Paris is a city where you’ll want to book in advance – especially when it comes to key attractions, museums, and popular experiences. Yes, it’s a place made for getting lost down quiet cobbled streets and seeing where the day takes you. But if you’ve got your heart set on the Louvre or the Eiffel Tower, it’s smart to lock in a few things before you land.
Whether it’s your first visit or your tenth, booking ahead means less time in lines and more time enjoying the city. Sure, you might find tickets once you’re there, but you’ll likely spend too much time chasing last-minute availability or queueing in the heat – especially in high season.
So by all means, leave room for spontaneity. But if you want to avoid wasting time or spending half your day queuing, here are my personal suggestions for which Paris attractions to book in advance, why it helps, and how far ahead to do it.
Heads up: There’s been a rise in scammy websites pretending to sell tickets for big-name attractions. Always book through the official site or a well-known, trusted platform.
The Top Paris Attractions You Should Prebook
Paris’s most famous attractions are hugely popular, and many now require or strongly recommend advance reservations. Booking ahead not only helps you secure your preferred timeslot – it also lets you use skip-the-line entry. If you’re planning a first trip to Paris, these are the attractions I would recommend you to book before arriving:
1. Eiffel Tower
Why book: The Eiffel Tower is one of the world’s most visited landmarks. Without a ticket, wait times can reach 1–2 hours especially in peak season. Booking ahead secures a timed entry and lets you skip the ticket queue.
How early to book: You can buy e-tickets up to 60 days in advance (for lift tickets) and 14 days in advance (for stairs tickets to the second floor). These tickets save you time by offering fast-track security checks and letting you skip the Eiffel Tower ticket office queues. For a summer trip, book as soon as your preferred date opens. Even in the off-season, plan to book at least a few weeks ahead – especially for summit access. If it’s sold out, check again 7 days prior (when some extra slots may be released) or book Eiffel Tower tickets from a reseller or tour operator. No reservation? Try arriving 30 minutes before opening, visiting late in the day, or going during rain. If you manage to purchase the ticket on the day, you’ll be given immediate access.
Where to book: Reserve through the official Eiffel Tower website. Prices range from €27 to €36 for summit access. You’ll choose a timeslot and get an e-ticket that lets you access a special entry without waiting at the ticket booth. Skip-the-line tickets and tours are available through resellers like Viator and are a good option if direct tickets are unavailable.
2. Louvre Museum
Why book: The Louvre is one of the most visited museums in the world, and demand hasn’t slowed down. Without a timed ticket, you risk standing in line for over an hour – or worse, being turned away entirely on busy days. It’s not worth the gamble if the Louvre is on your must-see list. Skip-the-line Louvre tickets allow you to enter faster and at your selected time.
How early to book: The Louvre releases tickets about 60 days in advance. The museum recommends booking at least 30 days ahead to secure your preferred date and time. Even with the Paris Museum Pass, a free timeslot reservation is required. If you’re travelling in the off-peak season, you could get time slots a few days in advance but this is not guaranteed. So, if you really want to visit the Louvre – book ahead.
Where to book: Reserve directly on the official Louvre website. You’ll choose a timed entry and need to arrive within your 30-minute window. Entry is €22 for adults; free for under-18s and EU residents aged 18–25 (but they must still book a ticket). If tickets are sold out, consider a Louvre guided tour with skip-the-line access. These often have group slots even when individual tickets are gone. This page is useful for figuring out which of the many entrances to use at the Louvre Museum, depending on whether you already have a pre-booked ticket for the day or not
3. Musée d’Orsay
Why book: The Musée d’Orsay, famous for its Impressionist art, is slightly less overwhelming than the Louvre but still extremely popular. Lines can form especially late morning and midday. Booking ahead gives you access to the reserved entrance and avoids long waits. On first Sundays of the month, entry is free — but you must still book in advance.
How early to book: Tickets for the museum can be bought online in advance for a specific date. In low season, a few days ahead is usually enough. In high season or weekends, book 1–2 weeks in advance, especially if you want a quiet morning slot.
