Paris, the capital city of fashion and love, is one of the bigger European cities and is also the Mondial center of art, gastronomy, fashion, and culture. Paris, the center of Europe, especially for travelers, connects most of the western parts of Europe. Because of this, every traveler who wants to discover European countries has to stop by Paris, especially the Charles-de-Gaulle Airport.
In this article, find out all the things to do in Paris with great tips to save you time and money.
Best things to do in Paris
The Museums in Paris
Louvre Museum
The Louvre Museum is an unforgettable stop on your trip to Paris. The largest museum in Paris exhibits around 38,000 art objects from prehistory to the 21st century. The most visited museum in the world with more than 9 million visitors received last year. You will discover wonderful treasures throughout the permanent and temporary exhibitions.
Definitely, the best place for discovering and learning art.
Tickets:
You can buy your pass on the official website. Guided tours are also available in French and English. Audio guides and maps are available in many languages (5€ for Nintendo 3DS Audioguide).
The entrance is free for all French people under 18 and European people under 26.
Every first Saturday of each month, from 6:00 pm, the entrance is free for everyone.
How to get there:
Subway line 1 et 7, Palais-Royal / Musée du Louvre Station
Subway line 14, Pyramides Station.
Boat stop: Louvre Stop, François-Mitterrand dock.
Grévin Museum
Grévin museums are famous all around the world but the first one opened in France, in Paris. The Grévin Museum is the best place for meeting all French celebrities who marked French history. Sports athletes, politicians, actors, singers, or animation characters are all standing in their sceneries.
Tickets :
Find your tickets on the official website.
How to get there:
Subway line 3, Bourse Station.
Subway 8 and 9 : Grands Boulevards Station.
Pompidou Centre
The first collection of modern art in Europe, the Pompidou Centre is an exhibition hall, a museum, a concert room, debate, and more else for adults and children! The Pompidou Centre has enough activities for everyone who wants to discover and learn more about modern art. The polyculture center opened in 1977 on the order of the former French President Georges Pompidou who loves contemporary art.
With the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York and the London Tate Modern, Pompidou Centre is exhibiting one of the three most important modern and contemporary art collections of the world with more than 100,000 artworks.
Tickets:
Find all tickets for the museum, exhibitions, cinema, etc. on the official website. Guided or individual tour tickets are available.
How to get there:
Subway line 11: Rambuteau Station.
line 1 and 11 : Hôtel de Ville Station.
lines 1, 4, 7, 11, and 14: Châtelet Station. (Châtelet Station is a really huge station with many trains and a lot of people. If you have the opportunity to get off to another station, that will be easier and more relaxing for you.)
Train RER line A, B, and D : Châtelet Les Halles Station. (Same station on beyond).
The Castles of Paris
Paris has a really incredible historical heritage with a lot of gorgeous castles which all have been preserved well over the years. A good opportunity to discover French history on the monarchy side.
1. Château de Versailles
In the 18th century, the Palace of Versailles became the seat of the French government. The palace that was the former hunting lodge of Louis XVIII, became the main residence of Louis XIV who made big transformations.
The Palace of Versailles is now one of the most famous French treasures in the world, thanks to the beauty of the place and of each object. The Hall of Mirror and the Palace’s Garden was designed by the King’s landscape gardener, André Le Nôtre. He was really appreciated by the Monarchy for his talents.
If you want to spend your day discovering more about Louis XIV and the monarchy, you can also visit “The estate of Trianon” and “The royale Stables” that are a little less popular than the Palace but great places to learn more about history.
Tickets
You need a ticket for each visit. If you want to save your time, buy it before going to the Palace because the line could be really long. In normal days, the audio guide is provided in many languages for free but you can also upload it on your phone here.
Get your ticket on the Palace website.
Note: The access to the Palace and the estate of Trianon is free for visitors under 18 and European visitors under 26. However, visits to other parts of the palace like the Palace garden and the royal stales are not free. Make sure to have your passport or ID card to show at the entrance.
How to get there:
RER train line C, Versailles Château – Rive gauche Station. Walking 10 min.
SNCF train from Gare Montparnasse or from Gare St-Lazare. Walking 18 min.
For more information, find your location on www.transilien.com.
