Sights and landmarks in Paris

Sights and landmarks in Paris

1. See12th arrondissement

   AccorHotels Arena

   An indoor sports arena that seats around 17,000 for sports and slightly over 20,000 for major concerts; formerly known as Palais des Omnisports de Paris-Bercy and Bercy Arena. Home to numerous concerts and major sporting events, most notably the Paris Masters tournament on the ATP World Tour in men's tennis.

2. See8th arrondissement

   American Cathedral

   A Gothic Revival cathedral built in the late 19th century for the American community in Paris. Its elegant stone façade and stained-glass interior make it a distinctive and lesser-known stop near the Champs-Élysées.

3. See

   Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile

   The Arc de Triomphe exudes grandeur and offers a central view of the city.

4. See5th arrondissement

   Arènes de Lutèce

   An ancient Roman theater, the only surviving above-ground ruins of the Gallo-Roman era in Paris (ancient Lutetia, French Lutèce) apart from the nearby Thermes de Cluny. The theatre could hold approximately 15,000 spectators and measures some 132 m x 100 m. Built sometime in the 2nd century CE, the location of the actor's dressing room, the platform of the stage, and lapidary remains can still be seen. The remains were rediscovered in 1869, when new streets were being built. An excavation was subsequently ordered in 1883. The theatre has been preserved as a quiet archaeological park removed from the bustle of Parisian streets.

   08ː00-17ː30 (winter), 08ː00-22ː00 (summer)·Free

5. See8th arrondissement

   Avenue des Champs-Elysées

   For many visitors one of the must-see places in Paris is the Avenue des Champs-Elysées which was first created in 1667 by Louis XIV's gardener, Andre Le Nôtre, in order to improve the view from the Tuileries garden. This elegant and broad avenue was extended towards the end of the 18th century, now running from the place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe. It is noted today as one of the most prestigious shopping boulevards of Paris.

6. See14th arrondissement

   Barrière d’Enfer

   Gate of Hell

   The two pavilions were built in 1784 to 1787 by the French architect Claude-Nicolas Ledoux, who erected many similar toll houses at the entrances to the city.

7. See12th arrondissement

   Bercy Village

   For a taste of the French countryside, a visit to Bercy Village brings to life the spirit of market shopping inside Paris.

8. See12th arrondissement

   Bois de Vincennes

   There are many beautiful footpaths, a Buddhist Temple, and a lake with rowboats available for rental (about €10 as of 2009). The lake has many different kinds of birds, and islands accessible by footbridge.

9. See1st arrondissement

   Bourse de commerce - Pinault Collection

   Commodities Exchange Building

   Since 2021 the 18th-century former Bourse de Commerce building has been the Paris home of the art collection of the French business magnate François Pinault, showing a rotating selection of contemporary artworks either newly commissioned or taken from his collection.

   Wed-Mon 11:00-19:00; closed Tue; Fri and first Sat of month late opening until 21:00·€14 full price, €10 reductions, free first Saturday of month after 17:00

10. See

    Carnavalet

    Museum of Paris history; exhibitions are permanent and free. Renovated 2017–2021.

11. See1st arrondissement

    Cartier Foundation for contempory art

    Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain

    The Fondation Cartier's new Paris premises, which are in a Haussmannian building dating from 1855 at number 2 Place du Palais-Royal, have been completely remodelled by architect Jean Nouvel. Check website for details of exhibitions.

    Full €15, Reduced €10,

12. See

    Catacombes de Paris

    Used to store the exhumed bones from the overflowing Paris cemetery. The bones of more than 6 million bodies lie here.

13. See

    Centre Georges Pompidou

    The museum of modern art. The building and adjoining Stravinsky Fountain are attractions in themselves. Closed for renovation until 2030.

14. See4th arrondissement

    Centre Georges Pompidou

    Centre Georges Pompidou closed its doors in 2025, for a major renovation project, which is expected to be completed in 2030. The vast collection of the museum will be exhibited in various venues across France, as part of the Constellation Program. Please see the website for more information. Another site, Centre Pompidou Francilien – fabrique de l’art in Massy, is expected to open in 2027. Those who are unfamiliar with conceptual art sometimes don't know quite what to expect, or how to approach it. They should rest assured that the curators at the Pompidou Centre have assembled a marvellous introduction consisting of mostly approachable works which delight, amuse, and entertain. The art is far from the only reason for a visit, as the building also contains a vast public library and a fine restaurant (run by the Costes brothers) on the roof. In fact the place is literally surrounded by some of the nicest pavement cafés in the city, in its superb location between the car-free above ground part of Forum Les Halles and the Marais art district.

    closed – check website for reopening (expected 2030)

15. See

    Champs-Élysées

    Widely regarded to be one of the most recognizable avenues in the world

16. See8th arrondissement

    Chapelle Expiatoire

    A solemn neoclassical chapel built between 1815 and 1826 on the former burial site of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, commemorating their execution during the French Revolution. Set within a quiet, enclosed garden, it feels more like a memorial than a traditional church.

