Things to do in Paris, Ile-de-France: The Best Historic Sites

April 25, 2022 Oliva Fomby

Lingering over pain au chocolat in a sidewalk café, relaxing after a day of strolling along the Seine and marveling at icons like the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe… the perfect Paris experience combines leisure and liveliness with enough time to savor both an exquisite meal and exhibits at the Louvre. Awaken your spirit at Notre Dame, bargain hunt at the Marché aux Puces de Montreuil or for goodies at the Marché Biologique Raspail, then cap it all off with a risqué show at the Moulin Rouge.
Restaurants in Paris

1. Hotel de Ville

Place de l'Hotel de Ville Entrée au 5 rue Lobeau ou au 29 rue de Rivoli, 75004 Paris France https://en.parisinfo.com/paris-museum-monument/71544/Hotel-de-Ville-de-Paris
Excellent
47%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,506 reviews

Hotel de Ville

This beautiful, 19th century building is now the seat of the French government, and features a number of displays on French history.

Reviewed By Acineto - Auckland Central, New Zealand

I came out of the Hotel De Ville stop to get to Notre Dame Cathedral. It looked like the train station is connected to the building but it was all closed off when I was there so I ended up outside instead. I was on the back end of the building and was fascinated with the architecture. As I moved towards the front of the building towards the bridge to Note Dame, I noticed a statue on horseback on the side of the building. As I neared the bridge I noticed that there was a festival of some sort in the front area of the hotel. It looked like a winter festivalwith free rides for kids. It was New Year so it could also have been related to that. Apart from rides there were a few stalls for food and shops of items. There were also a few photo areas. The building looks quite amazing from afar and does look nice closer up when you are able to see some of the intricate details. I was able to get close to the building but not inside since it looked like it was closed. The colourful lighting around the area made it quite festive and interesting. It was an unexpected but really enjoyable find.

2. National Archives

60 Rue des Francs Bourgeois National Archives Garden, 75003 Paris France +33 1 40 27 60 96 [email protected] http://www.archives-nationales.culture.gouv.fr/
Excellent
44%
Good
47%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 150 reviews

National Archives

Reviewed By Ivisitedtheplace - Israel, null

This was a really surprisingly good understated and modest museum. As everything in Paris/ amazing structure and architecture- both inside and out. There were many historical old maps and many historical documents and many descriptions of stuff like that. But the most amazing for me was stumbling into a model true-to-scale replica of the notorious Bastille prison. And then in the display glass next to that, I was thrilled and l stopped in my tracks to witness the original keys to the place. What a fantastic piece of history to see!! In addition to photos of the model and the keys, I have about six other photos

3. Hotel de Sens

1 rue du Figuier, 75004 Paris France
Excellent
48%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 69 reviews

Hotel de Sens

4. Rue du Temple

Rue du Temple, 75003 Paris France http://www.cosmovisions.com/monuParisRueTemple.htm
Excellent
36%
Good
57%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 14 reviews

Rue du Temple

5. Maison de Victor Hugo

6 Place des Vosges, 75004 Paris France +33 1 42 72 10 16 [email protected] http://maisonsvictorhugo.paris.fr
Excellent
30%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
3%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 652 reviews

Maison de Victor Hugo

This place is temporarily closed. The former home of the 19th-century author Victor Hugo is now a museum with exhibits on his life.

Reviewed By Taxidevil - Glasgow, United Kingdom

My husband has read all of the novels by Victor Hugo ( in translation I need to add) so it was a nice experience for him to see the house where he wrote many of his books and plays. Victor Hugo lived in this house at Place des Vosges before his exile in Guernsey and on his return to Paris he lived elsewhere. The rooms of various houses have been recreated here with the original furnishings including the tall desk where he wrote standing up. Entrance is free but we paid €5 for one audio guide for my husband as he was particularly interested but , for me, there was enough information in each room. Unlike most museums we visited information was displayed in French and English.

6. Maison d'Ourscamp

46 rue Francois Miron, 75004 Paris France +33 1 48 87 74 31 http://www.paris-historique.org/
Excellent
17%
Good
67%
Satisfactory
17%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 6 reviews

Maison d'Ourscamp

7. Rue Francois Miron

Rue Francois Miron, 75004 Paris France http://www.unjourdeplusaparis.com/paris-reportage/la-surprenante-rue-francois-miron
Excellent
22%
Good
78%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 9 reviews

Rue Francois Miron

8. Hotel des Ambassadeurs de Hollande

47 rue Vieille du Temple, 75004 Paris France
Excellent
14%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
57%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 7 reviews

Hotel des Ambassadeurs de Hollande

A famous 15th-century mansion in the Marais.

9. Hotel de Chatillon

13 rue Payenne, 75003 Paris France
Excellent
0%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
100%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

3.0 based on 1 reviews

Hotel de Chatillon

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.