Destination
Things to see and do in Paris : Tourism and activities
10 addresses
Bois de Boulogne
Porte Dauphine or Porte Maillot Paris 75016 • 01 40 67 90 82Description:
16ème ARRONDISSEMENT. The Bois de Boulogne offers more than 2100 acres of beautiful terrain, including woods, lakes, waterfalls and gardens. Originally fenced in as royal hunting grounds, the park was opened to the public in the early 19th century by Napoleon III, who had the wall built by Henri II torn down. This act marked the park's beginning. Today, multiple footpaths invite folks to explore the lovely grounds. It's best, however, to restrict visits to daytime hours, because some areas can be sketchy after dark. METRO: Sablons, Porte Maillot
Bois de Vincennes
Porte de Vincennes or Dorée Paris 75012Description:
12ème ARRONDISSEMENT. The Bois de Vincennes, Paris's largest park, was originally fenced off as royal hunting grounds. Today, scattered among its trees are peaceful lakes and even a château completed in 1370 under the reign of Charles V. In past years, the château has served as a city fortress and prison. Parc Floral (the flower garden) is a delight throughout the year, thanks to its hundreds of species of rainbow-hued flowers. Also located in the park is a zoo with 1200 bird and mammal inhabitants. METRO: Porte Dorée
Carnavalet Musée de l'Histoire de Paris
23, rue de Sévigné Paris 75003 • 01 44 59 58 58Description:
3ème ARRONDISSEMENT. With exhibits highlighting Paris from its beginnings to the present day, this museum has a broad historical range. A variety of collections includes memorabilia from the French Revolution, archaeological treasures, paintings, sculpture and rare furniture. Museum holdings are housed in the spectacular "Carnavalet" and "Pelletier de Saint-Fargeau" mansions, which have been restored to period authenticity (15th to 19th centuries). METRO: Saint-Paul (line 1), Chemin-Vert (line 8)
Carnavalet Musée de l'Histoire de Paris detail
Cimetière de Montmartre
20, av Rachel Paris 75018 • 01 43 87 64 24Description:
18ème ARRONDISSEMENT. This historic and incredibly picturesque cemetery is the resting place of many of Paris's most famous citizens. Wander among the mature trees, observing beautifully crafted mausoleums, commemorative statues, and heartfelt inscriptions. Among the tombs of well-known personages you'll find are those of composer Hector Berlioz, film great François Truffaut, painter Edgar Degas, and ballet dancer Vaslav Nijinsky.
Cimetière de Montmartre detail
Cimetière du Père Lachaise
6, rue du Repos Paris 75020 • 01 43 70 70 33Description:
20ème ARRONDISSEMENT. Named for Louis XIV's confessor, who once lived in the vicinity, this cemetery was established in 1804. It was planned as a repository for human remains when authorities sought to improve sanitation by moving graves from the center of the city to its outskirts. Now park-like in its appeal, Père Lachaise is a much-desired place to be buried. Within its bounds are the graves of Molière, Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison, Chopin, Edith Piaf, Sarah Bernhardt, Marcel Proust, and other famous figures. Stately trees and beautiful memorials add to the cemetery's present-day calm. METRO: Père Lachaise, Philippe Auguste
Cimetière du Père Lachaise detail
Cinémathèque Française
51, rue de Bercy Paris • 01 71 19 33 33Description:
12ème ARRONDISSEMENT. This fascinating museum charts cinematic history from Edison's 1894 kinetoscope to modern-day movie-making. Galleries chronicle the beginnings of photography and include mesmerizing short films as well. Additional displays include costumes worn by Greta Garbo and Rudolph Valentino and more than 5,000 objects from famous films, including the original robot from Fritz Lang's "Metropolis." METRO: Bercy (Lines 6 and 14)
Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie
30, av Corentin-Cariou Paris 75930 • 01 40 05 70 00Description:
19ème ARRONDISSEMENT. Occupying the site of a former slaughterhouse, this museum of science and technology acts with a more benign hand these days. The incredible site includes a metallic sphere, an artificial river, and light-filled greenhouses. Exhibits run the gamut of scientific exploration, touching on medicine, technology, industry, space, botany and more. An interactive children's area even lets young folks make their own discoveries about the physical world through play and experimentation. Great for the entire family. METRO: Porte de la Villette (line 7)
Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie detail
Dôme Church
Hôtel des Invalides, Paris 75007 • 01 17 22 40 53Description:
7ème ARRONDISSEMENT. Part of Hôtel des Invalides, this striking church was originally the complex's royal chapel. Now (as then) a landmark on the skyline, the dome was completed in 1708. It rises to 331 feet at its crowning spire and is a wonderful example of classical French architecture. The structure is the burial place for many military heroes, including Napoleon. In 1989, the dome's exterior gilding was refreshed; twenty pounds of gold leaf were required for the job.
