What to Book in Advance in Paris

A per-attraction verdict for Paris: what must be booked in advance and how far ahead, when tickets are released, the quietest time to visit and what it costs. Sorted by how early you need to act.

Verdicts checked 2026-09-29 · 23 verified verdicts

Book these in advance

Eiffel Tower
Book 4 weeks ahead
Book in advance, it sells out
Summit and timed slots sell out daily, so reserve well ahead online.
How far ahead:
Weeks to 1-2 months in peak summer
Ticket release:
Official tickets open progressively, typically about 2 months ahead online at toureiffel.paris
Timed entry:
Yes
Quietest time:
Late evening after 21:00, early morning opening
Typical price:
EUR 14.2-35.3
Skip-the-line tickets Official site
Louvre Museum
Book 7 days ahead
Book in advance, it sells out
Timed entry slots sell out on peak days, so book ahead online.
How far ahead:
A few days to a week in summer
Ticket release:
Official tickets released online at louvre.fr, typically up to a month ahead
Timed entry:
Yes
Quietest time:
Friday late opening after 18:00
Typical price:
EUR 22
Skip-the-line tickets Official site
Palace of Versailles
Book 7 days ahead
Book in advance, it sells out
Palace sells out on many days; timed entry bookings are strongly recommended.
How far ahead:
1-2 weeks ahead in summer, days off-season
Ticket release:
Official tickets sold on the chateau site ahead of the visit
Timed entry:
Yes
Quietest time:
Late afternoon before closing
Typical price:
EUR 22
Skip-the-line tickets Official site
Musée d'Orsay
Book 3 days ahead
Booking ahead is recommended
Advance timed tickets avoid long queues for this very popular museum.
How far ahead:
A few days to a week ahead in summer
Ticket release:
Official tickets sold on the museum site ahead of time
Timed entry:
Yes
Quietest time:
Thursday evening late opening
Typical price:
EUR 16
Skip-the-line tickets Official site
La Conciergerie (guided visit)
Book 3 days ahead
Booking ahead is recommended
A timed-entry ticket online avoids queues at this popular monument, though walk-up is usually possible.
How far ahead:
A few days ahead for a guided visit in summer
Timed entry:
Yes
Quietest time:
Late afternoon after 16:00
Typical price:
EUR 11.5
Skip-the-line tickets Official site
Visit Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie
Book 3 days ahead
Booking ahead is recommended
A major science museum with timed entry and long queues, book ahead to secure your slot.
How far ahead:
A few days ahead in summer, same week off-season
Timed entry:
Yes
Quietest time:
Weekday mornings at opening
Typical price:
EUR 14
Skip-the-line tickets Official site
Musée Rodin
Book 2 days ahead
Booking ahead is recommended
A popular Paris art museum with significant queues, an advance ticket saves waiting time.
How far ahead:
A few days ahead in summer, same week off-season
Timed entry:
No
Quietest time:
Weekday mornings
Typical price:
EUR 14
Skip-the-line tickets Official site
Sainte-Chapelle
Book 2 days ahead
Booking ahead is recommended
Timed entry slots reduce queues for this small and popular chapel.
How far ahead:
A few days ahead in summer, same day often possible
Ticket release:
Official tickets sold on the monument site ahead of time
Timed entry:
Yes
Quietest time:
Late afternoon near closing
Typical price:
EUR 11.5
Skip-the-line tickets Official site
Arc de Triomphe
Book a day ahead
Booking ahead is recommended
Timed entry tickets avoid long rooftop queues in main season.
How far ahead:
A few days ahead, same day often fine in summer
Ticket release:
Official tickets sold on the monument site ahead of time
Timed entry:
Yes
Quietest time:
Late evening near closing
Typical price:
EUR 16
Skip-the-line tickets Official site
Attend a cultural performance at an offbeat venue
Book 7 days ahead
Book in advance, it sells out
Cultural performances need advance tickets because seats sell out, so book before arriving.
Not verified yet, check the official site before you go
How far ahead:
About a week ahead, longer for well-known shows
Timed entry:
Yes
Check availability

Walk in, no need to pre-book

Jardin des Plantes
Walk in OK
Walk-in tickets are fine
The gardens are free to stroll; paid galleries and greenhouses can be bought same day at the door.
Quietest time:
Weekday mornings
Official site
Musée de la Magie et des Automates
Walk in OK
Walk-in tickets are fine
A small niche museum with modest visitor numbers, buying at the door on the day is fine.
Quietest time:
Early afternoon on weekdays
Typical price:
EUR 15
Official site