Where to book: Reserve through the official Musée d’Orsay website. Adult tickets are €16; free for under 18s. If you have the Paris Museum Pass, you don’t need to reserve a free timeslot online prior to coming to visit. Skip-the-line tickets and guided tours are often available via third party vendors. These are a good option if direct tickets are unavailable.
4. Saint Chapelle
Why book: Sainte-Chapelle is one of the most breathtaking sites in Paris – a 13th-century Gothic chapel famous for its floor-to-ceiling stained glass. Because it’s located inside the Palais de Justice complex, all visitors must pass through strict security screening. Without a timed ticket, it’s possible you’ll still gain entry but you’ll often face queues of 60–90 minutes, even longer in summer. And while entry is free on the first Sunday of the month from November to March, you’ll still need to pre-book a ticket online.
When to book: Book at least 1–2 weeks in advance, or sooner for free entry Sundays. Morning visits offer the best light and smaller crowds. I last visited Sainte-Chapelle on a winter day without a pre-booked ticket, and the line was about 20 minutes long to buy entry. If you’re visiting during peak season, though, I’d highly recommend pre-booking.
Where to book: Reserve directly via the official Sainte-Chapelle website. Tickets cost €13 for adults (free entry for under 18). The Paris Museum Pass covers entry, but you’ll still need to book a specific slot online before your visit. Skip-the-line tickets and guided tours (often combined with Conciergerie) are available via third party vendors and are a good option if direct tickets are unavailable.
5. Catacombs of Paris
Why book: The Paris Catacombs are one of the city’s most unique – and limited-capacity – attractions. Only 200 visitors are allowed inside at a time. This means that without a timed ticket, you could be facing long waits or no entry at all. Walk-up tickets are extremely limited and often unavailable.
When to book: Tickets go on sale 7 days in advance and can sell out within hours. For high-demand times, set a reminder and book as soon as your date opens. If you’re traveling during a busy season or over a weekend, it’s the only way to guarantee entry. If you’re booking last-minute, check tour platforms for small-group visits that include skip-the-line access.
Where to book: Buy directly from the official Catacombs’ website. Entry with audioguide is €31 for adults (€12 for kids aged 5-17). Guided tours offer skip-the-line access and are a great fallback if standard tickets are gone.
6. La Galerie Dior
Why book: La Galerie Dior is a stunning, high-design museum dedicated to the life, work, and legacy of Christian Dior. Housed at the fashion house’s historic headquarters on Avenue Montaigne, it’s become one of the most in-demand museum experiences in Paris – especially for fashion lovers. But this isn’t a large museum: capacity is limited, and timed entry is strictly enforced. Same-day tickets are available to buy on site from 11.30am however there may be a long wait. So, if you want guaranteed entry you’re better off booking tickets in advance.
When to book: Book at least 3–4 weeks in advance for weekends, Fashion Week, or peak travel seasons like spring and summer.
Where to book: Use the official Galerie Dior website. Tickets are €14 for adults, €10 for ages 10-26, and free for kids under 10. There’s no fast-track or tour workaround, so if Dior is on your must-see list, book it early.
Paris Attractions You Don’t Need to Book in Advance
While some Paris attractions absolutely require advance booking, many fantastic spots are still wide open for spontaneous visits — no timed tickets, no planning stress. Here’s what you can typically enjoy without prebooking:
- Sacré-Cœur Basilica (Montmartre): Entry is free and the basilica is open daily. You can climb to the dome for panoramic views — no reservation needed, just pay on site.
- Notre-Dame Cathedral: Now reopened to visitors, Notre-Dame is free to enter and doesn’t require a reservation for general admission. There may be security checks, but no advance ticketing is needed.
- Public gardens: No planning needed to relax in the Jardin du Luxembourg, Jardin des Tuileries, Jardin des Plantes, or any of the city’s other public parks. They’re open daily and always free.
- Historic churches: Beautiful, active churches like Saint-Sulpice, Saint-Eustache, and many others welcome visitors during open hours and are free to enter. Check service times if you’d prefer to avoid attending during a mass.
- Free museums: Several city-run museums have free permanent collections, including the Musée Carnavalet (history of Paris), Petit Palais (fine arts), and Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris. No booking is needed unless you’re visiting a temporary exhibition.
