City Guide: What to Do in Paris
Traveling to Paris anytime soon? Well, you’ve come to the right place because I’ve finally completed my city guide on what to do in Paris!
I’m a strong believer that Paris gets better and better each time you visit. I’ve been 5x now, and my brother now lives there! Each time I visit, I get a different vibe and get to experience something new. From amazing food, incredible art, and architecture to some of the most romantic locations in Europe, you’re bound to have a great time!
Oh, and yes, Paris is known for being the City of Love, but you will have fun if you’re a solo traveler as well. I promise!
I’ll be honest: the first time I went to Paris many years ago, I didn’t have the same experience as I have had the past few times I’ve been. Everything really depends on where you stay, what you do, and, of course, how much culture you soak in. So, if you’re going to Paris for a quick layover or a day or two, you’re in the right place.
While I’ll always recommend to people to stay at LEAST 4 to 5 days, you can also do a shorter trip, but you won’t get to experience as much.
Here’s a quick city guide on what to do in Paris!
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WHAT TO DO IN PARIS – THE BEST EXPERIENCES
You could spend weeks in Paris and not see it all. Here are a few things to check off your list for your first visit!
Sandeman’s Free Walking Tour
I have an obsession with joining the Free Walking Tours of a city when I first arrived. They help me get my bearings, and usually, the guide has great food recommendations afterward. Sandeman’s is my favorite free walking tour company to do tours in major European cities.
They have a bunch of different guided tours that will tour you all over Paris’s different neighborhoods, including some of my favorite neighborhoods, Monmarte and the Latin Quarter.
Paris walking tour
Visit the Eiffel Tower
This is obviously a must! I went up to the top on my first trip to Paris, and I felt like it was very much worth it to get extraordinary views of Paris. If you’re not into that stuff, make sure to at least see it light up at night because that’s something special!
You can also grab a picnic and eat it on the lawn. Just know that the entire area surrounding the Eiffel Tower can get rather busy, so what may look peaceful and romantic can actually be chaotic. If you want to have it more to yourself, I recommend going early in the morning. One of the secret spots for getting a great photo of the Eiffel Tower is at Square Rap!
Take a stroll through Jardin de Luxembourg
Jardin de Luxembourg is my favorite garden in the City of Lights, and it is located in the 6th arrondissement of Paris. The creation of the garden began in 1612 by the widow of Henry IV, Marie de’ Medici.
It even has a palace on the grounds! Don’t miss the model sailboats that kids play with in the Grand Bassin or the gorgeous Medici Fountain! I also love the beautiful blooming flowers and romantic statues all around the grounds. I come to them every chance I get. Grab a picnic of bread, cheese, meat, and wine, and come eat it here.
The Louvre
The world-famous Louvre museum beats out every museum I’ve ever been to. Built in the 18th century, it’s massive but beautiful, and of course, has the Mona Lisa, among other famous artworks, inside. I was even more impressed with the design of the actual museum than the artwork inside. The building in itself is a work of art! It definitely reminded me of the book DaVinci Code if you’ve ever read it! Make sure you save a few hours for the Louvre!
Shop til you drop on the Champs-Élysées
Visit the Galerie Lafayette for more shopping
If you love shopping, this is a gorgeous mall that is beautiful if just for the architecture! Inside, you can shop underneath the famous glass Coupole, which is a dome-shaped structure. It is beautiful, and you can see it all while shopping on the different floors.
Go on a night cruise down the Seine River
Normally, I don’t like to recommend super touristy things, but the night dinner cruise I did down the Sienne was pretty magical. It’s especially great to watch the Eiffel Tower all lit up at night! I did my cruise a few years ago and don’t remember the company name, but this one has been recommended to me for day tours or champagne tours.
Walk through the Montmartre District
Check out the Musée de l’Orangerie
This is a very tiny museum, but the two rooms inside that are really worth visiting are the two oval rooms with 360-degree paintings by Monet of his famous water lilies! Monet painted these water lily canvases specifically for L’Orangerie as a gift to Parisians as he wanted them to have a place to escape the city to relax.
Visit the Tuileries Gardens
The gorgeous Tuileries Gardens are located near the Louvre Museum and the Rue de Rivoli in Paris. They are 55 acres (huge!) and were also created by a famous Medici, this time Catherine. Then Louis XIV has the garden completely redesigned by the same chief landscape architect of Versailles. I highly recommend taking a walk through this public garden. On one side of the garden, you’ll see the Jardin du Carrousel, also known as the Place du Carrousel.
