First time visitor’s guide to Paris, France
This guide is perfect for those visiting Paris for the first time and want to know what to see and do on your first visit.
I have been lucky enough over the years to travel to this wonderful city may times, solo, as a couple and with family and each time I adore it.
I have included the top attractions you should visit, where to get the best of of the Eiffel Tower, the art scene and some of the darker, lesser known places in Paris. Of course, I have also included a few coffee shops - which you will see at the bottom of this post.
Best View of The Eiffel Tower?
If it is your first time visiting Paris, I can understand the excitement to set eyes of the famous Eiffel Tower. I still love seeing it on my visits, I would try and see it at night time too if you can. The tower was built as part of the 1889 World’s Fair by Gustave Eiffel at 300 metres high it was the tallest building in the world until 1930.
The best thing about the tower if you can get up close and underneath the structure for free without having to pay entrance fee.
Trocadéro Esplanade - I would say this offers the clearest view of the Eiffel Tower. Photographers flock here to get views at sunrise/sunset and I would say there is plenty room for everyone there too. The Trocadéro station (lines 6 and 9) opens directly onto the square. This esplanade is also free to visit.
Pont Alexandre III (Bridge), Cours la Reine - Quai d'Orsay. This beautiful bridge has bronze sculptures and views across to the Eiffel Tower. I would head here at night to see it lit up and all sparkly.
The bridge connects the Invalides on the Left Bank to the Grand Palais and Petit Palais on the Right Bank.Montparnasse Tower is closed for the remainder of 2026, however I would keep an eye online if they reopen as would rate this for a good view across Paris.
I will argue that you can of course head up to see the inside structure of the Eiffel tower but really the view you want is of the monument itself on the skyline.
The Must Visit Attractions?
Arc De Triomphe
Arguably the most famous monument in Paris, the views down the Champ-Elysees are incredible and you can really see the star layout of Paris. The neo classical monument was commissioned in 1806 by Napoleon I and became one of the tallest triumphal arches in the world. As you approach you will see the pandemonium of the traffic circling the monument but don’t fear there is an underground pedestrian tunnel at Place Charles de Gaulle on the north side.
Do not attempt to cross the round about.
You can climb up to the to (284 steps) and learn about the history behind the monument. You can pre-purchase tickets online here. Admission is €22.
Seine River Cruise
I would suggest a river cruise as you will flow past the beautiful Notre-Dame, he Musee d’Orsay and Les Invalides (Napoleon’s final resting place). I also love that you will pass under the many, many bridges that there are in Paris. In fact, 37 bridges cross the river Seine.
There are several river cruises to choose from, some include lunch or dinner onboard and they run into the evening too. Typically the cruises last just over an hour. The best value one I have found online starts from €17 departing from Notre Dame.Budget River cruise here (one hour).
Luxury dinner cruise with live jazz music here (two hours).
Montmartre Neighbourhood & Sacré-Cœur
This is a close contender for my favourite place to visit in all of Paris. The Sacré-Cœur “sacred heart” is situated at the summit of the Montmartre hill and is a Catholic church that dominates this part of the skyline.
Even from the outside the top of the hill offers incredible city views. The climb up can be accessed via steps or sloping walkways or there is a funicular that gets up uphill. Entrance inside the church is free, but expect long lines to get in.The area of Montmartre to me is so vibrant with cobbled streets and rich history and art. Walking around you can see why so many famous artists took inspiration from this area. Renoir, Van Gogh and Picasso all lived in this area at one point in time. I would head toward Place Du Tertre, it is a square surrounded by cafes and artists live painting outside.
You will also find La Maison Rose (the pink house) which is consistently on Instagram as a pretty photo spot. The cafe is on the corner was also featured in the popular TV show “Emily in Paris”. I have to admit I have not been inside for food, but you can see their menu online which offers classic French cuisine.
The Art World
As you walk around the city of lights you will begin to see why so many artists found inspiration here. I have been lucky enough to visit a few of the galleries and I would say the Musee d’Orsay is my favourite of them all.
