22 Best things to do in Paris (Top rated tours, attractions, museums & day trips in 2023)

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The best things to do in Paris in a nutshell

The best fun things to do in Paris

If you’re seeking the most stunning place to enjoy panoramic views of the city, the Montparnasse Tower is your best bet! From the 56th floor of this impressive skyscraper, you’ll marvel at unparalleled city views and take some fantastic photos of Paris. Not only that, but you can also take in the scenery sipping on a glass of champagne or tasting the gourmet specialties of Le Ciel de Paris (the Paris Sky) restaurant. The best part? The Montparnasse Tower hardly ever has a long waiting line, so you’ll save yourself from the hassle!

Explore more: Find the best Sightseeing Tours in Paris

Have you ever thought of exploring Paris…from the water? Well, it’s a very fun thing to do, especially if you’re planning a summer vacation in Paris. You can follow the Parisian waterways using the Batobus system, which offers 1-day or 2-days passes for hop-on hop-off cruises. There are 9 stops at several spots around the city, so you can combine a cruise with a visit to the main attractions of the city. Otherwise, you can choose an exclusive cruise along River Seine or even a cruise with lunch on board!

If you go to Paris without watching a cabaret show, did you even go to Paris? France has a long burlesque dance tradition, so there are many authentic cabarets in Paris, like the super popular Crazy Horse and the iconic Moulin Rouge. Seductive dancers, spectacular shows, fabulous costumes, and impressive sceneries will make you feel transported back to the old Paris!

The best things to do in Paris for free

Jardin des Plantes, the botanical garden of Paris, is the perfect place to escape the summer heat and take your daily dose of green in the heart of the city. Wandering the garden, you’ll find a little zoo that hosts over 1,200 animals, 3,000 plant species, an experimental garden, impressive greenhouses, and many more. At Jardin des Plantes also lie some parts of the French Museum of Natural History, like the anatomy museum and the paleontology museum. We like spending several hours at the Jardin des Plantes, exploring as many places as we can -we discover something new every time!

Explore more: Find the best Nature & Adventure Tours in Paris

Canal St Martin is one of the hippest areas in Paris! Located between Gare du Nord and Republique in the north side of Paris, this area overflows with character and style. Watch the boats sailing on the canal from the bridges that connect the two sides of the canal, stroll around the vibrant streets, enjoy a glass of wine at the sophisticated bars… You’ll instantly feel like a local!

There’s no denying that the best way to explore the “City of Lights” is on foot! Not only because you’ll get to visit all the major points of interest, but also because you’ll feel the unique urban vibe of Paris along the way. From Montmartre to the Latin Quarter and from Le Marais to the Eiffel Tower, there are so many beautiful areas to visit in Paris. The good news is, you can do it without spending money. How? By joining a free walking tour!

Things to do in Paris with family and friends

The Jardin des Tuileries is one of the most picturesque gardens in Paris and a beautiful place to visit all year round! Centrally located, between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde, this green heaven has several attractions, like carousel horses and a Christmas Market in the winter. The Jardin des Tuileries is also home to two museums and plays host to the Tuileries carnival every year. It’s one of our favorite places for family activities!

Have a picnic is arguably one of the must things to do in Paris and the Parc du Champ de Mars is the perfect place to do so! Located right next to the Eiffel Tower, in the heart of Paris city center, the Parc du Champ de Mars occupies a large green area with picturesque paths, benches, and several scenic picnic spots. So bring a blanket and some delicious snacks (Parisian baguettes and croissants are our favorites) and enjoy an unforgettable day at the park.

This is the ultimate activity for families in Paris! Located 32 km away from Paris city center, Disneyland theme park is a wonderland for both kids and adults. It is an iconic entertainment resort that has a variety of facilities, like hotels, an entertainment complex, and a golf course, among others. Some of the attractions you shouldn’t miss at Disneyland Paris are Alice’s Curious Labyrinth, the Space Mountain: Mission 2, the Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

Tip: If you are a fan of Disney movies, the Walt Disney Studios Park is a fascinating place to explore!