17. See12th arrondissement

    Château de Vincennes

    A former fortress and royal residence at the edge of the city, alongside the Bois de Vincennes. It was largely built between 1361 and 1369, and was a preferred residence, after the Palais de la Cité, of French kings in the 14th to 16th century. It is particularly known for its "donjon" or keep, a fortified central tower, the tallest in Europe, built in the 14th century, and for the chapel, Sainte-Chapelle de Vincennes, begun in 1379 but not completed until 1552, which is an exceptional example of Flamboyant Gothic architecture. Most of the building is now open to the public.

    May 21 to September 22: 10:00-18:00, September 23 to May 20: 10:00-17:00·€9.50, free for EU residents under 26

18. See14th arrondissement

    Cimetière de Montparnasse

    Montparnasse Cemetery

    The burial place of existentialist philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre, feminist Simone de Beauvoir (both of whom lived nearby); musician Serge Gainsbourg; artist Man Ray; the poets Charles Baudelaire, Guy de Maupassant, Charles Sainte-Beuve, and Marguerite Duras; the founders of the Theatre of the Absurd Samuel Becket and Eugene Ionesco; the sculptors Constantin Brancusi and Ossip Zadkine; the composers Camille de Saint-Saens and César Franck; the actors Maria Montez and Jean Seberg; the French officer Alfred Dreyfus; the founder of the Larousse encyclopedia, Pierre Larousse; the industrialist André Citroen, and many others.

    16 Mar-5 Nov: Mon-Fri 08:00-18:00, Sat 08:30-18:00, Sun 09:00-18:00; 6 Nov-15 Mar: Mon-Fri 08:00-17:30, Sat 08:30-17:30, Sun 09:30-17:30

19. See12th arrondissement

    Cinema Museum

    La Cinémathèque française

    Housed in modern building designed by Frank Gehry, contains a cinema showing French & international films, temporary exhibitions lasting about 6 months, Museum dedicated to the history of cinema. Exhibitions are fairly visual.

    Exhibition & Museum Mon, Wed-Fri noon-7PM; Sat-Sun 11AM-8PM. closed Tue·Exhibition: Adult €12, Reduced €9.50, U18 €6: Museum Adult €10, Reduced&18-35 €7.50, U18 €5. Joint tickets available

20. See11th arrondissement

    Cirque d'Hiver

    Mainly used as a concert hall and venue for fashion shows today, the Cirque d'Hiver was built in 1852, as the name would suggest, as a winter venue for circuses.

21. See14th arrondissement

    Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris

    C.I.U.P.

    The C.I.U.P. is a student quarter established in 1925, providing homes for about 10,000 students, scientists, and artists from 120 countries. It has 40 houses attributed to individual nations. The individual houses organise top quality cultural and political events. Among the most remarkable buildings are the Fondation Deutsch de la Meurthe, the Heinrich Heine House (Maison Heinrich Heine - Fondation de l'Allemagne), the Swedish Student House (Maison des Etudiants Suédois), and the Swiss Pavilion (Pavillon Suisse) which was built in 1933 on plans of Le Corbusier.

22. See1st arrondissement

    Colonne Vendôme

    The centrepiece of a magnificent 8-sided square first laid out in 1699 to show off an equestrian statue of the Sun King, Louis XIV. The statue was removed amid revolutionary fervor in 1792 and replaced in 1806 with the Colonne de la Grande Armée. This was modelled on Trajan's column in Rome and decorated with Napoleon's military exploits. The present column is a replica, however, as the original was pulled down during the 1871 Paris Commune. Place Vendôme represents the best of well-heeled Paris, being home to an abundance of exclusive boutiques, jewellers and fashion labels—Cartier, Boucheron, Trussardi, van Cleef & Arpels—several banks, the French Ministry of Justice, and the Hôtel Ritz.

23. See5th arrondissement

    Eglise Saint Nicolas du Chardonnet

    A controversial church serving as de facto headquarters of the arch-traditionalist Society of Saint Pius X, who occupied the church in 1977 and have ignored subsequent eviction orders.

