Your Travel Guide for the Top Places to Visit in Paris

Also referred to as the City of Romance, Paris is among the most beautiful cities in the world. It is known for its historical grandeur and monuments like the Eiffel Tower, Chateau de Chambord, Palace of Versailles, and more. Anyone - from a solo traveller and a family to a newlywed couple - can visit this enchanting city and explore its magnificent culture, sites, and more.

If you are planning your trip to Paris, here are the top places to visit Paris that you can include in your itinerary.

Top Places to Visit in Paris

Let’s have a look at the top places to visit in Paris based on different parameters -

1. Louvre Museum

The Louvre, initially designed as a fortress, is one of the most breathtaking museums that has historical artefacts from the 7th century B.C. to mid-19th century. One of the best places to visit in Paris, the museum houses a plethora of artefacts and the works of some of the most famous artists and craftsmen in the world. 

You can visit this awe-inspiring museum to get a glimpse of the works of Leonardo da Vinci and Vermeer. The top 5 must-sees in the museum are -

• French history through paintings - Get a glimpse of some of the most historic milestones in French civilisation with these paintings in Denon Wing on the 1st floor. Some of the must-see works are Jacques-Louis David’s “The Coronation of Napoleon” (1806-07) which reflects Josephine’s coronation, Delacroix’s “Liberty of Leading the People” (1830) which represents the revolt against the rule of King Charles X, and Gericault’s “The Raft of Medusa”.
• Hellenistic Masterpieces - You can take a looking at the sculptures of the Hellenistic era’s heroines in Sully Wing located on the Ground Floor. Here, the museum’s two main ladies stand tall - “Venus de Milo” and “Winged Victory of Samothrace”. Another sculpture you can look at is “Sleeping Hermaphroditus”. 
• Artwork of Italian Renaissance - Located in the Denon Wing on the 1st Floor are some world-renowned works from the Renaissance era. One of the famous paintings you should not miss out on is “Mona Lisa” by Leonardo da Vinci. Other paintings that are must-sees are Raphael’s “Portrait of Baldassare Castiglione”, “The Pastoral Concert” by Titian, and “The Luncheon on the Grass” by Edouard Manet. 
• Egyptian Galleries - This is a great site to travel through the history of Egypt in Sully Wing’s Egyptian Galleries. Here, you can get a glimpse of a 12-ton Great Sphinx of Tanis, model ships, a statue of Rameses II, and a room filled with upright mummies. 
• Portraits of Famous Artists - Some of the most famous portraits are placed in Richelieu Wong on the 2nd floor. You can see one of the most dramatic works by Rembrandt “Bathsheba at Her Bath” (1654). Some of the paintings on this floor also belong to Vermeer, the most famous being “The Astronomer” (1668) and “The Lacemaker” (1669-70). 

2. Opera Bastille and Palais Garnier

For those visiting Paris in winter, opera theatres are among the best places to visit in Paris. You can explore theatres like the Opera Bastille and the Palais Garnier to attend opera concerts in December, January, and February. Palais Garnier, in particular, hosts an Opening Gala at the end of January, an exclusive event that shows the upcoming ballet season. 

You can visit Palais Garnier just to get in awe of its grand interiors - a majestic entrance staircase, spectacular reception halls, and a gilded auditorium. You can also check out the chic restaurant on the premises - Coco restaurant - for its refined meals made using superior-quality ingredients.

3. Notre-Dame de Paris 

If you get thrilled by gothic architecture, you should certainly explore Notre-Dame de Paris. You should also include this place in your itinerary if you are looking for places to visit in Paris in 5 days. Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral is a significant middle-aged monument and is worth a visit for -

• The Gallery of Kings that has sculptures of 28 kings of Judah - these statues mimic the original ones that were destroyed during the French Revolution.
• Wet Rose Window that has a 10-metre diameter and portrays the drawings of the biblical story of Adam and Eve.
• The Grand Galerie that is located at the base of two towers, and connects the North and South towers. 
• Saint-Etienne portal which shows the intricate works of Saint Etienne. At the door, there is a triple arch which is adorned by the pictorial depiction of 21 martyrs, crowned by angels.
• Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral that is famous for its Gothic architecture and flying buttresses.

