Île-de-France attractions

French luminaries such as Victor Hugo, Voltaire, and Molière all lived in Le Marais, and the lively neighborhood remains a hub of art, fashion, and culture. Established in the 12th century, it’s one of the oldest districts in Paris, with boutiques, art galleries, and museums lining the narrow medieval lanes and picturesque squares flanked by elegant Renaissance-style buildings. The district is also home to the historic Jewish Quarter and a thriving LGBTQ+ scene.

The tree-lined Avenue des Champs-Élysées is one of the world’s most famous boulevards and one of Paris’ most magnificent sights. Stretching in a straight line all the way from the proud Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde, the avenue draws visitors as much with its elegant architecture as with the boutiques, hotels, and restaurants that line it.

Instantly recognizable for its gigantic dome and snow-white facade, the Basilique du Sacré-Coeur—or Basilica of the Sacred Heart—is one of Paris’ most magnificent structures. Completed in 1914 and now a listed national monument, the basilica overlooks all of Paris from its perch on the Butte Montmartre (Montmartre Hill). Visitors are free to visit the church (quietly), after which they can admire the spectacular cityscape.

Louis XIV’s Palace of Versailles takes the award for the most visited chateau in France, and André le Nôtre’s magnificent Versailles Gardens (Jardins de Versailles) are world-renowned. The series of beautifully landscaped gardens features show-stopping fountains, tree-lined pathways, and the cross-shaped Grand Canal at its center. Spectacular fountain shows, some with fireworks and musical performances, illuminate the gardens during the summer months.

Few buildings are as synonymous with the extravagance of France’s Second Empire as the Palais Garnier, the grande dame of Paris opera houses. The historic home of the Paris Opera and the inspiration behind Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera, it’s best known for its grand auditorium, where you can sit beneath a magnificent Marc Chagall ceiling painting and a dazzling, 7-ton chandelier—the weight of an actual elephant!

Like the neighboring Petit Palais and Pont Alexandre III, the Grand Palais was created for the 1900 World’s Fair. Instantly recognizable for its colossal nave and immense glass roof, the versatile venue has hosted a wide range of events, from the Olympic Games to Chanel fashion shows. Today, locals and visitors alike come to explore its art exhibitions, educational activities for children, and dining and social spaces, all incorporated into its elegant Beaux-Arts architecture.

Expect bright lights, extravagant costumes, and raucous music at the world-famous Moulin Rouge. Opened in the Belle Époque of 1889 to celebrate Paris’ thriving creative scene, the windmill-slash-cabaret hall has never stopped basking in fun and frivolity. As a staple of Parisian nightlife, an unforgettable evening at the Moulin Rouge is a must on any traveler’s France itinerary.

From riding Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain to flying with Peter Pan and snapping a selfie with Mickey Mouse, few theme parks serve up as much wonder as Disneyland®. With some 14 million annual visitors, Disneyland® Paris is Europe’s biggest theme park, boasting adrenaline-fueled rides, state-of-the-art movie sets, and spectacular shows and parades that welcome kids and adults alike.

The Pont des Arts—or Passerelle des Arts—boasts a long legacy as one of Paris’ most romantic bridges, famed for the “love locks” that couples once clipped to its railings. Conservationists have since put a halt to the practice, but the 19th-century bridge remains a popular spot for a romantic stroll with views along the Seine.

Île de la Cité lies at the historic center of Paris, in the middle of the Seine River. Visitors come to this natural island to see a variety of top landmarks, such as the Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Palais de Justice, and Sainte-Chapelle. It’s also notable for being the birthplace of Paris, where the Parisii tribe created a settlement nearly 2,300 years ago.

Built by King Louis IX to house the Crown of Thorns relic—now kept at nearby Notre Dame Cathedral—the 13th-century Sainte Chapelle is renowned for its striking Gothic architecture and some of Europe’s most renowned stained glass windows. The magnificent windows are a true masterpiece, with 15 bay windows towering five stories high and more than a thousand stained glass scenes bathing the chapel in a kaleidoscope of color.

The opulence of the Palace of Versailles reaches its peak in the Hall of Mirrors (Galerie des Glaces)—a 240-foot-long (73-meter-long) ballroom with 357 mirrors adorning 17 huge arches on one side and 17 arcaded windows overlooking the formal gardens on the other. It was also the location of the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, which formally ended World War I.

Once a royal palace and later a prison, the Conciergerie offers a haunting yet fascinating look into the city’s (and nation’s) past. Step inside the Gothic halls where Marie Antoinette and other prisoners awaited their fate, and explore vaulted chambers, reconstructed prison cells, and exhibits that bring the French Revolution to life. The landmark’s riverside setting on the Île de la Cité and striking architecture make it both a historical and visual highlight in central Paris.

The Panthéon is one of Paris’ most striking monuments. Originally built as a church dedicated to Saint Genevieve, the site is now a mausoleum containing the remains of some of France’s most revered artists and writers, including Rousseau, Voltaire, Victor Hugo, and Dumas. Admire its magnificent triple dome, then head inside to explore the crypt, Foucault’s pendulum, and views of the city and the Eiffel Tower from the top.

Of all the French capital’s many charming neighborhoods, Saint-Germain-des-Prés may be the most quintessentially Parisian. Its perfectly manicured Luxembourg Garden (Jardin du Luxembourg), centuries-old structures such as the Church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, and intellectual haunts including Les Deux Magots and Café de Flore—where Hemingway, Sartre, Picasso, and Simone de Beauvoir frequented—are just a few of the things that have lured people to the artsy district for decades.

