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BEST THINGS TO DO IN PARIS FOR FIRST TIMERS W/ MAP | 20+ Must-Dos, Hidden Gems & More!

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Discover the iconic landmarks and hidden gems of Paris with this curated map guide, perfect for first-time visitors. From the heights of the Eiffel Tower to the artistic treasures of the Louvre and the charming streets of Montmartre, explore the best of the City of Light.

  • Eiffel Tower

    The Eiffel Tower, constructed for the 1889 World's Fair in Paris, is a famous symbol of Paris offering iconic views of the city.

  • Louvre

    The Louvre, also known as the world's largest museum, is housed in a former royal palace and contains over 35,000 works of art including the Venus de Milo and the Mona Lisa.

  • Notre Dame

    The Notre Dame Cathedral, located on Île de la Cité, is known for its awe-inspiring Gothic design and lengthy history of over 800 years.

  • Pont Alexandre

    Pont Alexandre is one of the architectural knockouts along the Seine.

  • Seine River

    The Seine is a river that flows through the heart of Paris, with many of the city's most famous monuments built along its scenic banks, making it a great place for walks, picnics, and sightseeing cruises.

  • Panthéon

    The Panthéon, a neoclassical mausoleum completed in 1790, is known for being the internment site of iconic French figures like Marie Curie, Voltaire, Rousseau and Victor Hugo.

  • Orsay Museum

    The Musée d'Orsay contains the largest collection of impressionist and post-impressionist masterpieces in the world, housed in a magnificent Beaux-Arts railway station.

  • Arc de Triomphe

    The Arc de Triomphe is a monumental triumphal arch that commemorates France's military victories, offering stunning views from the top.

  • Opéra Garnier

    The Palais Garnier, also known as the Paris Opera House, is a masterpiece of 19th-century architecture with a magnificent grand staircase, dazzling chandeliers, and sumptuous gilded decor.

  • Atelier des Lumières

    The Atelier des Lumières is an exhibition space known for its immersive multimedia installations, housed in a former steel foundry, that bring iconic artworks to life with music and dynamic animations.

  • Montmartre

    Montmartre, once a village filled with artists, is known for the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, Place du Tertre, the wall of I Love Yous, and the Moulin Rouge.

  • Centre Pompidou

    The Centre Pompidou is Europe's largest modern art museum.

  • National Picasso Museum

    The National Picasso Museum is one of the museum options in Paris.

  • Jardin des Tuileries

    The Jardin des Tuileries are picturesque gardens full of meticulously manicured lawns, statues and fountains.

  • Musée de l'Orangerie

    The Musée de l'Orangerie is located in the Jardin des Tuileries, where you can marvel at Monet's Water Lilies displayed in two oval-shaped rooms.

  • Palais Royal

    The Palais Royale is an elegant 17th-century palace surrounded by arcades, manicured gardens and the Colonnes de Buren art installation.

  • Galerie Vivienne

    Galerie Vivienne is one of the enchanting covered passages (passages couverts) in Paris.

  • Galerie Véro-Dodat

    Galerie Véro-Dodat is one of the personal favorites covered passages (passages couverts) in Paris.

  • Passage des Panoramas

    Passage des Panoramas is one of the personal favorites covered passages (passages couverts) in Paris.

  • Passage Jouffroy

    Passage Jouffroy is one of the personal favorites covered passages (passages couverts) in Paris.

  • Rue Montorgueil

    Rue Montorgueil is a pedestrianized street in the heart of Paris known for its vibrant market atmosphere and gourmet delights, including La Maison Stohrer.

  • La Maison Stohrer

    La Maison Stohrer is the oldest patisserie in Paris, located on Rue Montorgueil.

  • Marais

    The Marais is a historically well-to-do neighborhood filled with beautiful mansions, art galleries, and medieval streets, including Place des Vosges, Victor Hugo's house, and Musée Carnavalet.

  • Place des Vosges

    Place des Vosges is the oldest planned square in Paris, and is also home to Victor Hugo's house.

  • Hôtel de Ville

    The Hôtel de Ville is Paris's magnificent City Hall, known for its intricately decorated facade adorned with sculptures, carvings and ornate design.

  • Île de la Cité

    Île de la Cité is an island in the middle of the Seine River that is often considered the birthplace of Paris and home to iconic sites like Notre Dame Cathedral, Sainte-Chapelle and the Conciergerie.

  • Notre Dame Cathedral

    The Notre Dame Cathedral, located on Île de la Cité, is known for its awe-inspiring Gothic design and lengthy history of over 800 years.

