Catacombs and Art Museums

Descend 20 meters beneath Paris into the Catacombs, where the bones of six million people line 1.5 kilometers of dimly lit tunnels that once served as limestone quarries. Back above ground, explore the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in its own wing of the Louvre palace — seven floors of decorative arts from Gothic furniture to Art Deco design, with an audioguide included in every ticket. Stroll through the Palais Royal Garden to take in Daniel Buren's iconic striped columns and the elegant 18th-century arcades. End the day at the Musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac, where Jean Nouvel's striking building houses indigenous arts from four continents beneath a facade covered in 15,000 living plants. The Catacombs, Musée des Arts Décoratifs, and quai Branly are all closed on Mondays — book Catacombs tickets well in advance to avoid long queues.