24 Best Things To Do in Paris

After several trips to the French capital, it's normal to feel like you haven't seen all the must-see sights; the great thing about Paris is that the city is always waiting for you. Here are 24 things about Paris that you'll always remember.

Without a doubt, the emblem of Paris is the tower that many Parisians rejected in its day as an aesthetic aberration. Today, no one can imagine a visit to the French capital without going up the Eiffel Tower. Getting to the Eiffel Tower is easy, but what do you need to know if you want to go up? First of all, as with most tourist attractions in Paris, it's best to book tickets to the Eiffel Tower in advance to avoid the queue. When you buy them, you have to decide:

• Whether you want to go up to the second floor or to the top.
• Whether you want to take the lift or the stairs.

The price of tickets for the Eiffel Tower varies depending on what you decide. In either case, you will have the option of taking a guided tour of the Eiffel Tower or purchasing a combined ticket with a package including the Eiffel Tower and a cruise on the Seine to save money.

You will love the views from the Eiffel Tower, both during the day and when the city is lit up, but don't forget to visit the surrounding area and see the Eiffel Tower lights at night, and even eat at one of the restaurants near the Eiffel Tower after your visit. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your visit to the Eiffel Tower and make the experience even better.

Taking a stroll along the banks of the Seine, arriving at the Tuileries Gardens in front of the Louvre Museum and sitting down to read a book on one of the chairs surrounding its enormous fountains is one of the best experiences Paris has to offer. While the Louvre's art collection is one of the most extensive and renowned in the world, the walk to the Louvre and its surroundings are just as impressive.

The time you need to see the Louvre varies depending on how much you want to explore, but I recommend at least three hours. Choose a day and a time slot for your visit (as for the Louvre's opening hours, you should know that it is closed on Tuesdays and opens later on Wednesdays and Fridays) and, above all, buy your Louvre tickets in advance because the queue to get to the ticket office can take hours. Among the best works in the Louvre you will find:

• Da Vinci's Mona Lisa.
• The Venus de Milo.
• The Winged Victory of Samothrace.
• Delacroix's Liberty Leading the People.
• The Code of Hammurabi.

Don't rule out taking a guided tour of the Louvre to get the most out of the collection (if you're visiting the Louvre with children, there are also special tours available) and avoid public holidays when the crowds are even bigger. There may be discounts on Louvre ticket prices, but in my opinion, it's not worth it. Finally, don't forget to visit the Louvre museum shop, where you can find some real gems. Here are some recommendations for places to eat near the Louvre Museum.

You've probably read stories about bohemian Paris and the painters and artists who flocked to the city at the dawn of the 20th century. All these stories took place in the Montmartre district, which, surprisingly, has not lost the special charm that makes it the most visited neighbourhood in Paris.

You'll find this neighbourhood in the north of Paris, away from the centre, but well connected by the Paris metro (Blanche, Pigalle or Anvers stops on line 2). The main points of interest are the Sacré-Cœur, the Moulin Rouge and the Place des Peintres, but the real essence is to wander through its streets and cafés, learning about its history. I always recommend a guided tour of the area.

To get to the Moulin Rouge, you have to venture into the bohemian quarter of Paris. In lower Montmartre, surrounded by erotic shops and neon lights, you'll find the most famous cabaret in Paris, best known for Toulouse Lautrec's posters and the cancan dance.

Today, some people think that the Moulin Rouge is a museum, but it is not: it continues to operate as a nightclub that you can visit with your Moulin Rouge tickets. The price of the Moulin Rouge show is not cheap, but the experience is well worth it. Whether you attend the dinner or decide to eat something near the Moulin Rouge, don't forget to visit it at night to see it lit up and feel the true character of the area.

It is impossible to talk about one of Paris' most iconic monuments without feeling a little shaken and without mentioning the flames that engulfed the structure on 15 April 2019.

Although you won't be able to climb up to see the gargoyles that guard Paris from its towers, Notre Dame Cathedral is undergoing restoration and you can visit the Île de la Cité to see it from the outside and take a stroll around the surrounding area. If you're a book lover, don't forget to visit the most wonderful bookshop in the world, located a few metres from the cathedral: Shakespeare and Co.

I have always been struck by how Sainte Chapelle goes unnoticed by tourists visiting Paris, when it is one of the city's finest attractions. This church is located a few metres from Notre Dame and is notable for its impressive stained glass windows.

