40 Best Things to Do in Paris: Our Top 10 After 4 Visits

In this guide, we cover the top things to do in Paris, from iconic sights like the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, and Notre‑Dame Cathedral, to charming neighborhoods such as Le Marais and Montmartre, as well as food and café culture, and a few hidden gems we’ve discovered during our trips to Paris.

Paris rewards repeat visits more than almost any city we’ve been to. Every trip, we cross a few things off our list and leave with an even longer one, which is part of why, after all these years, narrowing this guide down to a real Top 10 felt harder than writing it in the first place.

We’ve been to Paris four times now, and no two trips looked alike. The first was our very first trip to Europe together, figuring things out as we went. We came back with our kids, then again with them as teenagers, and most recently as a couple with a bigger budget. Each version of the trip pushed something different to the top of our list.

That’s the thinking behind how this guide is organized. Below, you’ll find our real Top 10, the things we’d tell a friend not to skip, no matter how short the trip. After that, 30 more favorites, grouped by category: landmarks, museums, views and experiences, food and shopping, neighborhoods, and history and day trips. Use the Top 10 if you’re short on time, or work through the categories that match what you’re actually in Paris for.

If you’re mapping out your first visit and want the day-by-day version of this list, our 3-day Paris itinerary walks you through exactly how to fit the highlights into a short trip.

The Essentials

WHERE | France

ICONIC LANDMARKS | Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, Place de la Concorde, Seine River

NEIGHBORHOODS TO VISIT | Montmartre, Le Marais, Saint-Germain-des-Prés

ART & CULTURE | The Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Pompidou Centre, dine at a café, food tour

HOW MUCH TIME | 2 to 4 days

Table of Contents

September 2026 Update: We narrowed this guide down to our top 10 Paris experiences, moving the rest into six categories (landmarks, museums, views & experiences, food & shopping, neighborhoods, and history & day trips) instead of one long list. We also refreshed practical details throughout.

Our Top 10 Things to Do in Paris

Visit the Eiffel Tower

LOCATION: Champ de Mars, 7th Arrondissement

THE BASICS: Stairs or elevator to the first two floors | Elevator only to the summit | Book tickets in advance, especially in summer | Second floor is our favorite for the view | Closest metro: Bir-Hakeim or Trocadéro

No Paris list is complete without it, but how you visit matters. Climb the stairs if you want the workout and the views that build floor by floor, or take the elevator straight up. Go at sunset for the best light, or after dark to see it sparkle. And don’t feel obligated to reach the very top. The second floor offers some of the best views in the city, without the wait for the final elevator.

Eiffel Tower

Our Take: We’ve visited four times over nearly two decades, by stairs and by elevator, with kids and without, on a guided tour and on our own. It took us until our fourth trip to finally ride to the summit, and while we think it’s worth doing once, the second floor is still where we’d send you first. For the full breakdown of tickets, timing, and how to plan your visit, see our Eiffel Tower guide.

Plan your visit with our guide How to Visit the Eiffel Tower, which explains your ticket options, how to avoid a long wait in line, and several unique dining experiences on the Eiffel Tower.

Eiffel Tower

Exactly How to Visit the Eiffel Tower

Detailed guide to the Eiffel Tower, with photos from all 3 levels, recommended tours and ticket options.

Eiffel Tower View Third Floor | Best Things to Do in Paris

We took this photo from the third floor (the summit) of the Eiffel Tower

Walk a Self-Guided Route Through the Louvre’s Masterpieces

LOCATION: Rue de Rivoli, 1st Arrondissement

THE BASICS: Closed Tuesdays | Enter through the Pyramid or the Carrousel du Louvre | Visit first thing in the morning for the shortest lines | Closest metro: Palais-Royal–Musée du Louvre

The Louvre is enormous, and most first-time visitors either rush through with no plan or spend the whole day lost trying to find the next must-see piece. The fix is a route: a specific path connecting the museum’s major masterpieces, designed to keep you moving forward instead of backtracking across wings while still giving you time to actually take in what you’re seeing.

The Louvre

Our Take: We’ve visited the Louvre three times, and our first two visits were quick stops, just enough time to see a few icons and not much else. On our third trip, Tim and I mapped out our own route connecting the major masterpieces and walked it ourselves. It worked well enough that we built our full self-guided walking route around it.

