Top Things to Do in the Paris | Must-See Attractions & Experiences

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Places To Visit In Paris

Palace of Versailles

The Palace of Versailles is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a must-see French landmark today. It is situated in the city of Versailles, just 40 minutes away from Paris. It is now a museum that is a masterpiece of French art and design. Constructed by Louis XIV to exhibit the supremacy of the monarchy, this Grand Palace was once the nucleus of French Monarchic power. Notably, this spot is much more than only the Palace. Other main areas to visit include - The Palace gardens and other castles, Le Grand Trianon, & The Queen’s Estate. The Apartment of the King and Queen, the Coronation Room, and the impressive Hall of Mirrors will make you amazed by their majesty. An excellently-preserved example of the French monarchy's luxury, the glimmering hallways will take you back to the 17th century. Besides, the exquisite gardens are praised for their geometric design. Access to the Gardens is free for all (except on days of fountains and musicals), and access to the Palace & the estate of Trianon is free for visitors below 18 yrs ( <26 yrs for EU residents). However, eligible visitors must book a time slot for free admission via the online platform. Read More

Set in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, The Palais de Chaillot lies between the Place du Trocadéro and the Trocadero Gardens. The Palais de Chaillot sits atop Chaillot hill and faces the Eiffel Tower on the banks of the river Seine. The gorgeous view of the Eiffel Tower and the Trocadero gardens from this spot is the most renowned Paris view. Notably, the Palais de Chaillot encompasses four cultural institutions, including the Cité de l'architecture et du patrimoine (Architecture Museum), the Musée national de la Marine (Maritime Museum), the Musée de l'Homme (Anthropology Museum) and Chaillot - Théâtre national de la Danse. Also, the walk from here to Eiffel Tower across the Trocadéro gardens and the Iéna Seine bridge is a mesmerizing experience. It was constructed for the 1937 International Exhibition of Arts and Techniques Applied to Modern Life. Remarkably, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at the Palais de Chaillot in 1948. This event is commemorated by a stone, and the esplanade separating its pavilions is now known as the esplanade des droits de l'homme (i.e., esplanade of human rights). Read More

The Petit Palais is a lavishly decorated building with diverse fine arts collections. It has a splendid courtyard and garden and looks similar to the Grand Palais, which is set just across the street. It is situated between Champs-Elysées and Les Invalides. Remarkably, besides being a museum with magnificent collections dating from ancient times to the 20th century, the Petit Palais is also a striking venue that hosts exhibitions on impressive works of art. Various exhibitions are organized here chronologically, which feature sculptures, paintings, and decorative elements from the Medieval Age, the Renaissance period, and the 18th & 19th centuries. It was constructed in 1900 for the Exposition Universelle (Universal Exhibition). The well-decorated hallways and the grand porch of the Palace are indeed an awe-inspiring sight! Read More

Nestled on a hill, around 300 meters from the Sacre Coeur Basilica, is The Place des Vosges. It is the longest-standing square in the heart of the spectacular Marais District in Paris. This is also one of the most beautiful squares in Paris. It is lined with lush trees and red brick houses. Notably, the construction of this 408 years old Place des Vosges was commissioned by King Henri IV in 1605. It was completed in 1612 and was inaugurated in that same year to celebrate the engagement of Louis XIII and Anne of Austria.After the French Revolution, this square was renamed to give a tribute to the north-east region of Vosges, bordering Luxembourg & Germany, as it was the foremost to pay taxes levied by the new government. Notably, the square is today the ideal spot for a walk in the historic and pleasant neighborhood of Marais with its rich heritage & atmosphere. Visitors can walk beneath the arches or along the paths of the central garden & praise the beautiful facades of red brick. The shops here open on Sundays & enhance the vibrancy of the spot. Read More

