11 Things To Do Near the Eiffel Tower

1. Seine River Boat Cruise

One of the underrated perks of Paris? How clean the Seine is now. Sure, I probably wouldn’t go for a swim today, but that didn’t stop people from taking dips until 1923, before the city banned it due to poor water quality, strong currents, and all the boat traffic. But even without a swim, the Seine is still a beauty, and the embankments that line it are a quintessential part of Paris’ charm.

These days, a Seine river cruise is basically a rite of passage. You’ll get one of the best views of the city, especially at sunset, and yeah, they’ve got solid food and drinks on board. Whether you go for a full dinner or just a couple of drinks, it’s an easy way to soak in the Parisian magic from the water.

We organize a Privileged Access Eiffel Tower Tour with Seine River Cruise. It’s a great way to combine the sites and not have to worry about logistics. We have hundreds of reviews stating it was the highlight of their time in Paris.

Not ready to book a tour? Find out if an Eiffel Tower tour is worth it.

2. L’île aux Cygnes

Another cool area is the island of Cygnes. It’s a man-made island on the Seine that connects two bridges, Ponte de Bir-Hakeim and Pont de Grenelle-Cadets de Saumur, and is a very Parisian thing to visit.

It is a 2,789-foot island (850 meters) with a single walkway on it named L’Allée des Cygnes. By now you’re probably wondering what cygnes means—swans! If you’re looking for something local to do near the Eiffel Tower, pop over to the Island of the Swans and walk the Path of the Swans.

It’s very popular for running in the morning and has a 22-meter-tall replica of the Statue of Liberty on it. Why? Well, the French built the Statue of Liberty and I guess they built this replica so nobody forgets it. It was inaugurated three years after the New York statue was erected on July 4th, 1889. The statue faces its big sister to the west.

Address: All. des Cygnes

3. Refreshments at Le Bal de la Marine

€€ | Bar and Restaurant on Seine | Outdoor Seating | Kid Friendly

This is a really cool spot on the Seine. If you get a nice warm day in Paris with some sun, you’ll probably find me here. They serve mostly seafood but also have pizza and other French fare.

The variety is great and the management supports suppliers who are focused on sustainability, “choosing winemakers concerned about respecting the land, brewers producing in France, and French drink manufacturers who compete with multinational soda companies.” I like it, and I’m sure you will too! The location and views don’t hurt either.

Address: Port de Suffren

4. Passerelle Debilly (Footbridge)

The Seine is always buzzing, especially as you get closer to the Eiffel Tower—boats docked, people everywhere, and a whole lot of action. Right in the heart of it all is Passerelle Debilly, or the Debilly Footbridge.

No cars to worry about here, but watch out for cyclists—they’ll definitely honk if you’re in their way! From this spot, the views of the Eiffel Tower are straight-up epic.

Address: Passerelle Debilly

5. Palais de Tokyo

Attached to the Museum of Modern Art, Palais de Tokyo is the largest contemporary art museum in France dedicated to temporary exhibitions. The museum is one of my recommendations for children as modern art installations are creative, fun, and often colorful. The museum had a life-size doll house at one time.

Address: 13 venue du Président Wilson

Our Best Guided Tours of Paris

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Palace of Versailles and Gardens Tour from Paris

Navigating transportation, dealing with tickets, and waiting in long lines can ruin your day at Versailles. Our half-day small group tour eliminates the hassle entirely. With roundtrip transport from Paris, skip-the-line access, and a friendly guide, you’ll effortlessly explore the palace, discover its highlights, and enjoy free time in the gardens. After your guided experience ends, you’re free to stay in the gardens, visit Trianon and take the train back to Paris at your convenience.

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Montmartre Food and History Walking Tour

Montmartre’s winding streets and tourist traps make it tough to find authentic spots on your own. Our immersive walking tour eliminates this stress by leading you to the best local landmarks and flavors with a friendly guide. Sample classic French dishes, both sweet and savory, as you explore must-see sites, like Moulin Rogue, and other hidden gems. Finish with a breathtaking view over Paris from this charming hilltop neighborhood.

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Not ready to book a tour? Check out our best Paris tours to take and why.

