Paris has been ranked as one of the most visited cities in the world. And with good reason, Paris, the City of Lights, holds a special place in the hearts of travelers worldwide. While iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum are on everyone’s must-see list, there’s so much more to discover in this enchanting city. Beyond the well-trodden path, Paris offers a plethora of neighborhoods to explore and a tantalizing array of culinary delights to savor. So, if you’re planning your first visit to Paris, here’s an extraordinary bucket list featuring the top 10 things to do in Paris that will make your journey truly memorable.
1. Top Things to do in Paris : Walk the Champs-Élysées
One of my favorite streets in all of Europe is Avenue des Champs-Élysées. This stunning street runs a mile and a half through central Paris and is lined with beautiful horse chestnut trees. If you’re looking for ways to spend a few hours while visiting France’s capital city. Take a leisurely stroll down Avenue des Champs-Élysées. Walk up toward Place de la Concorde where there are tons of shops to explore and stop for lunch at one of many cafés along your way. This will be a great first stop on your trip because it’s so easy to navigate on foot!
2. Top Things to do in Paris : Visit Notre Dame
A famous French Gothic cathedral on Île de la Cité. The most famous landmark of Paris. Built between 1163 and 1345. It is one of a few instances where all three parts of what were formerly known as Les Trois Fontaines (The Three Fountains) still exist. But there were originally six fountains with four relating to each saint or group of saints: two for men and two for women.
3. Visit the Louvre Museum
The Louvre Museum is one of most visited museums in the world. Millions of people flock there every year; it’s a chance to catch a glimpse of some beautiful artwork and even walk through an ancient castle that was once home to royalty. The area around the museum is also packed with shopping and sightseeing opportunities. Come hungry because there are plenty of places nearby where you can grab lunch or dinner while watching all sorts of street performers along your way.
How to skip the line at the Louvre :
- Purchase the Museum Pass. This allows you to skip the ticket line but you may still have to wait in a much shorter security line.
- Book your tickets online in advance. On the official Louvre website, you can purchase your tickets in advance. These cost €17 and the website advertises less than a 30 minute wait if you purchase your tickets in advance.
- Go first thing in the morning or on Wednesday and Friday evenings when the Louvre is open until 9:45 pm.
4, Take a Bateau Mouche Ride Along the Seine River
One of the most iconic tourist spots in all of Europe is Bateau Mouche rides along Paris’s Seine River. You’ll be treated to an incredible view of both sides of The City of Lights during your cruise through one of history’s most romantic cities. Tickets can cost anywhere from €13-29 and depart every 15 minutes from 8 a.m.-11 p.m., depending on time and day of week; taking a ride after sunset offers a whole different experience than during daylight hours, so pick your time wisely.
5. Visit Musée d’Orsay
Now that you’ve arrived at one of Europe’s most stunning and romantic cities, get to work on your itinerary. As soon as you can manage it—and before you even check into your hotel—make your way over to Musée d’Orsay. This incredible museum houses a breathtaking collection of French art from 1848–1914 and should not be missed by any visiting art enthusiast. While there is no admission fee, expect lines. Plan accordingly!
Musee d’Orsay is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm, with hours until 9:45 pm on Thursday. The museum is closed on Monday. Tickets cost €16, free with the Museum Pass. You can purchase a combination ticket with Musee de l’Orangerie for €20. Tickets can be purchased online in advance.
6. Top things to do in Paris: See the Eiffel Tower at Night
The Eiffel Tower, undoubtedly one of Paris’ most iconic symbols, holds a special allure for visitors. The sheer excitement of laying eyes on the Eiffel Tower for the first time is a moment cherished by many. For those embarking on their inaugural visit to Paris, ascending the Eiffel Tower is an absolute must-do experience that adds the perfect finishing touch to their journey.
The Eiffel Tower offers visitors three distinct levels: the first floor, the second floor, and the top floor. To access the first and second floors, you have the option of taking the elevator or climbing the stairs. However, if you wish to reach the top floor, the only available mode of transport is the elevator.
Opting to take the stairs can be a cost-effective and time-saving choice, as it generally involves shorter queues and reduced ticket prices. While the idea of a stair climb may not appeal to everyone, it presents an excellent opportunity to bypass longer lines or experience a shorter wait time at the Eiffel Tower. Should you decide to ascend by stairs, you can also purchase an additional elevator ticket for convenient access to the top floor.
7. VERSAILLES
Versailles is a royal chateau located on the outskirts of Paris. In 1682, King Louis XIV moved the Royal Court from the Louvre to the Palace of Versailles. For a little more than 100 years, this was the seat of government for France. That ended in 1789 with the French Revolution. The monarchy moved back to Paris and since then, the city of Paris has remained the seat of government for France. During your visit to Versailles you will tour the palace and stroll through the gardens.
Getting here: Take RER C from Paris to Versailles. This journey takes approximately 45 minutes. Since Versailles is outside of the city your travel card (if you have one) will not be valid for this trip. In the metro station you will have to purchase a separate round trip ticket to get to and from Versailles. This detailed post explains how to get from Paris to Versailles.Hours: The palace is closed Mondays; open at 9 am; The gardens and the park are open every day and are free to visit.
Cost: 19.50€ to tour the palace
Museum Pass: The Museum Pass covers your entry into the palace, the Trianon, and the estate of Marie-Antoinette. It does not cover the musical gardens. You will have to purchase this ticket separately (and you should do so in advance) for 10€.
8. Go on a Guided Tour of Montmartre
Definitely a place you should put in your top 10 things to do in Paris, France. Montmartre is an adorable neighborhood with a strong sense of community and history. It’s also home to some incredible landmarks. The Basilica of Sacré-Cœur, or what most people know as Montmartre’s white church; is a breathtaking structure that overlooks much of central Paris and features stunning stained glass windows and mosaics. Many people choose not to go on tours here; however, if you’re interested in getting up close with some of the area’s most popular tourist spots and learning about them from a guide who can share their deep knowledge of history, culture and art—it might be worth it!
9. Watch the sunset from the steps of sacre-coeur
Although Sacré Coeur is one of my favorite places in Paris, I avoided it for as long as possible because of its overwhelming popularity. The reason: When you go to Sacré Coeur, you have to climb up about 300 steps—and after a day of sightseeing and walking around, that’s no small feat. But once you get there, it’s worth it. The views from Sacré Coeur are breathtaking—I can personally attest to that—and you might even be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of la Tour Eiffel. Just make sure you arrive early if you want to beat all those other tourists waiting in line (as well as any pickpockets).
10. Enjoy an afternoon at Luxembourg Gardens
Enjoying a picnic in an open-air park is a quintessential Parisian experience. Enjoying it with great company and even better wine, however, are not. The Luxembourg Gardens is spacious enough for both a game of pétanque (bring your own balls) and to admire Baroque sculptures without feeling crowded. If you’re looking for a bit of greenery, head to Parc de la Villette or Jardin des Plantes instead. Both boast impressive collections of flora and are conveniently located near cool museums such as Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie at Parc de la Villette or Museum national d’histoire naturelle at Jardin des Plantes—which you must visit when in town!
I hope this compilation of the top 10 things to do in Paris, France will make your vacation planning much easier!