Things to do near Concorde Square in Paris

Concorde is a main square in the heart of Paris’ Right Bank, distinguishable by the ancient Egyptian obelisk that stands in the centre. It is on this place that King Louis XVI was executed during the French revolution in 1793. There are many things to do near Concorde.

Shop on the Champs Elysées

The first thing that comes to mind, among the things to do near Concorde, is heading for the Champs-Elysées avenue, located right in front of the square. If you are keen on shopping, this very famous avenue has a lot of things on store for you.

Visit the Grand Palais and Petit Palais

Among the things to do near Concorde, there is the Grand Palais and Petit Palais. Built for the universal exhibition of 1900, they are located on the left side of the Champs-Elysées avenue. The Grand Palais houses temporary exhibitions, as well as a science museum called the “Palais de la Découverte” inside one of its wings. Going there just to see the architecture of the building, in a “Beaux-Arts style”, is already worth it. The Petit Palais, located just across the street, is also a museum, with paintings, drawings, and artefacts.

Go to the Invalides

Going to the Invalides is also one of the many things to do near Concorde. The Invalides is famous for being where Napoleon’s tomb is located. It also includes a church, a war museum, and a military hospital, the latter of which cannot be visited. The impressive large avenue in front of the building is definitely my favorite in Paris: at one end of the avenue, you can see the Invalides, its golden dome and cannons, at the other end of the avenue, the Alexandre III bridge and on the other side of the Seine the Grand and Petit palais.

Cross through the gardens

Just behind the Concorde, you will find the Tuileries gardens. There are many things to do near Concorde, taking a walk in the Tuileries gardens can be a relaxing option to take a break from the city, and is the fastest way to reach the Louvre on foot.

Head to the ‘Musée de l’orangerie’

Located just next to the entrance of the Tuileries gardens, this former orangery now features impressionist and post-impressionist paintings. Definitely one of the things to do near Concorde, it can be completed later by seeing the impressionist collection of the Orsay museum.

Have a look at the Madeleine

The Madeleine, which you can see from the Concorde when looking to the right, may look like an ancient roman temple, but it is actually a Church built in the XIXth century. The inside has nothing spectacular, but the outside is worth seeing, especially with its columns.

Don’t miss Place Vendôme

Place Vendôme is the square in Paris where you will find the most expensive luxury shops in Paris, along with the nearby rue de la paix. On the center of this square, the big column of bronze was commissioned by the French Emperor Napoleon to celebrate one of his victories, and the bronze used is that from the cannons captured from the enemy!

Go inside the Louvre museum

Going to the Louvre is probably the second most popular attraction among the things to do near Concorde. The museum is really huge! The most famous pieces of art include the Mona Lisa painting by Da Vinci and the collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts. You will recognize the entrance of the museum by the large glass pyramid. Built in the 1980s, it was very controversial at the time, as it adds a modern element in an otherwise very classical architectural setting.

Visit the Orsay museum

Another famous museum in Paris the Orsay museum. Located across the Seine, it is another one of the things to do near Concorde. Known for its collection of impressionist paintings, the building of the museum is also worth taking a look at: it used to be a train station! Other collections in the museum include sculptures, photography, architecture and decorative arts.