Absolutely one of the best experiences ever. It is a must to get the Audio Guide Tour - so…read moreinformative on th History of Paris and The Catacombes. We unfortunately had 105 degree weather in Paris and literally this tour was a "cool" experience for the history and the temperature - literally. Also the little gift shop after is a must - I smile every morning using my spoon and have a pair of gloves that I will be wearing as well. This and Jim Morrison's Grave was my two favorite things.

The major thing we wanted to do in Paris was visit the catacombs, an underground ossuary containing…read morethe bones of more than six million people. The catacombs are part of Paris' abandoned mine and quarry network, and bones were moved to the catacombs because the cemeteries were running out of space. The first bones were transferred from the Cimetière des Saints-Innocents after the cemetery was closed in 1780 due to overuse. The catacombs are an extremely popular attraction, and purchasing tickets in advance is highly recommended as a limited number of people are admitted each hour, and with good reason -- the experience would be extremely unpleasant if overly crowded. However, you can only purchase tickets one week in advance, and the catacombs are not open on Mondays. The two full days we were in Paris were Sunday and Monday, so I had to ensure that we were able to get tickets for Sunday April 7. Fortunately I was successful! Tickets were €29 each, although per the website, they are now €31. Unfortunately, the catacombs are not accessible for people in wheelchairs or who have mobility issues -- the 1.5km long route has 243 stairs -- 131 to descend and 112 to ascend. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit, and if you want to see bones and skulls (no full skeletons, though), the Paris catacombs won't disappoint! [Yelp collections: Europe 2024; Paris, France; Beware of stairs!]

The Pantheon is a marvelous neoclassical structure that was originally planned to be a church,…read morehowever the circumstances of history changed its course, and instead pays homage to the heroes of France and those who helped shaped its culture and history in the world. We visited on a rainy day in Feb 2026 and there was quite a line. We waited about 30 mins and paid 13 euros each, plus an extra 4 euros for an audio guide. I would recommend purchasing tickets ahead and the extra 4 euros for the audio guide is well worth it. Give yourself at least 1 hour, but you could be in here all day. The crypt houses many including philosophers and authors: Voltaire,Rousseau Victor Hugo and Alexandre Dumas, as well as scientists like Marie Curie, and activists. Right next door is a beautiful church Eglise St Etienne du Mont which should not be missed!

A church turned mausoleum for greats like Victor Hugo (interestingly enough, when we were in…read moreBrussels we actually stayed next door to a home he had there). Neoclassical architecture that's stood the test of time for centuries. Deeply rooted in French history it's a must-see for any architecture and/or history buffs. The tour is educational and informative.

Great views, no crowds, and very relaxed vibe. There is an indoor level on the 56th floor if the…read moreweather isn't good. There's a gift shop here. 3 floors up is the open air roof top patio. Strategic breaks in the plexiglass give clear shots for your camera. Comfortable chairs are scattered about, as well as selfie stations. Staff were chill and didn't rush anyone away. Would definitely recommend. Inexpensive as well.

If you want beautiful city views with the Eiffel Tower, going to the top of this observatory should…read morebe on your to do list. It's beautiful and if you go later in the day, there aren't as many crowds.

Be sure to get there to line up before the doors open. Good seats go fast!! Get your drinks and…read morenibbles and settle in to await the best shows. We saw Frank&Ella and loved the performers and the band so much. Great room, so well run.

If you are looking for an original and non-touristy place to hear great jazz and other concerts in…read moreParis, this is for you! Located in a charming, historic neighborhood, the space has been beautifully renovated as an impressive subterranean concert hall. Affordable drinks (wine, punch) and plates of charcuterie if you need a nibble. I would return!

Live jazz on a saturday night. Very good, intimate feel and relaxed. Definitely a neighborhood bar…read moreworth seeking if you want good jazz, good drinks, good people and good prices. Good mix of jazz versions of the american song book ("Can't take my eyes off you") in english, and French jazz standards ("C'est si bon"). And you haven't lived until you've heard "big wheels keep on turning" in French. Guys, this makes globalization worth it. Tourists welcome, although rare when i came. I was the only one. Someone in the audience came up and sang "hit the road jack" so well i'd buy it on iTunes. The house went crazy with applause. We all sang along to "La vie en rose". Call and response on scatting. Talent and fun all night long. Beers and wine were the same prices i've seen everywhere else (except along the Siene) for standard offerings (Affligem, recent vintage Bordeaux, big Rhones, etc). Not sure what other posters are talking about, i didn't see anything over 5 EUR for 12-14cl wines / 25cl beers. Actually that's pretty cheap for Paris. A great find i can't recommend enough!

