Paris is an amazing city, with countless hidden gems and must-see locations that might keep you occupied for weeks or months! And I’m making every effort to do that!
I list 30 must-see locations and activities in Paris to fully immerse you in the vibrant culture of this unique city.
You don’t have to—and in fact, cannot—visit every one of these locations in a single trip. Instead, I’ve created this piece to provide an overview of the many attractions, allowing you to select the ones that most closely match your interests.
Your Ultimate Paris Bucket List: 99 Great Things to Do
1. Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower, the official symbol of Paris, hardly needs an introduction. This famous building, which dominates the city, is a must-see. You can take in the view from below, ascend the stairs to the second floor, or ride the elevator to reach the summit. (Complete all three!)
2. Louvre
Visiting the Louvre, the world’s largest museum is a must-do activity in Paris. Besides just the Mona Lisa, this location is unlike any other, thanks to its beautiful architecture, exquisite artwork, motivational statues, and fascinating relics.
3. Arc de Triomphe
In certain respects, this enormous monument feels like the endpoint of every route in Paris. It is majestically positioned in the middle of the city. Napoleon erected the Arc de Triomphe in celebration of his numerous military triumphs.
You can see it from one of the many paths to it or climb to the summit for a breathtaking view of the city.
4. Notre Dame
The Notre Dame Cathedral, located on the island of Ile de la Cité on the Seine, is the center of Paris. The cathedral’s towering walls, stained glass windows, and gothic design make it a must-see. It is breathtaking in scale, design, and beauty.
The cathedral is scheduled to reopen on December 8, 2024, although it is still closed for renovations due to the 2019 rooftop fire.
5. Champs Elysées
This wide, beautiful, tree-lined road offers plenty of chances for “people-watching,” as well as upmarket dining and retail establishments. It provides breathtaking views of the Arc de Triomphe and connects the Place de la Concorde to it.
6. Sacré Coeur Basilica
This exquisitely white basilica is situated atop Montmartre, the well-known hill and suburb on the northern border of Paris. It is a breathtaking location with stunning city views. Arrive early to avoid the dense crowds that form in the middle of the day.
7. Versailles
Versailles, the iconic palace and residence of Louis XIV, XV, and XVI, is renowned for its extraordinarily busy architecture and decoration. Although the palace is stunning, the extensive and great grounds and gardens are also amazing and worth seeing for at least half a day.
8. Champs de Mar
The Champs de Mars is the broad grassy area leading up to the Eiffel Tower. The park features meandering paths, spacious green areas for relaxing and enjoying picnics, breathtaking views, and excellent opportunities for tower photos.
9. Trocadero
Trocadero Square is across from the Champ de Mars on the other side of the Eiffel Tower. In addition to providing fantastic views of the Tower from a slightly elevated vantage point, the area has lovely vegetation, fountains, majestic statues, and many excellent photo opportunities.
10. Discover Other Eiffel Tower Viewpoints
Of course, there are more great places to see the Eiffel Tower than just the two “direct” locations at Champs de Mars and Trocadero.
I love Pont Debilly, next to the Seine, Rue de l’Université, Rue Buenos Aryes, and Avenue de Camoens, which surround the Iron Lady amongst gorgeous apartment buildings.
11. Watch the Eiffel Tower Sparkle at Night
The Eiffel Tower is amazing during the day but becomes even more magnificent at night. Ensure to stay for the five-minute light show, which begins an hour after dusk every day.
The crowd always gasps in unison when the Tower’s lights shimmer and twinkle; it’s breathtaking.
12. Jardin de Tuileries
The Tuileries Gardens, located between the Place de la Concorde and the Louvre, is a large park extending almost one kilometer along the Seine. This well-known park features lovely strolling routes, fountains, basins, sculptures, forested areas, flowers, and foliage.
13. Place de la Concorde
The primary execution during the French Revolution was located at Place de la Concorde, which makes for an interesting historical account. At present, a collection of elaborate fountains and a sizable Egyptian obelisk, which was a gift from Egypt, adorn this charming square.
14. Jardin de Luxembourg
Luxembourg Gardens is a sizable, lovely park near the French Senate building. It has lots of greenery, strolling trails, colorful flowers, and other plants.
During the day, you can explore the playgrounds, basketball courts, and tennis courts in the park’s corners or hire toy sailboats to sail in the main basin. Take notice of the magnificent Medici Fountain!
15. Opera Garnier
My favorite structure in Paris may be the Opera Garnier. The design is rich and magnificent, including the main theatre hall, the Grand Foyer (seen above), and the Grand Staircase.
Fun fact: The Phantom of the Opera musical and book were inspired by this building and some unusual incidents that took place here.
16. Seine River Cruise
A quick sail around Paris’s center river is a fantastic opportunity to see the city’s landmarks. Many major attractions are situated alongside the Seine, making seeing Paris from the water a pleasant experience.
