Things to Do in Paris: Your Ultimate 2026 Guide to the City of Light

Paris does not wait for you to catch up. You step out of a metro station and the Eiffel Tower is suddenly there, framed between two apartment blocks. You turn a corner and a garden opens up. You cross a bridge and the river carries the whole city past you, stone by stone, dome by dome.

This guide walks you through the best things to do in Paris in 2026, from the Eiffel Tower to the quiet garden behind a museum. Every attraction below carries honest costs, time estimates, and practical details. Book the big sights early, then leave room for long walks, market streets, and unplanned stops.

Top 5 You Cannot Miss in Paris

1. Eiffel Tower at sunset, then the sparkle from the river
2. Louvre Museum for the Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory, and the Venus de Milo
3. Notre-Dame Cathedral and the restored interior after the 2019 fire
4. Sainte-Chapelle for the upper chapel wrapped in stained glass
5. A Seine cruise at golden hour for the city from the water

This guide was re-checked as of October 2026. Prices and hours change, so confirm the details on the official attraction pages before you travel.

Paris Attractions at a Glance

Attraction	Category	Cost	Time Needed	Book Ahead?
Eiffel Tower	Tower and views	About €37 summit	2-3 hours	Yes
Louvre Museum	Museum	About €22 EEA, €32 non-EEA	3-4 hours	Yes
Notre-Dame Cathedral	Cathedral	Free, towers about €16	1-2 hours	Free reservation
Arc de Triomphe	Monument and views	About €16 to €22	1-2 hours	Yes
Sacré-Cœur Basilica	Basilica	Free, dome about €8	1 hour	No
Musée d’Orsay	Museum	About €16	2-3 hours	Yes
Champs-Élysées	Avenue	Free	1 hour	No
Tuileries Garden	Garden	Free	1-2 hours	No
Luxembourg Gardens	Garden	Free	1-2 hours	No
Sainte-Chapelle	Chapel	About €22	1 hour	Yes
Panthéon	Monument	About €16	1-2 hours	Yes
Centre Pompidou	Exterior and district	Free, building closed	30 minutes	No
Musée de l’Orangerie	Museum	About €13	1-2 hours	Yes
Rodin Museum	Museum and garden	About €14	1-2 hours	Yes
Palais Garnier	Opera house tour	About €25	1-2 hours	Yes
Seine Cruise	River cruise	About €17	1 hour	Yes
Le Marais	District	Free	2 hours	No

Which Parts of Paris Suit You

Families

Eiffel Tower, Tuileries Garden, Luxembourg Gardens, the Louvre highlights, and Disneyland Paris fill full days.

First-time visitors

Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Arc de Triomphe, Sainte-Chapelle, and a Seine cruise cover the essential Paris story.

Nature and views

Tuileries Garden, Luxembourg Gardens, the Eiffel Tower summit, the Arc de Triomphe terrace, and the Sacré-Cœur steps offer green space and skyline views.

Budget travellers

Notre-Dame Cathedral, Sacré-Cœur Basilica, the gardens, the Champs-Élysées, Le Marais, and the Centre Pompidou exterior are all free.

Paris at a Glance

Currency	Euro (EUR)
Language	French, with English widely spoken at the main sights
Time zone	Central European Time in winter, Central European Summer Time in summer
Airports	Charles de Gaulle (CDG), Orly
Getting into the city	RER B, Metro Line 14, taxi
Single metro ticket	€2.55 for Metro, RER, and train journeys
Emergency number	112
Best base	1st to 7th arrondissements for first-time visitors

14 Best Things to Do in Paris

1. Eiffel Tower

Best for

First-time visitors, families, views

Do not miss

The summit panorama, the 2nd floor at sunset, and the sparkle from the river

Practical info

Champ de Mars, 7th arrondissement. Open daily 9:30 am to 11:45 pm, with later closing in summer. evator to the summit about €37, elevator to the 2nd floor about €24, stairs to the 2nd floor about €15. Book online in advance. Metro Bir-Hakeim (Line 6), Trocadéro (Lines 6 and 9), RER C Champ de Mars.