Hôtel National des Invalides
Esplanade des Invalides Paris 75007 • 01 44 42 38 77Description:
7ème ARRONDISSEMENT. This gorgeous architectural gem, completed in the 17th century, is located in the city's Faubourg-St-Germain region. It was created by Louis XIV as a home for aged soldiers and disabled veterans. Among its prominent features are a sweeping esplanade, a series of gardens, and a striking domed church, where military heroes (including Napoléon I) are interred. Also at this location is the Musée de l'Armée, an outstanding art and military history museum, with extensive armament collections. METRO: Invalides, Latour Maubourg
Hôtel National des Invalides detail
Jardin du Luxembourg
bd Saint-Michel Paris 75005Description:
6ème ARRONDISSEMENT. One of Paris's most famous parks, Luxembourg was originally established in the 1600s. Not until the 19th century, however, were its grounds opened to the public. The park is known for its two elaborate fountains and for its manicured design. While many folks come simply to enjoy its beauty, the park also invites folks to play a game of tennis or chess or sail a model boat across the water. Kids love Luxembourg's puppet shows, and everyone enjoys just sitting back and relaxing. METRO: Odéon
Best of the City
Hôtel National des Invalides
Esplanade des Invalides Paris 75007 • 01 44 42 38 77Description:
7ème ARRONDISSEMENT. This gorgeous architectural gem, completed in the 17th century, is located in the city's Faubourg-St-Germain region. It was created by Louis XIV as a home for aged soldiers and disabled veterans. Among its prominent features are a sweeping esplanade, a series of gardens, and a striking domed church, where military heroes (including Napoléon I) are interred. Also at this location is the Musée de l'Armée, an outstanding art and military history museum, with extensive armament collections. METRO: Invalides, Latour Maubourg
Hôtel National des Invalides detail
L'Arc de Triomphe
pl Charles de Gaulle, Paris 75008 • 01 55 37 73 77Description:
8ème ARRONDISSEMENT. This symbol of French victory was commissioned by Napoleon and completed in 1836. Adorned with sculpture and the names of military successes, the enormous arch features a small museum and rooftop viewing platform. At its base is the tomb of the unknown soldier. The arch sits at the center of place Charles de Gaulle (formerly place d'Etoile), a square that branches off into twelve avenues. It also offers great views southeast down the Champs-Elysées to the Louvre and northwest towards La Défense. Pedestrian access is most safely gained via the pedestrian tunnel from the north side of the Champs Elysées. METRO: Charles de Gaulle-Etoile
La Tour Eiffel
Champ de Mars Paris 75007 • 01 44 11 23 23Description:
7ème ARRONDISSEMENT. One of the world's most popular and well-known sites, this tower is not only a must-see for visitors but Paris's signature landmark. Although the structure was poorly received when it premiered, it's now a symbol of great civic and national pride. In fact, visitors must often wait in line before taking the elevator to the observation deck and seeing the city spread out below. At night, the tower becomes a beautifully illuminated sculpture. Gustave Eiffel, who designed the tower, also created the framework for NYC's Statue of Liberty. METRO: Bir Hakeim
Musée Rodin
79, rue de Varenne Paris 75007 • 01 44 18 61 10Description:
7ème ARRONDISSEMENT. This museum, set in the Hôtel Biron, is a tribute to one of the world's finest sculptors. Thanks to Rodin's own donations, the facility offers a wealth of objects, including terra cotta, bronze and marble creations. Plaster and wax studies are available as well, along with his sketches, drawings, engravings, and his own collected art. Among the items on display are "The Hand of God" and the sculpture that brought Rodin the most fame, a nude of St. John the Baptist. METRO: (line 13) Varenne, Invalides or Saint-François-Xavier
Notre-Dame
6, pl du Parvis de Notre-Dame Paris 75004 • 01 44 32 16 72Description:
4ème ARRONDISSEMENT. One of the most recognizable historic and religious sites in the world, Notre-Dame de Paris is a Gothic landmark and the city's spiritual home. Built between the 12th and 14th centuries, it's a vision of stone, stained glass and history. English language tours are offered Wednesday and Thursday at noon, Saturday at 2:30pm. If you have the stamina to climb 387 steps, views from the north tower will take your breath away. High above the historic city center, you'll come eye-to-eye with gargoyles and see laid out before you the Hôtel de Ville, the Sorbonne and the Panthéon. Definitely worth the climb! METRO: Cité
Sacré-Coeur Basilica
35, rue du Chevalier de la Barre Paris 75018 • 01 53 41 89 00Description:
