21 BEST Things to Do in Paris + How to | 2023

Everyone knows that you need to see the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, and take a journey to Versailles while in Paris but is there not more to see!? Of course, there is! We’ve compiled a list of things to do, museums to visit, and even hotels to stay at, and it’s all recommended by people who know Paris best!

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Pro Tip: Planning what to do on your trip to Paris? Bookmark this post in your browser so you can easily find it when you’re in the city. Check out our guide to Paris for more planning resources, our top Paris tours for a memorable trip, and how to spend a weekend in Paris.

Top 21 Things You Have to Do in Paris

There are a lot of ways to mess up your trip to Paris, but don’t let bad planning be one of them. Those megamonuments you have to see (think: Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Versailles) should definitely get booked way in advance with skip-the-line tours and tickets.

But what else should you do while you’re in Paris? There’s something for everyone on our list whether you’re looking for a unique activity or a day filled with art museums.

21. Indulge at a Great Wine Bar

Wine & Food | Outdoor Seating | 6th arr.

It’s no mystery that the libation of choice in France is the nectar of the gods: wine. When I was in Paris, I found a small exciting wine bar called Chez Nous and fell in love with it. Why?

First of all, they don’t feature a menu which means that you don’t have to make many choices! You tell the waiters what mood your in and your budget. Next, they go to work, and you focus on the moment. Many of us go to Paris to find out what everyone is talking about when it comes to artisanal food and wines and Chez Nous is where you will see it come to life!

The only negative is that it is on a busy road, but this didn’t ruin the experience for us at all. We loved how close it was to Place Dauphine, where we were playing petanque, and that it had ample outdoor seating.

Address: 10 Rue Dauphine

Not ready to book a food tour? Check out our Paris Guide for more resources.

20. Stand in Front of the World’s Greatest Art at the Louvre

Museum | Ticket Required | Tour Recommended | 1st arr.

The Louvre is the world’s largest museum and home to the very fabric of western civilization, which puts it as a top recommendation on any list. Licensed tour guides of Paris and the Louvre have studied for years to pay tribute to the great artists, sculptors, and even warlords that have molded our society.

This likely is the number one most important thing to do in Paris, but since you already know you have to visit it, we have it higher on our list. That said, joining a guided tour of the Louvre should be the way you visit so you don’t get overwhelmed.

Small group tours are the best way to visit the museum for the price and you’ll walk out happy you did not try to tackle this massive museum on your own. Our small group Louvre walking tours have received hundreds of 5-star reviews and we offer them at many different price points to meet every budget!

Address: Rue de Rivoli

Not ready to book a tour? Find out if a Louvre Museums tour is worth it.

19. Walk Through Place des Vosges in Le Marais

Free Attraction | Park | 4th arr.

Place des Vosges is one of the most beautiful squares in Le Marais and even Paris. It is lined by four walls of perfectly manicured trees framed by four more walls of identical Parisian homes. The park is a highlight of many tours that go through Paris and is a must-visit.

Address: Pl. des Vosges

Not ready to book a tour? Check out our Paris Guide for more resources.

18. See Where Heroes Fell on a Day Trip to Normandy

Normandy Beaches | Point Du Hoc | Day Trip from Paris

The beaches of Normandy and Pointe du Hoc bunker are synonymous with World War II, and visiting them in person puts things into perspective. The beaches are in no way “close” to Paris. Considering their importance, however, many people pilgrimage if they have an extra day in Paris.

It is around a 3-hour drive, and there are many things to see along the way, including some fantastic cider (beer) breweries. You’ll visit Omaha Beach, Utah Beach, Pointe du Hoc, and make a stop for cider! We offer this as a private tour to Normandy, which is an incredible experience. Tours often sell out 30 days before D-Day (June 6th) each year so book in advance!

Address: Omaha Beach | Utah Beach | Pointe du Hoc Bunker

17. Wander Through Daniel Buren’s Columns in Palais Royal

Art Installation | Free | Palais Royal

Ever heard Jack Johnson sing that famous line, “pave paradise and put up a parking lot.” Well, Paris must have an extended version: “after you put up a parking lot, call a famous artist and make it a monumental modern art installation.”

Would a park full of trees be more beautiful? You decide when you go to Paris and visit Palais Royal. There is a courtyard (free to enter) where you’ll find 260 marble-painted columns. It’s an excellent site and an interesting photo to take!