In our guide How to Visit the Louvre, we cover this walking tour, the essential works of art to see, how to purchase your tickets, and where to enter the Louvre. The walking tour starts with a quick, one hour visit to the Louvre, to visit a few of the top works of art. For those with more time, you can also go deeper into the Louvre, where more treasures await.

The Louvre

How to Visit the Louvre Quickly & Efficiently: A Self-Guided Masterpieces Route

Get Lost in the Winding Streets of Montmartre

LOCATION: 18th Arrondissement, around Sacré-Cœur

THE BASICS: Best explored on foot | Closest metro: Lamarck–Caulaincourt or Abbesses | Favorite photo spots: La Maison Rose (2 rue de l’Abreuvoir), the rest of Rue de l’Abreuvoir, and Place du Tertre | Go early to beat the crowds, especially at Place du Tertre

Montmartre still feels like the hilltop village it once was, with cobblestone streets that climb and curve without warning, ivy-covered corners, and views of Sacré-Cœur appearing between buildings when you least expect them. It rewards wandering more than any other Montmartre approach: skip the map and just follow the streets uphill.

Our Take: We come here on every trip to Paris, and it never gets old; there’s always something new to find. Our favorite spots for photos are La Maison Rose, right next to the Lamarck–Caulaincourt metro station, on Rue de l’Abreuvoir, and Place du Tertre, where the artists set up to paint and sketch.

Paris Bucket List Montmartre | Best Things to Do in Paris

Dine at a Sidewalk Café

LOCATION: Every neighborhood in Paris — there’s no single spot to seek out

THE BASICS: No reservation needed | Check the Google Maps rating before sitting down | Menus are usually posted outside, so you can scope it out before committing | Outward-facing chairs are the norm, made for people-watching

Sidewalk cafés are less a specific stop than a Paris habit: pick a table, face the street, and watch the city go by while you eat. There’s one on nearly every corner, which is part of the charm, but we have also learned that quality varies a lot from one café to the next.

Our Take: We don’t have one specific café we send people to. We do this constantly, choosing wherever looks good based on atmosphere and how hungry we are in the moment. We recommend pulling up Google Maps to check the review score before you sit down. Not every café in Paris is great, and after a couple of mediocre meals, we learned it’s worth the ten seconds to check first.

We took this photo while walking through Montmartre

Walk Along the Seine River

LOCATION: Rive Gauche (Left Bank), from Pont de la Tournelle to Pont Alexandre III

THE BASICS: Free | About 2 miles one-way | 45 minutes to over an hour, depending on how many stops you make | Walk west for the best sequence of views

Skip the river cruise and walk instead. Starting at Pont de la Tournelle, near Notre-Dame and the tip of Île de la Cité, head west along the Left Bank and the city opens up in front of you: Notre-Dame and Île de la Cité behind you, the Louvre across the water, the Tuileries Garden, the little footbridge at Pont des Arts, and Musée d’Orsay, before the walk ends near the Grand Palais and Pont Alexandre III, one of the most ornate bridges in the city. It’s flexible, too. Walk the whole route for a full afternoon, or just cover a stretch of it between two other stops on this list.

Our Take: We’ve done Paris by boat and Paris on foot (a private Seine cruise, and more Seine walks than we can count) and we keep coming back to the walk. It’s free, and we like the views from street level, versus water level. On the water, you’re looking at buildings from a distance; on the street, you’re actually in the city, passing bookstalls, cafés, and street performers, with the option to detour or stop wherever you want.

Our view of the Eiffel Tower, while walking along the Left Bank of the Seine River.

Pont Alexander III

Climb the Notre-Dame Towers for a Gargoyle’s-Eye View of Paris

LOCATION: Île de la Cité, 4th Arrondissement

THE BASICS: Cathedral entry is free, timed reservation recommended | Towers require a separate timed ticket, booked online in advance | 424 steps, no elevator | Closest metro: Cité or Saint-Michel

Step inside the cathedral to see the soaring ceilings and the rose windows, but the real reason to come here is above the nave, not inside it. The towers put you face to face with the gargoyles and chimeras, looking out over Île de la Cité and the rest of Paris from the same vantage point they’ve held for centuries.

