A Traveler’s Guide To The 20 Most Enjoyable Things To Do In Paris
Paris pulls you in with its timeless charm—cobblestone streets, world-class art, and cafés that seem frozen in another era. But beyond the postcard-perfect scenes, the city rewards curiosity.
Wander off the main avenues and you’ll find unexpected moments of beauty, flavor, and connection. Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, there’s always something new to discover—and plenty of ways to soak in the real Paris.
1. Climb The Eiffel Tower
Standing at the base, you’ll feel tiny gazing up at this massive iron marvel stretching toward the sky. The Eiffel Tower offers three viewing levels with increasingly spectacular panoramas of the city.
Morning visits help avoid the longest lines, while evening trips showcase the city’s twinkling lights. Consider booking tickets online to skip the main queue.
2. Explore The Louvre Museum
World-famous masterpieces await in this palatial art haven that once housed French royalty. The Louvre spans 652,000 square feet with over 35,000 works from prehistory to modern times.
Plan your visit around specific galleries rather than trying to see everything. Early weekday mornings and Wednesday evenings offer the smallest crowds.
3. Walk Along The Seine River
Cobblestone paths wind alongside shimmering waters, offering postcard-perfect views at every turn. The Seine River flows through the heart of the city, with 37 bridges connecting its banks.
Sunset walks provide magical lighting for photos. Pack a baguette and cheese for an impromptu picnic on the riverbank steps near Pont Neuf.
4. Visit Notre-Dame Cathedral And Île De La Cité
Gothic architecture reaches heavenward with intricate stone details that have survived centuries. Notre-Dame Cathedral stands majestically on Île de la Cité, the island birthplace of Paris.
While interior access remains limited due to reconstruction, the exterior still impresses. Nearby, don’t miss Sainte-Chapelle’s breathtaking stained glass windows just a short walk away.
5. Stroll Through Montmartre And Visit Sacré-Cœur
Winding cobblestone streets lead upward through a neighborhood that feels frozen in time. Montmartre has preserved its village-like charm despite being part of a major metropolis.
Street artists still paint in Place du Tertre, continuing a tradition from when Picasso lived here. The brilliant white dome of Sacré-Cœur basilica rewards your climb with spectacular city views.
6. Browse The Shakespeare And Company Bookstore
Literary magic fills every nook of this charming English bookshop nestled near the Seine. Shakespeare and Company has welcomed writers and book lovers since 1951, continuing the legacy of its famous predecessor.
Cramped aisles overflow with new and used books stacked to the ceiling. Look for the reading nooks upstairs where aspiring writers have slept in exchange for helping around the shop.
7. Picnic In Luxembourg Gardens
Manicured greenery provides a perfect escape from urban bustle with tree-lined promenades and vibrant flowerbeds. The Luxembourg Gardens offer 55 acres of French and English landscaping surrounding the grand palace.
Bring a blanket and settle near the central fountain where children sail toy boats. The southwestern corner offers the best spots for quiet relaxation away from the crowds.
8. Wander Le Marais District
Medieval buildings house trendy boutiques and galleries in this fashionable yet historic neighborhood. Le Marais preserves narrow streets and aristocratic mansions from centuries past while embracing modern style.
Jewish bakeries and high-end designers create a uniquely diverse atmosphere. Sunday mornings bring the district to life when many other Paris neighborhoods remain quiet.
9. Visit The Covered Passages (Galeries)
Step back in time through elegant glass-roofed shopping arcades dating from the 19th century. These hidden walkways once served as luxury shopping destinations for Paris’ elite before department stores existed.
Mosaic floors, wrought-iron details, and antique shop signs create a nostalgic atmosphere. Galerie Vivienne near the Palais Royal offers the most photogenic experience with its preserved original features.
10. Discover Canal Saint-Martin
Iron footbridges arch over calm waters in this trendy neighborhood away from typical tourist routes. Canal Saint-Martin connects the Seine with the northeastern part of Paris through a series of locks and tunnels.
Young Parisians gather along the banks each evening with wine and snacks. Watch the fascinating process as boats navigate through the old manual lock system that still operates daily.