The Eiffel Tower rises about 330 metres above the Champ de Mars, including the antennas. It was built between 1887 and 1889 for the 1889 World Fair, and it has stood as the symbol of Paris ever since. Three levels open to visitors: the 1st floor at about 57 metres, the 2nd floor at about 115 metres, and the summit at about 276 metres.

Climb the 674 steps to the 2nd floor if you want the cheapest ticket and the shortest queues, then take the elevator to the summit from there. A summit ticket covers all three levels. After dark, the tower sparkles for five minutes at the top of every hour. Arrive about 15 minutes before your timed slot for security screening.

Insider tip: Book a sunset slot, watch the light change over the city from the 2nd floor, then stay for the sparkle after dark.

2. Louvre Museum

Best for

First-time visitors, art lovers, families with older children

Do not miss

The Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory, and the Venus de Milo

Practical info

Rue de Rivoli, 1st arrondissement. Open Monday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, Wednesday and Friday 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, closed Tuesday. Admission about €22 for EEA visitors and about €32 for visitors from outside the EEA. Book a timed slot online. Metro Palais-Royal Musée du Louvre (Lines 1 and 7).

The Louvre is the largest art museum in the world, housed in a former royal palace. About 35,000 works stand on display across eight departments, so no single visit covers everything. The Mona Lisa hangs in the Denon Wing, the Winged Victory crowns the Daru staircase, and the Venus de Milo anchors the Greek antiquities rooms.

Pick two or three departments before you enter and build your route around them. Egyptian antiquities, Greek antiquities, and the French paintings of the Denon Wing make a strong first visit. Wednesday and Friday evenings are quieter than the daytime crowds. Leave time for the building itself, including the glass Pyramid in the courtyard.

Insider tip: Enter through the Carrousel entrance at 99 Rue de Rivoli on a busy day to avoid the Pyramid queue.

3. Notre-Dame Cathedral

Best for

First-time visitors, history lovers, families

Do not miss

The restored interior, the rose windows, and the towers

Practical info

Île de la Cité, 4th arrondissement. Open Monday to Friday 7:50 am to 7:00 pm, Thursday to 10:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday 8:15 am to 7:30 pm. Entry to the cathedral is free. Tower visits cost about €16 and need advance booking. Metro Cité (Line 4), Saint-Michel Notre-Dame (RER B and C).

Notre-Dame reopened in December 2024 after the fire of April 2019 and five years of restoration. The spire stands rebuilt, and the interior stonework looks brighter than it has in living memory. The cathedral is an active place of worship, so services can affect sightseeing access during the day.

A free timed reservation is recommended from April through October, but walk-in visitors can join the normal queue. The towers reopened in September 2025 as a separate paid visit with advance booking. Thursday evenings are the quietest window for the main cathedral.

Insider tip: Arrive at opening time or in the last hour of the day for the shortest queues and the calmest interior.

4. Arc de Triomphe

Best for

First-time visitors, views, history lovers

Do not miss

The rooftop terrace, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and the Eternal Flame

Practical info

Place Charles de Gaulle, 8th arrondissement. Open 10:00 am to 11:00 pm from April to September, 10:00 am to 10:30 pm from October to March, with a later start on Tuesdays. Admission about €22 in high season and about €16 in low season, with a reduced rate on Wednesdays in high season. Metro Charles de Gaulle Étoile (Lines 1, 2, and 6).

Napoleon commissioned the arch in 1806 to honour French military victories, and it was completed in 1836. Twelve avenues radiate from the roundabout below, and the terrace above them gives one of the finest panoramic views in Paris. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier rests beneath the vault, and the Eternal Flame is rekindled every evening at 6:30 pm.

