Paris packs an extraordinary concentration of world famous landmarks into a remarkably compact footprint. Many of the city’s most iconic sights sit within a few kilometers of each other, connected by tree lined boulevards and scenic river crossings. This density is exactly what makes Paris so rewarding to explore on foot, letting visitors move between centuries of history in a single afternoon.
This guide covers ten of the city’s most essential attractions, all within comfortable walking distance of one another. Below is a quick reference table, followed by detailed information on each stop, verified against official sources.
| Attraction | Category | Opening Hours | Entry Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eiffel Tower | Monument | Daily 9:30 AM to 11:00 PM (extended to midnight in summer) | €36.70 adult (summit by lift) |
| Arc de Triomphe | Monument | Daily 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM (April-Sept), 10:00 AM to 10:30 PM (Oct-March) | €22 |
| Champs-Élysées | Public boulevard | Always open (public street) | Free |
| Place de la Concorde | Public square | Always open (public square) | Free |
| Louvre Museum | Museum | 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, closed Tuesdays, late night Wed/Fri until 9:45 PM | €22 EEA residents, €32 non-EEA |
| Notre-Dame Cathedral | Cathedral | Mon-Fri 7:50 AM to 7:00 PM (Thu until 10:00 PM), Sat-Sun 8:15 AM to 7:30 PM | Free |
| Sacré-Cœur | Basilica | Daily 6:30 AM to 10:30 PM (basilica); dome 10:30 AM to 9:30 PM | Free (basilica); check official website for dome price |
| Pont Alexandre III | Bridge | Always open (public bridge) | Free |
| Hôtel des Invalides | Museum and monument | Daily 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM | €17 |
| Jardin des Plantes | Botanical garden | Daily, hours vary by season | Free (garden grounds) |
Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower stands as the defining symbol of Paris, built by Gustave Eiffel for the 1889 World’s Fair. Originally intended as a temporary structure, it has become one of the most recognized buildings on earth, drawing over six million visitors each year. Its iron lattice design remains an engineering marvel, offering sweeping views over the entire city from its upper levels.
What to See in Eiffel Tower
- Entry Ticket: €36.70 for adults (summit by lift), with reduced rates for youth aged 12 to 24 and children aged 4 to 11. Children under 4 enter free.
- Opening Hours: Open daily from 9:30 AM to 11:00 PM, with extended hours until midnight during summer months (late June through early September). Booking online up to 60 days in advance is strongly recommended, since popular time slots sell out quickly.
Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe was commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 to honor his military victories, though he did not live to see it completed in 1836. Standing at the center of Place Charles de Gaulle, it anchors twelve radiating avenues, including the famous Champs-Élysées. Beneath the arch lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, marked by an eternal flame honoring those who died in both World Wars.
What to See in Arc de Triomphe
- Entry Ticket: €22 for adults, with free admission for EU residents under 26 and all visitors under 18. Reservations should be made at least four weeks in advance during peak season.
- Opening Hours: Open daily from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM from April through September, and 10:00 AM to 10:30 PM from October through March. Last entry is 45 minutes before closing.
Champs-Élysées
The Champs-Élysées ranks among the most famous boulevards in the world, stretching from the Arc de Triomphe to Place de la Concorde. Lined with flagship stores, cafes, and grand Haussmannian architecture, it has served as the ceremonial heart of Paris for major parades and celebrations for generations. Walking its full length offers a strong sense of the city’s formal, monumental scale.
What to See in Champs-Élysées
- Entry Ticket: Free. As a public boulevard, no admission is required to walk its length or browse its shops and cafes.
- Opening Hours: Always open as a public street, though individual shops and restaurants along the avenue keep their own hours.
Place de la Concorde
Place de la Concorde ranks among the largest public squares in Paris, marked by its towering Egyptian obelisk gifted to France in the 19th century. This square carries a complicated history, having served as the site of public executions during the French Revolution, including that of Marie Antoinette. Today it anchors the western end of the Champs-Élysées and offers sweeping views toward both the Tuileries Garden and the river.
What to See in Place de la Concorde
- Entry Ticket: Free. As a public square, there is no admission fee to visit or photograph the site.
- Opening Hours: Always accessible as a public outdoor space, since it functions as an open city square rather than a ticketed attraction.
Louvre Museum
The Louvre holds the distinction of being the world’s largest and most visited art museum, housing an extraordinary collection spanning ancient civilizations through the 19th century. Originally built as a royal palace, the museum’s glass pyramid entrance, designed by I. M. Pei, has become an icon in its own right. Its collection includes the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, and tens of thousands of other works across three connected wings.
