Travel Guide to Paris FranceTravel Guide to Paris, France

Welcome to my complete travel guide to Paris, France, including the must-see monuments, museums, gardens, cathedrals, excursions, restaurants, and more... plus a 4-day itinerary.

I could not wait to create this guide for you to fall in love with Paris like I have. So let’s get right into it! Click within the table of contents below to navigate through the guide.

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MONUMENTS

Among the countless famous monuments in this city, below are the ones I highly recommend seeing.

THE Eiffel TOWER

One of the most famous landmarks in the world, the Eiffel Tower is the symbol of Paris that you cannot miss. Below is a list of the best places to view the Eiffel Tower. To experience it up close, skip the notoriously long lines and grab a fast pass to ride to the top and enjoy the stunning panoramic views of the city.

I highly recommend this fast pass that my husband and I got on our honeymoon, which also comes with a tour guide. Keep in mind the peak season—June to September—when planning your trip!

The Best Eiffel Tower Photo Spots:

Trocadéro Place & Gardens

Champs de Mars

Eiffel Tower Carousel

The Observation Deck at the Monteparnasse Tower

Rue de l'Universite

Pont D'Iena and Port Debilly (right along the Seine river)

Avenue de Camoens

Bir-Hakeim Bridge

Alexander III Bridge

THE PALACE OF Versailles

Versailles is an absolute must-see for anyone fascinated by French history, architecture, and the lavish lifestyle of royalty. The Palace has a shocking 2,300 rooms of the most intricate and breathtaking architecture and interior design and 2,000 acres of meticulously manicured gardens.

Gardens of Versailles

You can purchase a handheld audio guide at the Palace for about 5€ to listen to as you walk through each room. If you want to skip the lines, there are many fast pass tickets available that include a tour of the highlights of the Palace like this one. My husband and I booked this amazing private guided tour of the Palace, the gardens, and Marie Antoinette’s private estate and gardens. It was pricey but I would do it again in heartbeat!

The Royal Chapel

How to get to Versailles?

The most common way to get to Versailles is by taking the RER C train and getting off at the “Versailles Château Rive Gauche” stop. The ride is roughly 60-90 minutes, depending on your starting point in Paris. Once you’re off the train, it’s a short 10-min walk to the palace.
I’ve also traveled to Versailles by Uber (~35 minutes) which I suggest if you want to save time.

The Royal Gates

One the beautiful fireplaces in Marie Antoinette's private apartment

Portrait of Marie Antoinette

Arc de Triomphe

The Arc de Triomphe is another must-see, as a symbol of France’s national pride. It features intricate engravings that pay homage to France’s military victories, and it houses the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. You can admire its unique architectural structure up close & for about 13€ you can walk (or take an elevator) up to the observation deck and enjoy more panoramic views of Paris.

There are 2 entrances to the underground tunnel that will take you to the Arc de Triomphe & the ticket booth to access the observation deck:

(1) between the Avenue de la Grande Armeé & the Avenue Carnot and

(2) between the Avenue des Champs Elyseés & the Avenue de Friedland.

Panthéon

The Pantheon is a massive mausoleum hosting the tombs of distinguished figures like Voltaire, Rousseau, and Marie Curie. View the stunning interior architecture, statutes and paintings on the ground level, visit the crypts down below, and climb to the top (no elevators available) to enjoy another beautiful view of Paris.

Just note that the top of the building is only accessible during the spring and summer months, so be sure to check in advance to see if it’s open during your trip!

The main door to the Panthéon - insane!

The intricate architecture inside the Panthéon.

THE Catacombs

The Catacombs are underground tunnels that span over 200 miles beneath Paris and store the bones of ~6 million people who were transferred there from overcrowded cemeteries during the late 18th century. Although it's an eerie experience to walk through these tunnels, visiting the Catacombs is incredibly unique and unforgettable.

Be sure to book tickets well in advance because they sell out quickly and they only sell a fixed amount of tickets each day due to the maximum capacity of the tunnels. Your ticket also comes with a handheld audio guide that you listen to as you walk through the tunnels (I'm wearing the audio guide around my neck in the photo below!).

MUSEUMS

The Louvre

The one and only iconic museum that houses the Mona Lisa & one of the world’s largest art collections: the Louvre. An absolute must. You could spend days here because of how massive the museum is! Consider booking a tour to skip the long lines and see the highlights with a guide.

