You're in Paris. There's so much to see and do. Where do you start? What do you visit or explore first? This post will explore some of the interesting attractions and experiences that Paris has to offer. Paris is currently prepping for the 2024 Summer Olympics. If you plan a visit before then, you're going to see a lot of improvement projects happening across the city. Many of the buildings are being renovated and cleaned up. Notre Dame is also still under reconstruction from the terrible fire that gutted it a few years ago. Sooo, is it still worth it to visit? YES, absolutely, it is! Even with all these projects happening, Paris hasn't lost its charm and je ne sais quoi.
Quick note on where to stay. On my most recent trip to Paris, we stayed at an Airbnb and loved it. The host was super helpful, and the small apartment was in an excellent location not far from the Jardin des Tuileries and the Louvre. The apartment also had a small kitchen and washing machine. The biggest downside was it was at the top of the apartment building. There were a lot of stairs to climb. If an Airbnb is not your jam, there are hundreds of hotel options. Paris is composed of districts called arrondissements. I suggest staying in arrondissements 2, 4, 6, 7, or 8 if possible. Or, if you don't mind commuting into the city,
there are some great options in the suburbs like Marne-la-Vallée near Disneyland Paris.
My favorite thing about Paris is there's always something more to do, experience, or see and the food is phenomenal. The activities and attractions I've listed in this post are my favorites. But, there are a plethora of options available to anyone visiting Paris or France not listed here. If you've been to Paris, please reach out and let me know what would you add to my list.
What to do in Paris?
Notre Dame -
Most of you probably remember seeing the surprising footage of the fire that gutted Notre Dame in 2019. Notre Dame is a French national treasure much like the Eiffel Tower. It's a beautiful church and easy to see why the French and others were so devastated by the destruction. However, restoration is happening and is projected to be completed toward the end of 2024. Even with all the construction going on, the outer walls are still standing, and it's still impressive to see. My favorite part is the flying buttresses (probably because I find the words funny. How else would you describe the outer supports that hold up the walls?). At the moment the outer walls are held up by massive wooden supports. It's pretty incredible to see how they kept the walls from falling. And, there are some small crepe stands around so you can grab a snack and enjoy the view.
Louvre -
If you love art and museums, the Louvre is a must see. You must purchase tickets ahead of time in order to enter (this may mean purchasing tickets a few months in advance). If you haven't experienced the Louvre, imagine an enormous palace that covers about 15 acres with a facade of about 2 miles that has been converted into an intense museum full of artwork and artifacts from around the world. You can even see the ancient walls of a former fortress that was used to protect Paris long ago inside the Louvre on a lower level. The first time I visited the Louvre I was impressed by the enormous paintings. The time to paint them and attention to detail is admirable. I'm way too impatient to accomplish something like that. Most people visit the Louvre to see the Mona Lisa. The painting even has it's on waiting line in order to get a closer look. I'm not really into that type of art as much. My favorite part of the museum is the Egyptian wing. The "real" mummy on display was awesome to see. However, a major downside of the Louvre is its sheer size. It's enormous and could honestly take weeks or more to explore everything inside. Unless you're a huge art buff, I would only plan to spend a few hours here or maybe half a day (and wear comfy shoes).
Sacré-Cœur Basilica and Montmartre -
The Sacré-Cœur Basilica sits on top of Montmartre hill in Paris. It's the second highest point in Paris. (Can you guess the first?) It's a hike to make it to the top of the hill even from the nearest metro stop but there's a tram like option called the funicular de Montmartre available so visitors can skip all the stair climbing. The views from the top are totally worth the climb. The basilica is made of a white limestone so it sparkles in the sunlight, and it's also sort of self cleaning which is how it has stayed white over the years. The Arc de Triomphe and Alexandre II bridge are made of the same stone. Montmartre is also the home of an even older church, Saint Pierre de Montmartre, which was built in the 1100s (It has ties to origin of the Jesuits. Fun fact: Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska is a Jesuit school.) This church is easier to visit and not as crowded and is much older than the Sacré-Cœur. Montmartre also has an artsy area with great places to eat. It's also an excellent place to walk around.
