[takeaways] • Paris's four essential landmarks are the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, Montmartre, and Notre Dame Cathedral — each deserving at least half a day.
• Notre Dame Cathedral fully reopened to the public in December 2024 following its 2019 fire restoration — visitors can once again explore the full building.
• The Eiffel Tower is one of the busiest attractions in Europe — always book tickets in advance to avoid lengthy queues.
• April and September offer the best balance of pleasant weather and manageable crowds — July and August are peak season and significantly busier.
• Paris is served by one of the best metro systems in Europe — navigating between landmarks is straightforward and affordable without needing a hire car. [/takeaways]
Paris has a reputation for romance and high culture that is absolutely well-deserved — but there's considerably more to the French capital than most visitors anticipate. The SIMOVO team has made the trip more than once, and every visit uncovers something new. Here's a guide to the city's best-loved landmarks and cultural experiences to help you start building your Paris itinerary.
Why Paris remains one of the world's most visited cities
France was the most-visited travel destination in the world in 2025, and Paris sits at the heart of that reputation. Having hosted the 2024 Summer Olympics, interest in the city was reignited further — but it was already a must-see for millions of travelers long before that. The landmarks alone — the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre Dame, the Arc de Triomphe — would be enough to justify a visit. But Paris keeps evolving: new festivals, restaurants, concept stores, and artistic hubs open regularly alongside the centuries of iconic history.
[tip title="Paris is one of the most accessible major cities in Europe"]The Paris metro is one of the finest urban transit systems in the world — fast, frequent, and comprehensive. Getting between the city's major landmarks is straightforward and inexpensive, and the metro alone covers most of what a first-time visitor will want to see. A carnet (book of tickets) or a Paris Visite travel pass offers good value for multi-day exploration.[/tip]
Best things to see in Paris
[numbered title="Eiffel Tower" pill="Iconic views and champagne bar"]Built in 1887 and Paris's most famous landmark — with a glass floor elevator, champagne bar, and rooftop terrace offering panoramic views across the city. One of Europe's busiest tourist attractions, so always book tickets in advance.[/numbered] [numbered title="The Louvre" pill="Home of the Mona Lisa"]One of the world's most celebrated art collections — over 3,000 works spanning thousands of years, including the Venus de Milo, The Raft of the Medusa, and Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa. Originally a medieval fortress.[/numbered] [numbered title="Montmartre" pill="Village within a city"]A beautifully preserved historic village within Paris — picturesque streets, windmills, artist studios, and the stunning 19th-century Sacré-Cœur basilica with sweeping views across the city. An entire day's exploration on its own.[/numbered] [numbered title="Notre Dame Cathedral" pill="850 years of history — fully restored"]Fully reopened in December 2024 following its extensive restoration after the 2019 fire — visitors can once again explore the full building and marvel at architecture that has stood for over 850 years.[/numbered]
Eiffel Tower
France's most recognizable landmark was built in 1887 and has become one of the world's most visited attractions. Beyond the famous silhouette, there's more to discover than many visitors realize — a glass floor elevator, a champagne bar, and a rooftop terrace offering extraordinary panoramic views across Paris.
[warning]The Eiffel Tower is consistently one of the busiest tourist sites in Europe. Always book your tickets in advance — walk-up queues can be extremely long, particularly in summer, and timed entry slots sell out well ahead of popular dates.[/warning]
The Louvre Museum
The Louvre is one of the world's most celebrated art collections — originally a medieval fortress before it became the extraordinary museum it is today. Over 3,000 works of art spanning thousands of years are housed here, including the Venus de Milo (sculpted by Alexandros of Antioch), Théodore Géricault's The Raft of the Medusa, and Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa — arguably the most famous painting in the world, which was stolen in 1911 and thankfully returned in 1913.
Montmartre
Montmartre is a beautifully preserved historic village sitting within the city of Paris itself — one of the most distinctive and charming districts in any European capital. Picturesque streets, characteristic buildings, and even windmills create an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in the city. The 19th-century Sacré-Cœur basilica sits at its peak, offering sweeping views across Paris and a fascinating insight into French religious heritage. Beyond that, Montmartre's artist studios, galleries, and surrealist tributes make it essential for any art enthusiast.
Notre Dame Cathedral
Notre Dame fully reopened to the public in December 2024 following its extensive restoration after the devastating 2019 fire. Visitors can once again explore the full building and marvel at Gothic architecture that has stood for over 850 years.