Address: Galerie de la Cour d’Honneur, 2 Rue de Montpensier

Our Best Versailles and Paris Louvre Tours

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

16. Relive Les Misérables in the Paris Sewers

One of a Kind | Not for Everyone | 7th arr.

Yes, you read that right. If you want to do something really unique in Paris, then head to the Paris Sewer Museum, which isn’t far from the Eiffel Tower. Why? Well, Victor Hugo had a fascination with sewers as they were an integral part of the beloved classic Les Misérables. So if you’re a fan of Jean Valjean—or Hugh Jackman, we won’t judge—why not explore a bit of this rather remarkable infrastructure?

Another reason I recommend visiting? All smelly jokes aside (and there will be a bit of a smell), the actual construction and current management of the Paris sewers is quite incredible. The sewer canals are also like a labyrinth beneath the streets of Paris, similar to the catacombs.

This museum will give you a glimpse into how ingenious the architects of Paris were and still are. Fair warning—it’s entirely possible you’ll see a rat or two as you explore the actual sewer tunnels. Oh, the stories you’ll have after this adventure!

Address: Esplanade Habib Bourguiba, Pont de l’Alma
Cost: Starting at €7

15. Dive Deep into Impressionism at the Musée d’Orsay

Museum Attraction | Ticket Required | Tour Recommended

In any other city, the Musée d’Orsay would be the must-see mega attraction, but in Paris, the Louvre undoubtedly casts a shadow! That said, visiting this impressionist gallery may be the highlight of your entire trip. Why?

The gallery is home to some of the world’s greatest artists that re-shaped the canvas of the modern art scene. Influential artists like Van Gogh, Monet, Cezanne, and more are all featured in this renovated train station. There are lots of great works of art from mega-famous artists that you’ll likely recognize such as:

• Card Players by Paul Cezanne
• Bal Moulin Galette by Renoir
• Luncheon on the Grass by Manet
• Starry Night by Van Gogh

For a complete list with detailed descriptions, please read our article on the top things to see at Musée d’Orsay! If you want to maximize your experience, book a private Musée d’Orsay tour, which will take the guesswork out of booking and deep-dive you into the history, anecdotes, and art with a passionate guide.

Address: 1 Rue de la Légion d’Honneur

Not ready to book a tour? Find out how to visit the Musée d’Orsay.

14. Marvel and Shop at Les Passages Couverts

Shopping | Architecture & Design | Free Admission

Les Passages Couverts are beautiful covered passageways with glass ceilings in the Galerie Vivienne department store. These were some of the first modern department stores, and honestly, things have gone downhill from there.

You can walk through these beautiful works of art and window shop, which almost always leads to real shopping and spending money. For more shopping tips, read our article on the best shopping in Paris.

After all that shopping, you’ll need to rest and refuel, and the perfect little tea house is waiting for you: Le Valentin Vivienne. From coffee and macarons to kouign amann and quiche, they have just the right treats to satisfy. Definitely buy a jar of lavender honey to take home!

Address: 5 Rue de la Banque | Le Valentin Vivienne

13. Find Debussy in the Quaintest Parisian Cemetery

Non-Touristy | Quieter Activity | 16th arr.

Everyone knows about Père Lachaise Cemetery and the famous people buried there (Jim Morrison, Frédéric Chopin, Oscar Wilde). However, not everyone knows about the little Passy Cemetery located across the street from the Trocadéro where you get that great view of the Eiffel Tower. For being centrally located, this little spot is a surprisingly quiet oasis to explore.

If you’re a fan of the famous song “Claire de lune” (it’s used during the last scene of “Oceans 11”), you can find Claude Debussy buried here. Thank him by pulling out your phone and playing that beloved tune when you find him. You can also hunt for modernist painter Edouard Manet, Hubert de Givenchy, and members of the Renault family.

Pro Tip: Take a picture of the map at the entrance to help navigate the cemetery.

Address: 2 Rue du Commandant Schloesing

12. Stand in the Jaw-Dropping Palais Garnier Opera House

Major Attraction | Ticket Required | Cultural | 9th arr.

Paris’ opera house is an awe-inspiring monument that is largely skipped over by tourists. Built during the mid to late 1800s, it isn’t hard to understand why this was the place to be seen at the height of its popularity. The interior of the opera house is filled with rich decoration and excessive ornamentation—think gold everywhere!

Guided and unguided tours are available, but if you really want to learn all the history of this amazing place, make sure to stick with a guide. Who knows, you might even catch a glimpse of the famous Phantom of the Opera.

