Things to do in Paris, Ile-de-France: The Best Sights & Landmarks

June 19, 2021 Deane Carmody

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. Place Furstenburg

Place De Furstemberg Just behind St Germain des Pres church, 75006 Paris France
Excellent
61%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 41 reviews

Place Furstenburg

One of Paris's smallest, yet most charming, public squares.

2. Saint Germain des Pres Quarter

Place St-Germain-des-Pres, 75006 Paris France +33 1 45 61 11 46 http://www.patrickroger.com
Excellent
65%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 6,805 reviews

Saint Germain des Pres Quarter

Reviewed By ChristopherC4678 - Berlin, Germany

The beautiful church portrayed here worth a visit and a period of rest and contemplation once within.This district has so many surprising artisan and creative addresses.I spent a part of several days 'discovering' one after another, Paris at its most beguiling!

3. Medici Fountain

Rue de Medicis Luxembourg Garden, 75006 Paris France http://www.senat.fr/visite/fontaine
Excellent
54%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 197 reviews

Medici Fountain

This fountain in the Luxembourg Gardens is a popular destination for local students.

Reviewed By JnVSydney - Greater Sydney, Australia

One of our favourite spots in the park is the outstanding Fontaine Medici and its grotto, (sitting along the pond, in the lovely chairs provided), - a super spot for a traditional Paris picnic - a ham & cheese or ‘jambon et fromage’ baguette. The fountain is located to the side of the palace, surround by tall trees, not easy to see unless you know its there, which seems to keep the crowds down. There is so much to look at (don't forget to look at the back of the fountain as well), the fountain was crafted in the Italian Renaissance style of architecture, built in 1630. Definitely a must when visiting the gardens.

4. Fontaine des Quatre Parties du Monde

Avenue de L'observatoire place Ernest-Denis, 75006 Paris France
Excellent
50%
Good
48%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 42 reviews

Fontaine des Quatre Parties du Monde

This late 19th-century fountain in the Observatory Garden depicts four women holding a globe of the world.

Reviewed By israroz - Ra'anana, Israel

The "Four parts of the world" fountain which in some tour guides is also called the "Observatory fountain" because of its location at the entrance of the "Garden of the Great Explorers". This fountain is a very impressive statue and well worth visiting on your way to (or from) the Luxembourg Palace from the south gate of the “Jardin du Luxembourg”. The central part of the statue is a group of 4 women supporting the globe, which is decorated with signs of the zodiac, symbolizes the 4 parts of the world, Europe, Asia, Africa and America. The periphery of the fountain around the large basin contains horses, turtles and fish, all splashing water and fog that create an impressive memorable look.

5. Boulevard St. Germain

Paris France
Excellent
47%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 420 reviews

Boulevard St. Germain

This historic street is most famous for its assortment of old cafés.

Reviewed By 750dimitrisl - Sydney, Australia

Boulevard St. Germain is a great street. We walked along this beautiful stretch a number of times. It is a busy area, full of cafes, restaurants, many other shops, and people. It has a very long history, and it was the centrepiece of the new city design back in the 19th century. A must, to walk on.

6. Saint-Sulpice

2 rue Palatine, 75006 Paris France +33 1 42 34 59 94 http://pss75.fr/saint-sulpice-paris/
Excellent
46%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,268 reviews

Saint-Sulpice

Designers like Versace and Sonia Rykiel have their boutiques in this trendy Parisian neighborhood.

Reviewed By ayubq2013 - Dhaka City, Bangladesh

Saint Sulpice is a bit off the beaten tourist track, but it was virtually next door to our hotel. We crossed it several times on our way to the more popular attractions and one day we decided to venture in. We are glad we did. This Roman Catholic church used to be the second largest church in Paris, only slightly smaller than Notre Dame. After the Notre Dame fire earlier this year, it is effectively the largest church in Paris now. It is grand, with a plaza and fountain in front, and peaceful; we did not see too many tourists. The church is dedicated to Sulpitous the Pious. Construction is said to have begun in 1646 and continued in fits and starts, depending on availability of resources. Various features were added over a period of over a century. The baroque interior is beautiful. The church is famous for its organ music, housing two historical organs, the great organ and the choir organ. It has a tradition of talented organists dating back to the 18th century. Sunday organ programmes are still held regularly. We were not fortunate enough to hear the organ, but we witnessed a very elaborate tuning process of the organs.

7. Luxembourg Palace

15 rue de Vaugirard 6th Arrondissement, 75006 Paris France +33 1 42 34 20 00 http://www.senat.fr/
Excellent
61%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,189 reviews

Luxembourg Palace

This beautiful neo-classical building serves as a meeting place for the country's politicians, while its beautiful gardens are enjoyed by all.

Reviewed By 750dimitrisl - Sydney, Australia

Luxembourg Palace was built in the first half of the 17th century as a royal residence. It has had some really interesting and intriguing history. Today it is the place where the Senate, part of the French Parliament meets. It is quite a luxurious building, and you would expect nothing less!

8. Cour du Commerce Saint Andre

Boulevard Saint Germain and, Paris France +33 1 46 33 12 02 http://www.hayariparis.com
Excellent
55%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 51 reviews

Cour du Commerce Saint Andre

Reviewed By CPaM68 - Texas, United States

I was with my daughter and daughter-in-law while they shopped at the shops along Boulevard Saint Germain when we stumbled upon this small cobblestone passageway. (I actually think one of them was looking for a particular shop that was located here.) The passageway contains some unique shops and restaurants and is very peaceful and relaxing, especially compared to the hectic pace and traffic of the nearby boulevard. While standing in a shop that sold spices, pastries and ice cream, I suddenly realized that I had actually been there before. Memories flooded back of a previous trip to Paris years ago with me standing around in nearly the exact spot as my loving wife bought spices to take back home. Oh, sweet memories!

9. Abbaye de Saint-Germain-des-Pres

3 Place Saint Germain des Pres, 75006 Paris France +33 1 55 42 81 33 [email protected] http://www.eglise-sgp.org/
Excellent
46%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 398 reviews

Abbaye de Saint-Germain-des-Pres

One of the oldest churches in the city, this cathedral's interior is highlighted by a series of colorful frescoes.

Reviewed By gillespradere - Fontenay-aux-Roses, France

Very few people know the Church of Saint-Germain-des-Pres is one of the oldest in France, originally the church of a powerfull abbey. As early as 558, King Childebert, son of King Clovis, founded the Saint-Germain-des-Pres abbey in the middle of meadows. It was consecrated by the bishop of Paris, Saint Germain, who will be buried there and gave his nam to the abbey in the 8th century. The abbey was at its peak in the early 9th century. It then housed more than 120 monks and had a significant production of copied manuscripts, before it was pillaged by the Normans in 885. The church was rebuilt in the 11th and 12th centuries and the monastery in the 13th century by Pierre de Montreuil, sheltered by a new enclosure surrounded by a moat. Very richly endowed from its foundation, the abbey owned or controlled several thousand hectares on the left bank. It also held the lucrative right to fish in the Seine downstream of the city.

10. 6th Arrondissement

Paris France
Excellent
66%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 234 reviews

6th Arrondissement

The 6th arrondissement includes world famous educational institutions such as the École des Beaux-Arts de Paris and the Académie française, the seat of the French Senate as well as a concentration of some of Paris's most famous monuments such as Saint-Germain Abbey and square, St. Sulpice Church and square, the Pont des Arts and the Jardins du Luxembourg.

Reviewed By TV2451

Originally the home of religious institutions, the city grew out and surrounded it with university business and now very high end shopping. Lots of places to eat here. Just wander around.

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