My Favorite Sites in Paris

I've been living in France for 8 months and love seeing the sites in Paris!

Here's some sites you should definitely visit if you have more than a few days.

Churches

Notre Dame Cathedral

Notre Dame is a medieval Catholic cathedral on the Île de la Cité, in the 4th arrondissement of Paris. It is the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic. It’s famous for being an iconic masterpiece of French Gothic architecture. The stained glass inside is amazing to see. You'll need to get tickets in advance or you can do the stand by line which took me about 20 minutes.

(Reservation $ or Stand by/free).

Saint Chapelle

Sainte-Chapelle is a Gothic style Church within the medieval Palais de la Cité.  It’s famous for its breathtaking 13th-century stained glass windows. You need to get reservations for this as stand by lines are not an option.

(Reservation $)

Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre

The Basilique du Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre,  known as Sacré-Coeur, is a Catholic Basilica that sits on the highest hill in Paris, in the Montmartre neighborhood. It’s height is topped only by the Eiffel Tower. This Basilica has different architecture than many of the Gothic Churches you'll see in France, so it's interesting to compare the differences.

(No Reservation/free)

Museums 

The Louvre

The Louvre Museum is one of the most famous museums in the world. Many visitors go to see Mona Lisa. You will need to make a reservation for the Louvre as stand by and same day tickets aren't an option.

(Reservation $)

Shoah Museums

Mémorial de la Shoah is the Holocaust museum in Paris. The memorial is in the 4th arrondissement of Paris, in the Marais district, which had a large Jewish population at the beginning of World War II. They offer daily free guided tours in French in English that are definitely worth signing up for. You'll need to book your tour online in advance, but it's free.

(No Reservation/free)

Musee d’Orsay

The Musée d'Orsay is a museum on the Left Bank of the Seine. The museum holds mainly French art dating from 1848 to 1914, including paintings, sculptures, furniture, and photography. It has the world's largest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art, including works by Money, Renoir, Gaugin and Van Gogh.

(Reservation $)

Le Galorie Dior

La Galerie Dior showcases the brands history and iconic pieces through immersive rooms. It focuses on the brand's journey from Christian Dior's "New Look" to the present day with various creative directors.

(Reservations $)

Favorite Arrondissements (Districts)

Saint Germain

Saint-Germain is part of the 6th arrondissement of Paris. The neighborhood is one of the city's most historic and vibrant areas, known for its classic cafes, boutiques, and the historic Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés.  The famous Jardin du Luxembourg is located in this district as well. 

Latin Quarter

Also known as the 5th arrondissements, the quaint Latin Quarter is home to the Sorbonne University and student-filled cafes. It's also famed for its bookshops, including the landmark Shakespeare & Company. Family-friendly attractions include the Jardin des Plantes botanical gardens and the National Museum of Natural History. The stately Panthéon building holds the remains of notables like Voltaire and Marie Curie.

The Marais

The Marais district in the 3rd and 4th arrondissements are filled with hip boutiques, galleries, and gay bars. Once the city's Jewish quarter, the area still hosts numerous kosher restaurants. You’ll find quaint but really great food spots in this district including local bakeries, pastry and cheese shops and more. Many food tours happen in The Marais. 

Montmartre

Montmartre is a historic, hilltop neighborhood and formerly a village in Paris's 18th arrondissement, known for its artistic heritage, iconic Sacré-Cœur Basilica, and vibrant nightlife including the Moulin Rouge. The area retains a distinct village atmosphere with charming, winding cobblestone streets, small shops, and cafes. It attracted artists like Picasso and Van Gogh, and while it remains a popular tourist destination, you can still find a more local side and discover hidden gems.  

Other Sites to See

Eiffel Tower

You can "see" the Eiffel Tower a few ways.

The first is to see it from afar. Head to the Trocadero to see it up close. The lights show happens hourly starting at dusk and is magical to watch! I've also watched it from afar at Pont de la Concorde.

The second option is to go into the Eiffel Tower. You'll need a tour or ticket. You can choose if you want to go to the 2nd floor or all the way to the top.

Seine River Cruise

An amazing way to see Paris is from a boat on the Seine River. There are multiple companies that offer hourly Seine River Cruises, lunch or dinner cruises and many come with a glass of Champagne. I also have access to private cruises if you're wanting something more intimate.

Catacombs

I have not been to the Catacombs and do not plan on going. It sounds very interesting from people I've spoken to who've been, but I know it'll just creep me out! when Paris started booming as a city, they realized they needed more ground to build on and had to move their cemeteries underground. The Catacombs hold the remains of more than six million people. You walk through alleyways underground that are lined with more skeletons (bones and skulls) than you'll ever need to see in one lifetime. You'll need to purchase your tickets in advance.