Our Take: We’ve climbed the towers twice, but that was before the 2019 fire. Notre-Dame has since gone through a five-year restoration. The cathedral reopened in December 2024 and the towers reopened in 2025 with an entirely new staircase. What hasn’t changed is the reason to climb the towers: that gargoyle’s-eye view over Paris, knowing what those same stone figures have watched over the city for centuries, is still one of the best things you can do here.

To visit the interior of Notre-Dame, you can either book a time slot in advance (this is free to do on the official website) or get in line at the entrance to the cathedral. Making a reservation in advance can be a big time saver, as there is generally a queue to enter Notre Dame Cathedral.

To climb the towers, you’ll have to make a reservation in advance; there are no onsite ticket sales that we are aware of. have also recently opened. The towers are included on the Paris Museum Pass (make a reservation for a time slot in advance).

View from Notre Dame

Explore the World’s Finest Impressionist Collection at the Musée d’Orsay

LOCATION: 1 rue de la Légion d’Honneur, 7th Arrondissement, across the Seine from the Louvre

THE BASICS: Closed Mondays | Open Tuesday–Sunday, 9:30 am–6 pm (Thursdays until 9:45 pm) | Timed-entry reservation required for everyone, including Museum Pass holders | Ask at the entrance about activities for kids | Closest metro: Solférino; RER: Musée d’Orsay

Housed in a Beaux-Arts train station built for the 1900 World’s Fair, the Musée d’Orsay is easy to fall for before you’ve even reached the art, with its soaring glass ceiling, the giant station clock still mounted on the wall, the sense of the building itself being part of the exhibit.

Inside, the collection is almost entirely Impressionist and Post-Impressionist: Monet, Renoir, Degas, Van Gogh, Cézanne. It’s a fraction of the size of the Louvre, which makes it more manageable and more enjoyable, in our opinion.

Our Take: This is our favorite museum in Paris. We’ve only been once, with our kids, and the museum handed them a scavenger hunt sheet to track down specific masterpieces as we walked through. They loved it, and honestly, so did we. Between the artwork, the manageable size, the setting inside a real train station, and the view of the city through the giant clock windows, it’s the one Paris museum we’d tell anyone not to skip.

Musée D’Orsay

Take In Paris’s Best View from the Arc de Triomphe

LOCATION: Place Charles de Gaulle, 8th Arrondissement, top of the Champs-Élysées

THE BASICS: Open daily, hours vary by season | 284 steps to the top | Book tickets online in advance | Included on the Paris Museum Pass | Closest metro: Charles de Gaulle–Étoile (lines 1, 2, 6, plus RER A)

This is the best view in Paris, in our opinion. From the top, the Champs-Élysées runs in a straight line below you, the city’s neighborhoods spread out in every direction, and the Eiffel Tower stands in full view across the rooftops. It’s worth the climb any time of day, but evening is when this view really earns its spot at the top of the list, especially if you can time your visit for the hour when the Eiffel Tower starts to sparkle.

Our Take: This is our favorite view in Paris. We’ve been up in the morning, at midday, and in the evening, and evening wins every time. The light, the city settling in for the night, and if you get lucky with timing, watching the tower sparkle from across the rooftops.

Arc de Triomphe

View from the Arc de Triomphe

Wander the Streets of Le Marais

LOCATION: 3rd and 4th Arrondissements

THE BASICS: One of the only Paris neighborhoods with shops open on Sundays | Best explored on foot, no set route needed | Home to Place des Vosges, rue des Rosiers, and dozens of cafés | Closest metro: Saint-Paul, Hôtel de Ville, or Chemin Vert

Le Marais is Paris’s neighborhood for getting pleasantly lost. Its narrow, medieval streets wind past centuries-old buildings, hidden courtyards, independent boutiques, and some of the city’s best people-watching from a café table. It’s also the rare Paris neighborhood where shops stay open on Sundays, a holdover from its history as the city’s Jewish quarter.

There’s no must-see checklist here. The appeal is in wandering without one.

