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30 guides · prices checked 24 Oct 2026

The best things to do in Paris

The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, a Seine cruise, Sainte-Chapelle and Versailles; here is what to book and what is free, with honest advice on refunds if plans change, what is worth the price and crowds at the big sights.

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A sightseeing boat on the Seine below the Eiffel Tower under a deep blue sky
Short answer

The best things to do in Paris are the Eiffel Tower and the Mona Lisa at the Louvre. Add a Seine cruise, the stained glass of Sainte-Chapelle and a day at Versailles.

Notre-Dame and Sacré-Cœur are free to enter. The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and Sainte-Chapelle need a timed ticket, so book those ahead.

Our top 28

Top 28 things to do in Paris

Ranked by what most visitors come for, with the tour or ticket we would book for each and a guide that compares the options.

  1. The base of the Eiffel Tower framing the Trocadéro on a sunny day

    Eiffel Tower

    The first ticket to book. Since 29 September 2026, the tower's site says, stairs tickets must also be booked ahead.

    Our pick: Summit or 2nd floor reserved access, from €59 per person

  2. The Louvre glass pyramid and palace courtyard on a sunny day

    The Louvre and the Mona Lisa

    Closed on Tuesdays. You need a timed slot, even with the Paris Museum Pass.

    Our pick: Mona Lisa and masterpieces tour, from €65 per person

  3. A sightseeing boat on the Seine under a pink sunset sky

    Seine river cruises

    An hour on the river past the Louvre, Notre-Dame and the Eiffel Tower, by day or after dark.

    Our pick: Evening river cruise with music, from €25 per person

  4. Notre-Dame Cathedral above the stone wall of the Seine embankment

    Notre-Dame Cathedral

    Entry to the cathedral is free. A guided visit tells the story of the restored cathedral.

    Our pick: The restored cathedral, guided, from €5 per person

  5. The stained-glass walls and vault of Sainte-Chapelle

    Sainte-Chapelle and the Conciergerie

    Walls of stained glass on the Île de la Cité. Book a time slot: school holidays get very busy.

    Our pick: Sainte-Chapelle, Conciergerie and Notre-Dame tour, from €75 per person

  6. The Marlborough Tower beside the pond at the Queen's Hamlet in Versailles

    Versailles

    A day out to the palace and gardens. The palace is closed on Mondays.

    Our pick: Palace tour with gardens access, from €70 per person

  7. Disneyland Paris

    A day at the parks east of the city, by RER A or with a ticket that includes transport.

    Our pick: Disneyland Paris 1-day ticket, from €52 per person

  8. The Arc de Triomphe at sunset under a pink sky

    Arc de Triomphe

    The Arc says the elevator is out of service for maintenance. Until it returns, the only way up is 284 steps.

    Our pick: Arc ticket and Big Bus tour, from €63 per person

  9. The Catacombs

    The tunnels under the city reopened in April 2026. They are closed on Mondays.

    Our pick: Catacombs ticket with audio guide, from €38 per person

  10. The Sacré-Cœur basilica above trees and lawns on a sunny day

    Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur

    The basilica is free to enter. Walk up the hill with a local guide, or take the funicular.

    Our pick: Montmartre highlights walk, from €20 per person

  11. Visitors in silhouette behind the clock window of the Musée d'Orsay

    Musée d'Orsay and more museums

    The Impressionists at the Orsay, Monet at the Orangerie, and Rodin. The Orsay is closed on Mondays.

    Our pick: Orsay Museum entry ticket, from €13 per person

  12. The Palais Garnier lit up at night

    Palais Garnier

    The opera house and its Grand Staircase. Tickets are sold online only.

    Our pick: Palais Garnier self-guided visit, from €25 per person

  13. A lit-up river boat moving along the Seine at dusk, with the Institut de France behind

    Seine dinner cruises

    Dinner on the river while the city lights come on.

    Our pick: 3-course dinner cruise with live music, from €115 per person

  14. Boulevard de Clichy at night, with the lit Moulin Rouge further down the street

    Moulin Rouge

    The cabaret at the foot of Montmartre. It asks guests for smart dress.