This part of the garden holds the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, which was built to commemorate the victories of Napolean. You can spend hours just strolling through these gardens and enjoying all of the sights!
Go to the Arch De Triomphe
The Arch de Triomphe is one of the most popular tourist destinations and monuments in Paris. It’s located near the Champs-Elysees in Place Charles de Gaulle. You can go underground under the road to access the Arch de Triomphe.
You can also take a self-guided or guided tour of the monument. If you’d like to go inside and to the roof, many people say it is a better view of Paris than from the Eiffel Tower.
Go to a show at The Moulin Rouge
Catch a show at the iconic Moulin Rouge for a night of cabaret and glamour. This legendary venue has been around since the 19th century. If you’re seeking alternatives, consider the Crazy Horse for a sensuous and avant-garde experience. For a more intimate setting, Le Lido offers stunning productions on the Champs-Élysées.
Visit the Palais Royal and the art installation at Les Deux Plateaux
The Palais Royal has gorgeous gardens, and in the courtyard, you’ll find the Lex Deux Plateaux art installation, which is a bunch of striped pedestals you can stand on for a photo opp. These are also known as Colonnes de Buren and were created by French artist Daniel Buren in the 80s.
Visit Musee d’Orsay
The Musee d’Orsay is a beautiful impressionist art museum located on the Left Bank in an old railway station. Think Monet, Manet, and Van Gogh!
Visit the National Museum of Natural History
There are so many museums in Paris, but this is filled with exhibitions at the Grande Galerie d’Evolution on the Let Bank. The interiors of this building are incredible from the Art Nouveau period. You’ll see life-size elephants, giraffes, and temporary exhibits.
Take a stroll along the bank of the Seine River
Catch an opera at Palais Garnier
The Palais Garnier is a gorgeous opera house where you can either do a self-guided or guided tour! You can also go to a show!
Walk by the Pantheon
The Panthéon in Paris was originally a church, and it evolved into a mausoleum honoring France’s greatest thinkers and luminaries. It’s got beautiful architecture and has frescoes that pay homage to Voltaire, Rousseau, and Marie Curie.
Go to the Fondation Louis Vuitton
This is a museum located in the 16th Arrondissement, so a bit farther out than everything else I’ve shared. It is a museum designed by Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry. Inside are art exhibitions, but the true work of art is the building itself! It’s really busy over here, too, so book ahead if you can!
Visit the Notre Dame de Paris
The Notre Dame Cathedral was built in the 12th century and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s so beautiful but is currently still under construction after the fire. You can still go walk around it to see it, though!
Visit the Musée Picasso Paris
This museum is centrally located in Le Marais and is an easy stop for a day out shopping and dining. This is a beautiful museum to see Picasso’s work in the historic Hôtel Salé.
Go to the Shakespeare and Company Bookstore
Just across the Seine River from Notre Dame is the Shakespeare and Company indie bookstore! Authors who have hung out here are people like Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Gertrude Stein. The entire bookstore is historic, and you can tell by the leaning bookshelves and worn piano. It can be a busy spot for tourists, so there could be a line to get in like when I was there!
Walk along Place de la Concorde
The Place de la Concorde is the largest public square in Paris. It’s located in the 8th arrondissement and is at the end of the Champs-Elysees. Historically, it is a site of public executions, and that includes King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.
Shop at Le Bon Marché
This is the oldest department store in Paris and dates back to the 1850s. It has an open layout and is known for it’s world-renowned designers. You can also eat here at La Grande Epicerie in the adjoining building!
Visit Sainte Chapelle
The Sainte Chapelle chapel is a must-visit! Its fabulous construction is one you’ve got to see. It’s done in Gothic architecture and has the most exquisite stained glass windows I’ve ever seen. It is located on the Île de la Cité in the River Seine in Paris, France, and was constructed in the 1200s!
Walk around the Saint Germain neighborhood
This neighborhood in the 6th arrondissement in Paris is known for its style and glamour. It’s a great place to stay and a wonderful place to walk around, grab drinks at quintessential Parisian cafes, and shop in beautiful French design stores, bookstores, and fashion boutiques. An iconic sidewalk cafe to visit is Cafe Deux Magots! You also will want to check out the oldest church in Paris, The Church of Saint Germain.
