Things to do in Paris

Whether you’ve got one day in Paris, or you’ve planned a whole week, there’s some essentials you simply can’t miss.

The Eiffel Tower:

Originally built as a temporary exhibition for the 1889 World's Fair, it’s since become the symbol of Paris and an essential part of any good sightseeing list.

Make sure you book your Eiffel Tower tickets in advance so you can take a trip to the top of the tower and appreciate one of the best views over the French capital.

The Louvre Museum:

Inside the Louvre you’ll see iconic pieces of culture such as:

Art:

• Liberty Leading the People by Eugène Delacroix
• Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci
• The Lacemaker by Johannes Vermeer

Sculpture:

• The Venus de Milo
• Winged Victory of Samothrace
• Psyche Revived By Cupid’s Kiss

History:

• The Great Sphinx of Tanis
• The Code of Hammurabi

Montmartre:

This famous Parisian neighborhood was home to some of the 20th century’s most famous painters during the Belle Époque. The likes of Picasso, Monet, and Van Gogh all called the hillside hood home at some point in their lives.

The charm that captured those artistic minds is still as alive as ever. Make sure you see some famous names in the Montmartre Cemetery (including Alexandre Dumas and Edgar Degas) and visit Place du Tertre to pick up a postcard or some art made by locals. If you want to take a deep dive into the district’s history, consider taking a guided walking tour.

Sacré Coeur:

It’s a bit of a trek to the top of the hill that Paris’ sacred heart sits upon, but it’s worth the stairs. The Basilica of Sacré Coeur de Montmartre is a national historic monument and you’ll understand why as soon as you lay eyes on it.

Louvre

Not only is it the largest museum in the world, but the Louvre usually takes top place on every art lover’s bucket list.

From private guided tours to small group adventures, there are lots of Louvre tickets up for grabs.

Musée d'Orsay

Making a grand first impression with its Impressionism, Paris’s second biggest museum packs a punch.

Gustave Caillebotte’s The Floor Scrapers, Renoir’s Bal du Moulin de la Galette, Manet’s Olympa, and a slew of works by Van Gogh are just some of the treasures the museum holds.

From guided tours to hand-picked combos with other arty attractions, grab Musée d'Orsay tickets and you’ll definitely leave impressed.

Bourse de Commerce - Pinault Collection

The artists on show in this extravagant Paris collection come from all over the world and you could easily lose hours here.

Discover the latest in contemporary art at the ever changing exhibitions. Book Bourse de Commerce tickets in advance and save time on the day.

Musée de l’Orangerie

Its function was once to protect fruit trees from cold winter winds. Now it’s a safe haven for some of the world’s most precious art. The Musée de l’Orangerie makes a peaceful respite in the heart of The Tuileries Garden on the bank of the River Seine.

Browse an extraordinary collection of impressionist and post-impressionist paintings, and don’t miss Monet’s Water Lilies.

Centre Pompidou

You’ll recognise it as “that place with the pipes and tubes”, although you’ll forget where you are, once you step inside. Some of the greatest masterpieces of the last century reside inside the Centre Pompidou.

Want to go off the beaten track and discover areas of Paris that locals love? Give these suggestions a go:

• Galerie Vivienne

You could easily miss this inconspicuous shopping gallery in the second arrondissement. Make sure you don’t. It’s a historical landmark that captures the elegance of Paris through architecture and fine details. Not to mention the fashion you can find inside.

• Place des Vosges

Located in the Marais district, this green square was where the rich lived in the 17th and 18th centuries. One of its most famous residents was Cardinal Richelieu, a key political adviser to Louis XIII and inventor of the table knife!

• Café in the garden of the Musée du Carnavalet

Tick two items off your Paris bucket list. Learn about the city’s history in the Carnavalet Museum (it’s the oldest museum in Paris), then take a break in its garden.

• La coulée Verte

New York’s High Line took the lead from Paris’ Coulée Verte. This elevated park offers a great escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.

• Les arenes de Lutéce

Did you know Paris had Roman Ruins? Well, you do know. Les arenes de Lutéce date back to the first century AD and up to 15,000 spectators would have witnessed gladiatorial combat here.

• BNF Richelieu Site: Salle Labrouste

Who doesn’t love a good library? This location is so visually stunning, it might even make you wish you had to write essays again.

• La Grande Mosquée de Paris

Already seen the Sacré Coeur? Enjoy a different aspect of world religion and see the gardens of Paris’ grand mosque. You can also stop to enjoy tea and cake after your visit.

• Boat ride on the Canal de l’Ourcq

If you find the cruises on the Seine a little too crowded for your liking, then you might want to check out a boat ride on the Canal de l’Ourcq in the north or Paris.

• Go wine tasting

France is famous for its wines, so it would be rude not to enjoy one of the country’s finest arts. There are plenty of great bars to stop in for a glass, but if you’ve got the time you might want to consider a Burgundy wine tour

• Head to a bistro for some traditional French fare

If you aren’t eating beef bourguignon with a glass of vin rouge, are you really in Paris? Make sure you indulge your inner gourmand with some classic Parisian fare like escargot or steak frites.

Need more ideas? You can't go wrong with these suggestions:

• Cabarets in Paris

• See the Eiffel Tower lit up at night, or venture up it with an evening ticket

• Stare out over the City of Lights from the Arc de Triomphe

Visiting the most romantic city in the world for your honeymoon? Paris won’t disappoint if you’ve just tied the knot. Beauty is around every bend, whether it’s the world-class museums and galleries, the stunning architecture that truly signals the mark of continental Europe, or the simple charm of walking through the streets and hearing the lyrical beat of Parisians chattering to one another.

After starting your morning with something fresh from a boulangerie, give these ideas a go:

• Kiss atop the Eiffel Tower and stare out over the city

• Channel the charm of 1920s Paris in Shakespeare & Company and buy a book you both love to put on your shelf at home

• Already thinking of family? Visit the Little Prince store and pick up a keepsake for when your little one arrives

• Take a trip to the Musée de la Vie romantique in Montmartre

• Walk hand in hand along the Seine and take a dinner cruise that showcases Paris aglow in the evening

• Spice things up with a show at the Moulin Rouge

If you ask a Parisian, they’ll tell you to avoid the summer months! It’s simply too hot. The best time to visit is spring or autumn.

To avoid melting on the metro, visit the French capital in spring time and enjoy a happier side of Paris as winter thaws out. Its abundance of gardens and parks will also be in bloom, and wandering through the city will be pleasanter on the whole.

Can’t make it in spring? Autumn is a close second. Paris is a city of seasons, so drink in the crisp autumn air and enjoy some chocolat chaud after a long day of museum hopping.