Your options include a shorter sightseeing cruise lasting one hour or a longer supper cruise lasting three hours.
17. Walk Along the Seine
There are some lovely walks down the Seine in Paris; strolling along the river and unwinding is a terrific opportunity to experience the city’s vibe and see many iconic spots.
There are no bad parts of the Seine to stroll along, but my favorite is the stretch from Ile Saint Louis to Place de la Concorde.
18. Bouquinistes
Tiny pop-up shops along the Seine sell old and used unique books, postcards, and artwork. They are one of the most attractive parts of strolling along the river. These would be great keepsakes to take back home!
19. Sainte Chapelle
Although less well-known, Sainte Chapelle is possibly even more exquisite than Notre Dame. This tiny chapel is full of elaborate stained-glass windows that reach the ceiling, creating a multicolored wonder.
20. Musée d’Orsay
This well-known museum, housed in a former rail station, abounds with beautiful artworks and well-known impressionist paintings by artists like Degas, Renoir, Monet, Manet, Van Gogh, Pissaro, and others.
21. l’Orangerie Museum
The l’Orangerie Museum focuses on romantic and post-impressionist painters. Its main display is the eight Water Lilies paintings by Claude Monet, which nearly cover two rooms.
22. Eat Your Way Around Paris on a Food Tour
When visiting Paris, visitors should consider doing food tours because they are a really enjoyable and distinctive experience.
There’s such an amazing variety of French cuisine to sample, and going on a culinary tour allows you to test the best of the best, discover new cuisines and dishes you may need to become more familiar with, and get suggestions from the locals.
I suggest taking this cuisine tour in the Saint-Germain district or the Marais.
24. Catacombs
Throughout the 1700s, bones and remains from the Parisian cemeteries overflowed into the tunnels beneath the city. Today, a portion of the enormous catacombs surrounding the city can be explored independently or as part of a guided tour. The passages are lined with bones.
25. Wine and Cheese Tasting
One of the most traditionally French things to do in Paris is to sip wine and sample cheese, all of which are produced locally.
This wine cellar in Paris is a warm and inviting setting for this cheese and wine tasting. You will taste wines from various regions of France under the guidance of a knowledgeable and engaging winemaker. You will learn about the distinctions between the wines from each location and how to taste them properly.
26. Pont Alexandre III
Numerous bridges cross the Seine, but this one might be the most magnificent. It offers stunning views of the Eiffel Tower and other attractions, as well as beautiful statues and stonework.
27. Les Invalides
Napoleon’s tomb is the principal draw at Les Invalides, a sizable complex of old military buildings that also houses the Military Museum.
The magnificent Eglise du Dome, a breathtakingly beautiful royal church visible all over Paris, has Napoleon’s immaculate, life-size grave on exhibit.
28. Have a Picnic
One of the greatest ways to enjoy Paris is to snack on delectable cuisine and relax on a seat or in a green area in one of the many parks. When visiting Paris, you should unwind while enjoying some cheese and a baguette while observing the passersby.
29. Explore Montmartre
Though this hilltop area is mainly known for the Sacré Coeur, it is worth visiting. This region will likely amaze you with its attractive, meandering alleyways, picturesque stairs, old windmills, and entertaining elements like the “Wall of I Love You.”
30. Place du Tertre
In the center of Montmartre, amid green trees, is the café-lined Place du Tertre, where artists can create, sell, and sketch. This is a well-liked location to purchase a distinctive and exquisite piece of art to bring back memories of Paris.
FAQs:
What is the most special thing in Paris?
The Eiffel Tower, one of the most famous buildings in the world, is a must-see on any decent tour itinerary of Paris. It is, therefore, understandable why it is the most visited paid monument in the world and Paris’s most popular attraction, drawing in over 6 million latticework enthusiasts annually.
What is the most visited part of Paris?
- The top attraction in Paris is the Eiffel Tower (Tour Eiffel)
- The most visited museum in the world is the Louvre Museum (Musée du Louvre).
- The most visited royal palace in France is Versailles Palace.
- Latin Quarter, or Latin Quarter
- Seine River: Cruises, Beaches, & More.
- The Sacré Coeur and Montmartre.
What is Paris’ nickname?
The term “The City of Light” originates from the Age of the Enlightenment, a time in European history when philosophy, science, and the arts were at their height. Paris served as Europe’s intellectual center in the eighteenth century, drawing luminaries like Diderot, Rousseau, and Voltaire.
What is the most beautiful street in Paris?
Rue de l’Abreuvoir may be the most charming street in Paris, according to locals who you question. This lovely lane is lined with houses decorated with ivy and, in the summer, wisteria. It is a sloped cobblestone street.
What is the most popular way to travel in Paris?
The fastest way to travel around Paris is by Metro. The underground system consists of more than 133 miles of lines connected by 14 lines.
The Wrap Up
We made it, phew! When organizing your trip to France, this list may help you choose the ideal sights and activities to fit your interests and free time.