Art galleries
Paris is one of the art capitals of the world, and there are several major museums on the tourist trail, as well as many small, independent galleries found down winding Parisian streets, showcasing the artists of tomorrow. The Louvre
The grid-patterned glass pyramid of the Louvre is instantly recognisable to visitors, and stands surrounded by the older, stately gallery buildings. The iconic collection covers countries around the world, from ancient to contemporary art, and features antiquities from Egyptian times, Greek statues, Islamic textiles, and of course the world’s most famous portrait: Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa.
75001 Paris. Musée d'Orsay
A spectacular Beaux-Arts building sitting along the Seine, the Musée d'Orsay has spacious galleries boasting works by some of the most renowned French artists and iconoclasts of all time. Here you’ll find canvases enrobed in oil paints by the likes Renoir, Degas, Monet, Manet, and other giants of art history.
1 Rue de la Légion d'Honneur,75007 Paris.
Theatre
From grand opera houses to small studio spaces offering challenging performances, there's plenty of live theatre to enjoy during your stay in Paris. Palais Garnier
A decadently-styled opera house, with red and gold decor, sweeping staircases and carved marble, the Palais Garnier is an experience for the eyes as well as the ears. Productions here are as grand as their surroundings, with ballets and operas performed on a huge scale, and it's often possible to get last minute seats on the day for high culture on a budget.
8 Rue Scribe, 75009 Paris.
Théâtre de l'Athénée
Théâtre de l'Athénée was built in the late 19th century, with sumptuous wooden carvings and large windows, and a lavish yet intimate theatre space decorated with gold embellishments. With shows ranging from operas and musical comedies to serious plays from literary greats, there's always an excellent selection of theatre to enjoy.
7 Rue Boudreau, 75009 Paris.
Religious buildings
Amid the grand skyline of Paris, you'll find many craggy churches, synagogues, and mosques, each with their own unique style. Many sites date as far back as the 12th century, with medieval features that have survived through the often turbulent centuries that have shaped the Paris of today. Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris
Notre Dame Cathedral is famed as the setting for Victor Hugo’s tragic tale of the hunchback Quasimodo. The building itself lives up to expectations: a jagged, piercing masterpiece of French Gothic architecture. With a quiet, reflective interior that's been decorated from floor to ceiling, just wandering around this cathedral is a breathtaking experience, and it's also host to venerated relics such as a piece of the purported “true cross”.
6 Parvis Notre-Dame - Place Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris.
Libraries
For a quiet afternoon away from the crowds, slip into one of Paris' grand library buildings to see important manuscripts, rare first editions, and huge collections of French literature. Richelieu Library
One of the older libraries of the Bibliothèque Nationale de France, the Richelieu Library is famous for its grand reading room which occupies a vast oval shaped building, completely surrounded by rows of books. In fact, France's national libraries hold over 14 million books in total, with a complex digital system that allows you to request access to pretty much any book ever published in the country.
5 Rue Vivienne, 75002 Paris.
