Short Break to Paris - Things to See and Do
If you're planning a short break to Paris, be aware that you can't do it all. Trying to visit every famous tourist attraction isn't the way to get the most out of your holiday; it's just a sure route to stress. Here we list some of the most popular things to see and do, but the list is a pick and mix rather than a set menu. Less is more, so be selective.
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The Eiffel Tower is probably Paris's most famous landmark, standing between the Champs-Elyssées and the Jardin du Luxembourg. Enjoy the exhibition and shops on the first floor, or admire the magnificent view from the top. It's about €10 for an adult to get in. Opening times vary depending on the season; see the official website for details.
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Notre Dame Cathedral was built in the Middle Ages and became one of the most famous cathedrals in Europe. Its Gothic architecture would be eye-catching even without the gargoyles. The cathedral has had a troubled history; it was vandalised and nearly destroyed during the French Revolution, but was spared to become the Temple of Reason. Restoration only began centuries later, but the remnants are still impressive. Don't forget to look at the relief work on the original choir enclosure. It's free to visit most areas, but costs around €5 to visit the towers (which involves climbing a very steep staircase, so it's not for the lazy or clumsy). Visit the little bookshop and see the largest pipe organ in France, but be as quiet as possible if you're visiting during a service.
The Arc de Triomphe was designed by Napoleon, who planned to enter Paris in a triumphal procession under it. But it wasn't completed by the time he returned from his 1807 campaign. Napoleon had to make do with a hastily constructed wooden mock-up, but anyone on a short break to Paris today can see the marble construction as he intended it. It's at the end of the Champs-Elyssées and very easy to spot. It costs about €8 for adult admission, but admission is free on the first Sunday of every month, which means long queues. Inside is a museum documenting the arch's history and, further up, the observation area. There are a lot of stairs before you reach the museum, but ask staff where the lift is and they will show you. However, you will still have to climb the stairs to the observation deck, from which you will be able to see most of Paris. It's usually open from 10am to 10:30pm in the off-peak season (October 1st to March 31st) and from 9:30am to 11pm in the summer (April 1st to September 30th).
The Musée du Louvre contains many world-famous paintings and sculptures, including the Mona Lisa. There's so much to see that many visitors simply pick one section, such as Oriental Antiquities, and stay there. The admission price varies depending on whether you want to see the permanent collections, the temporary exhibitions or both. For both, expect to pay around €13 (before 6pm) or around €11 (after 6pm).
For modern and contemporary art, visit the Pompidou Centre on the Place Georges Pompidou, whose exterior is an excellent example of what "futuristic" looked like in the 1970s. There are cinemas and theatres inside too. Admission is about €10 for a one-day pass. Purchasing a Paris Museum Pass is a good idea if you're planning to visit more than one museum; prices start at about €20 for a one-day pass. Buy from travel agencies, tour operators, train stations or the museums yourselves. You'll get a list of participating museums and monuments with your pass.
The catacombs, sometimes called the Empire of the Dead, were created as a solution to Paris's overflowing cemeteries; the authorities in the 18th century decided to re-inter bodies in disused quarries. Now the catacombs are overflowing with tourists, who seem to enjoy picking their way past the stacks of bones. The entrance is across the street from the Denfert-Rochereau station exit. Admission is only about €6, but it's not for the squeamish.
Still on a rather ghoulish note, the Père Lachaise cemetery on the Rue de Repos is another must-see on a short break to Paris. Admission to cemeteries in Paris is free, but you should buy a map at the entrance for some useful pointers to the most famous graves. Oscar Wilde, Edith Piaf and countless other celebrities are buried here, although the most visited grave is that of Jim Morrison.
Our short list should give you some ideas about what to do on your short break to Paris, but there's only one thing that's absolutely vital - to relax and enjoy yourself.
Paris - Weekend Break
