What to do in the 7th Arrondissement of Paris

The 7th Arrondissement in Paris is a dream for travelers who want to experience the city’s classic charm. 

Known for being home to some of the most iconic landmarks in Paris, such as the Eiffel Tower and the Musée d’Orsay, this neighborhood offers much more than just famous sights. 

Its beautiful avenues, charming cafés, and local boutiques create the perfect Parisian atmosphere for first-timers and seasoned visitors. 

But there’s more to this arrondissement than its picture-perfect views. 

Let’s dive into what to do in the 7th Arrondissement of Paris, and learn more about this charming district!

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Where is the 7th arrondissement located?

The 7th Arrondissement is located on the Left Bank of the Seine River, right in the heart of Paris.

It’s one of the city’s most prestigious areas, it is here that many Parisian landmarks are located, including the Eiffel Tower, Les Invalides, and the Musée d’Orsay.

But beyond its famous attractions, the 7th has a peaceful, almost village-like atmosphere, with very traditional charming streets, classic Parisian architecture, and lovely parks like the Champ de Mars.

It’s also home to embassies, shops, and some of the best restaurants in the city. It is a very touristy area and also a great option if you are considering staying here during your visit to Paris.

What to do in the 7th arrondissement?

1. Eiffel Tower

The postcard of Paris! The Eiffel Tower stands tall at 330 meters in the heart of the city. 

Built by Gustave Eiffel for the 1889 Exposition Universelle, it was initially criticized by many prominent Parisians for its design. 

Today, however, the Eiffel Tower is celebrated as a global symbol of France and a masterpiece of iron architecture. 

The tower’s structure is made up of 18,038 individual metal parts and weighs over 10,000 tons. 

Visitors can ascend to its three levels, each offering increasingly spectacular views of Paris, with the top platform providing a panoramic vista of up to 70 kilometers on a clear day.

This area is also one of the best places to stay in Paris, and many hotels here offer a view of the Eiffel Tower.

2. Champs de Mars

The Champs de Mars is a big public green area located between the Eiffel Tower and the École Militaire. 

Named after the Roman god of war, Mars, the park was historically used as a military training ground in the 18th century. 

Today, it is one of the most popular spots in Paris for both locals and tourists to enjoy picnics, chitchat and relax, with the Eiffel Tower as their backdrop.

3. Quai Branly Museum

The Quai Branly Museum, one of the many museums in Paris, displays the arts and civilizations of Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas. 

Opened in 2006, the museum was the vision of former French President Jacques Chirac, who sought to create a space that highlighted non-Western cultures and their artistic achievements. 

The museum features a modern, undulating facade and green walls, blending nature with contemporary design. 

Inside, visitors can explore over 300,000 objects that range from ancient artifacts to contemporary works. 

4. Musée des Égouts de Paris

The Musée des Égouts de Paris, or the Paris Sewer Museum, offers a very unique experience. If you’ve ever wondered what lies beneath the streets of Paris, this is your chance to explore it firsthand!

Located right by the Seine, the museum takes you through the underground world of the city’s sewer system, showing you how it has evolved since the Middle Ages.

It might sound a bit unusual, but it’s actually fascinating to see how this complex network keeps the city running smoothly.

What makes the visit even more fun is how the museum combines history with modern-day tech. You’ll learn about how waste is managed, and water is treated, and get a glimpse of the day-to-day work involved in maintaining it all.

It’s definitely not your typical museum, but it’s worth visiting!

5. Pont Alexandre III

The Pont Alexandre III is often regarded as the most beautiful bridge in Paris, famous for its extravagant design and elaborate ornamentation. 

Opened in 1900 during the Exposition Universelle, the bridge was named after Tsar Alexander III of Russia to symbolize the Franco-Russian alliance. 

More than just a bridge, the Pont Alexandre III is a cultural and historical landmark that has appeared in countless films and photographs, often serving as a symbol of Parisian romance and sophistication.

6. Les Invalides

Les Invalides, officially known as Hôtel National des Invalides, is a symbol of French military history. 

Originally built in the late 17th century under the reign of King Louis XIV, its primary purpose was to provide housing and care for wounded soldiers. 

The complex is famous for its striking golden dome, which can be seen from across the city, crowning the church of Saint-Louis-des-Invalides. 

This dome houses the tomb of one of France’s most famous figures: Napoleon Bonaparte, whose remains were transferred there in 1840. 

7. Palais Bourbon

The Palais Bourbon serves as the seat of the National Assembly, the lower house of the French Parliament. 

Located along the Seine River, directly across from the Place de la Concorde, the palace was originally built in the early 18th century for Louise Françoise de Bourbon, a daughter of King Louis XIV. 

Over time, it underwent several expansions and redesigns, with its neoclassical façade being added during Napoleon Bonaparte’s rule to match the grandeur of the adjacent Palais de la Légion d’Honneur. 

Inside the Palais Bourbon, the grandeur continues with richly decorated chambers, including the Salle des Séances, where members of the National Assembly debate and vote on laws. 

8. Musée Rodin

The Musée Rodin is dedicated to the life and works of the French sculptor Auguste Rodin. 

