Top 10 Paris Sights

Published: July 17, 2024
Paris

The Paris Pass is packed with over 60 top museums, monuments and attractions which you can visit for free. But with all that choice what are the best things to do and places to see?

Here is our suggestion of the top 10 things to do in Paris with a Paris Pass.
 

Versailles, Paris


1The Palaces of Versailles is one of the largest and most opulent castles in the world. This stunning historic castle with its beautiful architecture and gardens, and deep history is a must visit sight on a sightseeing trip to Paris.

2. Take a relaxing trip down the River Seine onboard the Bateaux Parisiens River Cruise. A river cruise is a great way to see many of Paris’ famous landmarks and sights.

3. The Arc De Triomphe is one of the most iconic monuments in Paris and must for any visitor to Paris.
 

Nortre Dame Cathedral, Paris


4The Louvre Museum is home to some of the finest art work in the world. Home to thousands of classic and modern masterpieces, the Louvre Museum is the jewel in the crown of French culture.

5. A very popular attraction in Paris is the Cathedral of Notre Dame, with a Paris Pass you can take a visit to the top of the Towers of Notre Dame for free.

6. Fancy trying some French wine? Then take a trip to O Chateau Wine Tasting where you can sample some exquisite wines from the vineyards of France.
 

Musee D'Orsay, Paris


7The Orsay Museum exhibits work by Delacroix, Manet, Guaguin, Cézanne, Monet, Renoir, Sisley, van Gogh and many more great artists.

8. Discover Paris from the 56th observation floor of the Montparnasse Tower which offers visitors a stunning view of the city in all directions.

9. Palais Garnier has been home to Opera de Paris since the 1600’s and is also home to a small gallery which hosts exhibitions as well as a permanent exhibition of the sets of operas from its history.

10Grevin Wax Museum features over 300 wax figures of the world’s most famous people dramatically posed in amazing scenes.

The opening and closure times may change. For updated timings, please check the official attraction page.

Alice Padfield
Alice Padfield
Content Manager

Alice is a copywriter in the Content team at Go City®, where she combines her love for travel, literature, food and theatre to craft inspiring content for cultural explorers. From blog articles to TikToks, she creates engaging stories that help travellers uncover hidden gems and must-see spots in every city. Passionate about exploring new destinations, Alice shares her discoveries to help others curate unforgettable itineraries.

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Rodin Museum, Paris
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Paris Museums

Visit the best museums in Paris to learn about the city's rich culture and history Paris is full of fantastic museums to discover and learn more about the city. From weird and wonderful science, to brands and advertising, art and waxworks, there really is something for everyone. Discover parts of Paris you never knew you could, like an underground tour of the sewers, or treat yourself to something sweet with the history of chocolate making. One of the most popular museums in Paris is the Grevin Wax Museum. It’s the Madame Tussauds of Paris – but better – and you can see some of your favourite Hollywood actors and popstars from George Clooney to Celine Dion, among 300 others. See the Hall of Mirrors, in the optical lights, and learn about the painstaking process the waxwork team go through to make just one model. It’s one of the best places for a selfie, too!   The Museum of Arts and Invention is a great one to take curious kids to, to get them learning about the power of invention and the history of scientific instruments. Some of the amazing exhibits on show include airplanes, vintage cars, Pascal’s calculator and Foucault’s pendulum.   Paris museums you can visit with your pass Conde Museum - Château de Chantilly The Château de Chantilly and Conde Museum stand in the centre of a vast estate covering 7,800 hectares; the château and estate have been built up by the owners of Chantilly since the Middle Ages. Gourmet Chocolate Museum Choco-Story, the gourmet chocolate museum, covers 4,000 years of the history of cocoa and chocolate in words, pictures and flavours. The museum immerses you in the amazing world of chocolate and leads you through a fascinating voyage through time. Grévin Paris - Wax Museum The Musée Grévin may astound the visitor with its dramatic lifelike scenes of historical and modern Paris. History of Immigration Museum The museum takes a fresh look at history by showing the part played by immigrants in the economic, social, and cultural development of France. Musee de Parfum Fragonard Tour Go behind-the-scenes with a tour of the Fragonard Perfume museum and discover 3000 years of perfume-making history and culture. Museum of Air and Space The Museum of Air and Space is located in the south-eastern edge of the Le Bourget Airport, 10 km north of Paris. Museum of Arab History Five hundred works explore the history of the Arab civilisation and illustrate a number of sophisticated techniques: bronzes, ceramics, panelling, textiles, scientific objects, illuminations, etc. Museum of French Monuments The museum of French monuments and architecture houses three galleries, offering an overview of architecture and heritage from the Middle Ages to the present day. Museum of Jewish Art & History The Museum of Jewish Art and History is situated in one of the finest private mansions in Paris, the Hôtel de Saint-Aignan. Here, discover the development of Jewish communities throughout France, Europe and North America through their art, history and cultural heritage and traditions. Museum of Music The Museum of Music, housed within the Cité de la Musique in the heart of the Parc de la Villette. Museum of the Arts and Invention The Musée des Arts et Métiers houses the collection of the Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers, which was founded in 1794 as a depository for the preservation of scientific instruments and inventions. National Archaeology Museum A delightful museum housed in the stunning Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, the Musée d'Archéologie Nationale is the French national archaeology museum. Museum of the Cinema The Cinémathèque Française is very serious about carrying out its agenda, which is to preserve and enrich film heritage documents and to ensure the broadcast and appreciation of French film by all. Palais de la Decouverte Set within the stunning Grand Palais, the Palais de la Decouverte is one of Paris' most esteemed science museums. National Museum of the Middle Ages The National Museum of the Middle Ages is housed across two exceptional Parisian monuments: the Gallo-roman thermes, dating from the 2nd century, and the 15th century Cluny Abbey hotel. Quai Branly Museum Dedicated to the African, Asian, Oceania and American arts and civilisations, this museum opened to the public in June 2006. Paris Science Museum Paris Science Museum is the biggest science museum in Europe. This impressive glass and steel building was designed by Peter Rice and opened in 1986. Sèvres Ceramics Museum Sèvres ceramics are the most famous and illustrious makers of ceramics in France and considered by many to be the finest in the world.
Alice Padfield
Alice Padfield
Paris at sunset
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Things to See and Do in Paris City Center

