Our Paris weekend guide gives you a two-day route through the classics. This list goes wider: the sights and experiences to slot in around it, or to build a second trip on. Each comes with the checks that matter, from closing days to booking.
1. Musée d’Orsay, Left Bank
The Orsay fills a former railway station with Monet, Renoir, Degas and Van Gogh. The great clock window on the top floor frames a view across the Seine to the Louvre. It opens Tuesday to Sunday, with a late opening on Thursdays, and closes on Mondays. Major works are under way, so read the access notes on its site first.
Best for: Impressionism in one beautiful building.
2. Musée Rodin, 7th arrondissement
Rodin’s former mansion and its rose garden are among the calmest spots in central Paris. The Thinker sits outside among the hedges, and The Kiss waits indoors. The museum opens Tuesday to Sunday and closes on Mondays.
Best for: A slow hour with sculpture and a garden bench.
3. Notre-Dame and the Île de la Cité
The cathedral reopened in December 2024 after the restoration that followed the 2019 fire, and the cleaned stone and new spire are striking. Combine it with Sainte-Chapelle’s stained glass a few minutes away, and walk to the tip of the island at Square du Vert-Galant. Check Notre-Dame’s official site for visiting times.
Best for: The heart of medieval Paris.
4. The Eiffel Tower
Go up for the view, or stay below for the light show on the hour after dark. The second floor can be reached by stairs or lift; the summit is lift-only. Book on the official site and pick your level at purchase, because you can’t add the summit later.
Best for: The view everybody wants, best at dusk.
5. The Louvre
The world’s most visited museum needs a plan. Choose a wing or two, arrive at opening, and save the Mona Lisa for last when you know where the crowds are. The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays and recommends booking a time slot online.
Best for: Art lovers with a strategy.
6. Champs-Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe
Walk the avenue from Concorde to the Arc, then climb to the rooftop for the star of avenues spinning out below. The lift is under maintenance until further notice, so it’s stairs only for now. Tickets are sold on the Monuments Nationaux site.
Best for: Grand-scale Paris and a rooftop view.
7. Sacré-Cœur and Montmartre
The white basilica on the hill is open every day and free to enter. Come late afternoon, then wander the lanes of the old village, Place du Tertre and the vineyard on rue des Saules. Expect crowds on the front steps at sunset; the side streets are quieter.
Best for: Sunset views and village lanes.
8. An evening at the Moulin Rouge
The red windmill on boulevard de Clichy has staged its cabaret since 1889, and the feathered revue is still the classic Paris night out. Book on the official site well ahead, especially for weekends. A dinner-and-show option starts at 7pm.
Best for: A glamorous, very Parisian night.
9. The Catacombs
Beneath Denfert-Rochereau lie ossuary tunnels lined with the bones of millions of Parisians. They open Tuesday to Sunday, and the official site strongly recommends booking online. Expect a lot of stairs and a cool temperature underground.
Best for: Something unforgettable and a little eerie.
10. A cruise or walk along the Seine
The riverbanks between the islands and the Eiffel Tower are a UNESCO World Heritage site. A boat trip gives you the bridges and monuments in an hour; walking the lower quays at golden hour is just as good.
Best for: First evenings and tired feet.
11. Canal Saint-Martin and Belleville
North-east Paris shows a younger, creative side of the city: iron footbridges, independent shops and street art. Have brunch near the canal, then climb to the Parc de Belleville for a wide view over the rooftops.
Best for: Return visitors who want local Paris.
12. Versailles
The palace of Louis XIV is an easy half-day by RER from central Paris. The palace closes on Mondays, while the gardens and park open every day. Arrive early, see the Hall of Mirrors first, then spend the afternoon outdoors.
Best for: A grand day trip.
Tip: Remember the Centre Pompidou is closed for renovation from 2025 to 2030. Its collection appears at partner venues around Paris, including the Grand Palais.
How to choose
On a first visit, pair one big museum (Louvre or Orsay) with the Eiffel Tower, the islands and Montmartre. On a second, swap in the Rodin museum, the Catacombs and Canal Saint-Martin. Build your days around closing days: the Louvre on Tuesdays, and the Orsay, Rodin museum and Versailles on Mondays. For food stops along the way, see where to eat in Paris, and for exhibitions and events, check this weekend’s picks.
FAQ
What is the best thing to do in Paris on a first visit?
Walk the Seine from Notre-Dame to the Eiffel Tower. You pass most of the city’s great monuments in one afternoon, and it costs nothing.
Which Paris attractions need booking in advance?
Book the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Catacombs and Versailles online before you go. Sainte-Chapelle and the Arc de Triomphe also sell tickets through the Monuments Nationaux site.
Is the Centre Pompidou open?
No. The building is closed for renovation from 2025 to 2030, with parts of its collection shown at partner venues in Paris.
Is Sacré-Cœur free to visit?
Yes, entry to the basilica is free, and it’s open every day. The dome climb is a separate ticket.
What can I do in Paris in the evening?
See the Eiffel Tower sparkle on the hour, take a Seine cruise, catch a cabaret at the Moulin Rouge or find a wine bar in the Marais. It’s also one of the most romantic destinations in Europe.
