Always considered the centre of romance, so much so that it is also known as the capital of lovers, Paris has countless activities to do and places to visit for every type of tourist.
There are, of course, places that are must-sees, whether you are travelling as a couple, with friends or with family.
The city has an immense cultural heritage, distributed in several museums. The secret to visiting Paris properly is to leave prepared and avoid tourist traps such as restaurants and clubs that charge stratospheric prices for less than excellent quality.
1 - The Eiffel Tower
The symbol of Paris and one of those of the whole country is this iron tower, made of 18,038 pieces of metal and completed on 31 March 1889. Destined to be destroyed after only two years, it has withstood criticism and humiliation and remains one of the city's most visited attractions. It consists of three floors, and you can climb to the top by choosing whether to use the stairs (which are many but allow you to stop and enjoy the view) or the lifts (which are comfortable but have more queues).
The Eiffel Tower also has restaurants and bars inside to make your visit even more enjoyable.
The advice is to look at it even after dark to enjoy the lighting and light effects that start every hour and last about 10 minutes.
Bestview: the best view is from the second floor; high enough to see the panorama and low enough to recognise and identify the city monuments well. If you decide to go up, buy a priority ticket in advance. Another spectacular spot from which to admire the tower is Place Du Trocadero.
Practical info: directions, times and prices
How to get there: Metro Line 6, stop Bir-Hakeim, Line 9 stop Trocadero. RER Line C, stop Champs de Mars - Tour Eiffel Get directions
Hours: mid-June to September open daily from 9am to midnight, all other days from 9.30am to 11pm
Ticket price: Admission + lift to 2nd floor: full price €17.10, concessions from 12 to 24 years €8.60, concessions children 4-11 years and disabled €4.30 | Admission + lift to top floor: full price €26.80, concessions from 12 to 24 years €13.40, concessions children 4-11 years and disabled €6.70 | Admission + stairs to 2nd floor full price €10.70, concessions from 12 to 24 years €5.40, concessions for children 4-11 years and disabled €2.70 | Entrance + stairs to the top floor: full price €20.40, concessions from 12 to 24 years €10.20, concessions for children 4-11 years and disabled €5.10
2 - Arc de Triomphe
The Arcde Tri omphe is a monument commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte to celebrate his military exploits, in particular his victory at the Battle of Austerlitz. The Emperor and his soldiers never managed to pass underneath it (construction was finished a full 30 years later), yet this important piece of architecture has become one of the symbols of the French capital.
At the Arch there is a small museum that houses some objects from the First World War period and others that belonged to Napoleon.
From the top of the arch you can enjoy a beautiful panorama of the city. It is also a great starting point for a romantic stroll on the Champs Elysées.
Practical info: directions, times and prices
How to get there: Metro lines 1, 2 and 6, Charles de Gaulle - Étoile stop. Bus n° 22, 30, 31, 52, 73, 92. RER, Charles de Gaulle - Étoile stop Get directions
Openinghours: 1 April to 30 September 10am to 11pm and 1 October to 31 March 10am to 10.30pm
Ticket price: €13.00, free every first Sunday of the month from November to March inclusive
3 - Louvre Museum
Famous for housing the Mona Lisa, the Louvre houses everything and you'd need more than a day to enjoy it, so it's advisable to choose which sections you want to visit in advance.
The King's Palace that houses the museum is in itself a work of architecture of immense value; the glass pyramid that marks the entrance to the ticket offices blends perfectly into the historical setting that surrounds it.
The Louvre contains paintings and sculptures of immense value, but that's not all: it also houses jewellery and artefacts and there is an entire area dedicated to the Museum of Advertising. Part of the basement can be visited and allows you to see the original walls and foundations of the building. Obviously, we recommend that you choose your areas of interest in advance and organise an itinerary tailored to your interests. Find out more about what to see inside in this article.
