It depends a lot on the attraction, and sometimes on the time of year: some monuments require a timed ticket year-round, others only in peak season, and a few remain walk-in friendly. Here's what to check before you go.
Eiffel Tower: not mandatory, but online slots go fast
Official ticketing sells online and on site, with no strict booking requirement. In practice, online tickets can sell out in peak season, so it's worth booking as soon as your dates are set rather than counting on a walk-up ticket window.
Louvre: strongly recommended, mandatory at certain times
A timed slot is strongly advised year-round, with only a limited number of tickets sold on site. The museum has already made booking strictly mandatory during some particularly busy stretches — worth checking the exact dates of your trip before you leave.
Palace of Versailles: timed ticket mandatory for the Palace
Only the Palace itself requires a booked time slot; the gardens and the Trianon estate remain accessible without a booking. The château is closed on Mondays.
Sainte-Chapelle: booking mandatory with a 30-minute slot
Access is organized in booked time bands, with security-line access limited to starting from your booked time.
Catacombs of Paris: recommended, not strictly mandatory
Online booking is strongly advised for general admission (except certain reduced-rate tickets), separate from the specific "Discovering the Catacombs" guided tour, which is strictly bookable and capacity-limited.
Musée d'Orsay: mandatory only on the first Sunday of the month
Outside that specific date, a no-booking line exists. The Thursday evening opening, until 9:45pm, remains a good way to dodge daytime crowds.
Arc de Triomphe: no strict rule found for individual visitors
Unlike groups, who must book several weeks ahead, no clear booking requirement could be confirmed for a solo visitor, though the monument can close on short notice for ceremonies — worth checking the day before your visit.
Tips
None of these policies are set in stone: they shift with the season and demand, including year to year. The most reliable habit is checking each attraction's official site while planning your trip, rather than trusting a standard rule of thumb. Our Paris in 1 day, Paris in 2 days, and Paris in 3 days itineraries lay out the most efficient visiting order once your tickets are sorted.
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