Our Take: Our most memorable visit was a chilly, late-March afternoon with no plan at all. We hopped from café to café with the kids, warming up with hot chocolates while Tim and I stuck to Irish coffees, no itinerary or schedule to keep. Le Marais is one of the few places in Paris where doing nothing in particular is exactly the point.

Place des Vosges | Best Things to Do in Paris

Place des Vosges in Le Marais

Dine at a Restaurant with an Eiffel Tower View

LOCATION: Several of Paris’s best view restaurants sit above the rooftops. Our favorites are in the 7th, 16th, and 1st arrondissements,

THE BASICS: Reservations essential, book weeks to months ahead for the most sought-after tables | Fine dining prices | Request a window table when booking | We also love a rooftop bar for drinks — see our Rooftop Bars guide

Some restaurants in Paris treat the view as seriously as the menu. Here are a few of our favorites.

Les Ombres, on the rooftop of the Musée du Quai Branly, is entirely glass-enclosed with a handful of outdoor tables, framing the Eiffel Tower from nearly every seat.

L’Oiseau Blanc, atop The Peninsula Paris, holds two Michelin stars and wraps its aviation-themed dining room in glass for panoramic views stretching from the Eiffel Tower to Sacré-Cœur.

Langosteria, on the seventh floor of the Cheval Blanc hotel, trades French cuisine for Italian seafood, with a terrace looking out over the Seine, Notre-Dame, and the tower.

Dining at l’Oiseau Blanc

Sunset view of the Eiffel Tower from Langosteria

Our Take: We had lunch at Les Ombres in September, during a heat wave that hit 36°C/97°F, so we were seated inside. But even indoors, the glass walls kept the Eiffel Tower in view the entire meal, and the food was phenomenal. We imagine dinner there, watching the sunset turn into the tower’s evening sparkle, would be unforgettable. We also splurged on dinner at L’Oiseau Blanc (superb, easily one of our most memorable meals in the city) and Langosteria has become one of our favorites for Italian food with a view. If you’d rather keep it to drinks, we’re just as big on Paris’s rooftop bars. Our guide has our picks for those.

More Things to Do in Paris

Landmarks & Icons in Paris

Walk Along the Champs-Élysées

Touristy? Yes. But even so, it’s a must do. This is one of the most recognizable streets in the world, running from Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe. Along the way, pop into Laduree for macarons, another must do while in Paris.

There’s no need to walk the entire length of this street. Line 1 on the metro runs parallel to the Champs-Élysées, so you can ride the metro a 1 to 2 stops, to save some steps. The final stretch leading up to the Arc de Triomphe is the most scenic.

The Champs-Elysees and the Arc de Triomphe

Step Back in Time at Île de la Cité

Île de la Cité is the small island in the center of Paris that is home to Sainte-Chapelle and Notre-Dame. It is the historic heart of Paris.

In front of Notre Dame is a plaque on the ground marking Point Zero (Point Zero des Routes de France), the historic center of Paris.

Also on Île de la Cité is the Au Vieux Paris, one of the prettiest cafes in Paris.

Au Vieux Paris | Best Things to Do in Paris

Don’t Miss Sainte-Chapelle & Its Stunning Stained-Glass Windows

This was a top contender for one of our top 10 spots, but there were a few experiences in Paris we liked just a little bit more. However, this is not to be missed, as the interior of Sainte-Chapelle is truly stunning.

Located on Île de la Cité, this Gothic chapel was the residence of the Kings of France until the 14th century. It contains one of the most extensive 13th century stained glass collections in the world.

Sainte-Chapelle

During the French Revolution, Sainte-Chapelle was a target for vandalism, since it was a symbol of royalty. Some of the stained glass was broken but about 2/3 of the original glass remains. In World War II, the stained glass was removed and put into storage.

From 2008 to 2015, Sainte-Chapelle underwent a major restoration.

For pricing, hours, and to reserve your ticket in advance, visit the official website.

Get a History Lesson at the Conciergerie

The Conciergerie is a former courthouse and prison. It sits next to Sainte-Chapelle on Île de la Cité.

Conciergerie

Marie-Antoinette is the Conciergerie’s most famous prisoner. During the French Revolution, almost 3,000 people were imprisoned here and then sent to different sites to be executed by guillotine.

For pricing and hours, visit the official website.