Skip the line: the queues are often interminable. For this reason, we recommend that you buy a ticket with scheduled entry and go directly to the Passage Richelieu, where there is an entrance reserved just for priority ticket holders
Practical info: directions, times and prices
How to get there: Metro Line 1, stop Palais-Royal/musée du Louvre. Bus 21, 24, 27, 39, 48, 68, 69, 72, 81, 95 Get directions
Hours: daily 9am-6pm, closed Tuesdays. Friday open until 21:45
Ticket price: full price €17.00 (book online), free for under 18s. Free for all on the first Sunday of the month.
4 - Notre-Dame Cathedral
Money was sought and found all over Paris to build this cathedral! It holds important relics for Christian belief, including an alleged nail from the cross where Jesus died and his crown of thorns. It has been through happy times but also dark ones, including numerous fires.
In front of this mysterious and elegant cathedral is the centre of France. In fact, there is a bronze star through which the road distances of the entire country are calculated.
Post-fire visit 2019: as of today, the cathedral is under renovation and therefore cannot be visited, but you can walk around it to read about its history on the posters hanging outside and enjoy the discovery of the Île de la Cité, the small island that houses it
Practical info: directions, times and prices
How to get there: Metro Line 4, stop Cité or Saint-Michel, Line 1 and 11, stop Hôtel de Ville, Line 10, stop Maubert-Mutualité or Cluny - La Sorbonne, Line 7, 11 and 14, stop Châtelet - Get directions
Openinghours: Closed for restoration
Ticket price: only viewable from the outside free of charge
5 - Latin Quarter
The district's name derives from the fact that this was once the site of Latin-teaching schools, so no South American spirit: the area is typically French and very active and lively. There are plenty of clubs and cafés open 24 hours a day, all year round, frequented by students and teachers from the nearby Sorbonne University.
Although many parts of the district are typically touristy, you can also visit the Pantheon here.
You can reach the Latin Quarter on foot via Pont Au Doble, Petit Pont and Pont Sain Michel, or via Metro Line 4, St Michel stop or Line 10 with the Cluny-La Sorbonne stop - get directions.
Watch out for tourist spots: avoid stopping at the busiest streets in this district for your dinner. Although the neighbourhood is full of restaurants, these are places for tourists, where the quality of the food is not exactly top-notch.
6 - Pantheon
Commissioned by Louis XV for the glorification of the monarchy, the building has perfect ecclesiastical architecture and was dedicated to Saint Geneviève, the patron saint of Paris. It was secularised after the Revolution to become a patriotic building that houses the resting place of Voltaire, Rousseau, Zola, Pierre and Marie Curie and other prominent figures. There is a remarkable 360° panorama of the city from the dome.
Although it is a secular monument, inside there is an almost sacred atmosphere, precisely because of the illustrious personalities whose remains it houses, allowing a true plunge into the history of French thought.
Practical info: directions, times and prices
How to get there: Metro/RER stop: Cardinal Lemoine; Luxembourg (RER); Bus: 21, 27, 38, 82, 84, 85, 89 - Get directions
Hours: daily 10am-6.30pm. Closed 1st May, 1st January and Christmas.
Ticket price: adults €11.50(book online), free for accompanied minors. Entrance to the panorama supplement €3.50
7 - The Sorbonne
Famous throughout Europe, La Sorbonne is one of the oldest universities in France, founded in 1257 as a faculty of theology, it has housed the faculties of science and literature since 1885. The current building was built in the 19th century and is located in the Latin Quarter although the university now has several branches; the interior of the university cannot be visited but the square of the same name is a pleasant place full of places frequented by intellectuals. If you love literature or science and speak a little French, you can enjoy pleasant conversations with professors and students in the square in front of the university, feeling a little part of this cultural world.
You can reach the university via metro line 10, stop Cluny-La Sorbonne - Get directions.
8 - Jardin du Luxembourg
A lush public garden in the heart of the city. In addition to being a veritable explosion of vegetation within Paris, the Jardin du Luxembourg features monuments such as the famous Medici fountain, the Statue of Liberty, the carousel designed by Garnier and the bust of Baudelaire.
Strolling through the city's largest garden is a pleasant way to regenerate from the Parisian hustle and bustle in any season.