Reach the monument through the pedestrian tunnel, never by crossing the traffic circle on foot. The climb to the terrace is 284 steps, with a lift reserved for visitors who need it. Book a timed ticket online to avoid the walk-up queue in summer.

Insider tip: Climb about 90 minutes before sunset to see the memorial at ground level, the city in daylight, and the avenues lighting up below.

5. Sacré-Cœur Basilica

Best for

First-time visitors, views, budget travellers

Do not miss

The white domes, the mosaic ceiling, and the panorama from the steps

Practical info

35 Rue du Chevalier de la Barre, 18th arrondissement. Basilica open daily 6:30 am to 10:30 pm. Entry to the basilica is free. Dome climb about €8, with about 300 steps and no lift. Metro Anvers (Line 2), Abbesses (Line 12). The funicular uses a standard metro ticket.

The white domes of Sacré-Cœur crown the hill of Montmartre, and the steps below the basilica give one of the best free views in Paris. Inside, the great mosaic ceiling fills the apse, and the space stays an active place of worship through the day. Modest dress is required, with shoulders and knees covered, and photography is not permitted inside the nave.

The dome climb is a separate paid visit and sells tickets on site only. Early morning before 9:00 am and summer evenings after 7:00 pm are the quietest times. On the lower steps, walk past anyone who tries to tie a bracelet on your wrist and keep moving.

Insider tip: Pair the basilica with a slow walk through the Montmartre streets behind it for a half-day visit.

6. Musée d’Orsay

Best for

Art lovers, first-time visitors, families

Do not miss

The Impressionist floor, the great clock faces, and the central nave

Practical info

Left Bank, 7th arrondissement. Open Tuesday to Sunday 9:30 am to 6:00 pm, Thursday to 9:45 pm, closed Monday. Admission about €16 online and about €14 at the door, with a reduced rate of about €12 on Thursday evenings after 6:00 pm. Book a timed slot online. Metro Solférino (Line 12), RER C Musée d’Orsay.

The Musée d’Orsay holds the greatest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art in the world, covering French art from 1848 to 1914. The building is a former railway station, and the vast iron and glass roof floods the central nave with light. Monet, Renoir, Degas, Van Gogh, Manet, Cézanne, Gauguin, and Seurat all hang here.

Start on the top floor with the Impressionist galleries, then work down through sculpture and the middle floors. Entrance areas are under renovation in phases through 2028, but the galleries stay open during their normal hours. Thursday evenings are the calmest and cheapest time to visit.

Insider tip: Visit after 6:00 pm on Thursday for smaller crowds, a lower ticket price, and evening light through the clock faces.

7. Champs-Élysées

Best for

First-time visitors, shoppers, evening walks

Do not miss

The walk from Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe

Practical info

8th arrondissement, between Place de la Concorde and Place Charles de Gaulle. Free to walk at all hours. About 1.9 kilometres long and 70 metres wide. Allow about 30 minutes without stops. Metro Champs-Élysées Clemenceau (Lines 1 and 13), Franklin D. Roosevelt (Lines 1 and 9), George V (Line 1), Charles de Gaulle Étoile (Lines 1, 2, and 6).

The Champs-Élysées runs from Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe as the great axis of western Paris. Gardens and cultural buildings shape the lower section near Concorde, while flagship shops, cafés, and restaurants line the upper half. The avenue also hosts the finish of the Tour de France cycling race and the Bastille Day parade.

Walk uphill from Concorde for the classic view, with the Arc growing larger with every step. One Sunday a month is normally pedestrianised, but dates and hours change, so check transport notices on the day.

Insider tip: Walk the avenue in the early evening, then climb the Arc de Triomphe for the sunset view back down the axis.

8. Tuileries Garden

Best for

Families, first-time visitors, a rest between museums

Do not miss

The green chairs by the ponds, the statues, and the walk from the Louvre to Concorde

Practical info

Between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde, 1st arrondissement. Free entry. Open daily from early morning to evening, with hours that follow the seasons. Metro Tuileries (Line 1), Concorde (Lines 1, 8, and 12).