Place du Tertre is one of the renowned squares in the heart of the Montmartre neighborhood. It is popular for its painters, cafés, and atmosphere. Place du Tertre is a hangout spot for buskers & artists that paint portraits for visitors. The painters, on the square, are permitted to put up their easels for their artworks in around one sq m of the area. In 1635, Place du Tertre was first opened to the public as the central square for the artists, singers, and other performers in the Montmartre village to be their central meeting place. Notably, Montmartre was previously a separate village. It was in the latter half of the 19th century when Montmartre became a part of Paris. Today, around 300 painters, caricaturists, & portraitists have made Place du Tertre their fixed local venue to display the masterpieces created by them. If you love seeing exhibits of painting or desire to get your portrait made, you should visit this famous spot. Read More

Place Vendôme

Place Vendômeis one of the most famous and charming neoclassical squares in Paris. This square is situated to the east of the Église de la Madeleine and north of the Tuileries Gardens in the 1st arrondissement of the city. The square features renowned elite stores, including Chanel, Dior, & Cartier, and some exclusive jewelry stores. Also, many popular dress designers have had their salons in this area. Being surrounded by sober buildings, Place Vendôme is the first step of the Rue de la Paix. Notably, this square is named after the former Hôtel de Vendôme located here. It is renowned for its modish and deluxe hotels, including the Ritz.Formerly, a statue of Louis XIV was there in the center of this square. During the French Revolution, Napoleon destroyed that statue. Afterward, a massive column (the Vendôme today) was placed in the middle of the square, at the site where the statue of Louis XIV was installed previously. Read More

Quai Branly Museum embraces a considerable collection of relics of indigenous art. The permanent collection onsite and the temporary exhibits here are a tribute to the wealth of traditional arts. The exhibitions and the Museum complex both are striking alike. The Museum is composed of glass and enfolded by trees and plants, giving it a distinguished aspect. With an exceptionally profuse collection of 300,000 artifacts & objects and around 700,000 photographs, all from Asia, Africa, the USA, and Oceania. It takes you on a wide-ranging & fabulous expedition of exploring the cultures of outlying lands across the centuries. The museum halls are marked with arrows to signify the ideal order of visiting the institution, guiding the visitors to easily tour several exhibitions. The Quai Branly Museum attracts loads of visitors owing to its remarkable and diverse collection. Read More

To experience the Parisian feel and live Paris like a local, the best way for that is to explore the local Parisian Markets. There are some popular markets, from the Marché Maubert near Cathedral Notre-Dame de Paris to the Marché d’Aligre. Each Parisian market has its own character, from ethnic to specialty to flea markets. You can shop at the local food market for a wide variety of cheeses, fresh fruits, wine, and local French delicacies. The most famous Paris Flea market is the Les Puces de Saint-Ouen at Porte de Clignancourt, also called the flea market in Paris. It is the largest of its kind and offers vintage and antique treasures. Another of the best markets in Paris is the Rue Cler, where you will find a charming selection of specialty food stores, pastry shops, butchers, cheese specialists, fishmongers, chocolate shops, and cafés. Besides, the Marché Serpette and Marché Paul Bert have a selection of furniture, paintings, mirrors, antiques & vintage clothing, kitchen goods, & more. Also, the Marché Bastille offers over 100 stalls of fresh local produce, including fresh fruits & veggies, bread, meats, and seafood, directly from their producers. You will find some of the finest souvenirs in these vibrant Parisian markets. Read More

The Wall of Love is a well-known meeting place within a park that displays the phrase 'I Love You' in multiple languages. The wall is situated in the Jehan Rictus garden square in Montmartre, Paris. It contains declarations of love in 250 languages. It is a 40 sq m wall and is embellished with 612 tiles of enameled lava. I Love You is featured 311 times in that 40 sq m space. This love-themed wall was created by calligraphist Fédéric Baron and mural artist Claire Kito in 2000. Remarkably, the 192 nations that are a part of the United Nations Organization are all represented on this I Love You Wall. It is enameled with lava tiles to preserve it for a long duration. This artistic spot is visited by all the Paris-lovers & global travelers. It has been a famous site for many romantic occasions, including proposals, engagements, & photo shoots. You can grab one of the benches dotted around the area & spend some love-filled moments. Read More