11. Enjoy A Pastry At A Neighborhood Boulangerie
Golden, flaky treats beckon from behind glass cases in small corner shops found throughout the city. The morning ritual of selecting fresh pastries is a quintessential Parisian experience.
Watch locals point to their favorite pain au chocolat or croissant aux amandes. For the full experience, enjoy your selection immediately while walking, just as Parisians do rather than taking it to go.
12. Take A Cooking Class Or Food Tour
Hands-on culinary adventures reveal the secrets behind French cuisine’s world-famous reputation. Learning to make classics like soufflés or macarons provides skills you’ll treasure long after your trip ends.
Market tours teach how to select ingredients like a local chef. Most classes include wine pairings and full meals, making them both educational and a memorable dining experience.
13. Sip Wine At A Sidewalk Café In Saint-Germain-Des-Prés
Tiny tables face outward toward bustling streets, perfect for observing the rhythm of Parisian life passing by. This intellectual district has hosted famous writers and philosophers for generations.
Order a glass of wine and a simple cheese plate for the authentic experience. Saint-Germain-des-Prés cafés like Les Deux Magots and Café de Flore charge more for their historic reputation but deliver unmatched people-watching.
14. Dine At A Rooftop Restaurant With A View
Elevated dining combines gourmet cuisine with sweeping cityscapes that showcase Paris in all its glory. Reservations are essential for these coveted tables, especially those facing the Eiffel Tower.
Sunset bookings offer the magical transition from daylight to illuminated monuments. Many rooftop venues feature seasonal menus highlighting fresh French ingredients paired with carefully selected wines.
15. Sample Cheeses And Charcuterie At A Local Market
Aromatic stalls overflow with hundreds of regional specialties waiting to be tasted and discovered. Vendors happily offer samples and explain the origins of each cheese or cured meat.
Markets like Marché d’Aligre combine food shopping with casual wine bars. Ask for a selection of different milk types – cow, goat, and sheep – to experience the incredible diversity of French cheese-making traditions.
16. Catch A Show At Moulin Rouge Or An Alternative Cabaret
Feathers, sequins, and high-energy performances create unforgettable evenings of classic Parisian entertainment. These theatrical spectacles combine dance, music, and acrobatics in lavishly decorated historic venues.
The famous Moulin Rouge has operated since 1889 in Montmartre. Smaller cabarets like Le Crazy Horse offer more intimate, avant-garde performances that update the traditional format for contemporary audiences.
17. Visit The Catacombs Of Paris
Descend beneath the city streets into an underground labyrinth holding the carefully arranged remains of six million former Parisians. This macabre yet fascinating site began as limestone quarries before becoming an ossuary in the late 18th century.
The temperature stays cool year-round at 57°F. Limited daily tickets mean booking in advance is essential, as the wait for walk-up entry often exceeds two hours.
18. Explore The Musée d’Orsay
Sunlight streams through a massive clock face in this magnificent former railway station turned art museum. The Musée d’Orsay houses the world’s largest collection of Impressionist masterpieces by Monet, Renoir, Degas, and others.
The building itself is an architectural marvel worth admiring. The fifth-floor terrace café offers stunning views across the Seine to Sacré-Cœur in the distance.
19. See A film At A Historic Parisian Cinema
Velvet seats and ornate moldings transport movie-goers to a more glamorous era of film viewing. Historic theaters like Le Grand Rex and La Pagode offer architectural splendor alongside carefully curated film selections.
Many venues show films in original language with French subtitles. Look for special events featuring live music accompaniment to silent classics or director Q&As following independent French film premieres.
20. Attend A Seasonal Festival Or Pop-Up Event
Temporary installations transform familiar spaces into magical new environments throughout the year. Summer brings Paris Plages, turning riverbanks into artificial beaches complete with sand and loungers.
Winter features Christmas markets and outdoor ice skating rinks. Check local listings for pop-up restaurants, art installations, and cultural festivals that showcase the city’s creative energy and provide unique experiences even longtime visitors haven’t seen.