Paris attractions

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.

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.

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.

A short trip from Paris, the Normandy village of Giverny is best known as the former home of artist Claude Monet, who created many of his iconic paintings here. Most visitors head to this tiny, bucolic village to see the impressionist master’s beautifully preserved home and gardens, which feature the famous water lily pond and Japanese gardens that inspired many of his artworks.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Paris Catacombs (Catacombes de Paris) date back to the 1700s, when the ossuary was formed from an old underground quarry. Over the years, more and more remains were brought here from overcrowded cemeteries to make room for the city’s development, up until 1860. For those with an interest in all things macabre, it’s a fascinating look at a former burial practice.

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.

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.

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.

The sweeping Place Vendôme is one of Paris’ most rarefied public squares, home to elegant hotels, storied couturiers, jewelry houses, and even the Ministry of Justice. Commissioned by King Louis XIV in the 18th century, the square is famed for its history, impressive architecture, and the Napoleonic Vendôme Column at its center. Its convenient location near the Louvre and other highlights of the 1st arrondissement make it a mainstay of Paris sightseeing.

Named after former French President Georges Pompidou, who commissioned the building in 1969, Centre Pompidou is a multidisciplinary cultural venue that’s home to the National Museum of Contemporary Art. Visitors come to see famous paintings by legendary artists—such as Henri Matisse, Frida Kahlo, and Wassily Kandinsky—and to marvel at Centre Pompidou’s postmodern architecture, which features multicolored utility pipes routed around the building’s glass and metal exterior.

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.

At the western end of the Tuileries Garden (Jardin des Tuileries), looking out across Place de la Concorde and the Seine River, the Musée de l’Orangerie has one of Paris’ most magnificent panoramas right on its doorstep. Brimming with impressionist and post-impressionist masterpieces, it is best known for housing eight of Monet’s famous Water Lilies paintings.

For more than 130 years, Galeries Lafayette has been a popular destination store for Paris’ well-heeled shoppers. Beneath the building’s massive art nouveau domed ceiling are thousands of items from luxury fashion brands including Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Christian Dior. In addition to a rooftop terrace with views of the Eiffel Tower, Galeries Lafayette has a 5-story gourmet food store and dining court, and it hosts weekly fashion shows on Friday afternoons.