24. See6th arrondissement

    Eglise Saint-Germain-des-Prés

    Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés

    The oldest church in Paris, founded in the year 542 by King Childebert. The church as it exists today dates mainly from the 11th century, the period in which it became the center of a powerful Benedictine abbey. The Revolution witnessed the suppression of the abbey in 1794, when most of the monastic buildings were put to the torch. Earlier, 318 priests had been hacked to death nearby by a mob on 3 September 1792. The church underwent significant restoration in the 19th century, ensuring the preservation of the building, which by that date represented a fascinating mix of styles: 6th century marble columns placed alongside Gothic vaults and supported by Romanesque arches. Famous burials within the church include René Descartes (philosopher), Nicolas Boileau (poet) and King John Casimir of Poland, who had become (in 1669, before his death) abbot of the church's monastery.

    Daily 08:00-19:30

25. See5th arrondissement

    Eglise Saint-Étienne-du-Mont

    St. Geneviève was responsible for saving Paris from the Huns in 451 and her shrine in the church has been a popular place of pilgrimage ever since. The church as it stands dates from between 1492 and 1626 and is a mix of Gothic and Renaissance architectural styles. A unique feature is the Renaissance rood screen, the sole survivor in the city.

26. See6th arrondissement

    Eglise de Saint Sulpice

    a Roman Catholic church on the east side of the Place Saint-Sulpice within the rue Bonaparte, in the Luxembourg Quarter of the VIe arrondissement. At 113 metres long, 58 metres in width and 34 metres tall, it is only slightly smaller than Notre-Dame and thus the second largest church in the city. It is dedicated to Sulpitius the Pious. During the 18th century, an elaborate gnomon, the Gnomon of Saint-Sulpice, was constructed in the church. In front of the church itself is the magnificent Place Saint-Sulpice which contains the 'Fountain of the Four Bishops'. The church has a long-standing tradition of talented organists that dates back to the eighteenth century. In 1862, Aristide Cavaillé-Coll reconstructed and improved the existing organ built by François-Henri Clicquot. Though using many materials from Clicquot's French Classical organ, it is considered to be Cavaillé-Coll's magnum opus, featuring 102 speaking stops, and is perhaps the most impressive instrument of the romantic French symphonic-organ era. Its organists have also been renowned, starting with Nicolas Séjan in the 18th century, and continuing with Charles-Marie Widor (organist 1870-1933) and Marcel Dupré (organist 1934-1971), both great organists and composers of organ music. The current organists are 'titulaire' Daniel Roth (since 1985) and 'assistant titulaire' Sophie-Véronique Cauchefer-Choplin. In Saint-Sulpice Sunday organ recitals are held on a regular basis (Auditions du Dimanche, following the High Mass, usually from 11:30am till 12:05pm, during the subsequent mass, a visit of the organ loft is possible).

    Closed · opens 7 am tomorrow·free

27. See14th arrondissement

    Fondation Henri-Cartier-Bresson

    The foundation opened its doors in May 2003. It preserves Henri Cartier-Bresson and Martine Franck’s archives. Exhibition of photographs, paintings, sculptings, and illustrations.

    Tue-Sun 13:00-18:30, Wed till 20:30·€6

28. See3rd arrondissement

    Foundation Henri Cartier-Bresson

    The Foundation of Henri Cartier-Bresson is a private foundation for public use and for the memories and conservation of the photographer Henri Cartier Bresson and his wife Martine Franck. There are permanent displays and three major expositions planned each year.

    Tue-Sun 11:00 to 19:00·Admission €9, €5 reduced

29. See5th arrondissement

    Grande Mosquée de Paris

    Grand Mosque of Paris

    Established in 1926, it was meant to show appreciation for Muslim help in fighting the Germans. The café serves excellent mint tea and North African food.

30. See

    Guimet Museum

    One of the largest collections outside Asia of Southeast Asian, Indian, Afghan, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean art.

31. See4th arrondissement

    Hôtel de Sully

    Built in 1625, the Hotel de Sully is an interesting house with some sculptures in a beautiful courtyard. The house features special exhibitions, so check listings when in Paris.