Jardin des Tuileries -
This park is like a smaller French version of Central Park in NYC. There are walking trails, places to sit and relax, water features, snack stands, and more. You can see the Louvre or the Champs-Élysées depending on which direction you face. It's a peaceful area in the middle of a super busy city. I've taken many walks through the Tuileries and enjoyed all of them.
Champs-Élysées -
This famous street is a fashionistas' dream. There are famous clothing stores as well as some delicious places to eat. There's a 5 floor Five Guys Burgers (supposedly the largest in the world) that Devin and I tested out to see how it compares to the US restaurants. It's mostly the same except it costs more, and it helps to speak French when ordering and picking up. (If you ever need a French interpreter, I'm willing to help.) The Champs-Élysées is a long walk but still fun to experience. Plus, the Arc de Triomphe overlooks the street making it feel more regal and distinct.
Arc de Triomphe -
If you visit the Arc de Triomphe, it has some insanely cool views of Paris from almost every direction. Plus, it's fun to enter because you must traverse an underground tunnel to safely arrive at the Arc de Triomphe. (A roundabout surrounds the Arc de Triomphe, and honestly, I would never try to walk across the road unless there were no cars. Drivers in that roundabout are particularly intense and somewhat frightening.) Once inside the Arc de Triomphe, you find out about the history of the structure as well as lots of stairs. haha! Underneath the structure is the tomb of the unnamed soldier. There is very intricate stonework around the outside of the Arc de Triomphe too. Overall, it's an interesting site that doesn't take long to visit but I would definitely purchase tickets in advance or risk waiting in a long line to experience it. I was able to walk straight inside on my last visit with pre-purchased tickets.
Eiffel Tower -
This is probably one of the main attractions on many visitors' bucket list when visiting Paris. It's completely worth the hype. It's easy to see all of Paris since it's the tallest building in the city. There are multiple levels. The top level is sometimes closed due to wind and weather but you'll receive a refund if you paid for access and it's closed during your visit. There's even a restaurant in the tower but reservations are a must. Definitely buy tickets ahead of time to visit the Eiffel Tower! And, be prepared, the line to enter can get long even with timed entry tickets. There's an option to climb the stairs or take the lifts. I suggest taking the lifts especially going up. Although, I did use the stairs to descend which was a cool experience. The Eiffel Tower is one of those iconic, this is "France" monuments. It's incredible. On my first trip, I remember being able to freely walk under and around the Eiffel Tower. That's not possible anymore. It's walled off and only accessible at certain entry points. It's a little disappointing but understandable from a security perspective. But it's still an amazing place to take pictures of Paris especially from the upper levels. And, it's spectacular to see at night when it sparkles. This usually happens most nights every hour on the hour until about 1am. Because the "light show" is copyrighted, pictures and videos can't be shared without permission. Also, the tower's color changes occasionally. It has to be repainted over time. It's currently being repainted in preparation for the 2024 Olympics that will be held in Paris. It's supposed to be a yellow brown color. It would be interesting if they painted it a wild color like neon green or bright pink but it probably wouldn't look as nice. haha!
Latin Quarter -
If you're looking for good food, the Latin Quarter is an excellent place to visit. The area is also known for its cabarets. La Sorbonne and the Collège de France are located here. It's a historical but lively and entertaining area. The Panthéon is also here. It's a roman style mausoleum that holds the remains of many famous French people. There's also a way to climb to the top to see the dome up close. The Fontaine de Saint Michel is worth a quick visit too. It's a fountain that depicts Michael fighting the devil. Many people use it like a wishing well.
Musée d'Orsay -
I'm not an avid art person or very creative, and I don't always enjoy looking at artwork in general. But I do LOVE the Musée d'Orsay. If I had to choose one area of art, specifically painting, that I enjoy it would be impressionism. I'm a fan of Monet and Van Gogh. The Musée d'Orsay houses a large collection of some of the most famous paintings in the world many of them are impressionist pieces. The building is an old railway station that was transformed into an amazing museum making the building a work of art too. It's not far from the Tuileries next to the Seine. I would even say that I enjoy the Musée d'Orsay over the Louvre...blasphemy, I know.
