Tourist Spots
Paris is not one of those cities where you can hit every spot in 3 days. Just in case you can’t commit 2 months in Paris, here are my recommendations :) They are ranked from MUST SEE to “meh it won’t hurt if you miss it, but try to go to it next time.” Click on underlined titles to see more!
1. Eiffel Tower
It would be hard not to miss this 1800’s work of architecture, but I do suggest spending a good time admiring it. Picnic by the nearby grass area and have some wine OR get a crêpe from a local street vendor (3 euros.) I do also spending some time here at night where the lights twinkle every hour on the hour for 5 minutes.
In terms of going inside the tower, I was not the biggest fan when comparing the price to going up the elevator for the view. However, if you really want to go, I won’t stop you lol.
If you want a picture perfect moment, I recommend climbing up Trocadero. It’s a platform for viewing the tower. Be careful during the day though, its swarmed with tourists.
2. Louvre
You can honestly spend DAYS in here and still not have seen every piece of art offered. I recommend staying here for an entire day, especially if you take great appreciation for art. However, if you don’t have the time, take the Riderout side. It has most of my favorite art pieces, as well as the Mona Lisa.
Good news for 25 years or younger folks (of European residency,) but on Fridays they can get into the museum for free!
Avoid scammers outside of the Louvre, only get tickets inside or online.
This museum looks like a train station to me lol, but it also holds a beautiful set up of Van Gogh, Degas, and the original Statue of Liberty.
If you’re looking for the accordion playing Paris vision, definitely go here. It has a beautiful view of the city, as well as a gorgeous white church.
Montmartre is filled with local artists and tourist shops. However, it has the better souvenirs in my opinion.
Avoid artists saying they’ll paint you for free because they’re lying.
5. Notre Dame
Unfortunately, it is shut down, but something you HAVE to see, even from afar
I do recommend while you’re here to visit Shakespeare and Co. Restaurants here are pretty good too.
Speaking of churches. One that isn’t burned down is Saint Chapelle. A small hidden church behind the Marie Antoinette museum, it has stain glass windows that you wouldn’t believe was man made.
7. Tuileries
If you’re in Paris in the Springtime, please spend some time in the Tuileries. It’s a vast garden area thats pretty hard to miss since its between the Arc d’Triomph and the Eiffel tower
If you’re in Paris in the Wintertime, go to the Christmas Market. It’s like a little Christmas themed fair. It has good priced food and little fun rides for kids.
If you’re itching to experience going to a grand ball, Palais Garnier has it for you. It’s theater lobby looks as if gold decided to birth a god in there. There are elaborately decorated rooms and grandiose paintings.
The arc commemorates all of the soldiers who fought for France and its HUGE.
I recommend taking pictures in the middle of the street (sounds crazy I know) but there are middle sections you can take a picture. It’s obviously not allowed, but many people do it. Just be careful. (also don’t recommend jaywalking the roundabout to the Arc, trust.)
There are underground entrances to see the Arc closer and tickets are available if you want to go up the arc. If you do want to go up, its a good leg day work out.
Walk through this popular movie spot! The bougie-est bridge you’ll ever see
There is an unlimited amount of places to picnic in Paris. This one is one of my faves. Also has a large garden vibe with beautiful trimmed trees that overlooks a fountain.
For more modern pieces of art, come here. The architecture looks like an unfinished box, but I’m pretty sure its meant too look like that. It’s the building that looks kind of out of place but pretty cool to look in.
There is a media library attached to the museum. It’s a very modern and high tech. If tech hippies were a thing, thats what it would look like.
Taken at the Alexandre 111 bridge
In the end of the Tuileries is a small building that houses 2 rooms with a 360 degree view of Monet’s paintings. It’s something spectacular to analyze.
14. Pantheon
Near the Jardin de Luxembourg is the Pantheon, with greek inspired architecture. What’s interesting about this place is the mausoleum below the building where you can find historic political and philosophical figures such as Rousseau, Voltaire, and Hugo, As well as my personal favorite scientist Marie Curie.
15. Montparnasse
The only tall modern building located “close” to the center of Paris. Best 360 views of Paris
Local Gems
If you have more time in your hands, definitely check these out!
Truly hidden in the streets of Paris is the YSL museum. Look at amazing Yves Saint Laurent styles and learn the history of the brand and its path to success
Unfortunately not a museum to commemorate the designer conglomerate but a place to look at unique art and architecture. Located outside of the city center, it may be worth it if you love modern art.
When you want modern french art, you can set yourself up to with a surprise in this museum. Many of the exhibits showcase the most controversial pieces of art. Take what you want when you leave this place, but it will leave you want to discuss what you just saw to friends and family.
I lived right next to one of the biggest city cemeteries. May be scary, but this place is pretty cool. Seeing gravestones as tall as 20 feet and as old as 200 years, this cemetery looks like a movie set up. You can find artists and writers such as Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison, Frederic Chopin, and Edith Piaf here.
Kiss the Oscar Wilde grave.
My favorite hidden gem of all. The original Shakespeare and Co. right next to the Notre Dam. Filled with as many books and homey book decor. A readers dream bookstore forreal. They specialize in English only books, different considering its in France.
The crazy part of this place is that it was where famous writers like Ernest Hemmingway and James Joyce worked for sometime when they stay in Paris.
A small monument in the 12th arrondissement, where you can bask in the glory of the beginning of the French Revolution.