The Tuileries Garden links the Louvre to Place de la Concorde with gravel paths, lawns, ponds, and rows of statues. It is the natural rest stop between the Louvre and the Orangerie, and one of the most Parisian places to sit down in the whole city.

Take a green chair by a pond and watch the city go past. The garden sits between two of the busiest sights in Paris, yet it keeps a calm rhythm of its own, with families, readers, and strollers sharing the paths.

Insider tip: Cross the garden slowly after the Louvre instead of rushing to the next museum. The walk itself is one of the best free experiences in Paris.

9. Luxembourg Gardens

Best for

Families, first-time visitors, a quiet morning

Do not miss

The lawns, the statues, and the chairs around the central fountain

Practical info

6th arrondissement, Left Bank. Free entry. Open daily from about 7:30 am, with closing times that follow the seasons. RER B Luxembourg.

The Luxembourg Gardens are the great garden of the Left Bank, with lawns, tree-lined paths, statues, and the Senate palace at one end. Parisians come here to read, to meet friends, and to sit in the sun with a coffee from a nearby café.

The garden rewards a slow visit. Walk the full loop, sit by the central fountain, then explore the quieter paths at the southern end. It pairs naturally with the Panthéon, which stands a short walk to the east.

Insider tip: Go in the morning for the quietest paths, then walk to the Panthéon before lunch.

10. Sainte-Chapelle

Best for

First-time visitors, art lovers, photographers

Do not miss

The upper chapel and its 15 stained-glass windows

Practical info

Île de la Cité, 1st arrondissement. Open April to September 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, October to March 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Admission about €22 for visitors from outside the EEA and about €16 for EEA visitors. Combined ticket with the Conciergerie about €30 or €23. Book a timed slot online. Metro Cité (Line 4), Saint-Michel Notre-Dame (RER B and C).

Louis IX built Sainte-Chapelle in the 1240s to house a collection of Passion relics. The lower chapel is intimate and richly painted, but the upper chapel is the revelation: 15 towering stained-glass windows hold 1,113 scenes that wrap the room in colour.

The chapel sits inside the Palais de Justice security perimeter, so allow time for screening even with a booked slot. A bright day helps the glass glow, but the upper chapel rewards a visit in any weather. Pair it with the Conciergerie on the same Île de la Cité visit.

Insider tip: Visit in the afternoon for the best light through the south-facing windows, and give yourself time in the upper chapel rather than rushing through.

11. Panthéon

Best for

History lovers, first-time visitors, families with older children

Do not miss

The crypt, the dome, and the nave

Practical info

Place du Panthéon, 5th arrondissement. Open April to September 10:00 am to 6:30 pm, October to March 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Admission about €16. Check the official schedule on the morning of your visit, since ceremonies can change access. Metro Cardinal-Lemoine (Line 10), RER B Luxembourg.

The Panthéon is the national mausoleum of France, a vast neoclassical monument in the Latin Quarter. It began as a church: Louis XV vowed to build it in 1744, construction started in 1758, and the building was completed in 1790. In 1791 it became the resting place of the great figures of French life.

The crypt holds Voltaire, Rousseau, Victor Hugo, Émile Zola, Pierre and Marie Curie, Louis Braille, Alexandre Dumas, Simone Veil, and Joséphine Baker. The standard ticket covers the nave and the crypt. The panoramic view is currently closed to visitors, so do not build your day around it.

Insider tip: Pair the Panthéon with the Luxembourg Gardens, a short walk to the west, for a full Latin Quarter morning.

12. Centre Pompidou

Best for

First-time visitors, photographers, a walk through the Beaubourg district

Do not miss

The exterior, the Piazza, and the views from the surrounding streets

Practical info

Place Georges-Pompidou, 4th arrondissement. The building closed on 22 September 2025 for a five-year renovation and is due to reopen in 2030. The museum, the galleries, the escalator tube, and the rooftop terrace are all shut. The Piazza stays open and the exterior is free to see. Metro Rambuteau (Line 11), Hôtel de Ville (Lines 1 and 11).

