Eiffel Tower. Check. The Louvre. Check. Arc de Triomphe. Check. These iconic Paris attractions are must-sees – especially for first-time visitors. In this Paris Self-Guided Walking Tour, we showcase the top sights on a gorgeous route through the City of Lights.
With this guide, you will promenade alongside the Seine River and stroll down the grandiose Champs Elysees – all at your own pace.
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Our walk is a great introduction to the city and a fabulous way to shake off any lingering jet lag! In fact, it’s the route we recommend for Day 1 of our Paris Itinerary.
Before setting off on any of our Free Paris Self-Guided Walking Tours, it’s best to understand how they work.
For each sight, we provide a pin drop so you can easily get directions from wherever you are. To use our maps, you will need a connection for your handheld device.
We suggest using an eSim, adjusting your data to an international plan or purchasing a WiFi Pocket Device – like GlocalMe.
We have also made this tour available in PDF (for a small fee) so that you can use it off-line (and without ads).
Iconic Paris Self-Guided Walking Tour
It’s time to lace up your favorite travel shoes, because we are covering a distance of about 6 miles. (Although, it can be shortened a bit – and we’ll tell you how when we get there.)
Your pace and interest will dictate how long the walk takes, but we recommend planning at least 4 hours. If you want to go inside any of the Famous Paris Museums along the route, this tour could fill an entire day.
Below, you will find a map marked with each stop. It’s helpful to orient yourself before beginning our Paris walking tour.
#1 Trocadero
Free | Map
Created for the International Exposition in 1937, Trocadero Square (Place du Trocadero) is an ideal place to start your Walk of Iconic Paris.
The impressive Palais de Chaillot hosts a menagerie of museums, but we don’t recommend going inside right now.
Instead, make your way to the elaborate Trocadero Gardens. Here, you will find fine sculptures and picturesque fountains.
However, the real reason you’re here is to soak in the epic Eiffel Tower views that extend to Champs de Mars.
#2 Eiffel Tower
Free to View; Ticket Required to climb/ride | Map
The enduring Tour Eiffel was built for the 1889 World’s Fair by engineer Gustave Eiffel. Naturally, it tops every list of places to see in Paris!
Made of wrought iron, the Eiffel Tower stands at 1,063 feet, which at the time of completion made it the tallest structure in the world. The edifice has three platforms and is one of the most visited monuments on the planet.
Top Tip: If you want to tour the Eiffel Tower (not just look at it), Buy Skip-The-Line Tickets in advance.
#3 Paris Promenade Walk
Free | Map
Walking along the River Seine is one of the top things to do in Paris. Soak in the quintessential Parisian ambiance and enjoy a stroll along the Promenade des Berges de la Seine as you travel to the next stop on our walk.
#4 Pont Alexandre III
Free | Map
In our opinion, Pont Alexandre III is the most beautiful bridge in Paris. It was built at the turn of the 20th century and named for Tsar Alexander III.
Spanning the Seine River to connect Les Invalides to Champs-Elysees, the bridge features numerous statues, including the four glittering winged horses, called Fames. The stylish streetlamps make it particularly charming.
Step onto the bridge and soak in the scene. Looking to the north toward the Right Bank, you will see two museums: Grand Palais (ticket required) and the Petit Palais (free).
Turning back toward the Left Bank is a grand view of Les Invalides; Napoleon’s tomb sits under the golden dome.
#5 Musee d’Orsay
Ticket Required; Included with Museum Pass | Map
Hailed as one of the largest European museums and hosting a remarkable collection of paintings, photographs and sculptures, the Musee d’Orsay is a Paris must-see.
Housed in the former Gare d’Orsay train station, the Orsay Museum first opened in 1986. Today, several masterpieces are on display, including Impressionist paintings by some of the world’s most renowned artists (Monet, Degas, Renoir, Cezanne and Van Gogh).
#6 Pont des Arts Bridge
Free | Map
Linking the Institut de France to the Palais du Louvre, the pedestrian-only Pont des Arts Bridge is one of our favorite places to visit on this Iconic Paris Self Guided Walking Tour.
Artists, musicians and onlookers all flock here – both for the buzzing entertainment and the superb views.
The 7-arched span was once known as the Paris Love Locks Bridge due to the padlocks with notes of affection placed on the railings. However, their heavy weight threatened the stability of the bridge and have now been removed.