Here, even children find attractions to satisfy their playfulness and imagination. And always here, romantics will find the true city of love.
Visit with children: if you are travelling with children, here you will find a playground where they can let off some steam and breathe a few minutes of peace.
Practical info: directions, times and prices
Getting there: Metro and RER Odéon / Luxembourg; BUS 21,27,38,58,82,83,84,85, 89 Get directions
Hours: open between 7:15am and 8:15am, closed between 2:45pm and 9:30pm depending on season.
Ticket price: free
9 - Sainte-Chapelle
To worthily preserve one of the pieces of the cross where Jesus died, one of the nails that wounded his hands and Christ's crown, the very Catholic King Louis IX had the wonderful Sainte-Chapelle built. Today, the Chapel still retains not only a spiritual but also an aesthetic charm, thanks to its Gothic architecture, the stained glass windows covering more than 600 square metres and the upper part, once reserved for the prayers of the royal family and nobility.
Entering the Saint-Chapelle gives one the feeling of entering a sacred place, full of mystery and faith.
Although the relics have not yet been recognised as authentic by the Church, to this day they are kept at Notre-Dame.
When to visit: to enjoy the spectacle of the large stained-glass windows, it is best to visit on a sunny day. Fascinating night tours are also available from May to September.
Practical info: directions, times and prices
How to get there: Metro Line 4, Cité stop. RER Lines B and C, stop St-Michel Notre-Dame. Bus lines 21, 27, 38, 85, 96 - Get directions
Openinghours: 1 April to 30 September daily 09:00-19:00, 1 October to 31 March daily 9:00-17:00. Closed on 25 December, 1 January and 1 May
Ticket price: full price €11.50, concessions €9.00, free for under 18s.
10 - Orsay Museum
Located right in the centre of the city, right along the Seine, this museum is very popular with visitors because of its ancient and precious character: art lovers, and not only, will appreciate all the works housed in the museum, such as Monet's poppies and Van Gogh's self-portrait, but also Gauguin's Tahitian girls, to name but a few. The building itself is a work of art, with its modern architecture, where you can also see the structure of the old station.
In addition to the masterpieces of pictorial art, don't miss the exhibition spaces dedicated to decorative arts, sculpture and photography.
Free visit: On the first Sunday of every month, admission to the museums in Paris is free. Unlike the Louvre (impossible to visit under these circumstances because of the kilometre-long queues), the Musée d'Orsay can be visited as long as you arrive 30 minutes before opening time.
Practical information: directions, opening hours and prices
How to get there: Metro Line 12 stop Solférino, Paris urban rail service (RER) by taking Line C to the 'Musée d'Orsay' station. Bus 24, 63, 68, 69, 73, 83, 84, 94 Get directions
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 9:30am to 6pm, Thursday closing at 9:45pm. Closed Mondays
Ticket price: Full €16.00, concessions €13.00. Free first Sunday of the month and minors.
11 - Les Invalides (Musée de l'Armée and Napoleon's Tomb)
The Hôtel National des Invalides is an imposing complex of buildings of French Baroque classicism created at the behest of King Louis XIV to care for war invalids, which today contains the Army Museum and Napoleon's tomb.
It is an imposing structure located not far from the Eiffel Tower and has enormous charm. Built in the typical French style of the time, it has outdoor spaces where you can stroll around and immerse yourself in the history of what was once the Napoleonic Empire.
Cross the Champ de Mars: we recommend visiting the Eiffel Tower and Les Invalides on the same day, moving from one attraction to the other through the beautiful Champ de Mars park. Be careful though, avoid it at night, you might run into bad people
Practical info: directions, times and prices
How to get there: Metro line 8 station La Tour Maubourg, Invalides and line 13 station Varenne; Bus 28, 69, 82, 92, 63, 83, 93; RER C station Invalides Get directions
Hours: daily 10am-6pm, Tuesday night visit until 9pm. Closed 1/1, 1/5 and 25/12
Ticket price: full price €14.00(priority admission online), concessions €11.00, free for the disabled and minors
12 - Trocadero (Palais de Chaillot)
The Palais de Chaillot, also known as the Trocadero, is located opposite the Eiffel Tower and contains the Théâtre National de Chaillot, the Musée de l'Homme, the Musée de la Marine and the Cité de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine. The building consists of two pavilions and two curved wings surrounding the vast central open space Parvis des Droits de l'Homme over which the splendid Warsaw Fountain triumphs, offering aquatic spectacles, surrounded by gardens. The Jardins du Trocadéro extend to the Seine over an area of about ten thousand square metres and are adorned with statues of various kinds and rows of trees.
