Are you heading to France for a vacation? Don’t leave home without first reading about our seven favorite places to see in Paris. Bon voyage!

Planning a trip to Paris can be both overwhelming and exciting. With so many places to see in Paris, how do you choose just a few?

While you may want to visit places off the beaten path or go off the cuff and explore smaller parts of Paris, when you only have a few days to visit one of the most iconic cities in the world, you should go ahead and embrace being a tourist.

There are endless amounts of things to do in Paris and each one is more memorable and beautiful than the next. From the Eiffel Tower to the Louvre and all the street cafes in between, we’ve rounded up a few of the best Paris attractions to narrow down your sightseeing adventures.

Get packing and read on for your must-do Paris sights list.

The Louvre

The Louvre is without a doubt one of the must-see places in Paris. While the Louvre is beautiful in and of itself, the number of masterpieces it holds can be overwhelming. 

The Louvre is the largest art museum in the world. You could probably spend weeks there just exploring its massive collection. Take advantage of a tour that can help you see the Louvre highlights so you can make the most of your time there.

A highlight tour will make sure you don’t miss icons such as the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo.

The Eiffel Tower 

When you think of Paris, the Eiffel Tower is no doubt what comes to mind. This iconic structure is a landmark that you can’t miss on your trip to Paris. Whether it is your first time to Paris or your 100th, you will still get butterflies every time you see the glittering lights of the Eiffel Tower.

While you may be able to just walk up and wait a short time to see the Eiffel Tower, you may also be faced with lines that are two or three hours long. If possible, book your tickets ahead of time to avoid the wait.

To be safe, as soon as you know your travel dates, just book your trip to the Eiffel Tower so this is off your to-do list.

The Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Elysees

When visiting Paris, one of the most iconic streets in the world is a must-do. The Champs-Elysees is likely a street that is among the most recognizable in the world.

Walk along this beauty of a street and grab a coffee, macrons at Laduree, or just people watch. You won’t regret taking this unforgettable stroll.

At the top of the Champs-Elysees is the Arc de Triomphe. Although this street may be touristy, who cares. The treat that awaits you at the top is one of the best views in the city. From the top of the Arc de Triomphe, you will be able to look down the Champs-Elysees all the way to the Louvre.

From the top of the Arc, you’ll see rooftops. The Eiffel Tower and thousands of glamorous locals going about their day. If you can go at sunset, you will also be able to see the Eiffel Tower lit up and glittering at night. 

Sainte Chapelle and The Conciergerie

With Notre Dame being closed due to a devasting fire, there is another beautiful and iconic cathedral just a short distance away. Saint Chapelle has one of the best collections of stained glass in the world.

While you may stand in line for a while at the Sainte Chapelle, this trip is well worth any wait. The beautiful cathedral is literally breathtaking.

You can also combine your trip to the cathedral with a visit to the famous Conciergerie. The Conciergerie and the Sainte Chapelle are directly next to each other.

The Conciergerie is where countless infamous people including Marie Antionette were imprisoned before they were executed by guillotine at the Place de la Concorde.

Versailles

When you think of Paris, you probably think of the exuberant and over the top beauty of Versailles.

This amazing palace and property sit on the outskirts of Paris. For over 100 years this was actually where the seat of government was in France. King Louis XIV actually moved the Royal Court here from the Louvre in 1682.

When you walk the halls at Versailles you will be taken back to a time of opulence and grandeur. The gold lines ceilings and halls are a wonder to behold.

The amazing gardens on the property are a must-see as well. The gardens are open every day and they are actually free to walk through. Note that the palace is closed on Mondays.

To get to the palace from Paris, you can take the RER C. This trip will take about 45 minutes but it is worth every second.

Musee d-Orsay

If you are a fan of Impressionist art, the largest collection in the world is at the Musee d-Orsay. Here you will see Monet, Degas, Renoir, Van Gogh, Manet, Gaugin, and thousands more.

Any famous impressionist has a home and a collection at this museum. You need to see the one-of-a-kind masterpieces on your trip to Paris. 

Not only is the art collection impressive but the building is an amazing work of art on its own. This former train station turned museum is beautiful to see in person.

Looking for Other Places to See in Paris?

While this list has some of the most popular iconic places to see in Paris, there are fun things to do in Paris that don’t require standing in line or buying tickets.

One of the best things to do in Paris is just walking the streets. Stop into a café for a coffee, grab a pastry, and keep walking. Look at street art, people watch, and enjoy some of the most beautiful tree-lined streets in the world!

Visit a market, smell fresh flowers, or look at amazing street art.  

For more travel inspiration and guides, visit the travel section for more one of a kind experiences and handy travel resources. Bon voyage!