Top paid activities to do in Paris! It sounds captivating and mesmerising, right? Paris, the capital of France, is a treasure trove of history, art, and romance. Beyond the iconic landmarks you can wander through for free, the city boasts a wealth of incredible paid experiences that will leave you breathless. From ascending the Eiffel Tower’s heights to marvelling at the Mona Lisa’s enigmatic smile, this blog delves into the must-see paid attractions that will elevate your Parisian adventure to unforgettable heights. So, buckle up and prepare to unlock the hidden gems (well, not so hidden, but definitely worth the price tag) that will make your Parisian sojourn truly magical.
Top paid activities and places that you can do in Paris:
Louvre Museum:
The most popular museum in the world is the Louvre Museum, also known as The Great Louvre, which is situated on the banks of the Seine River in Paris and is renowned for its grandeur and baroque architecture. The museum showcases its impressive collection of artefacts and artworks spanning from ancient civilizations to the mid-19th century, with up to 35,000 pieces in total.
Timings:
Saturday – Thursday: 09:00 am – 06:00 pm
Friday: 09:00 am – 09:45 pm
Closed on Tuesday
How to Reach?
By Car: The activity location is 2.5 km from the city centre; it will take 7 minutes via the Quai des Grands Augustins route.
By Walk: The museum is 1.1 km away from the city and can be reached
Eiffel Tower:
One of the most well-known sights in the world is the majestic Eiffel Tower. Listed as one of the Wonders of the Modern World, it welcomes more than 7 million tourists annually. It was constructed as a transient display to mark the centenary anniversary of the French Revolution, but it was never taken down. Visitors can tour the tower’s three floors, two restaurants, a champagne bar, two observation decks, a garden, and the charming Esplanade.
Timings: 09:15 am-11:45 pm
Last Admission: 10:45 pm
How to Reach?
By Car: The activity location is 5.1 km from the city centre; it will take 18 minutes via the Quai d’Orsay route.
By Train: Take a train to Champ de Mars Eiffel Tower station, which is 400 metres away from the attraction. You can reach the activity location from the train station with a 5-minute walk.
Disneyland Paris:
Enjoy fun, entertainment, and adventure with well-known Disney characters, Marvel superheroes, and Star Wars legends at Disneyland Paris, a fantastic and enchanting place. Walt Disney Studios Park and Disneyland Park Paris are the two primary theme parks of Disneyland Paris. There are many different kinds of rides and attractions at these two theme parks that will definitely make you feel like a kid again.
Timings:
Disneyland Park: 09:30 am–10:30 pm
Walt Disney Studio Park: 09:30 am – 09:00 pm
How to Reach?
By Car: The activity location is 43.4 km from the city centre; it will take 34 minutes via A4 route.
By Train: Take a train to Marne-la-Vallée Chessy station, which is 100 metres away from the attraction. You can reach the activity location from the train station with a 2-minute walk.
Louis Vuitton Foundation
Opened in 2014, the Louis Vuitton Foundation is a private cultural initiative that seeks to promote contemporary art from a historical perspective. The fundamental aim of the foundation is to make culture accessible to all, both nationally and internationally. It also hosts temporary exhibitions of commissioned arts, modern and contemporary arts, and stage events across the cultural spectrum.
Duration: 2-3 Hours (Approx.)
Timings:
Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday: 11:00 am – 8:00 pm
Tuesday: Closed
Fridays: 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Saturday and Sunday: 09:00 am – 08:00 pm
How To Reach?
By Metro: You can opt for the Line 1 trains in Metro from the Paris airport and get off at Les Sablons station to reach the Louis Vuitton Foundation. The journey time is around 35 minutes and a single ride will cost you around 15 euros.
By Bus: There is a direct bus service from the airport, Aeroport Roissy CDG T2 A/C/D. The service departs every 30 minutes and operates daily. A ticket will cost around 5 euros.
By Car/bike: Reaching the Louis Vuitton Foundation from the Paris airport through car and bike is the fastest way. The drive costs around 65 euro to 80 euro and it takes approximately 32 minutes.
Aquarium de Paris
The charming aquarium known as L’Aquarium de Paris, or Cineaqua, is situated right in the centre of the busy metropolis of Paris. More than 10,000 different marine creatures, including sharks, jellyfish, and coral colonies, are kept in this aquarium. Aside from its amazing displays, the Grand Aquarium de Paris is home to the largest jellyfish exhibition in Europe, the Medusarium, which has over 50 species of jellyfish arranged in 25 enormous tanks.
Timings:
Monday to Friday & Sunday: 10 am – 7 pm
Saturday 10 am – 9 pm
How to Reach?
By metro: Board line 6 or 9 to reach Trocadéro metro station, which is only a three-minute walk from the Aquarium.
By RER: Take line C that terminates at Champs de Mars, a 15 minute walk away from L’Aquarium de Paris.
By bus: Bus line 22 stops at the nearest Trocadéro station. You may also travel via bus lines 30, 32, 63 and get off at Albert de Mun station nearby.
Bus lines: 72 and 82 stop at Pont d’lena and Warsaw square which are under a 5-minute walk.
