Paris - information for tourists

Paris is the most popular city in the world. Of course, according to statistics, there are more visited cities. But if you ask travel lovers in any country which city in the world they would like to visit, most will undoubtedly answer - Paris! Have I been to Paris? Yes! And I want to return to Paris again.

When we talk about Paris, we often mean not only the city of Paris itself, but also the metropolitan region of Ile-de-France. This is "Greater Paris".

In 2022, the total number of tourists visiting Paris and Ile-de-France was about 44 million.
Approximately 24.5 million (56%) had Paris as their destination.
Of this number, approximately 13.2 million are foreign tourists (54%) and the remaining approximately 11.3 million are travelers with French citizenship.

Most foreign tourists in Paris are citizens of the United States and neighboring European countries (UK, Germany, Spain, Italy).

We cannot be sure of the absolute accuracy of the figures given here. Data from different sources varies slightly. In addition, it is difficult to take into account all the travel of EU citizens.
In 2023, approximately 15.5 million foreign tourists visited Paris. (The results of the year 2023 had not yet been summed up at the time of preparation of the article.)

Attractions | Museums | Airports | Accommodation | To see

Why Paris attracts tourists

Why does Paris attract tourists so much? What is the secret of his magical attractiveness? Do you know the answer and are you ready to share it with other travel enthusiasts?

We see references to Paris from an early age. We meet Paris in history lessons, in novels, in films. Many famous people, writers, artists, poets lived in the capital of France and depicted this city in their works. Perhaps this is partly why we also strive for Paris?

Paris is home to the most visited attraction in the world. I remember the impression the Eiffel Tower made on me when I first saw it. You need to see it too!

France and Paris have played an important role in the life of Europe and the whole world for many centuries. Cultural treasures were brought to Paris from all over the world. History buffs will find interesting museums and attractions here. The most visited museum in the World is also located in Paris.

For centuries, Paris has been one of the centers of world art. It is still a global fashion center. If you are interested in fine arts, music and fashion, then you will find a lot of interesting things in Paris.

In the modern world, production and trade have become global phenomena and have crossed all boundaries. You can buy any goods anywhere in the world. But, nevertheless, some cities are especially popular among shopping lovers. Paris is one such cities.

For gourmets, lovers of delicious food and good wine, France and Paris are the most suitable travel destinations. The French know how to cook delicious dishes. Not only the taste of the food, but also the romantic surroundings. Coffee and a croissant in a cafe on the Seine embankment is not at all the same as drinking a cup of good coffee at home.

If you are in love, then any city and any day is saturated with love for you. But it will be remembered for a lifetime, spending a weekend with your beloved in Paris.

What attracts millions of people to Paris? It is impossible, to give a simple answer to this question. Different people have their preferences, interests and desires. Everyone finds something interesting for themselves: attractions, cultural events, museums, theaters, entertainment or shopping. We hope that our website will help you prepare for your travel. Visit+Paris.

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Places to see in Paris

Champs Elysees

Champs-Élysées is the main street of Paris. The street is located in the north-west of the city and runs from east to west, from Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe. The Champs Elysees is one of the most popular attractions in Paris. Almost all tourists coming to Paris consider it necessary to visit the Champs Elysees. The length of the street is 1915 meters, width is 71 meters. On the Champs-Elysées there are metro stations Champs-Élysées – Clemenceau, Franklin D. Roosevelt, George V, Charles de Gaulle.

Seine River

The Seine River flows through the whole of Paris and divides the city into two parts. 37 bridges connect the banks of the Seine River within the city. The depth of the river in the city is on average 9.5 meters. Part of the Seine embankments is included in the UNESCO list of European cultural heritage sites. Some of the sights of Paris (Louvre, Eiffel Tower) are located near the river. We recommend buying a river cruise along the Seine.

Arc de Triomphe

The Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile in Paris is one of the main attractions of Paris. The Arc de Triomphe is located on the right bank of the Seine, in the center of Charles de Gaulle square. The Arc de Triomphe was built in 1806-1836 by order of Napoleon in honor of the victories of his army. Dimensions: height 49.51 m, width 44.82 m, vault height 29.19 m. The “Tomb of the Unknown Soldier” is also located here.
The distance from the Arc de Triomphe to the Eiffel Tower is approximately 2.2 kilometers.

