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!]

Yes. Come do the touristy things like shopping, eating, and sightseeing. But also consider this…read moreplace with a spin to the sightseeing portion with a historical twist. The admissions price you pay is worth it. You just don't see this type of local flair anywhere else. Soak in the history about Paris and also its darker side. Your perspective about things will change, for most people anyway. The takeaway the hubs took from this experience is that nothing really matters at the end. It's a real eye opening experience TBH. As you wander the dark corridors, you will see piles of real human bones piled in neat stacks. It was saddening to realize that these were once human beings. Now they are part of a collection of unknown souls. It was just a down to earth experience. The audio tour will allow you to wander at your pleasure so there's no real rush or live tour. Book early because spots are limited!

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

We arrived at Musée d'Orsay without a pre bought ticket…read more The line wasn't that long so we decided to stay. We were inching along, and then suddenly the line moved really fast, they were letting people enter faster. We spent over 10 minutes and we were in. This museum is smaller than the Louvre, and has many floors and seems harder to navigate, so I just let my son take the lead and I followed. We took our time admiring the paintings: Monet, Lautrec, Van Gogh, Degas....some people are going with the flow, but some took too much time posing with the paintings, maybe thinking it's their personal studio .... We really like this museum. The time we went, there is a special exhibit dedicated to Renoir.

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!