Short Answer: Don't Miss These 5
If you only have a few days in Paris, prioritize these experiences:
Eiffel Tower at Sunset
Book summit tickets 60 days out and aim for a timeslot that spans sunset so you see the city in daylight and lit up.
Louvre Highlights Tour
Do a 2–3 hour focused route: Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Winged Victory, then walk through Tuileries at golden hour.
Montmartre Sunrise + Sacré-Cœur
Arrive by 8am to have the steps and panoramic views to yourself before tour buses arrive.
Seine River Cruise
The easiest way to see the main monuments in one go—pick an evening cruise for best ambiance and sparkling Eiffel Tower views.
Half Day in Le Marais
Explore hidden courtyards, vintage boutiques, art galleries, and grab some of Paris' best falafel on Rue des Rosiers.
Exactly What to Do in Paris (Without Overwhelm)
Paris has hundreds of museums, monuments and neighborhoods—you can't do it all on one trip. This guide is designed for first-time visitors who want a mix of icons, local life, food, and a few lesser-known spots.
Instead of dumping 100 ideas on you, we've curated the 21 best things to do in Paris, grouped by type, with honest notes on what's worth your limited time and what you can skip.
Top Rated Tours in Paris
1. Main Sights You Really Should See
These are the icons for a reason. The key is visiting them smartly so you don't spend your entire trip in lines.
Eiffel Tower
Still the most jaw-dropping view of Paris, especially at night when the tower sparkles every hour on the hour.
How to Do It:
- • Book official tickets online 60 days ahead at midnight Paris time; summit slots sell out within hours for April–October.
- • If sold out, consider a guided tour with priority access over third-party resellers.
- • Take stairs to the 2nd floor if you're moderately fit—it's faster than waiting for elevators and you save €5.
Tips:
- → Skip the souvenir sellers right under the tower—better quality items in side streets for half the price.
- → Watch for pickpockets on the Trocadéro side and near elevator queues.
- → The tower sparkles for 5 minutes every hour after sunset—plan your photos accordingly.
Louvre Museum
Beyond the Mona Lisa, the Louvre is a journey through 5,000 years of art history under one magnificent roof.
How to Do It:
- • Book a timed-entry ticket online; arrive 30–45 minutes early.
- • Enter via Carrousel du Louvre or Porte des Lions to avoid long Pyramid lines (when open).
- • Pick 1–2 wings max for a single visit. Smart combo: Denon Wing (Mona Lisa + Italian Renaissance) → Sully Wing (Egyptian Antiquities).
Tips:
- → Download the Louvre app for a self-guided highlights route that takes 2.5 hours.
- → Mona Lisa room is always crowded; see it first thing at 9am or after 7pm on late nights.
- → Wear comfortable shoes—you'll walk 5+ km inside the museum.
Arc de Triomphe
Climb 284 steps for 360° panoramic views down the Champs-Élysées and across Paris.
How to Do It:
- • Access via the underground tunnel from Champs-Élysées metro (do NOT try to cross the roundabout traffic).
- • Most visitors climb 284 spiraling stairs; elevator reserved for visitors with reduced mobility.
- • Sunset timing is magical when the city lights up and the Eiffel Tower begins to sparkle.
Tips:
- → Skip the Champs-Élysées shopping (tourist-trap prices)—just walk it for the views and vibe.
- → Combine with a stroll through Parc Monceau nearby for a quieter green space.
Notre-Dame Cathedral
FreeReopened in December 2024 after the 2019 fire—restored Gothic masterpiece with stunning stained glass and iconic twin towers.
How to Do It:
- • Entry to the cathedral is free; book a free timeslot on the official website or app if you want a shorter wait.
- • Without a reservation you can still join the walk-up line, but queues of 60–120 minutes are common in high season.
- • For the bell towers, buy a paid timed ticket (around €16) on the official monuments site; slots are limited.
Tips:
- → Only use the official Notre-Dame website/app—any site selling 'paid tickets' for the cathedral interior is a scam.
- → Towers involve 387 steps and no lift—great view, but not for everyone.
- → Combine with nearby Sainte-Chapelle if you want a second, even more intense stained-glass experience.
Sacré-Cœur & Montmartre
FreePanoramic views from the highest point in Paris, plus bohemian hill village vibe with artists, cafés, and cobblestone streets.
How to Do It:
- • Climb the hill early (7–8am) to watch sunrise from the basilica steps before crowds arrive.
- • Explore backstreets behind Place du Tertre for a more authentic village feel.
- • Walk down via Rue des Abbesses for excellent cafés and the quirky Je T'aime wall.
Tips:
- → Avoid bracelet scams at the base of the steps—politely say 'non merci' and keep walking.
