Scenic Bus Routes in Paris – Discover the City by Public Bus
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Transport
Transport
Travel & Transport Services
Scenic Bus Routes in Paris – Discover the City Above Ground
Discover Paris from a different perspective. Ordinary city buses travel through historic neighbourhoods, elegant avenues, fashion districts and celebrated landmarks. Explore seven scenic public bus routes, from the Grand Palais and Champs-Élysées to the Louvre, Opéra and the banks of the Seine.
Explore Paris Along the Way
Bus 28 ·
Bus 39 ·
Bus 42 ·
Bus 69 ·
Bus 72 ·
Bus 87 ·
Bus 95 ·
Grand Palais ·
Champs-Élysées ·
Avenue Matignon ·
Avenue Montaigne ·
Louvre Museum ·
Opéra Garnier ·
Boulevard Haussmann ·
Saint-Germain-des-Prés ·
Le Marais ·
Seine River ·
Eiffel Tower ·
Paris Museums ·
Paris Fashion Districts ·
Historic Streets ·
Paris Métro & RER Guide ·
Paris Airport Arrivals Guide
TLC Paris tip: Some of the most memorable views of Paris can be enjoyed from an ordinary public bus. Choose a window seat, travel outside the busiest commuting hours and allow time to get off whenever a neighbourhood catches your attention. Always check the current route before travelling, as diversions may affect the journey.
Highlights
Discover Paris Above Ground
Enjoy the city's architecture, streets and neighbourhoods from an ordinary Paris public bus.
Seven Scenic Bus Routes
Explore routes 28, 39, 42, 69, 72, 87 and 95, each offering a different perspective on the capital.
Culture, Fashion & Landmarks
Discover areas around the Louvre, Opéra, Grand Palais, elegant avenues and historic neighbourhoods.
Travel Like a Parisian
Use the regular public transport network, with official ticket information and journey planning.
Explore the Scenic Routes
Bus 28 – Elegant Paris & Grand Avenues | Porte de Clichy ↔ Gare Montparnasse
A route for discovering the elegant side of Paris, including the Grand Palais and Champs-Élysées area.
The neighbourhoods around Avenue Matignon and Avenue Montaigne are especially interesting for visitors drawn to Parisian fashion, architecture and luxury shopping.
TLC Paris note: Check the current stops before travelling and explore the surrounding avenues on foot.
Bus 39 – Central Paris & Cultural Districts | Gare du Nord ↔ Frères Voisin / Mairie du 15e
Discover the changing atmosphere of central Paris, from busy shopping streets to historic architecture and cultural landmarks.
The wider Louvre and Opéra districts are particularly rewarding areas to explore, with museums, department stores, cafés and elegant streets.
TLC Paris note: Use the journey as a starting point for discovering nearby neighbourhoods.
Bus 42 – Western Paris & Famous Monuments | Course de L'lle Seguin ↔ Gare Saint-Lazare
Discover western Paris and its impressive avenues, elegant residential districts and monumental architecture.
This route is an appealing choice for visitors who enjoy observing the changing cityscape from the comfort of a window seat.
TLC Paris note: Check the latest route map to identify the most convenient stops for your visit.
Bus 69 – Historic Streets & Parisian Life | Champ de mars ↔ Suffren Gambetta
A popular choice for discovering historic Paris, with opportunities to experience distinctive neighbourhoods and everyday street life.
Look out for charming streets, architectural details, local cafés and places worth returning to on foot.
TLC Paris note: Allow extra time for spontaneous stops and neighbourhood discoveries.
Bus 72 – The Seine & Riverside Paris | Parc de Saint-Cloud ↔ Gare de Lyon - Maison de la RATP
Enjoy a different perspective on the capital through its riverside scenery and grand urban architecture.
The Seine is one of Paris's defining features, and travelling near its banks offers an opportunity to appreciate bridges, monuments and the city's changing skyline.
TLC Paris note: Route changes and diversions can affect which river views are visible.
Bus 87 – Left Bank & Local Neighbourhoods | Porte de Reuilly ↔ Invalides
Explore the character of the Left Bank, with its mix of residential streets, local cafés and Parisian daily life.
This is an enjoyable way to appreciate the atmosphere beyond the most frequently visited tourist landmarks.
TLC Paris note: Combine your journey with a walk through one of the surrounding neighbourhoods.
Bus 95 – Louvre, Opéra & Shopping Districts - Porte de Montmartre ↔ Porte de vanves/ Place Simard
Discover central Paris and the cultural and shopping districts associated with the Louvre and Opéra.
These areas bring together major museums, celebrated architecture, shopping streets and historic Parisian cafés.