Read this before you plan around the Pompidou. The building that opened in 1977 with its pipes and ducts on the outside is one of the great sights of modern Paris, and for the next few years you can only see it from the outside. Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers designed a museum that turned its services inside out, and the colours on the facade still tell the story of the building: blue for air, green for water, yellow for electricity, and red for circulation.

The visit is still worth your time. The Piazza in front of the building is a stage for street performers and buskers, and the surrounding streets of the Beaubourg district hold galleries, shops, and cafés. The collection is being displayed at partner venues, including the Grand Palais, while the building is shut.

Insider tip: See the exterior and the Piazza for free, then spend the time you saved at the Musée de l’Orangerie or the Rodin Museum.

13. Musée de l’Orangerie

Best for

Art lovers, first-time visitors, a calm hour between sights

Do not miss

The Water Lilies rooms and the Jean Walter and Paul Guillaume collection

Practical info

Jardin des Tuileries, 1st arrondissement. Open Wednesday to Monday 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, closed Tuesday. Admission about €13, free for visitors under 26 from the EEA and for visitors under 18 from anywhere. Book a timed slot online. Metro Concorde (Lines 1, 8, and 12), Tuileries (Line 1).

The Musée de l’Orangerie holds eight Water Lilies panels of Monet in two oval rooms built for them. The light, the scale, and the quiet of the rooms make this one of the most moving art experiences in Paris, and it takes far less time than the big museums.

Below the Water Lilies, the Jean Walter and Paul Guillaume collection adds Renoir, Cézanne, Matisse, and Picasso to the visit. The whole museum fits in about an hour, so it pairs well with the Tuileries Garden or the Louvre.

Insider tip: Go at opening time for the quietest Water Lilies rooms, then walk the Tuileries Garden while it is still calm.

14. Rodin Museum

Best for

Art lovers, families, a garden break

Do not miss

The Thinker in the garden, the Gates of Hell, and the Kiss

Practical info

77 Rue de Varenne, 7th arrondissement. Open Tuesday to Sunday 10:00 am to 6:30 pm, closed Monday. Admission about €14 for the museum and garden, with a reduced rate of about €8 for the garden alone. Book a timed slot online. Metro Varenne (Line 13), Invalides (Lines 8 and 13, RER C).

The Rodin Museum fills an 18th-century mansion with the sculpture of Auguste Rodin, including the Thinker, the Gates of Hell, and the Kiss. The rooms are small, the works are large, and the garden outside is one of the most beautiful in Paris. The collection includes sculptures of Rodin, drawings, and works by his contemporaries, including Camille Claudel.

The garden is the heart of the visit. The Thinker stands on the lawn, the Gates of Hell face the house, and the quiet paths give you space to look at each work slowly. The museum sits a short walk from the Musée d’Orsay and the Eiffel Tower, so it fits easily into a Left Bank day.

Insider tip: Visit on a sunny day and spend half your time in the garden, where the sculpture looks best in natural light.

More Worth Your Time

Palais Garnier Guided Tour

Best for

Art lovers, first-time visitors, photographers

Do not miss

The Grand Staircase, the Grand Foyer, and the Chagall ceiling

Practical info

Place de l’Opéra, 9th arrondissement. Open 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Last entry at 4:15 pm. Admission about €25 for the opera house tour. Metro Opéra (Lines 3, 7, and 8), RER A Auber.

The Palais Garnier is one of the great opera houses of the world, a Second Empire palace of marble, gold, and velvet. The Grand Staircase opens into the Grand Foyer, a gilded gallery that echoes the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles, and the auditorium itself holds a painted ceiling by Chagall. The building inspired The Phantom of the Opera, and the story still colours every visit.

