A. Starting Point: Les Halles
Les Halles, historically Paris’ central marketplace for centuries, is now a vibrant commercial and cultural hub centered around the Forum des Halles shopping mall and the striking “La Canopée” glass roof. While the original market was relocated to Rungis in 1969, the area retains its lively atmosphere and serves as a major transportation hub with the Châtelet–Les Halles RER and metro station. The modern complex features a vast underground shopping center, restaurants, cinemas, and connects directly to the bustling public transport system.
B: Musée National d'Art Moderne
The Musée National d'Art Moderne, housed within the iconic Centre Pompidou in Paris, is one of the most important museums of modern and contemporary art in the world. It features an extensive collection of over 100,000 works from the 20th and 21st centuries, including masterpieces by artists such as Matisse, Picasso, Kandinsky, Duchamp, and Warhol. The museum spans major movements like Fauvism, Surrealism, Dada, and Pop Art, as well as contemporary trends in design, photography, and new media. With its striking high-tech architecture and rotating exhibitions, the museum offers visitors a dynamic and comprehensive view of artistic innovation from 1905 to the present day.
C: Musée National Picasso-Paris
The Musée National Picasso‑Paris is housed in the magnificent 17th‑century Hôtel Salé, a national monument transformed into an elegant museum in 1985. With more than 5,000 pieces of art spanning Picasso’s entire career and over 200,000 archival pieces including letters, sketchbooks, photographs and manuscripts, it offers the an expansive public presentation of the artist’s creative works.
The hotel's intricate architectural features provide a dramatic contrast with Picasso’s bold, modern art.
Complementing the permanent collection, rotating temporary exhibitions and public programs bring fresh perspectives to Picasso’s legacy, while rooftop and garden spaces offer serene spots to pause and take in the grandeur of both the building and the art it displays.
D: Carnavalet Museum - History of Paris (Musée Carnavalet)
The Musée Carnavalet – Histoire de Paris, located in the heart of the Marais district, is the oldest municipal museum in Paris and is dedicated to the rich and complex history of the city. Housed in two adjoining Renaissance-era mansions, the Hôtel Carnavalet and the Hôtel Le Peletier de Saint-Fargeau, the museum features a vast and diverse collection of over 600,000 artifacts, including paintings, sculptures, furniture, decorative arts, historical documents, and photographs. From prehistoric settlements to the French Revolution and Haussmann's renovations to the present day, the museum offers an immersive journey through Paris’s evolving identity. Following a major renovation completed in 2021, its exhibits are now presented in a more accessible, engaging format, blending historical depth with modern storytelling.
E. Place de la Bastille
Place de la Bastille in Paris is a historic and symbolic square that marks the former site of the Bastille prison, famously stormed on July 14, 1789, during the French Revolution. Though the prison no longer exists, the square remains a powerful emblem of liberty and resistance. At its center stands the July Column (Colonne de Juillet), commemorating the Revolution of 1830 and topped with a gilded figure of the Spirit of Liberty. Today, Place de la Bastille is a lively urban hub, surrounded by cafés, shops, and the modern Opéra Bastille. It serves as both a gathering place for public demonstrations and a gateway to the vibrant Marais and Faubourg Saint-Antoine neighborhoods.
F. Memorial de la Shoah (Holocaust Museum)
The Mémorial de la Shoah in Paris is France’s official Holocaust memorial and museum, dedicated to preserving the memory of the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, including the 76,000 Jews deported from France. Located in the Marais district, it features a moving Wall of Names, a crypt with ashes from death camps, and extensive exhibitions with photographs, documents, and personal testimonies. The memorial also serves as a center for education, research, and reflection on genocide and human rights.
G. Hotel de Ville (City Hall)
The Hôtel de Ville in Paris is the city's historic town hall and the seat of the Mayor of Paris. Located along the Seine in the 4th arrondissement, it has been the administrative center of the city since 1357. The current building, completed in the late 19th century after a fire during the Paris Commune, is a grand example of neo-Renaissance architecture, with ornate façades, statues of famous Parisians, and a lavish interior used for official functions and exhibitions. The square in front, Place de l’Hôtel de Ville, is a popular gathering spot often hosting public events, concerts, and seasonal activities like ice skating in winter.
H. Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris
The Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris is a masterpiece of French Gothic architecture and one of the most iconic landmarks in Paris. Situated on the Île de la Cité, its most striking features include the twin bell towers, the intricate sculptural façade, and the spectacular rose windows. Begun in 1163 and completed in the 14th century, the cathedral is renowned for its flying buttresses, ribbed vaults, and sculpted gargoyles, all of which reflect the innovation and artistry of medieval architecture. Inside, its vast nave and richly decorated chapels evoke centuries of religious and cultural history. Though damaged by fire in 2019, Notre-Dame remains a symbol of Parisian resilience and a focal point of national heritage, currently undergoing careful restoration.
I. Marché aux Fleurs
The Marché aux Fleurs – officially known as Marché aux Fleurs Reine-Elizabeth II – is a charming and historic flower market located on the Île de la Cité in central Paris, near Notre-Dame Cathedral. Established in 1808, it is one of the oldest markets in the city and is renowned for its beautiful displays of flowers, plants, and garden accessories. The market is housed in elegant cast-iron pavilions that give it a timeless Parisian character. Open daily, it offers a tranquil and fragrant escape from the bustling city, attracting both locals and tourists. On Sundays, the market also features a bird section, where visitors can view and purchase birds and bird-related items—a tradition that dates back over a century.
J. Sainte-Chapelle
Sainte-Chapelle in Paris is a stunning example of Gothic architecture, renowned for its extraordinary stained glass windows and ethereal beauty. Built in the 13th century by King Louis IX to house precious Christian relics—including the Crown of Thorns—it is located within the medieval Palais de la Cité on the Île de la Cité. The chapel is divided into two levels: the lower chapel, originally used by palace staff, and the upper chapel, reserved for the royal family. The upper chapel is the true highlight, featuring 15 towering stained glass windows that soar nearly 15 meters high and depict over 1,100 biblical scenes in vivid color, creating a kaleidoscopic light show that transforms the space. The intricate stonework, vaulted ceilings, and richly decorated interior make Sainte-Chapelle a jewel of medieval artistry and a must-see in Paris.


