FOMO is real! Do you worry about overlooking something incredible when travel planning? If so, you’re in luck because this curated list of 100 things to do in Paris will ensure you create an unforgettable and personalized vacation. You will find landmarks, attractions, museums, outdoor activities, beaches, where to eat and shop, and where to get the perfect photos for lasting memories. Don’t skip the Plan Your Trip section for when to go, how long to stay, what to pack, how much to budget, where to stay, and how to get around. It’s all here, keep reading for 100 Things to Do in Paris.
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100 Unforgettable Things to Do in Paris France
Not to Miss Landmarks in Paris
- Walk down the famous Champs-Élysées to Arc de Triomphe and climb to the top.
- See the stained glass at Sainte-Chapelle.
- Visit the Panthéon and wander the Latin Quarter.
- Climb the Eiffel Tower and take in the view.
- Stop by the Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral on the Île de la Cité.
- Spend a morning in Montmartre, a bohemian neighborhood, and visit the Sacré-Cœur Basilica.
Must Do Attractions and Activities in Paris
- Walk across Pont Alexandre III and Pont des Arts (Love Lock Bridge).
- Ride the Grande Roue de Paris Ferris Wheel and Le Carrousel de la Tour Eiffel.
- Check out the Latin Quarter, and be sure to stop in Shakespeare and Company.
- Tour Paris at night and watch the Eiffel Tower twinkle.
- Wander the streets of Île de la Cité.
- Pay respect to Jim Morrison and Oscar Wilde at Père Lachaise Cemetery.
- Wander the streets of Montmartre and have your portrait drawn at Place du Tertre.
- Check out Le Mur des Je T’aime, the I Love You Wall.
- Create your own fragrance.
- Stop by Église Saint-Sulpice (the third largest church in Paris) for your Da Vinci Code fix.
- Look for street art along Rue des Cascades and in the Belleville neighborhood.
- Wander the historic streets and alleyways of the Le Marais neighborhood and the Latin Quarter.
- Explore the catacombs and underground tunnels beneath the city.
- Walk in the footsteps of Ernest Hemingway and have a drink at his favorite bar, Les Deux Magots.
- Listen to a classical concert at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées.
- Attend an opera performance at Palais Garnier.
- See a live performance at the historic Le Trianon concert venue.
Best Museums in Paris
- Visit Monet’s waterlilies at Musée de l’Orangerie.
- Browse the works of the Impressionists at Musée d’Orsay.
- Visit the Mona Lisa at the Louvre.
- Browse the works of Pablo Picasso at the Musée Picasso and Claude Monet at the Musée Marmottan Monet.
- Check out the exhibits of Toulouse-Lautrec and Renoir at the Musée de Montmartre.
- See works by Rembrandt, Botticelli, and Canaletto at the Musée Jacquemart-André.
- Explore the sculpture garden at the Musée Rodin.
- Check out the art galleries in Montmartre.
- Immerse yourself in the digital art display at L’Atelier des Lumières.
- Browse the contemporary art at the Centre Pompidou, don’t miss the view.
- Learn about Paris’s Romantic era at the Musée de la Vie Romantique.
- Browse three centuries of fashion at the Galliera Museum, everything from streetwear to haute couture.
- Learn about Saint Laurent’s creative process at the Musée Yves Saint Laurent.
- Learn about French wine in a historical vaulted wine cellar at the Musée du Vin Paris.
- Visit the Sewers of Paris Museum and learn how they saved the city.
- Learn about French history at the Musée de l’Armée.
- Check out the unique Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature, dedicated to the art of hunting.
- Learn about the Middle Ages at the Musée de Cluny – Musée National du Moyen Âge.
- See Napolean’s tomb at the Musée de l’Armée (The Army Museum).
- Check out the interactive exhibits at the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie.
Outdoor Activities in Paris
- Relax next to the fountain and people-watch in Jardin des Tuileries.
- Visit the waterfall and grotto in Parc des Buttes-Chaumont.
- See the pretty Fontaine Médicis in Jardin du Luxembourg.
- Take a cruise along the River Seine.
- Have a picnic on Canal Saint-Martin next to the Passerelle des Douanes.
- Take a walk on the Promenade Plantée, an elevated park on an abandoned viaduct.
- Check out the mirrored image in the Geode Dome at Parc de la Villette.
- Rent a row boat at Bois de Boulogne and enjoy the lake.
Where to Eat in Paris
- Relax at Café de Flore with a coffee
- Stop for lunch along the pedestrianized Rue Cler.
- Book a gourmet wine and cheese tasting at Ô Chateau.
- Eat crepes at an outdoor café and people watch.
- Stop for macarons at the famous Ladurée or Pierre Hermé.
- Splurge on a French meal at a Michelin-starred restaurant, try Le Jules Verne or L’Ambroisie.
- Pick up picnic supplies at Marché des Enfants Rouges, the oldest food market in Paris.
- Take a cooking class and learn to make French pastries or a traditional French meal.
Paris Nightlife: Pubs, Cocktails and Nightclubs
- Have a glass of wine and people watch on the pedestrianized Rue Mouffetard.
- Enjoy a cocktail with a rooftop view at Le Perchoir Marais, Terrass” Hôtel Bar, Girafe, or Hotel Raphael Terrace.
- Have a relaxed night listening to live jazz music in Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
- Watch Cabaret at the famous Moulin Rouge, Au Lapin Agile, or Lido de Paris.
- Spend a night out in Pigalle, Marais or Oberkampf.
- Dance the night away at Rex Club, Concrete, Wanderlust, or Faust.
Shopping in Paris
- Shop for souvenirs on Rue de Rivoli or Les Halles.
- Buy a souvenir outfit along Boulevard Haussmann at Galeries Lafayette or Printemps.