TLC Paris note: Consider getting off to explore the surrounding streets and nearby landmarks.
Bus Tickets, Validation & Fines
Ticket prices (2026)
A standard Bus-Tram Ticket costs €2.05.
Tickets can be loaded onto a Navigo Easy
card or a compatible smartphone.
Buying on board
On participating buses, a single boarding
ticket can be purchased by bank card for
€2.55. This ticket is valid for that bus
journey only and does not include transfers.
Always validate your ticket
Tap your Navigo card or smartphone on the
validator when boarding. You must validate
again when changing buses, even if your
ticket is still within its permitted
transfer period.
Ticket inspections & fines
Keep your valid ticket, card or smartphone
available throughout the journey.
Travelling without a valid ticket, or
failing to validate correctly, can
result in a fine.
TLC Paris tip: Buy your ticket before boarding whenever possible. Check for a successful validation and keep your ticket or travel card accessible until the end of your journey.
Tickets, Routes & Journey Planning
Paris public buses are part of the Île-de-France transport network. Consult official resources for current stops, service changes, ticket conditions and journey planning.
TLC Paris tip: Paris is often at its most interesting when you slow down. A regular city bus lets you discover architecture, shopfronts and neighbourhoods that can easily be missed underground. Choose a window seat, avoid peak commuting hours when possible, and check the latest route information before setting off.
Travel & Transport Services
Paris by Bus – The City Is Part of the Journey
Discover Paris above ground, from elegant avenues and celebrated fashion districts to historic neighbourhoods, museums and beautiful river views. Ordinary public buses offer a different perspective on the capital, turning everyday journeys into opportunities to explore.
Bus 28 – Elegant Paris
Explore the Grand Palais and Champs-Élysées area, with connections around Avenue Matignon and the nearby luxury fashion district.
Bus 39 – Central Paris
Discover central Paris, its lively streets, architectural landmarks and connections around major cultural districts.
Bus 42 – Grand Avenues
Experience western Paris, its impressive boulevards, elegant neighbourhoods and famous monuments.
Bus 69 – Historic Paris
A favourite for discovering historic neighbourhoods, charming streets and celebrated Parisian landmarks.
Bus 72 – Seine Views
Enjoy views of the Seine, riverside architecture and some of the city's most memorable urban scenery.
Bus 87 – Left Bank
Explore distinctive Left Bank neighbourhoods, local streets and the atmosphere of everyday Paris.
Bus 95 – Culture & Shopping
Discover the Louvre and Opéra districts, with opportunities to explore museums, shopping streets and central Paris.
Tickets & Journey Planning
Find official bus information, ticket options, Navigo passes and real-time route updates.
Explore Paris Along the Way
Grand Palais · Champs-Élysées · Avenue Matignon · Avenue Montaigne · Louvre Museum · Opéra Garnier · Boulevard Haussmann · Le Marais · Saint-Germain-des-Prés · Seine River · Eiffel Tower · Paris Fashion Districts · Paris Museums · Historic Streets · Paris Métro & RER Guide · Paris Airport Arrivals Guide
TLC Paris tip: A regular Paris bus can be a wonderful alternative to the Métro when you want to enjoy the city rather than simply reach your destination. Choose a window seat, travel outside peak hours and check the current route for diversions before setting off.
Explore Paris Above Ground – Scenic Public Bus Routes
There is something special about discovering Paris from the window of a city bus. Beyond the underground Métro network, ordinary public buses reveal a different side of the capital, passing elegant boulevards, historic monuments, charming neighbourhoods and lively Parisian streets.
Selected routes, including Bus 28, Bus 39, Bus 42, Bus 69, Bus 72, Bus 87 and Bus 95, offer opportunities to experience the city from street level. From the grandeur of the Grand Palais and Champs-Élysées to the Louvre, Opéra, the Left Bank and the banks of the Seine, each journey offers its own perspective on Paris.
Unlike organised sightseeing tours, these are regular public transport services, allowing visitors to explore at their own pace, get off along the way and discover places that might otherwise be missed.
For fashion and architecture lovers, the avenues around Avenue Matignon and Avenue Montaigne are particularly appealing, while central Paris offers museums, historic streets, cafés and celebrated shopping districts.
Use official RATP and Île-de-France Mobilités resources to check current routes, stops, tickets and service updates. Bus routes can change because of roadworks, events or diversions.
For more ways to explore the capital, discover our Paris Métro & RER Guide and Paris Airport Arrivals Guide, alongside TLC Paris's guides to neighbourhoods, streets, museums and cultural landmarks.
