Paris sightseeing: must-see places near Hôtel R de Paris

The Musée Jacquemart-André is a private mansion on Boulevard Haussmann transformed into an art treasure house by a couple of passionate collectors. What is magnificent here is the grand staircase adorned with a Tiepolo fresco — Henri III Received at the Villa Contarini — transported from Venice in 1893 and reassembled panel by panel over eight months. The Italian collection is exceptional, featuring Mantegna's Ecce Homo in the Venetian salon and a Florentine room arranged like a private chapel. The tearoom beneath the painted Tiepolo ceiling is a moment apart.

Why go: A refined Paris museum that's easy to visit and very photogenic.

Good to know: Great for a quiet cultural break—book ahead for popular exhibitions.

Created in 1778 for the Duke of Orléans, cousin of Louis XVI, Parc Monceau is an English-style garden dotted with romantic "follies": a Corinthian colonnade at the edge of a pool (the Naumachie), a miniature Egyptian pyramid, a former Dutch windmill. The winding paths and grand trees create an elegant, peaceful setting, much loved by families from the 8th — and by early-morning joggers.

Why go: Great between visits or after shopping when you want to breathe without leaving Paris.

Good to know: Mornings are lovely. Weekdays are usually calmer.

Paris's largest square (8.64 hectares), Place de la Concorde is steeped in history: inaugurated in 1772 in honour of Louis XV, it became Place de la Révolution — where Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette were guillotined. Its 22-metre obelisk, a gift from Egypt in 1836 to celebrate Champollion's deciphering of hieroglyphics, doubles as an immense sundial. The two monumental Hittorff fountains (1840) — Fleuves to the north, Mers to the south — complete this grand tableau between the Tuileries and the Champs-Élysées.

Why go: A central Paris landmark and great photo stop.

Good to know: Best enjoyed on foot—watch traffic around the square.

The Louvre is the largest museum in the world, and what I like to tell our guests is that you don't "visit" the Louvre — you choose your Louvre. The three icons — Da Vinci's Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo in her pared-back gallery, and the Winged Victory of Samothrace majestically dominating the Daru staircase — are moments of pure emotion. But the real pleasure is getting lost in the quieter rooms: the Egyptian antiquities, the Napoleon III apartments, or the Apollo Gallery with its gilded ceilings.

Why go: Best if you have a shortlist—targeting a few works makes the visit far more enjoyable.

Good to know: The Louvre is huge: pick 2-3 areas max rather than trying to do everything.

The Musée de l'Orangerie is an intimate jewel box in the heart of the Jardin des Tuileries, and what makes this place unique in the world are the eight monumental panels of Claude Monet's Nymphéas, displayed in two oval rooms designed in collaboration with the artist himself. Natural zenithal light bathes the canvases, and the ovals evoke the symbol of infinity — you are enveloped in water lilies, reflections and seasons. Downstairs, the Walter-Guillaume collection offers an exceptional journey with Renoir, Cézanne, Modigliani and Le Douanier Rousseau.

Why go: One of the most iconic art stops in central Paris, perfect for a quiet visit.

Good to know: Go early for a more peaceful experience.

The Musée d'Orsay is housed in the former Gare d'Orsay, and what is magnificent here is the 138-metre nave flooded with light through the immense glass roof, with sculptures silhouetted along the central aisle. You'll find the world's largest Impressionist collection: Renoir's Bal du moulin de la Galette (room 30, 5th floor), Monet's cathedrals, Van Gogh's self-portraits, Degas's dancers. Insider tip: the great glass clock on the 5th floor frames a spectacular view of the Sacré-Coeur.

Why go: One of the essential museums in Paris for Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh and more.

Good to know: Go early (or book a timed ticket) to enjoy the galleries with fewer crowds.

