There is but one Paris and however hard living may be here … the French air clears up the brain and does one good.
Vincent van Gogh
Strolling through Montmartre's winding alleys, it's easy to imagine van Gogh feeling at home, here. Back then, the area was the city's 'artist village', where Matisse, Renoir and Toulouse-Lautrec lived and worked. As Paris' highest point, it got the best light; these and other painters made the most of it.
However, van Gogh's Paris is not the bustling city we know today. District by district, we can roam around, catching glimpses and getting impressions of times long past. We see them in the monuments and attractions tourists frequent, such as:
- palaces: the Louvre, Versailles, and others
- theatres and opera buildings
- religious buildings - Notre Dame, Sainte Chapelle, the Basilique du Sacré Coeur
- iconic constructions: the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, etc
- nature and open spaces: Jardin des Tuileries, Bois de Boulogne, and more.
?District 1: Don't Miss These Top Paris Attractions
Typically, when people think of Paris attractions, they picture the ones in this district (plus one in District 5). If you've never been to Paris, or if you're taking a day trip to Paris, this is the best starting point to discover the city.
Paris city maps and websites note them like so: 1er, IXe, or 3e (for 1st, 9th, or 3rd arrondissements). Knowing which districts Paris attractions are in helps you navigate the city more efficiently.
Place Vendôme
This magnificent octagonal square took shape in the 17th Century, on Louis IVth's orders. Initially, it showcased a statue of himself astride his horse. The display didn't last long; revolutionary masses saw it removed. The current column, though a replica of its original, replaced it.
Hôtel particuliers ring the square. These are great townhouses, comparable to estate mansions in the UK. Today, they house exclusive shops and high-end restaurants. Their façades give the impression of security and enclosure.
Jardin des Tuileries
This garden was the site of one of France's darkest injustices. In the 13th Century, this land housed a collection of tile factories. Catherine de Médicis appropriated the region in 1564, and commissioned a palace with attached gardens. A century later, the French king ordered the garden's redesign.
This garden is all that's left of the Palais des Tuileries. It includes sculptures, fountains, and assorted coffee and crêpe stands. It sits across the street from the Louvre Museum.
Le Palais Royal
Most Paris travellers know this Paris mainstay as the Louvre - one of the top places to visit in Paris. This attraction is impressive inside and out, and well-nigh impossible to tour completely in just one day. If you're wondering how to spend a weekend in Paris - particularly a rainy day, a two-day Louvre pass is a sterling idea.
Sainte-Chapelle
The world reeled in shock when the Nôtre-Dame cathedral blazed (in 2019). Restoration work is ongoing, so the structure is still closed. However, Sainte-Chapelle lies close to the Louvre, across the historical Pont Neuf. A quick stroll will see you in awe of this chapel's stained-glass windows.
These top Paris attractions feature in every guide to travelling in France. But then, so do these other sites on our top 10 places to visit in Paris. Still, if you're about a day trip to Paris, the 1er Arrondissement is the best place to linger.
?Paris Attractions in the 2nd Arrondissement
This arrondissement is the best for leisurely strolls. Rue Montorgueil is a pedestrian street lined with delicious eateries and iconic architecture.
This is where you can sample the best Paris has to offer for just a few Euro - though maybe not on rainy nights. Be sure to learn all the essential French phrases you need to talk with these merchants!
If you're a foodie, the librairie gourmande has a collection of recipe and how-to books for chefs and any fan of the culinary arts. This district also houses the National Library and La Bourse, the Paris stock exchange. You'll also find remnants of medieval architecture, such as the tower Jean-sans-Peur.
?Paris 4th Arrondissement: Top 10 Places to Visit in Paris
The 3e arrondissement (east Marais) is the museum-lovers' paradise. Not to downplay the Louvre, but you'll find exhibits of all types, housed in different buildings. The effect is less overwhelming; you have time to digest one museum's exhibits before shuttling to the next one. This writer's favourite is the Musée des Arts et Métiers. This table describes other great halls to tour.
| Museum name | Address | What you'll see |
|---|---|---|
| Museum of Jewish Art and History | 71 rue du Temple | Tracing Jewish history and art in France |
| Museum of Arts and Trades | 60 rue Réaumur | scientific instruments and inventions dating back to 1794 |
| Picasso Museum | 5 rue de Thorigny | Picasso's works, as well as those he owned from other artists |
| Foundation Henri Cartier-Bresson | 79 rue des Archives | A private museum for public use, showcasing photographer Bresson's work and life. |
| Musée Carnavalet | 23 rue de Sévigné | artefacts detailing Paris' history |
| French National Archives | 60 rue des Francs Bourgeois | chronicling the French state from 625 AD until now, in document form. |
4e Arrondissment
Initially a working-class neighbourhood, the affluent slowly took it over, making it the place to see and be seen. Today, le Marais is still one of the top places to visit in Paris.
