What to Do in Paris: Your Complete Guide to the City of Light

Let’s start with the obvious ones – because honestly, they’re famous for good reason. These five landmarks anchor almost every first-time itinerary, and each one is compelling enough to justify the crowds most visitors complain about.

Yeah, I know… everyone goes here. But here’s the thing – the Eiffel Tower genuinely takes your breath away, especially if you time it right. Skip the daytime crowds and go for sunset instead. The golden hour light makes the iron lattice work look like jewelry against the sky.

Pro tip: Book your tickets online in advance. The lines are brutal, and you’ll waste half your day waiting. The second floor offers the best views – the top can be cloudy and honestly, you’re too high up to appreciate the city layout. Built for the 1889 World’s Fair, the tower stands about 330 metres tall and was only meant to stand for 20 years before being kept on as a radio transmission tower.

The Louvre is massive. Like, stupidly huge. You could spend weeks here and still not see everything. My advice? Pick three things you really want to see and focus on those. Yes, go see the Mona Lisa if you must (though it’s smaller than you’d expect), but don’t miss the Venus de Milo or the Winged Victory of Samothrace.

The museum’s official website has great planning tools. Wednesday and Friday evenings are less crowded, and the museum stays open late. The glass pyramid entrance, designed by architect I. M. Pei, was completed in 1989 and remains the museum’s main entrance today.

Useful links: Louvre official website · Château de Versailles official website

Notre-Dame reopened to the public in December 2024, five years after the 2019 fire that destroyed its roof and spire, and the interior restoration is widely considered a triumph — the stonework has never looked cleaner. Entry is free, but timed tickets are strongly recommended given the renewed demand since reopening.

Walk around to the back of the cathedral for a good view of the restored spire and fewer crowds. The nearby Sainte-Chapelle is open and has some of the most stunning stained glass windows you’ll ever see.

Montmartre feels like a village within the city. The cobblestone streets, artist squares, and that famous basilica perched on top… it’s touristy but magical. Take the funicular up if you’re not feeling the climb – those stairs are no joke.

The view from Sacré-Cœur’s steps at sunset is unbeatable. Grab a bottle of wine from a nearby shop and join the locals watching the city light up below. Just watch your belongings – pickpockets love this area. Construction on the basilica began in 1875 and wasn’t finished until 1914, with formal consecration delayed until 1919 because of the First World War.

Start early at the Arc de Triomphe. The views from the top are worth the climb, and you’ll get great photos looking down the Champs-Élysées. Walk down to Place de la Concorde, then cut through the Tuileries Garden to reach the Louvre.

Spend your afternoon in the Latin Quarter. The narrow medieval streets around the Panthéon are perfect for wandering. End your day with dinner in Saint-Germain-des-Prés – the restaurant scene here is incredible. The Arc de Triomphe was commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 to honor his army, though it wasn’t completed until 1836, after his death.

Morning at the Musée d’Orsay for the world’s best collection of Impressionist art. The building itself (a former train station) is gorgeous. Don’t miss the Renoirs and Monets on the top floor.

Afternoon: Cross the river to Île de la Cité. See Notre-Dame’s exterior, then visit Sainte-Chapelle for those mind-blowing stained glass windows. If you have energy left, explore the Marais district – great for shopping and people-watching. The Musée d’Orsay occupies a former railway station, the Gare d’Orsay, which was converted into a museum and opened to the public in 1986.

Take the RER C train to Versailles (about 45 minutes from central Paris). The Palace of Versailles is absolutely bonkers – the Hall of Mirrors alone will make your jaw drop.

Book timed entry tickets online. The gardens are huge, so rent a bike or take the little train if you want to see Marie Antoinette’s estate. Pack a lunch – the on-site restaurants are overpriced and mediocre. The Palace of Versailles has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, and it served as the main residence of French kings from Louis XIV until the French Revolution in 1789.

Explore areas most tourists skip. Belleville has amazing street art and authentic Chinese restaurants. The Canal Saint-Martin area is perfect for afternoon drinks at waterside cafés.

Evening in Montmartre, but skip the main tourist drag. Head to Rue des Abbesses for dinner – the restaurants here serve locals, not just tourists. Both neighborhoods sit just a short Métro ride from central Paris, making them easy to combine with an evening back in a more central arrondissement.

Morning at the Musée Rodin – the sculpture garden is peaceful and the art is incredible. Then explore the covered passages like Galerie Vivienne or Passage des Panoramas. These 19th-century shopping arcades are uniquely Parisian.

Afternoon: Père Lachaise Cemetery might sound morbid, but it’s actually beautiful and peaceful. Famous graves include Jim Morrison, Édith Piaf, and Oscar Wilde. Père Lachaise opened in 1804 and is the largest cemetery within Paris, with famous graves including Chopin and Balzac in addition to Jim Morrison and Oscar Wilde.

