16 most beautiful places to visit in Paris

The moment you set foot in Paris, you’ll feel transported onto a film set. Because the French capital has been largely undamaged by catastrophe or war, it has accumulated a wealth of historical monuments and buildings. In fact, more than half of the buildings you see in Paris today were built before 1949. Picturesque parks are scattered throughout each quarter, offering refuge from the urban bustle.

While you’ll find something charming in every corner of the city, don’t miss out on these 16 most beautiful places in Paris.

Stretching across the Seine, Pont Alexandre III is an ornate arch bridge that connects Paris’ 7th and 8th arrondissements. The bronze street lamps you see have been powered by electricity since the bridge’s construction in the 19th century. Pont Alexandre III was designed to reflect the Beaux-Arts-style of the Grand Palais, and features many intricate statues of nymphs and cherubs. Gilded winged horses sit atop four pillars, acting as a stabilizing counterweight. Learn more about Pont Alexandre III and uncover more hidden gems on this private tour around Paris.

The Jardin du Luxembourg (Luxembourg Gardens) covers 57 acres, and is known for its lawns, tree-lined promenades, and the impressive Medici Fountain. The octagonal Grand Bassin sits in the center of the garden—which is often used by children to sail model boats—and hundreds of statues are scattered throughout the park. Stroll through the hedge-lined paths on a nature walk, or relax on one of Luxembourg Gardens’ iconic green chairs. Outdoor music concerts are held throughout the year, though summer is the most eventful season.

The Eiffel Tower is stunning in pictures, but seeing the majestic tower in real life is a jaw-dropping experience. Ironically, the Eiffel Tower was once the subject of protests by French artists, who called it “useless and monstrous.” Today, the Tour Eiffel is one of the most recognizable structures in the world, and a beautiful part of the Paris cityscape. We recommend skipping the long lines and heading straight up to the summit to get a bird’s eye view of Paris. At sunset, hop on an evening cruise around the Seine to watch the Eiffel Tower light up the Parisian night sky.

Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann is probably the grandest department store you’ll ever visit. The hundred-year-old building is an Art Nouveau masterpiece, from the golden balconies to the iconic dome made of steel and stained glass. For a closer look at the splendid Coupole, stroll along the third floor’s glass walkway, which stretches over 29 feet. After your luxurious shopping experience, visit the eighth floor terrace for a beautiful view of Paris that’s completely free of charge.

Located in the grounds of an 18th-century hotel, the Musée Rodin is dedicated to the works of the French sculptor Auguste Rodin. Rodin used to display his sculptures in his own garden, and the Musée Rodin continues this tradition. Many of his famous sculptures such as The Thinker and The Gates of Hell can be found around the museum’s seven-acre garden, blending into their natural surroundings. We recommend visiting the Musée Rodin across different seasons to be greeted with new panoramas each time.

Paris hasn’t always been the capital of France. Over the centuries, Versailles has occasionally served as the country’s unofficial capital, with various kings ruling from the Palace of Versailles. The palace and its gardens are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and are a symbol of France’s prosperous yet tumultuous history.

The Hall of Mirrors is the palace's crown jewel, with 578 mirrors reflecting light streaming in from the gallery’s windows and an elaborate ceiling fresco. Château de Versailles is only 12 miles west of Paris, so it’s easy to travel there and back in a day, especially if you bypass the long entrance lines.

Not to be confused with Rome’s Pantheon, the Panthéon in Paris is just as awe-inspiring as its Italian counterpart. Once meant as a church dedicated to Saint Genevieve, the building was eventually transformed into a mausoleum for the remains of distinguished French citizens such as Voltaire and Victor Hugo.

You can still see paintings of Saint Genevieve inside the Panthéon, as well as sculptures of French luminaries. A copy of Foucault’s pendulum is on display, commemorating the physicist’s demonstration of the Earth’s rotation.