Paris city center is bursting with amazing sights and sounds - your trip to one of the world’s most beautiful cities will be truly memorable. The French capital is made up of 20 arrondissements (districts), but we’re going to focus on the first seven as they make up the true city center and offer a wide variety of things to see and do. The arrondissements were created by Emperor Napoleon III in 1860, with the 1st arrondissement situated in the historic center of the city. The rest of the arrondissements curl around and outwards like a spiral – each one with its own distinct ‘flavor’ and attractions. Read on for our guide to the best things to see and do in the city of love and light. Arrondissement 1 is elegant and regal At the center of what was originally the seat of royal power, you’ll find elegance and grandeur. It’s home to the Palais Royal and the world-famous Louvre, the largest art museum in the world. Be sure to visit the beautiful Tuileries Gardens and check out the rather upmarket Vendôme Square. The Pont Neuf bridge is also located in this arrondissement. Although the name means ‘new bridge’, it’s actually the oldest bridge in Paris. Arrondissement 2 for commerce and business Travel to arrondissement 2 and you’ll be in the business district, otherwise known as Bourse. The Palais de la Bourse was once the stock exchange and is the area’s most notable landmark. Other buildings to see are the National Library and the Opera Comique. Check out the Grands Boulevard neighborhood for its old-world regal style and covered shopping arcades. Arrondissement 3 for arts, crafts and Picasso You’ll find the Conservatoire National des Arts et Metiers (National Museum of Arts and Crafts) along with the Picasso Museum in Arrondissement 3. The district is also known as Temple as there was once a medieval fortress built by the Templar Knights amongst the bustling commercial and quiet residential streets. Be sure to check out the Marais neighborhood that spills over into the 4th arrondissement. Arrondissement 4 for Renaissance and shopping Arrondissement 4 is popular with tourists, as it not only includes part of the Marais district but also the Île de la Cité, which includes Notre-Dame Cathedral, one of the city’s most popular attractions. You’ll also find Centre Pompidou in this district, which is amongst the oldest in the city center of Paris. Le Marais is one of the most visually interesting quarters of Paris. This area was once a swamp and that is what Le Marais means. It has evolved from a working-class neighborhood to an affluent and upmarket area, popular for eating, drinking, and strolling. Despite an overhaul of the city’s layout by Napoleon and Baron Georges Eugene Haussmann in the mid-19th century, it has retained the narrow streets of the Renaissance and Medieval eras. You can still see dramatic residences, boutiques, and galleries that escaped modernization. Examples of Haussmann’s great works include the Champs-Élysées and Montparnasse, as well as the city’s modern water and sewage system. After a visit to Notre Dame, head across the Seine to browse the art stalls and the booksellers' treasures. Marais is also where a Jewish community has lived on and off since the 13th century and features a moving monument to the 200,000 French people killed in concentration camps during WW2. Arrondissement 5 for the Latin Quarter Enjoy the outstanding neoclassic architecture of the Panthéon as well as the botanical gardens, known locally as the Jardin des Plantes. You’ll also find the Sorbonne University here, attended by the intellectual crème de la crème. The Panthéon is now a mausoleum housing the remains of the most distinguished French citizens, such as Voltaire, Victor Hugo, and Louis Braille. Arrondissement 6 for old-world style The 6th arrondissement was the stomping ground of writers such as Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir. The area has now been transformed into a hotspot for antique furniture and designer boutiques. You’ll also come across leafy residential streets, outstanding architecture, and fabulous restaurants. Arrondissement 7 for prestige This district of the city of Paris is home to the sensational steel structure of the Eiffel Tower and the Orsay Museum. Boats leave from here for lunch and dinner cruises on the Seine – an opportunity to see the fantastic buildings from the water without traffic being in the way. The Hotel des Invalides is not a hotel at all, but the resting place of Napoleon I and the army museum, as well as a former military complex. If you’re a fan of shopping and gourmet food, be sure to stop by the Bon Marche Department Store and Gourmet Market. Experience everything Paris has to offer with The Paris Pass® Planning your Paris trip? With The Paris Pass®, you can explore big-name landmarks, local hotspots, and epic tours, all on one pass, all for one price. Not only that, but you'll enjoy savings of up to 50%, compared to buying individual attraction tickets. ✈️ Buy The Paris Pass® ✈️
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