Open Travel Guide
Attractions in Paris

Paris Attractions Guide 2026

Paris's essential sights and the lesser-known places locals would rather you found.

By Updated

Paris travel guide — where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Paris, Île-de-France, France.

Top attractions

The most popular and significant attractions in Paris.

  1. 1

    Eiffel Tower

    Iconic Landmark / Iron ArchitectureSummit €31.80, 2nd floor €19.40, 1st floor €11.80 (online prices); free under 4 (~$34.65 / ~$21.15 / ~$12.85)2–3 hours
  2. 2

    Louvre Museum

    Art Museum / Royal Palace€22 online / €17 on site; free under 18, first Sunday of month for EU under 26 (~$24 / ~$18.50)3–5 hours (full museum requires 2+ days)
  3. 3

    Palace of Versailles

    UNESCO Heritage / Royal PalacePalace €21; Palace + Gardens fountain days €31; free under 18 and first Sunday Nov–Mar (~$22.90 / ~$33.80)4–8 hours (full estate requires a full day)
  4. 4

    Notre-Dame de Paris

    UNESCO Heritage / Gothic CathedralCathedral free; tower climb €13 adults (~$14.15)1–2 hours
  5. 5

    Musée d'Orsay

    Art Museum / Impressionism€16 online / €14 on site; free under 18, first Sunday of month (~$17.45 / ~$15.25)2–4 hours
  6. 6

    Sacré-Cœur Basilica

    Religious Heritage / Panoramic ViewBasilica free; dome climb €8 adults (~$8.70)1–2 hours
  7. 7

    Centre Pompidou

    Modern Art Museum / Architecture€15 adults / €12 reduced; free under 18 (~$16.35 / ~$13.10)2–4 hours
  8. 8

    Sainte-Chapelle

    Gothic Chapel / UNESCO Heritage€13 adults / €10 reduced; free under 18 and EU under 26 (~$14.15 / ~$10.90)45 min–1.5 hours
  9. 9

    Musée Rodin

    Sculpture Museum / Historic Mansion€14 adults; garden only €4; free under 18 (~$15.25 / ~$4.35)1.5–2.5 hours
  10. 10

    Château de Fontainebleau

    UNESCO Heritage / Royal Château€14 adults; free under 18 and EU under 26 (~$15.25)3–5 hours

Attractions by category

Explore by your interests.

Unesco Heritage

Art Museums

Iconic Landmarks

Historic Châteaux

Religious Heritage

Gardens And Parks

Unique Experiences

Family Attractions

Hidden gems

Off-the-beaten-path attractions worth seeking out.

Practical information

What you need to know before you go.

Tips for visiting attractions

Make the most of your sightseeing time.

Tip

Book Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and Versailles tickets online weeks in advance — same-day queues routinely exceed 2 hours

Tip

The Musée d'Orsay on a Thursday evening is one of Paris's best-value experiences — world-class Impressionist collection with 80% fewer visitors than midday

Tip

Sainte-Chapelle's 13th-century stained glass is best seen on a bright sunny morning — the 1,113 panels illuminate colours not visible on overcast days

Tip

Versailles gardens are free on non-fountain days — the estate is vast and a full day can be spent without entering the palace

Tip

Many lesser-known museums in Paris (Musée de Cluny, Musée Jacquemart-André, Musée Nissim de Camondo) offer extraordinary collections with minimal crowds year-round

Frequently asked questions

How much time should visitors allocate to the Louvre?

The Louvre has over 35,000 works on display across 403 rooms. A 3-hour visit covers the major works (Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Winged Victory of Samothrace, Coronation of Napoleon). A comprehensive visit requires 2+ full days. For a first visit, download the Louvre app for a curated 2-hour highlights route.

Is the Palace of Versailles worth a full day?

Yes — the Palace (Hall of Mirrors, State Apartments), Gardens (free on non-fountain days), Trianon palaces, and Domaine de Marie-Antoinette easily fill 6–8 hours. The gardens alone cover 800 hectares. A bicycle rental (€7.50/hour / ~$8.20) from inside the estate dramatically increases the area reachable in a day.

Can visitors climb the Eiffel Tower without a lift?

Yes — stairs access the 1st and 2nd floors only (not the summit). Stair tickets cost €11.80 adults (~$12.85) and do not require advance booking in the same way as lift tickets. The staircase queue is typically shorter than the lift queue.

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