- → Place du Tertre portrait artists are overpriced; if you want art, visit the Musée de Montmartre instead.
- → The funicular costs 1 metro ticket; stairs are free and more scenic.
2. World-Class Museums (Beyond the Louvre)
Paris has some of the world's best art—here's where to go after you've seen the Mona Lisa.
Musée d'Orsay
Impressionist masterpieces (Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, Degas) in a stunning Beaux-Arts train station.
How to Do It:
- • Book timed entry online to skip ticket lines.
- • Start on the top floor (Impressionists) and work your way down—best light is up there.
- • Thursday late nights are a local secret: fewer tourists, warm gallery lighting, and a different vibe.
Tips:
- → The museum café has one of Paris' best ceilings—worth a coffee break.
- → Combine with a walk across the Seine to the Tuileries and Orangerie.
Musée de l'Orangerie
Monet's Water Lilies displayed in two oval rooms designed by the artist himself—an almost meditative experience.
How to Do It:
- • Small museum in the Tuileries Garden—perfect for a focused art stop.
- • The Water Lilies rooms are upstairs; spend time sitting and absorbing them.
- • Downstairs has excellent early 20th-century works (Renoir, Cézanne, Matisse).
Tips:
- → Closed Tuesdays (same as the Louvre)—plan around this if doing both on the same trip.
- → Go early or late for a quieter, more contemplative visit.
- → Combine with a Tuileries walk and lunch at Angelina's for iconic hot chocolate.
Musée Rodin
Rodin's sculptures (The Thinker, The Kiss) in a beautiful mansion with stunning rose gardens.
How to Do It:
- • Garden-only tickets (€5) let you see The Thinker and Gates of Hell without entering the museum.
- • If you visit the museum, don't miss The Kiss and Balzac sculptures.
- • The gardens are some of Paris' most romantic—perfect for a picnic or rest.
Tips:
- → Skip if you're not into sculpture—the gardens alone are lovely but the museum is very niche.
- → Nearby Invalides and Napoleon's Tomb are a 5-minute walk.
3. Neighborhood Walks & Local Paris
Once you've seen the icons, Paris is about wandering neighborhoods and stumbling onto hidden courtyards.
Le Marais Afternoon Stroll
FreeHistoric streets, fashion boutiques, Jewish heritage, galleries, and some of the best people-watching in Paris.
Tips:
- → Shops and galleries close on Saturdays (Jewish Sabbath) but Sunday is lively.
- → Best falafel? L'As du Fallafel has the line, but Miznon across the street is equally good with no wait.
Suggested Route:
- Start at Place des Vosges—Paris' oldest planned square with arcades and symmetry.
- Walk through Rue des Rosiers (Jewish quarter) for L'As du Fallafel or Chez Marianne.
- Explore hidden courtyards and vintage shops along Rue Vieille du Temple.
- End with drinks around Rue des Archives or gay bars on Rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie.
Canal Saint-Martin Picnic
FreeThe most Parisian thing you can do—grab food from a market, sit by the canal with locals, and watch the sunset.
How to Do It:
- • Buy picnic supplies at Marché des Enfants Rouges (oldest covered market in Paris).
- • Head to Canal Saint-Martin and find a spot on the quay or iron footbridges.
- • Locals gather here on Friday evenings—especially in spring/summer when the weather's nice.
Tips:
- → Bring a bottle of wine from a nearby cave (wine shop) and a blanket.
- → Nearby Rue de Marseille and Rue Beaurepaire have great independent shops and cafés.
Latin Quarter Book Browsing
FreeStudent energy, narrow medieval streets, Shakespeare & Company bookshop, and authentic Left Bank atmosphere.
Tips:
- → Shakespeare & Company is tiny and gets packed—go early morning or weekday afternoons.
- → The Latin Quarter has many tourist-trap restaurants; stick to places locals recommend or go slightly off the main drags.
Suggested Route:
- Start at Shakespeare & Company—iconic English-language bookshop (free entry).
- Walk through Rue de la Huchette (avoid the mediocre restaurants).
- Explore the Panthéon (€13) or just admire the exterior.
- End at Jardin du Luxembourg for sunset on the palace lawns.
4. Food & Drink Experiences Worth Your Time
You don't need Michelin stars to eat well in Paris. Focus on these key experiences.
Traditional Bistro Dinner
Classic French dishes (steak-frites, boeuf bourguignon, crème brûlée) in a lively room full of locals and checked tablecloths.
How to Do It:
- • Book for 7:30–8pm to catch the local dinner crowd (9pm+ gets louder and more touristy).
- • Look for hand-written menus, small rooms, and a mix of locals and tourists.