[warning]Notre Dame is an active place of worship and a site of quiet contemplation as well as a tourist landmark. Always show respectful behavior during your visit — particularly if services or private ceremonies are taking place. Photography restrictions apply in certain areas inside the cathedral.[/warning]
[esim flag="🇫🇷" label="France" data="10GB · 30 days" price="$9.40" href="/products/france" benefits="Instant QR setup · Reliable 4G/5G · No roaming charges"]Stay connected across Paris and France — no roaming surprises[/esim]More cultural experiences in Paris
No guide could cover everything Paris has to offer — here are some more experiences worth adding to your list:
- The Tuileries Garden and Parc Monceau for beautiful open green spaces
- Traditional macarons, croissants, and patisserie from local bakeries
- Champagne cruises along the River Seine
- Authentic jazz at clubs such as Le Bal Blomet
- Gentle walks along Canal St. Martin
- The Fête de la Musique — a city-wide free music festival every June
- Exploring Paris's thriving concept store and independent retail scene
[tip title="Check the full cost of a Paris trip before you build your itinerary"]It's always worth working out your Paris budget before you start planning activities and restaurants — costs can vary significantly depending on season, accommodation choices, and how many paid attractions you include.[/tip]
Best time to visit Paris
Paris is worth visiting at any time of year, but the best experience depends on what you're looking for. Summer brings the best weather — but July and August are peak tourist season and the city's most popular attractions are at their busiest and most expensive.
[tip title="April and September offer the best balance of weather and manageable crowds"]Spring (April and May) and early autumn (September and October) are consistently the best times to visit Paris — pleasant temperatures, the city's gardens and parks at their most beautiful, and significantly fewer crowds than peak summer. Prices for flights and accommodation are also more competitive outside July and August.[/tip] [faq] [q]What are the best things to see in Paris?[/q] [a]The four essential Paris landmarks are the Eiffel Tower (iconic views, glass floor elevator, champagne bar), the Louvre Museum (home to the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and over 3,000 works of art), Montmartre (a historic village within the city with the Sacré-Cœur basilica and thriving art scene), and Notre Dame Cathedral (fully reopened December 2024 following restoration, over 850 years of Gothic architecture). Beyond these, Paris offers extraordinary gardens, river cruises, jazz clubs, world-famous cuisine, and a vibrant festival calendar.[/a] [q]When is the best time to visit Paris?[/q] [a]April, May, September, and October offer the best combination of pleasant weather, lower prices, and manageable crowd levels. July and August are peak season — the weather is excellent but the most popular attractions are at their busiest and accommodation prices are at their highest. Winter (November to February) is the cheapest period but brings cold, grey days and shorter daylight hours.[/a] [q]Do I need to book the Eiffel Tower in advance?[/q] [a]Yes — the Eiffel Tower is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Europe and walk-up queues can be extremely long, particularly in summer. Timed entry tickets sell out well ahead of popular dates. Always book through the official website at toureiffel.paris before you travel. If the date you want is sold out, try checking again closer to the time as cancellations do occur.[/a] [q]Is Notre Dame Cathedral open to visitors?[/q] [a]Yes — Notre Dame Cathedral fully reopened to the public in December 2024 following its extensive restoration after the April 2019 fire. Visitors can now explore the full building and experience the Gothic architecture that has stood for over 850 years. Notre Dame is an active place of worship — always show respectful behavior during your visit, particularly if services are taking place.[/a] [q]What is Montmartre?[/q] [a]Montmartre is a historic village district within Paris — one of the city's most distinctive and charming areas. It features picturesque cobbled streets, characteristic 19th-century architecture, windmills, artist studios, galleries, and the famous Sacré-Cœur basilica at its peak. Montmartre has a long association with Parisian art culture and was home to many of the city's most celebrated painters. It is worth a full day of exploration on its own.[/a] [q]Do I need an eSIM for France?[/q] [a]A SIMOVO France eSIM is the simplest way to stay connected across Paris and France without roaming charges. At $9.40 for 10GB over 30 days, it activates on landing, connects you to France's best available networks, and lets you navigate, find restaurants, and share your trip — without unexpected charges when you get home.[/a] [/faq] [esim flag="🇫🇷" label="France" data="10GB · 30 days" price="$9.40" href="/products/france" benefits="Instant QR setup · Reliable 4G/5G · No roaming charges"]Stay connected across Paris and France — no roaming surprises[/esim]
