16 Best Things to Do in Paris for Your Bucket List
Paris somehow manages to live up to every bit of its reputation and still sneak up on you with new surprises.
To help you make the most of your visit, here are the best things to do in Paris that capture the city’s irresistible spirit.
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1. Visit The Eiffel Tower For Panoramic Views
The Eiffel Tower reaches 1,083 feet into the sky and draws millions every year who want the bird’s-eye view of Paris. Head up by elevator or, if you’re feeling ambitious, take the stairs.
Up top, you can spot the Arc de Triomphe, Notre-Dame, and the Seine winding its way through the city. There are restaurants, cafés, shops, and even a champagne bar where you can toast the view.
Timing matters; sunset is magic, and at night, the whole tower puts on a sparkling light show every hour.
2. See The Mona Lisa At The Louvre Museum
The Louvre easily ranks as one of the biggest and best art museums in the world, with 35,000 works filling a maze of galleries. The Mona Lisa draws crowds, but don’t miss the Venus de Milo or the Winged Victory of Samothrace while you’re there.
Skip-the-line tickets are a lifesaver—otherwise, you’ll probably spend more time queuing than gazing at art. Guided tours are worth considering if you want the stories behind the art, or to check out the palace foundations hidden beneath the museum.
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3. Wander Montmartre And Visit The Sacré-Cœur
Montmartre feels like Paris from another era. Cobblestone lanes twist past old cafés where artists once sketched and argued, and you’ll still see painters selling their work around Place du Tertre.
The white dome of Sacré-Cœur sits at one of Paris’s highest points, so the views stretch forever. Take the funicular if you’re feeling lazy, or tackle the stairs if you want to earn that panorama.
Montmartre walking tours show off highlights like the Moulin Rouge, the “I Love You” wall, and even a little city vineyard.
4. Take A Seine River Cruise By Night
Paris after dark is a different story, and drifting down the Seine is the way to see it. A nighttime cruise glides you past the city’s heavy hitters, all glowing and reflected on the water.
Seine River boat tours at night usually last about an hour and leave from near the main attractions. You can go for a simple sightseeing cruise or splurge on dinner if you want to make a night of it.
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5. Walk Along The Champs-Élysées
The Champs-Élysées is the most famous avenue in Paris, if not the world. It stretches nearly two kilometers through the city’s 8th arrondissement, lined with boutiques, cafés, and theaters as you make your way toward the Arc de Triomphe.
Start at Place de la Concorde and just wander up the avenue, soaking in the city’s energy. Climb the 284 steps up the Arc de Triomphe and you’ll get one of the best views in town.
If you want some background on what you’re seeing, guided walking tours combine the avenue and monument. The walk isn’t long, but there’s plenty to distract you along the way.
6. The Palace Of Versailles And Gardens
Versailles sits about half an hour outside Paris and is pure royal drama. The Hall of Mirrors is wall-to-wall chandeliers and gold, reflecting endless grandeur along its 73-meter length.
Peek into Marie-Antoinette’s private apartments and try to imagine what life was like for French royalty. Every room is a lesson in over-the-top luxury, for better or worse.
The gardens go on forever—800 hectares of manicured lawns, fountains, and statues. If you’re there on a weekend between April and October, the fountains put on a show, dancing to baroque music.
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7. Relax At Luxembourg Gardens
Luxembourg Gardens sits right on the Left Bank, offering 55 acres of green space and calm in the middle of the city. Grab one of those classic green metal chairs, find a spot by the pond or under a tree, and just watch the world go by.
The flower beds are always on point, and the Luxembourg Palace makes a pretty impressive backdrop. Locals bring lunch and picnic on the grass when the weather’s good.
8. Sainte-Chapelle’s Stained Glass
Tucked inside the Paris Courthouse, Sainte-Chapelle is a 13th-century chapel that’s all about the windows. Fifteen huge panes soar 50 feet high, covering over 7,000 square feet in vivid color.
