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

July 17, 2021 Darwin Bolte

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 des Vosges

Place des Vosges 4th Arrondissement, 75004 Paris France +33 1 48 87 94 07 http://en.parisinfo.com/transport/73189/Place-des-Vosges
Excellent
61%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 5,664 reviews

Place des Vosges

Paris's oldest public square has a meticulously manicured central park and is surrounded by beautiful 17th-century townhouses.

Reviewed By B1714D - Belgrade, Serbia

Walking the colorful streets of Marais neighborhood, sooner or later, you're about to run into this terrific sq, very close to Bastille sq. It's considered to be the oldest planned sq in Paris, rectangular in shape with extraordinary same shape houses around. The central part is a French manicured park with Louis XIII monument in the middle. Victor Hugo lived in a corner house which is now converted into a museum.

2. Rue des Francs Bourgeois

Rue des Francs-Bourgeois, 75003 Paris France
Excellent
45%
Good
45%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 73 reviews

Rue des Francs Bourgeois

This street runs through the middle of the Marais and is home to numerous 16th-century and 17th-century structures.

3. Place Ste. Catherine

Marais, Paris France +33 1 40 09 05 33
Excellent
48%
Good
43%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 58 reviews

Place Ste. Catherine

One of the main public squares in the Marais.

4. Eglise Saint-Gervais Saint-Protais

13 rue des Barres, 75004 Paris France
Excellent
45%
Good
48%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 118 reviews

Eglise Saint-Gervais Saint-Protais

This 16th-century Gothic church, named for two men killed by the Roman emperor Nero, stands on the site of the original seventh-century church.

Reviewed By Jan_Lelie - Uganda, null

Sunday mass was a real delight here. The organ is beautiful. The congregation is very warm and welcoming. Be aware however that you’ll be sitting on a small stool and not in benches.

5. 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.

6. Jewish quarter

71 rue du Temple Musée d'art et d'histoire du Judaïsme, 75003 Paris France
Excellent
45%
Good
45%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 66 reviews

Jewish quarter

Reviewed By Ivisitedtheplace - Israel, null

Yes- we preferred to stay in this Jewish Quarter, so that's what we did: it wasn't even a question for us. We wanted to experience the atmosphere of the place, to see and explore its history, to wander through its museums (Jewish and otherwise), to visit its stores, to participate in prayer services in its several houses of worship and to enjoy its genuinely certifiably reliably and strictly punctiliously kosher restaurants... and we did do all of that... and maybe even more. You can see my one exemplary photo from the neighborhood and you can also read my reviews of the street, the Marais and the restaurants. Feel free to "like" my reviews and photos. If you are interested in or participate in Jewish life, then this is a location for you. Believe me- I know, because.... I visited this place

7. Le Marais

Le Marais 3e Arrondissement, 75003 Paris France +33 9 52 89 24 05
Excellent
66%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 12,749 reviews

Le Marais

Located on a land-filled swamp, this revitalized neighborhood, once a center of high culture, fell into disrepair following the French Revolution, but has regained prominence.

Reviewed By SteveFromHenderson

Alive with restaurants, bars, shops of every variety. Home to the Picasso Museum (fantastic), the very interesting Carnavalet Museum (museum of the City of Paris), and lovely cafes, bakeries, creperies, and the best falafel shops in Europe!

8. 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

9. 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

10. Galerie Perrotin

76 Rue de Turenne 75003, 75003 Paris France +33 1 42 16 79 79 http://www.perrotin.com
Excellent
56%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 16 reviews

Galerie Perrotin

Reviewed By nnancyy_93

Very lovely exhibition showcasing contemporary art, free entry. Covid measures were respected. A must see in Paris.

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