Montmartre

Montmartre is a hill in the north of the city, the highest point in Paris. The height of the hill is approximately 130 meters. Sacré-Coeur Basilica is located at the top of the hill/ It is one of the city's popular attractions. At the end of the 19th century, many famous artists and poets lived in Montmartre. Montmartre is visited by a large number of tourists every year (mainly Sacre Coeur and Place du Tertre square). You can still buy a painting from artists in the square next to the Sacre Coeur.
The distance from the Louvre Museum to the top of Montmartre is 3 kilometers.

Montparnasse

Montparnasse is an area in the south of Paris, on the left bank of the Seine. The Montparnasse quarter became popular at the beginning of the 20th century. At that time, it was possible to rent inexpensive housing here. For this reason, poor writers, sculptors, painters, poets and musicians from all over the world lived here. For example, Salvador Dali, Joan Miró, Amedeo Modigliani, Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway, Marc Chagall lived here.

The most popular places to visit in Paris

Paris is one of the most popular cities among tourists from different countries. There are many interesting places in the city. It can be said that Paris itself is single big attraction. You can find information about some of the most popular places to see on our website.

Attractions

• The Eiffel Tower (La tour Eiffel). The world-famous “Eiffel Tower” is the most visited tourist attraction in the world. The tower was created as a temporary structure for the Paris World's Fair of 1889. It is located on the Champ de Mars area in Paris. The nearest metro station: “Bir-Hakeim”.
  Find the Eiffel Tower location on the map of Paris.
• Notre Dame (Notre Dame de Paris). The cathedral is located in the geographical center of Paris, on the eastern part of the “Île de la Cité” island in the fourth arrondissement of Paris. Cathedral is visiting by more than 13 million people a year.
  Find the Notre Dame de Paris location of the map of Paris.
• Disneyland (Disneyland Paris). It is one of the most popular theme parks in the world. Disneyland Paris is located in Marne-la-Vallée town, 32 km to east of Paris center. Disneyland attracts large number of tourists in Paris every year.
  Find the Disneyland Paris location of the map of Paris.
• Sacré Coeur Basilica (Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris). It is a Roman Catholic Church, situated on the Montmartre hill, at the highest point (130 m) of Paris. It is a popular landmark of Paris. The church construction began in 1875 and was finished in 1914. It was consecrated after the end of World War I in 1919.
  Find the Sacré Coeur Basilica location of the map of Paris.
• Les Invalides. “L'Hôtel des Invalides” is a complex of buildings in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, containing museums and monuments, all relating to the military history of France, as well as a hospital and a retirement home for war veterans (the building's original purpose). The buildings house the “Musée de l'Armée”, the military museum of the Army of France.
• The Grand Palais. “Grand Palais des Champs-Élysées” (Grand Palais) is a large historic site, exhibition hall and museum complex located at the Champs-Élysées (8th arrondissement of Paris). It was built for the Universal Exposition of 1900. Various public events (exhibition, fashion shows) are held there. The building's west wing also contains a science museum, the Palais de la Découverte.
  Find the “Grand Palais” location of the map of Paris.
• The “Palais Garnier”. The “Palais Garnier” is an opera house, which was built from 1861 to 1875 for the “Paris Opera”. The “Palais Garnier” is one of the most famous opera houses in the world. It is also a symbol of Paris like Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre, or the Sacré Coeur Basilica.
  Find the “Palais Garnier” location of the map of Paris.

👉 You can buy tickets to some popular attractions online here.

Museums

The Louvre (Musée du Louvre). Louvre is one of the most famous art museums in the world. The museum is located in the heart of Paris, on the right bank of the Seine River. There are three entrances in the museum: the main entrance at the pyramid, an entrance from the “Carrousel du Louvre” underground shopping mall and an entrance at the “Porte des Lions” (near the western end of the Denon wing). Leonardo da Vinci's famous painting Mona Lisa is in the Louvre. About 8 million visitors visited the museum in 2023.
The nearest metro stations: “Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre”, “Louvre-Rivoli”.

Find the “Louvre” location of the map of Paris.

Versailles. The Versailles palace and park (Parc et château de Versailles) is the former residence of French kings at Versailles. It is grate popular museum now. Versailles is located in suburb of Paris, at a distance about 20 kilometers to southwest of the Paris center.
Find the “Versailles” location of the Paris map.