My husband and I booked this tour and got to enter the museum right when it opened. We snapped a picture with the Mona Lisa before it got too crazy busy — although it still gets packed in there! You can even see the crowd in the reflection of the Mona Lisa below.

Rodin Museum

The Rodin Museum includes a mansion and a peaceful garden showcasing the masterpieces of sculptor, Auguste Rodin, like The Thinker and The Kiss. This is one of my favorite museums because of the serene and beautiful surroundings and it’s away from the hustle of the center of the city. Plus it only takes about an hour to visit, so it's perfect for a relaxing, short afternoon, especially in the spring and summer.

Centre Pompidou

If you love modern art, you will love the Centre Pompidou. It is renowned for its eclectic mix of contemporary art, including works by Picasso, Kandinsky, and Pollock, dynamic exhibitions, and live performances. Don’t forget to visit the rooftop for more views of the city!

Musee d’Orsay

The Musee d’Orsay was originally a train station! The interior architecture is honestly just as captivating as the art inside. It presents a collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces by artists like Monet, Van Gogh, and Renoir. Plus, you can avoid the huge crowds headed to the Louvre, making it a more peaceful visit.

GARDENS

The Luxembourg Gardens

Next, you cannot miss the Luxembourg Gardens. Take a walk through the gardens in between activities, find a quiet spot to read, watch the locals playing chess, or just lay out next to the lawn for the afternoon. The Luxembourg Gardens is my all time favorite (yes, over the Tuileries!).

The gardens have perfectly manicured lawns, gardens, fountains, and of course, the centerpiece: the Luxembourg Palace!

Monet's Gardens

I highly, highly recommend taking a day trip to Giverny to visit Claude Monet’s home and gardens. This is still one of my all time favorite excursions. You can escape the city for the day, experience Monet’s charming home and learn about his life, and see all of the beauty that surrounded and inspired him, water lilies and more. It is breathtaking and incredibly peaceful.

The Tuileries Gardens

Visit the Tuileries Garden and unwind in yet another picturesque escape with tree-lined avenues and meticulously manicured lawns, ponds, and gardens. It is right in the center of Paris, next to the Louvre and the Champs Elysées, making it a perfect vantage point.

CATHEDRALS

Sacre-Coeur Basilica

Sacre-Coeur is number 1 on my list of cathedrals to visit! There is no entrance fee, the architecture is mesmerizing, and the views of the city are amazing. Plan your visit in the late afternoon and then watch the sunset while sitting on the steps outside of the cathedral.

Sainte-Chappelle

The beauty of Sainte Chappelle is magnificent with over 1,000 stained glass windows. It is a very small chapel that has a 30-minute time limit per visit. Some say that it isn't worth the price of admission (11.50€) for the size, but in my opinion it is definitely worth it!

Notre Dame

Although temporarily closed due to the fire in 2019, don't forget to stop by the Notre Dame to enjoy the Gothic exterior and the free exhibition where you can learn more about its history.

Saint-Eustache and L'Eglise de la Madeleine are other hidden gem cathedrals near the center of Paris that I would recommend visiting!

Neighborhoods

Champs-Élysées and the 8th Arrondissement: The "world's most beautiful avenue" is the one and only Champs-Élysées, known for its luxury shopping, theaters, cafés, and of course, macarons at Ladurée! The 8th arrondissement also has the famous Grand Palais (closed for renovations until 2024) and the Petit Palais art museums.

Le Marais: Situated in the 3rd and 4th arrondissements, the Marais neighborhood is known for its vibrant nightlife, designer boutiques, cafés, and art galleries.

Saint-Germain-des-Prés: In the 6th arrondissement, Saint-Germain-des-Prés is home to the Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots, where famous writers and philosophers used to meet. You'll also find more high-end boutiques, art galleries, and beautiful churches like the Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés.

Montmartre: Montmartre sits in the 18th arrondissement at the top of a hill with winding, charming streets. It's the home of the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, the Moulin Rouge cabaret, and the Place du Tertre where many artists showcase their work.

Latin Quarter: The Latin Quarter, in the 5th arrondissement, has a youthful energy with its numerous bookshops, lively cafes, nightlife, and of course, the historic Sorbonne University. It's also close to the Panthéon and the Luxembourg Gardens.

Bookstores

I find so much joy walking through bookstores and love to visit them wherever I travel. On my last trip to Paris, I picked up a unique illustrated copy of Harry Potter in French! Here are some of the best bookstores to visit in Paris:

Shakespeare and Company: Perhaps the most famous bookstore in Paris, Shakespeare and Company was a gathering place for famous writers such as Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and James Joyce.