#7 The Louvre
Ticket Required; Included with Museum Pass | Map
Reigning as one of the greatest museums on the globe, The Louvre is unmissable, even if you only see it from the outside!
The vast collection – of which there are more than 35,000 items on display – includes some of the most recognizable artwork in the world.
The most famous pieces include Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, the Coronation of Napoleon and The Wedding at Cana.
The building itself – the Louvre Palace – is a true gem. It’s where the French royal family lived until Louis XIV moved to the Palace of Versailles.
At the center of the courtyard – which is open free to the public – is the striking Glass Pyramid, which was built in 1989.
#8 Tuileries Garden
Free | Map
West of the Louvre is the pleasant and neatly planned Tuileries Garden (Jardin des Tuileries). Dating to 1564, the gardens were unveiled to the public in 1667.
Highlights include the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel (not to be confused with the Arc de Triomphe de l’Etoile), a statue-lined promenade, and beautiful fountains.
If you need to rest your feet, take a seat in one of the famous Paris green SENAT chairs, which have graced the garden since the 1920s.
Alternatively, take a break from the walking tour and sit down at Angelina (map) for a cup of hot chocolate in the sumptuous tea room.
Before leaving the area, make sure to walk up the ramp toward Musee de l’Orangerie (ticket required). The picturesque views from Terrasse de l’Orangerie (free) is a Hidden Gem in Paris!
#9 Place de la Concorde
Free | Map
Continue your Paris walk to the largest square in the city. The centerpiece of eight converging streets, Place de la Concorde marks the east end of Paris’ most famous boulevard, Champs-Elysees.
Within the space are eight enormous statues, each marking an angle of the square. At the center is the 75-foot-tall Egyptian Luxor Obelisk and to either side the Fountain of the Rivers and Fountain of the Seas.
During the French Revolution in 1789, Place de la Concorde was the site of numerous executions via guillotine. King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette are two of the most notable figures to be executed in the square.
#10 Champs Elysees
Free | Map
The Avenue des Champs-Elysees is the grandest thoroughfare in Paris. Running only 1.2 miles – from Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe – the tree-lined boulevard is home to an array of luxury brands and fashion designers.
Amid the shops, it’s possible to spot opulent structures (like the Elysees Palace, which is the residence of French presidents) and pretty gardens (such as the Jardins des Champs-Elysees).
In the past, the avenue has been used for military parades – and it marks the final stretch of the Tour de France bicycle race.
As you parade down the street, take some time to taste-test France’s finest confection, the Macaron. Two of Paris’ most famous macaron shops – Laduree and Pierre Herme – are located on the avenue.
Top Tip: If your feet need a rest, skip the long walk down Champs Elysees and instead ride the Metro (Line 1) from the Concorde to Charles de Gaulle – Étoile Station.
#11 Arc de Triomphe
Free to Visit, Ticket Required for Rooftop Climb; Included with the Paris Pass | Map
Another iconic Paris landmark, the Arc de Triomphe de l’Etoile marks the west end of the Champs Elysees – and the last stop on our self-guided tour!
The arch, which stands at 164 feet, sits in the center of Place Charles de Gaulle and is ringed by a roundabout that connects 12 streets in a star pattern.
Built in the early 1800s to honor those who died in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, the Arc de Triomphe straddles the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
It’s also an integral element of the Axe Historique – a 6.2-mile line that connects multiple Paris monuments.
From east to west, the Historical Axis includes the Louvre, Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, Tuileries Gardens, Luxor Obelisk, Champs Elysees, Arc de Triomphe de l’Etoile and La Grande Arche de la Defense.
Iconic Paris Self Guided Walking Tour Map
Use this Google Map for an interactive version of our Iconic Self-Guided Paris Walking Tour Map below.
More Iconic Paris Walks
We have found walking in Paris is the prime way to get acquainted with the gorgeous metropolis. Read about all of our Best Paris Self-Guided Walking Tours – or choose from the list below.
- What To See on Il de la Cite
- Walking Le Marais District
- Touring the Left Bank
- Sights of Paris City Center
Paris Trip Planning Resources
- Honest Paris Travel Tips
- 1 Week Paris Itinerary
- Craft Beer Bars in Paris
- Trip to London, Paris, Rome
Start planning your trip to France! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want additional travel tips? Head over to our Travel Planning Page for more advice – and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!
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