18ème ARRONDISSEMENT. Built in 1873 as a symbol of Christian righteousness, this historic basilica sits on a hill at Montmartre, dominating the Parisian skyline. Its design was decided by competition, and the triple-domed Byzantine sanctuary was constructed in devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The basilica houses religious texts and wonderful mosaics. It also hosts a regular array of events and activities.Views of the city from Sacre-Coeur are amazing. METRO: Anvers, Abbesses (line 12), Château-Rouge, Lamarck-Caulaincourt
Versailles
pl d'Armes Paris • 01 30 83 78 00Description:
VERSAILLES. This wonderfully extravagant palace, where royals frittered away much of the treasury, is a necessary stop for visitors. Top designers of the day created an ornate complex of gardens, lakes, stables and guest houses to complement the luxuriously furnished palace, where Louis XIV, XV and XVI lived before the kingdom gave way to revolution. Beautifully restored rooms hint at the court's wealth, as seen in the gilt, crystal and hand-painted furnishings and details. Make sure to see the historic Hall of Mirrors. Guided and unguided tours are available. Access from Paris by train (RER line C; Versailles Rive Gauche station is an 8-minute walk from the palace) or bus (#171 from Pont de Sèvres metro station).
Art Museums
Cinémathèque Française
51, rue de Bercy Paris • 01 71 19 33 33Description:
12ème ARRONDISSEMENT. This fascinating museum charts cinematic history from Edison's 1894 kinetoscope to modern-day movie-making. Galleries chronicle the beginnings of photography and include mesmerizing short films as well. Additional displays include costumes worn by Greta Garbo and Rudolph Valentino and more than 5,000 objects from famous films, including the original robot from Fritz Lang's "Metropolis." METRO: Bercy (Lines 6 and 14)
Maison Europeenne de la Photographie
5-7, rue de Fourcy Paris 75004 • 01 44 78 75 00Description:
4ème ARRONDISSEMENT. This museum, located in a restored 1706 mansion, features classical architecture in its façade, ironwork, and impressive central staircase. Original period prints, retrospective exhibits, and more than 12,000 rare books number among the attractions. There's also a conservation and restoration area, as well as a café in the 18th-century basement.
Maison Europeenne de la Photographie detail
Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris
11, av du Président Wilson Paris 75016 • 01 53 67 40 00Description:
16ème ARRONDISSEMENT. This museum carries a large collection of avant-garde art from the 20th century, including works by Picasso, Léger, Matisse, and Kandinsky. Also on-hand is Raoul Dufy's large-scale tribute to electricity, "La Fée Electricité" ("Fairy of Electricity"). Surrealism and abstract art, along with other contemporary styles, offers insight into the creativity that fueled modern art. METRO: léna or Alma-Marceau
Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris detail
Musée de la Mode et du Textiles
107, rue de Rivoli Musée des Arts de la Mode, Palais du Louvre, Paris 75001 • 01 44 55 57 50Description:
1er ARRONDISSEMENT. This museum contains an astonishing 80,000 costumes dating from the 16th century to the present. Plus, hundreds of thousands of fabrics chronicle the history of textiles. Of special interest are a 7th-century Coptic tunic, court costumes from the era of the Sun King, and crinolines made with iron hoops. Of more recent vintage are designs by Chanel, Dior, Cardin and Guy Laroche. Visitors can also see the fascinating evolution of male and female figures through the ages. METRO: Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre, Tuileries, Pyramides
Musée de la Mode et du Textiles detail
Musée Jacquemart-André
158, bd Haussmann Paris 75008 • 01 42 89 04 91Description:
8ème ARRONDISSEMENT. Owned by the Institut de France and housed in an incredible Second Empire mansion, this museum specializes in art from Europe and Asia. Rare artifacts and furniture are included in the collections, along with objects from the Italian Renaissance. French paintings are prominent as well, along with artwork by Rembrandt, Van Dyck and Frans Hals. METRO: Miromesnil or Saint-Philippe du Roule
Musée Marmottan-Claude Monet
2, rue Louis-Boilly Paris 75016 • 01 42 24 07 02Description:
16ème ARRONDISSEMENT. For years, this wonderful institution was a repository for illuminations, Renaissance tapestries, and First Empire furniture, artwork, and objects. However, thanks to a 1966 gift of more than 100 Monets, the museum's focus expanded, and its attendance increased. Impressionism is now a great draw, and aside from Monet's works, visitors can browse paintings and drawings by Gauguin and Renoir. Also available are paintings by Boucher and Chardin, sculptures by Lemoyne, ceiling frescoes, and 16th-century Limoges enamels.