Musée d'Orsay. The “Musée d'Orsay” museum holds mainly French art dating from 1848 to 1915, including paintings, sculptures, furniture, and photography. It has the largest collection of impressionist and post-impressionist masterpieces in the world. Museum is located in the former railway station.
Address: Rue de Lille 75343 Paris, France.
The nearest metro stations: “Solférino”, “Musée d'Orsay” (RER).

National Museum of Modern Art of France. The national museum of modern art of France (Musée National d'Art Moderne) is located in the Pompidou Centre. The museum has the second largest collection of modern and contemporary art in the world, after the New York Museum of Modern Art.
“Georges-Pompidou” Centre is a building in the Beaubourg area of the 4th arrondissement of Paris. It houses the “Paris Museum of Modern Art”, public Information library (Bibliothèque publique d'information) and a centre for music and acoustic research (IRCAM). Several major exhibitions are organized each year there.
The nearest metro stations: Rambuteau, Les Halles.
Address: Centre Pompidou, place Georges Pompidou, 75004 Paris and Centre Pompidou-Metz, Human Rights square, 57000 Metz.

National Museum of Natural History. The National Museum of Natural History (Muséum national d'histoire naturelle, MNHN) comprises 14 sites throughout France. Four parts of the museum are located in Paris, including the original location at the royal botanical garden, the Jardin des Plantes, which remains one of the seven departments of MNHN. The galleries open to the public are: the “Cabinet d’Histoire du Jardin des Plantes in the Hôtel de Magny”, the “Gallery of Mineralogy and Geology”, the “Gallery of Palaeontology and Comparative Anatomy”, and the “Grand Gallery of Evolution” (Grande galerie de l'évolution).
Address: 57 Rue Cuvier, Paris, France.
The nearest metro station: Jussieu.

Science museum. The “Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie” is the biggest science museum in Europe. About five million people visit it each year. Attractions include a planetarium, a submarine (the Argonaute S636), an IMAX theatre (La Géode) and special areas for children and teenagers. Museum located in “Parc de la Villette” in Paris.
Address: Cité des sciences et de l'industrie - 30, avenue Corentin-Cariou - F-75019 Paris.
The nearest metro station: Porte de la Villette (Line 7).

Museum of Arts and Crafts. Museum of Arts and Crafts (The Musée des Arts et Métiers) is an industrial design museum in Paris. Museum houses the collection of the “National Conservatory of Arts and Industry” (Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers), which was founded in 1794 as a repository for the preservation of scientific instruments and inventions. The museum presents seven different collections: Scientific Instruments, Materials, Energy, Mechanics, Construction, Communication, Transportation.
Address: 60, rue Réaumur, 75003 Paris, France.
The nearest metro station: Arts et Métiers.

Guided tours in Paris (and skip the line tickets).

Entertainment

The “Paris Opera” theater. It is most famous theater in Paris. Each year, the Opéra presents about 380 performances of opera, ballet and other concerts, to a total audience of about 800,000 people. The Paris Opera (Opéra de Paris) has two venues.

• Ballets and some classical operas are held at the 1970-seat “Palais Garnier”.
• Opéra National de Paris produces operas at its modern 2700-seat theatre Opéra Bastille which opened in 1989.

“Comédie-Française” theater. The Comédie-Française is one of the few state theatres in France. The Comédie-Française was founded by a decree of Louis XIV on August 8, 1680. The theater has a repertoire of 3,000 works and three theaters in Paris (salle Richelieu, théâtre du Vieux-Colombier, Studio-Théâtre). The company's primary venue is the Salle Richelieu. Address: 2, rue de Richelieu, Paris, France.

“Crazy Horse” cabaret. “Le Crazy Horse de Paris” is a Parisian cabaret known for its stage shows. The Paris Crazy Horse occupies former wine cellars of an impressive Haussmanian building at 12 Avenue George-V.
Address: 12, avenue George V, Paris, France.

“Moulin Rouge” cabaret. Moulin Rouge (Red Mill) is a cabaret in Paris, France. It was founded in 1889. Today, the Moulin Rouge is a tourist attraction, offering musical dance entertainment for visitors from around the world.
Address: 82, boulevard de Clichy, Paris, France.

