A veritable museum city, Paris's heritage can be admired along its streets. Between the beauty of the Haussmann buildings, the charm of the banks of the Seine and the many monuments steeped in history, you'll soon feel like you're in a movie. And if you're looking for an inexpensive way to take in the sights of the capital without getting tired, here's a tip: some bus routes link several iconic sites in the City of Light, so you can enjoy a stroll for the price of a metro ticket. A smart idea for Paris lovers and tourists alike.
Of course, you'll need to calculate carefully and avoid peak times if you want to be sure of a good position. On weekdays and in the middle of the afternoon, this would be the ideal combo for criss-crossing Paris on RATP buses. The question now is which lines can provide this tour of the capital's most emblematic monuments. We've put together a list of buses you can take to discover different parts of Paris. We'll also tell you which sections have the most promising routes: now all you have to do is get on board!
Bus 63: This line will take you to many tourist attractions. From Gare de Lyon to the Bois de Boulogne, line 63 offers a wide panorama of various Parisian districts. It crosses the Latin Quarter along the banks of the Seine, passing the Jardin des Plantes, before returning to the iconic boulevard Saint-Germain and theAssemblée Nationale. A second segment then takes us back along the Paris river, allowing us to admire some of the most beautiful bridges in Paris, including the pont Alexandre III. Crossing the Seine, it's time to admire the Eiffel Tower from the Trocadero, before plunging into the beautiful neighborhoods of the 16th arrondissement. Then it's on to greenery with the Bois de Boulogne, home to the Jardin d'Acclimatation and the Fondation Louis Vuitton.
Bus 72: this scarlet line runs from Gare de Lyon to Parc de Saint-Cloud, offering a number of emblematic Parisian landscapes. Much of the route is along the banks of the Seine. Departing from Port Marie, and heading towards the Parc de Saint-Cloud, you can cross part of the Rue de Rivoli with its beautiful arches, before crossing the Place de la Concorde. You'll also be able to admire views of the Grand Palais, the Invalides, the Palais de Tokyo and the Eiffel Tower .
Bus 87: on this line, which crosses Paris from Porte de Reuilly to Les Invalides, you can make a beautiful loop punctuated by places steeped in history. We recommend taking this one from Gare de Lyon. On the way, you can admire the Place de la Bastille with its July Column, before heading up the Seine to admire the Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral , before arriving at theHôtel des Invalides with itsflamboyant dome. Then the journey in the opposite direction swaps the quays of the Seine for the Boulevard Saint-Germain.
Bus 21: this line, which runs from Stade Charléty - Porte de Gentilly to Porte de Saint-Ouen, passes through some of the capital's most iconic spots. We recommend taking it between Gare Saint-Lazare and Luxembourg. On this stretch, you pass the department stores of Boulevard Haussmann, approach the sublime Opéra Garnier beforereaching the Palais-Royal and crossing the site of the Louvre Museum. Then cross the Seine to the 6th arrondissement, where the famous Boulevard Saint-Michel leads to the Luxembourg Gardens, next to which stands the Pantheon.