2. Château de Fontainebleau
Located in the south of Paris, this palace is an important place for French history. It was occupied by many important families for 8 centuries. In this place, you can especially find some personal objects of Napoleon and François 1st.
The Fontainebleau Palace, a Unesco world’s heritage since 1862, was used by all French sovereigns between the 12th and 14th centuries.
Tickets:
You can get your ticket here.
You can visit for free every first Sunday of each month (except in June, July, and August). For Fontainebleau Palace too, the access is free for visitors under 18 and European residents under 26.
How to get there:
From Paris Gare de Lyon, take train line R to Fontainebleau Avon. Take bus n° 028 for 8 min to Fontainebleau (château). Walking 2 min. The Fontainebleau Palace is located in area n°5 of the subway map so, you need to buy a ticket available for this area.
3. Château de Vincennes
Built-in a medieval style, the Chateau de Vincennes sustains damages during world war II. The house of France’s kings is a rich treasure of history which starts in the 14th century.
The Chateau de Vincennes is bordered with the Bois de Vincennes (Vincennes’ Wood) which is a park of 995 hectares with a plank of wood and a greeny space. This park was created between 1855 and 1866 by Emperor Napoleon and it is the bigger park in Paris. People love to go there for walking, running, or having a picnic.
Tickets:
Purchase your ticket on the official website. You can show your ticket using your smartphone as well.
In this place too, the entrance is free for European people between 18 and 26 years old.
Unfortunately, no guided visit provided.
Paris symbols and monuments
Eiffel Tower
The most famous French symbol of the World, the Eiffel Tower is a steel tower built in 2 years, between 1887 and 1889, by Gustave Eiffel and his associates. The tower is 324m tall and was the tallest tower in the world for 40 years.
The Eiffel Tower welcomed around 300 millions of visitors since 1889. Nowadays about 7 million visitors are welcomed each year.
Every night, the tower’s color changes, and bright lights shine bright in the dark night.
On July 14th, the French national day, you can have the opportunity to see the fireworks display that takes place on the top of the tower. A lot of activities are waiting for you!
The best photo zone of the Eiffel Tower is the Trocadero Place, located in front of it. In this place, you have an incredible view of the tower.
Because many people want to visit this famous treasure of French architecture, we recommend you to buy your ticket in advance. The Eiffel Tower is so popular that people are always waiting so long time for buying a ticket, even early in the morning.
You can buy your ticket on the official website. You can book your ticket 2 months before your visit date. Prices change if you use the elevators or stairs and if you want to go to the top or the middle of the tower.
You can also check prices on GetYourGuide. Prices can be interesting and you might find a guide in your mother tongue.
/!\ Please, do not buy any ticket from other people. Eiffel Tower’s tickets are nominatives!
How to get there:
To Eiffel Tower: Train RER C, Champs de Mars Tour Eiffel Station or Subway line 6, Bir-Hakeim Station.
To Trocadero Place: Subway line 6 and 9, Trocadero Station.
Arc de Triomphe & other archs in Paris
The Arc de Triomphe construction started in 1806, on the orders of Napoleon for celebrating the victory of his army. The construction finished in 1836, 30 years after the start. Everyone knows the arc de Triomphe, but that full name is “Arc de Triomphe Etoile”. It is an important specification because Paris has 4 arc de Triomphe.
Arc de Triomphe Etoile:
The most popular, The arc de Triomphe etoile is loated in Paris 8, in the “Place de l’étoile”, the huge traffic circle with 12 avenues.
This Arc de Triomphe offered a sublime view of Champs-Elysée Avenue, the world-famous fashion street.
Below the Arc, you can find the unknown soldier tomb from the great war which lights every evening.
Arc de Triomphe of Carrousel:
The second most famous ar de Triomphe, this one is often confounded with the Arc de Triomphe Etoile. Located in Paris 1st, in front of the Louvre museum, The arc de Triomphe of Carrossel was built between 1807 and 1809 for celebrating the victory of Napoleon’s army during the Austerlitz war.
Arc de Triomphe of Saint-Martin door:
Located in Paris 10, the monument of Arc de Triomphe of Saint-Martin door was built in 1674 in the orders of Louis XIV for celebrating his victories of French lands conquest.
