Paris is one of those rare cities that lives up to every expectation — and then exceeds it. The City of Light dazzles with world-class museums, iconic landmarks, legendary cuisine, and a street-level beauty that makes even a simple walk feel cinematic. Whether you have two days or two weeks, these are the best things to do in Paris to make every moment count.
1. Visit the Eiffel Tower
No trip to Paris is complete without visiting the Eiffel Tower. Gustave Eiffel's iron masterpiece was built in 1889 and remains the city's most enduring symbol. The view from the summit is extraordinary — on a clear day you can see for 70 km. Visit at dusk to watch the city transition from golden hour to sparkling night, when the tower's light show illuminates the sky every hour.
Tip: Book your timed tickets online at least 2–3 weeks in advance in summer.
2. Explore the Louvre
The world's largest art museum is a world unto itself. The Louvre's 35,000 works span nearly every civilization — ancient Egyptian artifacts, Greek and Roman sculptures, Italian Renaissance masterpieces. Plan your visit around highlights: the Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, the Venus de Milo, and the stunning Denon Wing. Allocate at least 3 hours, and book online to skip the ticket queue.
3. Walk Along the Seine
Paris's most romantic walk follows the banks of the Seine from Notre-Dame Cathedral west past the Louvre and Tuileries to the Eiffel Tower. The UNESCO-listed riverbanks are lined with bouquinistes (second-hand booksellers), bridges, and bateaux gliding silently past. A Seine river cruise is an excellent way to see Paris's greatest monuments from the water.
4. Explore Montmartre
Perched on the highest hill in Paris, Montmartre retains the bohemian spirit of the artists and writers who made it famous — Picasso, Modigliani, Toulouse-Lautrec, and Hemingway all lived here. The white Sacré-Cœur Basilica offers sweeping views over the city. Wander the cobblestone streets, browse artist studios on Place du Tertre, and descend through the winding lanes to the lively Abbesses neighborhood.
5. Visit Musée d'Orsay
Housed in a converted Belle Époque railway station, the Musée d'Orsay holds the world's greatest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art. Monet's water lilies, Van Gogh's self-portraits, Renoir's luminous café scenes, and Cézanne's still lifes fill floor after floor. Far less crowded than the Louvre, it's the favorite museum of many Paris regulars.
6. Explore the Marais
The Marais is Paris at its most layered — a medieval street plan with 17th-century aristocratic mansions, a vibrant Jewish quarter on Rue des Rosiers, cutting-edge contemporary art galleries, fashionable boutiques, and excellent falafel. The Place des Vosges — Paris's oldest planned square — is ringed by red-brick arcades and worth a long visit. The Pompidou Centre anchors the neighborhood's cultural credentials.
7. See Notre-Dame Cathedral
After the devastating 2019 fire and an extraordinary restoration effort, Notre-Dame Cathedral reopened to visitors in late 2024, more magnificent than ever. The 850-year-old Gothic masterpiece on the Île de la Cité features some of the finest medieval stained glass in the world, including the three great rose windows. Arrive early to avoid queues.
8. Shop at the Marché d'Aligre
Paris's covered and outdoor markets are an essential part of the city's social fabric. The Marché d'Aligre in the 12th arrondissement is one of the most authentic, with fruit, vegetables, cheese, and wine at local prices. The Marché des Enfants Rouges in the Marais is Paris's oldest covered market — perfect for a lunch of Moroccan couscous or Lebanese mezze eaten at communal tables.
9. Take a Day Trip to Versailles
The Palace of Versailles is just 30 minutes from Paris by RER train, making it an easy and spectacular day trip. Louis XIV's magnificent palace and its 800-hectare formal gardens represent the ultimate expression of French royal power. Visit on a Tuesday or Sunday when the Grandes Eaux Musicales fountain shows are running.
10. Explore Sainte-Chapelle
Just steps from Notre-Dame on the Île de la Cité, Sainte-Chapelle is one of the world's most breathtaking medieval buildings. Built in just seven years in the 13th century, its upper chapel is enclosed almost entirely in 15 panels of floor-to-ceiling stained glass — over 1,000 individual scenes from the Bible — creating an interior of extraordinary luminous beauty.
11. Eat and Drink Like a Parisian
Food is central to Parisian life, and eating well doesn't require spending a fortune. Start mornings with a croissant and café crème at a neighborhood boulangerie. Lunch at a traditional bistro offering a two-course formule for €15–20. Buy cheese, charcuterie, and wine for a picnic in the Tuileries Garden. Splurge on a dinner at a neo-bistro in the 11th arrondissement, where young chefs are redefining French cooking.
12. Discover the Passages Couverts
Long before shopping malls existed, Parisian entrepreneurs created covered arcades — glass-roofed passages lined with specialized boutiques and cafés. The Galerie Vivienne and Passage des Panoramas in the 2nd arrondissement are the most beautiful, with their original 19th-century mosaic floors. Perfect for a rainy afternoon.
Practical Tips for Paris
- Buy a carnet (book of 10 metro tickets) or get a Navigo Liberté+ contactless card for unlimited travel
- Most major museums are free on the first Sunday of each month
- Walk whenever possible — Paris's neighborhoods are best discovered on foot
- Dine later than you would at home — Parisians rarely eat before 7:30–8pm
- A few words of French — bonjour, merci, s'il vous plaît — go a long way