    Our pick: Dinner show at the Moulin Rouge, from €255 per person

  15. A cobbled quay along the Seine in the Latin Quarter

    Paris walking tours

    Père Lachaise cemetery, the Marais and ghost walks with a guide, from €15.

    Our pick: Père Lachaise cemetery tour, from €20 per person

  16. A whole Camembert cheese on a red checked cloth with bread

    Food tours and tastings

    Tasting walks in the Marais, and cheese and wine in Montmartre.

    Our pick: Le Marais food tour, from €69 per person

  17. A stack of three macarons on a wooden table

    Cooking classes

    Bake croissants or macarons with a chef, and take them home.

    Our pick: Croissant baking class, from €100 per person

  18. A cyclist crossing a cobbled Paris junction lined with Haussmann buildings

    Bike tours

    A three-hour guided ride past the main sights, or an evening ride for the lights.

    Our pick: Nooks and crannies bike tour, from €45 per person

  19. The Champs-Élysées at night with light trails leading to the Arc de Triomphe

    Hop-on hop-off buses

    Open-top buses loop past the big sights. Some tickets add a river cruise.

    Our pick: Tootbus hop-on hop-off ticket, from €37 per person

  20. The Eiffel Tower seen from the Trocadéro under a clear blue sky

    Photoshoots

    A photographer takes your pictures at the Eiffel Tower.

    Our pick: Eiffel Tower photoshoot, from €39 per group up to 20

  21. Hot air balloons floating over misty fields at sunset

    Balloon and scenic flights

    No balloon flies over Paris itself. The Ballon de Paris is tethered; real flights start south of the city.

    Our pick: Hot air balloon flight south of Paris, from €1,390 per group up to 2

  22. The Château de Sully-sur-Loire reflected in its moat

    Day trips from Paris

    Mont-Saint-Michel, Giverny, Normandy and the Loire castles, there and back in a day.

    Our pick: Mont-Saint-Michel day trip, from €89 per person

  23. Red azaleas beside Monet's water lily pond at Giverny

    Giverny

    Monet's house and gardens. In 2026 they were open from 1 April to 1 November; they are closed in winter.

    Our pick: Giverny half-day trip, from €59 per person

  24. Mont-Saint-Michel rising above green meadows

    Mont-Saint-Michel

    The abbey on its island. A guided day trip from Paris takes about 14 hours.

    Our pick: Mont-Saint-Michel day trip with a guide, from €99 per person

  25. Rows of white marble crosses at the Normandy American Cemetery

    Normandy D-Day beaches

    The landing beaches and the American Cemetery, on a guided day from Paris.

    Our pick: D-Day sites day trip with lunch, from €105 per person

  26. The Château de Chambord at the end of its wide gravel approach

    Loire Valley castles

    A full day to the châteaux of the Loire, with transport from Paris.

    Our pick: Loire Valley châteaux day tour, from €135 per person

  27. Rows of champagne vines near Reims leading to a small chapel on the skyline

    Champagne

    Champagne houses and family wineries around Reims and Épernay.

    Our pick: Champagne and family wineries tour, from €130 per person

  28. The Palace of Fontainebleau across its lawns

    Fontainebleau and Vaux-le-Vicomte

    Two châteaux south of Paris in one day.

    Our pick: Fontainebleau and Vaux-le-Vicomte tour, from €84 per person

The 7 tickets we would book in Paris

Four river cruises, the Disneyland ticket, Sainte-Chapelle and the opera house. The first four have free cancellation; the last three cannot be refunded. GetYourGuide shows prices in your own currency.

  • The Eiffel Tower above the Seine with boats along the bank from €18 per person Our top pick

    1 hour 4.4 (92,119) reviews on GetYourGuide

    Seine cruise from the Eiffel Tower

    A one-hour cruise from the foot of the Eiffel Tower, past Notre-Dame and the Louvre. An app gives the commentary. Drinks and snacks cost extra.