4. Place de la Concorde

If you are a history buff, your trip to Paris is incomplete if you don’t take a trip to Place de la Concorde! It is one the top places to visit in Paris and is situated amidst some of the most historic destinations in Paris including Champ-Elysees in the west and Pont de la Concorde in the south. 

Some of the highlights of Place de la Concorde are - 

• Statues of provincial capitals of France including Lille, Lyon, Bordeaux, Brest, Nantes, Marseilles, Strasbourg, and Rouen
• Fountains ornamented with cast iron and bronze on both sides of the Luxor Obelisk 
• The Ferris wheel ride which offers the best views of the plaza

You can also visit the Luxor Obelisk which was brought to Paris in the 1830s. On the pedestal, there are carvings of 4 baboons with their front paws raised, depicting that they are worshipping the sun.

5. Arc de Triomphe 

French for “Triumphal Arch of the Star'', Arc de Triomphe is one of the top places to visit in Paris. It is located in the centre of Place Charles de Gaulle and on the west side of Champs Elysees avenue. This is a historic site dedicated to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives during the French Revolution and Napoleon Wars. 

Some of the highlights here are -

• The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier underneath the Arc and the Eternal Flame
• The engraved names of the generals who fought for France
• The terrace which offers an aerial view of the city - the rooftop gardens, private courtyards, chimney pots, and more 

6. Eiffel Tower

One of the 7 Wonders of the World, the Eiffel Tower is one of the best places to visit in Paris in 3 days. Also known as the “Iron Lady”, the Eiffel Tower is built using about 18,000 iron parts. A perfect place to visit in Paris for a honeymoon, it offers a panoramic view of the cityscape as well. 

This monument is 330 metres tall and is renowned across the world as an architectural masterpiece. You can explore the Eiffel Tower for highlights like  -

• Getting a breathtaking glimpse of the city from the second floor’s summit observation deck
• A once-in-a-lifetime experience of dining at the restaurants located in the Tower. You can also go to the Champagne Bar at the top deck of the Tower and give a toast to the City of Lights. 
• Strolling in the garden or going on a picnic on nearby lawns and enjoying the majestic views of the iron structure
• The night view of the Tower as it illuminates in the light of thousands of bulbs is exceptionally mesmerising 

7. Palace of Versailles

A residence of the French monarch, the Palace of Versailles is world-renowned for its grand architecture. This monument has deep-rooted connections with French history and shows France rising as the power and fashion centre of the world. One of the best places to visit in Paris, it is popular for its architecture and visionary style. 

The most-visited sections in the Palace are -

• The Hall of Mirrors - You are sure to fall in awe with the Palace once you visit this hall which is adorned with 357 mirrors imported from Venice. There are crystal chandeliers and detailed artwork on the ceiling as well.
• Grand Trianon - This is a palace built by taking inspiration from the Neoclassical style. It is famous for elegant terraces, colonnade arcades, and pink Languedoc marble. 
• Gate of Honour - It is the main entrance of the Palace. On the north, the gate has sculptures showcasing the French victory over the Empire; on the south, there are sculptures depicting France’s victory over Spain.
• Garden of Versailles - This garden was designed by the famous landscape architect Andre le Notre. The design takes inspiration from a conventional French formal garden and has trimmed shrubs and beautiful lawns designed in geometrical patterns. 
• The Gallery of Battles - This is the biggest hall in the entire palace and is famous for its grandeur of military successes of 15 centuries. The gallery has more than 80 bust displays of officers, royals, admirals, and constables who sacrificed themselves for the country.

8. Paris Flea Market

Also known as Les Puces de Saint-Quen, the Paris Flea Market is the world’s largest market of antiques. Here, you can find a variety of vintage artefacts like clothing, footwear, gadgets, accessories, and ornaments. One of the most visited places in Paris, the Paris Flea Market is an antique collector’s dream. 

