The ultimate city guide: Paris

Paris is known as the city of love, and for good reason!

Below you’ll find over 100 things we LOVE to do and see. We organized this by type of attraction from shopping, walking and taking in the sights, complete with a map highlighting our favorite spots throughout the city.

Icons & Landmarks

You could spend weeks in Paris and still and still have things left over on your list of things to do an see. Whether this is your first or 100th time at the rodeo, here are our must visit spots for everyone.

Arc de Triomphe – A monument to honor those who fought for France in the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, the Arc is so much larger in person than you’d imagine from photos. If you’re looking for a unique vantage point, go to the top for sweeping views that stretch down the Champs-Élysées and across the city.

Sacré-Cœur – Perched at Paris’s highest point, the Sacré-Cœur Basilica offers some of the city’s best views from its steps. Just behind it, wander the cobbled streets of Montmartre, check out Place du Tertre to watch artists at work. This is a great place to grab a bit at a cafe and shop for souvenirs.

Eiffel Tower – Nothing says Paris more than the Eiffel Tower. While there are stairs, take the elevator to the top for unforgettable city views. Then head over to the Trocadéro Gardens & Palais de Chaillot to get the ultimate photos with an Eiffel Tower backdrop.

Notre Dame – This Gothic masterpiece has been a symbol of Paris for over 850 years. After extensive renovations following the 2019 fire, the interior has recently reopened after extensive renovations, and something you won’t want to miss seeing. You can reserve a free timed entry to the cathedral on the Notre Dame website.

Sainte-Chapelle – Just a few minutes from Notre Dame, this jewel-like chapel is famous for its 13th-century stained glass (over 1100 panels of stained glass!), that creates a kaleidoscopic light show on sunny days.

Panthéon - Modeled after the pantheon in Rome, this neoclassical mausoleum houses the remains of some of France’s most distinguished citizens, including Voltaire, Rousseau, Victor Hugo, and Marie Curie.

Les Invalides - A complex of buildings originally built by Louis XIV in the 17th century as a hospital and retirement home for war veterans. Today you’ll find the French Military Museum, the original cathedral and the unmissable tomb of Napoleon. Under a golden dome you’ll find the elaborate resting place of Napoleon Bonaparte, where the sarcophagus is made up of 6 nested coffins made of different materials including lead, ebony and satin.

Museums

Musée du Louvre – This former royal palace is now the world’s largest (and maybe most famous) art museum. You’ll find masterpieces from the Mona Lisa to the Venus de Milo but can also see some unique collections like the French Crown Jewels or the incredible interiors of the imperial apartment of Napoleon III. If you collect art or coffee table books, don’t miss the book store inside the museum, with a massive selection covering the artists, architects and exhibitions featured in the museum.

Musée d’Orsay – Located in the former Gare d’Orsay train station, the Musée d’Orsay is home to the worlds largest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art, including works by Monet, Van Gogh, Renoir & Degas.

Centre Pompidou – Known for its inside-out architecture, the Pompidou houses Europe’s largest collection of modern and contemporary art with a rooftop terrace offering incredible city views.

Musée Rodin – Dedicated to the works of Auguste Rodin, Located in Hôtel Biron, Rodin’s Paris workshop. The sculpture garden is just as enchanting as the mansion itself, with pieces like The Thinker and The Gates of Hell.

Musée National Picasso-Paris – Set in a grand 17th-century mansion, this museum holds one of the world’s most extensive collections of Picasso’s work, spanning his entire career.

Bourse de Commerce – Pinault Collection – Home to the former Paris Wheat Exchange, with it’s origins in the 1500’s and the current building opening in the late 1880’s, this glass domed space has been transformed into a contemporary museum, showcasing rotating exhibitions from the Pinault Collection (yes, the same Pinault family that owns the Kering Group who own Gucci, YSL & Balenciaga among others luxury brands).

Petit Palais & Grand Palais – Facing each other near the Champs-Élysées, the Petit Palais houses the City of Paris Museum of Fine Arts, while the Grand Palais hosts major temporary exhibitions beneath its massive glass roof. The Grand Palais also plays host to many fashion shows, including the iconic shows of Chanel under Karl Lagerfeld.

Eugène Delacroix Museum – Tucked away in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, this small, intimate museum offers a glimpse into the artist’s life and studio.

