Île-de-France attractions

The Cluny Museum (Musée de Cluny) is one of Paris’ top museums and a highlight of the Latin Quarter (Quartier Latin). It occupies three buildings: the 15th-century Hôtel de Cluny, the Thermes de Cluny (the ruins of a Gallo-Roman bath complex), and a contemporary annex. While the six Lady and the Unicorn tapestries are its blockbuster attraction, other medieval treasures range from sculptures and stained-glass windows to paintings and gem-studded jewelry.

Housed within a striking building designed by renowned French architect Jean Nouvel, the Arab World Institute (Institut du Monde Arabe) celebrates cultures of the Arab world, from origins to today. From contemporary art to scientific objects, the cultural center showcases items from its own extensive collection as well as those on loan from national museums.

Housed in the stunning Hôtel Salé in Paris’ Marais district, the Picasso Museum showcases over 5,000 works by the legendary artist. From paintings and sculptures to ceramics, drawings, and prints, the collection offers a deep dive into Picasso’s creative world. Beyond the art, visitors can explore thousands of personal items donated by his family—including photos, letters, and notebooks, offering a rare glimpse into the mind of one of the world’s most influential artists.

Steeped in history, the Paradis Latin is one of the most legendary French cabaret theaters in Paris. Founded by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, it was rebuilt in 1889 by none other than Gustave Eiffel, and it retains its belle epoque-era décor to this day. The spectacular L’Oiseau Paradis show is an all-singing, all-dancing revue complete with dazzling costumes, acrobatics, and modern special effects—an unforgettable introduction to cabaret.

Pigalle has long had a reputation for debauchery. Paris’ former red-light district and a haven for turn-of-the-20th-century bohemians, Pigalle is today renowned for its (sometimes sordid) nightlife and festive spirit, as well as world-famous venues like the Moulin Rouge. But look past the neon lights and you’ll find a culture-rich district filled with charming cafés and entertainment venues.

With origins dating to the 18th century, the Marché d’Aligre is one of central Paris’ most bustling markets, and is particularly popular among adventurous foodies. It features an open-air section and a covered area—sometimes referred to as the Marché Beauvau—with bakeries, cheese shops, butchers, produce vendors, specialty stalls, and a flea market. Several well-rated cafés, restaurants, and wine bars surround this culinary paradise.

Located in the historic Latin Quarter neighborhood on Paris' Left Bank, Saint Étienne du Mont (Église Saint-Étienne-du-Mont) is one of the city's most interesting churches. The Gothic-Renaissance-style structure features two unique spiral staircases and the only remaining rood screen—an ornate partition common in medieval churches, used to separate the clergy from the worshippers—in the French capital. It's a great stop for visiting history and architecture buffs.

The Seine divides Paris into two: to the north is the Right Bank (Rive Droite), and to the south is the Left Bank (Rive Gauche). Although home to some of the city’s top landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower, the Left Bank retains a romantic, bohemian reputation thanks to its universities, famous former residents, and literary and artistic hangouts.

Set at the end of the Parc du Champ de Mars within sight of the Eiffel Tower and Trocadero, the 18th-century École Militaire houses several military training facilities. Alma mater of Napoleon Bonaparte, the French classical main hall–marked by bullets fired by retreating German units during World War II–is still home to the officers’ academy of the French army. The Champ de Mars park just outside the complex originally served as the school’s parade ground.

The historic Dome Church at Les Invalides (Dôme des Invalides) is hard to miss, with its golden dome rising more than 350 feet (107 meters) into the skyline. The church, which hosted the royal Mass under Louis XIV, is home to both Napoleon’s tomb and the Army Museum (Musée de l’Armée), making it a must-see for those interested in architecture or European history.

With its diverse mix of ethnicities and vibrant art scene, Belleville is among Paris’ most fashionable and eclectic districts, which draws a hip crowd of young locals, students, and creative types. It’s also a hub for the French capital’s dynamic street art movement and boasts one of the hottest food scenes in the city. It’s worth making the trip out here from central neighborhoods for the Eiffel Tower views alone.

Most visitors to Disneyland® Paris—Europe’s biggest theme park—make a beeline for the Disneyland®Park, but the adjoining Walt Disney Studios® Park offers even more shows, rides, and Disney®-themed fun, especially for movie fans. Designed like a Hollywood movie studio, the park has four distinct areas—Front Lot, Toon Studios, Production Courtyard, and Backlot.

Built in the 17th century, the grand Palais du Luxembourg served as a royal palace, a prison, and a Nazi headquarters before becoming the seat of the French Senate at the start of the Fifth Republic. The landmark building is a highlight of Paris’ 6th arrondissement and overlooks the formal gardens and tree-lined walkways of the Jardin du Luxembourg.

The work of Salvador Dalí is celebrated at this fascinating gallery in Paris, which displays sculptures, lithographs, drawings, and furniture. It's a key stop for Dalí aficionados, but also offers an approachable introduction to the artist’s work, and one that doesn’t require a trip to Dalí’s home of northern Spain. In addition to the permanent collection, past temporary exhibits have explored a range of themes related to the artist, including street art, jewelry, and letters.

Designed by French architect Jean Nouvel, the Quai Branly Museum (Musée du Quai Branly) is one of Paris' leading museums. Located right along the River Seine and adjacent to the Eiffel Tower, the museum showcases thousands of artifacts produced by Indigenous cultures from all around the globe. In addition to its permanent and temporary exhibitions, the museum also features attractions such as Les Ombres, a high-end rooftop restaurant.