This district, also called west Marais, boasts noteworthy museums. However. the Marais architecture might keep you too enthralled to tour them.
You'll enjoy rambling through narrow medieval streets, occasionally resting your feet while resting on strategically located benches. You may even sit across from Nôtre-Dame, though it may still be completely tarped when you arrive.
?How to Spend 5 Days in Paris: 5th, 6th and 7th Arrondissement
For many French enthusiasts, the Quartier Latin is what to do in Paris, France. It spans the 5e and 6e arrondissements, and includes gardens, religious buildings and, as always, amazing food and architecture.
5e Arrondissement
Shakespeare and Co, one of the world's most eccentric libraries, is crammed with books (and bedding) of all types.
This is where you'll find the most Roman remnants. Among the treasures to find: the Arènes de Lutèce, and the Pantheon, which houses the remains of France's most famous sons. Religious buildings, gardens, and museums abound here, too. Don't forget the Sorbonne, France's oldest and most prestigious university!
6e Arrondissement
If rambling through antique furniture stores and enjoying fine food is your thing, this is the arrondissement for you. Follow in the footsteps of Simone de Beauvoir and other famous authors as you stroll shaded boulevards. You may also idle your day away in the Luxembourg Garden and tour the Saint-Germain-des-Prés abbey.
7e Arrondissement
The Eiffel Tower is this district's main attraction, but by no means the only one. You must also tour the Hôtel des Invalides, one of the world's oldest military hospitals, and the Musée de l'Armée. l'Eglise du Dôme, a complex annex, houses Napoleon's tomb. Many contend this is one of the best places to visit in France.
You may have trouble deciding whether to tour the Bon Marché store and its gourmet market, or having lunch on the Seine. As you cruise, you will see all the magnificent architecture without wearing out your feet. Whichever option you choose, don't neglect these fine museums:
| Museum name | address | what you'll see | cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paris Sewer Museum | Esplanade Habib Bourguiba, Pont de l'Alma | A look at Paris' sewer systems and the relics found in it. | €4.30; €3.50 (students) |
| Rodin Museum | 79 rue de Varenne | A study of the sculptor's life and work | Admission:€5 family ticket €10 Student/concession €3, garden only €1, |
| Musée du quai Branly | 37 quai Branly | Tribal artefacts from France's (former) territories | Admission: €8.50 student/concession: €6 |
| Musée d'Orsay | 1 rue de la Légion d'Honneur / rue de Lille | A stunning collection of impressionist art | Admission: €9; concessions €6.50 |
| Musée de l'Armée | 129 rue de Grenelle | French army history | Admission €9 concession €7 |
?The 9th Arrondissement - A Day Trip to Paris
If you have only one day to spend in Paris, make the 8e arrondissement your destination. Stroll past exclusive shops on the Champs Elysées, the boulevard that terminates at the Arc de Triomphe. Make a detour to see the Palais de l'Élysée, the presidential residence.
This district has its share of museums, but you might find the Lido - Paris' most famous cabaret, more engaging. Don't Miss These Top Paris Attractions! The 8e is one of the best Paris day trips you could plan.
?Other Places to Visit in Paris
Those eight arrondissements form the heart of Paris. They comprise the city's centre, where you will find the most history, art, and culture. However, dans la banlieue, more treasures await you.
The arrondissements around Paris' City Centre.
That designation is a bit of a misnomer. Paris is a sprawling network of connected districts, each one leading to yet more wonders. If you're looking for more Paris attractions, you must include these two districts as you plan your trip to Paris.
The 12th Arrondissement
The 12e arrondissement may be Paris' best-kept secret. It is dedicated to nature, featuring the Bois de Vincennes, Parc de Bercy and the remarkable Promenade Plantée - the Coulée verte René-Dumont. However, most tourists consider Disneyland Paris this district's main attraction. If you're looking for places to visit in Paris with children in tow, the 12e is your best choice.
The 18th Arrondissement
This arrondissement lies north of the city-centre. It's home to famous windmills - Moulin de la Galette, which houses a restaurant, and Blute-fin. You'll find the Sacré Coeur de Montmartre, a white stone basilica in quasi-Byzantine style. Place du Tertre houses the Artists' Square, where you may have your portrait painted, or purchase an original work.
Thus, we end our exposé where we started: in van Gogh's old stomping grounds. Though removed from the city's centre, Montmartre is one of the top attractions in France. Should you ask how to spend a weekend in Paris, let Montmartre - and the entire 18e, be your answer.
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