What to See in Louvre Museum
- Entry Ticket: €22 for European Economic Area residents and €32 for non-EEA visitors, effective as of January 2026. Children under 18 and EEA residents aged 18 to 25 enter free, as does everyone on the first Friday evening of the month after 6 PM (except July and August) and on Bastille Day, July 14.
- Opening Hours: Open 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily except Tuesdays, with extended hours until 9:45 PM on Wednesdays and Fridays. Reservations are mandatory for all visitors from July 1 to August 31.
Notre-Dame Cathedral
Notre-Dame Cathedral reopened to the public in December 2024 following extensive restoration after the devastating 2019 fire. This Gothic masterpiece, first constructed starting in the 12th century, remains one of the most significant religious and architectural landmarks in France. Its restored interior features new stained glass, a rebuilt spire, and a renovated nave that draws both worshippers and visitors from around the world.
What to See in Notre-Dame Cathedral
- Entry Ticket: Free. Access to the cathedral is open to all at no cost, though an optional free timed-entry reservation is available online to reduce waiting.
- Opening Hours: Monday through Friday from 7:50 AM to 7:00 PM, with extended hours until 10:00 PM on Thursdays. Saturday and Sunday hours run from 8:15 AM to 7:30 PM. Last entry is 30 minutes before closing.
Sacré-Cœur
The Basilica of Sacré-Cœur crowns the hill of Montmartre, its white domes visible from much of the city below. Built between 1875 and 1914 in a distinctive Romanesque-Byzantine style, the basilica houses one of the largest mosaics in France, spanning nearly 480 square meters above its altar. Beyond its religious significance, the site remains one of the best free viewpoints in Paris, with the surrounding steps offering sweeping panoramas over the city.
What to See in Sacré-Cœur
- Entry Ticket: Free to enter the basilica itself. Climbing the dome requires a separate paid ticket. Check the official website for the latest dome price, since third party estimates vary.
- Opening Hours: The basilica is open daily from 6:30 AM to 10:30 PM, with last entry at 10:15 PM. The dome is open daily from 10:30 AM to 9:30 PM, with last admission at 9:00 PM.
Pont Alexandre III
Pont Alexandre III ranks among the most ornate bridges in Paris, built for the 1900 World’s Fair and named after Russian Tsar Alexander III to celebrate Franco-Russian friendship. Its gilded statues, ornate lampposts, and Art Nouveau detailing make it one of the most photographed crossings on the Seine. The bridge connects the Champs-Élysées area with the Hôtel des Invalides, offering excellent views in both directions along the river.
What to See in Pont Alexandre III
- Entry Ticket: Free. As a public bridge, there is no cost to cross or photograph it.
- Opening Hours: Always open as a pedestrian and vehicle crossing, accessible at any time of day or night.
Hôtel des Invalides
The Hôtel des Invalides was originally built by Louis XIV to house wounded and elderly soldiers, and it now serves as one of the largest military history museums in the world. Its golden dome, visible across much of the Left Bank, marks the location of Napoleon Bonaparte’s tomb within the adjoining church. The complex houses over 500,000 military artifacts spanning from the Middle Ages through the 20th century.
What to See in Hôtel des Invalides
- Entry Ticket: €17 full price, with a discounted rate of €12 for eligible visitors. Free admission applies to visitors under 18, job seekers, and people with disabilities and their companions.
- Opening Hours: Open daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with extended hours until 10:00 PM on the first Friday of each month. The site is closed on January 1, May 1, and December 25.
Jardin des Plantes
The Jardin des Plantes has served as Paris’s principal botanical garden since 1635, originally established as a medicinal garden for Louis XIII. Spanning over 23 hectares, it now forms the heart of the National Museum of Natural History, combining formal French gardens with a zoo, greenhouses, and several scientific galleries. Its centuries old trees and structured flowerbeds offer a peaceful escape near the edge of the Latin Quarter.
What to See in Jardin des Plantes
- Entry Ticket: Free for the garden grounds, including the French garden, School of Botany, Alpine garden, and rose garden. The zoo, greenhouses, and exhibition galleries each require separate paid tickets. Check the official website for the latest prices on these attractions.
- Opening Hours: Open daily, with hours varying by season. Confirm exact seasonal timings on the official website before visiting, since hours shift between spring, summer, fall, and winter schedules.
Exploring Paris on Foot
These ten landmarks capture Paris at its most iconic, from the Eiffel Tower’s panoramic views to the quiet greenery of the Jardin des Plantes. Grand boulevards, ornate bridges, and centuries old monuments all sit within a walkable network connected by the Seine and its historic crossings.
Booking tickets online in advance for paid attractions like the Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, and Hôtel des Invalides saves significant time, especially during peak season. Comfortable shoes matter more than almost any other packing decision, given how much ground this route covers on foot. Take your time moving between these sights, and you will discover a city built as much for wandering as for sightseeing.