What to Reserve in Paris

Reserve Your Must-Dos!

While reserving certain things in Paris is a good idea, overbooking is not. This is not Disney World with a fast pass, running from ride to ride at top speed. Paris is a city that’s meant to be strolled through, taken in, and appreciated for its joie de vivre. Sure, getting to see some of the attractions up close and personal is wonderful, but knowing that you’ll live to see another day if you can’t make them all will (I hope) bring some comfort.

On the flip side, under planning can cause some stress, too, as things tend to fill up and attractions reach capacity. Planning a few weeks in advance to see what are the must-sees, the maybe sees, and the things that don’t matter so much is time well spent. Arriving in Paris with zero plans, particularly in high tourist months, is just as bad as packing every day to the brim. Make some decisions, book in advance the non-negotiable things, and start getting excited about your trip to Paris.

Short answer, yes, you need reservations in Paris. In my experience, there are some things that are good to reserve in advance. For example, certain restaurants, especially with larger parties, are a very good idea to reserve. If you’re dying to go up to the Eiffel Tower deck for the 360 view of the city, I’d book yourself a ticket and not chance it. A guided walking tour or city tour is also something to consider booking ahead, as particular tour guides or tours will fill up with other interested parties. As a rule of thumb, book what you feel that you cannot miss.

Some insider tips:

• early morning and later evening slots are typically easiest to secure
• midday is most crowded
• booking ahead gives you access to shorter lines or priority entry

Catacombs

Not every single thing on your trip has to be reserved, but the list I’ll share with you are some of the attractions that book up quickly and may require advance booking. It’s in your best interest to consider this, and will make for a much smoother trip.

What Attractions in Paris Need Reservations?

Eiffel Tower

This is one of the most obvious ones, but I’ll say it clearly. Booking ahead helps you bypass the stragglers who failed to make the plan you did, and I’ll give you you advance props for your good decision making. Let’s get you in, get your viewing, get your photos, and you can go to Paris knowing you did it right.

• reserve timed entry tickets
• summit access sells out fastest
• sunset slots are most popular
• walking up - versus the elevator - is a much shorter line (I opted for this one and enjoyed it)

Sainte-Chapelle

If that stained glass is irresistible to you, make sure you get yourself an advance booking at the beautiful Sainte-Chapelle. Make sure you get in there during the day. Your other option is a gorgeous evening classical concert, where you really get a wow experience. Either way you choose, get yourself a ticket for this church viewing.

• entry is frequently timed
• lines get long because of security
• combo tickets are sometimes available with nearby attractions

Arc de Triomphe

For a rockin’ view of the city, get your tickets for the Arc de Triomphe so you don’t miss it. You can cruise up to the top and look down at the peasants (like me) walking by. I’ll wave at you, and hopefully you’ll wave back.

• reserve ahead to skip lines
• sunset is very popular, so plan for that
• walk down the Champs-Élysées to maximize your attraction-hitting

Paris Catacombs

This was a tour I was very interested in and did a few years back. There’s nothing like walking through skulls and bones in a deep, dark cave. You’ve got to be a little bit of a creep like myself to want to do this, and if you are, secure those tickets or they’ll sell out.

• limited daily capacity for obvious reasons
• often sells out days in advance
• not something you want to “wing”

Dinner Cruise on the Seine

Viewing the big attractions from the outside in one swoop is where the dinner cruise comes in. You simply board a boat, float down the Seine, and watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle while you sip champagne. This is my idea of ideal.

• book in advance for good seating, especially on smaller boats
• evening cruises fill up quickly
• great for a first or last night in the city

Rodin Museum

Which Museums in Paris Require Reservations?

Louvre Museum

The first time I went to Paris, I waited until the last day I was in Paris, which happened to be a Tuesday. How do I remember that 25+ years later? Because the Louvre closes on Tuesdays and I couldn’t go. Each time I’ve been since, I had the sense to book tickets in advance so I wasn’t missing it or waiting in line with the rest of the cattle. I encourage you to do the same.

• tickets are mostly timed entry
• expect heavy crowds (even with reservations so bring your patience)
• plan your visit strategically by visiting exhibits that matter to you

If you’re mapping out your itinerary, this pairs well with my guide on what to see in Paris in 3 days. Don’t overwhelm yourself.

Musée de l’Orangerie

Don’t make the mistake I did and not buy your tickets in advance. In the frigid cold, I waited for a while with my group in a ridiculously long line until we all said screw it, it’s too freezing. Let me be your lesson.

• home to Monet’s water Lilies
• requires timed entry during busy times

Musée d’Orsay

This is a beautiful museum, and one that used to be a train station. It’s one of the most popular museums in Paris, so you’d be smart to get your ticket prior to arrival.