However if you are visiting for the first time perhaps you should see The Louvre and say hi to the Mona Lisa.
Musee Du Louvre
The Louvre is the world’s largest art museum so it can be quite overwhelming and there is no chance of you being able to see everything. I would say the main draw here is to see the masterpieces of Leonardo Da Vinci.
If you enjoy art and can stomach large crowds then make a visit to the Louvre.
I will say the Mona Lisa was cool to see but controversially I would say there is better art inside! After all there are over 35,000 works to choose from! The glass pyramid in the square is also an icon of Paris these days and you can walk right up to it before you pay for entrance. If you just want a whistle stop tour of the masterpieces then allow yourself 1 hour, 30 minutes minimum.
I would advise that you should definitely pre-book your tickets and just to avoid any scams purchase your ticket direct from the Louvre online here. The Louvre is free for all visitors on the first Friday of the month after 6pm (except July and August). Book here to ensure your free slot.
*Non EU ticket €32.00 Audio Guide is €6.00
I would also add that you should not rock up to the gallery with a large backpack/suitcase you will not get in!
Musee d’Orsay
The museum is home to the largest collection of Impressionist art in the world (think Monet, Renoir, Gauguin and Van Gogh). The gallery is spread across five floors. I would allow two hours to experience the best of it.
If you are a fan of Van Gogh then you will adore their collection. They have a whole room dedicated to the artist and look out for the “Starry Night” “The Bedroom” and a few self portraits too.
On the ground floor you will also find the famous “Whistle’s Mother” portrait, does anyone remember the Mr Bean Movie?
Even without the art, the architecture of the building itself is impressive. The museum used to be home to a large railway station and you can see remnants of that in the upper floor. The gilded 19th century giant clock has been there since 1900 and was part of the Universal Exhibition at the time in Paris. You can also access the rooftop and head outside to see views across Paris.The gallery has a couple of cafes (I’ve only ever had coffee), free luggage storage and a great gift shop.
Entrance is €16 and you can book online here.
*I would suggest pre-booking your ticket and avoid the long lines at the entrance. If you book online make sure you use their official website
59 Rivoli
Stepping away from classical art you will find more urban and contemporary art inside 59 Rivoli. It was home to a former bank around 20 years ago and once abandoned it became a squatters home for artists and their studios. It formally became an exhibition space in 2006 and part of the Parisian artists community. The building is home to around 30 artists studios and each one of them is open to the public for free. You walk form room to room viewing works in progress and you can mingle with the artists too. Inside the entrance and staircase the walls are brightly decorated and you can just feel the creative energy coming from this building.
You can find the artists studios on 59 Rue De Rivoli
Paris is also blessed with a Picasso Museum (Le Marais), the Rodin Museum and the Musee De l’Orangerie which is home to Claude Money’s water lily paintings.
I also found this great painting class in the heart of the city (Place de l'Odéon) that offers a three hour watercolour workshop. You’ll learn simple watercolour techniques step by step while painting iconic landmarks and charming streets. I’ll link the art class here.
The Darker side of Paris
If you are anything like me you will appreciate and find the dark history of a place fascinating. Underneath the streets or Paris there is the network of tunnels that is home to the Catacombs.
The Paris Catacombs
20 metres below ground there is a mass network of tunnels across 200 miles worth that is home to the city’s dead. The original area was used as a quarry for limestone that helped to create the buildings of Paris as far back as the Romans.
This resulted in enormous caverns left below the city. However, by the late 18th century, these old quarries were beginning to collapse under the weight of a rapidly expanding Paris. At the same time, the cemeteries above ground faced overcrowding. The catacombs were seen as a solution that would solve both problems. The Parisian graveyards were becoming full, quite literally to capacity and so it was decided that the space would be used for burial.