Department Stores (Grand Magasins)

Department stores might be our favorite thing about Paris, and are usually our first stop!

La Samaritaine – Originally opened in 1870, with today’s Art Nouveau and Art Deco buildings opening in the 1920’s, La Samaritaine mixes heritage architecture with modern luxury. La Samaritaine is part of the LVMH family and only recently reopened following a 16 year renovation. Inside, you’ll find all of the major designers, one of the largest beauty departments in Europe, and the boutique LouLou, one of our favorite souvenir shops in the city. Head to the upper floors for some stunning views over the Seine and a cocktail at the restaurant. You also won’t want to miss looking down into the store from the top floor through the central atrium.

Le Bon Marché – The oldest department store in Paris, Le Bon Marché is also owned by LVMH and is home to an incredible assortment of luxury brands, rotating expositions with artist collaborations, an incredible home section and our favorite department, stationary! Located on the left bank (or rive gauche), the store is a perfect pitstop while exploring the Latin Quartier or Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Attached to the main store is La Grande Épicerie, Paris’s most famous food hall. Not only is this a great spot to grab a snack (our favorite is to grab a pastry and fresh squeezed strawberry orange juice to take the jardin du luxembourg), but you’ll find amazing souvenirs like beautifully packaged fleur de sel or seasoned butters that they will shrink wrap for you to take home.

Galeries Lafayette – Probably the most photographed store in Paris with it’s unmissable Art Nouveau glass dome. Spread across 3 massive buildings, each dedicated to women’s (the centerpiece), men’s and home (with a grocery store in the basement!). You could spend a whole day exploring all 3 locations, but don’t miss the rooftop terrace for one of the best (free) views in the city, located in the main building. Here you’ll also find an incredible souvenir shop that spans most of the 6th floor.

Printemps – Located next to Galeries Lafayette on Boulevard Haussmann, Printemps is similarly spread over 3 dazzling buildings, with women’s, men’s and home and beauty. The store also offeres an incredible rooftop terrace offering another gorgeous panorama of Paris.

BHV Marais – Located across the street from the Hôtel de Ville (city hall), BHV is a more relaxed, local favorite, combining fashion and home goods. Unique to BHV is the brico department in the basement, where Home Depot meets Parisian chic. You can find anything you need for your house from paint, power tools, cleaning supplies and appliances. BHV also has an amazing stationary department and like all of the other department stores, a rooftop terrace for spectaular views overlooking the Hôtel de Ville.

PRO TIPS

Tax Back - If you are spending over €100 in a transaction in France, you are eligible for tax free shopping. What’s special about the department stores, is they will add up all of your purchases into one transaction. This not only makes processing fewer tax-back forms at the airport or train station easier, BUT allows you to combine any smaller purchases that might not have qualified if shopping in boutiques or separately.

Loyalty Programs - Considering signing up for the loyalty programs offered by the department stores. La Samaratine is part of DFS, which have tax free shopping locations throughout most major global airports. Le Bon Marche offers select discoutns (5% off all books), rewards and early access to sale. They have an online store where you can also redeem any reward vouchers from your time shopping in Paris.

Shopping Streets

Rue Saint-Honoré – Lined with prestigious fashion houses and artisanal ateliers from Goyard, Hermès, and Chanel’s historic Rue Cambon boutique, Rue Saint-Honoré is your one stop shop for everything luxury. At the far end of the street, don’t miss the Élysée Palace, home to the President of France.

Place Vendôme - If you’re in the market for fine jewelry or watches, Place Vendôme is where you’ll want to be. Located just off Rue Saint-Honoré, here you’ll not only find most of the big jewelry brands like Cartier and Van Cleef, but also watch and jewelry stores for brands like Gucci and Louis Vuitton. In the center of the square is the Vendôme column, errected by Napoleon to commemorate his military victories. The square is also home to The Ritz Hotel Paris, possibly the most luxurious hotel in the city.

Avenue Montaigne – If you’re looking for luxury shopping, Avenue Montaigne is is a more subdued and less busy option than Rue Saint-Honoré or the department stores and is home to some unique boutiques, like the Jacquemus and the Galerie Dior, a brand museum that tells the story of the house inside the original store was opened in 1946. Avenue Montaigne is also home to the Plaza Athénée hotel, where you’ll usually see paparazzi waiting outside for the many celebrities that stay here (if you’re a SATC fan, it will look familar as Carrie’s hotel in the series finale!).