A cool very intimate jazz club good for a night out. They do not offer food and it's rather cramped…read morequarters leaving one feeling slightly claustrophobic. The music was fantastic and we enjoyed it.

I've been to Café Laurent the last 3 times in Paris and looking forward to my next time this…read moresummer. There are several reasons that I love this place. A quiet oasis of understated elegance with live jazz. Monsieur Flavian has been there every time and seems to manage the venue with panache. Classic, elegant, jazz. My favorite place in Paris to unwind. Wonderful bar with excellent, knowledgeable service. Très gentil hommes. Merci!

Very swanky jazz bar that I had the pleasure of spending an evening at with my fiancée. We split a…read morebottle of champagne and enjoyed live piano and singing for a couple of hours. Absolutely loved this place.

Centre Pompidou was due to close its doors for a years-long renovation when I went. Thought not…read morecompletely shut down (Wolfgang Tillmans was showing his photographs), the lack of exhibits make this arts center a shell of its former self; even the long escalator, a prominent feature, wasn't in operation. Also, there was no access to the rooftop viewing platform. The building is very cool with its "inside out" design as giant pipes decorate the exterior. I remember Centre Pompidou as full of life, I hope when it returns to be able to experience its full art programming once again. Two stars because it's depressing to see the building half done & half alive.

The best museum in Paris for the views and vibes! Even on a winter weekend at sunset, it wasn't…read moreovercrowded--a refreshing change from the city's more packed museums. The main collection is on the 5th floor, with special exhibits on the 6th, and the panoramic views from the balcony are stunning--you can see both the Eiffel Tower and Sacré-Cœur. Entry is affordable at €15 per person, and the museum has several shops, dining options, and restrooms inside. It's also easily accessible by public transportation, with plenty of great spots to eat and drink nearby. A must-visit for art lovers and architecture enthusiasts alike!

I've been to Musée d'Orsay twice over the years and have left both times feeling awed by what I saw…read moreand rueful of all I'd so obviously missed. You can't even speed run the place in two or three hours, and you probably need days or a lifetime to appreciate it in full. My more recent visit was earlier this month, with my husband and kids and other sundry family members, who spread out and explored the museum on their own. The d'Orsay opens at 9:30 in the morning and we booked tickets in advance for 10:00 entry. Getting in was quick and easy, and the crowd was pretty reasonable for the first hour or so, which we spent on the fifth floor. By the time we got to the special exhibit on the ground level, around noon, every room was thronged. We didn't make it to the second floor at all. The museum is a global treasure, a beautiful place with a staggering collection of French art, including the world's largest trove of Impressionist and post-Impressionist paintings. The d'Orsay was once the Gare d'Orsay, a Beaux-Arts railway station built between 1898 and 1900. It would be worth visiting for the architecture and use of space and light alone. The art, of course, is genuinely amazing. If you have even a passing familiarity with paintings as a genre, you will walk around the d'Orsay going, "Oh, THAT's here?" I saw multiple paintings I'd encountered in jigsaw puzzles, or on the covers of Debussy piano books. Manet, Cezánne, Gauguin, Degas; a whole room of Van Gogh, including one of his most recognizable self-portraits and his "Bedroom in Arles" (a very enjoyable 2,000-piece puzzle). Monet everywhere--I guess the d'Orsay owns 86 of his paintings. I loved the mini-exhibit of five paintings of the Rouen Cathedral, and even my six-year-old appreciated, if purely for subject matter, "The Saint-Lazare Station." Our kids, it turns out, do not yet appreciate art, and were in ragged form for much of our visit. Our three-year-old demanded to be carried at all times and kept insisting he didn't like "these pictures." (He also objected to his first nude, "The Bathers" by Renoir: "Why aren't they wearing any clothes, even? They can wear pants. They can cover themselves.") We had to take a breather in the underground cafe, with water and snacks, and this gave us enough steam to make it back out to the main floor. We managed to zip through a few of the many rooms lining the main corridor on our way up to the Renoir exhibit at the front of the museum. This part of our visit could not have been more cursory, and yet we stumbled upon Courbet's self-portrait, "The Desperate Man"--a cool painting I'd never seen before--and Millet's "The Angelus," a painting I'd learned about at the d'Orsay many years earlier. The Renoir exhibit (Renoir and Love: A Joyful Modernity, apparently just ended) was spectacular, an expansive collection of iconic paintings displayed for maximum impact. It was also jam packed and slightly unpleasant to navigate with two children on the verge of meltdown. I'd love to go back to Paris and explore the d'Orsay at my leisure. I'm sure it'd also be worthwhile to go with a guide, and perhaps two older, well-behaved children who might get something out of the experience. In the meantime, I'm grateful I've been able to see the place at all. It's a marvelous museum, one of the greatest in the world.