This area is also full of street artists who will gladden your time with shows and artistic demonstrations of a certain level.
Practical info: directions, times and prices
How to getthere: metro stop Trocadero Get directions
Hours: Mon - Wed - Fri - Sat - Sun from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Ticket price: full price €8.00, concessions €6.00
13 - Champs Elysées
The Avenue des Champs Elysées is the most famous promenade in Europe; it is a long avenue lined with gardens, restaurants and luxury shops. You can't say you've visited Paris if you haven't enjoyed a stroll to admire the shop windows of the best fashion houses, from the Place de la Concorde to the Place Charles De Gaulle, especially during the Christmas period when the trees are decorated with coloured lights and the atmosphere is lit up with magic.
Even though many of the historic hotels that used to overlook the Champs Elysées have now closed, this avenue remains a symbol of Parisian beauty and elegance, mainly due to the stylistic choice of the buildings that line it.
Near the Champs Elysées you will find several metro stops, such as Concorde, Champs Elysées Cleemanceau, Roosvelt and Charles de Gaulle-Etoille, served by different lines (1,8,9,12) - Get directions.
14 - Chapelle Expiatoire
Photo by Guilhem Vellut. Built at the behest of Louis XVIII, the chapel is located where the old Madeleine cemetery used to be. It is a small neoclassical masterpiece dedicated to the memory of Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette and features two large white marble sculptural groups.
A few years ago, the structure was the protagonist of a disturbing mystery: it seems that the bones of at least 500 of those guillotined during the French Revolution were found within its walls. The chapel intended for the two monarchs of France was probably built over a mass grave (as well as over part of a cemetery decommissioned years earlier), incorporating the remains of those beheaded in the nearby Place de la Revolution.
Practical info: directions, times and prices
How to get there: Metro Saint-Augustin; Bus 32, 43, 49, 84 and 94 Get directions
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10am-12:30pm and 1:30pm-6:30pm
Ticket price: €6.00
15 - Opéra Garnier
Created in an eclectic style by the architect Garnier, the Paris opera house nowadays offers mainly ballet. You can visit the interior of the building including the theatre's auditorium when there are no performances, as well as the internal museum with ballet paintings and theatre sets.
The opulence enclosed in the Palais Garnier is something difficult even to imagine, capable of leaving any visitor breathless. You have several visit options, including a free tour that allows you to walk through all the rooms of the palace and discover its beauty.
Treat yourself to a show: visiting the palace may give you an idea of the magnificence but only by enjoying a show will you understand the true grandeur of this theatre. Check the website for the theatre season's events.
Practical info: directions, times and prices
How to get there: Metro lines 3, 7, 14 Opéra stop; RER A Auber - Get directions
Hours: daily from 10 am to 5 pm. Last admission 16:15.
Ticket price: €14.00 full price, €10.00 reduced. Free under 12.
16 - Museum de l'Orangerie
Photo by Traktorminze. Located within the Tuileries gardens, the Musée National de l'Orangerie comes to life inside an old orange grove, not far from the Louvre and Place de la Concorde.
The museum houses Monet's series of paintings The Water Lilies as well as illustrious works by Cézanne, Matisse, Modigliani, Picasso, Renoire and Rousseau, ranking as a true testament to art from the late 19th century to the 1930s.
If you are a fan of Impressionism and modern art, you cannot miss a walk inside this muzzle. Its location in an old orange grove will also captivate you.