Whether you’re a museum hound or not, the Picasso Museum shouldn’t be missing from your list! Hosting over 5,000 works of Pablo Picasso, this museum boasts the biggest collection in the world dedicated to the life and art of the renowned artist. More specifically, inside the museum, you’ll find 2,950 graphic & engraved artworks, 1,968 carved artworks, 349 sculptures, and 192 books, documents, and notebooks. There’s a lot to see, right? Besides hosting impressive exhibits, though, the museum is also an architectural gem, as it is housed in an incredibly photogenic mansion. Don’t forget to bring your camera with you and take a stroll in the beautiful garden -you won’t regret it!

The best places for sightseeing in Paris (Top attractions and monuments)

The Eiffel Tower is arguably the most popular attraction in Paris. This iconic tower, which was originally built for the World’s Fair in 1889, is the most-visited landmark in the world! With a height of 324 meters, the Eiffel Tower is an ideal place to enjoy panoramic vistas of the city that include River Seine, the Sacre Coeur, and the Arc de Triomphe. The best spot to marvel at the view is the observation deck (the highest one in Europe) on the third level of the tower.

Tip: Lines are always super-long at the Eiffel Tower, so we highly recommend that you book a skip-the-line ticket!

Explore more: Find the best Sightseeing Tours in Paris

The largest palace in the world, the Palace of Versailles (Château de Versailles), is one of the most popular attractions in Paris. This imposing palace has a long history, as it used to be the royal residence of King Louis XIV until the French revolution in 1789. Today, it is one of the most iconic landmarks in Paris. Our favorite places to visit in the Palace of Versailles, besides the main palace, are the Trianon Estate, the royal gardens, and the Queen’s Hamlet.

The Louvre needs no introduction – it is the biggest and most visited museum in the world! Located under the iconic glass pyramid, the Louvre hosts many treasures of several civilizations, as well as a unique collection of Renaissance and Baroque art pieces. However, its most popular exhibit is Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. If you don’t have enough time to tour the entire museum, some art works you need to see (besides Mona Lisa) are the Vénus de Milo, the Victoire de Samothrace, La Liberté Guidant le Peuple, and the Psyche Revived by the Kiss of Love.

There’s no denying that Sainte-Chapelle is one of the most stunning Gothic buildings in France! Originally built within 7 years in the 13th century to house King Saint-Louis’ Christian relics, Sainte-Chapelle is one of the most important buildings of that period. But what’s really impressive about this building is its architecture. The trademark of Sainte-Chapelle is the 15 stained glass windows, which depict scenes from the Holy Relics’ and the world’s history. They are true architectural gems!

Fact: The restoration of the stained glass windows lasted from 2008 to 2014 with top glassmakers working very carefully to clean the dirty glass without damaging the original design. The final result is mesmerizing!

If you want to dedicate a whole day to art and culture, the Pompidou Center is a go-to. Built in the 20th century by Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers, the Centre Georges Pompidou (as its full name is) is one of Paris’ trademarks. The building itself is a masterpiece: it consists of 6 floors made of glass and metal decorated with bold colors, which refer to the building’s mechanical systems.

Inside the Pompidou Center, you’ll find a wide variety of permanent and temporary exhibits, from iconic paintings and photographs to modern sculptures and industrial exhibits. There are several collections to explore, including Film and New Media, Architecture, and Design. Oh, and if you are a student or a bookworm, don’t forget to dig into the huge library!

Tip: Whether you’re planning to stay at the Pompidou Center for a couple of hours or all day long, don’t miss the panoramic city view from the building’s 6th-floor deck.

The top places to eat in Paris

Crepes are one of the most loved and popular French delicacies. What’s a better place to enjoy them than the French capital? From food stands to gourmet creperies and everything in between, Paris is full of delicious crepe places. However, our top choice is Breizh Café, a hip creperie at Le Marais. Breizh Café serves a variety of delicious sweet and savory crepes made with the highest quality ingredients. Bonus: Breizh Café has an extensive wine list!