The Petit Palais is a Beaux-Arts jewel built by Charles Girault for the 1900 World Fair, and what many visitors don't realise is that its permanent collections are free. You'll discover 5,000 m² of works spanning antiquity to the early 20th century: Courbet, Monet, Renoir, Cézanne, and an exceptional ensemble of 350 Rembrandt prints that rivals the greatest European institutions. Don't miss the 600 m² semi-circular inner garden — a secret oasis with colonnades, mosaics and frescoes by Paul Baudouin illustrating the hours of the day.

Why go: An excellent choice for a smoother museum visit, often less crowded than the biggest institutions.

Good to know: Permanent collection entry is often free — check current conditions.

The Palais de la Découverte, founded in 1937, is the science museum where you understand by watching things happen. Housed in a wing of the Grand Palais currently undergoing renovation, it will reopen progressively with modernised spaces. What makes it unique are the live demonstrations: the electrostatics room with its spectacular high-voltage displays and Faraday cage effect, the planetarium with its new hybrid technology, and the famous circular "pi room" where 707 decimal places of pi are inscribed on the walls — a cult destination for science lovers.

Why go: Great for families or a rainy day in Paris.

Good to know: Check the day's programme—activities can change.

The Grand Palais, magnificently restored and reopened in June 2025, houses the largest glass roof in Europe: a nave of 13,500 m² beneath a volume of 460,000 m³, flooded with natural light. Built for the 1900 World Fair, it is a monumental setting now hosting major exhibitions co-produced with the Centre Pompidou — Matisse, Hilma af Klint in 2026. What makes it unique is the dialogue between Beaux-Arts architecture and contemporary works beneath this cathedral of glass and steel.

Why go: If an exhibition interests you, the building alone is often worth the visit.

Good to know: Programming changes—check the current show and book early for high-demand dates.

What takes your breath away here is François Rude's sculpture Le Départ des Volontaires — also known as La Marseillaise — on the right-hand pillar: it is staggeringly powerful. Beneath the vault, the flame of the Unknown Soldier has burned continuously since 1923, and the names of 558 generals are engraved on the inner walls. Climb the 284 steps to the terrace: the view over the twelve avenues radiating out like a star at sunset is a moment you won't forget.

Why go: One of the best viewpoints in Paris and a major landmark.

Good to know: Use the pedestrian underpass to access the monument safely.

The story is delightful: the name comes from the Mouche district in Lyon, where these boats were built for the 1867 World Fair. In 1949, Jean Bruel revived the concept as a tourist cruise — he even invented a fictitious character, Jean-Sébastien Mouche, whose "biography" was published in Le Monde. Today, the company welcomes 2.5 million passengers a year for a one-hour Seine cruise past illuminated monuments.

Why go: Perfect for a romantic moment or a "first time in Paris" highlight.

Good to know: Sunset cruises are popular—book early in peak season.

The Musée Rodin occupies the Hôtel Biron, a splendid 1732 rococo mansion that Rodin discovered in a state of abandon in 1908 and filled with his works until his death. What is magnificent here is the nearly three-hectare garden: The Thinker presides over beds of 2,000 rose bushes, The Gates of Hell unfurls its 200 tormented figures, and The Kiss awaits you inside in a silence of marble. What guides don't always mention is that The Gates of Hell is the mother work: both The Thinker and The Kiss were born from it.

Why go: One of the best museums in Paris for sculpture lovers.

Good to know: Go early for a calmer visit, and keep time for the garden.

The Palais de Tokyo is the largest contemporary art centre in Europe, facing the Trocadéro in the 16th arrondissement. What sets this place apart is its raw energy: 13,000 m² of exhibition space in a building deliberately left in exposed concrete, where artists take over immense volumes with installations that are often immersive and disorienting. The best-kept secret? Free Thursday-evening late openings in summer, from 7 pm to midnight — the atmosphere shifts completely. Underground, the Yoyo offers an events-and-club space with spectacular underground staging.

Why go: A must for modern art lovers looking for bold, cutting-edge shows in Paris.

Good to know: The experience depends on the current exhibitions—check what's on before going.