Just across the river from the Eiffel Tower in the grand Palais de Chaillot building, the Architecture and Heritage City is a museum that presents the architectural history of France from the Middle Ages to today. The permanent collection comprises three floors of exhibits, offering a gem of a find for visitors interested in the evolution of French architecture.

A somber neoclassical monument, the Chapelle Expiatoire stands atop the Madeleine Cemetery where Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette—plus hundreds of others—were unceremoniously buried during the French Revolution. Commissioned by Louis XVIII, Louis XVI’s brother, the memorial chapel features sculptures of the royal couple, although their bones are now elsewhere.

As one of the largest flea markets in the world, Saint-Ouen Flea Market (Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen) is the go-to destination for savvy antique hunters, as well as anyone who wants to experience Paris like a local. A city institution that’s been running since 1870, the modern-day market features a dozen mini-markets and five streets of vendors, where you’ll find antique furniture, vintage clothing, classic vinyl, and countless other secondhand treasures. Prepare to spend hours browsing, bantering, and bargaining.

Located in the village of Auvers-sur-Oise northwest of Paris, the Maison de van Gogh was where Vincent van Gogh spent the final 70 days of his life—renting a humble room in its attic and producing nearly 70 works. Today, the landmark has been restored to its 19th century appearance—you can see van Gogh’s room, plus the room of another contemporaneous artist, Anton Hirschig.

Set inside La Maison du Bel Air—one of the oldest buildings in Paris’s Montmartre district—the Montmartre Museum is home to a collection of paintings, drawings, and posters by some of the neighborhood’s celebrated 19th-century artists. Renoir created works such as Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette in the neighborhood, and the museum celebrates its heyday as an artistic and intellectual hub. The Renoir Gardens are equally worth visiting, with a beautiful pond and meandering pathways.

Affectionately known as “the belly of Paris,” Les Halles was once the site of Paris’ bustling central food market. A focal point of the city since the 11th century, the food stalls were dismantled in the 1970s to make room for the Forum des Halles shopping center and metro station. Completely renovated in 2010, the undulating glass-and-steel covering—known as La Canopée—is one of the most striking examples of contemporary architecture in the city.

One of two theme parks that comprise the larger Disneyland® Paris resort (alongside Walt Disney Studios® Park), Disneyland® Park is full of classic Disney attractions, rides, characters, and entertainment. A popular, family-friendly destination since 1992, the amusement park boasts five different themed areas for visitors to discover.

Fashioned from the blueprint of London’s world-renowned Madame Tussauds, the Grévin Museum (Musée Grévin), Paris’ own waxwork museum, has been sculpting famous faces since it was founded back in 1882. Today, more than 200 waxwork figures—including politicians, movie stars, and historic icons—are on display, making this a popular destination for tourists and visiting families.

The streets of Paris are filled with romance and excitement, but for travelers looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, a stroll along the scenic Canal Saint-Martin offers a quieter, more laid-back vibe. Lined with leafy trees, footbridges, and waterside cafés, it’s a favorite spot for locals and tourists alike to people-watch, dine alfresco, and soak up the bohemian feel of the neighborhood.

Housed in two grand manors in the Marais, the Carnavalet Museum (Musée Carnavalet) is one of Paris’ most important institutions. The official museum that charts the history of Paris—and the oldest City of Paris museum, dating back to 1880—it houses over 600,000 objects, from rare paintings to articles once owned by Napoleon. If you seek to understand the City of Light, start here.

Located on the picturesque Place des Vosges in the Marais district of Paris, the Maison de Victor Hugo pays tribute to the French poet and novelist famous for such classics as Les Misérables and The Hunchback of Notre-Dame. Today, the Hugo family apartment is a museum dedicated to the author’s life and works. The Maison de Victor Hugo contains manuscripts and correspondence belonging to Hugo, including some first editions of his work.

Hidden under Notre-Dame Cathedral’s square, the Archaeological Crypt of the Île de la Cité is a fascinating descent into more than 2,000 years of Paris history. Excavated during the 1960s and 1970s, the crypt reveals the city’s architectural layers, from the ruins of the Gallo-Roman town of Lutetia, the predecessor of present-day Paris, to major developments in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Editor's note: Montparnasse Tower is closed for major renovations. A key element of Paris’ skyline, the 59-story Montparnasse Tower (Tour Montparnasse) stands in monolithic, modern contrast to the Haussmannian boulevards below. Debuted in 1973, the tower was France’s tallest building for decades; its stark look has caused controversy since its unveiling, and the city banned other construction taller than seven stories for years after it was completed. However, there’s no arguing with the panoramic views from its observation deck 656 feet (200 meters) above street level.

When it comes to scenic walkways, one of Paris’ best-kept secrets is the Coulée Verte René-Dumont (Promenade Plantée), the linear park that served as the inspiration for New York’s High Line. Following a disused elevated railroad track that once connected Bastille to Bois de Vincennes, the promenade features around 3 miles (5 kilometers) of tree-lined footpaths and trellised arcades, dotted with flowerbeds and street art.

Also known as the Cimetière du Nord, the Montmartre Cemetery is the third-largest burial ground in Paris, after Père Lachaise Cemetery and Montparnasse Cemetery. The storied necropolis contains some 20,000 graves, including those of luminaries such as author Émile Zola, painter Edgar Degas, and composer Hector Berlioz. Offering a break from the hectic sightseeing, it's a peaceful and evocative place for a stroll.