The national capital of France, Paris is one of the world’s most glamorous cities, a global taste-making metropolis in the fields of fashion, art, and food. Paris is famous all over the planet for its legendary museums, regal palaces, historic basilicas, iconic monuments, and inimitable architecture. It’s likewise a city of trendy neighborhoods, luxury shopping, and destination restaurants. Regardless how you choose to plan your experience, a Paris tourist itinerary is going to be fun, diverse, and full!
At the top of most Paris visitors must-see list are the city’s incredible museums and landmark monuments. The Louvre is arguably the greatest museum in the world, home to more artistic masterpieces under one roof than can be listed here, while the Musée d’Orsay contains a remarkable array of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist treasures. No matter what you’re interested in, though, there’s probably a Paris museum with a sterling reputation that covers that particular topic within its hallowed halls. At the same time, no trip to Paris is complete without a visit to the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe, and the city’s numerous religious sites are quite popular as well.
For all its world-famous museums, palaces, and architectural landmarks, Paris is a city of wide boulevards, lovely green spaces and enticing gardens. It has its share of nature and science-themed attractions like Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie, but it also contains zoos, botanical gardens, and multiple public parks of some significance. As tempting as it is to hop straight from one attraction to the next, Paris needs to be enjoyed outdoors, too. When in doubt, take a boat cruise down the Seine or join a guided walking tour of some of the city’s grandest areas.
Paris can be such a charming place, with so many different things to see and do, that the idea of spending a day or two exploring the sights and sounds of its immediate surroundings might see to some like missing out. Still, visitors with flexible schedules and the desire to expand their Parisian horizons will enjoy taking a day trip or extended excursion into the French countryside in search of beautiful scenery, artist’s homes, wine country, historic sites, and a whole lot more. Even if you’ve only got an afternoon to spare, you’ll want to consider visiting nearby attractions like the Basilica Cathedral of Saint-Denis, where nearly all of France’s kings and queens are buried; and the one-and-only Palace of Versailles, which year in and year out ranks as one of the planet’s most visited destinations.
As rich in history as Paris is, it’s also a forward-looking city that more often than not can be counted on to take the lead in shaping all manner of international trends. Paris is one of the world’s most fashionable cities for shopping, so whether you’re in the market for that special outfit, fabulous accessory, vintage jewelry, high-end handbag, designer shoes, or you just want to take home some stylish souvenirs and visit a historic bookstore, you’ll need to make time to browse the city’s wonderful selection of stores. And, of course, there’s the food! French cuisine is renowned the world over; regardless of your budget, you’ll be able to eat like royalty in this distinguished culinary capital—which has more than its fair share of cheese tastings, wine samplings, and food tours to choose from.
Keep reading for more information on the most popular tourist attractions in Paris, including numerous acclaimed museums, national monuments, historic churches, and more.