Arc de Triomphe of Saint-Denis door:
The Arc de Triomphe of Saint-Denis door is located in Paris 10 and was built in 1672 for honored the Louis XIV glory.
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris
Usually called by “Notre-Dame”, the cathedral became famous through the Victor Hugo’s novel and the musical of the same name.
The construction ends in 1345 and, since that date, the cathedral became the most exceptional treasure of the French gothic architecture style.
The cathedral, which is consecrated to the Virgin Mary, is located in the middle of the island named “l’île de la cité”.
Notre-Dame is related to many important French History’s parts such as the Crown of thorns, the coronation of Napoléon I, or also French republic presidents funerals.
The cathedral is open to visitors for free, but the treasures room needs a ticket. For visiting the treasures room, you can also ask for the interpreter’s service available in many languages.
The cathedral is a monument of Christianism, it is recommended to speak quietly inside to respect the prayers of the people.
Notre-Dame de Paris is temporarily closed due to the fire but will reopen soon. It will be great to get a guide for more understanding of arts and architecture’s histories.
How to get there:
– Subway line 1, Hotel de Ville (Paris) Station, walking 8 min.
– Train RER C, Saint-Michel Notre-Dame Station, walking 8 min.
Sacré-Coeur, Montmartre
The Basilica of the sacred heart is located on the hilltop at Montmarte. The Basilica is a religious, political, and cultural monument that started in 1875, after the war in the ’70s.
At the top, you can enjoy the beautiful landscape of Paris. But be careful, climbing can be hard (or take the funicular).
Sacré-Coeur is located in Montmartre, the artistic part of Paris. For decades, all Parisiens artists met there to draw and show their arts. That’s the reason why it is now called “the art district.”
Montmartre is appreciated by French people for authenticity. This area is indeed the old French / Parisiens classic style.
The entrance is free, and many guides offered their services to provide you more information about all the areas. And, because it is the old French style district, why don’t you enjoy wine, bread, and other delicious foods with a local gastronomic guide?
How to get there:
Subway line 2, Anvers Station.
Subway line 2 and 12, Pigalle Station. (Funicular access)
Subway line 12, Abesses Station. (Funicular access)
Activities & Unusual things
Bateau-Mouche
Explore Paris along the Seine river on board of Bateau-Mouche. The boat trips start from 12 pm to 10 pm. Along the Seine river, you will discover the more significant monuments of Paris with a lot of explanation.
Lunches and dinners can be reserved for enjoying the exploration with an authentic French meal.
Note: No dress code is needed but an appropriate dress is required for the dinner. So, you can not go on board with a sports outfit, cap, flipflop, etc.
Boarding will be at “Pont de l’Alma” between 30 min and 15 min (maximum) before the departure.
Tickets:
Find all price information on the official website (excursion, lunch, and dinner price).
How to get there:
Train RER C, Pont de l’Alma Station.
The Paris Catacombs
The Paris catacombs made a huge labyrinth located under the city. Tunnels of former quarries are used for the catacombs installation where bones of several million Parisian people can be seen. This gloomy space is the bigger underground ossuary of the world, 1,500 m long and 20 m underground.
An unusual way to discover the history of the city of lights.
/!\ Warning /!\
Even if this site is an interesting place, the Paris catacombs are not recommended for everyone, especially for sensitive people.
You will be in the undergrounds of Paris. So that means you have to take many steps to go down and climb back up.
Please read carefully these recommendations before booking any visits.
Tickets:
Purchase a ticket for your visit here (visit with or without audioguide, guided visit).
How to get there:
Train RER line B or Subway line 4 and 6, Denfert-Rochereau Station.
Disneyland Paris
Located in the eastern part of Paris, Disneyland Paris is the only one Disney attraction park in Europe. Constituted in 2 parks (Disneyland & Walt Disney Studio), the Disney attraction park received every year several million visitors. Opened in 1992, Disneyland is a major place to go with family, friends, or even alone. For more information about tickets and packages, please read the official page.
How to get there:
Train RER A, Marne-la-vallée – Chessy (Parc Disneyland) Station.
We hope all these activities will help you to plan your trip to Paris. Paris is not a big city. It’s an old but pretty city with a rich and proud history that is well deserved to be known.