Practical info: directions, times and prices
How to get there: Metro / RER Concorde stop; Bus 24, 42, 52, 72, 73, 84, 94 - Get directions
Hours: daily 9am-6pm. Closed Tuesdays
Tickets: full price €12.50; concessions €10.00, free for minors.
17 - Tuileries Garden
The oldest garden in Paris is in typical French style, geometric and precise, and links the Arc de Triomphe du Caroselle to the Place de la Concorde. The garden is decorated with allegorical statues by illustrious sculptors and houses two museums: the Galerie Nationale du Jeu de Paume, an exhibition space dedicated to contemporary art and photography, and the Musée de l'Orangerie, a museum of impressionist and post-impressionist painting.
Walking around this garden will make you feel like a true Parisian. In fact, the place is also popular with locals and not just tourists. Often, you can find typical French street food vendors: enjoy a single serving of quiche loraine!
Practical info: directions, times and prices
How to get there: Metro stations Palais-Royale and Tuileries; Bus 24, 68, 72, 73, 84, 94 Get directions
Hours: daily, April and May from 7am to 9pm, June to August from 7am to 11pm, September to March from 7.30am to 7.30pm.
Ticket price: free
18 - Centre Pompidou
If you love modern and contemporary art, you can't miss a visit to the Centre Pompidou: in addition to the most important collections of modern and contemporary art, you'll find a public library, cinemas and theatres, spaces for educational activities, a music research centre, bookshops, a restaurant and a bar.
The building housing the centre is an original piece of architecture that saw the light of day thanks to Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers.
Outside the centre, you will find kids gathering to skateboard or rollerblade, to breakdance or to sing trap. In short, it is not only inside the exhibition centre that you can admire expressions of contemporary art.
Practical info: directions, times and prices
How to get there: Metro/RER Rambuteau, Hôtel de Ville, Châtelet-Les Halles; Bus: 21, 29, 38, 47, 58, 69, 70, 72, 74, 75, 76, 81, 85, 96 - Get directions
Hours: daily 11am-9pm. Closed Tuesdays and 1 May. Closed at 7pm on 24 and 31 December
Ticket price: from €15.00.
19 - Marais district
As well as enclosing the Place des Vosges and the Pantheon, the Marais offers delightful little shops and beautiful residences built by the French nobility from the 22nd century onwards, although the district's name actually means'marsh'. Although for centuries the Marais has been the Jewish quarter of the French capital and boasts typical restaurants and patisseries that you can't help but discover, today the district is best known for its gay-friendly nightclubs where you can party all night long.
It's certainly not the first neighbourhood you'd think of visiting on arriving in Paris, but not including it in your tour would be a mistake and certainly wouldn't allow you to get in touch with the real life of Parisians. You can reach the district via metro line 1 (St. Paul stop) or metro lines 1, 5, 8 (Bastille stop) - Get directions.
20 - Place des Vosges
Its public park, originally called Place Royale, is the oldest planned square in the city of Paris. During the 17th and 18th centuries, it was extremely fashionable to live here, and many French aristocrats had their homes in these soft pink buildings.
The square was built on commission of Henri IV between 1605 and 1612. The famous French writer Victor Hugo lived at number 6 from 1832 to 1848, which today houses a museum in honour of his work. Under the arcades that line the perimeter of this park, you can find restaurants and art galleries to explore.
You can reach the square via metro line 1 (St. Paul stop) or metro lines 1, 5, 8 (Bastille stop) - Get directions.
21 - Catacombs
The catacombs of Paris preserve the remains of some 6 million people and are one of the most unusual and mysterious places in the city. To date, only part of the catacombs can be visited by the public and allows you to see not only the walls created with skulls and bones, but also sculptural works such as the Lacrymatoire sarcophagus, dedicated to the cursed poet Nicolas Gilbert; the Samaritan fountain, once used to make mortar; the Crypt of the Passion, whose ceiling is supported by a mighty pillar of skulls and bones; the Sacellum crypt containing the altar where bones were blessed.
Although they are known as the empire of the dead, their official name is simply Oussaire Municipal: in fact, it was here that the remains of those buried in the Parisian cemeteries that were closed were moved.