Besides the antiques, you can visit this market for -

• Sipping on classic French coffee at Cafe Creme
• Buying vintage clothing, African items, and household items at affordable rates
• Shopping at shops selling fireplaces, ornamented furniture, mirrors, and more
• Purchasing country-inspired furniture, comfortable linens, and so on
• Enjoying a flavourful cup of tea at the vintage restaurants on the streets of Paris Flea Market 

9. Chateau de Chambord

Chateau de Chambord is another one on the list of the best places to visit in Paris. This tourist attraction is famous for its spectacular architecture that reflects the fusion style of France and the Renaissance era. Explore this elegant Chateau in Paris for its elaborate gardens, corner towers, and water moats. 

Some of the major points of attractions at Chateau de Chambord are as follows - 

• Its appealing French-Renaissance architecture, which is built as per mathematical and geometrical principles. 
• The ‘facade’ is another spectacular structure that is sure to leave you in awe of the magnificence of the Chateau. It has arched pillars on the front and is inspired by Renaissance architecture. It has three floors divided through double-banded friezes in a harlequin design. 
• The interior has 4 distinctive floors with 440 rooms, 84 staircases, and 365 fireplaces. Of these, you can explore 80 rooms that have exquisite artwork, sophisticated furniture, and paintings. 
• You can also look at the French National Collection of spectacular portraits of Francis I and Louis XIV. 

10. Disneyland Paris

No family trip to Paris is complete without a visit to Disneyland. A recreational space for children and adults alike, Disneyland Paris is one of the top 10 places to visit in Paris. Some major attractions of this world-famous theme park are Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios which have a plethora of rides and fun activities worth exploring. 

Explore Disneyland Paris for the following adventures and attractions -

• Adventureland - At Adventureland, you can sail on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, go on a Safari with Aladdin, and meet and greet your favourite Disney characters like Jack Sparrow, Captain Hook, Rafiki, and more. 
• Fantasyland - Live your fairytale at Fantasyland! You can get a chance to meet and greet some major Disney royals, explore attractions like Alice’s Curious Labyrinth, and the castle of Sleeping Beauty, and meet your favourite, Mickey Mouse.
• Frontierland - In this section of Disneyland Park, you can explore the Phantom Manor and take a trip aboard a steamship around Big Thunder Mountain.
• Toon Studios - At Toon Studios, you can be part of the famous animated movies and fly over Agrabah, all while meeting some of the iconic characters from Disney, Marvel, and Pixar. 
• Disney Village - Explore Disneyland Village for entertainment events like shows, dances, shopping, and movies. You can fly in a hot air balloon, enjoy live concerts, and even watch a film.

11. Boi de Vincennes Zoological Park

Also called Paris Zoological Park, Boi de Vincennes Zoological Park is among the top places to visit in Paris with your family. This park is a habitat for over 180 species of mammals (jaguars and monkeys) and reptiles. Here, you can explore the habitat and the life of over 1,000 animals like giraffes, lions, tropical fish, and flamingos. 

Explore the zoological park for the following points of interest -

• Guyana Biozone - You can visit the Amazonian-Guyanese equatorial forest to explore its diverse animal life. Once you enter this biozone, you can get a glimpse of tropical vegetation which includes fig trees covered with creepers, and more. You can even sight animals like caimans, woolly monkeys, lowland tapirs, manatees, and jaguars here.
• Madagascar Biozone - Divided into two different ecosystems - a tropical forest and a dry forest - this biozone homes colourful birds and the greater bamboo lemur, one of the rarest lemur species in the world. 
• Sahel-Sudan Biozone - Here, you can find animals like African giraffes, zebras, lions, kudus, rhinoceros, ostriches, baboons, and oryxes. The biozone has enchanting topography where the Sudanese plain is shown in a variety of hues of brown, ochre, and cream. You can also check out the Great Rock’s steep cliff which is worth a watch for its exquisite appearance. 
• Europe Biozone - This ecosystem has been created to generate awareness about indigenous European species like newts, turtles, lizards, toads, and snakes. It is also home to rare birds like black vultures, Egyptian vultures, red kites, and more. Some other animals you can spot in this ecosystem are Siberian wolves, wolverines, and Lynx.

12. Musee d’Orsay

Musee d’Orsay is one of the finest museums in Paris that is home to the largest and the finest artworks of the Impressionist and post-Impressionist eras.  One of the top places to visit in Paris, Musee d’Orsay was conceptualised in 1980 by Gae Aulenti. 

