Quick Answer
Top 10 places in Paris 2026: 1. Eiffel Tower (€29 elevator top, sunset magic), 2. Louvre (Mona Lisa, world’s largest museum, €22), 3. Notre-Dame (reopens December 2024 after 2019 fire restoration), 4. Versailles (Louis XIV palace, day trip 30 min from Paris, €21), 5. Montmartre + Sacré-Cœur (artist hill, basilica), 6. Champs-Élysées + Arc de Triomphe (€16 climb), 7. Musée d’Orsay (Impressionists, Van Gogh, €16), 8. Le Marais (medieval district, Jewish quarter, hip cafés), 9. Latin Quarter + Panthéon, 10. Seine River cruise (€15-20). Best time: April-June, September-October. AVOID July-August (peak crowds, hot). Days needed: 4-5 minimum. Budget: €100-200/day mid-range.
1-3: Iconic Paris
- Eiffel Tower: 330m. €29 to summit by elevator (€19 stairs). Sunset golden hour magic. Bordeaux side reservation 2+ weeks ahead summer.
- Louvre: world’s largest museum. Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Winged Victory. €22. Reserve online. 4+ hours minimum visit.
- Notre-Dame: 850-year-old cathedral. December 2024 reopening after 2019 fire. Free entry (donations welcome). Towers €13.
4: Versailles day trip
- Louis XIV palace: from Paris RER C 30 min, €4.10. Palace €21 + Hall of Mirrors. Reserve.
- Gardens: €10 (free first Sunday Nov-March). Apollo Fountain, musical fountains in summer.
- Marie Antoinette’s Hamlet: €12 separate.
- Best time: Tuesday (Hall of Mirrors less crowded). Avoid Sunday.
- Total time: 5-6 hours total visit + travel.
5-6: Montmartre + Champs-Élysées
- Sacré-Cœur: 1875 basilica on hill. FREE entry. €5 dome climb.
- Place du Tertre: tourist artists square. Better just for atmosphere.
- Walk Montmartre: Moulin Rouge, Place Émile Goudeau (Picasso lived here), Vincent’s Vineyard.
- Champs-Élysées: 1.9 km luxury shopping. Cars, tourists, expensive.
- Arc de Triomphe: 50m. €16 to climb. Sunset best.
- Tip: walk Champs-Élysées toward Arc de Triomphe in evening for atmosphere.
7-9: Museums + neighborhoods
- Musée d’Orsay: former train station. Impressionists. Van Gogh, Monet, Renoir. €16. 3-4 hours.
- Le Marais: medieval district. Place des Vosges, Jewish quarter (rue des Rosiers), boutiques, cafés. Free walking.
- Latin Quarter: south of Notre-Dame. Sorbonne University, Panthéon (Voltaire’s tomb), Jardin du Luxembourg.
- Panthéon: Voltaire, Hugo, Curie buried. €13. Climb dome.
- Sainte-Chapelle: 1248 stained glass masterpiece. €13.
- Centre Pompidou: modern art + inside-out architecture. €15.
10: Seine cruise + bonus
- Seine cruise: 1h cruise €15-20. Sunset/evening best. Departs from Pont Neuf or Eiffel Tower area.
- Bateaux Mouches: classic. Bateaux Parisiens, Vedettes du Pont Neuf alternatives.
- Bonus #11: Catacombs: 6 million skeletons. €29. Reservation essential.
- Bonus #12: Sainte-Chapelle stained glass: 1248. €13. 30-min visit.
- Bonus #13: Galeries Lafayette + Printemps: luxury department stores. Free rooftop views.
- Bonus #14: Père Lachaise Cemetery: Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, Édith Piaf. Free.
Paris pass options
- Paris Museum Pass: 50+ museums + monuments. 2-day €60, 4-day €76, 6-day €92. Worth it if 5+ paid sights/day.
- Paris Pass: Museum Pass + transport + extras. 1-day €144, etc. Often overpriced.
- Paris City Pass: includes hop-on hop-off bus. €144-249 per duration.
- Don’t waste money: Eiffel Tower NOT included in any pass. Versailles separate.
- Cheaper alternative: book individually for major sights, free entries (Notre-Dame, museums first Sunday) for budget.
Practical info
- Getting there: CDG (Charles de Gaulle) main international, ORY (Orly) closer. RER B or train Charles de Gaulle Express €25.
- Where to stay: Latin Quarter (central), Le Marais (chic), Montmartre (atmospheric), Saint-Germain (classic).
- Best time: April-June, September-October. AVOID July-August (peak crowds, 30-35°C).
- Public transit: Navigo Day pass €8.65. Tickets €2.10 single. Metro 16 lines.
- Pickpockets: beware Metro Line 1 (tourist line), Eiffel Tower area, Champs-Élysées.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do I need in Paris?
Minimum 4 days for top 10 sights. Ideal 5-7 days for slower pace + Versailles day trip + neighborhood exploration. Could spend weeks for deeper visit.
Best month to visit Paris?
April-June (spring blossoms, mild). September-October (autumn colors, fewer crowds). AVOID July-August (peak crowds, 30-35°C, many locals on holiday).
Is Paris Museum Pass worth it?
Yes if seeing 5+ paid sights per day. €60 for 2 days, €76 for 4 days. Skip lines at most museums. Doesn’t include Eiffel Tower or Versailles palace ticket.
Can I see Notre-Dame in 2026?
Yes. Reopened December 2024 after 2019 fire restoration. Free entry. Climbing towers €13. May still have ongoing restoration work in some areas.
Is Versailles worth a day trip?
Absolutely. RER C 30 min from Paris, €4.10. Palace €21. Allow 5-6 hours including travel. Tuesday best (Hall of Mirrors less crowded). Avoid Sunday.
Where to stay in Paris first time?
Saint-Germain-des-Prés (classic), Latin Quarter (lively, central), Le Marais (chic, walkable). Avoid pure tourist areas (Champs-Élysées, République edge).
Recommended on Amazon
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- Lonely Planet Paris — comprehensive city guide.
- Paris Museum Pass guide — maximize value.
- Paris travel adapter Type E — French plug specifically.