Top 5 attractions in Paris

Paris is close enough for a weekend from the UK, but its big sights draw crowds all year. These five give a first-time visitor the classic city, with a note on which ones to book ahead.

1. The Eiffel Tower

You can go up by lift or by the stairs to the second floor, and on by lift to the summit. The views are best on a clear day, or at dusk when the city lights come on; the tower itself sparkles for a few minutes every hour after dark.

• Tickets for a set time save a long wait, especially for the summit. Book Eiffel Tower tickets.
• For the classic photo of the tower, cross the river to the Trocadéro gardens.

2. The Louvre

The world's most visited museum, home to the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo and the Winged Victory. It is huge: pick a few rooms rather than trying to see it all.

• Entry is by timed ticket, and booking ahead is strongly advised. Book Louvre tickets.
• The museum is not open every day of the week; check the opening days before you plan.

3. A cruise on the Seine

A one-hour boat trip passes the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre-Dame and many of the city's bridges, and is an easy way to see Paris on the first evening.

• Boats leave from several piers; the ones by the Eiffel Tower are the easiest to combine with a visit. Book a Seine sightseeing cruise.
• An evening sailing shows the monuments lit up.

4. Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur

The hilltop village of Montmartre has cobbled lanes, the artists of Place du Tertre and the white domes of Sacré-Cœur, which is free to enter. The steps in front of it give one of the best free views over Paris.

• The funicular saves the steepest climb up from the bottom of the hill.
• Be wary of people offering "free" string bracelets at the foot of the steps.

5. Notre-Dame and the Île de la Cité

Notre-Dame reopened in December 2024 after the 2019 fire, and entry to the cathedral is free. On the same island, Sainte-Chapelle has walls almost entirely of medieval stained glass, best on a sunny day.

• Notre-Dame can have long queues; going early helps.
• Sainte-Chapelle needs a ticket and a security check.

How to fit it in

Two days cover all five: the Eiffel Tower, a Seine cruise and the Louvre on one day; Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle and Montmartre on the other. Book the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre first, then plan the rest around those times.

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