Things to do in Left Bank

Activities, attractions and tours

Visit Left Bank

Types of activities

Where to stay

Left Bank travel guide

Eiffel Tower featuring heritage elements, a monument and a garden

7th Arrondissement featuring interior views

Explore activities
Explore thousands of experiences from activities and attractions to day tours and transfer.
Book with ease
Skip the line- book tickets online in minutes to top attractions with free cancellation on many activities.
Treat yourself
Members save % or more when you book activities.

Top places to visit

1. Eiffel Tower

Alongside the river Seine and in the Champ de Mars park, the 1,062-foot-tall (323-meter) Eiffel Tower attracts more than 7 million visitors annually. It has two restaurants, including the legendary Le Jules Verne on the second floor, and three viewing levels.

Learn more

Eiffel Tower showing modern architecture and a garden

2. Luxembourg Gardens

Despite its grandiose beginnings as the grounds for a royal palace, the 53-acre (23-hectare) Luxembourg Gardens is known as a park of the people.

Learn more

Luxembourg Gardens showing a garden as well as a large group of people

3. Les Invalides

Les Invalides is a historic military complex that includes several museums, monuments and churches. Brush up on French military history at its trio of museums, stroll along the grand lawns of the Esplanade des Invalides and see the ostentatious tomb of the famous French dictator Napoleon Bonaparte.

Learn more

Les Invalides which includes heritage architecture

4. Paris Catacombs

With its eerily ornate bone formations, the Paris Catacombs seems like some macabre artwork but it actually spawned from practicality. Overcrowded graveyards in the late 1700s were causing health problems in the city, including the spread of disease through contaminated water. From 1786 to 1814, the exhumed bones from the city’s cemeteries were transferred to the abandoned underground limestone quarries, and the result is the haunting catacombs. The passageways are more than a mile long (1.6 kilometers), with wall-to-wall skeletal remains neatly arranged around memorial plaques. The bones are arranged according to bone type – skulls, femurs, tibias. Some bones are more than a century old, with some that date back to the French Revolution.

Learn more

Paris Catacombs showing heritage elements

5. Tour Montparnasse

Tour Montparnasse is one of the very few skyscrapers in Paris, making the view from its 56th-floor observation deck almost entirely exclusive. The 690-foot (210-meter) tower has an upscale restaurant and is primarily used for offices and residences. Spot some of your favorite sights around Paris, such as the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe, from the observation deck.

Learn more

Tour Montparnasse showing a city, landscape views and night scenes

What to do in Left Bank

Popular places to visit

Eiffel Tower

4.5/5(1,466 reviews)

Nothing says Paris like this landmark of iron latticework emblematic of the City of Light.

Luxembourg Gardens

4.5/5(606 reviews)

You’ll find a leafy oasis within the busy Latin Quarter, complete with picturesque statues, fountains and an orchard.

Les Invalides

4.5/5(254 reviews)

Gain insight into French military history at this Baroque complex, which contains several museums and military monuments, including the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte.

Orsay Museum

4.5/5(126 reviews)

You can spend time studying the exhibits at Orsay Museum during your trip to Paris. Discover the acclaimed art galleries in this vibrant area or seek out the local tours.

Panthéon

4.5/5(346 reviews)

You can find out about the history of Paris with a visit to Panthéon. Discover the acclaimed art galleries and stunning cathedral in this vibrant area.

Paris Catacombs

4.5/5(63 reviews)

This chilling underground graveyard opened as a tourist attraction in 1874, and houses the remains of more than 6 million Parisians.

Rue Cler

5/5(1 review)

During your trip to Paris, you can do some window-shopping at Rue Cler. While in this walkable area, you can savour the cafes and restaurants.

Jardin de Plantes - main botanical garden in France. The exterior of the Grande Galerie de l'?volution

Place d'Italie

Learn about the local history of Paris when you spend time at Place d'Italie. Make time for the notable monuments and local tours in this vibrant area.

Eiffel Tower showing landscape views and a city

Tour Montparnasse

4.5/5(235 reviews)

Dine at the Paris of the Sky for a rare chance to look out over the sprawling City of Lights beneath you.

Areas of Left Bank

French Academy featuring signage, heritage architecture and heritage elements

Saint-Germain-des-Prés

4.5/5(73 area reviews)

Known for its charming cafes and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Check out top attractions like Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Pres and Place Saint-Germain-des-Pres, and jump on the metro at Mabillon Station or Saint-Germain-des-Pres Station to see more of the city.

6th Arrondissement

4.5/5(108 area reviews)

Read about Parisian intelligentsia, discover the lively Latin Quarter and enjoy scenic gardens and bohemian café culture.

Latin Quarter

4.5/5(272 area reviews)

The 5th Arrondissement of Paris is an area filled with bars, cafés, grand religious buildings and a museum of natural history.

Luxembourg Gardens featuring flowers, a statue or sculpture and a garden

Odéon

Consider exploring the colourful gardens in Odéon. If sightseeing is on the list, Luxembourg Gardens is a top attraction. Hop on the metro at Paris Luxembourg Station or Odeon Station to see more of the area.

Sorbonne

Consider exploring the stunning river views in Sorbonne. If sightseeing is on the list, Panthéon is a top attraction. Hop on the metro at Maubert-Mutualité Metro Station or Cluny - La Sorbonne Station to see more of the area.

Notre-Dame cathedral at dusk, as viewed from Tournelle bridge, on île de la cité, earth of Paris, France.

5th Arrondissement

4.5/5(27 area reviews)

Travellers love 5th Arrondissement for its charming cafes, and you can see more of Paris by jumping on the metro at Maubert-Mutualité Metro Station or Cardinal Lemoine Metro Station. You might spend time checking out top sights like Panthéon and Rue Mouffetard.