    Daily 09:00-19:00

32. See4th arrondissement

    Hôtel de Ville

    Town Hall

    Many feel that this, Paris' town hall, is one of the loveliest buildings in the city. You might not get that from the front view, but try watching the light change on its roofs and towers during sunset from one of the cafés on the Ile de St. Louis, the Lutece for instance. Alternatively, go to the top floor of the Bazar de l'Hôtel de Ville (BHV) department store opposite, on rue de Rivoli and walk up a flight of stairs to the roof terrace (terrasse), from which there is a dramatic view of both the roof of the Hôtel de Ville and the immediate surroundings and river. The present Hôtel de Ville replaced the 16th century original which was burned down during the Commune in 1871. A pastiche of its predecessor, but on a far larger scale, it was designed by the architects Ballu and Deperthes, chosen after a competition, and was mostly completed by 1882. The building is lavishly, and some would say heavy-handedly, decorated both inside and out, and finished in an arrestingly white stone, similar to that used for the even more eye-catching Sacre-Coeur basilica. The statue on the garden wall on the south side is of Etienne Marcel, the most famous holder of the post of "prevôt des marchands" (provost of merchants) which pre-dated the office of mayor. Marcel came to a sticky end, lynched in 1358 by an angry mob after trying to assert the city's powers a little too energetically. The Hôtel de Ville was for many years the private fiefdom of Jacques Chirac, France's president before Sarkozy, and was the site of a scandal centring on both illegal jobs given to Chirac's party members and an immense entertainment budget. General de Gaulle greeted the crowds from a front window in 1944 when Paris was liberated from the Germans and Robespierre was shot in the jaw and arrested in the original building in 1794. Admirers of Hôtel de Ville's architecture will want to know that Ballu also built the Church of La Trinité in the 9th arrondissement and the belfry of the town hall of the 1st arr

33. See7th arrondissement

    Hôtel des Invalides

    Founded in 1671 by Louis XIV as a hospital for 6,000 wounded soldiers—this function explaining the name of the building—the golden-domed Hôtel des Invalides still functions as an infirmary and now also houses the Musée de l'Armée. The church attached, l'Eglise du Dôme, houses the tomb of Napoleon.

34. See

    Jacquemart-Andre Museum

    Private collection of French, Italian, and Dutch masterpieces in a typical 19th-century mansion.

35. See12th arrondissement

    Jardin Yitzhak Rabin

    Nestled in the centre of the Parc Bercy (below) is a lovely, and truly peaceful, garden with several waterworks and other high-quality landscape-art pieces. If you are one of the many people visiting the 12th on business it would be well worth an hour of your time between meetings and dinner to explore the mound, the fountain, and the bridges, and to watch children play in complete peace, much like the peace to which the garden's namesake dedicated his life.

36. See5th arrondissement

    Jardin des Plantes

    The Paris Botanical Garden, founded as the royal medicinal garden in 1626 by King Louis XIII's doctor, contains over 10,000 species. The grounds also include a small zoo known as La Ménagerie, and the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, which includes the Grande Galerie de l'Evolution (where you can see thousands of naturalized animals from all over the world) and the Galerie de paléontologie et d'anatomie comparée (same thing, but with skeletons).

    daily summer 07:30 - 20:00, winter 8:00 - 17:30·free

37. See1st arrondissement

    Jardin des Tuileries

    Built adjoining the now-lost royal palace of the Tuileries, these gardens lying immediately west of the Louvre offer a central open space for Parisians and visitors with semi-formal gardens (an outdoor gallery for modern sculpture), various cafés, ice cream and crépe stalls, and a summer fun fair. The gardens are frequently home to a giant Ferris wheel and enclose the Musée de la Orangerie and the Jeu de Paume.

38. See8th arrondissement

    Jerome de Noirmont

    This museum represents some key contemporary and emerging artists such as Jean Pierre Raynaud, Eva and Adele, and Jeff Koons.

39. See1st arrondissement

    Jeu de Paume

    Built during the First Empire, in imitation of the Orangerie, this small building is used by the Galerie Nationale to display temporary exhibitions of art photography, either contemporary or historic. This museum once housed many of the Impressionist painters that are now to be found in the Musée d'Orsay on the other side of the River Seine.

40. See1st arrondissement

    L'Orangerie

    Musée de la Orangerie

    Reopened after extensive renovations, this small museum near the Louvre houses the Jean Walter and Paul Guillaume Collection, sold to the French Republic on very generous terms and numbering 143 paintings from the late 19th century and the first half of the 20th century (15 Cézannes, 24 Renoirs, 10 Matisses, 12 Picassos, 28 Derains, 22 Soutines). The collection joined the eight immense Water Lilies that Monet gave France in 1922 and which have been displayed since 1927 in two huge oval rooms purpose-built on the artist's instructions.

    Wed-Mon (closed Christmas Day and 1 May) individuals 12:30-19:00, Thu till 21:00; groups, 09:30-12:30;·Adults, €7.50; concessions, €5; special exhibitions, + €1.20; audio guides available in several languages €4.50/€3

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Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Paris (CC BY-SA 4.0).