27 of the best places to visit in Europe - Lonely Planet
27 of the best places to visit in Europe · 1. London, UK · 2. Venice, Italy · 3. Paris, France · 4. Rome, Italy · 5. Berlin, Germany · 6.
Paris
Designed as a temporary exhibit for the 1889 Exposition Universelle (World Fair), <anchor>Paris</anchor>’ elegant art nouveau Eiffel Tower has become the defining fixture of the skyline.The first floor is home to glitzy glass pavilions housing interactive exhibits; outside, peer down through the glass floor to the ground below. Visit at dusk for the best day and night views of the City of Light and make a toast at the sparkling champagne bar.
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Low-angle view of the Eiffel Tower, as seen from a Paris street.

©James O'Neil/Getty Images

# Paris

Paris' monument-lined boulevards, museums, classical bistros and boutiques are enhanced by a new wave of multimedia galleries, creative wine bars, design shops and tech start-ups.

## Attractions

### Must-see attractions

- Wide shot of Eiffel Tower with blue sky, Paris, France.

Paris

There are different ways to experience the Eiffel Tower, from a daytime trip or an evening ascent amid twinkling lights, to a meal in one of its…

- Paris, France - August 13, 2016: The Pompidou Centre is a complex building in the Beaubourg area of the 4th arrondissement. It houses the Public Information Library and the museum of Modern art.

Paris

Home to Europe's largest collection of modern and contemporary art, Centre Pompidou has amazed and delighted visitors ever since it opened in 1977, not…

- MARCH 16, 2017: a stained glass window inside the Sainte Chapelle church.

Paris

Visit Sainte-Chapelle on a sunny day when Paris’ oldest, finest stained glass (1242–48) is at its dazzling best. The chapel is famous for its stained…

- September 2016 - Paris, France- Le Louvre museum in daytime

Paris

It isn’t until you’re standing in the vast courtyard of the Louvre, with its glass pyramid and ornate façade, that you can truly say you’ve been to Paris.

- Skulls and bones in Paris Catacombs

Paris

It’s gruesome, ghoulish and downright spooky, but it never fails to captivate visitors. In 1785, the subterranean tunnels of an abandoned quarry were…

- Grounds of Rodin Museum sculpture garden.

St-Germain & Les Invalides

Even if you're not an art lover, it is worth visiting this high-profile art museum to lose yourself in its romantic gardens.

- JULY 30, 2012: Model sailing boats in the pool in front of Luxembourg Palace in Luxembourg Gardens.

St-Germain & Les Invalides

This famous inner-city oasis of formal terraces, chestnut groves and lush lawns has a special place in Parisians' hearts.

- PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 08, 2016 : French Mausoleum of Great People of France - the Pantheon in Paris. France.; Shutterstock ID 573291478; Your name (First / Last): Daniel Fahey; GL account no.: 65050; Netsuite department name: Online Editorial; Full Product or Project name including edition: Panthéon POI

Latin Quarter

Elegant and regal in equal measure, the massive neoclassical dome of the Left Bank's iconic Panthéon is an icon of the Parisian skyline. Louis XV…

## Planning Tools

## Expert guidance to help you plan your trip

Things to Know

Plan your visit to Paris with these top tips on etiquette, health and safety, and know what to do if something goes wrong.

Best Neighborhoods

Paris is made up of 20 different city districts (called arrondissements), each with their own distinct charms. Get to know them with our handy guide.

Day Trips

While it’s hard for anyone to leave Paris, these day trips offer bucolic nature, gorgeous cathedrals and more – all only an hour or so away.

Money and Costs

With savvy planning and a bit of local know-how, you'll find a wealth of ways to enjoy Paris without blowing your budget. Here are our top tips.

Transportation

Walking is the best way to explore Paris' individual neighborhoods, but you'll need the bus, metro and RER to go further afield.

Free Things to Do

Look beyond the French capital's most famous sights and you'll discover many free things to do in Paris – and get a local's perspective on the city too.

Traveling with Kids

Whether you're traveling to Paris with babies, toddlers or tweens, we can help you find the right activities to keep the whole family happy.

5 Shops

Discover architectural jewelry, local design, vintage finds, and tiny treasures in Paris' independent shops and markets.

View more

## Plan with a local

Experience the real France

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## Articles

## Latest storiesfrom Paris



Art and Culture

Aug 23, 2024 • 8 min read

Lonely Planet editor Sasha Brady has crafted the ultimate three-day itinerary for Paris, complete with tips on where to find all the fun stuff.