Enjoy local festivals and events
Depending on the time of your visit, you might have the chance to participate in some of Paris’s festivals and events. Bastille Day on July 14th is celebrated with fireworks, parades, and open-air parties. The Nuit Blanche in October features art installations and performances throughout the city all night long. And the Tour de France comes through every year if you are lucky enough to get tickets to see that!
Walk around the Le Marais neighborhood
This is my personal favorite neighborhood in Paris, and it is so fun to walk around. There are beautiful shops, restaurants, cafes and public parks. i loved walking over to Place des Vosges and having a cheese plate and rose from Cafe Hugo before continuing on to the Latin Quarter to walk over on the quintessential Parisian street, Rue Galande, and over to Jardin du Luxemburg.
Visit the Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris
This museum opened in 2017 and used to be the designer’s headquarters housed in this private mansion. Inside, you can see retrospectives and temporary exhibits. This small museum shows Saint Laurent’s creative process with couture designs, illustrations, photographs, and sketches.
Walk across the most beautiful bridge in Paris – Pont Alexandre III
This bridge is one of my favorites in Paris, located just near the Grand Palais and near the Esplanade des Invalides lawn.
Grab a macaron from the famous Ladurée
The Ladurée is more than just a pastry shop—it’s a legend! It was established in 1892 and perfected the macaron, which made it internationally recognized. To this day, it is THE place to stop in Paris if only to try one of their legendary macarons. Plus, the interior is colorful and chic and worth a visit.
WHERE TO EAT & DRINK IN PARIS
Parisian cuisine is incredible! From flaky croissants to corner cafes to beautiful patisseries and delicious dinners at brasseries serving Parisian classics like steak frites, escargot, and boeuf bourguignon.
If you want to be even more inspired by the food in Paris before you head there, read the book Mastering the Art of French Eating, and you’ll be so into the food! Nighttime is also a special time all its own because the city transforms into a magical place with illuminated monuments and the glow of charming bistros.
BREAKFAST/BRUNCH
Parisians typically have a light breakfast of coffee and a pastry or baguette with butter/jam fresh from the boulangerie. Don’t expect to find a traditional Parisian cafe with eggs and sausages for breakfast..although brunch spots are popping up all over the place now!
Le Loir Dans LA Thetre – This is an unassuming cafe you can visit for the best lemon meringue pie you’ll ever have
LUNCH
Marché Bastille This is a food market and one of the best! Make sure to check the times and dates that it’s open, but there are so many great things to try!
Frenchie To Go – Go here to grab a quick sandwich during a day of sightseeing. The Reuben sandwich is incredible!
L’as Du Falafel – This is a falafel shop that has become touristy but is very good!
Le Train Bleu
DINNER
Le Relais de l’Entrecote – This is probably my favorite restaurant in all of Paris! The best part about it is that they only serve one thing: steak frites! You can order wine, and then they give you two servings of steak frites. It’s such a Parisian staple, and there is usually a bit of a wait because it’s that popular!
Big Love – If you love Italian food, this is a great option. That is unless you’re traveling to Italy on the same trip, and then I would skip, but if you’re not, then go here! It’s so good!
Le Train Bleu – This restaurant is an experience in itself! I definitely recommend reservations, but this is a fancy restaurant in an old train station, and it’s fabulous! The food is so good and the scenery is just wonderful. Highly recommend!
DRINKS
Le Petite Bar at Place de la Contrescarpe – This entire area is filled with great bars in the square in the Latin Quarter. Grab a beer and sit outside to people-watch. On the weekends, it gets busy!
Try a Saint Germain Spritz – We got one at Le Prince Racine in the Latin Quarter, but you can get them anywhere. They have St-Germain, Martini Prosecco, soda water, and lemon twist. So good!
Cafe de Flore – This is an institution on the Left Bank from the Bohemian era when artists frequented this area. Not much has changed in this cafe since the Art Deco period, and it’s the perfect place to grab a drink and people-watch in the evening!
WHERE TO STAY IN PARIS
Luxury Design Hotel
Huxton Paris – This is a beautiful design hotel in the 2nd arrondissement in a building from the 18th century. They have a great restaurant and bar in the main area, and the rooms are impeccably designed!
Read TripAdvisor Reviews | Book Huxton Paris
Luxury Boutique Hotel
Airbnb or VRBO
- I recently stayed in the Le Marais district in the best VRBO! It was the perfect location and great for my friend and I. Here’s the link to that. I loved this area to stay.