- See the steel-frame art nouveau glass dome at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann.
- Visit Le Bon Marché, a Paris department store.
- Do some high-end hopping on Avenue Montaigne, Rue Saint-Honoré, and Le Village Royal.
- Browse the boutiques in Marais or Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
- Hunt for treasures at the Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen flea market.
- Check out the avant-garde fashions at Colette.
- Shop in one of the covered passages: Panorama, Jouffroy, and Verdeau.
Instagrammable Places in Paris: Lookouts, View Points, and Selfies
Where to enjoy city views: Printemps terrace, Galeries Lafayette, Pompidou Centre, Montparnasse Tower observation deck, and Sacré-Cœur.
Photograph the Grand Palais, Place de la Concorde, Opera Garnier, Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Au Vieux Paris, Pont Alexandre III, Porte-Saint-Martin and Porte Saint-Denis, Hôtel de Ville, Au Vieux Paris d’Arcole, Odette on Rue Galande, Le Metro Restaurant, Zig Zag Café, Palais-Royal, La Maison Rose.
Photograph the Eiffel Tower from Place du Trocadéro, Passerelle Debilly, Rue de l’Université and Champ de Mars.
Additional places to take selfies: pose on the black and white striped columns in the Domaine National du Palais-Royal courtyard and the pastel homes along Rue Cremieux.
Paris Festivals and Special Events
- Attend the vibrant and colorful Carnaval de Paris.
- Watch a concert at the Paris Jazz Festival in the Parc Floral de Paris, mid-June to late July.
- Listen to live music throughout the city during Fête de la Musique, on June 21st.
- Attend the Paris Fringe Festival, dates vary
- Watch the fireworks light up the Eiffel Tower on Bastille Day, July 14th.
- Attend Paris Fashion Week, twice a year.
- Stand at the finish line of the Le Tour de France long-distance bicycling event, in July.
- Watch circus performers from all over the world at the Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain, at the end of January
Check the Paris Board of Tourism website for upcoming festivals, special events, and what’s happening this weekend.
Best Day Trips from Paris
- Take a day trip to the famous Palace of Versailles.
- Visit Monet’s home and garden in Giverny.
- Tour one of the area Château’s: Château de Chantilly, Fontainebleau, Château de Malmaison, Château de Vaux le Vicomte.
- Spend a day in the medieval village of Provins, a UNESCO World Heritage Site one hour from Paris.
- Visit the village of Barbizon and enjoy the French countryside.
Plan your Trip to Paris France
Why Visit Paris France
Over 30 million people visit Paris each year. People are drawn by the iconic Eiffel Tower, amazing food, and romantic vibes of the city. Paris is also full of history, museums, fun attractions, and great shopping.
How Many Days in Paris is Enough
3 days in Paris is enough to experience the city. Add another day if you plan to attend a special event or wish to take a day trip to a nearby chateau or medieval village.
Is Paris Safe for Solo Travelers
According to Travel Safe Abroad, the overall risk of travel in Paris France is medium. There is a high risk of being scammed and pickpocketed. There is also a high risk of terrorist attacks. Check their website for more information.
Best Time to Visit Paris
The high season in France is June to August, expect high prices and crowds. The shoulder season is April-May and September to October. The low season is November through March, crowds this and the air is cold. Expect snow in the Alps during the winter months. Southern France has warmer temperatures and rain is more common in western France near the English Channel. September and October are harvests and a good time to visit the wine regions. Christmas Markets are held from November to December.
How to Get to Paris
There are many nonstop flights to the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. A nonstop flight from LAX to Paris is 11 hours, Chicago to Paris is 8 hours, and Washington DC to Paris is about 7.5 hours. Paris is also well connected by high-speed trains.
How to Get Around Paris
The most used way to get to the city from the airport is by train. You can purchase tickets at a kiosk and there are people available to help if you need it. The ride is about 34 minutes and the ticket is around $13. The least expensive way to get to the city is by bus. The ride is 42 minutes and the ticket is around $5. The most direct and easiest way into the city is by taxi. The ride is about 25 minutes and the cost is $55 at the low end. Shuttle service is also available. Once in the city, the Paris Metro system is very easy to use.
Where to Stay in Paris
I stayed at Hotel Albert 1er Paris. The hotel was mid-priced and a short distance from the train station. It was easy to grab the metro to get around the city without many transfers and there were several restaurants within walking distance.
What Should I Budget for Paris
According to Budget My Trip, the daily cost of travel is $255 per person per day. As always, the cost is based on your travel style. Check their website for more information.
What Should I Pack for Paris
The French style is simple chic. Maxi dresses, scarves, and light sweaters in neutral solids (black, navy, or grey) are common, wear minimal accessories. Paris is the fashion capital of the world. Dressing up is expected for dinner out. Avoid bright colors, bold patterns, white sneakers, flip flops, short skirts, sweatpants, and baseball caps. Do not wear clothing that indicates you are a tourist (I love Paris t-shirts). Wear shoes with cushioned soles for walking on cobbled streets. Also, do not forget a raincoat and umbrella.
Are There Any Romantic Things to Do in Paris
Paris is full of romantic bistros for dinner. Other romantic things for couples to do in Paris are a picnic in Luxembourg Gardens, an evening champagne cruise on the Seine River, or a wine and cheese pairing.
Things to Do in Paris with Young Children
Disneyland Paris is one of the best things to do with young children in Paris. The Musée en Herbe has art exhibits specifically for children.
Things to Do in Paris with Young Adults
An afternoon at Jardin d’Acclimatation amusement park, wandering the street art in Belleville and the 13th arrondissement, or visiting the trendy neighborhoods of Bastille and Le Marais are all things a young adult may enjoy in Paris.
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