The bones of over six million people now fill the catacombs – almost three times the number of people living in Paris today. As you enter you will see the bones are neatly lined up and they are all unidentified. You can see some skulls that have damage, whether that is vandalism or through a dreadful illness during that persons lifetime. You will see the sheer sale of the amount of bones and above the tunnels are stained black with the candle light that would have been used to guide people down. I have to say I did not find it horror inducing, it was quite thought provoking and I would encourage you to see it. I noticed straight away that the catacombs are cooler and the air is different. There is a fair bit of walking down here so bear that in mind.
Access is by staircase only. There are 131 steps down and 112 up. Due to the infrastructure the Catacombs can be very busy and they limit the numbers to 200 per day So I would definitely pre-book your tickets online here.
Visit a Cemetery
I would say the most well known one in the centre of Paris is Pere LaChaise. Located in the 20th arrondissement the cemetery is the largest in the city and cover around 110 acres. Visitors flock there because of the famous burials inside. It is the final resting place for notable figures including Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison, Édith Piaf (the iconic French singer) and Frédéric Chopin.
If visiting cemeteries are your thing then I can also recommend Montmartre cemetery, it is also of significance to those with an interest in the French Revolution. The Royal executioner Charles Henri Sanson is buried there, he executed King Louis XVI in 1793. It was alleged that he executed around 3000 people throughout his “career”.Alongside the tombstones, there are many stray cats that have made the graveyard their home. When we visited we saw a fair few, and pleasantly there were locals who were feeding them. I do have a dedicated blog post to this cemetery here.
Foodie experiences
I would argue that France has some of the best food in the world. Paris is blessed with so many cafes and restaurants and you will for sure find a treat or two there.
Usually on my first morning, I head to the nearest bakery for some french baguette and or a croissant. They have never had me wrong.
During my last visit, I managed to join a cookery class and make (or attempt) to make some french macarons. These almond sweet treats are delicate and the class was informative and fun. I will link the experience below, I booked via Airbnb Experiences, however you can book direct with them. They also have croissant and baguette making classes too. Booking link here.
My restaurant and cafe recommendations are:
Le Parvis Brasserie, very close to Notre Dame that serves classic French cuisine. I recommend their Onion Soup and Creme Brulee, you cant really go wrong. I will say because of the location, the prices are inflated but if it’s good tasting you don’t mind paying!
Bon Jo Restaurant is a brunch restaurant in Montmarte and genuinely has one of the best desserts I have had. Their freshly baked Basque cheesecake is heavenly and the views and interiors of this restaurant also add to the experience. All of their sweet treats are homemade. I would say go early in the day, as they are walk in only.
Creperie Des Arts (Rue Saint-Andre de Arts) offer great freshly made Britanny style crepes. They have buckwheat savoury crepes or sweet ones. I always have one with ham and cheese and it is delicious, light and crispy and full of flavour for such a simple dish. They are within walking distance to Michel Fountain.
Cafe Angelina (yes, I know it is a chain…) however, they have one of the best hot chocolates in Paris. I can also highly recommend their famous Le Mont-Blanc - made of a dry and crunchy French meringue, under a dome of Chantilly cream covered with the vermicelli of chestnut cream.
Coffee: One thing you can guess from my travel guides is that I love an independent coffee shop. I have two here I would recommend.
Helen’s Book is a great indie coffee shop on Rue Claude Bernard. The have a selection of home baked patisserie in the window, vegan options and weekly special drinks. Because I visited during the autumn months, I enjoyed their maple syrup and and sea salt latte.
This cafe is on the banks of the Seine (not too far from Ponte Marie Metro). Is it very hip and artistic inside and the staff are very friendly. They have an in house coffee roastery there and you can also purchase coffee beans to take home too.
How many days do you need in Paris?
Honestly this is a tricky one but if you are visiting on your first visit I would say at least 3 days to experience the city. Three days cover the main attractions and you can visit different neighbourhoods easily in this time frame. However, if you are able to add in a few days extra then you can also work in a day trip away from the city centre of Paris.