• famous for Impressionist art
• reservations strongly recommended

Smaller Museums

My experience has been totally fine with walking up to smaller museums, like the Rodin Museum or the Musée Carnavalet. You can arrive, walk through them, and leave with not much fuss. These are ones I would not necessarily feel strongly about reserving.

Walking Tour Guide

Tours & Experiences to Reserve

Guided Walking Tour

I’ve done several walking tours in Paris, and I do recommend reserving them in advance. It helps the tour guide know what he/she is working with size-wise, and you’ll have peace of mind that you have a plan in place.

Day Trips from Paris

If you’re looking to go on a day trip to Versailles, the champagne region, or similar, you’ll want to map out which train to take and from what station. You can usually buy online in advance, and that’s exactly what I would do.

Food & Wine Experiences

Perhaps something in the food or beverage category interests you. A cooking class, perhaps? Maybe a wine tasting tour? Any of these would be really smart to book in advance so you don’t miss out on these special experiences.

Professional Photo Shoot

Getting professional photos of your trip to Paris is never a bad idea, and it's something I do almost every time I go to Paris. Naturally, I use them for my blog, but even before I had my blog I did them because there's nothing like it. This is a souvenir you will cherish forever.

You'll End Up Eating a PB&J Sandwich Like I Did with No Reservation 

Restaurants to Reserve

I’ve made the mistake way too many times of not reserving restaurants I want to go to in advance and scrambling at the last minute. My advice is to make a few reservations at least, and if you want to fly by the seat of your pants for the rest of the time, go for it. Nights and weekends are most difficult to try to do walk-in, so do plan accordingly.

Odd tip: if you’re solo traveling to Paris, reservations for one are hard to come by online, so you may have to reach out to the restaurant and ask for this specifically. Solo dining has not totally caught on yet for people like you and me in Paris.

Eiffel Tower in the Background

• Eiffel Tower Summit Tickets
• Louvre Museum Prime Time Slots
• Paris Catacombs
• Dinner Cruise Experiences
• Michelin-starred Restaurants
• High-end Bistros with Limited Seating
• Versailles During Peak Season
• Sainte-Chapelle During Busy Months

If any of these are on your Paris to-do list, book ASAP.

Book Directly Through Official Websites

Even though I am in the camp of making commission from affiliate links on my sites, I will always recommend going directly to the site of the attraction and buying it there. Otherwise you may get scammed or have an inflated price.

Use Trusted Restaurant Reservation Apps

The few I use in Europe for reservations are the Michelin Guide app, TheFork, and OpenTable. Google reservations also have their hand in some of the restaurants, and I have done it that way as well. Otherwise, I’ll email the restaurant directly.

Reserve Early for Popular Spots

It goes without saying that as soon as you know you want to do something, choose your day and make a reservation to cut down on chaos and disappointment.

Choose Off-Peak Times

My favorite hack is going when the crowds are slimmest. That includes traveling during shoulder season or hitting attractions at the least popular times.

Save Confirmation Emails or Tickets

My recommendation for post-reservation making is to have a folder in your email for all your trip’s plans, whether it’s hotels or attractions, and keep them there. You could also take a screenshot or download the PDF. Our phones are phenomenal with the amount of things we can do on them, and I encourage you to utilize them for this.

Consider Combo Tickets

If you know you want to see many things during your stay in Paris, looking into combo tickets might be a great idea. It will save you time and money, and you can rest knowing you have access to the attractions you want to see on your trip.

Use Affiliate Links Strategically

When booking tours or experiences, you can definitely use links that people like me have provided. Make sure the site is trustworthy, and after you do, book away. Sometimes bloggers or influencers have done things that are fantastic and share them, and booking through them is the easiest way to secure them.

Paris rewards people who plan, but not people over over plan. For the attractions, restaurants, and other things that might require advance booking, my recommendation is to book. Remember that with your travel insurance, you will be able to recoup some or all of it, depending on your policy, if interruptions happen and you can’t make it. The best way to know your trip will run smoothly is to book.

Your goal:

• lock in the things that matter to you
• avoid unnecessary wait times
• give yourself freedom everywhere else

Book your must-dos:

• Eiffel Tower
• Louvre Museum
• Sainte-Chapelle
• Paris Catacombs
• Dining experiences

Leave Room for:

• Walking through Luxembourg Garden or Palais-Royal
• Wander up to Montmartre and sit on the steps at Sacré-Cœur
• Sip coffee or wine at a local café
• Enjoy strolling the Seine River and perusing the bouquinistes

If you enjoyed this post, you might also want my guide on what to see in Paris in 3 days, or what the best hotels for solo travelers in Paris are.

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