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Top 10 Places to Visit: First Time in Paris

Top 10: what to see in Paris according to Paris Online.

Paris is a city to come back to! Visit Paris during different seasons, in different moods, with the loved ones or friends, or just by yourself — see and experience this city to the fullest. Champs-Élysées, the Louvre Museum, Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame de Paris, Orsay Museum, Sacré Coeur, Moulin Rouge - if you are in Paris for the first time, there are so many places to visit and things not to miss! We thought it might be a good idea to put together a brief “Top-10 places in Paris” summary.

So … the best of Paris.

1. The Louvre Museum.

Louvre is the treasury of the world’s masterpieces of art, and it definitely has to be on the must-visit list for everyone who comes to Paris. One thing to keep in mind is you might need more than one day to fully explore one of the largest museums in the world. It makes sense to first get acquainted with the list of exhibits, as well as temporary exhibitions, and create your own “What I need to see at Louvre” itinerary. Buy a ticket to the Louvre museum in advance, as the queue to the museum is so long that it can be considered a separate landmark in Paris. Buying a ticket to the Louvre museum is easy: you can do so at the Tourist Center just two min. walk from the Louvre Museum; or it is actually best to buy tickets online (although you will need to decide on the exact date and time of your visit to the museum, as online tickets are dated/timed). Having a ticket will let you skip the main line at the entrance and will save you hours. One more thing to know: Louvre is closed on Tuesdays.

2. Eiffel Tower.

We don’t know a single person who came to Paris and did not see the Eiffel Tower. If you take a sightseeing tour in Paris (and we do recommend it), you will definitely see the Eiffel Tower as every single tour in Paris includes passing by it, if not a separate stop.

Alternatively, you can come to the Eiffel Tower on your own and admire Tour de Eiffel at different times of the day—it certainly makes an unforgettable impression, especially with the evening lighting.

Seeing Paris from the Eiffel Tower’ observation deck is priceless. Yes, the lines to buy tickets are long. The elevator can take up only a certain number of people at a time, and the elevators function in a particular manner: some go directly to the top of the tower (115 m), others stop only at the second level (57 m). However, if you want to go up on foot, it can be done, and there is almost no queue. Ticket price depends on the end point of your rendezvous.

But as always, there is a way to avoid waiting in line to purchase tickets: save time and buy tickets online.

Check the Eiffel Tower website for up to date details on opening hours and the last elevator departure time.

We also suggest a sightseeing tour with a visit to the Eiffel Tower — it is a convenient option.

3. Champs-Élysées.

If you are looking for where the heart of Paris is, it is here, at Champs-Élysées! It is a lively cosmopolitan street, and a real paradise for shopaholics and fashionistas, with lots of trendy shops and boutiques that carry the history of the most famous fashion houses.

4. Orsay Museum.

This museum is located in the former building of the railway station. A series of historic events resulted in the railway station becoming home for paintings by Van Gogh, Monet, Renoir and other brilliant artists. The museum is one of the most visited in the world, there are plenty of people willing to enjoy the works of famous masters. If you order tickets online in advance, you will avoid having to spend time standing in line (this is a nice bonus when you have plans to explore as many places in Paris as possible).

5. Notre Dame.

Notre Dame is rightly called one of the most beautiful acting temples in the world. Awesome Gothic architecture with incredible windows, Notre Dame was glorified by poets; it inspired writers to create masterpieces of literature. Entrance to Notre Dame is free of charge, except for the days when concerts are held here.

6. Cabaret Moulin Rouge.

Moulin Rouge is one the most famous cabarets in the world. There are two shows every day, at 9pm and at 11pm. You can also come here for dinner followed by the show. The dinner starts at 7pm. Tickets for the Moulin Rouge show in Paris can be purchased online in advance. Tickets to Moulin Rouge are sold without a seat number, no matter where you purchase the ticket. It is the policy of Moulin Rouge, and seats will be assigned by Maître d’hôtel upon guests arrival at the cabaret. The show duration is a little short of two hours. Please keep in mind there is a dress-code: jeans, shorts, T-shirt and flip-flops are not allowed. Please dress elegantly. Another thing to know there is an age limit, children under the age of 6 will not be let into the cabaret.

7. Cabaret Lido.

If Moulin Rouge is the classics of the cabaret, the show at Lido de Paris is a contemporary version of the genre. Cabaret Lido is located on Champs Elysées and there are two shows daily, at 9pm and 11pm. The show lasts a little less than two hours, but it is recommended you arrive half an hour before the start of the performance. There is the same dress code as in Moulin Rouge: no jeans, shorts, slippers, etc. Similar to Moulin Rouge, seats are not assigned during the purchase. There are many ticket options – some include champagne (from a glass to ½ bottle), some come with wine, others include a dinner before the show, special birthday celebration, etc. You can buy tickets to Lido in Paris online.

8. Montparnasse Tower.

If you want to get the best photos of the Eiffel Tower, then the Montparnasse Tower will be an ideal place for this. The views are just amazing. If you do come here, don’t miss their restaurant — La Ciel de Paris (The Sky of Paris), which will make your stay at the height of the 56th floor even more enjoyable. It is best to book a table online in advance.

9. Sightseeing tour in Paris.

There are so many options to get to know Paris, and one of the most popular ones is a sightseeing tour on a double-decker bus. You can build your own itinerary of places to explore and attractions to visit. The bus tour route has been carefully designed to include most famous landmarks, museums and attractions. You can hop-off and hop-on as many times as you want during 1 or 2 days, depending on the ticket you purchase.

10. A cruise on the river Seine.

Another option for a sightseeing tour is a romantic cruise on a boat on the main river of Paris—the Seine. We especially recommend the dinner cruise, it is truly spectacular, 2.5 hours of fantastic French food and amazing views of the capital of France. If you prefer a cruise in the daytime, lunch cruises are available. There are different cruises to choose from. You can book the cruise online even before your trip to France.

Discover Paris at its best!