One visit is not enough…read more When you learn to swim. One lesson is never enough. The more you dive into the depths and emerge for a breath of air, the more you enjoy. The more rapturous moments are grasped. Ah, so is the Musee d'Orsay. It is not a museum to plunge to once. One must visit multiple times. Otherwise, it is impossible to swim between exhibits, paddle through the intentions of artists. Be sure, you don't need to swim to enjoy the galleries. Even dog paddling between famous works is enjoyable. However, to truly move through exhibits with ease takes practice. You will thank yourself.

Came to Le Grand Palais for the first time to see the Picasso Exhibit. We had purchased tickets…read moreahead of time, along w/ the audio tour, & their ticketing system is great! You receive a mobile ticket which ensures no loss of paper - and with their free wifi inside the museum, it's easy to produce your entry pass The museum itself is lovely in setup an very easy to get around - nice signage and the rooms are very easy to maneuver And their cafe is awesome - lattes are strong and evenly balanced and their croissants are on par with my alltime favorites, Eric Kayser. They were tender, flaky and fresh as could be - do not pass up the cafe!! The exhibit was interesting in that it did not really showcase works by Picasso but of the variety of artists who were influenced by Picasso. Interesting indeed Would look very forward to another exhibit during our next visit in the City of Lights

Entry into the Grand Palais is free of charge and when you see the building's exterior you'll…read moreimmediately decide that you must go inside. It's stunning, though you'll soon realize that the part you most wanted to see - the glass enclosed space - might not be open to you. Visiting in May, the glass-domed space was locked tight, opened only for special shows and events. I've looked at the calendar now, in June, and see that they open it for many summer activities and were I there now I'd certainly try to get tickets for one of those events. Otherwise? This is still a worthy investment of time, not just to look around and peer into the glass-domed space, but to view the exhibits (individually priced, tickets available at the door). I noticed 3 special exhibits during my visit and paid for entry to 2 (Matisse and Nan Golden). Based on this experience, I'd recommend paying for entry to the exhibits of artists you're least familiar with under the assumption that they'll be less crowded. The Matissse exhibit was crowded enough to render the experience almost unpleasant. The Nan Golden show? Perfect. Though I'd recommend paying to see some exhibits, even if all you do is enter to walk around and explore the space you'll be nicely rewarded. The Grand Palais has some pleasant, quiet seating areas inside and the space is lovely.

This is one of the smaller aquariums that I've been to, but I guess that's not a surprise given its…read morelocation. The price is a bit high for the experience. Our kids loved it, so totally worth it. Most of the signage is in French, English, and Spanish. The squishy has a relationship with the Kamo Japanese aquarium, so they had a bunch of Hello Kitty themed decorations and such. More importantly, the partnership means that this aquarium has a lot of jellyfish. We visited in December, so the mermaid show was also Christmas themed. It's an excellent show that is very well-rehearsed. They don't sell any food inside, but we were able to get a stamp for re-entry, eat or snacks outside, and then continue our visit. With children, this is a good 2-3 hour visit if you are able to catch one of the shows. Without the show, 2 hours maximum unless you just really love aquariums.

The whole place needs improvement and more varieties of sea creatures like octopus, shrimp, crabs,…read moreetc. And also its very dark in most of the areas!