Originally the tunnels that now house the catacombs were limestone quarries, later used to bury the remains of skeletons removed from the communal ditches, they were later decorated in the Romantic Gothic style creating a place full of charm, also featured in Victor Hugo's famous Les Misérables.
N.B. The visit is not really recommended for children, as the macabre and dark environment can be very frightening for children under the age of 10. For adults, however, remember to bring a sweatshirt as the environment is rather cold.
Discover other unusual places in Paris: in addition to the catacombs, if you like to discover lesser-known places, we recommend a few gems. One is the Le Samaritaine shopping centre, the smallest shopping centre in the city but with stunning Art Nuveau architecture; another is the Bourse du Commerce, an 18th-century hall converted into a museum; and finally, the basketball court in the Pigalle district, full of colour and super Instagrammable.
Practical info: directions, times and prices
How to get there: Metro lines 6 and 4 and RER B and buses 38 and 68 stop Denfert-Rochereau - Get directions
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7.30 p.m.
Ticket price: adults €29.00 including audio guide(buy online); 4 to 17 years €5.00.
22 - Palace of Versailles
The Palace of Versailles is one of the most beautiful and largest palaces in the world! The capricious Sun King Louis XIV strongly wanted a palace worthy of his lavish life, where he could take refuge from the alleged conspiracies that the Parisian nobles would organise behind his back. The rooms of the palace were named after planets and the central hall, where the king sat on his throne, is called the Salon of Apollo (God of the Sun).
The palace also has secondary palaces, such as those that housed the life of Marie Antoinette, who was disliked at court for her foreign customs and a very private person who preferred to lead a private life.
Visit the gardens for free: not everyone knows that the gardens of the palace are accessible free of charge. You can rent a golf cart in them, but we advise against doing so (you will soon get bored, better to explore on foot). In any case, the complex is truly stunning, so we recommend a full visit, but remember to buy priority tickets, otherwise you will be standing in line for at least two hours.
Practical info: directions, times and prices
How to get there: RER Line C5, stop Versailles Rive Gauche (terminus). Get directions
Hours: daily except Monday. Palaces 9am-6.30pm (closing earlier at 5.30pm in winter); gardens until 8pm in summer. Special closures: 1st May, 1st January and 25th December.
Ticket price: Entrance to the Palace €19.50(book online), 1-day pass for the whole of Versailles €21.50(book online)
23 - Montmartre
A symbol of the Belle Epoque, Montmartre has a rebellious and irreverent soul and is the district that, in the 1800s, was home to brothels and clubs dedicated to penniless artists and bored bourgeoisie: the famous Moulin Rouge rises right at its feet, in the part called Pigalle, on its stage every night international dancers and singers perform their art.
To access the upper part where one of the most beautiful churches in the world stands, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, you can either use the funicular railway or climb the impressive historical staircase. As well as being able to visit the basilica and climb up to the dome, you can enjoy a unique panorama from the terrace of Montmartre.
Montmartre is a not-to-be-missed stop on any self-respecting visit to Paris and, even if the great artists who frequented it are no longer there (it is possible, however, to find more or less obtrusive caricature cartoonists), you can still breathe in a special atmosphere that is worth experiencing.
Cabaret show at the Moulin Rouge: book tickets online and always beware of careless scalper's purchases in the Pigalle district. Remember that access is forbidden to children under the age of 6 and formal dress is required.
Practical info: directions, times and prices
How to get there: Metro Line 12 stops Jules Joffrin or Abesses, Line 2: Anvers or Pigalle. A funicular railway is also available to go up to the Basilica. Bus 30, 31, 54, 80, 85, Montmartrebus. Get directions
Hours: Moulin Rouge first access from 7pm daily; Basilica daily 6:30am-10:30pm
Ticket price: Moulin Rouge €40.00 show only, from €87.00 show + dinner(book online); Basilica free, dome €6.00, dome + crypt €8.00
24 - The St-Ouen Flea Market
Photo by Carsten Sprotte. 
