18 Best Things to Do in Paris

Paris earns its reputation. The French capital wraps grand boulevards, riverside gardens, and centuries of art into a city made for slow wandering. You could spend a lifetime here and still find new cafes, hidden courtyards, and quiet corners of its great museums.

To help you plan, here are 18 of the best things to do in Paris, grouped by theme so you can balance the must-see landmarks with the small pleasures that make the city feel like home.

Landmarks and views

Eiffel Tower

The wrought-iron icon needs no introduction. Climb or take the lift to the summit for sweeping views, or simply picnic on the Champ de Mars below as it sparkles on the hour after dark. Book timed tickets online to skip long queues.

Arc de Triomphe

Standing at the top of the Champs-Elysees, the Arc honours France's war dead and offers one of the best rooftop panoramas in the city, with twelve avenues radiating out like spokes. Use the underground passage to reach it safely.

Sacre-Coeur and Montmartre

The white-domed basilica crowns the hill of Montmartre, the old artists' quarter. Wander its cobbled lanes, watch painters at Place du Tertre, and time your visit for sunset over the rooftops.

Seine river cruise

A one-hour boat cruise glides past Notre-Dame, the Louvre, and the Eiffel Tower. Evening sailings, when the bridges light up, are especially romantic and good value.

Museums and art

The Louvre

Home to the Mona Lisa and tens of thousands of works, the Louvre is overwhelming, so choose a wing or two rather than trying to see it all. Enter via the Carrousel underground entrance to avoid the main pyramid queue.

Musee d'Orsay

Set in a former railway station, the d'Orsay holds the world's finest collection of Impressionist masterpieces, from Monet to Van Gogh. It is more manageable than the Louvre and just as rewarding.

Centre Pompidou

This inside-out building houses modern and contemporary art, and its top-floor terrace offers a surprising city view. Check ahead, as the centre periodically closes sections for renovation.

Musee de l'Orangerie

Two oval rooms display Monet's vast Water Lilies panels in soft natural light. It is small, serene, and easy to pair with a stroll through the Tuileries Garden next door.

Neighbourhoods and gardens

Le Marais

This historic district mixes medieval lanes, fashion boutiques, falafel stalls, and the elegant Place des Vosges. It is also the heart of Jewish and LGBTQ Paris and wonderful for aimless wandering.

Latin Quarter and Saint-Germain

South of the river, these intellectual quarters brim with bookshops, including the famous Shakespeare and Company, plus historic cafes once frequented by writers and philosophers.

Luxembourg Gardens

Parisians' favourite park is perfect for an afternoon: rent a toy sailboat for the fountain, find a green metal chair, and people-watch like a local.

Canal Saint-Martin

For a more contemporary, low-key Paris, stroll the tree-lined canal in the 10th, lined with indie boutiques and casual bistros popular with younger Parisians.

Food, markets, and day trips

Bakeries and patisseries

A warm croissant and a flaky pain au chocolat from a neighbourhood boulangerie is a daily ritual worth keeping. Look for the Artisan Boulanger label, a sign the bread is baked on-site.

Rue Mouffetard market street

One of the oldest market streets in Paris, it overflows with cheese, charcuterie, produce, and pastries. Halal options are easy to find across the city, particularly around the Marais and the 18th.

Notre-Dame and Ile de la Cite

The reopened Notre-Dame Cathedral once again welcomes visitors to its soaring Gothic nave. The surrounding island is the historic centre of Paris and lovely to circle on foot.

Galeries Lafayette

Even if you do not shop, step inside this grand department store to admire its stained-glass dome and head to the free rooftop terrace for skyline views.

Palace of Versailles

A short train ride southwest, the opulent palace and its endless gardens make a spectacular day trip. Arrive early, and visit the gardens on a fountain-show day if you can.

Disneyland Paris

For families, the resort east of the city is an easy RER ride and a fun full-day excursion, with two parks to explore.

Practical tips

Buy a Navigo or carnet of metro tickets to move around cheaply, as the network is dense and reliable. Many museums are free on the first Sunday of the month but very crowded. Spring and early autumn offer the best weather, while August is quieter as locals leave on holiday. A little French, even just bonjour, goes a long way with shopkeepers.

Frequently asked questions

How many days should I spend in Paris?

Four days lets you enjoy the main sights without rushing, with time for a Versailles day trip. Three is enough for a focused first visit.

Is the Paris Museum Pass worth it?

If you plan to visit several museums and monuments in a few days, the pass saves money and lets you skip ticket lines at most sites.

When does the Eiffel Tower sparkle?

The tower twinkles for five minutes at the top of every hour after dark until late evening, a free show best watched from the Champ de Mars or Trocadero.

Paris rewards travellers who slow down. Pair the great monuments with an unhurried coffee, a riverside walk, and a fresh croissant, and the city quickly works its quiet, enduring magic.