Walk Across Pont Neuf, the Oldest Bridge in Paris

Pont Neuf is the oldest bridge in Paris. It connects the Right Bank with Île de la Cité. From this bridge, enjoy the view of the Seine River, Pont des Arts (the next bridge on the river), and the Eiffel Tower off in the distance.

Pont Neuf

Do a 360° Spin in Place de la Concorde

Place de la Concorde is a large round-about that is sandwiched between Tuileries Garden and the Champs-Élyséees. This famous square is full of French history. This was the spot during the French Revolution where King Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette and Robespierre were executed by guillotine.

Standing in the center of Place de la Concorde is the Luxor Obelisk, one of a pair of obelisks that are over 3,000 years old. This obelisk was gifted to France in the 1830s. The other obelisk stands in front of the Luxor Temple in Luxor, Egypt.

Next to Place de la Concorde is the luxurious Hotel Crillon (go inside to Les Ambassadeurs for a cocktail in at an opulent bar) and Hotel de la Marine.

Place de la Concorde

Take a Tour of Palais Garnier

Palais Garnier is the world famous opera house in Paris. Operas and ballets are performed here and this opera house is the setting for the book and musical “The Phantom of the Opera.”

Inside, the Opera House is opulent, ornate, and stunningly beautiful. During your visit you can tour the opera house or watch a performance.

Palais Garnier

Take a Selfie in Front of the Wall of Love

The Wall of Love, also called Le Mur des Je T’aime, is a large, blue wall where the words “I Love You” are written in 250 languages. It’s free to visit and worth a quick visit if you are in the area (near Montmartre and the Moulin Rouge). It sits right next to the Abbesses metro stop.

Wall of Love

Watch a Show at the Moulin Rouge

If you are looking for something to do in the evening, why not experience the most famous cabaret in the world? Colorful can-can dancers take the stage nightly at the Moulin Rouge.

Shows are offered at 7 pm, 9 pm, and 11:30 pm. Sip on sparkling champagne and watch the show “Feerie” with this ticket to the Moulin Rouge.

More Museums in Paris

Pose Like the Statues at the Rodin Museum

This small museum features sculptures by Rodin. It’s quick and fun to visit. If you are traveling with kids, this is a museum they may actually like…just ask them to pose like the statues. And since most of the museum is outdoors, this is a wonderful place to spend an hour or two when the weather is nice.

For hours and pricing, visit the official website.

Rodin Museum

Spend an Afternoon in the Pompidou Centre

Note: The Pompidou Centre is currently closed for a major renovation project and expected to reopen in 2030.

This is the largest modern art museum in Europe. It has an interesting design, with all of its plumbing and pipes located on the exterior of the museum, color-coded in vibrant colors. It’s definitely a unique sight to see.

Ride the series of elevators up to the upper level for views across the rooftops to the Sacre-Coeur, Notre Dame cathedral, and, of course, the Eiffel Tower.

Pompidou Centre

Visit the Underrated Musee de l’Orangerie

This is a small museum that features Impressionist artwork. The highlights of this museum are the eight Water Lilies murals painted by Claude Monet. You can also see art by Picasso, Sisley, Cezanne, Matisse, and more. We love this museum for its small size and massive Impressionist paintings.

Musee de l’Orangerie is located in the Tuileries Garden, near Place de la Concorde and a short walk from Musee d’Orsay. This museum is relatively small and quick to visit (speed demons can see it in 30 minutes). Get prices and hours on the official website.

Views and Experiences in Paris

Watch the Sunset from the Steps of the Sacre-Coeur

The Sacre-Coeur Basilica sits atop the highest hill in Paris. Join the crowds on the steps and watch the sunset. You also have the option to climb the 300 steps to the top of the Dome for an even better view.

Sacre Coeur

Go on a Seine River Cruise

For a relaxing experience, take a cruise on the Seine River and enjoy the view as the landmarks of Paris drift by. Cruises are offered all day, but for the best experience go at twilight so you can watch as Paris lights up around you.

Overall, it’s a nice experience and a unique way to view many of Paris’ famous landmarks in a short period of time. We took a private boat tour, which was quite pricey, but it makes a good option for those who don’t want to board a large boat with lots of people. Our boat captain also took lots of photos of us, with the landmarks in the background, so we came away with quite a few photos of the two of us in Paris.