An ideal stop for all antiques enthusiasts but also for those who love trinkets of all kinds, perhaps vintage. The market takes place on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays and attracts hundreds of onlookers in search of a great bargain or an original and bizarre souvenir: you will find the sale organised by sections including books, furniture, clothes but also music and records.
If you are looking for vintage items, you can get great bargains here, as long as you arrive early, the best items are sold more . Be careful, however, to evaluate your purchases carefully so as not to fall into the traps of counterfeiters. The market is very large and divided into areas so arrive early in the morning if you really want to do business. And if you don't know how to get your purchases home, ask for home delivery!
Get a map: the market is very big, so arrive early in the morning and get a map at a tourist info point before entering.
Practical info: directions, times and prices
Directions: Metro Line 4, stop Porte de Clignancourt or Line 13, stop Garibaldi Get directions
Hours: Saturday from 9am to 6pm, Sunday from 10am to 6pm and Monday from 11am to 5pm
Ticket price: Free, free visit
25 - Disneyland
Dedicated to lovers of the Disney world, the Disneyland Paris park will win the hearts of young and old alike.
Located about 40 minutes from the metropolis, it consists of two theme parks: the first, and oldest, is Euro Disney (or Disneyland Park), representing the world of fantasy and allowing you to enter the fantastic Sleeping Beauty's castle, a pink triumph that stands at the centre of the park; the second park is Walt Disney Studios, inspired by the magic of the film studios. The attractions are divided into age groups and themes, so that the whole family can have fun.
In addition to the 2 theme parks, the complex also has 7 theme hotels where you can enjoy your fairy tale adventure, the Disney Village where you can spend your evening once the parks are closed, and a golf course.
Save on admission: if you are travelling with very young children, avoid buying a ticket for the 'Studios', as this is where the most 'adrenaline' attractions are concentrated, dedicated to teenagers and adults. Remember to take a mackintosh or umbrella with you (it may rain).
Practical info: directions, times and prices
How to get there: RER stop line A Marne-la-Vallée / Disneyland Get directions
Hours: daily from 9.30am to 9pm, in summer until 11pm. Check special closures on the official website.
Ticket prices: full price from €62.00, concessions from €40.00.
Other sights to visit
If you're returning to Paris for a second time, here are some lesser-known sights worth a visit. Père Lachaise cemetery is home to illustrious graves, including those of Jim Morrison and Oscar Wilde. La Defense is a fascinating area full of future-oriented architecture. Museums worth a visit include the Musée Rodin, which houses the sculptor Rodin's unique collection; the Musée du Perfume; the Musée de Picasso, with over 5000 works by the Cubist master; the Musee du Quei Branly, which allows the exploration of African and Asian ethnic arts; the Musée de la Magie, which will take you into the world of illusionists from the 18th century to the present day; and the Musée d'Histoire de la Médecine, which collects ancient surgical instruments.
Architecture worth visiting, even if only from the outside, include the Grand Palais, a glass and concrete exhibition pavilion built for the 1900 World Fair; the Palais Bourbon Assemblée Nationale and the Elysée Palace, the official residence of the President of the French Republic.
Moving around and pickpockets: prefer the metro for your movements, but be very careful with your personal belongings when in crowded areas. Also avoid walking in isolated areas at night.
10 things to do in Paris
Take a photo at the Mur des Je T'Aime in Montmartre. If Paris is the most romantic city in the world, you can't fail to immortalise your visit with the famous wall behind you, which collects 311 'I love yous' in languages and dialects from around the world.
Enjoy the cruise on the Seine. The Seine cruise allows you to admire the city's main attractions from its river, offering a romantic and surprising viewpoint. The experience is worth enjoying, whatever the price!
Visit the Grévin wax museum. It's the perfect place to take a selfie with Charlie Chaplin, Michael Jackson, Monica Bellucci, Barack Obama, George Clooney and many other famous people! Ticket from €24.00 per person.