- Smaller museums: While you can prebook if you like, most smaller museums offer walk-up tickets with little to no wait – even in high season. These include the Musée Rodin, Musée Marmottan Monet, Maison de Victor Hugo, Musée de Cluny (National Museum of the Middle Ages) and many others. They’re well worth a visit and often less crowded than the larger museums.
- Historical landmarks: Both the Panthéon and the Conciergerie typically allow walk-in entry. While prebooking can be helpful during peak season or holidays, it’s not usually necessary for most of the year.
Day Trips from Paris to Reserve Ahead
While Paris itself has more than enough to fill a trip, many travellers choose to explore beyond the city for a day. The good news? These day trips are accessible and incredible. The catch? They often require advance reservations, especially for entry tickets, trains, or guided experiences. If you’re planning a first trip to Paris and want to include places like Versailles and Disneyland, here’s what to book in advance and why.
1. Château de Versailles
Why book: The Palace of Versailles is one of the most popular day trips from Paris. Same-day or next-day tickets are often available, especially during off-peak seasons or weekdays. However, during peak tourist periods, such as summer months, weekends, or holidays, tickets can sell out quickly. To avoid disappointment, try to book tickets in advance, particularly if you have a specific date or time in mind. Additionally, advance booking allows you to secure spots for special tours or events that have limited capacity. Even with the Paris Museum Pass, you’ll need to reserve a free time slot online for palace entry.
The Palace of Versailles is one place where a guided tour can really elevate your experience. The palace is vast, and having a knowledgeable guide helps bring its history to life while ensuring you don’t miss key highlights. Have a look at the skip-the-line tours, some of which include round-trip transport from Paris.
How early to book: Standard tickets are typically available on the official website well in advance. While it’s often possible to secure tickets even a day or two before your visit, especially during off-peak times, it’s advisable to book at least 2–3 weeks ahead during high season (summer months) or if you prefer morning entry slots. This is particularly important for visits on Tuesdays and weekends, when the Musical Fountains Show takes place, attracting larger crowds.
Gardens:
Garden access depends on the season: from April to October, it’s free only on Mondays. On other days, a ticket is required if there’s a Musical Fountains or Musical Gardens event. From November to March, the gardens are free every day.
Where to book: Use the official Château de Versailles ticket site. You can book individual tickets, Passport passes (which include the full estate), or guided tours. Trains from Paris (RER C to Versailles Château Rive Gauche) don’t need advance booking, but leave early to beat the crowds.
2. Disneyland Paris
Why book: Disneyland Paris (which includes two parks: Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios) is a hugely popular attraction for families and Disney fans. On peak days, the parks can reach capacity. Disneyland Paris even states that once maximum capacity is reached, they stop selling tickets for that day. So if you wait until you arrive at the gates, you might be out of luck on very busy days. Moreover, if you want to eat at the more popular Disney restaurants (like Bistro Chez Rémy, Captain Jack’s, or character dining experiences such as Auberge de Cendrillon), those accept reservations up to 2 months in advance and fill up quickly. If you’re planning a same-day round trip from Paris, train or shuttle tickets should also be locked in early.
Disneyland Paris employs dynamic pricing, meaning ticket prices can vary based on demand. Popular dates may see cheaper ticket tiers sell out quickly, so early booking can secure better rates.
How early to book: Park tickets are released well in advance, and you should book at least 3–4 weeks ahead, or earlier during peak seasons (summer, Christmas/New Year/Halloween). For character dining or in-park restaurants, book 2 months ahead. If staying overnight, hotel packages should be booked as far in advance as possible.
Where to book: Buy your tickets on the official Disneyland Paris website or app. If you have a non-dated ticket or annual pass, you must register your visit date online ahead of time as well. For transport, book train tickets (RER A to Marne-la-Vallée Chessy) at the train station, or reserve a Magical Shuttle from Paris airports in advance if you prefer private transfers. Entry tickets are also available through resellers and are a good option if direct tickets are unavailable.
3. Monet’s Garden at Giverny
Why book: A day trip to Giverny to see Claude Monet’s house and gardens is a dream for art and nature lovers. In spring and summer, the gardens burst with colour – and lots of visitors. Online booking is not mandatory but is recommended on weekends and bank holidays. Tickets are issued for a particular date and entry time window. If you show up without one on a popular day and it’s sold out, you might not get to visit the gardens, which would be a shame after the trip out there. Booking ahead guarantees you can walk right in (with minimal queue) and enjoy Monet’s world.
