15+ most famous & best places to visit in Paris

Paris is never out of fashion! Here is a list of the most beloved tourist attractions and best places to visit in Paris, France; as well as a self-guided travel guide to Paris for you.

You can’t say you’ve been to Paris without taking a selfie with the Mona Lisa at the Louvre, picnicking under the Eiffel Tower or eating French Macarons at Laudree. In addition to some of the best designer shops, culinary experiences and art museums, there’s also the happiest place on earth – Disneyland Paris. You’ll also have the chance to buy beauty products at low prices and get a VAT refund.

What are you waiting for to explore the most famous and beloved tourist destinations in Paris?

Musée d’Orsay (#best places to visit in Paris)

The Musée d’Orsay is known as the “home” of the largest collection of Impressionist and post-Impressionist art in the world. So this is also a Paris tourist destination that is loved by many art lovers. Welcoming you at the Orsay Museum are classic works by great artists such as Van Gogh, Cezanne and Renoir.

You will definitely be amazed by the majestic and splendid architecture, with the glass roof decorated delicately like a train station, flooded with bright lights. You also has an in-depth look at the fascinating stories behind each work of art, the historical significance and why contemporary artists have been so respected for hundreds of years. After the tour, head to the top floor to enjoy delicious food and admire the city view and the winding Seine River!

The Centre Pompidou

The Pompidou Center’s Musée National d’Art Moderne in Paris is the first name that comes to the mind of art connoisseurs when talking about modern art and trends of the 20th or 21st century. This is where more than 100,000 works representing the outstanding names of the contemporary era are kept, laying the foundation for many outstanding creative schools such as Fauvism, Cubism, Surrealism.

The Pompidou Center building itself is also considered a “tectonic masterpiece”, inspiring industrial architectural design containing many exhibition spaces. If you are a “hardcore fan” of Jean Dubuffet, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso or Brancusi, you must visit the Pompidou Center at least once in your life.

Montparnasse Tower Observatory

Haven’t chosen a favorite Paris tourist destination yet? Then why not go to the Montparnasse Tower Observatory to get a more general view of the most famous sights of the city of love? From the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum to the Arc de Triomphe, a classic and gentle Paris in the sunset suddenly becomes full of life when the city lights up, it is a 360-degree sightseeing experience that not every visitor has. Bring your camera to capture memorable moments!

La Vallée Village Shopping Area

One of the most popular Paris travel experiences is “crazy” shopping at La Vallée Village. This is a “branded village” open seven days a week, with the presence of hundreds of famous global luxury brands – from Armani, Calvin Klein Jeans, Diane Von Furstenberg to Diesel, Gérard Darel, Coach, Valentino and more. Parisians are art lovers and have their own charactor. So unique designs and rare and hard-to-find products are what you can expect when shopping at La Vallée Village shopping area. Travelers can book a direct transfer to La Vallée Village with Shopping Express®’s luxury bus and enjoy up to 33% off shopping.

Loire Valley Castles

Ancient and magnificent castles are an indispensable part of a trip to France; and the castles in the Loire Valley are at the top of the list. Just a few hours away from the center of Paris, Château de Cheverny is the first representative that you should explore, with its architecture and interior decoration from the 12th century, preserved in extremely good condition.

The Paris tour continues to take you to Château de Chenonceau, the residence of French noblewomen, so it was once nicknamed “The Ladies’ Castle”. Don’t miss the Chateau de Chambord. It is also the largest castle in the Loire Valley, built by Francis I in 1519 and with the support of its owner, Leonardo da Vinci. You will surely collect useful information as well as many beautiful photo angles from this trip.

Parc Astérix

If you have ever been fascinated by Norse Mythology or Roman War-themed movie “blockbusters”, then Parc Astérix Park is definitely a “paradise” for you. Coming to Parc Astérix Park, you will experience a day as a Gaul warrior, participating in multi-themed entertainment zones: Gaul, The Roman Empire, Greece, The Vikings, Travel Through Time, and Egyptian. Surely you will have an interesting “stress-relieving” time with one of the largest roller coasters in Europe, The Thunder of Zeus. Parc Astérix Park is an ideal Paris tourist destination for young families, couples or groups of friends.

Bustronome Luxury Bus

When it comes to European-style dishes or French menus, people often think of “luxurious” restaurants. But did you know that in Paris, diners can enjoy top-notch cuisine on a bus while taking in every corner of the city? That’s exactly the experience you’ll get with Bustronome Luxury Bus. In addition to the diverse menu and outstanding food quality, the interior of the bus is also designed very intelligently and minimalistically, creating a great highlight for your trip to the City of Lights.

Eiffel Tower

Perhaps the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Paris is the city’s iconic Eiffel Tower. While having a picnic beneath the majestic 276-meter-tall structure is a fun experience, one of the best parts of the tower is the panoramic view at the top! You’ll be able to admire all the streets of the city, discovering attractions like the Sacro-Coeur, the Arc de Triomphe, and many more.

P/S: There is an elevator to the top of the tower. And of course, with an iconic landmark like the Eiffel Tower, it’s only natural that many people would want to visit it.

• Address: 36 Avenue de la Bourdonnais 75007 Paris.
• Opening hours: 9:00am to 12:45pm.
• How to get there: Trocadéro metro station, line 9, or line 6, Bir-Hakeim metro station or Ecole Militaire metro line 8.

Louvre Museum Paris

The Louvre Museum is an iconic Paris attraction, with a stunning geometric structure. When you visit at night, the entire structure lights up, giving the place a whole new charm.