Free, no ticket needed

Notre-Dame Cathedral
Free entry
Free, no ticket needed
Entry to the cathedral is free; only tower climbs and treasury require paid tickets.
Quietest time:
Early morning before 9:00
Typical price:
Free
Sacré-Cœur Basilica
Free entry
Free, no ticket needed
Basilica entry is free; only the dome climb requires a paid ticket.
Quietest time:
Early morning at opening
Typical price:
Free
Champs-Élysées
Free entry
Free, no ticket needed
A public avenue with no admission charge, you simply walk along it.
Quietest time:
Weekday mornings
Typical price:
Free
Montmartre
Free entry
Free, no ticket needed
It is an open hilltop neighbourhood you simply wander through for free.
Quietest time:
Early morning
Typical price:
Free
Luxembourg Gardens
Free entry
Free, no ticket needed
It is a free public city park, you simply walk in any time it is open.
Quietest time:
Early morning weekdays
Typical price:
Free
Champ de Mars
Free entry
Free, no ticket needed
Open public park with no admission charge, just show up.
Quietest time:
Early morning and weekdays
Typical price:
Free
Île Saint-Louis
Free entry
Free, no ticket needed
It is a public island neighbourhood with no admission charge, you simply wander freely.
Quietest time:
Early morning or evening
Typical price:
Free
Jardin des Tuileries
Free entry
Free, no ticket needed
It is a free public formal garden, no ticket is needed to enter.
Quietest time:
Early morning
Typical price:
Free
Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Free entry
Free, no ticket needed
It is a public neighbourhood quarter, not a ticketed attraction, so you just walk around.
Quietest time:
Weekday mornings
Typical price:
Free
Marché Saxe-Breteuil
Free entry
Free, no ticket needed
Public street market with no admission charge, just browse.
Quietest time:
Late morning before closing
Typical price:
Free
Visit a bookshop with historic charm
Free entry
Free, no ticket needed
Visiting a bookshop is free, you simply walk in and browse.
Quietest time:
Weekday mornings
Typical price:
Free
Square du Vert-Galant
Free entry
Free, no ticket needed
A public park open 24 hours with no admission charge, just turn up.
Quietest time:
Early morning
Typical price:
Free

Booking questions about Paris

What should I book in advance in Paris?

Book these first: Eiffel Tower (Weeks to 1-2 months in peak summer), Louvre Museum (A few days to a week in summer), Palace of Versailles (1-2 weeks ahead in summer, days off-season), Musée d'Orsay (A few days to a week ahead in summer), La Conciergerie (guided visit) (A few days ahead for a guided visit in summer). Everything else can be bought on the day or is free.

Do I need to book Eiffel Tower in advance?

Yes. Summit and timed slots sell out daily, so reserve well ahead online. How far ahead: Weeks to 1-2 months in peak summer.

Do I need to book Louvre Museum in advance?

Yes. Timed entry slots sell out on peak days, so book ahead online. How far ahead: A few days to a week in summer.

Do I need to book Palace of Versailles in advance?

Yes. Palace sells out on many days; timed entry bookings are strongly recommended. How far ahead: 1-2 weeks ahead in summer, days off-season.

Do I need to book Musée d'Orsay in advance?

It is recommended. Advance timed tickets avoid long queues for this very popular museum. How far ahead: A few days to a week ahead in summer.

Do I need to book La Conciergerie (guided visit) in advance?

It is recommended. A timed-entry ticket online avoids queues at this popular monument, though walk-up is usually possible. How far ahead: A few days ahead for a guided visit in summer.

Do I need to book Visit Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie in advance?

It is recommended. A major science museum with timed entry and long queues, book ahead to secure your slot. How far ahead: A few days ahead in summer, same week off-season.

Do I need to book Musée Rodin in advance?

It is recommended. A popular Paris art museum with significant queues, an advance ticket saves waiting time. How far ahead: A few days ahead in summer, same week off-season.

Do I need to book Sainte-Chapelle in advance?

It is recommended. Timed entry slots reduce queues for this small and popular chapel. How far ahead: A few days ahead in summer, same day often possible.

Verdicts are compiled from official ticketing policies and visitor demand and are checked periodically. Always confirm on the official site before you travel.

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