My 14 Top Things to Do in Paris, France

Paris is a city full of experiences for every type of traveler, whether you’re traveling solo, with a partner, or as part of a family. I had actually visited the City of Light a few times when I was younger, which was mainly to go to nearby Disneyland. When I returned as an adult, I unexpectedly fell in love with this magical city.

Before that, I had been very vocal about my dislike for Paris. When I look back, it’s pretty obvious that a) I was trying to be edgy, and b) it’s hard to make judgments based on what a place was like when you’re 7 or 12 years old. I now completely understand why it’s the most-visited city in the world, and I’ve already been eagerly awaiting my next trip there. 

Based on my experiences in Paris, I’ve compiled this list of my favorite things to do in the city. My aim is that you can pick what appeals to your travel style in particular. I have also designed this guide to be referred to whenever you need it; it’s ideal for planning your trip in advance and also when you arrive in the French capital. 

1. Visit the Eiffel Tower’s Second Floor

While I usually want to see the city’s main landmark when I go to a viewpoint, I wanted to go to the Eiffel Tower for the experience in and of itself. Doing so was a big highlight of my most recent Paris trip; we visited the second floor, which has two observation decks. 

From the Eiffel Tower’s second floor, you can see across Paris. Depending on the visibility, you’ll be able to see Montmartre and the beautiful Sacre-Cœur church perched at its top. On top of that, the Arc De Triomphe is visible. One thing I really enjoyed was seeing how harmoniously all of Paris architecture works together, and seeing all the unique shapes and zigzags that aren’t visible from street level. 

You can also visit the Eiffel Tower’s summit, but I only recommend doing so if you have clear weather. Most of Paris was visible from the second floor when we visited, even though it was very cloudy, so much so that the summit was actually blocked by clouds. 

Address: 5 Avenue Anatole France, 75007 Paris

Buying Tickets for the Eiffel Tower Second Floor

I strongly recommend booking tickets in advance when you visit the Eiffel Tower’s second floor. We booked this guided tour, but ordinary entry tickets are also available. 

You can choose whether you want to take an elevator to the second floor or climb the 674 steps. We took the elevator up and walked down the steps. These can be quite slippery if it has been raining, so be careful when doing so. 

Good to Know: You’ll Need to Pass Security Checks

When visiting the Eiffel Tower’s second floor or summit, you must pass through security checks. You’ll walk through a metal detector and also have your bag checked. You’re allowed to take small bags and backpacks, but big backpacks and luggage are banned. 

The security checks only took a few minutes, but you should prepare for them when you visit. 

When at the Eiffel Tower, Look for the Small Details

Getting up close to the Eiffel Tower means that you’ll see smaller details that are easy to otherwise miss. For example, you’ll notice drops of paint on the floor beneath it; even today, people climb the tower and paint it themselves. This requires constant work to stop it from rusting. 

You will also notice the names of scientists engraved on the Eiffel Tower. In January 2026, the names of 72 female scientists who’ll also be added to the building were revealed; beforehand, the names were only male. Marie Curie, the first female Nobel Peace Prize winner, is one of the names that will be added to the Eiffel Tower. 

I also recommend spending some time in the garden beneath the Eiffel Tower after you’ve visited the second floor. I have to say that the atmosphere was very peaceful, and it was a nice, unexpected extra. 

Getting to the Eiffel Tower

You’ll find a handful of Metro stations close to the Eiffel Tower, the closest of which is Bir Hakeim. You can also take the RER to Champ de Mars Tour Eiffel.  

If you’ve got some time, though, I recommend walking along the River Seine to the Eiffel Tower. 

2. Go to Disneyland Paris

Some of my fondest childhood memories were from my trips to Disneyland Paris. I had the privilege of visiting twice. The first time involved me screwing up my class’s chances of winning the attendance record that week, but I somehow think Disneyland was a worthwhile trade-off. I turned out alright, too, I guess. 🙂

Disneyland is around an hour from Paris, but you can get there in less than 15 minutes from Charles De Gaulle Airport. Marne-la-Vallée – Chessy is the closest station to the amusement park. If you take the Eurostar to Paris, you can take the train directly to Disneyland. 

