Paris

The Louvre is one of the world’s biggest museums and home to some of the most famous artworks you’ll ever see — think the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo, alongside pieces by Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Caravaggio. Its glass pyramid entrance is instantly recognisable. Inside, you’ll find around 35,000 paintings, sculptures, and objects, covering everything from ancient civilisations to 19th-century art.

The Arc de Triomphe, commissioned by Napoleon after his win at Austerlitz in 1806, took about 30 years to finish and was finally opened in 1836. Standing 50 metres tall, it sits at the centre of Place Charles de Gaulle, right at the western end of the famous Champs-Élysées. You’ll probably find yourself there at some point, as most visitors wander down this iconic avenue. The monument honours those who fought and died for France during the Revolution and Napoleonic Wars. Beneath it rests the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I.

Notre-Dame stands on Île de la Cité, often called the birthplace of Paris. The site has been sacred for thousands of years—long before the cathedral, there were Celtic worship spots, then Roman temples, followed by a Romanesque church. The Gothic cathedral we see today was completed in 1345 and became the heart of medieval Paris. Despite the fire in 2019 that damaged much of it, the main structure and most treasures survived. It stretches 128 metres long with two towers rising 69 metres high, still commanding the city’s skyline.

Montmartre is one of Paris’s most charming and bohemian neighbourhoods, crowned by the white-domed Sacré-Cœur at the city’s highest point. Once home to artists like Dalí, Monet, and Picasso, its streets are still alive with painters and caricaturists, especially around Place du Tertre. Fans of Amélie will recognise many corners, and downhill in Pigalle you’ll find the iconic Moulin Rouge and the Lapin Agile, a historic cabaret that once drew poets, painters, and singers.

Housed in a former railway station, the Musée d'Orsay holds a mesmerising collection of mainly French paintings, sculptures, and photography, including the world's largest collection of impressionist and post-impressionist paintings, with works from artists such as Van Gogh, Cézanne, Renoir, and Monet.

Installed in the tunnels of former quarries, in the heart of Paris, the Catacombs are at once a fascinating and eerie attraction. Walk down the many steps to experience this spooky underground cemetery. Here you will find the osseous remains of more than 6 million people, moved to this location from an old cemetery.

If you’re ready to swap Paris’s romantic boulevards for a different kind of magic, head to Disneyland Paris. The resort has two parks: Disneyland Park, packed with rides, shows, restaurants, cafés, and endless shops; and Walt Disney Studios Park, which adds movie sets, live performances, and behind-the-scenes fun to the mix. Stroll down Main Street, U.S.A., set sail for Adventureland, or meet your favourite characters in Fantasyland. Whether you’re a kid, a grown-up, or somewhere in between, there’s more than enough here to keep the magic alive all day.

Originally built as a church to house the reliquary of Saint Genevieve, this neoclassical building in the Latin Quarter, modelled after the Pantheon in Rome, is the final resting place of numerous writers, philosophers, poets and scientists, such as Rousseau, Voltaire, Victor Hugo, Émile Zola, and Marie Curie.

Despite its name meaning 'New Bridge', Pont Neuf is actually Paris’s oldest bridge over the Seine, dating back to the 16th century. It’s also a great starting point to explore some of the city’s most famous sights. From here, you can easily wander around Île de la Cité to visit the Conciergerie, the old royal palace turned prison, and the stunning Sainte-Chapelle with its incredible stained glass windows. Just across the river lies the Louvre Museum, while a short walk takes you to the peaceful Place Dauphine, a hidden gem of a square. And, of course, the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral is also close by.

Montparnasse Tower stands out as the only skyscraper in central Paris, reaching 210 metres high. Head up to the 56th-floor observation deck for clear, wide views of the city’s landmarks — the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre-Dame, and more. With its modern design and a quick elevator ride, Montparnasse Tower provides an alternative viewpoint for those seeking an awe-inspiring Parisian experience beyond the traditional cityscape.

Le Marais, on the Right Bank in the 3rd and 4th arrondissements, mixes old and new with its 17th-century buildings and trendy vibe. It’s a lively area known for its museums, galleries, quirky shops, and buzzing nightlife. You'll also find plenty of kosher restaurants and historic spots like Place des Vosges — Paris’s oldest square — where the writer Victor Hugo once lived. Plus, it’s a hub for the city’s LGBT community, making it one of Paris’s most colourful neighbourhoods.

The Seine cuts through the heart of Paris, and seeing the city from the water is one of the easiest ways to take in its big-name sights — from the Eiffel Tower to Notre-Dame. A veritable Parisian institution since 1949, the Compagnie des Bateaux Mouches® runs cruises year-round, with most following a similar route and offering multilingual commentary. Whether you go for a daytime ride or a nighttime cruise when the bridges and monuments are lit up, it’s a relaxing way to see the city from a different angle.

Parc Montsouris is one of four major parks created under Napoleon III at the edges of Paris. With its lake, waterfall, and wide lawns, it’s a year-round favourite for locals — whether for a picnic, a run, or just some quiet time outdoors.