Info: 109 Rue Vieille du Temple, 75003 Paris, France Tel: 33142721377

This Michelin-starred restaurant is popular for its local cuisine with a gourmet twist. The chef, Jean-François Rouquette, and his team use the finest ingredients to create delicious dishes that combine traditional recipes with international creativity. Some of our top picks are the foie-gras and the steamed cod with marrow. Don’t miss them!

Info: Park Hyatt Paris Vendôme, 5 Rue de la Paix, 75002 Paris, France Tel: 33158711060

If you’re visiting Paris in the summer, tasting some local ice cream is a total must! At the Berthillon, you can choose among 100 different delicious flavors made of fresh local ingredients. Some of our favorite flavors are the tiramisu, the bitter chocolate, the pistachio, and the white chocolate. The location of this ice cream shop is also unique, as it sits on a little island in the River Seine.

Info: 31 rue Saint Louis en l’ile, 75004 Paris, France Tel: 33143543 61

Where to have a drink in Paris

Long-loved by Parisian wine lovers, Septime La Cave is one of the best wine bars in the city. It offers an extensive list of wines that includes a variety of options from biodynamic wines to wines of small producers. If you don’t know what to choose, the staff goes out of their way to help you pick the ideal wine for you!

Info: 3 rue Basfroi, 75011 Paris, France

Best day trips from Paris

Located on the Loire river in central France, the Loire Valley is one of the most idyllic places to visit in France. The Loire Valley is a picturesque area full of beautiful castles, like the Château de Chenonceau, the Château de Chambord, the Château de Cheverny, and the Château de Chaumont. Spring and summer are the best seasons to visit the Loire Valley because, during that time of the year, you’ll not only explore the stunning castles, but you’ll also get to see the beautiful gardens in full bloom.

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Mont-St-Michel, a UNESCO Heritage-listed islet on the shore of Normandy, is a unique place to visit in France. The most famous attraction at Mont-St-Michel is the iconic Abbaye du Mont-Saint-Michel, an impressive 80 meters tall building constructed in the 8th century. There are also other interesting places to explore on the islet, like the church of Saint-Pierre, the Maritime Museum, La Chapelle-Saint-Aubert, and La Grande Rue.

Champagne is a picturesque region in northeastern France, famous for its winemaking tradition! Essentially an agricultural area, Champagne consists of vast green hills and quaint towns, where you’ll have a taste of the authentic French country life. Champagne is divided into five regions (Montagne de Reims, Vallée de la Marne, Côte des Blancs, Aube, and Côte de Sézanne) each of which specializing in a different wine variety. Can you think of a better place for a delightful wine tasting session?

How to get to Paris?

Paris is well-connected with many European countries, as well as the UK and the US. The ways you can get to the capital of France are by air, by train, by bus, or by car. The easiest and fastest way to get to Paris is by air, especially if you’re traveling from a non-European country.

Where to stay in Paris?

The best areas to stay in Paris are the Eiffel Tower area (for first-time visitors), Montmartre (for couples), Oberkampf (for nightlife), Le Marais (for art lovers), and Saint-Germain-des-Pres (for history and culture).

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What is the best time of the year to visit Paris?

Every season in Paris has a unique beauty. Winters in Paris are cold with low temperatures and snow. Springs are chilly and rainy. Summers are warm and muggy, but not steaming hot. In general, spring and summer are considered peak season in Paris, so it’s a good idea to avoid them if you’re traveling on a budget or if you want to skip super-long lines at major attractions.

What are the most famous attractions in Paris?

The most popular attractions in Paris are the Eiffel Tower, Musée d’Orsay, Fondation Louis Vuitton, the Louvre Museum, and the Notre Dame de Paris.

What are the best foods to eat in Paris?

The best delicacies to try in Paris are andouille, French baguette, macarons, and coq au vin.

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Now we ‘d like to hear from you

This was our checklist of the best things to do in Paris. So, even if you’re planning to stay in the French capital for just a few days, make sure you cross off your list as many as you can. Trust us, it’ll be worth it!

Now, we can’t wait to read YOUR suggestions about the best things to do in Paris. Tell us in the comments. Oh, and feel free to spread your love for Paris, sharing this article on Social Media!