Boulevard Saint-Germain – Elegant and full of energy, with designer boutiques, historic cafés, and charming bookstores.

Le Marais – Le Marais is one of the most stylish neighborhoods in Paris and is home to several major shopping streets. You’ll also find some amazing local boutiques scattered about Landline, Centre Commercial, and our favorite, Merci, an iconic concept store with a mix of fashion, home goods, and souvenirs. Don’t leave without grabbing one of their signature tote bags or hat, everyone will stop to ask you where you got it!

Boulevard Haussmann – As stated above, Haussmann is home to 2 of the major Parisian Department Stores, but is also home to large high street stores like Zara and Mango. One thing you can’t miss when shopping near Galeries Lafayette is the Palais Garnier, an opera house opened in 1875 and is the inspiration for the Phantom of the Opera. If you get a chance to visit inside, the interior looks like something transported from Versailles, with the Grand Foyer having a striking similarity to the hall of mirrors.

Champs-Élysées – The most famous street in Paris is home to a mix of designer flagships, high street brands and French staples like Monoprix (we compare Monoprix to Target but with a nicer grocery section). Don’t miss the massive Louis Vuitton trunk covering the facade of their future flagship location, you’ll also find a Galeries Lafayette outpost here.

PRO TIPS

Make Appointments - If there’s a luxury house you want to shop at but don’t want to wait in line, look into making an appointment in advance. You can often times make them online or by reaching out to the brand directly. If you already have an SA at a brand in your local store, they may also be able to help get you set up.

Parks & Gardens

Jardin du Luxembourg – Commissioned by Marie de’ Medici in the 17th century, and overlooked by the Luxembourg Palace, home to the French Senate. Its manicured lawns, iconic green chairs and the toy sail boats in the central Medici Fountain make this one of our favorite spots to pause and take a break in Paris.

Tuileries Garden – Stretching between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde, this formal garden with tranquil fountains and the Louvre in the background, it’s the perfect place to take a break when in central Paris.

Champ de Mars – Adjacent to the Eiffel Tower, this vast green lawn is perfect for a picnic or watching the twinkling lights at night.

Square du Vert-Galant – A tiny, romantic park at the tip of Île de la Cité, with peaceful views over the Seine.

Place des Vosges - Located in the heart of the Marais district and built between 1605 and 1612, it is the oldest planned square in the city. The square is framed by 36 identical red-brick houses with arched arcades on the ground level, which now house galleries, shops, and cafés. In the center is a park perfect for relaxing or picnicking or just passing through while you’re the nearby Marais district.

Hidden Gems & Local Finds

Beyond the icons and grand boulevards, here are a few highlights you might not find along the main path.

Pharmacies - We are HUGE French pharmacie skincare fanatics. While you can find many of these brands sold all over the world (LRP, Caudalie & Avène), they can be significantly cheaper to buy in France. We have 2 favorite spots, first at the Pharmacie du Forum Des Halles, located in the Westfield Forum des Halles shopping center. Our second favorite spot is CityPharma in Saint-Germain-des-Près (near Le Bon Marché), where the staff are beyond helpful friendly and the prices can’t be beat.

Marché aux Puces – The largest antique and flea market in the world, this sprawling maze is a treasure hunt for vintage lovers, from fine antiques to quirky curiosities.

Tour Saint-Jacques – The last remnant of a 16th-century church, this Gothic tower offers panoramic city views from the top, if you’re willing to climb the 300 steps.

Marin Montagut – A whimsical boutique filled with illustrated maps, notebooks, and charming home décor. It feels like stepping into an artist’s sketchbook.

Latin Quarter - Home to several universities including the Sorbonne and the University of Paris, the Latin Quarter is a great place to step away from the designer shops and luxury hotels to see a more bohemian side of the city. We especially love the used bookshops that line Boulevard Saint-Michel where you can find amazing vintage French books (for cheap!).

Statue of Liberty Paris - A smaller replica of New York’s iconic statue, this Parisian version sits on Île aux Cygnes and was a gift from American citizens living in France to mark the centenary of the French Revolution in 1889.

ENJOY!

While this list is far from exhaustive, I hope it sparks inspiration for your own Paris itinerary, now get out there and enjoy the city!