Musée Marmottan-Claude Monet detail
Musée Picasso
5, rue de Thorigny Paris 75003 • 01 42 71 25 21Description:
3ème ARRONDISSEMENT. In 1923, Picasso made Paris his home, creating his most memorable and lasting works here. After his death in 1973, his family faced with an astronomical tax debt donated more than 3,288 works from his estate, including his own private collection of contemporary art. Displayed in chronological order in the elegant, restored Hôtel Salé, the works make an informative statement of creativity, continuity, and genius. They also give credence to his famous motto, "I do not seek, I find." METRO: Saint-Paul, Chemin-Vert, Filles du Calvaire
Musée Rodin
79, rue de Varenne Paris 75007 • 01 44 18 61 10Description:
7ème ARRONDISSEMENT. This museum, set in the Hôtel Biron, is a tribute to one of the world's finest sculptors. Thanks to Rodin's own donations, the facility offers a wealth of objects, including terra cotta, bronze and marble creations. Plaster and wax studies are available as well, along with his sketches, drawings, engravings, and his own collected art. Among the items on display are "The Hand of God" and the sculpture that brought Rodin the most fame, a nude of St. John the Baptist. METRO: (line 13) Varenne, Invalides or Saint-François-Xavier
Sightseeing
Cimetière de Montmartre
20, av Rachel Paris 75018 • 01 43 87 64 24Description:
18ème ARRONDISSEMENT. This historic and incredibly picturesque cemetery is the resting place of many of Paris's most famous citizens. Wander among the mature trees, observing beautifully crafted mausoleums, commemorative statues, and heartfelt inscriptions. Among the tombs of well-known personages you'll find are those of composer Hector Berlioz, film great François Truffaut, painter Edgar Degas, and ballet dancer Vaslav Nijinsky.
Cimetière de Montmartre detail
Cimetière du Père Lachaise
6, rue du Repos Paris 75020 • 01 43 70 70 33Description:
20ème ARRONDISSEMENT. Named for Louis XIV's confessor, who once lived in the vicinity, this cemetery was established in 1804. It was planned as a repository for human remains when authorities sought to improve sanitation by moving graves from the center of the city to its outskirts. Now park-like in its appeal, Père Lachaise is a much-desired place to be buried. Within its bounds are the graves of Molière, Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison, Chopin, Edith Piaf, Sarah Bernhardt, Marcel Proust, and other famous figures. Stately trees and beautiful memorials add to the cemetery's present-day calm. METRO: Père Lachaise, Philippe Auguste
Cimetière du Père Lachaise detail
L'Arc de Triomphe
pl Charles de Gaulle, Paris 75008 • 01 55 37 73 77Description:
8ème ARRONDISSEMENT. This symbol of French victory was commissioned by Napoleon and completed in 1836. Adorned with sculpture and the names of military successes, the enormous arch features a small museum and rooftop viewing platform. At its base is the tomb of the unknown soldier. The arch sits at the center of place Charles de Gaulle (formerly place d'Etoile), a square that branches off into twelve avenues. It also offers great views southeast down the Champs-Elysées to the Louvre and northwest towards La Défense. Pedestrian access is most safely gained via the pedestrian tunnel from the north side of the Champs Elysées. METRO: Charles de Gaulle-Etoile
La Tour Eiffel
Champ de Mars Paris 75007 • 01 44 11 23 23Description:
7ème ARRONDISSEMENT. One of the world's most popular and well-known sites, this tower is not only a must-see for visitors but Paris's signature landmark. Although the structure was poorly received when it premiered, it's now a symbol of great civic and national pride. In fact, visitors must often wait in line before taking the elevator to the observation deck and seeing the city spread out below. At night, the tower becomes a beautifully illuminated sculpture. Gustave Eiffel, who designed the tower, also created the framework for NYC's Statue of Liberty. METRO: Bir Hakeim