One limitation matters. The opera house is an active performance venue, and the auditorium can be closed for rehearsals. That can change from day to day, so check the schedule before you visit if the auditorium is the main reason for going.

Insider tip: Visit in the morning for the quietest Grand Foyer, and combine the tour with the department stores of the Boulevard Haussmann.

Seine Sightseeing Cruise

Best for

First-time visitors, families, a rest for tired feet

Do not miss

The Eiffel Tower from the river, Notre-Dame from the water, and the bridges at golden hour

Practical info

Bateaux Parisiens, Port de la Bourdonnais, 7th arrondissement. Boats run every 30 minutes during the day, with the last departure at 9:00 pm. Daytime cruises from about €17, with the 9:00 pm departure at about €20. Booking online in advance is recommended. Commentary is provided in 14 languages. Metro Bir-Hakeim (Line 6), Trocadéro (Lines 6 and 9), RER C Champ de Mars.

The easiest way to see the whole city in an hour is from the river. A sightseeing cruise passes the Eiffel Tower, the Musée d’Orsay, Notre-Dame, the Louvre, and the Île de la Cité in a single loop. The commentary points out the bridges, the monuments, and the history that you pass on each bank.

Book a late-afternoon departure for golden-hour light, or an evening cruise for the city lit up. Daytime cruises offer the clearest views for photography, and the 9:00 pm departure gives you the city at its most romantic.

Insider tip: Sit on the right side of the boat for the best views of the Left Bank, and on the left for the Louvre and the Right Bank.

Le Marais

Best for

First-time visitors, shoppers, food lovers

Do not miss

Place des Vosges, Rue des Rosiers, and the streets between

Practical info

3rd and 4th arrondissements. Free to explore at all hours. Allow at least two hours for a first walk. Metro Hôtel de Ville (Lines 1 and 11), Saint-Sébastien-Froissart (Line 8).

Le Marais is the old Jewish quarter of Paris, now the most walkable neighbourhood in the city. Its narrow streets hold medieval mansions, galleries, boutiques, and cafés, and the whole district rewards slow wandering. The Place des Vosges, the oldest planned square in Paris, sits at its heart.

Start at Place des Vosges, then walk north to Rue des Rosiers for falafel and bakeries, and east to the streets around the Rue de Turenne for boutiques and galleries. The district is at its best in the late afternoon, when the light softens and the cafés fill.

Insider tip: Wander without a route in Le Marais. The best shops, cafés, and courtyards are the ones you find by accident.

Day Trips From Paris

Palace of Versailles

Best for

First-time visitors, history lovers, families with older children

Do not miss

The Hall of Mirrors, the State Apartments, the Royal Chapel, and the gardens

Practical info

RER C to Versailles Château Rive Gauche, about 35 to 40 minutes, then a 10-minute walk. Open Tuesday to Sunday. The palace opens at 9:00 am and closes at 6:30 pm in high season, 5:30 pm in low season. The park and gardens open earlier and stay open later. The Versailles Passport costs about €35 in high season and about €25 in low season. The Trianon estate opens at noon. Book a timed slot online.

The Palace of Versailles is not a museum of one building but a world of its own. The Hall of Mirrors, the State Apartments, the Royal Chapel, and the gardens together tell the story of Louis XIV and the court of France. The palace sits in a park of more than 800 hectares, with canals, groves, and the Trianon estate beyond.

Book a timed entry slot online, even if you buy a museum pass. Go in the morning for the quietest palace, then spend the afternoon in the gardens. The Trianon estate opens at noon, so plan it for the afternoon.

Insider tip: Visit Versailles on a Tuesday or Wednesday for smaller crowds, and book a mid-morning slot for the palace.

Giverny and the Garden of Monet

Best for

Art lovers, garden lovers, families with older children

Do not miss

The Water Garden, the Japanese bridge, and the pink house

Practical info

Train from Paris Saint-Lazare to Vernon, just under 50 minutes, then a shuttle bus or bike ride to Giverny. Open April 1 to November 1, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, last entry 5:30 pm. Admission about €13 for adults and about €7 for children 7 to 17. Allow 90 minutes to two hours. Book online in advance.

