Top-Rated Paris Tourist Attractions Guide – A Savvy Visitors Guide

Some cities have a few big-ticket sights. Paris has… a situation. The sheer number of top-rated Paris tourist attractions can turn even confident travelers into indecisive flâneurs (aimless wanderers).

That's where this guide comes in. We've put together a Paris tourist attractions list that balances the famous tourist attractions in Paris with a few smart surprises. It's not about rushing through the Louvre with a stopwatch — it's about knowing what's worth your precious time, when to go, and how to not spend the whole trip in line. From timeless towers to riverside marvels, these are the top tourist attractions in Paris, with all the fuss taken out.

1. The Eiffel Tower – The Pointed Lady

The Eiffel Tower is an essential Paris tourist attraction

Let's get this out of the way: yes, it's touristy. It's also magnificent. No list of top-rated Paris tourist attractions would be complete without the Eiffel Tower, that tall iron show-off who has a way of winning over even the most skeptical visitor. Whether you're seeing it for the first time or the fifteenth, the Eiffel Tower still knows how to put on a show—especially at night, when it sparkles every hour like it's throwing itself a party.

Eiffel Tower – How to Get There

The best way to meet the Eiffel Tower is from across the river at Palais de Chaillot at Trocadero. Exit at Metro Trocadéro and walk toward the edge of the plaza for the grandest reveal in Paris. From there, descend the steps through the gardens and stroll across Pont d'Iéna to the base of the tower.

Another lovely route starts at Metro Alma Marceau. walking across Pont de l'Alma for a quieter but still satisfying view, then follow the riverbanks toward that unmistakable iron peak. (Don't worry — you can't miss it. Just head toward the tall, pointy thing.)

We avoid arriving via RER Champ de Mars or Metro Bir-Hakeim — neither makes much of an entrance. But riding Metro Line 6 into Trocadéro from Montparnasse? That's a treat. As the train crosses the Seine on a viaduct, you'll get a jaw-dropping view of the Tower. Keep your camera ready.

• Metro Trocadero — Line 6 or 9
• Metro Alma Marceau — Line 9

Eiffel Tower – How to Get Up!

We've said it before and we'll keep saying it: skip-the-line tours are the way to go. The first time we booked one, we skipped an epic queue and went straight to the elevator. That was the moment we became converts.

Standing in line for hours might give you time to reflect on French engineering — but we'd rather spend that time with a crêpe in hand, already halfway to the second level. Book a tour that gets you past the ticket queue, and book early — they sell out, fast. No one's ever bragged about the time they spent waiting at the base of the Eiffel Tower.

We know from experience that the absolute best way to get up the Eiffel Tower is on a . From the first time we booked a tour that bypassed the ticket lines and took us directly to the elevator, we were hooked. If you stand in the ticket line you can expect to wait for hours. Do you want to wait in line, or do you want to have fun? Insiders Tip — these tours sell out, so you must book early.

Eiffel Tower Resources

• Summer Hours – Daily, 9:00 AM to 12:45 AM
• Winter Hours – Daily, 9:30 AM to 11:45 PM
• Pre-book a skip-the-line tour…
• Interactive Metro Map…

2. The Louvre Museum – Art, Crowds & Strategy

The Pyramid entry to the Louvre, with the Passage de Richelieu to the left

It's big. It's famous. It's got its own glass pyramid. The Louvre is the heavyweight of Paris museums — and one of the most visited museums in the world. If you love art, architecture, or the feeling of standing in front of something genuinely old and beautiful, you'll want this on your Paris tourist attractions list.

But let's be honest: so do millions of others. Lines can be punishing, and without a plan, your Louvre visit could turn into a long, exhausting game of "Where's the Mona Lisa". This is one of the top rated Paris tourist attractions, but it rewards those who show up prepared.

The Louvre – How to Get There

First up—transportation strategy. Getting to the Louvre is easy, but some approaches are better than others.

You can take Metro Line 1 to Palais Royal–Musée du Louvre. It's all one (very long) station name, and it connects you directly underground to the Carrousel du Louvre shopping mall, where there's also a convenient entrance to the museum.

Or, skip the underground part, exit from the Metro station to street level, cross Rue de Rivoli, and head through the arched Passage de Richelieu into the Louvre courtyard. There you'll find the museum's most photographed entrance — the futuristic glass pyramid designed by I.M. Pei.