- When I came to Paris with my family, we stayed at an Airbnb in the Montmartre district. This is the artsy neighborhood of Paris where artists and musicians live, and it’s a wonderful place to blend in like a local in an Airbnb. Check out a few here. I highly recommend this area!
DAY TRIPS FROM PARIS
While there is plenty of things to do in Paris , the surrounding region is also amazing and there are some great destinations—perfect for day trips. Here’ are some of the best day trips from Paris for you to experience!
1. Versailles (45 minutes train from Paris)
Versaille is just a short train ride away from Paris and is very much worth the trip! Here you’ll get to visit the incredible Palace of Versaille where French royalty used to live.
Don’t miss the legendary Hall of Mirrors and the meticulously landscaped gardens, complete with fountains and sculptures. This is was the home of the in famous Marie-Antoinette and Louis XVI. Here’s a highly rated guided tour that allows you to skip the line at Versaille!
2. Giverny: Monet’s Masterpiece (1 hour drive from Paris)
Giverny is a small village that was home to the enchanting gardens that inspired the Impressionist painter Claude Monet. Stroll through the flower gardens, cross the iconic Japanese bridge, and witness the scenes that inspired some of Monet’s most famous works.
The Musée des Impressionnismes nearby provides further insights into the Impressionist movement. Here’s a highly-rated tour of Monet’s House and Gardens.
3. Mont Saint-Michel
For a truly amazing experience, journey to Mont Saint-Michel, a UNESCO World Heritage site that rises from the sea. This medieval abbey-fortress is an architectural wonder, surrounded by narrow alleys, charming shops, and stunning views. Witness the ebb and flow of the tides that transform the landscape around the island.
4. Champagne Region Day Trip
Indulge in the finer things by venturing into the Champagne region. Explore the vineyards, visit Champagne houses, and learn about the process of making champagne.
Reims, with its stunning Gothic cathedral, and Épernay, known for its prestigious cellars, are both excellent options for a wine-filled day trip. I went on this Get Your Guide 4-hour tour from Reims, and it was great!
5. Visit Disneyland Paris – 35 minutes from Paris
Escape to Disneyland Paris, just a short train ride away from the city. Expect enchanting rides, beloved Disney characters, and lively parades that bring smiles to everyone. Remember that most of it is in French, too! To buy tickets, visit the official website or inquire at local tourist offices. Keep in mind that weekdays usually have fewer crowds. Arrive early to make the most of your day.
Paris is a city that effortlessly weaves together history, culture, and romance, offering a wide range of experiences for every type of traveler. From iconic landmarks to hidden corners, the city is more and more charming every time I visit.
Whether you’re an art aficionado, a food lover, a history buff, or just want to experience the City of Love, Paris is the perfect place!
Where are your favorite places in Paris? Let me know in the comments!
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Ahh, you’ve captured some of my favorite places in my favorite city (other than SF, of course.)
How divine is Stohrer?! The hotel you stayed in looked great, too!
A walking tour is indeed esential in Paris- bring an umbrella, and I like that you picked out the best of the foodie culture in Paris. I heard you can climb the Arc de Triomphe, but maybe that’s only for VIPs? Would be fun if you could!
Paris is SO beautiful! I’m moving to Paris very soon and I’m just so excited to properly explore it after my short trip there years ago. Love your photos.
Such a wonderful city. I am planning to visit Paris in the next year. Your post will be really helpful for me. Please suggest me the best time to visit this beautiful city. Thanks in advance.
I’m so glad! It’s so beautiful. 🙂 I love visiting in the summer or spring!
You know whats one thing common between us? We both are obsessed with Paris!!!!
But the difference is I haven’t been to Paris yet :'(
I so wish to visit this beautiful city
I hope you get to visit soon! It’s seriously so amazing!
Thank you so much for putting this guide together! I’m in the process of planning my time in Paris this Spring and your guide is so helpful. Definitely want to check-out the Montmartre District and love the walking tour option since I’m big on budget travel.
Of course! I’m so glad you found it useful 🙂 Yes, Montmartre district is amazinggggg!
When we do citybreaks we tend to do a LOT of walking and don’t use public transport all that much. So for us, Paris’ Metro Carnet (book of 10 tickets) is perfect. Two great things about them:
1: They don’t expire so any leftover tickets can be kept & used for the next time you visit Paris.
2: They’re 10 individual tickets so you can hand tickets to friends who’re travelling with you and you both benefit from the cheaper price per ticket.
Yes!! i love walking all around the city.