It is worth booking tickets for Sainte Chapelle in Paris to see the spectacle of light and glass, which, precisely because it is little known, can be enjoyed with more peace and quiet than in more crowded churches such as Sacré-Cœur or Notre Dame.

Another iconic building is the Opéra Garnier. The performances held in this magnificent building (which you must see both during the day and at night, when it is illuminated) attracted the elite of French society and politics, and you will hear these stories when you visit its sumptuous corridors and auditorium.

During the day, you can visit the building by purchasing tickets for a guided tour of the Opéra Garnier or by booking a private guided tour of the Opéra Garnier. And if you are in Paris at night, keep in mind that concerts and shows are still held there.

North of the Seine and in the middle of Charles de Gaulle Square is the famous Arc de Triomphe in Paris, which you can visit from below or climb to see the city from above. If you book tickets for the Arc de Triomphe and do the latter, you will see that the skyscrapers of La Défense (the business district), the Arc itself and the Louvre pyramid form a perfect straight line.

You can also take a stroll along the Champs-Élysées (if you visit Paris at Christmas, you'll see that the tree decorations are wonderful) and browse the numerous shop windows that line both sides of the avenue.

Another very interesting way to see the Arc de Triomphe, as well as other of Paris' most characteristic landmarks, is with one of the best Flyview experiences in Paris.

Paris is a city of large green spaces, and one of the most well-kept and most visited is the Luxembourg Gardens, south of the River Seine. This is a place that can be included in the best bike tours of Paris.

Its design, fountains and flowers are worth a visit, but don't just go there to tick it off your tourist list: sit down to read, buy an ice cream and watch everyday life in Paris unfold in this park. The hustle and bustle of Paris comes to a halt in these immaculate gardens, where you will also find the palace that gives them their name.

After the Louvre, this is the most visited museum in Paris and, for many people, their favourite. The Musée d'Orsay has works by Monet, Rodin, Cézanne and Gauguin in its collection. It is spread over several floors and is perfectly laid out for visiting.

In the centre of the Musée d'Orsay is a main gallery with statues and sculptures, bathed in spectacular light. The different rooms are arranged on either side of it.

The smaller crowds compared to the Louvre allow you to enjoy this visit in peace. Even so, I recommend that you book your tickets for the Musée d'Orsay in advance. Read more about this and other museums in the guide to the best museums in Paris.

In a city as cosmopolitan as Paris, contemporary art has a lot to say, and a visit to the George Pompidou Museum is proof of that. At the Pompidou Museum in Paris: how to buy and prices, you will see one of the largest collections of contemporary art in Europe, with works by Duchamp, Kandinsky, Picasso and Matisse, as well as original installations by other artists that will ensure you have a great time during your visit.

The Pompidou is a museum where you can have a good time, enjoy yourself and enjoy art while learning, which is why I always say that the Pompidou is an ideal museum to visit if you are travelling to Paris with children. Read more in this article about the best museums in Paris and book tickets for the Pompidou Museum in advance.

Near the Champ de Mars is the architectural complex of Les Invalides Museum and Napoleon's tomb in Paris. Its large golden dome certainly catches the eye, but what is actually inside the building? The answer is a military museum and a church containing Napoleon's remains.

If you are interested in the French Revolution and World War II, here you will find a huge collection of weapons and objects related to those periods.

Neoclassical in style and inspired by the Roman Pantheon, it is one of the main buildings in the Latin Quarter. Its underground galleries and high vaulted ceiling are the main attractions of the guided tour that can be taken inside, but it is also worth seeing it from the outside and strolling through the streets of this area. Discover everything there is to see in the area with one of the best tours of the Latin Quarter.

In the south of Paris, you'll find one of the best viewing platforms in Paris, offering fantastic views of the city. The Montparnasse Tower is not on this list because it is particularly beautiful, far from it (in fact, it breaks up the Paris skyline), but the views from there are worth it both because of the height (it is not as high as the Eiffel Tower, so you can see the city in more detail) and because you cannot see the tower itself.

When you have limited time in a city or are just passing through, I always have two recommendations: hire a transfer from the airport to save time on the way there and back, and if you can only choose one tourist activity, choose a guided tour of the city centre. You can opt for guided walking tours, but you can also consider a more original option such as:

• Segway tours of Paris.
• Electric bike tours of Paris.
• Bicycle tours of Paris.
• Night bike tour of Paris.
• Tour of Paris in a classic car with driver.
• Private sidecar tour of Paris.
• Private tuk-tuk tour of Paris.

