13th arrondissement, making them a practical local match choice.
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Racing is one of Paris’s two Top 14 rugby union clubs and plays at La Défense Arena in Nanterre. It is a useful option for visitors interested in French rugby, especially because the club competes at the top domestic level and uses a major modern venue.
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Stade Français is another Top 14 rugby union club and is notable because it splits big games between Stade de France and Stade Jean-Bouin next to the PSG stadium. That gives visitors flexibility in where to see matches and highlights the club’s strong Paris presence.
Photography
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The Maison Européene de la Photographie is described as an important center for contemporary photography with a large exhibition space, several major exhibitions per year, and a substantial archive of over twenty thousand works. Its library, auditorium, café, and free Wednesday evening admission add to its appeal.
- W-Su 11:00-20:00
- Free every Wednesday 17:00-20:00
- Admission €9
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Jeu de Paume is singled out as one of the city’s premier photography exhibition sites and is located at the entrance to the Tuilerie Gardens. That setting and reputation make it a high-value stop for travelers interested in photography as an art form rather than only in sightseeing snapshots.
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Better Paris Photos offers instructional tours and workshops that combine hands-on photographic learning with guided visits to some of Paris’s most photogenic locations. The source notes English-speaking photographers, all skill levels, and half-day or full-day options, which makes it especially practical for visitors who want active instruction.
- By appointment
- From €195/half day
- €290/full day
Movies
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The Cinemathèque française is one of the two public film institutions mentioned for organizing retrospectives, exhibitions, and festivals. It is a key place to experience Paris’s serious film culture, especially if you want programmed events rather than only commercial first-run movies.
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Forum des Images is the other public film institution highlighted for retrospectives, exhibitions, and festivals. Together with the Cinemathèque française it reinforces Paris’s reputation as a city where film programming is unusually rich and where the cinema experience extends well beyond mainstream releases.
Theatres
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The Paris Opera and its associated ballet company are described as among the premier classical performance companies in the world. That makes them a standout cultural experience for travelers who want to see opera or ballet at the highest level while in Paris.
With children
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Cité des enfants is an interactive museum for kids inside the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie, with separate sections for ages 3–5 and 5–12. The source emphasizes that it is fun, educational, and hands-on, with exhibits designed for children to push, prod, and explore.
- Métro Porte de la Villete (7)
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The Jardin du Luxembourg is presented as a must-do for children under 10, with a famous merry-go-round, sailboat pond, puppet theatre, pony rides, chess players, and playgrounds. The source also notes comfortable chairs for parents and snack options, making it one of the most family-friendly places in Paris.
- RER Luxembourg (B) or Métro Odéon (4, 10)
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Parc des Buttes-Chaumont is recommended for children who like to run, climb, and explore, thanks to its quarry landscape, bowl shape, central rock peak, caves, waterfalls, suspension bridge, and 360-degree lookout. The puppet theatre and playground make it especially attractive for families.
- Métro Buttes-Chaumont (7bis), Botzaris (7bis), or Laumière (5)
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Parc Zoologique is notable for its 236-foot artificial mountain at the center, which adds a distinctive visual feature and an elevated viewpoint. Beyond that, it offers lions, tigers, mountain goats, and the kinds of animal exhibits that reliably appeal to children.
- RER/Métro Gare d'Austerlitz (5, 10, C)
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The Jardin d'Acclimatation combines rides, pint-sized roller coasters suitable for young children, a mini-zoo, and the Musée en Herbe. That mix makes it a versatile family destination where kids can switch between amusement, animals, and a museum-style experience in one place.
- Métro Les Sablons (1)
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The Parc Floral in the Bois de Vincennes is appealing for families because it offers themed playgrounds, ping pong tables, and picnic areas. The note that entrance is free during winter also makes it a practical choice for budget-conscious visitors looking for outdoor space with children.
Tips
- Several major attractions, especially the Eiffel Tower, Sainte-Chapelle, and the catacombs, have queue bottlenecks; arriving at least 30 minutes before opening can save a long wait.
- Most museums and galleries close on either Monday or Tuesday, so check closing days before planning a full museum day.
- The first Sunday of the month is free for all national museums and monuments, but expect heavier crowds and longer lines.
- The Paris Museum Pass can cover over 70 museums and monuments and lets you skip many queues, but it uses consecutive calendar days once activated.
- For photo and family outings, Paris offers a mix of major institutions and parks, while seasonal events from Bastille Day to Nuit Blanche can be a big part of the city experience.