Seine River Cruise -
The Seine is Paris. It's gives an added sense of enchantment and many would probably say romance to the city. Many of the cities major attractions border the river. There's something magical about cities with rivers that run through them especially cities that have developed around a river so much that you can't separate the two. Without the Seine, Paris would be less appealing and dirtier. haha! With that in mind, there are so many river cruise options. Some include lunch or dinner and others are more informational. I prefer the informational tours. On my last trip, a river tour was included with my Big Red Bus tour (hop on and off tour bus). It took about an hour and was the perfect way to see the center of Paris from a different angle. No matter what cruise you choose, don't miss the opportunity to take it.
Insanely cool day trip options from Paris!
Disneyland Paris -
Is it worth it to spend a day at Disneyland Paris? YES, it is!!!! I love Disneyland Paris! It has a completely different vibe than Disney World or Disneyland. The parks are super clean. It doesn't seem as crowded and is easy to walk to both parks (Oh yeah, there are 2 parks, Disneyland and Walt Disney Studios as well as Disney Village which is a smaller version of Disney Springs or Downtown Disney with restaurants and shops. There are also 8 themed hotels). It's easy to visit the park in a day or two if you have some extra time. The food inside the parks isn't that great which is sort of disappointing but if you're missing "American" food, there are several restaurants in Disney Village to help you feel less like you're in France. haha! Devin and I tried out Captain Jack's inside Disneyland Paris park during our recent France trip. It's pirate themed and situated next to the Pirates of the Caribbean ride sort of like the Blue Bayou in Disneyland. The food was great and the atmosphere was fantastic. It's an exception to the
not so good food options in the parks. (Although, I've heard that Disney is working on alleviating this problem and offering better restaurant/food options in the near future.) We also stayed in a Disney hotel for a night which was fun and unique. I highly suggest maybe not going right after landing in France if you're flying from the western side of the US. I was so jet lagged that I fell asleep on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. One of the drops on the ride woke me up. It was only scary because I thought I was going to fall out of the boat. So good tip! Try to visit when
you're not so tired that you fall asleep on rides. The best attraction was probably Hyperspace Mountain which is a souped up Space Mountain. Also, the castle has a dragon under it that you can visit. If you love Disney parks, definitely take a day or two to visit Disneyland Paris.
Normandy -
On my most recent trip to Paris, I booked a tour to Normandy to see WWII historical sites and learn more about the D-Day beaches and Allied invasion. If you're a history buff, Normandy is a fascinating place to visit even for a day. We went to several historic sites including Point du Hoc, the beaches where some US, English, and Canadian units landed, and the US cemetery. All of the locations felt peaceful considering how much violence occurred at them. The oceanside cliffs were incredible. It was a little hard to imagine so much fighting in such a beautiful area. I really appreciate the people who fought for our country and who defeated tyranny and oppression.
Versailles -
Imagine a palace with gardens and pools that are the size of a city. Versailles is truly enormous! It takes at least half a day just to explore the palace and a small part of the grounds. Many people love Marie Antoinette's estate. The hall of mirrors is a highlight when touring with good reason. Several French kings including Louis XIII used Versailles as hunting lodge but it was much smaller. Versailles became the king's residence and seat of French government when Louis XIV souped up the palace and named himself the "Sun King." The opulence is extreme and it stands as a reminder of France's former aristocracy's wealth and power. Considering France's history and what happened during the French Revolution, it's sort of incredible that Versailles still exists. It's an extravagant reminder of France's history and one of the most visited sites in France. When visiting, be prepared to walk a lot! The grounds are enormous.