This article on the different guided tours you can take in Paris summarises the most interesting ones. For example, the night tour of Paris can be a great opportunity to see the city lit up, but don't rule out any area of the city, as each neighbourhood has its own unique charm! Due to the size of the city, tours are usually organised to cover the best neighbourhoods in Paris, such as:

• Latin Quarter.
• Le Marais.
• Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
• Montmartre.

In addition, there are themed tours such as:

• A visit to the most famous cemeteries in Paris.
• A tour of Paris's patisseries.
• A tour of Paris's covered passages and galleries.
• A tour of 20th-century cinema and television on the Left Bank of Paris.
• A night-time ghost tour of Paris.

Taking a boat trip on the Seine is one of the most popular activities in the French capital. The layout of the city's monuments means that many of them can be seen from the river, and this type of cruise is a perfect opportunity to do so in an original and relaxed way.

Due to high demand, there are different options such as a dinner cruise on the Seine or a night cruise on the Seine, suitable for all budgets. We tell you all about them in the practical guide to the best cruises you can take on the Seine.

It's hard to be objective about this recommendation: we all have a child inside us and many of us love amusement parks, especially theme parks and Disneyland in particular. If you're travelling with children, it's an almost obligatory visit. If you're not travelling with children but are spending several days in Paris, I recommend you take advantage of a day trip. Both children and adults have a long list of things to see and do at Disneyland Paris.

It is easily accessible from the centre of Paris and the experience is well worth it. If you are thinking of visiting, I recommend reading the article on how to buy tickets for Disneyland and checking both the Disney park opening hours and how to get to Disneyland from Paris.

Good planning is key to saving time (you'll already lose enough time queuing for many of the attractions at Disney parks) and money (bear in mind that eating inside the Disney park is an extra expense) on this experience. As for time, depending on how many days you spend at the park, the tips for visiting Disneyland Paris will be different. Here is a list that will be helpful regardless of which option you choose:

• What to see and do at Disneyland Paris in one day.
• What to see and do at Disneyland Paris in two days.
• What to see and do at Disneyland Paris in three days.
• What to see and do at Disneyland Paris in four days.

Best time to visit Disneyland

If you want my opinion on the best time to visit Disneyland Paris, I'm clear about it: visiting the Disney park at Christmas or experiencing the magic of Disneyland at Halloween are the best options.

We all know the story of the rise of absolutism and its fall with the French Revolution, but visiting the Palace and Gardens of Versailles is like reliving it in each of its rooms. History aside, the visit is a must, both for the sumptuousness of the palace and its impressive gardens. Any trip to the Palace of Versailles will take almost a whole day, and you can get to Versailles from central Paris by train or hire independent transport and a guided tour.

When planning your visit, check the opening hours of the Palace of Versailles, but bear in mind that the queues to buy tickets for the Palace of Versailles are at least two hours long; booking your tickets in advance will save you precious time that you can then spend on everything there is to see inside the Palace of Versailles.

If you have decided to take what is one of the best day trips from Paris, you will find these tips for visiting Versailles (as well as these others for visiting Versailles with children) and this post on where to eat in Versailles useful.

Some may be surprised that one of the items on this list is the recommendation to use a tourist bus. We'll give you two reasons, both of which have to do with the type of city Paris is. First, when a city is as big as this one, it's very difficult to explore it on foot, at least in a single day.

That's why using a tourist bus is the perfect way to cover a large area of the city in a short time, which I think is ideal for those who have limited time or want to take a general tour of the city. What's more, if you buy the Paris Pass tourist card, the tourist bus is one of the attractions included.

Secondly, comfort is a factor to consider. Paris is a beautiful city and sometimes you just want to look around without having to take long walks at the end of an exhausting day. The panoramic conditions of this type of bus are perfect. Here is more information about the Paris tourist bus.

If you've fallen in love with Paris above ground, there's one more thing you need to do to round off your trip: discover underground Paris. The Paris Catacombs offer a fascinating journey through the city's past and are definitely worth a visit if you want to learn more about its history. But be warned! Wrap up warm because it's quite cold inside due to the humidity.