Address: Pl. de l’Opéra

11. The Classic vs Modern Café…

Right of Passage | Famous Café

You may pay a little more than you wanted to for your drink, but sitting and having a drink at Les Duex Magots or Le Procope is a right of passage in Paris. Each café is on the ritzy Boulevard Saint-Germain, and both are symbolic of what a french café or bistro should be.

You will immediately have something in common with almost everyone who has visited Paris as these two spots are popular! Your drinks won’t taste much different than anywhere else—but these places are more about their history and service.

OR, you can show your inner contrarian youthfulness and instead choose to take your morning cup of Joe at Caféothèque, which is owned and operated by two successful female entrepreneurs in Paris and renown to be the best coffee in the city!

Address: Les Duex Magots | Le Procope | Caféothèque

10. Find Your Love Language

Wall Art | Free | Romantic | Montmartre

Ooh la la! You’re in Paris, the most romantic city in the world. What better thing to do than to find the Wall of Love? This heartwarming wall has become a bit of a trendy spot to see in Montmartre. Still, not everyone knows about it, so let me explain.

The words, “I love you” are written in perhaps hundreds of languages on this city wall in an effort to remind humanity of the greatest emotional expression of all. Hebrew, English, Spanish, Hindu, German, Swahili, and many others can be found. Snap a pic in front of the wall with your loved one. If you’re lucky, your language could be close enough to be in your picture too!

Address: Square Jehan Rictus, Place des Abbesses

9. Count the Stained-Glass Windows at Sainte-Chapelle Chapel

Attraction | Requires Ticket | Tour Recommended | 4th arr.

Sainte-Chapelle is a royal chapel built in the Gothic style. While the architecture of the building is admirable, the real star is its 1,113 stained glass windows. The windows measure 49 feet (15 meters) and depict scenes from the Old and New Testaments.

Even on a cloudy day, when the sunlight that comes through the chapel windows is limited, the stained glass is stunning. Sainte-Chapelle is only about a 5-minute walk to Notre Dame Cathedral, so kill two birds with one stone and visit both beauties one right after the other.

Address: 10 Bd du Palais

8. Find the Barrel of Skulls in the Paris Catacombs

Cryptic Attraction | Requres Ticket | Tour Recommended | 14th arr.

Did you know that underneath the City of Light there are tunnels full of bones? Hundreds of miles of tunnels, actually. The Catacombs of Paris might seem a little spooky or gross, but they are a fascinating part of Parisian history.

One of the best things to do in Paris is to tour the creatively-stacked tunnels. Containing the bones of over six million people, the Paris catacombs are officially the world’s largest grave.

Going on a skip-the-line Paris Catacombs tour is your best option if you don’t want to risk waiting a long time to get in. Plus you’ll get to see off-limits rooms that you won’t see on your own. However, if you want to go it alone, the Catacombs also offer audio guides.

Address: 1 Av. du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy

Not ready to book a tour? Find out if a Paris Catacombs tour is worth it.

7. View Montmartre’s Only Vineyard in Paris

Vineyard | Montmartre | 18th arr.

Yes, there is a vineyard in the center of Paris. Vignes du Clos is likely the smallest vineyard in the entire world and it’s right in Montmartre. A rich family or a business does not own the vineyard inside the city of Paris. It is owned by the 18th arrondissement, which is referred to as Montmartre.

Vignes du Clos is basically a park that produces local wine and uses the proceeds for social initiatives. It’s a beautiful way to bring the local Parisian community together around something as sacred as wine.

Sadly, the general public is not allowed to enter the vineyard. But guess what? You could stop by the beautiful gate and learn fascinating stories about its history and controversies with a local guide on our popular Paris in a day tour! You’ll explore Montmartre and stop to see this charmingly unique bit of French culture that is a serious source of pride.

Address: 18 Rue des Saules

Our Best Guided Tours of Paris

Not ready to book a tour? Check out our Paris Guide for more resources.

6. Eat at La Maison Rose

Internet Famous | Generationally Owned & Operated | Restaurant

Before or after you pop into the tiny vineyard above, you should grab a bite to eat at La Maison Rose. The two stops combined will make you feel like you are in a small wine-producing village outside of Paris that just happens to have a killer view of Paris!

La Maison Rose has a history of impeccable dishes that focus on French farm-to-table ingredients. That means you can expect a seasonal menu here, and they even offer a specialty menu for New Year’s Eve like many other fantastic French restaurants do.

They’re currently closed but will be re-opening on January 30th, 2022. You can still make reservations online though!