Monet spent more than 40 years building the garden at Giverny, and the Water Lilies that hang in the Musée de l’Orangerie were painted here. The Clos Normand garden in front of the pink house bursts with colour, while the Water Garden behind it holds the Japanese bridge, the pond, and the water lilies.

2026 marks 100 years since the death of Monet, and the garden is likely to draw larger crowds than usual. The garden is at its best in late spring and early autumn, when the flowers are at their peak. The house is small, so expect queues on a sunny day.

Insider tip: Go in the early morning for the quietest Water Garden, and book the earliest train from Paris Saint-Lazare.

Disneyland Paris

Best for

Families, first-time visitors, a full day out

Do not miss

Disneyland Park, Disney Adventure World, and the evening show

Practical info

RER A to Marne-la-Vallée Chessy, about 45 minutes. Disneyland Park and Disney Adventure World, renamed from Walt Disney Studios Park in March 2026, open daily. Tickets from about €56 on the quietest days to about €130 at peak times. Book a dated ticket online in advance. Disney Village offers free entry.

Disneyland Paris is a full resort, not a single park. Disneyland Park holds the castle, the classic rides, and the evening show, while Disney Adventure World holds the World of Frozen, the Tower of Terror, and the Ratatouille ride. The two parks sit a short walk apart, with Disney Village between them.

Midweek days are the quietest, and the parks are at their busiest on French school holidays and weekends. Stay for the evening show if you can, and book your tickets online for the lowest price.

Insider tip: Book a midweek day for the shortest queues, and arrive at park opening for the most popular rides.

Where to Eat in Paris

Paris holds halal clusters in the 11th and 18th arrondissements, along with halal options across the city. The three listings below are verified as halal restaurants with addresses you can walk to. They are not official restaurant sites, so the listings give names and addresses only.

• Tweedy, 77 Rue de Charonne, 11th arrondissement. Listed as a halal restaurant, serving chicken dishes.
• Restaurant 786 Barbès, 67 Bd Barbès, 18th arrondissement. Listed as a halal restaurant, serving burgers, tacos, and sandwiches.
• El Manara, 27 Rue de la Charbonnière, 18th arrondissement. Listed as a halal restaurant, serving fast-food dishes.

Many Paris restaurants state halal on the door or the menu. The tea room at the Grande Mosquée de Paris serves mint tea and pastries. For a full day of eating, the 11th arrondissement holds the easiest cluster of halal restaurants, and the 18th arrondissement holds a second cluster around Barbès.

Book Your Paris Tickets Online

Skip the ticket lines and book in advance. Every link below goes to the official ticket page for that attraction.

Attraction	Tickets
Eiffel Tower	Book Tickets
Louvre Museum	Book Tickets
Arc de Triomphe	Book Tickets
Sainte-Chapelle	Book Tickets
Palace of Versailles	Book Tickets

Where to Stay in Paris

First-time visitors

Stay in the 1st to 7th arrondissements for easy access to the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre-Dame, and the gardens. These districts hold the best mix of hotels, restaurants, and metro stations for a first visit.

Families

The 7th and 15th arrondissements near the Eiffel Tower are quieter and hold more family rooms. The 1st to 7th arrondissements suit first-time visitors, while the 15th arrondissement suits families who want quieter streets and easy access to the Eiffel Tower.

