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Things to do in Paris

12 places · 19 h 35 min of sightseeing · 4 days

How many days do you need in Paris?

12 places add up to 19 h 35 min of pure sightseeing. At 6 hours a day, not counting walking and meals, that's 4 days.

The best-known places in order, as long as they fit into 6 hours of sightseeing a day. Sightseeing only, without walking and meals — build the day-by-day plan with opening hours and the route in a RouteMarket notebook.

1 day — 6 h

Eiffel Tower (2 h)
Louvre Museum (4 h)

2 days — 11 h 50 min

3 days — 17 h 50 min

Top sights

Ordered by how well known each place is. Data: OpenStreetMap and Wikipedia.

Eiffel Tower — 2 h visit. It is 330 meters high, almost 280 meters more than the Arc de Triomphe. Hours: 09:30–23:45 · Jun 21–Sep 02: 09:00–00:45 · Jul 14,Jul 15 closed.
Louvre Museum — 4 h visit. As one of the largest museums in the world, it showcases iconic works, including the Mona Lisa, providing a monumental journey through art history. Hours: Mon,Thu,Sat–Sun 09:00–18:00 · Tue closed · Wed,Fri 09:00–21:00.
Musée d'Orsay — 3 h visit. Housed in the former Gare d'Orsay railway station from 1900, it represents a unique combination of architecture and art. Hours: Tue–Sun 09:30–18:00 · Thu 09:30–21:45.
Notre-Dame Cathedral — 1 h 30 min visit. The construction of this Gothic cathedral on the Île de la Cité began in 1163 and lasted over 180 years, becoming a symbol of Paris. Hours: Mon,Tue,Wed,Fri 07:50–19:00 · Thu 07:50–22:00 · Sat,Sun 08:15–19:30.
Ruines de la Bastille — 45 min visit. On the site of the former fortress, a symbol of the revolution, today stands the Place de la Bastille with the July Column, with no trace of the building itself.
Arc de Triomphe — 1 h visit. It was commissioned by Napoleon I in 1806 to commemorate the victories of the French army, standing out with a specific founder and purpose. Hours: Apr 2–Jan 31: Mon–Sun 10:00–22:30 · Apr 1,Sep 30: Mon–Sun 10:00–23:00 · Oct 1,Dec 31: Mon–Sun 10:00–22:30.
Père Lachaise Cemetery — 2 h 30 min visit. It is the largest cemetery in Paris, founded in 1804, and the burial place of many famous figures. Hours: Mon–Fri 08:00–17:30 · Sat 08:30–17:30 · Sun 09:00–17:30.
Foucault Pendulum — 20 min visit. This scientific device in the Pantheon visibly demonstrates the Earth's rotation, offering a unique blend of physics and history.
Élysée Palace — 15 min visit. It is the official residence of the President of France, built in the 18th century, where cabinet meetings are held.
Centre Pompidou — 2 h 30 min visit. Its avant-garde architecture and collections of modern and contemporary art distinguish it from traditional museums, such as the Muzeum Orsay. Hours: closed.
Galerie de Botanique — 1 h 15 min visit. It offers an intimate experience, presenting collections of dried plants, providing insight into botany and the history of science, unlike museums or cemeteries.
Place de la Concorde — 30 min visit. It is the largest square in Paris, which, during the French Revolution, was the site of Louis XVI's execution, unlike the Colonne de Juillet.
Opéra Garnier — 1 h 15 min visit. Its gilded interiors and Grand Staircase represent the pinnacle of 19th-century opera architecture, offering an experience different from the monumental halls of the Louvre or church naves. Hours: 10:00–17:00.
Panthéon — 1 h 30 min visit. Originally a church, it was transformed into a mausoleum for prominent figures, including Maria Skłodowska-Curie, after the revolution. Hours: Mon–Sun 10:00–18:00 · Apr 1–Sep 30: Mon–Sun 10:00–18:30.
National Assembly — 15 min visit. It is the lower house of the French parliament, housed in the 18th-century Palais Bourbon.
Sacré-Cœur Basilica — 1 h 15 min visit. The white basilica on Montmartre hill offers panoramic views of Paris and impressive mosaics inside, unlike observation towers. Hours: 06:00–22:30.
Les Invalides — 2 h 30 min visit. This complex houses the Army Museum and Napoleon Bonaparte's tomb, offering an in-depth journey through France's military history.
Sainte-Chapelle — 1 h visit. A 13th-century Gothic royal chapel, famous for 1113 biblical scenes depicted in stained glass windows covering two-thirds of its surface. Hours: Jan–Mar 09:00–17:00 · Apr–Sep 09:00–19:00 · Oct–Dec 09:00–17:00.
Champ de Mars — 1 h visit. It stretches at the very foot of the Eiffel Tower, unlike the Jardins du Trocadéro or the Luxembourg Garden. Hours: open 24/7.
Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne - Centre Sorbonne — 45 min visit. Student life still thrives within its historic walls, which distinguishes it from buildings serving representative functions.
Musée des Arts et Métiers — 1 h 45 min visit. Within the ancient walls of the abbey, it presents pioneering technical inventions, including the first airplanes and steam engines, unlike an art museum or an archaeological crypt. Hours: Tue–Thu 10:00–18:00 · Fri 10:00–21:00 · Sat–Sun 10:00–18:00.
Luxembourg Palace — 45 min visit. Its architecture, modeled after Florence's Pitti Palace, has housed the French Senate since the early 17th century.
Grand Palais — 2 h visit. The monumental structure with a glass dome was erected specifically for the 1900 World's Fair. Hours: Tue–Thu, Sat–Sun 09:30–20:00 · Fri 09:30–22:30.
Jardin du Luxembourg — 2 h visit. Created in the 17th century for Marie de' Medici, it combines classic French formal gardens with elements of English landscape. Hours: open "check website https://www.senat.fr/visite/jardin/horaires.html" · (sunset–00:30)–(sunrise–00:15) closed · Mar01–Sep30 (sunset–00:30)–07:30 closed.

Where to eat

Le Procope — It is the oldest cafe in the city, which as an elegant restaurant hosted philosophers and revolutionaries.
Le Dôme — On Montparnasse, it is famous for its rich selection of seafood, continuing the tradition of artists' and writers' gatherings in a spacious interior.
Brasserie Lipp — It is famous for traditional Alsatian cuisine and a lively atmosphere, which is a distinguishing feature among typical Parisian brasseries.
La Closerie des Lilas — This is a historic meeting place for artists and intellectuals, offering refined dishes and drinks in an elegant setting with a terrace.
Polidor — Since the late 19th century, it has served uncomplicated dishes, offering the chance to experience the authentic atmosphere of old Paris in a simple setting.
Brasserie Balzar — In contrast to more casual establishments, it retains an authentic, somewhat formal character and is a favorite meeting place for academic and artistic circles.
Bouillon Racine — It serves dishes in a historic Art Nouveau interior, which is an attraction in itself, at affordable prices.
Vagenende — It has retained its original charm from 1906 and Art Nouveau decorations, making it an ideal place for groups and families.