Librairie Galignani: Established in 1801, Librairie Galignani claims to be the oldest English-language bookstore in continental Europe, and offers a diverse collection of books, including literature, art, and travel guides.

Librairie Jousseaume: Also known as La Belle Hortense, this unique bookstore combines literature with wine. Located in the Marais neighborhood, it serves as a bookstore during the day and transforms into a wine bar in the evening, creating a cozy atmosphere for book lovers and wine enthusiasts.

The Abbey Bookshop: This bookstore is a favorite among English-speaking residents and visitors of Paris. It specializes in secondhand English books and is known for its welcoming atmosphere and endless collection.

EXPERIENCES

Croissant Baking Class

Taking a croissant baking class in Paris is one of my favorite memories by far! In this baking class, our chef taught us how to make croissants and pain au chocolat. Each of us got to take them home, fresh out of the oven. They just melt in your mouth, so, so good! 10/10 recommend.

Dinner Cruise on the Seine River

Experience the beauty of Paris at night on this romantic dinner cruise with live jazz music. It was such a relaxing experience and the food was delicious!

Biking through the City

Rent one of the city's self-service bikes to bike along the Seine River and throughout the city. *Look for the bikes called called Vélib'. The green bikes are mechanical and the blue bikes are electric.*

You can alternatively book a guided biking tour of the city like this one on my bucket list.

Gourmet Picnic in front of the Eiffel Tower

Another item on my bucket list is booking a gourmet picnic on the Champs de Mars, right in front of the Eiffel Tower. Check out Picnic Like a Parisian and Love Picnic Paris to plan this dreamy picnic.

Boating at the Bois de Vincennes

The Bois de Vincennes is a large park at the eastern side of Paris where many locals frequent for biking, fishing, picnicking, walking along the trails, and rowing boats on the ~30 acre Lake Daumesnil. Boat rentals are available from February to November for about 13€ per hour, and would make for such a romantic date! This is on my bucket list for my next trip to Paris.

Restaurants

Here are my personal favorite & bucket-listed restaurants in Paris for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and treats:

Bakeries & Cafés:

Farine & O (9th arrondissement)
La’duree (multiple locations)
Angelina (inside the Louvre or on Rue de Rivoli)

Breakfast:

Crêperie Gigi (3rd arrondissement)
Le Fournil (6th arrondissement)
La Crêperie du Clown (6th arrondissement)
Kozy Bosquet (7th arrondissement)
Zia (7th arrondissement)

Lunch & Dinner:

Le Marais Restaurant Paris (3rd arrondissement)
Le Chanard (4th arrondissement)
Restaurant L'Ange 20 (4th arrondissement)
Allard (6th arrondissement)
La Fontaine de Mars (7th arrondissement)
24 Le Restaurant (8th arrondissement)
Pink Mamma (9th arrondissement)
Le Chalet (16th arrondissement; 63 Rue de la Pompe)
Sacred Flower (18th arrondissement)

And there you have it! My complete travel guide to Paris, France. Below is a 4-day itinerary for more inspo for your next trip. Let me know your personal favorite sites in Paris!

4-Day Itinerary

DAY 1

Breakfast at Kozy Bosquet
Walk through the Champs de Mars
Place du Trocadero
Arc de Triomphe
Walk down the Champs-Elysees
Lunch at 24 Le Restaurant
Tuileries Gardens
Walk along the Seine River and through the bridges
Dinner at Le Chanard

DAY 2

Breakfast at La Crêperie du Clown
Tour the Louvre
Visit the Angelina cafe for a hot chocolate (inside of the Louvre)
Croissant baking class
Lunch at Le Marais Restaurant Paris
Walk through the Marais neighborhood
La’duree (grab a macaron or two)
Notre Dame
Dinner at Restaurant L'Ange 20

DAY 3

Breakfast at Zia
Tour of the Eiffel Tower
Lunch at Allard
Rodin museum
Sainte-Chappelle
Evening dinner cruise on the Seine River

DAY 4

Crêpes at Le Fournil
Tour the Catacombs
Luxembourg Gardens
Panthéon
Shakespeare and Company bookstore
Lunch at Sacred Flower
Walk around the Montmartre neighborhood
Sacre-Coeur (tour the cathedral and watch the sunset)
Dinner at La Fontaine de Mars
Watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night