Loire Valley -
The Loire Valley is my favorite area of France. Many years ago, I spent a summer in the Loire Valley area. It has a rich history and is known for breathtaking chateaux, abbeys, a wine making industry that is over 2000 years old, and gives visitors a taste of how bougie some people lived even without electricity long ago. The Loire river stretches through this lush green area, and makes it easy to see why it's called the Garden of France. There are so many unique historic towns and old chateaux to visit. Some of the areas favorites include Amboise (burial place of Leonardo de Vinci), Chenonceau (built over the river Cher), Chambord (the largest chateau in France with an iconic double helix staircase), Villandry (gardens are the main attraction), and Azay-le-Rideau (built on an island on the river Indre) but there are so many more. It's possible to visit these and learn more about the history of the region. Even on a day trip, it's possible to squeeze in 2-3 chateaux. Chenonceau is a personal favorite. I love how it stretches over the water, and the gardens are exceptional. I highly suggest visiting the Loire Valley if possible!
Mont St. Michel -
Mont St. Michel is an island with a stunning abbey that sits at the top of it. During high tide, the island is surrounded by water. But no worries, visitors don't have to wait for low tide to enter and exit (anymore). A raised causeway was built for access so no need to swim across during high tide. However, in order to reach the abbey, visitors must hike up through the town passing unique restaurants, shops, and houses until they reach the abbey where it's possible to experience stunning views of the surrounding area. (Good walking shoes are a must! It's a long walk.) It's hard to describe how beautiful and incredible it is to experience Mont St. Michel particularly from the top. If you have some extra time and a swimsuit, the historic walled town of Saint Malo and its beaches are nearby and always worth a quick visit.
If you have more than a few days to spare?
Europeans are so lucky that their countries are closer together because it makes it easy and cheaper to fly to major destinations like Barcelona, Lisbon, Dublin, Rome, Milan, Oslo, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Athens, Vienna, Prague, and so much more. (Sometimes it costs about the same amount to fly from Montana to North Carolina as it does to fly from Montana to France...it's unreal and disappointing.) There are train options too. Plan for a little more travel time if you choose to travel around Europe by train. It won't disappoint. You'll get to see areas you can't see from an airplane window. I highly suggest going to the French Riviera by train if possible.
How to get around?
Like many large cities, there are loads of transportation options. I've used many of the options from the Metro, to trains, to Uber and taxis.
Uber was a life saver on my last Paris trip. It cost more than a train or the metro but it was easier to travel with suitcases. It was also cheaper than a regular taxi.
The Metro or train are by far one of the cheaper and easiest ways to travel around Paris. There are several lines that cover different areas of Paris and the surrounding areas. It's important to know where you're going because the ticket cost will be different depending on where you're going. For example, a ticket from the Louvre to Versailles will cost more than traveling from the Louvre to the Arc de Triomphe. There are a few metro and train pass options depending on how long you're staying. Some are good for a few days, a week, month or longer. There's a great week option that's affordable but you have to have a passport size photo with you in order to get it. (Or, pay for one while you're there but that can take extra time and money; so, it's good to check the pre-reqs for some passes so you have all the right docs to save time and money once you're already in France.)
It's also possible to rent a car. I wouldn't suggest this if you plan to spend most of your time in Paris. A rental car is better for traveling outside the city or around France.
If you're interested, there are some hop on and off tour bus options for major attractions in Paris. There are Big Red Bus or Tootbus options. Devin and I tested out the Big Red Bus. (Special thanks to our friend from Paris who helped us with this!) It was easy to get around the major sites and listen to recorded but interesting info as we rode around. I've also used the Big Red Bus in Washington D.C. Both experiences were overall positive. Our Paris Big Red Bus tour also included a 1 hour Seine river cruise. This was one of my favorite ways to see Paris. Don't skip a river cruise if you have time!
After all that amazing info, if you want to travel to Paris, message me! I can help you plan an unforgettable trip. Huge tip! Try to learn a little French. French people are generally super nice and love it when you try to speak their language even if you struggle. French is beautiful but can be difficult to learn and speak. So great news, if you plan a trip to France and need an interpreter, you can also take me along for your trip! If you'd rather not have your travel agent tag along for your bucket list France trip but you need some basic phrases and pronunciation help, I'm also happy to help with that (even if I feel a little heartbroken about being left behind...just kidding, kinda.) Anyway, message me and let me know how I can help!
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