How early to book: Giverny’s Monet’s Garden is open roughly April 1 to November 1 each year (closed in winter). If you’re visiting during the peak bloom season (April–June) or weekends, try to book your tickets at least 1 week in advance. For mid-week visits in less crowded months, a few days ahead might suffice, but why risk it – get your ticket as soon as your date is fixed.
Where to book: Buy your tickets on the official Fondation Claude Monet’s website. Tickets are €12.50 for adults, €7 for ages 7-17, and free for kids under 7. Transportation to Giverny (train to Vernon then shuttle bus) doesn’t require advance booking for the shuttle. You can buy train tickets to Vernon in advance for convenience. Trains (from Paris Saint-Lazare to Vernon-Giverny) have limited seats and can be cheaper if bought early. You can purchase those online a few weeks out when schedules are available. Check out here day tours available to book from Paris (with transport included).
4. Champagne Region Tours
Why book: A day trip to the Champagne region (around Reims and Épernay) is a fantastic excursion for wine enthusiasts. You can taste world-class bubbly straight from the source and tour the famous chalk cellars. However, unlike a casual sightseeing spot, most Champagne houses require reservations for their cellar tours and tastings. You can’t just walk up to Moët & Chandon or Veuve Clicquot and expect to join a tour on the fly. These houses have scheduled tour times in multiple languages, and they fill up, especially on weekends. Prebooking is necessary to tour the big Champagne houses. The same goes if you want to join a guided small-group day tour from Paris . Those have limited spots and often book out a while ahead.
How early to book: Champagne house tours should be booked 4–6 weeks in advance, especially in summer and on weekends. If you’re joining a small-group tour from Paris, book at least 2–3 weeks ahead. If you’re opting for a guided day tour from Paris (where a guide drives you to multiple Champagne vineyards), those should be reserved as soon as you know your schedule – ideally a month or more prior. This is because small group tours (8–12 people) commonly sell out and even private tour guides get booked in advance. Train tickets from Paris to Reims can be booked up to 3-4 months in advance when the schedule opens. For popular morning departures, booking a few weeks early ensures you aren’t stuck with only later trains.
Where to book: For individual Champagne house visits, go to the official website of the house (e.g., Moet, Veuve, Taittinger, Pommery, etc.). Many allow you to select date/time and pay online. If not, send them a reservation request email with your date, party size, and preferred time. They will confirm if available. Keep in mind some houses have limited English tours per day, so timing matters.
Trains
If travelling by train, book your tickets to Reims (45 min ride) or Épernay (slightly longer with a transfer) – earlier booking can snag tickets for as low as €15–€20 each way, whereas last-minute can be double that.
Dedicated booking website
There’s also a website called Champagne-Booking.com that I’ve personally used and found to be reliable. It’s a convenient platform that allows you to book tastings, cellar tours, and excursions at multiple Champagne houses — from big names like Moët & Chandon and Veuve Clicquot to smaller, family-run producers. The interface is user-friendly, the pricing is transparent, and most bookings come with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, which is ideal if your plans are still flexible.
Final Thoughts: Plan Smart, Travel Better
Paris is full of unforgettable moments — but many of the best ones require a bit of foresight. From iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre to day trips like Versailles and Disneyland, book Paris attractions in advance where you can. It saves you time, avoids disappointment, and gives you more freedom to actually enjoy your trip rather than scramble for last-minute tickets. And always book through official sites or trusted vendors to avoid scams and fake tickets.
With the logistics handled ahead of time, you’re free to wander, explore, and soak up everything this city has to offer. A little planning now means a lot less stress later — and a much more magical Paris holiday.
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If you’re looking for Paris itineraries with kids, then check out my free Paris Itineraries with Kids. My Ultimate Guide to Paris with Kids is also packed with family-friendly tips and recommendations on things to see and do in Paris.
Read The Best Areas to Stay in Paris with Kids (and Why) if you are trying to decide where to look for accommodation in Paris.
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