Top things to do in Paris

It is really hard to list all the things you can see in Paris because there are so many of them that it would probably take at least one whole week to get the true vibe of this spectacular city. We decided to narrow it down to the top 7 things you must visit/do during your visit to Paris, so let’s check them out!

1) The Eiffel Tower

What once used to be the tallest manmade structure, today is the top visited tourist attraction not only in Paris, but in the world. According to the statistics, more than 25 000 people climb the tower every day, so if you really plan to visit it, please buy your ticket in advance, or you’ll end up wasting most of your day in a queue. The Eiffel Tower is particularly breathtaking at night because of the magic light show from the platforms. But in the end, it is better to admire it from the ground, maybe snap a few photos and move on. As an alternative for the spectacular panoramic view of the city, head to Montmartre hill and climb the Sacré Coeur dome.

• How to get to the Eiffel Tower: The nearest metro station is Bir-Hakeim and the nearest RER station is Champ de Mars-Tour Eiffel.

2) Montmartre

Montmartre hill is the highest point of Paris which overlooks the entire city, so we could say it is the perfect viewpoint. The hill is recognizable by the Sacré Coeur basilica and its distinctive white colour. You can even climb the dome of the basilica for only 5€.The interesting fact about Montmartre is that once it used to be the neighbourhood of the working class, and the majority of artists lived there in poverty, while today it is one of the most expensive Parisian neighbourhoods to live in. If you have extra time, not very far from Montmartre is located Moulin Rouge – the famous cabaret and home to the can-can dance.

• How to get to Montmartre: By metro lines 2 (Anvers station) and 12 (Abbesses station) and by Montmartbus

3) Louvre and Rodin Museum

Now this is a Mecca for art lovers, a must-see if you are visiting Paris. Being the biggest museum in the world, Louvre currently has in its collection more than 380 000 artefacts, so it is practically impossible to see them all in one visit. Like for the Eiffel Tower, it is absolutely meaningless to go there if you haven’t bought an online ticket. If you want to explore Paris’ museum and at the same time save money and time, visit Rodin Museum. The museum is dedicated to the French sculptor Auguste Rodin, and it also has in its possession some of the works by Van Gogh, Renoir and Monet.

• How to get to Louvre: By metro line 1 and 7
• How to get to Rodin Museum: By metro line 13, by R.E.R. line C, and by one of the following buses: 69, 82, 87, 92

4) The Palace of Versailles

In case you’re staying more days in Paris, you should definitely visit Versailles, the city in the suburbs of Paris, which once used to be the capital of the Kingdom of France. It is also widely known for its palace – Château de Versailles. The palace was home to french kings throughout the history and it is considered the largest royal palace in the world with over 700 rooms. Probably the most interesting section of the Palace is the Hall of Mirrors, the central gallery containing more than 350 mirrors. Although there was no particular function of this room, it was visited by kings and courtiers on daily basis, because it connected private rooms and the chapel. Both the Palace and the Royal Gardens were included in the World Heritage Site list in 1979. The entrance normally costs 20€ but for children, disabled people and EU residents under 26 is free. And if you are flexible with dates, every first Sunday from November to March the entrance is free for everyone.

• How to get to the Palace of Versailles:
• By metro:  by RER-C train to Versailles Rive G station (from St. Michel-Notre Dame, Musée d’Orsay, Invalides, and Champs de Mars-Tour Eiffel stations in Paris). Return ticket will cost you 7€.
• By bus: from Pont de Sevres station to the Palace of Versailles (line 171) → see timetable

5) The Avenue des Champs-Élysées and The Arc de Triomphe

Of course we’re going to put the most prestigious and the widest street in the world with 10 lanes in total, which are usually very challenging to cross for pedestrians. Almost 2 kilometres long, the Avenue is the heart of Paris, connecting two main squares – Place de la Concorde and Place de I’Etoile, known for the magnificent Arch of Triumph. Despite being overflown by numerous expensive shops and restaurants, more than 500 000 people pass through it every day. Sometimes they even line up in front of stores like Louis Vuitton just to enter! Champs-Élysées is particularly special during the Bastille Day when the French army of more than 7000 soldiers parades through the Avenue.

• How to get to Champs-Élysées:
• By metro lines 1, 2, 6 and RER-A train at I’Etoile station
• By bus: line 2 (from CDG Airport) and lines 22, 30, 31, 52, 73 and 92

6) Bateaux Mouches

Bateaux Mouches or ‘fly boats’ are the popular excursion boats on the river Seine which provide the visitors with the tour of the most iconic attractions of Paris among which the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame and the Alexander III Bridge. The boats have recorded commentaries of the sights along the river and you can even have a romantic lunch/dinner while cruising down the Seine – how cool is that? The cruise takes about an hour and for that you will have to pay 15€ which is not that expensive considering the fact that you pass by the many monuments, leaving you more time to visit as many attractions as you can.

• NOTE: The starting point of Bateaux Mouches boats is a short walking distance from the Eiffel Tower.

7) Notre-Dame Cathedral

Translated as ‘our lady’, Notre Dame is yet another among the many symbols of not only Paris, but entire France. Situated on one of the two islands in Paris, Île de la Cité, the cathedral is considered to be the true example of Gothic architecture, distinctive for its gargoyles which initially represented the evil. The entrance to the cathedral is free but if you want to climb 387 stairs which lead to the bell tower you will have to pay 10€ (free for children and EU residents under 26).

• How to get to Notre-Dame:
• By metro: line 4 at Cité and Saint-Michel – Notre-Dame stations
• By train: RER-B (from CDG Airport) and RER-C

If you don’t know how to plan your visit to Paris, check out our 4-day plan and make the best out of your trip!