    Best for Your first evening

    Check availability: Seine cruise from the Eiffel Tower on GetYourGuide
  • from €52 per person

    1 day 4.6 (60,219) reviews on GetYourGuide

    Disneyland Paris 1-day ticket

    Entry to Disneyland Park, Disney Adventure World (the former Walt Disney Studios Park) or both, for one day. The listing puts the parks 35 minutes from central Paris.

    Best for Families

    Check availability: Disneyland Paris 1-day ticket on GetYourGuide
  • A tour boat on the Seine on a sunny day, with the Eiffel Tower in the distance from €18 per person

    1 hour 4.4 (12,854) reviews on GetYourGuide

    Seine cruise with a crêpe

    A one-hour cruise from the Eiffel Tower with an audio guide. You get one fresh crêpe with Nutella or sugar. The ticket is valid for a month.

    Best for Families with kids

    Check availability: Seine cruise with a crêpe on GetYourGuide
  • Notre-Dame lit at night above the Seine, with light trails of passing boats from €18 per person

    1 hour 4.3 (517) reviews on GetYourGuide

    Seine night cruise from the Eiffel Tower

    A one-hour cruise after dark, with the city lit up. You sit inside behind glass or out on the open deck. Food and drinks cost extra.

    Best for The city lit up

    Check availability: Seine night cruise from the Eiffel Tower on GetYourGuide
  • Stained-glass windows of the upper chapel of Sainte-Chapelle from €25 per person

    1-day ticket 4.4 (10,875) reviews on GetYourGuide

    Sainte-Chapelle and Conciergerie tickets

    One ticket for the stained glass of Sainte-Chapelle and the old prison of the Conciergerie, next door. Official ticket, sold by GetYourGuide; non-refundable.

    Best for Stained glass and history

    Check availability: Sainte-Chapelle and Conciergerie tickets on GetYourGuide
  • The marble Grand Staircase of the Palais Garnier from €25 per person

    1 h 30 min 4.6 (19,692) reviews on GetYourGuide

    Palais Garnier self-guided visit

    Walk the opera house on your own: the Grand Staircase, the Grand Foyer and the library-museum. No guide is included. Official ticket, sold by GetYourGuide; non-refundable.

    Best for Architecture lovers

    Check availability: Palais Garnier self-guided visit on GetYourGuide
  • The Pont Neuf over the Seine at blue hour from €17 per person

    70 minutes–1.5 hours 4.4 (6,645) reviews on GetYourGuide

    Bateaux-Mouches evening cruise

    An evening cruise from the Pont de l’Alma, with the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame and the Louvre lit up. You also get a postcard made from your own photos.

    Best for A cheap evening out

    Check availability: Bateaux-Mouches evening cruise on GetYourGuide

Paris tickets compared

Paris tickets compared
TicketFromDurationFree cancellationWho it suitsWhy we picked it
Seine cruise from the Eiffel Tower 4.4 (92,119)€18
per person		1 hourYesYour first eveningThe most-reviewed of our picks: 4.4 from 92,119 reviews.
Disneyland Paris 1-day ticket 4.6 (60,219)€52
per person		1 dayNoFamiliesThe official park ticket: 4.6 from 60,219 reviews.
Seine cruise with a crêpe 4.4 (12,854)€18
per person		1 hourYesFamilies with kidsThe same cruise with a treat: 4.4 from 12,854 reviews.
Seine night cruise from the Eiffel Tower 4.3 (517)€18
per person		1 hourYesThe city lit upAn evening cruise with free cancellation: 4.3 from 517 reviews.
Sainte-Chapelle and Conciergerie tickets 4.4 (10,875)€25
per person		1-day ticketNon-refundableStained glass and historyTwo sights on one ticket: 4.4 from 10,875 reviews.
Palais Garnier self-guided visit 4.6 (19,692)€25
per person		1 h 30 minNon-refundableArchitecture loversThe opera house’s own ticket: 4.6 from 19,692 reviews.
Bateaux-Mouches evening cruise 4.4 (6,645)€17
per person		70 minutes–1.5 hoursNon-refundableA cheap evening outThe lowest price of our picks: 4.4 from 6,645 reviews.