  • Sainte-Chapelle

    Sainte-Chapelle, located on Île de la Cité, is another gorgeous Gothic chapel known for its intricate stained glass windows.

  • Conciergerie

    The Conciergerie, located on Île de la Cité, is a gorgeous palace-turned-prison best known for being where Marie Antoinette was held before her execution.

  • Pont Neuf

    Pont Neuf, located on Île de la Cité, is a stone bridge that is actually the oldest in the city.

  • Shakespeare and Co

    Shakespeare and Co is a well-known English bookshop located by the Seine, known for its prominence as a hangout spot for Lost Generation writers.

  • Latin Quarter

    The Latin Quarter, also known as the Quartier Latin, is a historic student district known for its narrow cobblestone streets, lively cafés, and the Panthéon.

  • Saint-Michel Fountain

    The Saint-Michel Fountain is a highlight in the Latin Quarter.

  • Musée de Cluny

    The Musée de Cluny, located in the Latin Quarter, is one of the world's most extensive collections of medieval art and artifacts.

  • Museum of Natural History

    The Museum of Natural History, located in the Jardin des Plantes in the Latin Quarter, is one of the museums in the area.

  • Jardin des plantes

    The Jardin des Plantes houses the Museum of Natural History.

  • Arènes de Lutèce

    The Arènes de Lutèce is an ancient amphitheater dating back to the 1st Century.

  • Grande Mosquée de Paris

    The Grande Mosquée de Paris is a stunning architectural masterpiece inspired by Moorish design, filled with intricate tile work, lush gardens and serene courtyards.

  • Luxembourg Gardens

    The Luxembourg Gardens are a verdant oasis in the heart of Paris with tree-and-flower lined paths, a big pond, and the elegant Luxembourg Palace.

  • Luxembourg Palace

    The Luxembourg Palace is located in the Luxembourg Gardens and is home to the French Senate.

  • quartier Saint-Germain-des-Prés

    The quartier Saint-Germain-des-Prés is renowned for its literary cafes, galleries and plenty of shopping opportunities, including Cafe de Flore and Les Deux Magots.

  • Église Saint-Sulpice

    Église Saint-Sulpice is a key highlight in quartier Saint-Germain-des-Prés.

  • Dôme des Invalides

    The Dôme des Invalides, topped in gold, houses Napoleon's tomb and was the tallest structure in Paris before the Eiffel Tower.

  • Champ de Mars

    Champ de Mars is one of the areas where you can get great views of the Eiffel Tower.

  • Trocadero

    Trocadero is one of the most popular spots to get great views of the Eiffel Tower.

  • Place de la Concord

    Place de la Concord is one of the largest public squares in Paris, with a golden Egyptian obelisk as its centerpiece, and was the execution site of many notable figures during the French Revolution.

  • Palais Garnier

    The Palais Garnier, also known as the Paris Opera House, is a masterpiece of 19th-century architecture and the real-life lair of the Phantom of the Opera.

  • Galeries Lafayette

    Galeries Lafayette is one of Paris's most luxurious department stores with ornate Belle Époque interiors and glorious rooftop views.

  • Printemps

    Printemps is one of Paris's most luxurious department stores with ornate Belle Époque interiors and glorious rooftop views.

  • Sacré-Cœur Basilica

    The Sacré-Cœur Basilica, located in Montmartre, is known for its striking white domes and panoramic views.

  • Place du Tertre

    Place du Tertre, located in Montmartre, is filled with artists.

  • Moulin Rouge

    The Moulin Rouge is located in Montmartre.

  • Canal Saint-Martin

    Canal Saint-Martin is a picturesque waterway lined with fun cafes, shops and restaurants.

  • Place de la Bastille

    Place de la Bastille is built on the site of the former prison, whose historic storming played a key role in the early days of the French Revolution.

  • Catacombs of Paris

    The Catacombs of Paris is the world's most famous ossuary, containing the bones of about six million Parisians.

  • Tour Montparnasse

    The Tour Montparnasse is Paris's tallest skyscraper and offers sweeping views of the city's iconic landmarks and skyline.

  • Parc des Buttes-Chaumont

    The Parc des Buttes-Chaumont is a whimsical parkland featuring dramatic cliffs, cascading waterfalls and picturesque bridges.

  • Père Lachaise Cemetery

    The Pére Lachaise Cemetery is the final resting place of countless notable figures from the worlds of art, literature and politics, including Oscar Wild, Jim Morrison and Édith Piaf.