Address: Bd de Parc, 77700 Coupvray

3. Visit the Arc de Triomphe’s Observation Deck

While I loved visiting the Eiffel Tower’s second floor, I of course also wanted to get a view of Paris with The Iron Lady included. The Arc de Triomphe was the perfect place to do precisely that.

The Eiffel Tower isn’t too far from the Arc de Triomphe, meaning that you’ll get an uninterrupted view and some great photos. You don’t need a telescopic lens to do so, either; even your ordinary phone will be enough for this. 

From the Arc de Triomphe, you’ll also get a nice view over the Avenue des Champs-Élysées. Moreover, you can check out the modern buildings in the La Défense district. I must admit that I’m not the biggest fan of Paris’s modern architecture, for the most part. But at the same time, some of the buildings here look pretty cool from afar. 

The Arc de Triomphe was somewhat crowded when we visited, but by no means unmanageable. Unsurprisingly, most people were interested in the view toward the Eiffel Tower. You’ll likely need to wait a bit to take a photo there, but not so much for the other spots. 

You’ll find toilets at the Arc de Triomphe if you need them. To reach the top, you have to climb up a staircase—but this is not as strenuous as some other monuments in Europe. Before entering the building, you’ll need to pass a quick security check. 

Like the other famous monuments in Paris, I strongly suggest booking your tickets in advance. 

Address: Pl. Charles de Gaulle, 75008 Paris

4. Explore the Latin Quarter

The Latin Quarter is close to Notre Dame and a pretty big area; we spent an evening here, but to be honest, I recommend spending a lot more time if possible. You’ll find some of the most beautiful streets in Paris in this part of the city, which says a lot in and of itself. 

In my opinion, the main enjoyment here is to wander aimlessly and let yourself go wherever you feel looks interesting. You will also find some of Paris’s main attractions in the Latin Quarter, such as the Panthéon. 

The Latin Quarter felt somewhat disconnected from other central parts of Paris when we visited, but you can still reach it by public transport. Cluny-La Sorbonne, Saint-Michel Notre Dame, and Maubert Mutualité are all options if you take the Metro. Otherwise, you can take the Metro to Cité. It’s close to Notre Dame, and you can walk to the Latin Quarter from there. 

While in the Latin Quarter, you’ll find a number of bakeries and restaurants. It was very crowded when we were there on a Saturday evening, even though we visited in November. If you’re looking for a specific place to go, I can recommend Le Cèdre—a lovely Lebanese restaurant we went to before exploring the district. 

5. See Paris From a Different Angle on a Boat Tour

No trip to Paris is complete without riding along the iconic River Seine at least once. We took this one-hour boat tour, which took us to Notre Dame before returning to the Eiffel Tower. It took around an hour and was a lovely way to spend a bit of our afternoon. 

Our boat on this tour was more than big enough to handle everyone on board, and we had audio commentary in French, English, and other languages. While I’ve been to some cities where the audio is loud to the point of being a distraction, this was not the case this time. I still felt like we could enjoy our surroundings without having what felt like someone shout in our ears. 

I have a whole host of museums on my Paris bucket list for future trips, but one that I got to visit—and am happy that I did—was the Musée D’Orsay. This large museum is in a former train station and features art exhibitions from several eras, along with some cool views of the River Seine and some of the nearby buildings. At the top, you’ll find an iconic clock photo spot as well. 

Since the museum is so big, I recommend prioritizing what you truly want to see and then going from there. I actually wrote a full guide to help you plan your visit. I visited around opening time, which was wise; by the time I left, it was already crowded. 

You can buy tickets for the Musée D’Orsay in advance or at the museum. It’s also possible to book guided tours of the museum, which—if you think that you’ll find the size daunting—isn’t a bad idea. Some people, such as EEA residents up to 25 years old and everyone under the age of 18, don’t need to pay for entry.