- • Avoid places with photo menus or touts outside pulling you in.
Tips:
- → Recommended classic bistros: Chez Paul (Bastille), Le Comptoir du Relais (Saint-Germain), Bistrot Paul Bert (11th).
- → Wine by the carafe is standard and affordable—ask for 'une carafe de rouge'.
- → Service charge is included; round up or leave €5–10 for excellent service.
Croissant & Coffee at a Real Boulangerie
A buttery croissant from a proper French bakery is a non-negotiable Paris experience.
How to Do It:
- • Look for 'Artisan Boulanger' signs (legally protected designation for quality).
- • Order 'un croissant au beurre et un café' at the counter.
- • Stand at the bar or sit outside if there's a terrace—don't expect to linger for hours.
Tips:
- → Top spots: Du Pain et des Idées (10th), Blé Sucré (12th), Mamiche (9th).
- → Croissants are a breakfast item; by noon they're stale—go before 11am.
- → Pain au chocolat vs chocolatine debate: in Paris, it's pain au chocolat.
Cheese & Wine Tasting
France does cheese and wine better than anywhere—learn why with a guided tasting.
How to Do It:
- • Visit a quality fromagerie (cheese shop) like Fromagerie Laurent Dubois or Androuet.
- • Ask for recommendations and pair with a bottle of wine from a nearby cave.
- • Many shops offer mini tastings or you can book a formal wine bar tasting experience.
Tips:
- → A classic French cheese board includes: Camembert, Comté, Roquefort, chèvre.
- → Don't refrigerate cheese—let it come to room temperature before eating.
- → Wine bars in Saint-Germain and Marais offer excellent pairings without pretension.
5. Free Things to Do in Paris
Paris can be expensive, but some of the best experiences cost nothing.
Sunset at Sacré-Cœur Steps
FreePanoramic sunset with street musicians, locals, and one of the best free views in Europe.
How to Do It:
- • Arrive an hour before sunset to grab a good spot on the steps.
- • Bring snacks or wine (locals do this).
- • Stay for the sunset and the Eiffel Tower sparkling in the distance.
Tips:
- → Avoid the bracelet-sellers at the bottom of the hill—politely decline and keep moving.
- → Funicular costs 1 metro ticket; stairs are free and more scenic.
Jardin du Luxembourg
FreeParis' most beautiful park with palace backdrop, manicured lawns, fountains, and Medici Fountain.
How to Do It:
- • Enter from Boulevard Saint-Michel or Rue de Vaugirard.
- • Rent a chair (€1.50) and relax on the lawns like a local.
- • Kids will love the playground and toy sailboats on the fountain.
Tips:
- → Avoid the overpriced café inside—bring a picnic or grab food from Rue Mouffetard nearby.
- → Spring (April–May) is magical with blooming flower beds.
Père Lachaise Cemetery
FreeHauntingly beautiful cemetery with famous graves (Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, Chopin, Édith Piaf).
How to Do It:
- • Download a map or use Google Maps to find the famous graves.
- • Enter via the main gate on Boulevard de Ménilmontant.
- • Wander the cobblestone paths—it feels more like a park than a cemetery.
Tips:
- → Oscar Wilde's tomb is covered in lipstick kisses (glass barrier now prevents this).
- → Go on a weekday morning for a peaceful, contemplative visit.
6. Best Views & Photo Spots
Instagram-worthy spots beyond the obvious Eiffel selfie.
Trocadéro Eiffel Tower Photo
FreeThe classic Eiffel Tower photo with the tower perfectly framed—sunrise or sunset for best light.
How to Do It:
- • Metro to Trocadéro, walk to the esplanade between the two wings of Palais de Chaillot.
- • Best light: sunrise (6–7am, no crowds) or golden hour before sunset.
- • Weekday mornings are empty; weekends get packed by 10am.
Tips:
- → Avoid the guys selling mini Eiffel Towers—they're illegal and you'll get scammed.
- → The Trocadéro fountains operate in summer—time your photo for when they're on.
Seine River Walk (Pont des Arts to Notre-Dame)
FreeStroll the most iconic stretch of the Seine—bouquinistes (book sellers), bridges, and classic Paris views.
Suggested Route:
- Start at Pont des Arts (former 'love lock bridge').
- Walk east along the Right Bank past Louvre and Pont Neuf.
- Cross to Île de la Cité and Notre-Dame.
- Best at golden hour (1–2 hours before sunset).
7. Easy Day Trips from Paris
If you have 4+ days in Paris, one day trip is worth it. Here are the two best options.
Versailles Palace & Gardens
Over-the-top royal palace with Hall of Mirrors and one of Europe's grandest formal gardens.