This is one of the cheapest private tours on GetYourGuide and it gets nothing but rave reviews.

If you want to cruise the Seine River and not spend a small fortune, this tour includes a Seine River cruise and tickets to the Eiffel Tower, this evening cruise includes music and the option to add on a glass of champagne, and this one-hour cruise is one of the cheapest ways to cruise the Seine River.

Seine River Cruises

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Watch the Sunset at the Trocadéro

The Trocadéro sits across the Seine River from the Eiffel Tower. Sitting at the same site is the Palais de Chaillot, which is home to several museums.

The wide terrace at the Trocadéro is one of the best places to photograph the Seine River and the Eiffel Tower. It’s busy all day, even more so at sunset, but it is a great place to capture the Eiffel Tower and the colorful evening sky.

We took this sunset photo of the Eiffel Tower from the Trocadéro

Enjoy the View from Montparnasse Tower

Montparnasse Tower is the ugly, dark skyscraper that stands out like a sore thumb when you look out across Paris. But from the top of this eyesore you get one of the best panoramic views of Paris.

Montparnasse Tower | Best Things to Do in Paris

View from Montparnasse Tower

Get a Unique View from La Grand Arche at La Defense

Journey out to La Defense (and leave the crowds behind) for a view from the top of La Grande Arche. This view may not have the same “wow factor” as those from the Arc de Triomphe or Notre-Dame Cathedral, but from here you can see most of Paris sprawling out in front of you.

The view from Le Grande Arche

Food, Drinks & Shopping in Paris

Take a Food Tour

One of the best things to do while in Paris is to eat. And a great way to sample some of the best foods in Paris is to take a food tour. Sample French bread, wine, cheese, and more as a local guide takes you to some of the best spots in the city. Secret Food Tours and Paris by Mouth are two of the more popular companies.

Small stands selling crêpes can be found all over Paris. These make delicious, cheap snacks, perfect to satisfy your sweet tooth and give you a pick-me-up while sightseeing. We recommend Breizh Café (locations throughout Paris), Crêperie le Petit Josselin, and Krügen.

Don’t miss our Paris Food Guide, which lists 10 foods to eat in Paris and where to get them.

Paris Food Tours

Indulge at Angelina

Angelina is one of the best places in Paris to indulge on decadent hot chocolate and French pastries. Its most famous (and busiest) location is on Rue de Rivoli near the Louvre.

We recommend trying their hot chocolate! We had this on a very chilly March morning and it was delicious.

Put Together a Picnic Lunch on Rue Cler

On this short shopping street, go shopping in the patisseries (pastry shops), boulangeries (bread shops), fromageries (cheese shops), and shops selling wine, fruit, and chocolate. Once you are finished shopping, find a nice picnic spot on Champ de Mars and enjoy the view of the Eiffel Tower.

We did this on our first two trips from Paris and have very fond memories of the experience. It’s fun piecing together a picnic lunch and enjoying it in Champ de Mars, whether from a park bench or sitting in the grass, with an amazing view of the Eiffel Tower.

Go Shopping

One of the best things to do in Paris is to go shopping. Whether you want to shop at a multi-level shopping mall or stroll along picturesque streets lined with boutique shops, you have lots of options.

In Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Le Bon Marché is a high end shopping center topped with Grande Epicerie, a fine dining food hall.

The Galeries Lafayette is an upscale French department store. Even if you are not in the mood to go shopping, it still may be worth the quick visit. It is gorgeous inside, with a colorful stained-glass ceiling and ornately decorated balconies. Head up to the roof and enjoy panoramic views of Paris.

Galeries Lafayette

On the rooftop of Galeries Lafayette

In the same area, Le Printemps is another shopping mall. It’s very similar to Galeries Lafayette and lacks the amazing stained glass ceiling, but sitting on the top level are a rooftop bar and a restaurant with views of the city.

The view from Le Printemps

Famous shopping streets include the Champs- Élysées, Rue Saint-Honoré, Rue de Passy, and strolling the streets of Le Marais.