Paris is a strategic point on the map for visiting other wonderful cities that will equally dazzle you. This is the case with the following cities, which are within easy reach for a day trip:

• Giverny, where you can visit the house of the painter Claude Monet.
• Champagne, an enclave where you can enjoy numerous champagne tastings.
• Normandy, where you can learn all about what happened during the Second World War.
• Mont St Michel, where you can visit the abbey and cloisters.
• Loire, where you can visit the famous Renaissance castles.
• Bruges, where you will be amazed by the beauty of this town known as the Venice of the North.

If you want to delve into French culinary culture, you have several options. Below, I've included several posts with the best wine and cheese tastings in Paris, the best cooking classes in Paris where you can learn to make bread, desserts, macarons and croissants, and the best food tours in Paris so you can choose the options you like best according to your preferences.

In addition to the most popular ones such as the Louvre, the Pompidou or the Rodin Museum, I would like to point out other museums that you cannot miss on your trip due to their high cultural value:

• The Orangerie Museum, with works by artists such as Monet, Matisse, Rousseau, and Picasso.
• Grevin Wax Museum in Paris, which has more than 500 figures.
• The Conciergerie Museum in Paris, where you can see Marie Antoinette's cell and the largest medieval hall in Europe, the Salle des Gens d'Armes.
• The Yves Saint Laurent Museum, which will immerse you in haute couture fashion.

And if you're one of those people who loves football, consider taking one of the best tours of the Stade de France in Paris. This tour will introduce you to the largest stadium in France.

Book a guided tour of the Stade de France in Paris, lasting approximately an hour and a half, and join a tour guide to explore the main areas of the stadium where the 1998 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 UEFA European Championship, among other competitions, were held.

There are many tips I can give you for travelling to Paris, from the best restaurants in the city to the places where you can eat the best crêpes in Paris, as well as recommendations for getting around central Paris. However, experience tells me that the first thing you need to consider is when you are going to visit the city in order to get the most out of your trip.

The best thing about travelling to Paris in each season

One of the first questions you'll probably ask yourself when planning your trip is when is the best time to visit Paris. Although it may sound clichéd, every season has its good points, which is not unusual in a city the size of the French capital.

• The best thing about travelling to Paris in summer.
• The best thing about travelling to Paris in winter.
• The best of travelling to Paris in spring.
• The best things about travelling to Paris in autumn.

What to do in Paris month by month

To each their own. My favourite time to visit the city is Christmas, both for the Christmas markets you can find in Paris and the Christmas lights you'll find in the centre and in the different neighbourhoods of Paris, and because you can make the most of the best shopping tours in Paris.

However, as with the seasons, each month has its charm in the City of Light:

• What to do in Paris in January.
• What to do in Paris in February.
• What to do in Paris in March.
• What to do in Paris in April.
• What to do in Paris in May.
• What to do in Paris in June.
• What to do in Paris in July.
• What to do in Paris in August.
• What to do in Paris in September.
• What to do in Paris in October.
• What to do in Paris in November.
• What to do in Paris in December.

I won't lie to you: spending less than four days in Paris means that there are things in the city that you won't get to see, which is a real shame. Does that mean you can't get a feel for the city in less time? Not at all. You can always come back, and if you follow these guides, you'll find things to do in Paris whether you're there for a day or two weeks:

• Itinerary for visiting Paris in one day.
• Itinerary for visiting Paris in 2 days.
• Itinerary for visiting Paris in 3 days.
• Itinerary for visiting Paris in 4 days.
• Itinerary for visiting Paris in 5 days.
• Itinerary for visiting Paris in 7 days.
• Itinerary for visiting Paris in 15 days

The last point is probably one of the most boring, but also one of the most important. Do you already know which airport you're arriving at? Charles de Gaulle is the closest to the city centre and Beauvais is the furthest, but from any of the three airports you can save time by booking your transfer (either to or from the airport) in advance.

• How to get from Orly Airport to Paris.
• How to get from Beauvais Airport to Paris.
• How to get from Charles de Gaulle Airport to Paris.

If you are one of those people who likes to live your holidays to the fullest and not miss a thing, be sure to consider booking a Paris tourist card such as:

• Paris Passlib
• Paris Pass
• Paris Explorer Pass
• Paris Museum Pass

However, if you want to know whether you'll really get your money's worth, check out the post Is the Paris tourist card worth it?