Hotel	Area	Tier	Why Stay
Hôtel Malte	2nd arrondissement, near the Louvre and Opéra	Mid-range	Bright rooms in a 17th-century building, complimentary in-room refreshments, 24-hour front desk
Hôtel du Cadran	7th arrondissement, near the Eiffel Tower	Comfort	4-star hotel near Rue Cler, with a spa area and a terrace
Hôtel Eiffel Blomet	15th arrondissement, near the Eiffel Tower	Comfort	Art Deco hotel with a courtyard and a relaxation area
ibis Paris Tour Eiffel Cambronne	15th arrondissement, near Cambronne metro	Budget	3-star hotel with family rooms, a restaurant, and parking

Getting Around Paris

The Metro is the fastest way to cross Paris. A single ticket costs €2.55 for Metro, RER, and train journeys, while a Bus-Tram ticket costs €2.05. Load tickets on a Navigo Easy card for €2, or buy a Navigo Day pass for €12.30 and a Navigo Week pass for €32.40. A single ticket to the airport costs €14.

For the airports, take the RER B or Metro Line 14 to Charles de Gaulle (CDG), or the RER B or Metro Line 14 to Orly. A taxi from Charles de Gaulle costs about €56 to €65, and a taxi from Orly costs about €36 to €45. The RER B runs from both airports into central Paris.

Paris is a walkable city, and the central axis from the Louvre to the Arc de Triomphe is best explored on foot. The Tuileries Garden, the Champs-Élysées, and the Arc de Triomphe form a single walk that covers the heart of the city.

Best Time to Visit Paris

Late spring and early autumn give the best balance of mild weather and manageable crowds. Summer brings the longest days and the biggest crowds. Winter is the quietest season, with shorter days and some free Sundays at the monuments.

Season	Weather	Crowds	Notes
Spring, April to June	Mild, gardens in bloom	Building	Best overall balance
Summer, July to August	Warmest, longest days	Peak	Book sights well ahead
Autumn, September to October	Mild, golden light	Easing	Great for walking and gardens
Winter, November to March	Coldest, shortest days	Lightest	Quiet museums, some free Sundays

3-Day Paris Itinerary

Day	Morning	Afternoon	Evening
Day 1	Eiffel Tower	Arc de Triomphe and Champs-Élysées	Seine cruise
Day 2	Louvre Museum	Tuileries Garden and Musée de l’Orangerie	Sainte-Chapelle and Notre-Dame
Day 3	Musée d’Orsay	Luxembourg Gardens and Panthéon	Sacré-Cœur and Le Marais

What a Trip to Paris Costs

Paris can be expensive, but many of the best sights cost nothing: Notre-Dame, Sacré-Cœur, the gardens, the Champs-Élysées, and Le Marais are all free. A budget day built on free sights, a bakery lunch, and a Navigo Day pass can stay near €100 per person excluding lodging.

Budget Level	Lodging	Food	Transport and Sights	Total per Day
Budget	€60 to €90	€25 to €40	€15 to €30	€100 to €160
Mid-range	€150 to €250	€50 to €90	€30 to €60	€230 to €400
Comfort	€300 and above	€100 and above	€50 and above	€450 and above

Key ticket prices for planning: Eiffel Tower summit about €37, Louvre about €22 for EEA visitors and about €32 for visitors from outside the EEA, Versailles Passport about €35 in high season and about €25 in low season, and Musée d’Orsay about €16. Book timed tickets early for the big sights, and use the free sights to balance the budget.

Practical Tips for Paris

• Book timed tickets early for the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Sainte-Chapelle, and Versailles.
• If you plan to visit several monuments, the Paris Museum Pass can save money and time.
• Some monuments offer free entry on the first Sunday from November to March, but queues can be long.
• Keep bags zipped and in front of you on the Metro and around the main sights.
• Many shops close on Sundays, so plan shopping for other days.
• Grande Mosquée de Paris, 2bis Place du Puits de l’Ermite, 75005 Paris. Entry about €3. The tea room serves mint tea and pastries. Modest dress is required, with shoulders and knees covered.
• Emergency number: 112.

See all stops on Google Maps

Conclusion

Paris rewards a plan that leaves room for wandering. Book the big sights, then walk the gardens, cross the bridges, and sit in a square with a coffee. The city will do the rest.

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