What’s inside the Louvre is perhaps more famous than the museum itself. Leonardo da Vinci’s portrait of the Mona Lisa is perhaps his most popular work of art.

• Address: Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris
• Opening hours: 9:00am – 6:00pm
• Getting there: Metro to Louvre-Rivoli station or Palais Royal -Musee du Louvre station

Arc de Triomphe

One of the most iconic sites in French history is the Arc de Triomphe. This monument was built to celebrate the French military victories in the early 1800s. To walk through the Arc de Triomphe and head to the roof, you will need an entrance ticket, but the panoramic views from the top are definitely worth the effort.

• Address: Place Charles de Gaulle, 75008 Paris.
• Opening hours: 10:00am – 11:00pm.
• Getting there: Take metro lines 1/2/6 and stop at Charles de Gaulle Etoile.

Disneyland Paris

They say everything is more beautiful in Paris, and maybe it’s the Parisian atmosphere that makes Disneyland Paris even more magical. Head to the Sleeping Beauty Castle and wait for your prince charming, or if you already have a crush, discover a whole new galaxy on the Space Mountain Ride where you’re literally launched into space!

• Address: Disneyland® Paris, 77777 Marne-la-Vallée.
• Operating hours: 10:00am – 8:30pm.
• How to get there: Get off at Marne-la-Vallée / Chessy stop – a 2-minute walk from Disneyland Park, Walt Disney Studios Park and Disney Village.

Tasting Macarons at Laduree

Laduree is the most famous Patisserie in Paris and the inventor of the macaron! Their iconic double-layers macarons come in a variety of flavors and sell around 15,000 every day! Our top picks are the Chocolate with Passion Fruit and the Caramel with Salted Butter. There are stores all over Paris, but the one near the Champs Elysees, Paris’ famous shopping street, is one of the prettiest.

• Address: 75 Av. des Champs-Élysées, 75008 Paris.
• Opening hours: 7:30am – 11:00pm.
• How to get there: Take the metro to Charles de Gaulle – Étoile and the store is a short walk away.

Enjoy Eclairs at L’Eclair de Genie

Aside from Macarons, you’ll find that Paris is home to some of the best Eclairs – L’Eclairr de Genie. Along with the classic chocolate flavors, you’ll find top-notch flavors like Yuzu, Salted Caramel, Orange Pistachio, and even Caramel Popcorn. Not to mention, the Eclairs are pretty darn cute.

P/S: Each Eclair costs $5-8 but is worth it.

The Seine

The Seine is the most beautiful avenue in Paris and it flows right through the heart of the city. Glide gently along the river starting at the foot of the Eiffel Tower past the Musee d’Orsay, Invalides and Assemblee Nationale. Book a Seine River Cruise and choose a time near sunset to capture the most beautiful moment on the river!

• Address: Bateaux Parisiens, At the foot of the Eiffel Tower, Pier 3, Port de la Bourdonnais – 75007 Paris.
• How to get there: Take metro line 6 and get off at Bir-Hakeim station and then walk for 10 minutes, or take metro line 9 and get off at Trocadéro station and then walk for 13 minutes.

Palace of Versailles

Although not technically located in Paris, the Palace of Versailles is well worth a short trip. Explore the resplendent palace with its ornate halls and picturesque gardens. This large and opulent rotating museum is also home to the iconic Room of Mirrors.

• Address: Guidatours office is located outside the Palace of Versailles, 10 Avenue du Général de Gaulle, 78000 Versailles.
• How to get there: Take the RER Line C from Paris towards Versailles Château Rive Gauche. Get off at Versailles Château Rive Gauche station. Guidatours office is across the street from the station.

Mont Saint-Michel

Spend a day out of town at the stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mont St Michel! Located in Normandy, a short drive from Paris, you will be greeted by lush landscapes and stunning rock outcrops.

Head to the top of the island where the Benedictine abbey is located, this Gothic structure is certainly a sight to behold, head to the top of the 3rd floor to marvel at the panoramic views overlooking the sea. Located about 5 hours drive from Paris, this journey is definitely worth it).

Whether it is your first time traveling to Paris on your own or you are already familiar with European itineraries, Paris – with its contradictory and multi-dimensional appeal – is a destination not to be missed. It will be remembered forever – waking up to the magical view of the Seine River or finding the origins of sculpture, through the timeless works in famous museums.

The post first appeared on Klook Vietnam and was translated and edited by Living Nomads. If you find any images or text that belong to you, please contact us, so we can credit you or give us permission to use them. Thank you very much!

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Paris you can refer to

• Paris Museum Pass
• Paris Pass with 1-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
• Bruges Day Tour from Paris
• Paris Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tours (Open-Top)
• Paris Open Tour Bus Pass
• Eiffel Tower Skip-the-Line Ticket
• The Louvre Museum Skip-the-Line Guided Tour
• 4G SIM Card (Paris/Airport Pick Up) for Europe from Orange
• Disneyland® Paris Ticket
• Eiffel Tower Skip-the-Line Ticket
• [Sale] Seine River Sightseeing Cruise in Paris by Bateaux-Mouches
• Mont Saint Michel Full Day Tour from Paris
• Paris: 1-Hour River Seine Cruise
• Paris: Eiffel Tower Direct Access Tour to Summit by Elevator
• Disneyland Paris 1-Day Ticket
• Paris: 1-Hour Illuminations River Cruise
• Louvre Museum: Tour
• Paris: Moulin Rouge Cabaret Show Ticket with Champagne

Are you looking for more top things to do in Paris: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Read more: Paris travel blog — The fullest Paris travel guide blog for a great budget trip to Paris for the first-timers. And let’s check it out more here.