A Guide To Exploring Paris
Paris is a city where you want to come back over and over again. We have been three times and still have so much left to see. Compare to other large cities it has a great transportation system to get you where you need to go.
So then, you want to see a lot in a short amount of time. Then you might want to consider getting the Paris Pass. This pass gives you free access to many of the attractions, fast track entry, and the Big Bus Tour. On this bus you can hop on and off at different attractions and can save you money and time.
Generally, the great thing about it this pass is that you can get it to suit how long you plan to stay. They have passes for 2 to 6 day durations.
Another pass to consider is the Museum Pass . It has over 60 museums that you can visit. In addition to the pass, you will also receive the Travelcard that will allow free transportation in zones 1-3 for buses, RER, trams, and the metro.
Try Exploring These Attractions
Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe is only a 18 min metro ride. If you prefer walking, which we actually did, then it will take you about 60 minutes.
Together with my wife, we always enjoy walking the streets as much as we can, which allows us to stop and snack whenever. Never once, did we feel threatened when showing PDA.
You can use a pedestrian underpass to cross over to the Arc and go online to buy tickets adult tickets for €12 each to climb to the top.
Louvre
Only a short walk from the Arc de Triomphe. Generally, this is a must see when visiting Paris. It is also something that no matter how much time you spent inside, you won’t be able to see everything. Usually you will need to make multiple visits.
We have been to Paris a few times and each time we continue to make our way to the Louvre to try to see more of the exhibits. It holds the Mona Lisa (Denon Wing), as well as the Venus of Milo (Sully Wing). There are countless other art pieces in the three wings: the Sully, Denon, and Richelieu.
You can get information and by online tickets so that you won’t have to wait in the lines to get in. The two best days to go are on Wednesdays and Fridays, since they stay open till 9:45 p.m., instead of the normal 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Plan out what sections and rooms you wish to see beforehand, then you will save time and similarly prevent your feet from hurting from extra walking.
Lastly, if you’re lucky enough to find yourself in Paris for the first Saturday of the month, then get over to the Louvre. Admission is free, from 6 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. Otherwise, a ticket for an adult will cost you €15 at the door or online for €17, which will guarantee quick entrance. Also, anyone under 18 is free.
Catacombs
Over 6 million people were moved from different cemeteries in Paris in 1786. After the Les Innocents Cemetery started to experienced corpses overflowing into neighborhoods due to heavy weather they came up with this solution.
The problem of the overflowing cemeteries was solved by moving bodies into over 200 miles of old mine tunnels. By the way, it took over 12 years. Most of these tunnels are closed off to the public today. Except for a small portion, where you can see history for yourself.
This is an attraction that should be planned in advanced. Otherwise you could be standing in line for quite a while. We made the mistake of not buying tickets in advance and the line was already 2 hours when we arrived around 11 a.m. Go to their official website for info and tickets.
- Open Tuesday thru Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Tour 45 mins long
- Adults €29 w/audio guide
- Child 18 and under €5 w/out auto guide
- Regular entry w/out tour €13-17, depending if crypt is added
- Only 200 people allowed at one time
- Bag will be searched at the end, so don’t try to steal bones
- Dark and damp with constant temperature of 57°F with no areas for water or bathrooms in catacombs
- No flash photography allowed
Père Lachaise Cemetery
Who doesn’t want to go walk around a cemetery, right? Well in most cases, I would say no thank you. In this case, you want to visit, trust us.
A few of the famous people who are buried here is Jim Morrison, Edith Piaf, Molière, Marcel Proust and Oscar Wilde to name a few. It is free to walk around and on Saturday’s as well as Sundays, they have guided tours.
You can go to the Paris Tourist Office to download a detail map. Word of advice is to download the map beforehand. In short, the cemetery is very big and can be hard to find certain areas without a map of where they are.
Hours Open
November to mid-March Monday – Saturday 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Sunday 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
March to October. Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Eiffel Tower
This is an attraction that is a must see for everyone. We have seen how over time, security measures have increased to protect it. Hence, why the new measures they implemented will make your wait time a little longer with a security checkpoint before you get under the tower. In brief, it is best to not take bags if you can, makes the security process faster.
Once you pass the security gates, you will either go stand in line to buy a ticket to the top or present your ticket you bought online to skip the long lines. Also, the time of day should be considered.
For us, we suggest to know when sunset will be and plan to go up the tower when it’s just getting dark. This way you will be able to see the views of the city in the light. As you wait around the sun will go down and you will be treated to a bright view of the surrounding area.
Next, try heading down to the Trocadero Fountain where you can sit together with your special someone and enjoy a bottle of wine , while looking at the Eiffel Tower light up.
The elevator ride is very cramped, so with my Tourette’s, it was beneficial to have family and friends surround me to help with tics. Unfortunately, people look at you rudely when your shoulder keeps moving next to them, so then it helps to plan in advance if you need any extra help, whether it’s from the attraction you’re visiting or who you’re traveling with.
Try checking out our Monteverde Cloud Forest, Costa Rica Guide. What, you’re not planning on going to Costa Rica? Then you’re missing out on an amazing adventure.
Other Things To Consider
Musée d’Orsay
Have you been to Paris? What was your favorite thing and what would you recommend to see or do? Let us know if there is something else we must try. Thanks for taking a look at our site and don’t forget to subscribe for future articles and tips.
The information on this website has come from research and by experiencing it ourselves. Opening hours, closures, prices, etc. are always subject to change. We try to keep up to date on any new information, or tips to help make your adventure more enjoyable.
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