The smaller companion to the neighboring Grand Palais, the aptly named Petit Palais is both an art venue and an architectural landmark. Like the Grand Palais, the Petit Palais was initially built for the 1900 World’s Fair. Today, it houses the Musée des Beaux-Arts de la Ville de Paris (the Fine Arts Museum of the City of Paris), which contains thousands of works that span from ancient times to the present day.

A household name for both its opulent architecture and political importance, Hôtel de Ville has been home to Paris’ city council since the 14th century. Its neo-Renaissance facade is a Le Marais landmark, and its well-appointed interiors include a replica of Versailles’ Hall of Mirrors. Having survived numerous wars and revolutions over the centuries, the city hall now hosts important exhibitions and events throughout the year.

With more than 57 acres (23 hectares) of flower-lined lawns, formal French gardens, and shady chestnut groves, the Luxembourg Gardens (Jardin du Luxembourg) are one of Paris’ most idyllic green spaces. It’s a great place for plant lovers, thanks to thousands of trees and blooms, including a large number of orchids. The gardens are also popular among families with young children, who can often be seen in large numbers floating miniature boats in the park’s central pond.

In the heart of Paris’ chic Le Marais district is Place des Vosges, one of the city’s oldest and most elegant squares—a wonderful place to picnic and people-watch. Its central park is surrounded by shop-filled arcades and distinctive red brick houses, commissioned by King Henry IV in the early 1600s and once inhabited by famous locals such as Victor Hugo, author of Les Misérables.

Place du Tertre is among the oldest and most important squares in Paris’ bohemian Montmartre neighborhood. Set just steps from Sacré-Coeur Basilica—close to where artists such as Picasso and Modigliani once lived and worked—the square bustles with buskers and street artists selling their wares. Naturally, its many sidewalk cafés are some of the best places to soak up Montmartre’s creative energy.

Built under the orders of Louis XIV, Les Invalides was established as a care center for veterans. In addition to its original purpose, the vast complex today comprises the Army Museum (Musée de l’Armée), one of the world’s largest collections dedicated to military history and art. The site is also home to the Dome Church, which contains the tombs of notable figures, including Napoleon Bonaparte.

The Palais Bourbon is one of France’s most important seats of power, as the meeting place of the Assemblée Nationale (National Assembly), France’s lower house of Parliament. Built in the early 17th century, the building is attractively positioned overlooking the River Seine and is steeped in history and architectural grandeur.

Flanked by red marble columns and featuring a grandiose sculpture of the archangel Michael reigning triumphantly over the devil, the Fontaine Saint-Michel is one of the most notable landmarks of Paris’ Latin Quarter (Quartier Latin). Built during the Second Empire, the fountain’s bronze centerpiece is inspired by the Raphael painting Saint Michael Vanquishing Satan, which is on display across the river in the Louvre.

Crazy Horse cabaret’s burlesque-style show celebrates femininity and the art of seduction, with elaborately choreographed routines performed by dancers wearing custom-made red-soled Louboutins, bob wigs, bright red lipstick—and often little else. Avant-garde artist Alain Bernardin established the intimate underground venue in 1951, and it remains a popular spot for Parisian nights out today. Shows star the Crazy Girls, as well as an ever-changing lineup of (often famous) guest artists.

The French National Library started as the private collection of the royal court. After the French Revolution, revolutionaries claimed the vast library as the property of the French nation. The complex expanded in the 19th century. Today, it occupies several buildings and locations, forming one of the largest libraries in the world. The French National Library also contains a museum.

Marie Antoinette made a bigger impact on Versailles than any other French queen—so much so that she had her own estate on the property. This area comprises the Petit Trianon, her personal palace away from her husband, and the Queen’s Hamlet, landscaped gardens set around a village of cottages on an artificial lake.

An expansive green space that stretches between the Eiffel Tower and the Military Academy (École Militaire), the Champ de Mars has been an important public park since the 18th century, serving as a backdrop for World Fairs and Olympic Games. The riverside site has a far more tranquil reputation today, thanks to its gardens, fountains, and picnic-friendly lawns overlooking the Eiffel Tower.

A mecca for literature fans, Shakespeare and Company Bookstore is famous for being a gathering spot of literary greats such as Ernest Hemingway, James Joyce, and Gertrude Stein. Today, this charming independent bookstore draws both locals and tourists seeking out new and second-hand English-language books. With its vintage ambiance, cozy café, and riverside location near Notre-Dame, it’s a go-to destination for book lovers from around the world.

The imperial tomb of French statesman and military leader Napoleon Bonaparte sits inside the 17th-century Dome Church, topped by a gilded dome that’s the tallest in the city. Surrounded by grand statues in the church’s crypt, Napoleon’s Tomb is a highlight of Les Invalides, a vast museum complex comprising the Army Museum (Musée de l’Armée) and other exhibits related to France’s military history.

The Wall of Love (Le Mur des Je T’aime) is a massive work of art featuring the words “I love you” written in over 250 languages. This piece by artist Frédéric Baron and calligrapher Claire Kito, composed of 612 dark blue tiles, is a favorite meeting spot for lovers. It’s yet another example proving that Paris is, in fact, the City of Love.