Paris Catacombs
1, pl Denfert-Rochereau Paris 75014 • 01 43 22 47 63Description:
14ème ARRONDISSEMENT. These underground tunnels date from the Roman period, when quarries were created to obtain building stone. Most sit at the base of Parisian hills like Montparnasse, Montrouge and Montsouris. In the late 18th-century, authorities began to use the caverns and tunnels to deposit bones exhumed from medieval cemeteries that had become unsanitary. During WWII, the catacombs were home to the French Resistance. Today, they're open to the public, who can view artfully arranged bones from years past. Miles of tunnels are still uncharted, but the prominent ones are well-lit and temperature-controlled. METRO: Denfert-Rochereau
Place de la Concorde
pl de la Concorde, Paris 75008Description:
8ème ARRONDISSEMENT. This impressive square in the heart of the city has seen an incredible amount of history. Created by Louix XV and completed in 1763, it eventually hosted the guillotine that put to death Louis XVI, Marie-Antoinette, Danton and Robespierre. Today, it features a variety of statues, along with the prominent Obelisk of Luxor, a gift from Egypt that stretches 23 meters (75 feet) into the sky. It's also a great place to take an afternoon stroll and get in some people-watching. METRO: Concorde
Place des Vosges
Place des Vosges pl des Vosges, Paris 75004Description:
4ème ARRONDISSEMENT. Built on the site of a former royal residence, this planned square was constructed in the early 17th century by Henri IV. Consisting of 36 units, the complex is fashioned of red-brick and stone; ground-floor arcades are today occupied by shops and restaurants. Over the southern gateway is the King's Pavilion; above the northern one is the Queen's. Paris's oldest square is a lovely place to relax and browse; at one time, it was the residence for everyone from Richelieu to Victor Hugo (whose home is now a museum).
Pont Alexandre III
quai d'Orsay near Exposition Universelle halls, Paris 75008Description:
8ème ARRONDISSEMENT. Often considered Paris's most beautiful bridge, Pont Alexandre III was built in 1900 for the Universal Exhibition. It links the 7th and 8th arrondissements across the Seine, and its graceful arch bears the arms of both Russia and France. The bridge is renowned for offering expansive views of nearby Invalides. It's adorned with beaten copper reliefs and gilt bronze sculpture and is a must-visit during Parisian walking tours. METRO: Champs-Elysées-Clémenceau
Tour Montparnasse
33, av du Maine Paris 75755 • 01 45 38 52 56Description:
In only 40 seconds courtesy of one of Europe's fastest elevators you can reach the 59th floor of Tour Montparnasse, a sleek, Parisian skyscraper. From there, views of the city are astounding, and you can get a wonderful overview of Notre-Dame, the Bois de Boulogne and the Louvre. On a clear day, in fact, you can see 30 miles out! At night, the city virtually twinkles in a spread of white lights. METRO: Vavin / Edgar Quinet
Versailles
pl d'Armes Paris • 01 30 83 78 00Description:
VERSAILLES. This wonderfully extravagant palace, where royals frittered away much of the treasury, is a necessary stop for visitors. Top designers of the day created an ornate complex of gardens, lakes, stables and guest houses to complement the luxuriously furnished palace, where Louis XIV, XV and XVI lived before the kingdom gave way to revolution. Beautifully restored rooms hint at the court's wealth, as seen in the gilt, crystal and hand-painted furnishings and details. Make sure to see the historic Hall of Mirrors. Guided and unguided tours are available. Access from Paris by train (RER line C; Versailles Rive Gauche station is an 8-minute walk from the palace) or bus (#171 from Pont de Sèvres metro station).
To see, to do in Paris
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