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Paris is a tourists’ delight and so is Paris sightseeing. Nearly 18 million travellers visit the city every year. Famed for its quaint bistros, historic museums and Michelin star dining, there’s a number of things to do in Paris for all ages and backgrounds. Rub shoulders with the rich and famous as you immerse yourself in haute couture or take a day off to spend some time at the park with your family - the Paris sightseeing experience is unlike any other city.
The City of Lights is a very large place with lots to do and you might be overwhelmed by the number of Paris tourist attractions. At the same time, you can be sure that there’ll never be a moment where you won’t be busy taking in the sights and sounds. So, as you plan your trip, you’ll want to cover as many of the places to see in Paris as possible. In case you’re wondering what to see in Paris, check out this guide.
Still wondering what to see in Paris? Whatever you eventually decide, SOTC can help you plan your Paris trip even better.
What better way to start your trip than the highest point in the city? The Eiffel Tower is easily the most popular of Paris tourist attractions. With a breath-taking 360-degree view of the city, the Tower is now home to a number of beautiful champagne bars, fine dining restaurants and shopping centres. Take the lift to the top of the tower for the view, or spend some time soaking in the culture on the lower floors - either way, this is a once in a lifetime experience.
Your Paris sightseeing journey won’t be complete until you have taken a walk down the tree-lined streets of the Champs Elysees. Located on the banks of the Seine River, the boulevard is known over the world for its street-side cafes and medieval architecture. The area is also a major shopping district where you can get clothes from some of the most popular couture designers in the world.
Tip: If you want to witness some of Paris’s famed nightlife, this is the spot to visit!
This un-ticketed site gets up to 14 million visitors a year, making it one of the most popular Paris tourist attractions. As you walk through the Cathedral of Notre Dame, you may feel like you’ve travelled through time into the medieval era. Marvel at the spectacular rose windows or climb up one of the towers where you can get marvellous views of the city.
Tip: If you are planning a trip during November, do consider getting tickets for the Dame de Cœur, a magnificent light and sound festival at the cathedral.
Frequented by more than 9 million tourists every year the Louvre museum is one of the most spectacular places to see in Paris. Nestled on the banks of the Seine River in central Paris, the iconic pyramid is open all week but closes early on all days except Wednesdays and Fridays when it’s open until 9.45 pm. Tourists can spend hours going seeing all the art on display at the museum, including the world-famous Mona Lisa. Of all things to do in Paris, you shouldn’t miss out on this.
Once you’re done taking in the classics at the Louvre, walk across a bridge and head to the Musee d’Orsay, which has the biggest collection of Modernist art in the world, making it one of the finest places to see in Paris. You can spend hours walking around on the structure’s three floors while taking a tour through the world’s most important collection of impressionist paintings. Remember to brush up on your art history!
If you’re the flashy kind, head down to the Sacre Coeur, a Basilica which boasts of all-gold mosaic interiors and a dramatic view from the terrace. Located on the highest part of France, the Montmartre knoll. After you’ve taken in the sights do make sure to plan a walk through the village like streets of Montmartre, another important area for Paris sightseeing.
Of all things to do in Paris, this experience is the most serene. You could take a one-hour long paid tour on the river and witness some of the breath-taking Paris tourist attractions far from the crowd and bustle of the tourists. You could also decide to ditch the popular monuments and decide to take a tour through one of the hundreds of canals and waterways in the city.
Tip: Do remember to dress warmly when you visit the Seine, as it could get quite cold, especially during the evenings.
Alternatively, you could decide to stay away from the extra touristy places and take one of the many bus tours through the city. This way you can find your own things to do in Paris, and not have to deal with large crowds.
At the end of your walk down the Champs Elysees, you’ll reach the Arc de Triomphe, another of the really famous places to see in Paris. Here, you could take in a panoramic view from the top of this gigantic gate, built by the famous Emperor Napoleon. Or you could visit the tomb of the unknown soldier under the giant arc, built to commemorate World War 1.