Palais Garnier (The Opéra Garnier Grand Hall)
Explore the splendour of Paris, France’s magnificent opera venue, the Palais Garnier. Admire its opulent architecture, which features a stunning chandelier and elaborate detailing. Discover the rich cultural legacy and history of this legendary site, which has played host to numerous elite events since its 1875 founding. A must-see location for tourists and art lovers who want to fully experience the opulence and rich artistic legacy of Paris’s Palais Garnier.
SELF-GUIDED TOUR
Full rate: €15
Reduced rate: €10
Free admissions (children under 12, unemployed, etc.)
Immersive game tour
Prices: from €20 to €28
How To Reach?
Palais Garnier is situated at the edge of Rue Auber and Rue Scribe.
By RER: If your preferred choice of transport is RER, you need to board off at Auber RER stop on Line A.
By Bus: If you are planning to visit the Palais Garnier by bus, you can either opt for Routes 20, 21, 22, 27, 29, 42, 52, 53, 66, 68, 81, and 95.
By Metro: If the metro is your preferred option, Opera metro station is the nearest point for you. You can either take Line 3, Line 7 or Line 8 to reach your final destination.
Sainte Chapelle
King Louis IX ordered the construction of the stunning royal church known as Sainte Chapelle in the thirteenth century. It is designed in the Gothic style. Built to house Louis the IX’s collection of Passion relics, which includes the Crown of Thorns, it was intended to serve as a repository. The upper chapel and the lower chapel are the two portions that make up the chapel. It is most well-known for having the largest collection of 13th-century stained glass windows in the entire globe.
Timings:
- October-March: Monday-Sunday 9 am–5 pm
- April-September: Monday-Sunday 9 am-7 pm
Duration: 2 Hours (Approx.)
How To Reach?
It is located exactly on 8 Boulevard, and you can take either of the following routes to reach here:.
By Train: You can take any of the metros: Metro-1, Metro-14, or Metro-4 to reach here. Although the recommended option would be Métro Line 4 will take you to the Cité stop, and you will have to walk a block up the Rue de Lutèce to the Palais de Justice. The Sainte-Chapelle entrance will be to the left of the Palais, with its gilded iron gates.
By Bus: You can take either of the Bus-21, Bus-24, Bus-27, Bus-85, or Bus-96 to reach this chapel. You can also take the Batobus, stopping on the left bank across Nôtre-Dame.
By Car/Bike: To reach this chapel by car or a bike, all you need to do is follow the banks of the Seine river to Châtelet or Saint-Michel, and then boulevard du Palais.
Bourse de Commerce
See the extensive collection of artwork that French billionaire Francois Pinault possesses by visiting the Bourse de Commerce. Take in the stunning architecture, see the outstanding art galleries, and take in a few temporary exhibits. Examine the massive dome construction and observe how it enhances the grandeur of this iconic site. With the aid of an audio guide, discover more about Pinault’s enthusiasm for art collecting and the building’s renovations. Get tickets to the Bourse de Commerce and spend the day perusing exquisite artwork.
Dates:
Every day except Tuesday (select during purchase)
Timing:
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday: 11 am to 7 pm
- Friday: 11 am to 9 pm
Reduced ticket: billet à tarif réduit for 14.00€
Day ticket (+ 27 years) – Adult for 18.00€
How To Reach?
Metro- Station Louvre – Rivoli. station Les Halles. station Châtelet.
RER- Garde de Châtelet – Les Halles.
Bus- arrêt Bourse de commerce
arrêt Louvre – Rivoli
arrêt Pont Neuf – Quai du Louvre
arrêts Louvre – Rivoli / Pont des Arts
arrêt Châtelet
Museè D’Orsay
The largest collection of exceptional Impressionist and Post-Impressionist artwork can be seen at the Museè d’Orsay. Van Gogh, Manet, Pissarro, Monet, Degas, Renoir, and many more artists have created masterpieces among them. In addition to the paintings of well-known painters, the museum displays some amazing sculptures, uncommon pictures, graphic art, pastels, and architectural sketches by illustrious architects.
Tickets: 22,00 € / pers.
How To Reach?
The Musée D’Orsay museum is located at a distance of about 4 km from the city centre of Paris. It takes about 12 – 15 mins to cover the distance via Rue Beaubourg or Rue de Rivoli:
By Metro: If you wish to travel by metro to reach the famous Musee d’Orsay museum, then you have to reach either Solferino or Musee d’Orsay station. The museum is located within walking distance of both metro stations.
By Bus: Paris has a very well-maintained bus service that connects the all-important parts of the city and some nearby destinations as well. If you are travelling by bus, then the nearest bus station where you have to get off is Rue de la Légion d’Honneur.
By Car/Bike: If you are aware of the route, then you can cover the distance with your personal car/bike. It would certainly take less time to cover the distance than using public transport.
Palace Of Versailles
The historic home of the French kings, the Palace of Versailles, is renowned for both its political significance throughout French history and its magnificent architecture. Early in the 1600s, King Louis XIII constructed a castle at Versailles to use as a hunting lodge. Later, King Louis XIV commissioned the construction of this opulent palace, which took forty years to complete. This stunning sculpture is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Paris and is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site today.
