Ranking Every Paris Attraction After 5 Years Living Here

If you only have limited time, what should you actually do? In this video we rank the best Paris attractions after five years of living here, split into categories so you can plan around what you love: landmarks, castles, day trips, churches, museums, parks, shopping and theme parks. For each one we share hours, prices and the pros and cons as they were when we filmed, so always check before you go.

Our number ones

• Landmark: the Arc de Triomphe, for one of the best 360-degree views in Paris (lots of stairs, no elevator to the top). The Eiffel Tower is a close second.
• Castle: Vaux-le-Vicomte, the chateau that inspired Versailles, with candlelight evenings in summer. Versailles came second because of the crowds.
• Day trip: Reims in Champagne, about 45 minutes by TGV, for the cathedral and the big Champagne houses. Book tastings ahead.
• Church: Notre-Dame, sparkling after its restoration and free to enter. Sainte-Chapelle and its stained glass came third.
• Museum: the Musée d’Orsay, for world-class Impressionist art in a more manageable size than the Louvre.
• Park: the Luxembourg Gardens, with their fountains and classic green chairs.
• Shopping: the covered passages, full of small independent shops, cafes and bookshops.

Worth knowing as you plan

Some of our favorite surprises sit lower on the lists. Place des Vosges is a peaceful spot for a picnic, Pont Alexandre III has some of the best Eiffel Tower views, Chantilly has an art collection second only to the Louvre for old masters, and Parc Monceau is a quiet local favorite. The Louvre is unbeatable but huge and capped on tickets, and the Centre Pompidou is closed for renovation until around 2030. Disneyland Paris and Parc Astérix tie for theme parks.

Our verdict

Mix one or two icons with quieter places, and do not try to see everything in one trip. Book timed tickets for the busiest sites, and keep an eye out for pickpockets at crowded spots like the Trocadéro and Notre-Dame.

To skip the planning stress, see our recommended walking tours of Paris or a guided Paris walking tour, and book Eiffel Tower reserved access and Sainte-Chapelle skip-the-line tickets ahead. Our Paris Guide Bundle shows where to eat and sleep near each attraction.