The Metro is your best friend. Buy a weekly pass (Navigo) if you’re staying more than three days – it pays for itself quickly. The system looks complicated but it’s actually pretty logical once you get the hang of it.

Walking is underrated in Paris. The city center is compact, and you’ll discover amazing things just by wandering. Comfortable shoes are non-negotiable – those cobblestones are murder on your feet.

Avoid taxis during rush hour. The traffic is insane, and you’ll pay a fortune to sit still. Uber works well, but it’s pricey. The Métro network covers the city with 16 lines, and stations are rarely more than a few minutes’ walk apart in the central arrondissements.

Forget the tourist traps around major attractions. The best meals happen in neighborhood bistros where locals actually eat. Paris has more Michelin-starred restaurants than almost any other city, but plenty of its best meals come from neighborhood spots with no stars and no fanfare at all.

Parisians don’t do big breakfasts. A croissant and coffee at a local café is the way to go. Du Pain et des Idées makes incredible pastries, but expect a line. Standing at the counter (comptoir) is typically cheaper than sitting at a table, since French cafés commonly charge different prices depending on where you sit.

Look for places offering a “menu du jour” (daily menu). These fixed-price meals are usually fresh, seasonal, and reasonably priced. Bistrot Paul Bert in the 11th arrondissement serves classic French food without the tourist markup. A menu du jour typically bundles a starter, main course and dessert or coffee for one fixed price, and is usually only available on weekdays at lunchtime.

Make reservations. Seriously. Even casual places book up, especially on weekends. L’As du Fallafel in the Marais has the best falafel in the city (yes, in Paris). For something fancier, Septime offers modern French cuisine that won’t break the bank. Restaurants typically don’t start dinner service until around 7:30 or 8 PM, later than in many other countries, so arriving right when doors open is rarely a problem.

Perfect weather, blooming gardens, but also peak tourist season. Book accommodations early and expect crowds at major attractions. Days lengthen quickly through spring, and outdoor café terraces across the city fill up again after the quieter winter months.

Long days, outdoor dining, but also the most expensive and crowded time. Many locals leave in August, so some restaurants close. Free outdoor cinema screenings and the long-running Paris Plages program, which turns stretches of the Seine’s banks into temporary beaches, are two of the season’s most popular free activities.

My favorite time to visit. Comfortable temperatures, fewer crowds, and the city has this golden, romantic quality. Pack layers – weather can be unpredictable. Mid-September brings the Journées du Patrimoine (Heritage Days), when many historic buildings and government sites not normally open to the public allow free entry for the weekend.

Cold and gray, but also magical. Christmas markets, cozy cafés, and way fewer tourists. Museums and indoor attractions are perfect for rainy days. Paris rarely sees hard freezes even in the coldest months, thanks to its temperate oceanic climate, though damp cold and short days can feel colder than the thermometer suggests.

Paris is surprisingly eco-friendly if you know how to navigate it. The public transportation system is extensive and efficient – you rarely need a car.

Rent a Vélib’ bike for short trips. The city has dedicated bike lanes, and it’s a fun way to see neighborhoods. Many hotels now offer bike rentals too.

Shop at local markets instead of supermarket chains. The produce is better, packaging is minimal, and you’re supporting local farmers. Marché des Enfants Rouges is the oldest covered market in Paris and absolutely worth visiting. Vélib’ launched in 2007 as one of the first large-scale bike-share systems in the world, and the city has steadily expanded its dedicated cycling lanes since.

Paris is getting better with accessibility, but it’s still challenging. Many Metro stations don’t have elevators, and older buildings often lack ramps. The city’s official accessibility guide has detailed information about accessible routes and facilities.

Most major museums and attractions are wheelchair accessible, but call ahead to confirm. Taxis are required to accommodate wheelchairs, though you might need to wait longer for an adapted vehicle. Line 14, the newest and fully automated Métro line, is the most accessible system-wide, while buses tend to be a more reliable step-free option across the rest of the city.

The Paris Museum Pass is worth it if you’re visiting multiple attractions. It covers over 60 sites and lets you skip ticket lines. Do the math based on your itinerary – it usually pays for itself with just three major attractions.

Happy hour exists in Paris, though it’s not as common as in other cities. Look for “5 à 7” specials at wine bars. Grocery stores sell decent wine for €5-10 that would cost €30+ in restaurants.

Picnics are your friend. Buy cheese, bread, and wine from local shops and eat in one of the city’s beautiful parks. It’s romantic, cheap, and very Parisian. Many state-run museums and monuments offer free entry to EU residents under 26, so it’s worth having ID on hand even if you’re just browsing on a whim.

Paris rewards curiosity. Yes, see the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre – they’re incredible. But also wander down random streets, sit in neighborhood cafés, and talk to locals. The city reveals itself slowly, in layers, like peeling back centuries of history with each step.

Pack comfortable shoes, bring your appetite, and prepare to fall in love. Paris has this way of getting under your skin… and honestly, once it does, you’ll find yourself planning your next visit before you’ve even left.