A more scenic route starts at Metro Tuileries. Walk through the lovely Jardin des Tuileries, pass the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, and slip in through what we call the Paris Insiders Entrance — a discreet set of stairs from the garden that leads into the museum. Fewer crowds. More garden time.

The "back door" entrance to the Louvre, photo by Mark Craft

Advisory — Metro Louvre–Rivoli sounds useful, but it isn't. It'll drop you off farther along of Rue de Rivoli, a bit of a hike from any actual entrance. Use one of the other stations instead.

• Metro Tuileries – Line 1
• Metro Palais-Royal-Musée-de-Louvre – Line 1
• Guide to the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel…

The Louvre – How to Get In

The crowds at the Louvre are no joke. Lines snake around the pyramid, especially mid-day. If you're planning to wing it, plan on waiting — a lot.

That's why we always recommend booking a skip-the-line guided tour. The good ones get you in fast, steer you through the highlights, and leave you with the rest of the day to explore on your own. You'll see the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and other greatest hits — without wandering aimlessly through 14th-century Flemish corridors wondering if you're lost or enlightened.

The Louvre is one of those places where having a guide isn't just helpful—it's a game changer.

The Louvre Museum Resources

• Read Our Guide to the Louvre…
• Guide to the Paris Museum Pass…
• Monday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday – 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
• Wednesday, Friday – 9:00 AM to 9:45 PM

3. Notre Dame & Île de la Cité – Fire & Flying Buttresses

Notre Dame at night, photo by Mark Craft

Notre Dame Cathedral Paris – Rising From the Ashes

In a city overflowing with dramatic buildings, Notre-Dame Cathedral still manages to steal the show. Standing guard over the Seine from the center of Île de la Cité, it's one of the most famous tourist attractions in Paris—and one of the most resilient. The 2019 fire shocked the world, but the rebuilding effort has only deepened the public's affection for this Gothic masterpiece.

Today, Notre Dame is fully restored and open once more, its stained-glass rose windows glowing, vaulted interior alive with cathedral services. The newly rebuilt spire — framed with centuries‑old oak and clad in lead — is perched once again above Île de la Cité. It's a triumph of craftsmanship — and unshakably Paris.

Getting to Notre Dame – Easier Than Ever

Getting to Notre Dame is easy: just aim for the middle of Paris and look up. Those twin towers are hard to miss. The cathedral sits proudly on Île de la Cité, the island in the Seine that might just be the oldest part of the city.

Metro Line 4 gets you closest — hop off at Cité station and rise from the depths of the river like a scene from a spy film. Flower stalls line the square above, and from there it's just a short stroll to the cathedral's western entrance. If you hit the riverbanks, you've gone too far — but only by a few postcard stands.

• Metro Cité – Line 14
• 10 Secrets of Île de la Cité…

Guided Tour of Notre Dame & Île de la Cité

To really understand what you're looking at — and what's around it — we recommend a guided walking tour of Île de la Cité. This isn't just a cathedral visit. It's a crash course in medieval Paris, with stops at Place Dauphine (so peaceful you'll forget you're in a capital city), the Conciergerie, flower markets, royal chapels, and the oldest bridge in town.

A good guide brings it all to life — and helps you see Notre Dame not just as a landmark, but as the beating heart of Paris. These tours are especially good now, when the restoration is still fresh and the stories practically write themselves.

4. Arc de Triomphe – Napoleon's Giant Roundabout

Two Paris attractions – an arch and a tower, photo by Mark Craft

The Arc de Triomphe is everything Napoleon loved: monumental, dramatic, and all about him. He commissioned it in 1806 as a tribute to the Grande Armée, and while he didn't live to see it completed, it still stands tall at the top of the Champs-Élysées.

The Arc anchors Place de l'Étoile — named for the star-shaped swirl of avenues radiating from it — which also happens to be the world's first organized traffic circle. It's not just a monument, it's a piece of urban design with a side of grandeur.

Arc de Triomphe – How to Get There

The easiest way to reach the Arc is via Metro Charles de Gaulle–Étoile. Once there, choose one of the Champs-Élysées exits (there are several), then take the stairway down to the underground pedestrian passage that leads directly beneath the traffic circle and into the plaza. Please don't try to cross the circle at street level unless you're filming a chase scene.

