Tips for Top Attractions in Paris

Eiffel Tower, Paris

I will not attempt to list down the major attractions and must-see’s in Paris. You can find so much information on all of these in the internet and guide books. Instead, I will share some tips from each of the top sites. Hope this helps!

• Eiffel Tower—buy your ticket in advance. While this saves time in line-ups, still be prepared to be at the entrances about 30 or so minutes before your timed-entry. There are long lines to get through security. Also, the first floor is quite nice and under-appreciated. We should have made it our meeting place instead of the second floor. There are many lounge areas and overall more relaxing than the second floor and summit.

Views from the summit, Eiffel Tower, Paris

celebrating 130 years in 2019, first floor, Eiffel Tower, Paris

• Louvre—the rules for the several entrances change all the time. Just make note of where the entrances are (maps are on the official site/app) and make sure to line up at the right line. Advanced tickets and group reservations help shorten time spent in queue for security. Expect that you won’t get to see them all. Try to spend a day instead of just a few hours to enjoy more collections.

inverted pyramids, Louvre Museum, Paris

• Montmartre—if taking the metro, I suggest you get off at Anvers if you have a difficult time with stairs. Abbesses stop is the other option but the almost 200 steps to get up are killer. It is the deepest metro station on Paris at 118 ft below ground. You will, however, find the series of murals that line up the spiral staircase very nice and it will lead you to the famous Art Nouveau entrance. (Trivia: Louis Vuitton had a messenger style bag named after the Abbesses station). Souvenir shopping is great at Rue Steinkerque at the bottom of the Sacre Coeur. 

Sacre Coeur Basilica, Montmartre, Paris

• Notre Dame Cathedral—with the roof ravaged by a 10-hour fire, the area is closed and will remain closed for renovations for years. Still, you can admire the beautiful structure from the outside—the bell towers, flying buttresses and rose window have been saved. Plus, the Latin Quarter is nearby so you don’t have to skip this area if you have some time.

Notre Dame Cathedral under renovation

• Galeries Lafayette/Paris Opera House—the group of department stores of Galeries Lafayette and Printemps are close to the Opera house. If you are checking out one of these, be sure to check out the other. Galeries Lafayette has an amazing Gourmet Food Hall and has some interactive experiences scheduled every so often so check the sked! When we were there, they had a trampoline set up from the 2^nd floor as part of their Funorama event. Take the Glasswalk 16 metres high from the 3^rd floor to view the amazing Art Deco dome!

beautiful dome of Galeries Lafayette, Paris

trampoline at Galeries Lafayette, Paris

Glasswalk, Galeries Lafayette, Paris

•  Arc de Triomphe to Place de la Concorde—suggest you get a day pass for the Metro if you no longer have the stamina to walk another two and a half kilometers from Arc de Triomphe to Place de la Concorde along Champs Elysees. You can also stop at the Grand and Petit Palais. 

Arc de Triomphe, Paris

Obelisk at Place de la Concorde, Paris

While you are near the Grand Palais area, consider checking out the nice permanent collection at Petit Palais. It is free!

Petit Palais, Paris