  • Seine cruise from the Eiffel Tower

    €18 per person1 hour 4.4 (92,119)

    Details
    Free cancellation
    Yes
    Who it suits
    Your first evening
    Why we picked it
    The most-reviewed of our picks: 4.4 from 92,119 reviews.

  • Disneyland Paris 1-day ticket

    €52 per person1 day 4.6 (60,219)

    Details
    Free cancellation
    No
    Who it suits
    Families
    Why we picked it
    The official park ticket: 4.6 from 60,219 reviews.

  • Seine cruise with a crêpe

    €18 per person1 hour 4.4 (12,854)

    Details
    Free cancellation
    Yes
    Who it suits
    Families with kids
    Why we picked it
    The same cruise with a treat: 4.4 from 12,854 reviews.

  • Seine night cruise from the Eiffel Tower

    €18 per person1 hour 4.3 (517)

    Details
    Free cancellation
    Yes
    Who it suits
    The city lit up
    Why we picked it
    An evening cruise with free cancellation: 4.3 from 517 reviews.

  • Sainte-Chapelle and Conciergerie tickets

    €25 per person1-day ticket 4.4 (10,875)

    Details
    Free cancellation
    Non-refundable
    Who it suits
    Stained glass and history
    Why we picked it
    Two sights on one ticket: 4.4 from 10,875 reviews.

  • Palais Garnier self-guided visit

    €25 per person1 h 30 min 4.6 (19,692)

    Details
    Free cancellation
    Non-refundable
    Who it suits
    Architecture lovers
    Why we picked it
    The opera house’s own ticket: 4.6 from 19,692 reviews.

  • Bateaux-Mouches evening cruise

    €17 per person70 minutes–1.5 hours 4.4 (6,645)

    Details
    Free cancellation
    Non-refundable
    Who it suits
    A cheap evening out
    Why we picked it
    The lowest price of our picks: 4.4 from 6,645 reviews.
  • Group size is stated for 2 tickets only: Seine cruise from the Eiffel Tower, up to 19; Sainte-Chapelle and Conciergerie tickets, up to 10.
  • None of the 7 includes hotel pickup: you meet on site.
  • Prices and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide on 24 October 2026. Prices are "from" prices in euros and can change; the booking page shows the live price.

Paris top attractions: the must-see list

These are the 10 must-see places in Paris. Three of them are free to enter.

  • Eiffel Tower: book a time slot online, well ahead in busy months.
  • The Louvre: home of the Mona Lisa. It is closed on Tuesdays and needs a timed slot.
  • Notre-Dame (free): the cathedral has reopened. Entry is free, with an optional free time slot.
  • Sainte-Chapelle: a chapel with walls of stained glass, on the Île de la Cité.
  • Arc de Triomphe: the rooftop view. The elevator is out of service, so you climb 284 steps.
  • Musée d’Orsay: the Impressionists, in an old train station. It is closed on Mondays.
  • Sacré-Cœur (free): the basilica on Montmartre is free and open from 6:30 am to 10:30 pm.
  • Versailles: the palace and gardens, a day trip by train. The palace is closed on Mondays.
  • The Catacombs: tunnels of bones under the city. They reopened in April 2026 and close on Mondays.
  • Palais Garnier: the opera house. Tickets are sold online only.

Paris tickets: what to book ahead

Book the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Sainte-Chapelle and the Palais Garnier ahead. All four sell timed tickets online.

The Paris Museum Pass costs €85 for 2 days, €105 for 4 days and €125 for 6 days. It covers more than 50 sites. The clock starts at your first visit.

A pass does not save you a booking at the busiest sights. The Louvre, Versailles and Sainte-Chapelle still need a time slot, even with the pass. The Eiffel Tower and the Catacombs are not in the pass.