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Transportation

Airports

Paris is served by three international airports: Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Paris-Orly and Beauvais-Tillé. Paris-Le Bourget is the oldest Paris airport, but it is used only for private business flights and air shows now.

International Airport of Paris

Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (Aéroport Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle, CDG) is located 25 km (16 miles) north-east of Paris. It is the busiest airport in France in terms of passenger traffic and tenth busiest by passenger traffic airport in the world.

Travelers can get to Paris from airport by RER B trains (Regional-Express services), by bus or by taxi. Journey time is approximately 30 minutes. There is also train station in airport. TGV high-speed trains departs to most major cities in France, as well as in Brussels.
Get more information about Charles de Gaulle airport.

Paris Orly Airport is located about 13 kilometers (8,1 miles) south of Paris. It is the busiest French airport for domestic traffic and the second busiest French airport in passenger traffic.
Orly Airport is connected to the RER B train line (Antony station) by the Orlyval automatic shuttle.
T7 tram connects the south terminal to Paris Metro Line 7 (Villejuif – Louis Aragon station).
A shuttle bus connects Orly Airport to the RER C line (Pont de Rungis – Aéroport d'Orly station).
There are also bus routes connecting the airport and some places in Paris.

Beauvais–Tillé Airport (Paris-Beauvais) is an international airport near the city of Beauvais 85 kilometers (53 mi) north-northwest of Paris.
Passengers can get to Paris by bus or taxi from the airport.

You can book a transfer (taxi) from Paris airport in advance, online.

Paris railway stations

Railway transport allows you get from Paris to other French cities and to neighboring countries. Trip by train to Brussels, London or Amsterdam should take only a few hours.

Railway tickets can be purchased on the internet. You can at least find out the train schedule and train travel prices online and buy a ticket later at the station.

There are seven railway stations in Paris.

North Station. This station (Gare du Nord) serves trains to the north of France as well as to the UK (Eurostar), Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. Railway station is located in the 10th arrondissement, not far from the subway stations “Gare du Nord”, “La Chapelle”. Address: 18, rue de Dunkerque, Paris.

“Gare Saint-Lazare” railway station. It is the second largest passenger railway station in Paris. From here trains depart to direction of Nomandiya. The station is located in the 8th district, close to metro stations “Saint-Lazare”, “Europe”, “Havre – Caumartin” and “Saint-Augustin”. Address: 13, Rue d'Amsterdam, Paris.

East Station. From the East Station trains depart to the easterly direction (Nancy, Strasbourg, Reims), as well as international destinations: Switzerland, Luxembourg, Germany and Austria. Station is located on the Place du 11-Novembre-1918 square, in 10th arrondissement of Paris. Address: place du 11 November 1918.

Gare de Lyon. From Gare de Lyon station trains depart to central and south-eastern regions of France, as well as in Switzerland, Italy and Greece. The nearest metro station is “Gare de Lyon”. Address: 20 boulevard Diderot, Paris.

Bercy Station. Bercy station is located in the 12th municipal district of the city, near the Gare de Lyon station. This station serves trains carrying cars, as well as the night trains to Italy.

Gare d'Austerlitz. Station is located in the southern part of Paris, in the 13th municipality. From the railway station go trains to the south direction, including the cities Orleans, Tours, Madrid, Lisbon. Address: 55 quai D'Austerlitz, Paris.

Gare Montparnasse. From this station trains go to the west and south-west of France, including the cities Bordeaux, Nantes and Rennes. There are also trains to Brittany and western France (TGV). Nearest metro stations: Montparnasse - Bienvenüe, Pasteur. Address: 17, Boulevard de Vaugirard, 14 and 15 arrondissements, Paris.

It may also be useful for you: the tourist map of Paris.

Places to stay in Paris

Paris offers a wide range of hotels and apartments with different comfort and price levels. There are cheap hotels and hostels for budget travelers and luxury hotels for wealthy tourists.

Convenience for tourists depends on the hotel location. The best places for tourists to stay are located in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 8th arrondissements of Paris. Many popular with tourist sights will be located near your place of residence (within walking distance) if you choose accommodation in one of these districts.

Located next to the Champs Elysées hotels can be considered the most convenient for travelers (in most cases). Many luxury hotels are also located there.

Read more about places to stay in Paris.