citytripo

What to book before going to Paris

The Paris base has 15 stops. Booking ahead is required at 3 of them and advised at 5. The rest you can walk up to.

Data checked on October 4, 2026

Book these before you travel

  • Louvre Museum

    Book aheadClosed Tue

    Book a timed ticket on the official site before you go. The museum strongly recommends it for every visitor, including those with free entry.

    Open 9:00 am–6:00 pm · last entry 5:00 pm

    Closed on Tuesdays. Open until 21:00 on Wednesdays and Fridays. Entry to the museum is free after 18:00 on the first Friday of each month, except in July and August. Closed 1 January, 1 May and 25 December.

    See tickets

    Source: Musée du Louvre, checked October 4, 2026

  • Sainte-Chapelle

    Book ahead

    Timed tickets are mandatory. Book on the official ticket site and arrive at the time on your ticket, not before.

    Open 9:00 am–5:00 pm · last entry 4:30 pm

    In October it is open 09:00 to 17:00, with the last entry 30 minutes before closing. Hours change by season. Closed 1 January, 1 May and 25 December.

    See tickets

    Source: Sainte-Chapelle (Centre des monuments nationaux), checked October 4, 2026

  • Palais Garnier

    Book ahead

    Book online before you go. The official site says visit tickets are not sold on site.

    Open 10:00 am–5:00 pm · last entry 4:00 pm

    In October entry runs from 10:00 to 16:00 and the building closes at 17:00. Hours are longer in summer. Rehearsals and daytime performances can close the auditorium, and sometimes more.

    See tickets

    Source: Opéra national de Paris, checked October 4, 2026

Booking saves you the queue

  • Eiffel Tower

    Booking advised

    Time-stamped e-tickets can be booked up to 90 days ahead for lifts and 60 days ahead for stairs. You can still buy on site, but the summit queue is long. Bring ID for each ticket holder.

    Open 9:30 am–11:00 pm · last entry 10:45 pm

    The official calendar shows 09:30 to 23:00 for early October, with the last ascents at 22:45. Hours change by date, so check the calendar for your day.

    See tickets

    Source: Tour Eiffel, checked October 4, 2026

  • Notre-Dame Cathedral

    Booking advisedFree

    A free time slot can be reserved on the official site a few hours before your visit. It is optional, but it shortens the wait.

    Hours not confirmed. Check the official site.

    Check the cathedral's official page for the current hours before you go.

    Source: Notre-Dame de Paris, checked October 4, 2026

  • Arc de Triomphe

    Booking advised

    Tickets are sold online on the official site, which saves queuing at the ticket desk.

    Open 11:00 am–10:30 pm · last entry 9:45 pm

    From 1 October to 31 March: Wednesday to Monday 10:00 to 22:30, Tuesday 11:00 to 22:30. The last entry is 45 minutes before closing. Summer hours run later.

    See tickets

    Source: Arc de Triomphe (Centre des monuments nationaux), checked October 4, 2026

  • Musée d'Orsay

    Booking advisedClosed Mon

    Buy a timed ticket online to use the separate timed-ticket entrance.

    Open 9:30 am–6:00 pm · last entry 5:00 pm

    Closed on Mondays, 1 May and 25 December. Open 09:30 to 18:00, and until 21:45 on Thursdays. The last entry is at 17:00, or 21:00 on Thursdays.

    See tickets

    Source: Musée d'Orsay, checked October 4, 2026

  • Musée de l'Orangerie

    Booking advisedClosed Tue

    Tickets can be bought online, which saves time at the ticket desk.

    Open 9:00 am–6:00 pm · last entry 5:15 pm

    Closed on Tuesdays. Open 09:00 to 18:00, with the last admission at 17:15. During some exhibitions there is a Friday evening opening until 21:00. The first Sunday of the month is free but needs a booked time slot.

    Source: Musée de l'Orangerie, checked October 4, 2026

No booking needed

Turn up when it suits the day.

  • Sacré-Cœur BasilicaFree
  • Le MaraisFree
  • Luxembourg GardensFree
  • Latin QuarterFree
  • Panthéon
  • Père Lachaise CemeteryFree
  • Canal Saint-MartinFree

Other ways to plan Paris