Read the top Paris and Ile-de-France tourist attractions overview
Paris, the capital of France, is among the world's top tourist destinations. With London, the UK, and Istanbul, Turkey, it forms a trio of the most visited cities in 2023 in the world. Besides the City of Light, as people refer to Paris, the neighboring region brims with attractive points of interest (POIs) and landmarks. Read on to find out what top Paris and Ile-de-France tourist attractions you should visit during your stay and why.
Denon Wing of Louvre Museum seen from Tuileries Garden
Top Paris Tourist Attractions
The largest French city features rich artistic, cultural, and architectural heritage. Paris is home to the world's most-visited museums and paid monuments, among other notable places. Also, it boasts famous cabarets—Moulin Rouge, Lido de Paris, etc.—and religious objects (Notre Dame and Sacre Coeur, for example).
Here's a short breakdown of unmissable POIs every traveler should visit while being around:
Top Rated Paris Monuments
- Eiffel Tower (Tour Eiffel) used to be the tallest human-made structure when built (1889). Visited by around seven million people annually, it's the world's most visited monument visitors have to pay to climb. From Eiffel Tower's three levels, you can see the French capital itself—first and second floors, a lot of Ile-de-France, and beyond (third floor).
Eiffel Tower, Paris
- Arc de Triomphe (Triumphal Arch) is another iconic landmark of Paris. Commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte, it boasts rich artwork and offers panoramic views of the city from its viewing platform. Several avenues, including the Champs-Elysees, Foch, and de la Grande Armée, spread out from the monument in various directions.
The Most Visited Museums of the French Capital
- Louvre—the most visited museum in the world surpassing the Vatican Museums and the National Museum of China in 2023 by a large margin—displays works of art that originated throughout Europe, Asia, and other continents. There, you can trace the history of the art throughout the premises of a former royal palace. Venus de Milo, Nike of Samothrace, and Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa are a few exhibition venue's centerpieces.
- Musée d'Orsay is the second most visited Paris museum. For the most part, it displays paintings and sculptures created by French artists throughout the 19th century. Orsay focuses on several art movements, but especially on Impressionism. Claude Monet's Poppies, Auguste Renoir's Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette, and Auguste Rodin's Gates of Hell are a few museum masterpieces.
Best Ile-de-France Places to Visit
Paris vacation is a highlight of every trip to the French Republic and Europe. And exploring the surrounding region contributes to this fact a great deal. So, let's see what places you should check out that are a short ride from the city.
The Most Popular Amusement Park Near Paris
- Disneyland Paris—one of the top Paris and Ile-de-France tourist attractions—was Europe's most visited amusement park before the coronavirus crisis by far. It consists of Disneyland Park, Walt Disney Studios, and the Disney Village shopping area. There, young and old alike entertain themselves with roller-coaster rides, first-class performances, and exhibitions.
The Most Famous Ile-de-France Palaces (Chateaux)
- The Palace of Versailles used to be King Louis XIV's prestigious royal residence. The palace interior features luxurious decoration, which comprises chandeliers, frescoes, and marble sculptures. Furthermore, the complex's garden with Grand Canal, abounding with water fountains and flower beds, is among the finest you'll ever see.
Flower arrangement in Versailles Palace's garden
- Château de Fontainebleau was a French royal palace long before Versailles came into existence. Moreover, the château was the birthplace of the French Renaissance. Also, it was a favorite residence of Napoleon I and François (Francis) I.
- Baroque Vaux-le-Vicomte near Melun is yet another stunning palace and one of the top Paris and Ile-de-France tourist attractions. This particular château likely inspired the creation of the worldwide-famous Versailles Palace. Andre le Notre, a celebrated landscape architect, designed the château's gardens.