Discover the Parc Astérix. If you prefer clashes between Gauls and Romans to Disney fairy tales, you will find plenty of fun here. Recommended ticket purchase with transfer included
Climb the Montparnasse tower. You will enjoy a fantastic panorama of the city including the Eiffel Tower. Ticket from €18.00 per person
Visit the Shakespeare and Company. Frequented by artists and thinkers such as Hemingway, Pound and Joyce, this bookshop is a place of old-world charm that still offers beds to penniless writers and poets in exchange for a few hours' work.
Try the Patisserie francaise. In between crepes, spoil your palate with French patisserie specialities such as Macarons, Èclair, Paris Brest. One of the most recommended patisseries is Pain Pain, in the Montmartre area.
Have breakfast in a boulangerie. Croissants, Pain ou Chocolat, Baguette, are just some of the specialities you can sample. Have breakfast in one of these places while watching Parisian life go by while sitting in front of the window.
Shopping at the Galeries Lafayette. One of the oldest and most luxurious shopping centres in the world. If you can't afford to buy anything, it's still worth a stroll inside to admire the spectacular stained glass windows!
Stroll along the Coulée verte René-Dumont. This is a raised pedestrian pathway filled with plants, flowers and hedges over 3 km long and located a stone's throw from Place de la Bastille.
What to see in Paris in a day
Distance travelled: 16 km / 3 h 24 min(show map)
9:30am - Place du Trocadero and Eiffel Tower (exterior only)
10:30 - Arc de Triomphe and walk along Champs-Elysees (exterior only)
12:00 - Jardin Des Tuileres and Louvre Pyramid (exterior only)
13:30 - Cathédrale Notre-Dame (exterior only)
15:30 - Montmartre and Sacred Heart Basilica
18:00 - Moulin Rouge or Cruise on the Seine
What to see in Paris in 3 days
Day 1: Louvre and Jardin des Tuileries, Champs Elysées, Place Charles de Gaulle, Arc du Triomphe, Trocadero, Eiffel Tower, Seine Cruise
Day 2: Le Marais, Place des Vosges, Centre Pompidou, Ile de la Cité, Notre Dame, Conciergerie, Sorbonne, Latin Quarter, Boulevard Saint Germain
Day 3: Orsay Museum, Les Invalides, Montmartre, Sacré-Coeur Basilica, Moulin Rouge
What to see in Paris in 7 days
Day 1: Louvre and Jardin des Tuileries, Champs Elysées, Place Charles de Gaulle, Arc du Triomphe, Trocadero, Eiffel Tower, Seine Cruise
Day 2: Le Marais, Place des Vosges, Centre Pompidou, Ile de la Cité, Notre Dame, Conciergerie, Sorbonne, Latin Quarter, Boulevard Saint Germain
Day 3: Orsay Museum, Les Invalides, Montmartre, Sacre Coeur Basilica, Moulin Rouge
Day 4: Opera Garnier, Chapelle Expiatoire, Orangerie, Les Invalides, Jardin du Luxembourg
Day 5: Rodin Museum, Catacombs, Pere Lachaise
Day 6: Versailles
Day 7: Disneyland Paris
Plan your stay in Paris: flights and hotels
Paris can be visited all year round and is connected to Italy by direct flights (approximately 90 minutes, compare flights). All airports are connected to the centre by metro and bus. As far as accommodation is concerned, cheap b&b's, flats and luxury hotels are available; just find a solution close to a metro station to get around comfortably.
Some attractions are free, such as the Champs Elysees, the Ile de la cité, the Latin Quarter and Montmartre. To save money on attractions, we recommend the Museum Pass, which offers discounts and free admission. Also remember that the Musée d'Orsay, the Louvre and all other museums are free on the first Sunday of the month.
The Parisian night life districts are Pigalle, the Champs Elysees, the Latin Quarter, Batte aux Cailles, Canal St Martin and Le Marais: here you will find not only restaurants and cafés but also nightclubs to enjoy.
If you are travelling with children, the city offers well-equipped urban parks in every neighbourhood, interesting museums such as the science and technology museum, the aquarium and, above all, the Disneyland Paris park.
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