Things to Visit in Paris: Museums and Neighborhoods
Cover Paris from the Eiffel Tower to hidden neighborhood bistros. Includes timing tips for major museums, the best quartiers to wander, food spots locals actually go to, and a Versailles day trip plan.
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Iconic Landmarks
Go up the Eiffel Tower
Book tickets online 60 days in advance — they sell out fast, especially for the summit. The second floor has the best photo angles. Sunset visits are the most popular, so book early morning for shorter waits.
Reserve timed tickets online (summit or second floor)
Walk to Trocadéro plaza for the classic photo
Climb the Arc de Triomphe
284 steps to the rooftop terrace with 360-degree views of the Champs-Élysées star intersection. Less crowded than the Eiffel Tower and open until 11 PM. Free on the first Sunday of each month (November to March).
See Notre-Dame Cathedral
Reopened in December 2024 after the 2019 fire restoration. Entry is free but timed reservations are required. The new interior includes restored medieval stained glass and a modern liturgical design.
Visit Sacré-Cœur Basilica in Montmartre
Free entry to the basilica. The dome climb costs a few euros and gives panoramic views over all of Paris. Avoid the string bracelet scammers on the steps — walk past without engaging.
Museums & Art
Spend a half-day at the Louvre
You cannot see everything in one visit — pick 2-3 wings and focus. The Mona Lisa is in the Denon wing (follow the crowds). Wednesday and Friday evenings the museum stays open until 9:45 PM with far fewer visitors.
Buy timed-entry tickets online
See the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and Winged Victory
Explore the Egyptian antiquities wing (less crowded)
Visit Musée d'Orsay for Impressionist art
Housed in a converted train station with a stunning clock window. Home to the largest Impressionist collection in the world — Monet, Renoir, Degas, Van Gogh. Thursday evenings are open late until 9:45 PM.
See Monet's Water Lilies at Musée de l'Orangerie
Two oval rooms display eight massive Water Lilies murals painted specifically for this space. Small museum — 1-2 hours is enough. Combined tickets with Musée d'Orsay save money.
Walk through the Rodin Museum garden
The outdoor sculpture garden is the highlight, with The Thinker and The Gates of Hell in a manicured setting. Less rushed than the big museums. The garden-only ticket is cheaper than full admission.
Neighborhoods to Explore
Wander through Le Marais
Paris's trendiest neighborhood with art galleries, vintage shops, and falafel spots on Rue des Rosiers. Open on Sundays when most of Paris shuts down. Place des Vosges is the oldest planned square in Paris.
Sit in Place des Vosges
Try falafel on Rue des Rosiers
Explore Montmartre beyond Sacré-Cœur
The old artist quarter where Picasso and Toulouse-Lautrec worked. Walk the cobblestone streets around Place du Tertre (portrait artists still set up here). Visit the Montmartre vineyard and the last remaining windmills.
Stroll the Latin Quarter
The university district on the Left Bank. Browse the outdoor book stalls along the Seine (bouquinistes). Visit the Panthéon where Victor Hugo and Marie Curie are entombed. Rue Mouffetard has a lively food market.
Sit at a café in Saint-Germain-des-Prés
The literary and intellectual heart of Paris — Sartre, de Beauvoir, and Hemingway were regulars here. Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots are famous (and pricey). Duck one street back for the same ambiance at half the cost.
Food & Drink Experiences
Eat a butter croissant from a proper boulangerie
Look for 'Artisan Boulanger' on the sign — it means bread is made on-site. A great croissant is flaky, golden, and slightly honeycomb-textured inside. Avoid any bakery near a major tourist site.
Have a classic bistro lunch
The prix fixe lunch menu (formule) at bistros is the best deal in Paris — typically 2 courses for 15-20 euros. Look for handwritten menus and small dining rooms. Order steak frites, duck confit, or croque monsieur.
Visit a fromagerie and try 3 French cheeses
Tell the fromager when you plan to eat the cheese — they'll pick one at the perfect ripeness. Start with Comté (nutty, firm), try a soft Brie or Camembert, then go bold with Roquefort or Époisses.
Drink natural wine at a cave à manger
Paris is the capital of the natural wine movement. These wine bars serve small plates with curated bottles. Expect to pay 5-8 euros per glass. Ask the staff what region they're excited about — they love sharing.
Try a pastry from a top pâtisserie
Paris éclair, tarte au citron, or Paris-Brest are classic choices. The best shops display pastries like jewels behind glass. Budget 5-10 euros per pastry at high-end spots.
Day Trips & Extras
Day trip to the Palace of Versailles
Take the RER C train from central Paris — 40 minutes each way. Buy tickets online in advance to skip the palace entrance line. The gardens are free most days, but the fountain show (Tuesdays, weekends April-October) costs extra and is worth it.
Book timed palace tickets online
Walk the gardens and see the Grand Trianon
See the Hall of Mirrors
Take a Seine river cruise
The 1-hour loop cruises pass Notre-Dame, the Louvre, and the Eiffel Tower. Sunset departures are the most scenic. Hop-on/hop-off boat passes (Batobus) are more useful than sightseeing cruises if you want actual transport.
Visit Père Lachaise Cemetery
The most visited cemetery in the world. Grab a map at the entrance to find Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, Édith Piaf, and Chopin. A peaceful 2-hour walk through history. Free entry.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in Paris?
Four days covers the iconic landmarks, two major museums, and several neighborhoods at a comfortable pace. With a week, you can add day trips to Versailles and Giverny plus deeper exploration of arrondissements like the 11th and 5th. Two days feels rushed and you will skip too much.
What is the cheapest way to get around Paris?
A carnet of 10 metro tickets costs 16.90 EUR versus 2.15 EUR each, a 21% savings. The Navigo Easy card is a rechargeable contactless option that works on metro, bus, RER, and tram. Walking between attractions in central Paris often takes 15-25 minutes and passes through beautiful streets the metro misses.
When is the best time to visit Paris?
Late April through June brings 18-24C temperatures, long daylight hours until 21:30, and blooming gardens. September and October are equally pleasant with smaller crowds and lower hotel rates at 15-30% less than June prices. Paris in December has Christmas markets but only 8 hours of daylight and frequent rain.
How much should I budget for food in Paris?
A sit-down bistro lunch with the prix fixe formule runs 15-22 EUR for two courses. Dinner at a mid-range restaurant averages 35-50 EUR per person with wine. A baguette sandwich from a boulangerie costs 4-6 EUR and a crepe from a street stand is 3-5 EUR.
Do I need to speak French in Paris?
English is widely spoken in tourist areas, hotels, and most restaurants. Starting with 'Bonjour' before any interaction noticeably improves service as it is considered basic politeness. Waitstaff and shopkeepers in the Marais and Saint-Germain almost always speak English; smaller neighborhood shops less so.