- LOCAL FLAVOR: Charleston - Title Paris cafe culture in Saint-Germain-des-Prés

Food and Drink

Aug 20, 2024 • 7 min read

A wheelchair user, a member of the Paris Olympics staff, is walking past the official store located in front of the Grand Palais, in Paris, France on july 28, 2024. (Photo by Vincent Koebel/NurPhoto via Getty Images) 2163625334 inclusivity, city landmark, adaptive sports, cultural event, paris olympics, event staff, retail location, sports merchandise, public space, international event, athlete support, olympic games, official store, olympic staff, adaptive equipment, paris, nurphoto, urban environment, event planning, mobility, staff member, event photography, wheelchair user, vincent koebel, 2024 olympics A wheelchair user, a member of the Paris Olympics staff, is walking past the official store located in front of the Grand Palais, in Paris, France on july 28, 2024.

Sports

Aug 20, 2024 • 6 min read

Paris Plage Popup Urban Beach 503465451 urban, beach, city, Paris, Plage, Urban, Beach, Seine, River, Paris plage, Urban beach, City Pop Up Urban Beaches - stock photo Paris Plage Popup Urban Beach

Entertainment

Jul 12, 2024 • 5 min read

Olympic rings are seen on the Eiffel Tower near the restored statue of "Cavalier Arabe" (Arab rider) on the Pont d'Iena bridge in Paris on July 4, 2024, ahead of the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games. (Photo by GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT / AFP) (Photo by GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT/AFP via Getty Images) 2159950810 topix, Oly, bestof, Horizontal, ESSENTIAL

Sports

Jul 8, 2024 • 8 min read

- Bar Josephine

Tips & Advice

Jul 4, 2024 • 6 min read

TOPSHOT - Triathlon athletes start to compete swimming in the Seine river next to the Alexandre III bridge during a Test Event for the women's triathlon for the upcoming 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, on August 17, 2023. From August 17 to 20, 2023, Paris 2024 is organising four triathlon events to test several arrangements, such as the sports operations, one year before the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The swim familiarisation event follows the cancellation on August 6 of the pre-Olympics test swimming competition due to excessive pollution which forced organisers to cancel the pre-Olympics event. (Photo by Miguel MEDINA / AFP) (Photo by MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP via Getty Images) 1604064047 triathlon, Oly, Horizontal Triathlon athletes start to compete swimming in the Seine river next to the Alexandre III bridge during a Test Event for the women's triathlon for the upcoming 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, on August 17, 2023. From August 17 to 20, 2023, Paris 2024 is organising four triathlon events to test several arrangements, such as the sports operations, one year before the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The swim familiarisation event follows the cancellation on August 6 of the pre-Olympics test swimming competition due to excessive pollution which forced organisers to cancel the pre-Olympics event.

Water Sports

Jun 20, 2024 • 6 min read

The skyline of Paris with the Eiffel Tower and blooming magnolia. 390084601 outdoor, tree, blooming, tower, aerial, town, france, houses, seine, flowers, river, autumn, spring, travel, view, day, european, paris, destinations, urban, culture, landmark, panoramic, skyline, magnolia, traditional, tour, building, historic, pink, roof, famous, high, architecture, city, color, french, panorama, sky, scenic, tourism, scene, monument, eiffel, europe, cityscape, paris eiffel tower, paris spring, birdview, eifel

Activities

Jun 17, 2024 • 12 min read

Paris, France - 12 21 2022: Museum of Fine Arts of the City of Paris. View of sculpture inside le Petit Palais © Franck Legros / Shutterstock

Budget Travel

Jun 7, 2024 • 12 min read

- The Saint-Honore pastry from Philippe Conticini, Paris

Food

May 24, 2024 • 5 min read

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## Book popular activitiesin Paris

## Go Beyond

## Paris and beyond

- Paris, France - June 27, 2012: Cafe Les Deux Magots. Les Deux Magots is a famous caf!AA> in the Saint-Germain-des-Pr!AA>s area of Paris. It once had a reputation as the rendezvous of the literary and intellectual !AA>lite of the city. It is now a popular tourist destination. Parisians and tourists are enjoying a beautiful summer day outside. 458231415 Capital Cities, Paris Left Bank, Residential Structure, Building Exterior, Awning, Color Image, Entrance, Eating, Sidewalk, History, Green, Architecture, Urban Scene, Outdoors, Vertical, People, St-Germain-des-Pres, Latin Quarter, Paris - France, France, Europe, Day, Summer, Sky, Balcony, House, Cafe, Restaurant, Street, Built Structure, Cafe des Deux Magots

- Built Structure City Architecture Travel Destinations Horizontal Outdoors Dome France Church Blue International Landmark French Culture Tree Day Paris - France Montmartre Religion Christianity Steps Color Image Grass Basilica City Life Incidental People Building Exterior Photography Distant Capital Cities Clear Sky Basilique Du Sacre Coeur - Montmartre WIllette Goutte D'Or Sunny Sacre-Coeur Basilica on the mound Montmartre, Willette Public Garden, Montmartre District, Paris, France

- Chinese room in Maison de Victor Hugo.

- Swing dancers and band, Caveau de la Huchette, Latin Quarter.

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