Address: 2 Rue de l’Abreuvoir

5. Find Hidden Ponds in Paris’ Best Parks and Gardens

Luxembourg Gardens | Medician | Free to Enter

A favorite Parisian pastime is to flâner, or to stroll about aimlessly. So why not use this excuse to act like a local and check out Paris’ parks and gardens?

Among the city’s most manicured and impressive gardens are the Tuileries Gardens next to the Louvre museum and the Luxembourg Gardens in the sixth arrondissement (featured photo). This is definitely one of the more romantic things to do in Paris but it can be anything you want it to be.

If you’re looking to escape fellow tourists, head to the Buttes Chaumont park in northeastern Paris, where locals go to enjoy great views of the city and relax. Paris takes great pride in its green spaces and considers them gems, so taking some time to enjoy them is definitely one of the best things to do in Paris. Check out our post on the top gardens and parks in Paris for more options.

Address: Tuileries Gardens | Luxembourg Gardens | Buttes Chaumont Park

4. Take a Selfie in the Hall of Mirrors at Château de Versailles

Attraction | Day Trip from Paris | Tour Recommended

The Palace of Versailles is undoubtedly one of Paris’ most visited attractions for a good reason. While revolutionaries might have ousted the last kings and queens of France, we’re glad they left this magnificent piece of architecture unscathed.

Retrace the footsteps of historical figures like Marie Antoinette and admire the grandeur of the former royal palace. In the Hall of Mirrors, beautiful chandeliers reflect in over 300 mirrors.

When you visit the palace, make sure you visit the enchanting Gardens of Versailles. The meticulously-manicured gardens occupy a total area of almost 2,000 acres. Destinations like Versailles are brimming with history, gossip, and stories.

Check out our Versailles small group tour for a great tour at a great price. The line at Versailles is also crazy long for at least eight months of the year, so you’ll appreciate the skip-the-line access. See our posts on the top things to see in Versailles and how to visit Versailles for more inspiration.

Not ready to book a tour? Find out if a Versailles tour is worth it.

3. Walk Through Montmartre to View Paris from Sacre-Cœur

Basilica | Montmartre | 18th arr. | Ticket Required

Sometimes described as a village because of its winding streets and small-town feel, Montmartre is a neighborhood in Paris perched on a hilltop in the northern part of the city. Make sure you visit the Sacre Coeur Basilica, an often-overlooked religious monument.

Rather than mapping out every detail of your visit, get off at a nearby metro station (Anvers or Abbesses) and wander your way through the streets of Montmartre. This is the best way to get a feel for this charming neighborhood. Our Paris in a Day tour covers Montmartre as well as Notre Dame, the Louvre, and the Eiffel Tower.

Address: Sacre Coeur Basilica

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

2. Eat ‘Til You Drop on the Best Value Food Tour in Le Marais

Food Tour | Locally Operated | 4 Stops and Full Meal

Paris is one place where you should indulge in local cuisine. You might have heard people say that bread tastes better in France, and it’s not a myth. Food is the key to every culture and the French believe they know the key to food.

Their belief may or may not be true, but their passion for the culinary arts is unmistakable and definitely admirable. You can witness this for yourself in many ways, but we believe the best way is to join a food tour—and ours is the best!

Why? We have tested many food tours in Paris and most did not enter a single restaurant. Our food tour goes to four locations and includes oysters, champagne, cheese, and wine, falafel, a beef bourguignon dinner, and a classic French dessert!

Not to mention it’s in the trendy Le Marais district of Paris! Take a look at out our Le Marais food tour in Paris. Also, check out our article on the best patisserie in Paris if you’re on the hunt for a pastry in the city.

Not ready to book a tour? Check out our Paris Guide for more resources.

1. Stand on the Eiffel Tower as It Twinkles at Night

Attraction | Ticket Required | Tour Recommended

Pretty much everyone will plan to see the Eiffel Tower at some point during their trip to Paris. And while it might seem obvious that the Eiffel Tower lights up at night, did you know that every evening the Eiffel Tower twinkles for five minutes every hour on the hour?

It’s a magical sight, and it’s even better when you’re standing close to the tower. The time the twinkling starts depends on the time of year you’re visiting, since it begins after sundown.

You’ll hear exclamations of “ooh!” and “ah!” when the twinkling begins—it will take your breath away! We also run tours of the Eiffel Tower with a Seine River cruise included. And if you’re hoping for the best view, then you’ll definitely want to book the more exclusive summit tour!

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