Paris for first-time visitors: What to see and how to plan your trip

Paris offers first-time visitors an obvious list of landmarks, including Notre Dame, the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower and Montmartre. The harder part is managing tickets, reservations and queues without wasting time.

Notre Dame reopened to the public in December 2024 after five years of reconstruction following the fire. The interior now appears brighter because workers removed centuries of dirt and candle soot from the stone. Entry remains free, and visitors can reserve a free time slot through the cathedral’s official website. Those slots become available only about two days before the visit, so they cannot be booked far in advance.

Visitors should be wary of websites selling Notre Dame “tickets.” Entry costs nothing, although access to the towers is paid. That ticket costs 16 euros, and reaching the top requires climbing 424 steps because there is no elevator. The reward includes close views of the famous gargoyles and a panorama of Île de la Cité.

The Louvre is too large to see in one visit. Rather than attempting to cover its tens of thousands of works, travelers are advised to choose two or three departments and explore them carefully. Timed tickets should be bought online in advance, and the museum closes on Tuesdays. The underground entrance through the Carrousel du Louvre often has a shorter line than the main entrance beneath the glass pyramid. The Mona Lisa area is generally quieter when the museum first opens. Visitors more interested in painting than antiquities can add the Musée d’Orsay, known for its Impressionist collection.

For the Eiffel Tower, elevator tickets should be purchased online as early as possible because high-season availability disappears quickly. Climbing the stairs to the second floor is cheaper and often faster, with same-day tickets commonly available at the box office. Trocadéro offers the best view of the tower, while the Champ de Mars is suited to resting beneath it. A night walk is also recommended, when the tower lights up and flashes at the start of every hour. A free walking tour with a local guide can provide an easy orientation on the first day.