Most first-time visitors to Paris make a beeline for the Eiffel Tower, snap a few selfies, then stroll down the Champs-Élysées, and settle into a sidewalk café, ordering an espresso. But once that’s done—where to next? Let’s take a guided tour of the top tourist attractions in Paris, France, after you see the Eiffel Tower. We’ll visit the city’s most iconic landmarks, with detours to nearby off-the-beaten-path gems.
In This Post
Iconic Landmarks and Hidden Gems
Paris is the world’s most visited city, drawing more than 45 million tourists each year. Beyond the Eiffel Tower, the City of Light offers a dazzling array of attractions that blend history, art, architecture, and culture.
Here are 10 of the must-see attractions in Paris that deserve a spot on our itinerary.
Located in one of the oldest neighborhoods in Paris, the Basilica of Sacre-Coeur represents the city’s past while Montparnasse Tower, which sits at the heart of its new commercial zone, represents the city’s future.
The basilica and the tower make good bookends for a tour of Paris as they both offer excellent views of the city, but from very different perspectives.
One will give us an introduction of what we are going to see, and the other will sum up what we have seen. As a bonus, we will visit carefully curated “hidden gems” along the way.
So lace up your walking shoes—our journey begins high above the rooftops of Paris.
What to See + Do After You’ve Seen the Eiffel Tower
Click on the names of tourist attractions for a direct link to their official websites for more information.
1. Basilica of Sacre-Coeur
a.k.a. the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, a Catholic church at the top of Montmartre. As the highest natural point in Paris, this is not only one of the top tourist attractions in Paris, France. It is also a good spot to start our tour of Paris, because it affords a bird’s-eye view of the city. Nearby Hidden Gem: Sucre Coeur, a patisserie just down the hill with some of Montmartre’s best pastries.
2. Louvre MuseumÂ
Not only is this one of the top tourist attractions in Paris, it is also the world’s most visited museum, containing some of the world’s most important works of art. Be forewarned: the lines can be very long! Nearby Hidden Gem: Les Caves du Louvre, a former royal wine cellar offering tastings and tours just a few blocks from the museum’s bustle.
3. Notre Dame CathedralÂ
A historic Catholic cathedral on the eastern side of the Ile de la Cite in the fourth arrondissement of Paris, this is surely one of the most Instagrammable sights and attractions in Paris! Nearby Hidden Gem: Shakespeare and Company, an iconic bookstore a hop, skip, and a jump across The River Seine.Â
4. Palais Garnier Opera House
A neo-baroque theatre, which is home to the Paris Opera. A triumph of 19th-century neo-baroque design, this opulent theatre features a richly ornamented façade, a grand marble staircase, and a gilded auditorium crowned by a Chagall-painted ceiling. It’s a textbook example of Beaux-Arts architecture.  Nearby Hidden Gem: Passage Jouffroy, a 19th-century glass-roofed arcade filled with quirky shops and old-world charm.Musee d’Orsay
5. Musee d’Orsay
A museum housing one of the world’s most important collections of impressionist and post-impressionist paintings, this is one of the top attractions to see in Paris. Included in its encyclopedic collections are some of the most important works by by such renowned artists as Degas, Manet, Monet, and Van Gogh. Nearby Hidden Gem: Jardin de l’Infante, a quiet garden terrace tucked behind the museum, perfect for a breather between Impressionist masterpieces.
6. Arc de Triomphe
Commissioned by Napoleon and completed in 1836, the Arc de Triomphe honors those who fought for France. With the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and its eternal flame at its base, it is one of the biggest attractions in Paris. Next to the Eiffel Tower, more selfies are taken here than practically any other site in the city. Nearby Hidden Gem: Parc Monceau offers a peaceful escape with curved paths, classical statues, and a whimsical rotunda. It’s one of the city’s most elegant green spaces—and one of the most underrated free attractions in Paris.
7. Pompidou Centre
A multidisciplinary cultural centre in the Plateau Beaubourg district of Paris. Attractions include a large library and a collection of more than 60,000 works of contemporary and modern European art. Nearby Hidden Gem:Â Perrotin Gallery, a contemporary art space a few blocks away, showcasing edgy works in a serene townhouse.
8. Pere-Lachaise Cemetery
The final resting place of Edith Piaf, Moliere, Oscar Wilde, and countless other luminaries, this is one of the most important free attractions in Paris, not to mention, one of the most visited cemeteries in the world! Nearby Hidden Gem: Tombe du Dragon, a mysterious, little-visited grave with a sculpted dragon hidden among the winding paths.
9. Sainte-ChapelleÂ
A Gothic jewel tucked inside the Palais de Justice, this spiritual and architectural marvel isn’t as famous as most of the other Parisian tourist attractions on this list, but many first-time visitors say it’s one of the most breathtaking places to visit in Paris! Nearby Hidden Gem: Square Jean XXIII, a five-minute’s stroll from Sainte-Chapelle, and one of the loveliest free attractions in Paris.Â
10. Montparnasse Tower
Rising 210 meters (690 feet) above the city, this modernist skyscraper offers a sweeping 360° view of Paris from its 56th-floor observation deck. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame landmarks in every direction, while the rooftop terrace three floors up provides an open-air panorama—arguably the best view of the Eiffel Tower in town. Nearby Hidden Gem: Gardens of the Observatory of Paris, a peaceful green space with benches and a statue of François Arago.
Final Thoughts
This guided tour of the most iconic tourist attractions in Paris isn’t just about crossing landmarks off a must-see list. It’s about seeing the city through the eyes of a curious wanderer—the unexpected detours, the quiet corners, the offhand discoveries that linger long after the guidebook has been put back on the shelf.
The hidden gems shared here aren’t just suggestions—they’re an invitation for you to wander off the beaten track, yourself, following the scent of freshly baked bread down a side street sitting on a quiet bench in a garden and starting to read that book you just bought.
These lesser-known places are meant to inspire something different: a sense of personal connection, of serendipity, of the Paris of hidden gems.
Call to Action
Have you ever uncovered a hidden gem in your travels? Please drop a comment below. And if you enjoyed this guided tour of the best tourist attractions in Paris, please like it and share it with your friends on social media.
Let’s build a community through travel – one tourist attraction at a time!
