Best Sights to See
in Paris [2024]

France is a beautiful country and Paris likely takes the cake as its most elegant city. When you have a French visa, there is simply no excuse not to visit the French capital and see its sights for yourself.

However, it can be a little overwhelming, especially if you are there for just a few days: in its history spanning multiple millennia, it managed to acquire a veritable ton of interesting places to see. But do not fret, because we have prepared this neat guide for you that will tell you about the best sights you can appreciate in Paris!

Also check our material on European attractions out.

The Fluctuar art center

This is a great place to discover contemporary art. The art center is located right on the river near the palaces. Its name echoes the motto of Paris, Fluctuat nec mergitur, which means “Floats, but never sinks.” The platform includes halls for permanent and temporary exhibitions, a bar and a cafe on the roof. Here you can look at the works of Banksy, Rammellzee, and other popular artists. And then it’s very nice to have lunch or drink coffee overlooking Paris in the evening. Entry to Fluctuart is free. This art center is open every day from noon to midnight.

Eiffel Tower

Quite a contentious structure at the time of its Of course, it’s unlikely that a recommendation to visit this attraction will surprise anyone, but not mentioning it would simply be indecent. The symbol of Paris and one of the most photogenic buildings in the world is definitely worthy of the attention of everyone who encounters the city for the first time. Did you know they spend 2 metric tons of paper daily to print entrance tickets?

Buttes-Chaumont Park

An amazing landscape park that exudes fabulousness. It’s hard to believe that its territory was once an execution site with giant gallows, and then a landfill. However, things have turned to better since, and now the park is decorated with green hills and rocks, allowing you to temporarily forget that you are in a noisy metropolis. There is also a lake, a grotto with a waterfall, gardens with exotic plants and recreation areas. At the top of a rocky cliff is the ancient temple of the Sibyl. You can get to it using a suspension bridge built at a height of 8 meters above the lake. Buttes-Chaumont Park is a place where you want to relax, take a long walk and enjoy the surrounding beauty.

European House of Photography

The gallery is located in the Marais quarter, in the building of the former De Cantobre mansion built in the 17th century. Its collection contains about 24 thousand photographs by different artists and is divided by periods and subjects. In addition to exhibition halls, the museum has a café, a library, a film restoration workshop, and lecture halls. The main mission of the European House of Photography has been and remains the popularization of photographic art as something separate, multifaceted, and living, as well as preserving old photographs as objects of the cultural heritage of Paris. The permanent exhibition consists of works from 1955-1995. Here you can see the works of the legendary Karl Lagerfeld, Henri Cartier-Bresson, and Robert Frank.

Versailles

One of those places that you should definitely visit while in Paris, the Versailles palace and park complex can be argued to be the most important cultural attraction not only in France, but throughout Europe. In 1979, it was among the first sites included on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and was also recognized as one of the hundred wonders of the world. Versailles is a 40-minute drive from Paris, and you can get to it as part of a tour group or on your own. The complex amazes with its beauty and scale, leaving no chance for anyone to leave here indifferent. On its territory there are more than a thousand fountains, gardens, park areas, stunning architectural structures and other works of art that will take your breath away.

The Saint-Ouen flea market

Flea market shopping is always something special, exciting, and soulful. Such places usually have their own unique atmosphere. This is where you can find exclusive and inexpensive things that have rich history. One such market is Saint-Ouen, located outside the northern part of the 18th arrondissement of Paris, in the suburb of Saint-Ouen. It was founded back in the 19th century. The flea market pavilions occupy an area of 7 hectares where you can find antique figurines, dishes, clothes, paintings, jewelry, furniture, and much more. A souvenir bought there will remind you of Paris or can be given to someone close to you as a gift.

Montmartre

A full acquaintance with the city of love is impossible without the Montmartre district, just like it is impossible without the Eiffel Tower. Here are located the most popular attractions of Paris, and the spirit of creativity is in the air. Also, Van Gogh, Renoir, Picasso and other famous masters lived and worked in this area. While walking around Montmartre, do not miss the kingdom of the can-can – the Moulin Rouge; the largest Catholic cathedral in France – Sacre Coeur;, the Wall of Love, where the cherished phrase is written in different languages of the world, the ancient Pink House cafe, the monument “Man Passing Through the Wall” and Place Pigalle, which is often compared to the “red light district” in Amsterdam.

Without a doubt, this is far from a full list of sights to see in Paris – but, alas, no list can do the city justice. Treat it as a suggestion of where to go – and don’t be afraid of taking unexpected turns while roaming Paris!
Check out our guide to Italian sights as well!

Best Sights to Seein Paris [2024]