20 Best Things To Do in Paris

There are so many things to do in Paris that the hardest part is choosing what to prioritise. That’s where this list comes in.

Having visited Paris countless times over the years, I know which attractions are worth the queue and which you can happily skip.

From the famous sights – the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre-Dame – through to lesser-known spots like the subterranean catacombs, quiet gardens and the places I actually eat, drink and shop when I’m there, this guide covers my top 20 picks in the French capital.

For trip planning beyond this list, see my full Paris travel guide.

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👀 At a glance

🗺️ Map of the best things to do in Paris 

Use the map below to see where everything on this list is located.

🗼 Icons and landmarks

1. Eiffel Tower

If it’s your first visit to Paris, this is probably number one on your list, and for good reason. Book ahead online and arrive early if you can, as it’s always busy.

If you’d rather see it from the outside, here are my personal favourite viewpoints:

• Promenade Marie de Roumanie
• Avenue de Camoëns
• Rue de l’Université
• Pont d’Iéna
• Trocadéro
• Champ de Mars
• Pont de Bir-Hakeim
• Montparnasse Tower
• Passerelle Debilly
• Rue St. Dominique

2. Arc de Triomphe & Champs-Élysées

Built in the early 19th century, the Arc de Triomphe stands at the end of the Champs-Élysées, the smartest and most famous avenue in Paris. At almost two kilometres long, it’s widely considered one of the world’s most beautiful streets.

3. Notre-Dame Cathedral

Notre-Dame reopened in December 2024 after the devastating 2019 fire, and seeing it restored is one of the most moving things you can do in Paris right now.

Entry is free, but book a timed slot online 48 hours ahead if you can. The queue without one can stretch to two or three hours in peak season.

4. Walk along the Seine

Start at Gare d’Austerlitz and take in Notre-Dame, the Pont des Arts and the Musée d’Orsay along the way, or book an evening cruise to see it all lit up from the water.

A stroll along the banks of the Seine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its own right, is one of the most romantic ways to spend an hour in Paris.

🖼️ Museums and art

5. The Louvre

The most visited museum on the planet, and a must for any first Paris trip. It’s most famous as the home of the Mona Lisa, but there’s a lot more here worth your time than the queue for one painting.

6. Musée d’Orsay

Housed in a former Beaux-Arts railway station, this is one of the world’s best collections of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art, with Monet, Degas, Renoir and Van Gogh all well represented. Set aside at least two hours.

7. Musée de l’Orangerie

A short walk from the Louvre in the Jardin des Tuileries, this compact museum is home to Monet’s monumental Water Lilies, displayed exactly as he intended in two oval rooms. It’s small enough to see in an hour.

8. Palais de Tokyo

If your taste leans contemporary rather than Old Masters, this is the place. The building itself, built for the 1937 Paris International Exhibition, is as much a draw as what’s inside, directly opposite the Trocadéro in the 16th arrondissement.

🧑‍🎨 Montmartre and Pigalle

9. Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur

You haven’t really done Paris until you’ve wandered Montmartre, the city’s highest point. I adore the bohemian atmosphere here, and there’s no shortage of quirky boutiques, cafés and street artists at work.

10. Moulin Rouge

This famous, slightly risqué Pigalle institution has been putting on its Féerie show, all glitter and feathers, for over a century. Explore Pigalle and Montmartre beforehand and make an evening of it – it’s one of the more memorable nights out in the city.

11. Have steak frites at Bouillon Pigalle

This Pigalle bistro serves traditional French food at astoundingly good value, and the steak frites here are something of a local legend – the maître d’hôtel butter it comes with is worth the trip alone.

Whether you go for beef, escargots, confit duck or slow-cooked lamb, the relaxed, no-nonsense vibe makes this one of my favourite things to do in Paris. You’ll probably queue, but it’s worth the wait.

12. Drink at Le Syndicat

Le Syndicat, near Gare du Nord, is a French-only cocktail bar in every sense: French spirits, French ingredients, and a proudly patriotic take on the cocktail list. It’s been a Paris institution since 2014 and remains a regular on the World’s 50 Best Bars list.

An authentically French feel, a hip-hop soundtrack and coloured lighting make it one of the more fun bars I know in the city.

🍃 Gardens and hidden corners

13. Jardin des Tuileries

Sitting between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde, this is a classic French formal garden, landscaped by Louis XIV’s own gardener André Le Nôtre. There’s a fairground here in summer, and the ponds are lovely to sit by year-round. I think this park is an utter delight.

14. Palais Royal

This former royal palace, dating from 1633, predates Versailles as the French royal residence and is free to enter, right next to the Louvre. Its striped black-and-white columns have become something of a symbol of the city.

The gardens here, with their modern sculptures, are a personal favourite spot of mine in Paris – peaceful, and often overlooked.

15. Jardin du Luxembourg

Often called the prettiest garden in Paris, and I’d agree. Created by Marie de’ Medici in 1612, it spans 25 hectares where the Latin Quarter meets Saint-Germain-des-Prés, with a rose garden, orchard, pond and games like chess for adults, plus rides for kids.

16. Sainte-Chapelle

Tucked inside the Palais de la Cité on the Île de la Cité, this Gothic chapel holds some of the best stained glass anywhere in the world – over 1,000 biblical scenes across 15 towering windows.

It’s easy to combine with Notre-Dame, a short walk away.

🛍️ Something different

17. Paris Catacombs

For a different side of the city, head underground. These former quarry tunnels, 20 metres below the 14th arrondissement, hold the remains of around six million people.

It reopened in April 2026 after renovation work, so it’s in good shape for visitors, but it’s not for little ones or the faint-hearted.

18. Les Puces (flea market)

With around 2,500 stalls, this is the biggest flea market in Paris, in size and reputation alike, in Saint-Ouen. Around 150,000 shoppers descend most weekends, so keep valuables secure and arrive early if you want first pick of the vintage clothing and antique furniture.

19. Merci concept store

Spread over three storeys of a former fabric factory in the Marais, Merci sells designer clothes and stylish homeware under a striking glass roof. A good spot for an unusual souvenir or a one-off outfit.

20. Ladurée

With its ornate sage-green, cream and gold facade on the Champs-Élysées, Ladurée is the place to try macarons in Paris. The setting inside, striped soft furnishings, gold detailing and an ornate ceiling, is as much of a draw as the pastries themselves.

❓ Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need to see the best of Paris?

At least three to four days to cover the icons, a museum or two and a bit of wandering without rushing. See my Paris travel guide for a fuller trip-planning breakdown.

Do I need to book tickets in advance?

For the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay and Notre-Dame, yes, always. All release timed slots online, and walk-up entry is either unavailable or means a very long queue.

Is the Centre Pompidou open?

No. It closed in September 2025 for a five-year renovation and isn’t due to reopen until 2030, so it’s been removed from this list for now.

What’s free to do in Paris?

Notre-Dame, the Jardin des Tuileries, Palais Royal, Jardin du Luxembourg, Les Puces and Merci are all free to enter, alongside simply walking along the Seine.

Is Paris good for a family trip?

Yes – the Eiffel Tower, a Seine cruise, the gardens and Les Puces all work well with children, and most museums offer free entry for under-18s.

👉 If you’re planning your trip, check out my Paris travel guide.

🇫🇷 Continue planning your Paris adventure

However you spend your time, Paris is better experienced at a slower pace over trying to tick off everything on this list in one visit. Pick a cluster or two that suits your trip, book the big sights well ahead, and leave room to just wander.

I hope this list helps you make the most of your time in the city.

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