Some of the most notable artworks in this museum are from artists like Renoir, Gaugin, Monet, Cezanne, Dali, and Van Gogh.

Here are the highlights of this art museum -

• Famous paintings like Bal du Moulin de la Galette by Renoir (1876), Olympia by Manet (1863), and La Nuit Etoilee by Van Gogh
• An exclusive collection of sculptures like Ugolin and La Dance by Carpeaux, Napoleon I as the Emperor by Barye, Hercules the Archer by Bourdelle, and Walking Panther by Bugatti
• Besides paintings and sculptures, there are some photographic records ranging from black-and-white images to coloured ones. You can find some rare prints such as the portrait of the French Poet Charles Baudelaire by Nadar, a series of images of the Crimean war, and more.
• Musee d’Orsay has a fine collection of decorative art like Gustave Eiffel’s letters, drawings and journals, and other masterpieces like detailed gold work by Hoffman, a crystal Holy Water font, and moulds by Bugatti.

13. Latin Quarter

It is one of the most artistic and free-spirited areas in Paris that focuses on student life since the Middle Ages. The quarter is known to have a number of educational institutions, bistros, cafes, research centres, and more. Here, you can get indulged in the Bohemian aura of quirky bookshops, elegant student hangouts, and ambient Parisian cafes. 

Some of the popular places to visit in the Latin Quarter are -

• St. Michael District and Seine-Side Quays - Explore Saint Michael for its unconventional cobblestones, decorated balconies, and artistic cinema theatres. The riverside quays are an attraction for recreation and fun activities.
• Shakespeare and Company Bookshops - These are two bookshops located on Paris’ left bank. The first bookstore is famous for the works of Ernest Hemingway, Ezra Pound, Ford Madox Ford, and James Joyce. The second bookstore, meanwhile, has the works of a number of aspiring writers, an extensive collection of new and old books, and a public library. 
• Musee Cluny - This museum hosts art masterpieces of the middle ages and has two parts - a cooling room and the Hotel de Cluny. 
• Explore Art-House Cinema - Soak in the ambience of the Parisian arthouse cinemas in the quarter and watch some genuine French movies. You can visit Cinema du Pantheon or Studio 28 to get a dose of some real French Cinema. 

14. Aquarium de Paris

Famous as Cineaqua, L’Aquarium de  Paris is one of the oldest aquariums in the world. It houses about 13,000 distinctive fish and invertebrates like 30 varieties of sharks, 2,500 jellyfish, and 700 coral colonies. 

Some of the highlights of Aquarium de Paris are -

• Awe-inspiring dance of jellyfish at Medusarium
• Infotainment activities at Grand Aquarium de Paris such as National Geographic’s educational films 
• Live shows and enchanting exhibits
• Petting fishes like goldfish, koi carp, and ide at the caress pool

Secure Your Trip with a Travel Insurance Plan for Paris

As we saw in great depth, Paris is a great place to visit and explore, whether you are a single tourist or going with your partner or family. However, to make sure that you have sufficient financial protection in case of any unexpected scenarios on your trip to Paris, you should get a travel insurance plan in the UAE. 

You can find the best travel insurance for uae from policybazaar.ae. As a third-party aggregator website, it hosts plenty of insurance plans from the leading insurance providers in the country at the most affordable rates. With these plans, you can get comprehensive coverage in terms of worldwide coverage, emergency medical situations, loss of luggage, and more. 

To make your trip smooth and stress-free, you can simply buy travel insurance and be financially prepared against possible risks and monetary losses while travelling!

Important Articles Related Travel Insurance
How to get Orange card for Oman	Oman Visas for UAE Residents
Cheap Places to Travel from Dubai	Family Residence Visa UAE
Best Travel Insurance Companies in UAE	10 Facts You Didn’t Know About Travel Insurance
Schengen Visa Filipinos	Does Travel Insurance cover Pregnancy?
Japan Visa for UAE Residents	List of Visa Free Countries for UAE Residents
Baggage Travel Insurance	Cancel For Any Reason Travel Insurance