Shakespeare and Company

Located on Paris’ Left Bank, Shakespeare and Company is a small but very famous bookstore.

Shakespeare and Company was started by American Sylvia Beach in 1919 at a different location. It was this bookstore that was frequently visited by authors like Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein, and Ezra Pound. This first shop closed in 1941 during the German occupation of France.

In 1951, George Whitman opened a second bookstore that was also visited by famous writers. In 1964, his bookshop was renamed Shakespeare and Company, and this is the bookstore on the Left Bank that people still visit today.

Go Shopping at the Bouquinistes

Set up along the Seine River are stands selling used books, magazines, and artwork. This tradition of selling used books along the Seine started in the 16th century and this is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Neighborhoods & Green Spaces

Escape the Crowds at Luxembourg Gardens

This tranquil spot is popular in the spring and summer, when the weather is nice and the flowers are blooming. This is a great spot to take a break from the hustle and bustle of Paris.

The Luxembourg Gardens are free to visit and open 24 hours a day.

Luxembourg Gardens

Spend a Quiet Afternoon at Canal Saint-Martin

Canal Saint-Martin is a small waterway lined with boutique shops and cafes. This area is more popular with locals. So if you’re tired of the tourist crowds, escape here for a quiet afternoon and dinner at one of the cafes.

Canal St Martin | Best Things to Do in Paris

Canal St. Martin | Jerome Labouyrie/shutterstock.com

Stroll through Saint-Germain-des-Prés

This is another very popular area to stroll. Filled with small lanes, boutique shops, and a bunch of very famous cafes, Saint-Germain-des-Prés is a fun spot to spend an afternoon.

Saint-Germain-des-Prés

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History & Day Trips from Paris

Spend a Morning at Versailles

The Palace of Versailles is one of the most popular day trips from Paris. This opulent palace and its surrounding gardens are one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world.

Louis XIV constructed this extravagant palace. It was originally built as a summer home for royalty but in 1682, Louis XIV moved the seat of the government here from the Louvre. For just over one hundred years, French kings lived and ruled from Versailles, until the French Revolution in 1789.

Hall of Mirrors Versailles Paris | Best Things to Do in Paris

Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles. To learn how to take this photo without the crowds, read our guide on how to visit Versailles.

Versailles Gardens

In our Guide to Versailles, we cover how to get to Versailles, the best things to see and do, plus lots of tips, such as how to avoid the crowds and the cheapest way to visit Versailles ↓

Versailles

How to Plan an Amazing Day Trip to Versailles from Paris

Everything you need to know to plan a visit to Versailles.

Visit the Catacombs

Descend under the streets of Paris and tour the labyrinth of tunnels lined with human bones. In the 18th century, cemeteries around Paris were cleared and the bones were moved to these underground tunnels. Now, this is the final resting place of six million Parisians.

Visiting the Catacombs is an experience unlike anything else in the city.

After descending a long spiral staircase, you enter a dim, cool network of underground tunnels that once served as limestone quarries. Eventually, you reach the ossuary, where millions of bones from Parisian cemeteries were relocated. Skulls and femurs are arranged in elaborate patterns, forming towering walls that stretch down the corridors. It’s both unsettling and fascinating, and one of the city’s most unique experiences.

To enter the Catacombs, you must purchase your ticket online in advance. According to the official website, tickets are no longer sold on site. If you are unable to get a ticket on the official website, you can take this VIP access tour.

Inside the Catacombs

Visit the “Balcony of Paris” at the Panthéon

Located in the Latin Quarter, this building was originally built as a church and then following the French Revolution, was used as a mausoleum for French citizens. Victor Hugo, Voltaire, Jean Rousseau, and Émile Zola are interred here.

On a visit to the Panthéon, you can tour the inside of the building. Check out the Foucault Pendulum, which sits in the center of the nave.

The best part of a visit to the Panthéon is climbing the steps to the top of the dome, which is called the “Balcony of Paris” because it offers 360° views of Paris. Look out over the Latin Quarter to Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, and Luxembourg Gardens.

Get hours, pricing, and purchase your ticket online in advance to skip the ticket line, on the official website.