The Musée Guimet is the largest museum of Asian arts in Europe, spread across four floors on Place d'Iéna. What is exceptional here is the Khmer collection: outside Cambodia, it is the most comprehensive in the world, with strikingly beautiful Angkor sculptures from the 6th to the 19th century. You travel from China to Japan, India to Korea, through Buddhas, bronzes, textiles and ceramics. Don't miss the rooms dedicated to Gandharan art, where Greek influence merges with Buddhist art — a fascinating civilisational crossroads.

Why go: Calm visit, strong curation, and a great cultural stop near Trocadéro.

Good to know: Allow time for the permanent collection and temporary exhibits.

The Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris is a hidden treasure facing the Eiffel Tower. What is absolutely staggering is Raoul Dufy's La Fée Électricité: a monumental 600 m² mural unfurled in a horseshoe across 250 panels — the largest painting in the world, created for the 1937 World Fair. You'll also discover the first two versions of Matisse's La Danse, Modiglianis, Picassos and superb Fauvist and Cubist ensembles. The permanent collections are free — a secret few visitors know about.

Why go: A top Paris museum for modern art, with regular high-quality exhibitions.

Good to know: Check ticketing and exhibition dates before visiting.

The Hôtel de Ville is a neo-Renaissance masterpiece rebuilt after the Commune fire of 1871, adorned with 136 statues of illustrious figures on its facades. What most visitors don't realise is that the interior is even more spectacular: the Salle des Fêtes is a replica of the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles, and the Grand Staircase is decorated with frescoes by Puvis de Chavannes. Free guided tours are available — book about two months ahead, it's genuinely worth the effort.

Why go: A classic photo stop in central Paris, near the Seine.

Good to know: The square can host seasonal installations.

Inaugurated in 2016 on the Quai Branly, this Russian Orthodox cathedral stops you in your tracks with its five golden domes — 90,000 leaves of a gold-palladium alloy set on fibreglass petals — glinting directly opposite the Eiffel Tower. Designed by Jean-Michel Wilmotte and inspired by the Dormition Cathedral in the Kremlin, it covers 450 m² within the Russian Spiritual and Cultural Centre. The entire complex cost 170 million euros and ranks among the most spectacular religious buildings in contemporary Paris.

Why go: A striking, lesser-known Paris landmark to add to your walk.

Good to know: Easy to combine with riverside strolling and nearby museums.

Built in just seven years (1241-1248) by Louis IX to house the Crown of Thorns, the Sainte-Chapelle is a masterpiece of Rayonnant Gothic architecture. Its 15 stained-glass windows, each 15 metres tall, depict 1,113 biblical scenes — 70% of them original, a record for a medieval building. When the sun streams through, the upper chapel transforms into a kaleidoscope of colour: one of the purest "wow" moments Paris has to offer.

Why go: A must for architecture, history and photography lovers.

Good to know: Go early to avoid crowds and enjoy the light.

The Conciergerie is the last great survivor of the medieval royal palace on Île de la Cité. Don't miss the Salle des Gens d'Armes, a masterpiece of civil Gothic architecture with vaults soaring to 8.50 metres and four monumental fireplaces — it's one of the largest medieval halls in Europe. The emotion reaches its peak in the Expiatory Chapel, built on the exact site of Marie-Antoinette's cell, whose black walls are adorned with silver tears and where you can read her final letter engraved on the altar.

Why go: A must for Paris history fans and dramatic architecture.

Good to know: Go early to avoid queues; allow time for the courtyards and prison rooms.

The birthplace of Paris — this is where the Parisii, a Gallic tribe, settled over 2,000 years ago — Île de la Cité packs an extraordinary heritage into just a few hundred metres: Notre-Dame, the Sainte-Chapelle, the Conciergerie, Place Dauphine, and the flower market (open since 1808). The Seine-side quays, the Square du Vert-Galant at the western tip, and the bridges lit up at night make for one of the finest strolls in all of Paris.

Why go: One of the most iconic walks in Paris, day or night.

Good to know: Wear comfortable shoes—this area is made for wandering.