  • Eiffel Tower: sold on the tower’s own site. Not in the Museum Pass.
  • The Louvre: sold on louvre.fr. In the pass, but you still book a slot.
  • Versailles: sold on the palace’s site. In the pass, but you still book a slot.
  • Sainte-Chapelle: sold on its official site. In the pass, but you still book a slot.
  • Catacombs: sold by Paris Musées. Not in the Museum Pass.
  • Notre-Dame: free. Reserve a free slot on the cathedral’s own site.

What to do in Paris: plans for any trip

Plan your days around closing days. The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays. The Musée d’Orsay and the Versailles palace are closed on Mondays.

Things to do in Paris in 3 days

Three days is enough for the big sights. Here is a simple plan.

  • Day 1: the Eiffel Tower, then a Seine cruise from its foot in the evening.
  • Day 2: the Louvre in the morning, then Notre-Dame and Sainte-Chapelle on the Île de la Cité. Not on a Tuesday.
  • Day 3: a day at Versailles. Not on a Monday, when the palace is closed.

Things to do in Paris today or this weekend

For today, start with the free sights. Notre-Dame and Sacré-Cœur cost nothing to enter. Then look at what is still bookable for tomorrow.

River cruises leave often and are easy to book late. The live list at the bottom of this page shows what you can still book.

Some sights are free on the first Sunday of the month. Versailles is free then from November to March. The Arc de Triomphe and Sainte-Chapelle are free then in January, February, March, November and December. The Louvre is free on the first Friday evening after 6 pm, but not in July or August.

The landmarks on the metro map

Most big sights are close to a metro or RER train station. These are the nearest stops.

  • The Louvre: Palais-Royal–Musée du Louvre (metro 1 and 7) or Pyramides (metro 14).
  • Eiffel Tower: Champ de Mars–Tour Eiffel (RER C).
  • Versailles: RER C to Versailles Château–Rive Gauche.
  • Notre-Dame and Sainte-Chapelle: Saint-Michel–Notre-Dame or Cité.
  • Sacré-Cœur: Anvers or Abbesses, then the funicular or the steps.
  • Palais Garnier: Opéra.

Booking tips for Paris

  1. If your plans change

    Check the refund rule before you pay. Our first four picks have free cancellation on GetYourGuide. The last three are marked “Non-refundable”, so pick your date with care.

  2. Book a time slot

    The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and Sainte-Chapelle let you in by time slot. A slot booked ahead is the best way to skip the ticket line.

  3. Check the closing day

    The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays. The Musée d’Orsay, Versailles and the Catacombs are closed on Mondays.

  4. Check the day before

    Big sights can close at short notice for strikes or ceremonies. Check the official site the day before your visit.

Questions people ask about Paris

What are 10 must-see places in Paris?
The 10 must-see places are the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle and the Arc de Triomphe. Add the Musée d’Orsay, Sacré-Cœur, Versailles, the Catacombs and the Palais Garnier. Notre-Dame and Sacré-Cœur are free to enter.

How can I get cheaper Disneyland Paris tickets?
Buy a dated ticket ahead instead of at the gate. Disney’s own site says dated tickets bought at least a day ahead cost less than at the gate. On GetYourGuide, the official 1-day ticket costs from €52.

How do I get Notre-Dame tickets?
You do not need a ticket. Entry to the cathedral is free. You can reserve a free time slot on the cathedral’s own site, which says no other platform may sell its slots.

Do I need to book Paris attractions in advance?
Yes, for the big ones. The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Sainte-Chapelle and the Palais Garnier sell timed tickets online. The Palais Garnier sells online only.

Where should I stay in Paris for a first visit?
Stay near the Louvre and Opéra or in Le Marais. Both are central, with direct trains to the airports. Our guide Where to stay in Paris compares six areas, with hotels rated 8 or higher.

More things to do in Paris, live

More Paris experiences with live prices and availability, straight from GetYourGuide.

See today's prices on GetYourGuide.

Every Paris tour in one list, with times and availability.

Browse all on GetYourGuide

See today's prices on GetYourGuide.

Every Paris tour in one list, with times and availability.

Browse all on GetYourGuide

Browse all of them on GetYourGuide

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Sources (16), facts checked on 24 October 2026

Written by the Best Things to Do in Paris editorial team.