Once you get a taste for Paris you will yearn to return again and again, trust me.
I usually fly from Edinburgh however, I have in the past taken the Eurotunnel and back in my student days the trusty Megabus all the way to Paris (28 hours) FYI.
What time of year to visit?
I would say wholeheartedly that the autumnal months are the best (late September and into October). The streets are quieter, the weather is cooler and you get blessed with beautiful autumnal light.
If you plan to visit in Spring time (late March and early April) you could be lucky and spot the blossoms trees in bloom which was also a highlight.
Personally, I would avoid the high summer months (June/July/August). There is a joke that Parisians flee the city in August and there is good reason for that. The weather first of all can be unbearably hot and the concrete in the cityscape makes it very unpleasant. Alongside this, the costs are higher for accommodation and most of the attractions will be very, very busy. You’ve been warned.
On my last trip to Paris (September 2026) I was travelling solo and late at night so I wanted to be closer to the airport (Orly) and stayed at the Ibis Budget Porte d’Italie which I can recommend. It was a ten minute walk to the nearest metro.
Where to stay whilst in Paris?
As with visiting any city my general rule is that as long as you are in close proximity to a metro/underground connection then you could in theory stay anywhere. Of course the closer to the heart of the city and obviously the closer you are to the Eiffel Tower you will pay more. The city is spread across either side of the River Seine.
Paris is spread across in arrondissemnets (20 numbered neighbourhoods). Each neighbourhood has its own charm and the districts are spread out clockwise from 1 to 20. For first time visitors I would look at hotels in the 1st, 2nd or 5th, 8th arrondissements. If you are just after an Eiffel Tower view and want to be within close proximity then check out the 7th area but you will pay for it.
I would budget at least £100/150 per night for a hotel room in the city centre.
The 1st Arrondissement is where you will find the Louvre, Jardin des Tuileries and rue de Rivoli. This area is very walk-able and there is a lot of cafes and restaurants to choose from.
The 2nd Arrondissement (sometimes called the Bourse) is very central and close to the banks of the river. It is very close to 8th and 9th arrondissements. (Metro station: Opera) I would say this area can be expensive because of the location.
The 5th Arrondissement is known as the “Latin Quarter” and has so much charm. It is within walking distance to the Pantheon, the famous Shakespeare and Company bookstore and the Notre Dam Cathedral. I would say this are has a mix of locals and tourists.
The 8th Arrondissement is close to the 1st and is very ornate and classically “Parisian”. You will be near to the Champs-Elysees, Arc De Triomphe and the Grand Palais. This is a great area if visiting in the winter months, because if the weather is bad you can explore Galeries Lafayette department store.
What to Pack?
First and foremost I would say that you need to have comfortable shoes. You will be covering a lot of ground in Paris, especially in the metro system and up and down the steps so wear your most comfortable shoes.
I would also consider what bag you take. Paris can unfortunately be a prime spot for pickpockets so make sure you have something secure and durable. I always wear a cross body bag whilst visiting. I don’t think you an go wrong with this UNIQLO bag.
Another thing I would take is hand sanitiser or wipes, if you are using public restrooms and the metro then this goes without saying.
Should I use card or cash?
Practically everywhere in Paris will take card payment. However, I always think it is a good idea to carry some euros. I would say start with £50 worth of Euros and they can be used for smaller purchases. You will also find ATM’s and current exchanges across the city easily.
Is the Paris Pass worth it?
I have used this scheme once, and I will say if you are wanting a fast paced trip to Paris where you cram in as much as possible then you will make your money back. I would say the biggest perk is the “skip the line” on venues which can help a lot. The most popular museums are either free or very cheap for under 18’s (or under 26 if residing in the EU) so perhaps not worthwhile if you fall into this category..
Place you should definitely pre-book:
The Louvre tickets
The Catacombs
The Notre Dame
Thanks for reading and getting this far, if you do visit Paris please let me know . I would love to hear about it!