If you're feeling ambitious, another option is to start at Metro Franklin D. Roosevelt and walk up the Champs-Élysées. We're not the biggest fans of the avenue — it's a bit too shiny and chain-store-heavy for our taste — but it's one of those Paris tourist attractions you sort of have to see at least once.

• Metro Charles de Gaulle-Êtoile – Line 1, 2 or 6
• Metro Franklin D. Roosevelt – Line 1 or 9

Arc de Triomphe – How to Get In

You can admire the Arc from the plaza for free, and it's certainly worth a stop. But the real prize is climbing to the top. The views are some of our favorites in the city: in one direction, the Louvre; in the other, La Défense and the Grande Arche; in between, a sea of Parisian rooftops.

Entry is free with a Paris Museum Pass, or you can buy a ticket online — which we highly recommend, especially in high season. The stairs to the top aren't exactly gentle, but the reward is worth every step.

Arc de Triomphe Resources

We don't suggest cramming more than two major Paris tourist attractions into a single day. Not unless you're planning to sprint between them with a baguette in one hand and a Metro map in the other. Better to leave time for a long lunch, a detour through a park, or a few aimless but rewarding wanderings.

The truth is, Paris rewards distraction. You'll miss a Metro stop, take a wrong turn, or suddenly find yourself deep in a cheese shop. Go with it. That's the charm of the place—and part of why even the most famous tourist attractions in Paris feel personal.

• Opening Hours – 10:00 AM to 10:30 PM
• Closed – January 1, May 1, July 14, November 11, December 25

5. Sacre Coeur

Basilica Sacre Coeur, its white domes lit at night

Like the Eiffel Tower, the Basilique du Sacré Coeur de Montmartre is a top-rated Paris tourist attractions that's easy to see from just about anywhere in the city. So, in a way, getting there is once again a matter of keeping it in sight and heading for it. Sacre Coeur is the big white church that dominates the skyline from its perch on top of the hill of Montmartre.

Sacre Coeur – How to Get There

We recommend you go up to the church by one route and down by another. Take Metro Line 2 to Anvers station (on Boulevard de Rochechouart) and walk up Rue de Steinkerque to reach the funicular train that takes you up the hill. (Unfortunately, Steinkerque has become jammed with junky souvenir shops, but just keep your eyes focused on the church above you!) At the top, climb more steps to the basilica itself, but don't forget to linger for one of the most amazing panoramic views of Paris.

• Metro Anvers – Line 2
• Guide to the Paris Metro…

Sacre Coeur – How to Get In

Entrance to Sacre Coeur is free, but the highlight of the church is the view from the dome, and there is a small fee for that. For the most striking views visit and climb the dome at dusk or dawn. There are 300 steps to climb, so be prepared!

Plan to spend an hour at the basilica and then wander through Montmartre for a taste of village life. Head west from Sacre Coeur and you'll find Rue Lepic, which winds down the hill to turn into Rue des Abbesses. After passing shops, boulangeries, and restaurants you'll come to Place des Abbesses, where you'll find the Metro station the serves Montmartre.

• Metro Abbesses – Line 12

Sacre Coeur Resources

• Our Guide to Sacre Coeur…
• Opening Hours – Daily, 6:00 AM to 10:30 PM
• Access to the Dome – Summer, 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM. Winter 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
• Basilica Website…

6. Musée d'Orsay – The Impressionist Museum

Orsay, a former train station, now a major museum, photo by Mark Craft

Musée d'Orsay – How to Get There

We love the Impressionist painters, so it's no surprise that d'Orsay is on our list of top-rated Paris tourist attractions. The fact that it's housed in a stunning, Belle-Époque building (formerly a train station) only adds to its attraction.

Musée d'Orsay is on the Left Bank in the St Germain area, pretty much on the border between the 6th and 7th Arrondissements. You can get there on Metro Line 12, from either Solferino or Asssemblée Nationale. But a more scenic route is to take Line 1 to Metro Tuileries (we know, we know, that's on the Right Bank) and then walk across the Tuileries gardens towards the Seine to find Passarelle Solférino, the pedestrian bridge that takes you across the river to Musée d'Orsay. Pause on the bridge to admire the view of the two great museums — the Louvre on your left and d'Orsay on your right.

• Metro Solferino & Asssemblée Nationale – Line 12
• History of the Musée d'Orsay…

Musée d'Orsay – How to Get In

Musée d'Orsay is a good example of the use of the Paris Museum Pass. With it you bypass the long ticket line-up, and proceed to the entrance for those with tickets and passes.

