The back story 1
In-depth stories behind the list.
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The back story
Paris on the Seine: the back story
From the Eiffel Tower to Notre-Dame, the banks of the Seine are a UNESCO World Heritage site: how the city grew along its river.
14 of the best · Paris, France
The Best Things to See and Do in Paris
The Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame reopened, the Sainte-Chapelle, the Arc de Triomphe, the Sacré-Cœur, the Invalides and the Seine.
Our 14 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated October 2026
What's onThis week in Paris
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Insiders' picks
Three of our favourites from this list, vetted by people who know and love Paris.
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Book on the official site only
Eiffel Tower (Tour Eiffel)
Gustave Eiffel’s iron tower on the Champ-de-Mars, built for the Exposition Universelle of 1889.
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Reopened December 2024
Notre-Dame de Paris
The great Gothic cathedral on the Île de la Cité, reopened in December 2024 after the 2019 fire.
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Walls of stained glass
Sainte-Chapelle
The royal chapel on the Île de la Cité, its upper chapel walled with stained glass.
The full list: Sights, A–Z
Show 13 of 14 places on a map
Neighbourhood
Landmarks 6
The great monuments.
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The view down the Champs-Élysées
Arc de Triomphe
The triumphal arch at the top of the Champs-Élysées, with a terrace on the roof.
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On the top of Montmartre
Basilica of Sacré-Cœur
The white basilica at the summit of Montmartre, with one of the great views over Paris.
35 rue du Chevalier-de-La-Barre, 75018 ParisExplore View on map
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Book on the official site only
Eiffel Tower (Tour Eiffel)
Gustave Eiffel’s iron tower on the Champ-de-Mars, built for the Exposition Universelle of 1889.
-
Reopened December 2024
Notre-Dame de Paris
The great Gothic cathedral on the Île de la Cité, reopened in December 2024 after the 2019 fire.
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On the Montagne Sainte-Geneviève
Panthéon
The domed monument on the Montagne Sainte-Geneviève, resting place of great French figures.
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Walls of stained glass
Sainte-Chapelle
The royal chapel on the Île de la Cité, its upper chapel walled with stained glass.
History 3
Palaces, prisons and tombs.
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The medieval palace
Conciergerie
The medieval royal palace on the Seine, later a prison during the Revolution.
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Napoleon’s tomb
Hôtel des Invalides and the Musée de l’Armée
Louis XIV’s home for old soldiers, with the golden dome over Napoleon’s tomb and the Army Museum.
129 rue de Grenelle, 75007 ParisExplore View on map
Views and the river 4
Squares, cruises and viewpoints.
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From the Pont de l’Alma
Bateaux Mouches
Sightseeing, lunch and dinner cruises on the Seine from the Pont de l’Alma.
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The view with the Eiffel Tower in it
Montparnasse Tower observation deck
The observation deck at the top of the Montparnasse Tower.
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The obelisk and the fountains
Place de la Concorde
The great square between the Tuileries and the Champs-Élysées, with the Luxor obelisk.
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The jewellers’ square
Place Vendôme
The octagonal square of the great jewellers, with the Ritz and the Vendôme Column.
