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Destinations
Paris is best discovered one neighbourhood at a time: each has its own character, rhythm and landmarks. Below are six neighbourhoods where most people begin getting to know the city, plus five day trips in the Île-de-France region. We don't list opening hours or prices here — they change, and it's best to check them on official websites before you set off.
One neighbourhood explored at leisure stays with you longer than five glimpsed from a bus window.
How this section works: a neighbourhood or trip is included if it is easy to reach by public transport, worthwhile on a first visit to Paris and can be explored independently, without booking a tour.
Six neighbourhoods that help you understand how the city fits together.
Two islands in the Seine form the historic heart of the city. Île de la Cité is home to Notre-Dame Cathedral (Notre-Dame de Paris), which reopened in December 2024 after the 2019 fire, and the Sainte-Chapelle. Île Saint-Louis is quiet, with residential streets and riverside quays.
A Right Bank district (Le Marais) of old mansions, narrow streets, museums and countless small shops. Ideal for an unhurried wander without a strict plan, especially on weekdays when it's less crowded.
The Left Bank (Quartier latin and Saint-Germain-des-Prés): university streets around the Sorbonne, the Panthéon, the Luxembourg Gardens, bookshops and cafés. An easy place to alternate museums and walks.
A hill in the north of the city (Montmartre) with the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, the artists' square and steep staircases. Wear comfortable shoes and keep an eye on your belongings in the crowds at the viewpoints.
Grand, ceremonial Paris: the Champs-Élysées avenue, the Arc de Triomphe and the Place du Trocadéro, which offers the famous view of the Eiffel Tower.
The eastern side of the city (Canal Saint-Martin, Belleville): locks and footbridges over the canal, residential streets, street art and viewpoints on Belleville hill. A good choice if you want to see everyday Paris.
Châteaux, gardens and towns in the region that you can visit and be back from on the same day.
The royal palace and park in the town of Versailles, west of Paris. The RER C runs there from the centre. Check dates, opening hours and tickets on the palace's official website.
Nicolas Fouquet's château (Vaux-le-Vicomte) in the Seine-et-Marne department, about 55 km south-east of Paris. Its creators — Le Vau, Le Brun and Le Nôtre — went on to work at Versailles. Open seasonally.
Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte (in Russian)
A palace and a vast forest at Fontainebleau, south of Paris. A visit to the palace combines well with a walk in the forest. Check the route and train times before you set off.
The village of Giverny, where Claude Monet lived and worked; his house and gardens are open to visitors. The gardens are at their best in the warmer months. Check how to get there in advance: the journey involves a train and local transport.
The Château de Chantilly, north of Paris, with an art collection, a park and historic stables. Check the route, dates and opening hours on the official website.
Four walking routes: Île de la Cité and the Latin Quarter, the Marais, Montmartre, and along the Seine from the Louvre to the Eiffel Tower.
Museums, city icons and places outside Paris: where they are and what to keep in mind.
A guide to the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte: history, what to see and how to plan your visit.
Information is correct as of the date of preparation. Fares, timetables, museum opening hours and entry rules change, so check them on official websites before you travel.