The Louis Vuitton Foundation is an art museum located on the edge of the Bois de Boulogne. Sponsored by the LVMH group, Fondation Louis Vuitton houses works by Jean-Michel Basquiat, Jeff Koons, and site-specific commissioned installations. The two-storey building is made up of glass and concrete panels that resemble windblown sails enveloping an “iceberg” of white, flowery terraces. Thanks to its innovative design, the Louis Vuitton Foundation has earned several architectural awards.

The Notre-Dame Cathedral sits on a small island in the Seine known as the City Island (Île de la Cité). An exceptional example of French Gothic architecture, the cathedral departed from the Romanesque style by pioneering the use of the rib vault and flying buttress.

In 2019, the Notre-Dame’s roof caught fire while undergoing renovation, causing the cathedral to sustain serious damage. Luckily, restoration has been completed and visitors can fully explore the monument again.

Also known as Opéra Garnier, the Palais Garnier is where the novel and musical The Phantom of the Opera was set. Inspired by the Napoleon III style, the architect Charles Garnier ensured that the building’s façade and interior left no space without decoration.

The grand foyer, which served as a drawing room for Paris society, features painted ceilings and glittering chandeliers; you’ll find an even more impressive bronze and crystal chandelier in the auditorium. We recommend joining a guided tour for more details about the opera house’s design elements.

Opened in 1867, the serene Parc des Buttes-Chaumont has a gruesome past. This quarry in the 19th arrondissement of Paris was once used to dump refuse, deposit sewage, and display the bodies of hanged criminals. To transform the grim space into a verdant park, a man-made lake was created, and the former quarry was sculpted into a picturesque grotto with a cascading waterfall.

The miniature Roman temple on top of the cliff, known as the Temple de la Sybille, was modeled after the Temple of Vesta in Tivoli. Today, the park boasts many species of trees and flowers, and the sloping lawns are a popular gathering spot for locals.

While most people recognize the Louvre for its iconic glass pyramid, the museum is actually housed in the old Louvre Palace. Located in the palace’s courtyard, the pyramid was added in 1988 as part of the “Grand Louvre,” a decade-long project to expand and remodel the Musée du Louvre.

As the Louvre is the world’s most-visited museum, it’s essential to get a skip-the-line ticket. This tour is even timed to finish at the Mona Lisa, the Louvre’s main highlight, when the crowds have gone.

This charming cafe located in the Montmatre district can be identified by its pastel pink exterior and picturesque setting, known for being a favorite of artists, locals, and tourists alike. With its origins dating back to the late 1800s, La Maison Rose has attracted famous figures like Picasso and Apollinaire. Today, you can still visit the cafe and enjoy a cafe au lait while soaking in the atmosphere of the city.

Rue Crémieux is one of the most colorful streets in Paris, tucked away in the 12th arrondissement. The pedestrian-only street is lined with pastel-colored houses, each sporting unique murals and terracotta pots filled with plants.

Heads up that a lot of people come here to take photos (for good reason), so we’d recommend visiting early in the morning or on a weekday when it's quieter and without large crowds. It still is a residential area so be respectful of residents’ privacy. Afterward, you can check out nearby spots like Gare de Lyon or the Viaduc des Arts to get a fuller feel of the neighborhood.

This neighborhood in the 6th arrondissement is known for its charming cobblestone streets, cozy cafes, and chic art galleries. Once home to famous writers and philosophers like Sartre and Beauvoir, the area now boasts a mix of old-world charm and modern Parisian life. Take time to stroll through the area and admire the picturesque streets and countless French balconies the neighborhood offers. The iconic Luxembourg Gardens and Saint-Germain-des-Prés church are also nearby.

Avenue des Champs-Élysées is probably the most famous street in Paris, stretching from the Arc de Triomphe to Place de la Concorde. It’s lined with beautiful Haussmann-era buildings and is home to theaters, cafés, high-end shops, and the annual Bastille Day parade.

The best time to explore it is at night when the entire street lights up—consider taking a guided tour to get the full experience.