How to Do It:
- • Take RER C from Paris to Versailles Château – Rive Gauche station (35 min, €7.50 round-trip with Paris Region ticket).
- • Book timed palace entry online 1–2 weeks ahead for peak season.
- • Plan at least 3 hours: 2 hours for palace, 1+ hour for gardens.
- • Tuesday–Sunday only (closed Mondays).
Tips:
- → Skip the palace-only crowds by also exploring Marie Antoinette's Estate and Grand Trianon.
- → Bring a picnic for the gardens—on-site cafés are overpriced and mediocre.
- → Fountains run on weekend afternoons in summer (Musical Fountains Show)—worth timing for.
Giverny (Monet's Garden)
Walk through the actual gardens and water lily pond that inspired Monet's masterpieces.
How to Do It:
- • Take train from Gare Saint-Lazare to Vernon (50 min), then shuttle bus to Giverny (20 min).
- • Buy garden tickets online or at the entrance (rarely sells out except May).
- • Spring (April–May) for tulips and wisteria; summer (June–July) for water lilies in full bloom.
Tips:
- → Go on a weekday if possible—weekends get tour-bus crowds.
- → Combine with lunch in Vernon or Giverny village (charming but touristy).
8. Evening & Nightlife Experiences
Paris at night is magical—from river cruises to jazz clubs.
Seine River Cruise at Sunset
See the Louvre, Notre-Dame, Eiffel Tower lit up from the water—the easiest way to see all the icons in one go.
How to Do It:
- • Book a cruise that departs 30–60 minutes before sunset for best light.
- • Bateaux-Mouches and Vedettes de Paris both offer good value.
- • Dinner cruises are 2x the price and the food is mediocre—stick to the 1-hour sightseeing cruises.
Tips:
- → Book online in advance for 10–20% discounts.
- → The Eiffel Tower sparkles at the start of every hour after dark—time your cruise to catch it.
Jazz Club in Saint-Germain
Paris has a legendary jazz scene dating back to the 1920s—experience it in an intimate basement club.
How to Do It:
- • Le Caveau de la Huchette (swing dancing, live jazz) or Café Laurent (modern jazz).
- • Shows usually start around 9:30–10pm; arrive early to get a table.
- • Dress code is smart casual—no shorts or flip-flops.
Tips:
- → Drinks are expensive but included in the vibe—budget €10–15 per cocktail.
- → Le Caveau gets very hot and crowded on weekends—weekdays are more chill.
Best Things to Do in Paris by Interest
Couples & Honeymoons
Families with Kids
Budget Travelers
Art & Culture Lovers
Practical Tips for Sightseeing in Paris
Book the Big Three in Advance
Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and Versailles all sell out in high season. Book online 2–4 weeks ahead for spring/autumn, 4–6 weeks for summer. Eiffel Tower summit tickets release 60 days out at midnight Paris time.
Cluster Sights by Neighborhood
Don't zigzag across the city. Do Eiffel Tower + Seine + Trocadéro + Musée Rodin in one sweep (all 7th). Another day: Louvre + Tuileries + Orangerie + Seine (all 1st). Save metro time and see more.
Avoid Scams Around Major Sights
Bracelet scams at Sacré-Cœur, petition scams near Louvre, and cup-and-ball games near Trocadéro are all common. Politely decline and keep walking. Never sign petitions (credit card fraud setup).
Use Museum Pass If You're Hitting 4+ Museums
Paris Museum Pass (around €70 for 2 days, €90 for 4 days, €110 for 6 days) covers 60+ museums and monuments including Louvre, Orsay, Orangerie, Versailles, Arc de Triomphe, and Rodin. It pays for itself if you visit 4+ major sites. Otherwise, buy individual tickets.
Most Museums Close One Day Per Week
Louvre: Tuesdays. Orsay: Mondays. Versailles: Mondays. Plan your week accordingly or you'll waste a day standing in front of closed doors.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in Paris to see the main sights?
What should I skip in Paris?
Is Paris expensive for tourists?
What's the #1 thing to do in Paris for first-timers?
Are skip-the-line tickets worth it in Paris?
Popular Tours & Tickets
Top-rated experiences, day trips, and skip-the-line tickets.
Ready to Book Your Paris Trip?
Use our trusted partners to find the best deals on activities, hotels, and flights
More Paris Guides
About This Guide
Author: Jan Křenek
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
Published: November 20, 2025
Updated: November 20, 2025
Data Sources: Official tourism boards and visitor guides • GetYourGuide and Viator activity data • Booking.com and Numbeo pricing data • Google Maps reviews and ratings
Methodology: This guide combines expert curation, official tourism board data, user reviews, and real booking trends to provide honest, actionable recommendations for Paris.