Top 10 historical places Paris Museum Pass
If you are interested in history, the Paris Museum Pass is one of the best sightseeing passes you can buy, because it gives access to some of the most important historical monuments not only in Paris but also around Paris, including palaces, medieval buildings, revolutionary sites, and famous monuments connected to Napoleon and French history. Many people think the Paris Museum Pass is only for art museums, but in reality it is also a history pass, because many of the included attractions are historical sites rather than traditional museums.
In this guide, you will discover the top 10 historical places included in the Paris Museum Pass that you should definitely consider visiting.
1. Palace of Versailles – The Symbol of French Royal Power
The Palace of Versailles is one of the most important historical places in France and probably the most impressive palace in Europe. Versailles was the home of French kings including Louis XIV, Louis XV, and Louis XVI, and it was also the place where the Treaty of Versailles was signed after World War I.
At Versailles you can see:
- The Hall of Mirrors
- The King’s Apartments
- The Queen’s Apartments
- The Royal Chapel
- The Gardens of Versailles
- The Grand Trianon
- The Petit Trianon
- Marie Antoinette’s Estate
Versailles is not just a palace, but an entire royal city, and it is one of the most valuable attractions included in the Paris Museum Pass.
2. Louvre Museum – From Fortress to Palace to Museum
Before the Louvre became the most famous museum in the world, it was originally built as a medieval fortress in the 12th century and later transformed into a royal palace. This means that when you visit the Louvre, you are not only visiting an art museum but also a historical building that was home to French kings for centuries.
You can still see:
- Medieval fortress walls in the basement
- Royal palace rooms
- Napoleon III Apartments
- Historic architecture from different centuries
The Louvre is therefore both an art museum and a historical monument.
3. Sainte-Chapelle – Medieval Royal Chapel
Sainte-Chapelle was built in the 13th century by King Louis IX to store important religious relics, including what was believed to be the Crown of Thorns. The chapel is one of the best-preserved Gothic buildings in Europe and is famous for its enormous stained glass windows that tell biblical stories.
This is one of the most beautiful and historically important buildings in Paris.
4. Conciergerie – French Revolution Prison
The Conciergerie is one of the most important French Revolution sites in Paris. During the French Revolution, it was used as a prison, and the most famous prisoner held here was Marie Antoinette, who was imprisoned here before being executed.
Inside the Conciergerie you can see:
- Revolutionary Tribunal rooms
- Prison cells
- Marie Antoinette’s cell
- Medieval halls
If you are interested in the French Revolution, this is a must-visit.
5. Panthéon – Tomb of Famous French Citizens
The Panthéon was originally built as a church but later became a monument where many famous French people are buried.
People buried in the Panthéon include:
- Voltaire
- Rousseau
- Victor Hugo
- Émile Zola
- Marie Curie
The building itself is very impressive and located in the Latin Quarter.
6. Arc de Triomphe – Monument to Napoleon’s Army
The Arc de Triomphe was commissioned by Napoleon to honor the French army. Under the Arc de Triomphe is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I, and every evening there is a ceremony to honor fallen soldiers.
You can also climb to the top for one of the best views in Paris.
7. Les Invalides – Napoleon’s Tomb
Les Invalides is a large historic complex that includes the Army Museum and Napoleon Bonaparte’s tomb, which is located under the golden dome. Napoleon is one of the most important figures in French history, and his tomb is one of the most impressive monuments in Paris.
The complex also includes:
- Military history museum
- Armor collections
- War history exhibitions
8. Château de Vincennes – Medieval Castle
The Château de Vincennes is a large medieval castle located just outside Paris. It was used as a royal residence, fortress, and prison over the centuries.
At Vincennes you can see:
- Medieval towers
- Royal apartments
- Chapel
- Fortress walls
- Prison cells
This is one of the best-preserved medieval castles near Paris.
9. Basilica of Saint-Denis – Tombs of French Kings
The Basilica of Saint-Denis is one of the most important royal sites in France because it is the burial place of many French kings and queens. Almost every French king from the Middle Ages to the French Revolution is buried here.
If you are interested in royal history, this is one of the most important historical sites near Paris.
10. Château de Fontainebleau – Royal Palace Before Versailles
Before Versailles became the main royal residence, French kings lived at the Château de Fontainebleau. This palace was used by many French rulers, including Napoleon, who even abdicated here.
Fontainebleau includes:
- Royal apartments
- Napoleon’s throne room
- Large gardens
- Historic galleries
This is one of the most underrated historical palaces near Paris.
Suggested Historical Ranking
| Rank | Historical Place |
|---|---|
| 1 | Palace of Versailles |
| 2 | Louvre |
| 3 | Sainte-Chapelle |
| 4 | Conciergerie |
| 5 | Panthéon |
| 6 | Les Invalides (Napoleon’s Tomb) |
| 7 | Arc de Triomphe |
| 8 | Saint-Denis Basilica |
| 9 | Château de Vincennes |
| 10 | Château de Fontainebleau |
Best Historical Itinerary Using Paris Museum Pass
If you are interested mainly in history, this is a very good 3-day historical itinerary:
Day 1 – Medieval & Revolution Paris
- Sainte-Chapelle
- Conciergerie
- Panthéon
- Cluny Museum
Day 2 – Royal Paris
- Palace of Versailles
Day 3 – Napoleon & Monuments
- Les Invalides (Napoleon’s Tomb)
- Arc de Triomphe
- Louvre (historic palace areas)
This itinerary focuses on historical places rather than art museums.
Final Advice
If you are interested in history, the Paris Museum Pass is extremely valuable because it includes royal palaces, medieval buildings, French Revolution sites, Napoleon monuments, and royal tombs, which means you can explore more than 1,000 years of French history using one pass, and by visiting places like Versailles, the Louvre, Sainte-Chapelle, the Conciergerie, the Panthéon, Les Invalides, Saint-Denis, Vincennes, and Fontainebleau, you will see some of the most important historical sites in all of France.