Paris Tourism

Paris is the cosmopolitan capital of France and - with 3 million people living in the center and some 12 million people in the suburbs (la banlieue) - one of the largest cities in Europe (over 13 million total) and the most popular tourist city in the world since several years. Paris, located in the north of the country on the river Seine, the "City of Light", has the reputation of being perhaps the most beautiful and romantic of all cities, brimming with historical associations and remaining vastly influential in the realms of culture, art, fashion, food and design.

One of the best value and most convenient ways to see the sights of Paris is with the Carte Musées et Monuments, a pre-paid entry card that allows entry into over 70 museums and monuments around Paris and comes in 2-day (.30), 4-day (.45) and 6-day (.60) denominations (prices as of March 2006). The card allows you to jump otherwise sometimes lengthy queues and is available from participating museums, tourist offices, Fnac branches and all the main Métro and RER train stations. You will still need to pay to enter most special exhibitions.

Note that most museums and galleries are closed on either Monday or Tuesday - check ahead to avoid disappointment! - and most ticket counters close 30 - 45 minutes before final closing.

All national museums are open free of charge on the first Sunday of the month; note, however, that this may mean long lines and crowded exhibits.

These listings are just some highlights of things that you really should see if you can during your visit to Paris. The complete listings are found on each individual district page (follow the link in parenthesis).

A good listing of almost everything to do in Paris are the 'Pariscope', the 'Officiel des spectacles', and the much hipper 'Zurban', weekly magazines listing all concerts, stageplays and museums. Available from many kiosks. Unfortunately their website is of no use at all.

Landmarks

  • the Eiffel Tower (Tour Eiffel) (7th). One of the most famous (and tallest) landmarks in the world.
  • Père-Lachaise Cemetery (20th). See the grave of Jim Morrison amongst many others.
  • Catacombs (6th). Used to store the exhumed bones from the overflowing Paris cemetery.
  • Arc de Triomphe (8th). The grave of the unknown soldier is under the arch.

Notre Dame de Paris

  • Notre Dame Cathedral (4th). Impressive Gothic cathedral that was the inspiration for Victor Hugo's novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
  • Sacré Coeur (18th). A church perched on top of the highest point in Paris. Behind the church is the artists' area, in front are spectacular views of the whole city.
  • Sainte Chapelle (1st). Far more beautiful than the famous, but gloomy, Notre Dame.
  • Pantheon (5th). Underneath, the final resting place for the great heroes of the French Republic; above, a marvellous view of the city.
  • Chateau de Versailles (Versailles). On the outskirts of the city, the "must see" home of the Sun King Louis XIV.
  • Grand Arche de la Defense (La Defense). A modern office-building variant of the Arc de Triomphe. Has a viewing platform.

Museums and galleries

  • The Louvre (1st). One of the finest museums in the world of art, art-history, and culture through the ages.
  • Musée d'Orsay (7th). Home to the great artists of the 19th century (1848-1914) - Impressionists, post-Impressionists, and the rest...
  • Centre Georges Pompidou (4th). the great museum of modern art, the building an attraction in itself...
  • Picasso Museum (3rd). Contains the master's own collections.
  • Rodin Museum (7th). His personal collection and archives, in a charming hotel and sprawling garden.
  • Delacroix. National museum housed in the home of painter Eugene Delacroix.
  • Invalides (7th). Museum of arms and armor from the Middle Ages to today.
  • Carnavalet (3rd). Museum of Paris history; exhibitions are permanent and free. Noted for its collection of French Revolution artifacts, such as David's famous painting Serment du Jeu de Paume. Located in the Marais.
  • Cluny (5th). Paris's medieval museum, housed in a medieval building.

Related Sites

Paris - Official Website