6. Bois de Boulogne

Of all the gardens on this list, Bois de Boulogne is the only extremely large park that you could really get lost in. You’ll also find an extremely high concentration of Parisians here as most tourists would gravitate towards a more famous park.

It is home to several lakes, one of which is large enough to have two islands in it. You’ll see people rowing, exercising, walking around, and generally enjoying nature.

This park is also home to the Louis Vuitton Foundation Museum. You’ll find a lot to do with kids here such as the Jardin d’Acclimatation. It’s a cool little spot with rides and such.

A very cool experience for romantics is to eat at Le Chalet des Iles. You’ll find it on an island in Lac Inférieur and you have to take a boat ferry to get there. It’s pretty expensive, so this would be a great place to go for a fancy night out. This park is free and doesn’t close, but I don’t recommend going too deep into the park too late at night.

Address: Bois de Boulogne

7. Rodin Museum

Auguste Rodin remains the most famous French sculptor to date. He is most famous for his sculpture The Thinker, which is located at the Rodin Museum in Paris, France.

The museum is located next to Invalides metropolitan station. There’s a garden and two structures, one of which is a gift shop and café, Boutique du musée Rodin.

Then there is the main structure, a mansion named Hôtel Biron. The name comes from a very wealthy previous owner by the name Louis-Antoine de Gontaut-Biron. Hence, Hôtel Biron.

The mansion sits in a large well-manicured garden dotted with various sculptures created by the master himself. There are also works from other artists including Rodin’s prize student Camille Claudel.

There are over 6000 sculptures in the collection but many are housed off-site. You will find The Thinker outside in the garden. This museum is a wonderful visit with a local guide.

Address: 77 Rue de Verenne

8. Hôtel National Des Invalides and Musée De L’Armée

This massive structure is most commonly known for being the tomb of the famed French Emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte. The structure is 351 feet tall (107 meters) topped with a golden dome. Yes, real gold. About 30 pounds of gold leaf (12.65 kilos).

The exact meaning of invalides is “disabled,” but the translation doesn’t do it much justice in this case. It refers more to “the departed” people. It’s a very cool building and houses a military museum behind the tomb.

Admission will run you about €16, which I thought was a little high for what you get. I would probably only recommend it to deep lovers of military history. I personally would rather spend my money entering our next stop—the Rodin Museum and check out Invalides from the exterior. There is a military museum in the adjoining complex, which is included with the ticket (Musée de l’Armée).

Address: 129 Rue de Grenelle

9. Paris Museum of Modern Art

Been to Paris so many times and are way too cool for the Louvre? I have the museum for you. Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris or MAM Paris.

This is a pretty cool collection that you can pass through on your own, possibly after a cocktail and before seeing the Eiffel Tower. It has a few huge works of art and a ton of other eye-grabbers. See it for yourself—I think you’ll be convinced.

The Paris Modern Art Museum is technically free to visit but they ask for a non-mandatory donation of €5 to see the permanent artwork.

This museum is also great for exhibitions. Prices vary for different exhibitions. While we love and appreciate classical art, we recommend visiting this museum to promote the curation and creation of modern art. One day, our modern art will be the classical art of future generations and it won’t compare without our support.

Address: 11 Avenue du Président Wilson 

10. Champ de Mars

Champ de Mars is a massive public park in Paris that forms a sort of runway to the Eiffel Tower. Like the Eiffel Tower, the Champ de Mars is in the 7th arrondissement and is a huge draw for the area. Having a picnic on the Champ de Mars while admiring the Eiffel Tower has become the thing to do for travelers.

The name derives from the Campus Martius or Field of Mars in Rome—an area that was historically flooded and is home to famous attractions like the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, and Campo de’ Fiori. Why name this park in Paris after a crowded area with virtually no parks in Rome?

The Champ de Mars was an area where the French military famously trained in Paris. Mars is the god of war and everyone likes Rome, so why not? Today, you can enjoy this massive green space and have a picnic or take a stroll through it on your way to a warm lunch at a restaurant near the Eiffel Tower.

Address: 2 Allée Adrienne Lecouvreur