As you know, our favorite way to visit a popular museum is on a guided tour, and there's a good 2.5-hour tour of d'Orsay that also gets you past the ticket lines.

Musée d'Orsay Resources

• Opening Hours – 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM, Thursdays until 9:45 PM, closed Mondays.
• Museum Website…

7. Place de la Concorde & Jardin des Tuileries

Place de la Concorde fountain with Hotel de Crillon and La Marine in the background

Place de la Concorde – How to Get There

We're going to have you start at the grand Place de la Concorde and then walk through the lovely Jardin des Tuileries towards the Louvre at its eastern end, taking you to two of the top-rated Paris tourist attractions. Metro Concorde is one of the transportation hubs of Paris and from there you can get… well, almost anywhere.

Hop on Metro Line 1, 8, or 12 to get to Concorde. Above ground, you'll want to spend some time admiring the fountains and sculptures in the place, take in the view of the Eiffel Tower, maybe have a glass of champagne in the bar at the grand Hotel de Crillon, and consider whether or not you have the courage to ride the ferris wheel that's often set up at Concorde.

• Metro Concorde – Line 1, 8, or 12
• Our Guide to Place de la Concorde…

Jardin des Tuileries – How to Get In

Getting into the gardens is a matter of walking through the magnificent gates that face Place de la Concorde. There are other entrances, of course, but this is the most grand. You can just imagine Catherine de Medici passing through the gates in the mid-1500s, on her way to the Louvre palace.

• Summer Hours – 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM
• Spring & Fall Hours – 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM;
• Winter Hours – 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM

8. Jardin du Luxembourg

The lush Jardin du Luxembourg in the summer, photo by Mark Craft

Jardin du Luxembourg – How to Get There

Another Medici built this park, located on the other side of Paris. Marie de' Medici had Jardin du Luxembourg and its palace built in the early 17th century. Today the park and the palace are owned by the French Senate, but the park is open to the public. On any sunny day you will find hundreds of Parisians spread out in the park, lounging on the metal chairs, taking in the sunshine. It's loved by locals and one of the top tourist attractions in Paris.

Luxembourg is huge — 56 acres — are there are a number of ways to access the park. Luxembourg station on RER Line C gets you to the eastern gates of the park. From there you also have a nice view up the hill to the Pantheon.

But we prefer to take Line 4 or Line 10 to Metro Odeon (on Boulevard St Germain) and then stroll south on the little streets that take you around Place de l'Odeon to find the entrance gate next to the Senate building on Vaugirard. Opening hours vary, typically from 7:30 AM to sunset.

• Metro Odeon – Line 4 or 10
• RER Luxembourg – Line C
• For Opening Hours – Visit the Senat Website…

Jardin du Luxembourg – How to Get Out!

After we've enjoyed the sun, watched some chess games, visited the Orangerie, and had lunch at a cafe, we stumble out of the park (depending on how much wine was served at lunch) either by the east gate to walk up to the Pantheon, or — and this is our preference — leave by the west gate to walk along Rue de Fleurus, passing by Gertrude Stein's apartment on the left (there's a plaque), turning right on Raspail, to finally arrive at Metro Sevres-Babylone. Before we grab a Metro, we spend time browsing the Bon Marché department store and its amazing (amazing!) food store, La Grande Epicerie de Paris.

• Metro Sevres-Babylone – Line 10 or 12

Top-Rated Paris Tourist Attractions — The Encore

We've marched through iron giants, soared above city rooftops, and marveled at medieval splendor — yet this page only skimmed the surface of what Paris has in store. From the Eiffel Tower's glittering summit to the Arc de Triomphe's panoramic vantage and the still-resurgent Notre Dame, these standout stops form the backbone of the top-rated Paris tourist attractions.

Add the Louvre's art overload, the cruise opportunities along the Seine, and the riverside green spaces between landmarks, and you've built a generous day — or two — of sightseeing that's as rewarding as it is reasonably paced.

The real magic? Paris isn't just about famous monuments. It's the serendipitous cafe you stumble into, the view you didn't plan for, the quiet street that surprises you. Every classic destination on this Paris tourist attractions list opens a door to hidden layers, if you look. So go ahead: start with the highlights, then pause, breathe in that cafe-lined air, and stay long enough to fall a little in love.