When the sun hits just right, the upper chapel glows in blues, reds, and golds. The stained glass tells over 1,000 biblical stories from both Testaments, and it’s hard not to just stare in awe.
Tickets are required since you can’t see the chapel from the street. Downloading the official app before you go helps you make sense of all the details.
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9. Try Traditional Parisian Pastry
With over 1,000 patisseries and boulangeries scattered across Paris, you’re never far from your next treat. Start the day with a croissant, grab a macaron for a midday snack, or go all in on a fruit tart or éclair.
Du Pain et des Idées in the 10th arrondissement has a cult following for their escargot pastries and old-school baking. Join locals dashing in and out with bags and boxes of pastries and desserts.
10. Musée d’Orsay For Impressionist Masterpieces
The Musée d’Orsay is famous for its Impressionist art, all housed inside a converted Beaux-Arts train station that’s a work of art itself. Monet, Manet, Renoir, Van Gogh are all here, and seeing them up close hits differently than in a textbook.
The museum zeroes in on French art from 1848 to 1914, with rooms for Post-Impressionism and more. The space feels open, bright, and a little less overwhelming than the Louvre.
Somehow, it’s still a bit under the radar for most tourists, so you can take your time wandering the galleries. Give yourself at least a couple hours to soak it in.
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11. Explore Le Marais District’s Shops And Cafés
Le Marais is where Parisians go for shopping and people-watching. Boutique stores and cozy cafés fill every corner, from vintage shops to new design studios.
The shopping scene here is a blend of high fashion and indie finds, so you can browse for hours. The narrow lanes and old squares give Le Marais a vibe that’s hard to find anywhere else in Paris.
12. Sample Cheese And Wine At Local Fromageries
Paris and cheese just make sense. The city boasts hundreds of French cheeses, and the fromageries tucked into its neighborhoods are where the magic happens. You’ll spot wheels and wedges you’ve never even heard of, all looking far too tempting.
Staff are usually happy to let you sample a few before you commit, and you might just walk out with something you didn’t expect to love. There are guided cheese tastings led by experts if you want a deeper dive into the world of fromage and wine.
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13. Attend A Jazz Show In A Cozy Parisian Club
Jazz has been part of Paris’s soul since the 1920s, and the city’s clubs still buzz with live music every night. Le Duc des Lombards is a classic, booking both local talent and international acts—jazz, blues, soul, funk, you name it.
Hidden clubs in side streets are scattered all over, especially in Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Marais. Most clubs serve drinks, and the intimate rooms mean you’re practically sitting with the band.
14. Browse Books at Shakespeare and Company Bookstore
Shakespeare and Company is a rite of passage for anyone with a soft spot for stories. Perched right on the Seine, Notre-Dame rising across the water, the shop’s got an aura that pulls you in.
Writers and readers have wandered these aisles for over seventy years; floor-to-ceiling shelves are crammed with new and used books. Heads up though—crowds are the norm, especially when the sun’s out, so brace yourself for a bit of a wait.
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15. Climb the Towers of Notre-Dame Cathedral
The 424-step climb up Notre-Dame’s towers is no joke, but the panorama at the top is worth every burning calf muscle. The climb kicks off in the south tower. Along the way, you’ll pass medieval artifacts and get up close to the famous chimeras—those wild-eyed stone creatures.
From the top, the Eiffel Tower, Sacré-Cœur, and the Seine all sprawl out before you. Early mornings are your friend here, and don’t forget your patience.
16. Roam Through Canal Saint-Martin
Canal Saint-Martin slices through the 10th arrondissement, and it’s a whole different world from the city’s postcard center. Locals sprawl along the tree-lined banks, picnic gear in tow, while boats shuffle through a series of iron footbridges and locks.
The neighborhood draws a younger crowd, thanks to vintage shops and waterside cafés. Street art pops up everywhere, and indie boutiques are tucked around nearly every corner.
You could hop on a canal cruise for a fresh perspective. Sunday afternoons are a sweet spot; the streets shut out cars, and the banks fill up with locals making the most of it.