View from the Panthéon

Inside the Panthéon

Best Things to Do in Paris: On a Map

How to Use This Map: Click the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest. To take this map with you, click the star next to the title of the map which adds it to your Google account. Next, within your Google Maps app, select ‘Saved’ and then select ‘Maps’. This map title will now appear in your list.

How Many Days Do You Need in Paris?

If this is your first visit to Paris, and we recommend at least 3 days. This allows time to see the major highlights: the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Montmartre, and a stroll along the Champs-Élysées, along with a day trip to Versailles. It’s enough to get a feel for the city, but it will be busy. We cover how to do it in our 3 Day Paris Itinerary.

If you have less time, it is possible to visit Paris in two days, but your schedule will be busier and you will have to skip a few major attractions.

Four or more days allows you to slow down, savor Paris’ sights, neighborhoods, and cafes.

2 Days in Paris Itinerary: What to See & Do

Pinterest Facebook Flipboard Two days isn’t a lot of time in Paris, but with the right itinerary, you can still hit many of the city’s top attractions. This 2-day Paris itinerary takes you to the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Sainte-Chapelle, Musée d’Orsay, Montmartre, and the Arc de Triomphe, along with several of the city’s […]

3 Days in Paris: The Perfect Paris Itinerary for First-Timers

Three days in Paris is just enough time to see the city’s biggest sights, explore a few of its most beautiful neighborhoods, and even squeeze in a trip to Versailles. In this 3-day Paris itinerary, you’ll visit the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle, Musée d’Orsay, Montmartre, and Arc de Triomphe, with a half-day visit to […]

Where to Stay in Paris

The best place to stay is within the city center, to save you travel time on the metro. There are many different neighborhoods to choose from.

For neighborhood recommendations and the top hotels in each of them, take a look at our guide Where to Stay in Paris.

Hotel Guide

Where to Stay in Paris for the First Time (+ Where Not to Stay)

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Paris?

The best time to visit Paris is during spring (April and May) and fall (September and October), when the weather is mild, the city is lively but less crowded, and outdoor cafes, gardens, and strolls are most enjoyable. Our favorite months to visit Paris are April and October.

Is Paris safe for tourists?

Yes, Paris is generally safe for tourists, and millions of visitors explore the city each year without issues. Most safety concerns are minor and involve pickpocketing, especially in busy areas like the Metro, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and popular squares. As long as you keep your valuables secure and stay aware of your surroundings, you’ll be fine. Violent crime against tourists is rare.

Is Paris an expensive city to visit?

Yes, Paris can be an expensive city to visit, but how much you spend really depends on your travel style. Hotels, especially in central neighborhoods, tend to be pricey, and dining out adds up quickly. Major attractions like the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and Seine cruises also come with higher ticket costs. It is possible to visit Paris on a budget by staying farther from the city center, using public transportation, choosing bakeries or casual cafés for meals, and taking advantage of free experiences like exploring neighborhoods or visiting museums on their free-entry days.

Are museums or attractions closed on Sundays or holidays?

Most museums and attractions in Paris are open on Sundays, but many have a weekly closure day, often Monday or Tuesday. For example, the Louvre is closed on Tuesdays, while Musée d’Orsay and Musée Rodin are closed on Mondays.

On public holidays, openings vary. Some places stay open (like the Eiffel Tower and many major museums), while others may close or operate on reduced hours, especially on January 1, May 1, and December 25, when many major sites shut down.

Plan Your Trip to Paris

Want the day-by-day version of this list? → Our 3-Day Paris Itinerary walks you through exactly how to fit the highlights into a short trip.
Only have 2 days? → Our 2-Day Paris Itinerary gives you a tighter version of the same plan.
Want to skip the line at the Eiffel Tower? → Our Eiffel Tower guide covers ticket options, the best time to visit, and how to book the summit.
Traveling with kids? → Our Paris with Kids guide rounds up the best kid-friendly stops and practical tips for keeping everyone happy.
Craving more spots to dine or drink with a view? → Our Paris Rooftop Bars guide has our full list of favorites.

If you have any questions about the best things to do in Paris, or if you want to share your favorite experiences, let us know in the comment section below.

More Places to Visit in Paris & France

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Paris Bucket List: The best things to do in Paris. Eiffel Tower, Montmartre, Louvre, Versailles, cafes, and more.

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