Housed in the elegant 18th-century Hôtel Biron, the museum displays a vast collection of Rodin’s sculptures, drawings, and personal items. 

Among the museum’s highlights are masterpieces such as The Thinker, The Kiss, and The Gates of Hell. Surrounding the main building is a garden, where visitors can walk among Rodin’s bronze sculptures. 

In addition to Rodin’s works, the museum also houses pieces by other artists, including his protégé and lover, Camille Claudel.

There is no admission fee for the Musée Rodin, making it one of the many free museums to visit in Paris.

9. Orsay Museum

The Orsay Museum, or Musée d’Orsay in French, is one of the city’s most celebrated museums in the world, housing an extensive collection of art from the mid-19th to early 20th centuries. 

Originally a railway station built in 1900, the museum’s Beaux-Arts architecture is a work of art in itself. 

Inside, the museum counts with one of the world’s finest collections of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces, featuring works by iconic artists such as Claude Monet, Édouard Manet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Vincent van Gogh, and Edgar Degas. 

Besides its famous paintings, the Musée d’Orsay also displays sculptures, decorative arts, photography, and architectural models. 

Learn more about Orsay’s most famous paintings here.

10. Rue Cler

Rue Cler is one of the most charming pedestrian streets in Paris. 

The street has a village-like atmosphere and is especially famous for its food shops, cafés, and market stalls. 

Locals come here to buy fresh produce, flowers, cheese, and meats from vendors who have been fixtures in the neighborhood for decades. 

It is a great place to go if you want to immerse yourself in Parisian daily life away from the more tourist-heavy areas.

11. Musée Maillol

The Musée Maillol is dedicated to the life and work of Aristide Maillol, a renowned French sculptor and painter. 

The museum was founded by Dina Vierny, Maillol’s model and muse, who curated the extensive collection of his sculptures, paintings, drawings, and decorative art. 

Alongside his works, the museum also features pieces by his contemporaries, such as Raoul Dufy, Paul Cézanne, and Henri Matisse, making it a significant hub for modern art.

12. UNESCO House

The UNESCO House, or Maison de l’UNESCO, is the headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). 

Completed in 1958, the building was designed by an international team of architects, including Marcel Breuer and Bernard Zehrfuss, and is a prime example of modernist architecture. 

Its Y-shaped structure, with clean lines and expansive use of glass, reflects the organization’s global mission of promoting peace and collaboration through education, science, and culture.

13. Avenue Rapp

Avenue Rapp is popular for its beautiful example of Art Nouveau architecture, particularly the Lavirotte Building at 29 Avenue Rapp. 

Designed by architect Jules Lavirotte in 1901, this building showcases the elaborate and whimsical style that defines Art Nouveau, with its intricate ironwork, flowing organic forms, and sculptural details. 

The façade, with its ornate carvings of animals, flowers, and human figures, is one of the most photographed in Paris and has earned the building a place in the city’s architectural heritage.

14. Church of Francois Xavier (The Last Supper)

The Church of Saint François-Xavier example of late 19th-century ecclesiastical architecture. 

Completed in 1874, this Roman Catholic church is dedicated to Saint Francis Xavier, a co-founder of the Jesuit order and a significant missionary figure. 

Its imposing neo-Renaissance façade, with columns and intricate carvings, makes the church stand out in the quiet, residential Avenue de Breteuil. 

Inside of it, the most famous artwork is “The Last Supper” by the Venetian artist Tintoretto. Depicting the moment when Jesus reveals to his apostles that Judas will betray him. 

15. Rue du Bac

Rue du Bac is a historic street that stretches from the Seine River to the Boulevard Raspail.

One of its most famous landmarks is the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal at 140 Rue du Bac, which attracts pilgrims from around the world. 

In 1830, Saint Catherine Labouré experienced a series of visions of the Virgin Mary in the chapel, which led to the creation of the Miraculous Medal, a symbol of faith and protection in the Catholic tradition. 

Rue du Bac is home to famous retailers like Le Bon Marché, one of the city’s oldest department stores. 

Walking around the Rue du Bac, you will find many cafés, and bakeries, to choose from, making it a nice area for a coffee break. 

16. Rue St. Dominique

This lively street offers a perfect blend of local charm, history, and stunning views of the Eiffel Tower. 

The Rue St. Dominique is dotted with elegant Parisian buildings, boutiques, and cozy cafés, making it another great place to go if you are looking for a nice meal.  

Some of my recommendations for restaurants are the Café Constant or La Fontaine de Mars. 

Best Hotels to stay in the 7th Arrondissement

Hotel Le Derby Alma Paris – Budget boutique hotel located in the 7th arrondissement, just a short walk from the Eiffel Tower and the Seine River.

Hotel Le Walt – Another budget option. The hotel offers beautifully decorated rooms and a very good location. Some rooms offer views of the Eiffel Tower.

Le Jardins D’Eiffel – Jardins d’Eiffel is located very close to the Hôtel des Invalides, and just 15 minutes away from the Eiffel Tower, which if you are up to investing a little more on your stay, you can even get a room with a view to her.