Eiffel TowerAttraction
Eiffel Tower
The iron tower of 1889, with stairs to the second floor and lifts to the top. Entry is by timed ticket.
Guide and ticket optionsView
Things to do in Paris
Compare tickets, tours, transfers, hotels and flights for Paris in one place, and see who provides each one before you book.
Photo: Benh LIEU SONG (Flickr), CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
AirportsCharles de Gaulle (CDG), Orly (ORY)
Getting aroundMetro, RER trains, buses and on foot
CurrencyEuro (EUR)
Best monthsApril to June, September and October
Paris in brief
Paris is divided into twenty districts, the arrondissements, that spiral out from the centre, and the Seine splits the city into the Right Bank and the Left Bank. Most of what visitors come for sits within a few kilometres of the river.
The headline sights need planning. The Eiffel Tower and the Louvre both sell entry by time slot, and summer slots go weeks ahead. Notre-Dame reopened in December 2024 after the fire and is free to enter, with queues at busy times.
The metro is dense and fast, so where you stay matters less than in most capitals. Group sights by neighbourhood and walk between them: the pleasure of Paris is in the streets as much as the monuments.
Top attractions in Paris
Tickets and guided visits for the city’s best-known sights.
Eiffel Tower
Louvre MuseumAttraction
Louvre Museum
The world’s most visited museum, home of the Mona Lisa. Closed on Tuesdays.
Guide and ticket optionsView
Musée d’OrsayAttraction
Musée d’Orsay
Impressionist and nineteenth-century art in a former railway station. Closed on Mondays.
Guide and ticket optionsView
Arc de TriompheAttraction
Arc de Triomphe
Napoleon’s triumphal arch, with a rooftop terrace looking down the Champs-Élysées.
Guide and ticket optionsView
Sainte-ChapelleAttraction
Sainte-Chapelle
A Gothic royal chapel with walls of thirteenth-century stained glass, on the Île de la Cité.
Guide and ticket optionsView
Palace of VersaillesAttraction
Palace of Versailles
The palace and gardens of Louis XIV, a short train ride from the city. Closed on Mondays.
Guide and ticket optionsView
Photo: Eiffel Tower — NonOmnisMoriar (CC BY-SA 3.0); Louvre Museum — Benh LIEU SONG (Flickr) (CC BY-SA 3.0); Musée d’Orsay — Benh (CC BY 2.5); Arc de Triomphe — Rijin (CC BY-SA 4.0); Sainte-Chapelle — Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 4.0); Palace of Versailles — Myrabella (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Wikimedia Commons
Tours and day trips
Guided tours, day trips and experiences, with photos, reviews and prices.
Powered by GetYourGuide
More tours and experiences
Getting there and around
Airport transfer from Charles de Gaulle (CDG)A pre-booked car from arrivals to your hotel. The alternatives are the RER B train to the centre or a taxi at a fixed fare.
Trains from ParisHigh-speed trains reach London in a little over two hours, Brussels in under an hour and a half, and Lyon in about two hours.
Car rentalNot needed in the city, where traffic is heavy and parking is scarce. Useful for Normandy, the Loire Valley or Champagne.
Flights
Compare real fares and book your ticket here on Ontripo.
Secure payment. Your booking confirmation arrives by email.
Where to stay
Pick a neighbourhood first, then compare hotels.
1
Le Marais
Old streets, small museums, shops and cafes in the centre. Lively and walkable.
2
Saint-Germain-des-Prés
The classic Left Bank of cafes and bookshops, close to the Louvre and Orsay.
3
Latin Quarter
Student streets around the Sorbonne, with lower prices and easy transport.
4
Montmartre
A village feel on the hill, with views. Further from the main museums.
Hotels in Paris with live prices
Choose your dates, compare prices with taxes included, and book online.
See hotels and pricesSecure payment. Your booking confirmation arrives by email.
Paris day by day
- Day 1: The river and the islandsStart at Notre-Dame and Sainte-Chapelle on the Île de la Cité, walk the Latin Quarter, then follow the river to the Eiffel Tower for a timed slot near sunset.
- Day 2: The Louvre and the Right BankThe Louvre in the morning on a timed ticket, the Tuileries Garden and Place de la Concorde, then up the Champs-Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe.
- Day 3: Orsay and MontmartreMusée d’Orsay in the morning, lunch in Saint-Germain, then Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur for the late afternoon view.
- With a fourth dayTake a day trip to Versailles, or to Giverny in season.
Local tips
- Many museums close one day a week: the Louvre on Tuesdays, Orsay and Versailles on Mondays.
- Watch for pickpockets on the metro and around the big sights. Keep bags closed and in front of you.
- Restaurants serve lunch and dinner at set hours. Many kitchens close between mid-afternoon and early evening.
- A simple “bonjour” when you enter a shop or cafe goes a long way.
- Keep your metro ticket or pass until you leave the station. Inspectors issue fines on the spot.
Before you go
Travel insuranceCover for medical costs and cancellations.
Luggage storageLeave bags near the station or the sights.
Flight delay compensationCheck whether a delayed or cancelled flight qualifies.
Everything for Paris
Ten services for the trip, all in one place.
Travel guide
Paris is best from April to June and in September and October, and three to four days covers the main sights. Reserve a time slot for the Louvre and book the Eiffel Tower summit in advance, and use the RER B or Metro line 14 from the airports.
Members save 5% on tours we run
A free account lets you save experiences, compare them later and keep your bookings in one place.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Paris?
Spring and early autumn have mild weather and long days. July and August are warm and busy, and some small shops and restaurants close for holidays in August.
How many days do I need in Paris?
Three full days cover the main sights. Add a fourth for Versailles.
Should I book the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre ahead?
Yes. Both use timed entry, and in high season the good slots sell out well in advance.
How do I get from the airport to the centre?
From Charles de Gaulle, the RER B train runs to the centre. There are also airport buses, fixed-fare taxis and pre-booked transfers. Choose by luggage, arrival time and budget.
Is Notre-Dame open again?
Yes. The cathedral reopened in December 2024 after the fire of 2019. Entry is free, and there can be a queue.