April – October:
Palace: 9:00 am–6:30 pm; last entry: 6:00 pm ; ticket office closes 5:50 pm.
Trianon Palace and Marie Antoinette’s Estate: 12:00 pm–6:30 pm
Garden: 08:00 am – 8:30 pm
Parks: 7:00 am to 8:30 pm
November – March:
Palace: 9:00 am –5:00 pm.; ticket office closes at 4:50 pm.
Trianon Palace and Marie Antoinette’s Estate: 12:00 pm–5:30 pm
Gardens and Parks: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
How To Reach?
Train: There are three train options from which you can choose, with the RER C line (yellow) being the most practical and recommended.
There are three train options from which you can choose, with the RER C line (yellow) being the most practical and recommended. Paris to Versailles Train Option 1: RER C Line (Yellow), Paris to Versailles Option 2: Transilien L Line (Purple) and Paris to Versailles Option 3: Transilien Line N (Turquoise).
Using A Car Rental To Get To Versailles: The fastest route from Paris to Versailles is the N118. It is easily accessible from La Défense, too.
Versailles From Paris By Local Bus: While it might take longer if the traffic is terrible, you’ll see some of the Paris suburbs and enjoy the French countryside.
- You can expect to pay about $4.35 for a one-way bus ticket.
- The frequency of the buses departing from Pont de Sèvres is every 15 to 20 minutes.
- The buses run between 6:00 AM to 12:00 AM daily.
Arc De Triomphe
The historic home of the French kings, the Palace of Versailles, is renowned for both its political significance throughout French history and its magnificent architecture. Early in the 1600s, King Louis XIII constructed a castle at Versailles to use as a hunting lodge. Later, King Louis XIV commissioned the construction of this opulent palace, which took forty years to complete. This stunning sculpture is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Paris and is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site today.
Arc de Triomphe Rooftop Tickets: Starts from €15.50 (per person)
How To Reach?
Arc de Triomphe is situated at the distance of approx 33km from the Paris CDG Airport, which can be reached via the following ways:
Metro: The closest metro station to Arc de Triomphe is Charles de Gaulle Etoile, which can be reached via Metro Line 1, 2 and 6. It can also be reached by RER A red line.
Time Taken: 55 minutes approx.
Cost: 11-12 euro.
Bus: Arc de Triomphe can be reached by bus route numbers 73, 144, 178 and 360.Time Taken: 40 minutes.
Cost: 6-18 euro.
Private Car: The iconic Arc de Triomphe can be reached by car/taxi, however, it is not the best option as the arch is situated at the busiest roundabout of Paris. But if proper rules and regulations of driving around the arch are followed one can easily reach the arch while driving at the comfort of your car.
Les Invalides
Located in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, Les Invalides is a collection of buildings that honour the city’s military history. In addition, it is a well-liked location for prayer and a facility for the care of battle veterans. Les Invalides is a unique building due to its massive golden dome, Baroque architecture, and elaborate decorations.
Tickets: from : € 15
Conciergerie
The Palais de la Cité, often known as the “Palace of the City,” was the first royal residence constructed in France in the sixth century by Clovis. It is situated in the centre of old Paris on the Île de la Cité, which is one of the two little islands in the middle of the Seine River. You can explore the exhibitions in the beautiful mediaeval hall and learn more about historical significance during your visit to this place.
Tickets: from €17.99
By Metro: One can take the metro to the Eco Militaire subway station or the La Tour-Maubourg subway station from anywhere in the city. Les Invalides is within walking distance of both of these stations.
By Bus: The nearest bus station to Les Invalides is Esplanade des Invalides.
Montparnasse Tower
The only skyscraper in Paris, Montparnasse Tower, rises to a staggering 689 feet. From the 56th and 59th observation floors, it provides some excellent panoramic views of the entire city. On a clear day, you should absolutely visit this tower to get a peek of the magnificent views of the city, which include the Sacré Coeur, Notre Dam, and Eiffel Tower.
Timings:
Sunset: 08:45 pm
Daily Hours: 9:30 am – 11:30 pm
How To Reach?
Paris airport is located at a distance of 35.8 km from the Montparnasse Tower. Here’s how you can travel:
Option 1: Take a train from the Aeroport Charles De Gaulle 2 TGV to Saint-Michel-Notre-Dame. Once you get down, you can then take a bus ride to the Gare Montparnasse.
Overall time: 1 hour and 2 minutes.
Option 2: Board a train from the Aeroport Charles De Gaulle 2 TGV to drop you directly at the Gare Montparnasse.
Overall time: 1 hour, 01 minutes
Option 3: Take a bus ride from Paris (Aéroport Roissy CDG T2) to Paris (Gare Montparnasse).
Overall time: 01 hours and 04 minutes
Option 4: If you prefer to travel all alone, you can opt for a hired cab ride between Paris CDG Airport to Gare Montparnasse.
Overall time: 31 minutes
The entire list has the best places to visit at certain timings and prices. This will help you plan out your Parisian trip well in advance. Remember, with so many options to choose from, researching and booking in advance is essential to securing spots for the top paid activities in Paris.
