7 must-see tourist attractions in Paris

Who has already been to Paris wants to return, and those who haven’t yet are dying to go! It’s that cliché city that’s part of the dream destination list of 9 out of 10 Brazilians. That’s why I decided to make this post with the 7 must-see tourist attractions in Paris. This way, you’ll be able to experience the best of the city on your first visit or revisit those classic tourist spots!

Paris is the capital of France and one of the most important cities in the European Union. For those who don’t know, the official language is French and the currency is the euro.

Before I tell you about the 7 must-see tourist attractions in Paris, there’s an important piece of information you need to know about the visa. Brazilians who wish to travel to France for up to 90 days do not need to apply for a visa. In short, just travel with a valid passport and get travel insurance with a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros.

How many days to stay in Paris

Paris, just like London, is a huge city that offers tourists a wide range of activities and tours. Keep in mind that doing a quick stopover or a short visit won’t be enough to really experience the city.

My advice is that you set aside at least 4 days to see the basics of Paris. These 4 days already include time to visit the beautiful Palace of Versailles. If you also want to visit Disneyland Paris (better known as Euro Disney), I suggest adding 1 more day to your itinerary.

Let’s get to the list of must-see tourist attractions in Paris?

Must-see tourist attractions in Paris

Alright, below I’m going to list the most visited tourist spots, okay?! Are they clichés? Yes! But let’s agree that going to Paris and not seeing the Eiffel Tower is kind of strange, right?!

Eiffel Tower

The first suggestion on the list of must-see tourist attractions in Paris is her, the most famous tower in the world! The Eiffel Tower is 300 meters tall, is the most iconic postcard of the French capital, and can be seen from various points in the city.

Taking a photo with the tower in the background is definitely a must-do in Paris. And if you want to go up and see what it’s like inside, as well as enjoy a breathtaking view of the city, you can!

Opening hours: it’s open every day of the year, but the opening and closing times vary depending on the month.

From June 1st to September 1st, it opens at 9:30 AM and closes at 11:45 PM.

For the rest of the year, it opens at 10:30 AM and closes at 6:30 PM.

Tickets: there are several ticket options, with the most complete one allowing you to go all the way to the top. You can either take the elevator all the way up or climb the stairs to the second floor and take the elevator from there. During the European summer, the ticket office lines tend to be huge, so I recommend buying your ticket online in advance.

Louvre Museum

The second must-see tourist attraction in Paris is the Louvre Museum, which ranks among the most famous and most visited museums in the world! In my opinion, even if you’re not a big fan of museums, you should still visit the Louvre. It’s an iconic museum that houses incredible works of art, such as Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and the statue of Aphrodite, also known as Venus de Milo.

Opening hours: opens at 9:00 AM and closes at 6:00 PM. It’s open every day of the week except Tuesday. It is generally closed on January 1st, May 1st, July 14th, and December 25th. For detailed information, check the official website.

Tickets: admission costs 17 euros and can be purchased online or at the museum’s ticket counters.

Sacré Coeur Basilica

In Portuguese, it means Basilica of the Sacred Heart. It is located in the charming Montmartre neighborhood, at one of the city’s highest points. When visiting the church, whose architecture was inspired by Roman and Byzantine styles, you’ll have the chance to see one of the most visited tourist attractions in the city.

Make sure to set aside some time to walk around the neighborhood, as there’s a lot to explore. If you go later in the day, you can even have dinner there or grab a snack at one of the many cafés!

Champs Élysées

Without a doubt, this is the most famous avenue in the city! As you walk along the Champs Élysées, you’ll come across several high-end brand stores, such as Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Sephora, Lacoste, and Apple. But you’ll also find more affordable options like H&M and Zara.

Arc de Triomphe

At one end of the Champs Élysées stands the Arc de Triomphe, which is among the must-see tourist attractions in Paris. It was built to honor Napoleon Bonaparte’s military victories, and the names of 128 battles are engraved on it.

Opening hours: as a rule, the Arc de Triomphe is open for visitation every day of the year, except January 1st and May 1st.

Palace of Versailles

The Palace of Versailles is a bit further away from the other tourist attractions on the list, but it’s easily accessible via public transportation (RER). Set aside at least half a day for this visit, though ideally, you should dedicate a full day.

Opening hours: it opens every day at 9 AM, but is closed on Mondays.

Walk Along the Banks of the Seine River

The final must-see tourist attraction on my list is the Seine River. I suggest you take a walk along the riverbanks. If you have time and budget, go on a boat ride. There are very affordable options and more expensive ones too, it’s even possible to have dinner while cruising along the river.

Now that you know the 7 must-see tourist attractions in Paris, planning your itinerary to explore the city will be much easier! If you have any questions or want to suggest another great spot, leave a comment below!

Kisses and see you around the world!