To get to the Musée D’Orsay, you can take the Metro to Solférino. From there, the museum is less than 10 minutes away on foot. Otherwise, you can get the RER to the Musée D’Orsay. It’s possible to reach the museum via multiple bus routes, too.

Website: https://www.musee-orsay.fr/en 

7. Go to Sacre-Cœur for Sunrise

Since Sacre-Cœur is located at the top of one of the tallest hills in Paris, it’s needless to say that the views are great from here. We really wanted to visit, but without the crowds that would’ve been there during the day. So, we had the idea to go for sunrise on our last morning in the city. 

While it was somewhat cloudy, I’m still glad that we did this. There were other people, for sure, but the crowds weren’t so bad. And to be honest, the views are nice enough to warrant a visit regardless of when you go. 

You can either admire the views from the stairs and directly below Sacre-Cœur (and the area just outside the church) or from the nearby viewing platform. My recommendation is to go to both of them. 

It’s also possible to visit the dome at Sacre-Cœur for more views of Paris. Unlike the views outside, you’ll need to pay for this one. 

We walked to Sacre-Cœur as we weren’t staying too far away. There’s a funicular that runs from 06:00 to 00:45 daily, but we decided to take the (admittedly quite steep) stairs. You can also take the Metro to Anvers, which is less than 10 minutes from the church on foot.

Address: 35 Rue du Chevalier de la Barre, 75018 Paris

8. Visit the Jardin des Tuileries

Paris is blessed with numerous pretty gardens, and my personal favorite is the Jardin des Tuileries. You’ll find locals and tourists alike here, and it’s a must-visit spot regardless of the time of day or year. I actually came here twice on my most recent trip to Paris. 

The Jardin des Tuileries is perfect for running, people-watching, and just having a walk around. You’ll find a number of places to sit down, and the garden is very well-kept, too. 

Getting to the Jardin des Tuileries is very easy. It’s close to the Louvre, the Champs d’Éllysées, and Place de la Concorde. You can walk here from other central parts of Paris without problems, but if you’d like to take public transport, get the Metro to Tuileries or Concorde.

9. Watch the Eiffel Tower Glitter at Night

Seeing the Eiffel Tower at night for the first time was a magical experience, and as I mentioned in my Paris four-day itinerary, it’s one of the first things I did when visiting. To be honest, I see this being a customary tradition each time I go to Paris in the future, too. 

The Eiffel Tower sparkles for five minutes each hour after sunset until the building closes. I wanted to see if we could see it from the inside when we visited the observation deck, but to be honest, we couldn’t so much. 

Luckily, we had already seen it from the outside. The best place to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle, in my opinion, is on the opposite bank of the River Seine. We first went to Pont Alexandre III, which was pretty crowded. The spot that we went to after still had people, but not as many. 

You can see the Eiffel Tower glitter each hour for free. In addition to watching this spectacular show, you should also spend some time admiring the beaming light that revolves around the top of the structure. 

One thing I should note: Taking photos of the Eiffel Tower twinkling is pretty difficult. I tried slowing my shutter speed, but I still found it a challenge. 😄

10. Explore & Photograph the Montmartre Neighborhood

I know that Montmartre is hardly a hidden gem, but it’s popular for a reason. I really enjoyed the Sunday morning that we spent in the neighborhood, and I’d love to stay closer to this area when I next visit Paris. 

Because we visited early, it was not crowded at all. We saw other people, sure, but nowhere near as many as we would have if we had gone later in the day. You should definitely stop at some of the popular photo spots, but I also recommend just going for an aimless walk around the winding cobblestone streets.

From various points in Montmartre, you can get nice views of Paris. I also recommend going to the lower part of Montmartre, which has more of a local vibe; there are a number of shops and bakeries here. You could spend a full day exploring just this part of Paris without getting bored. 

When exploring the upper part of Montmartre in particular, you should keep an eye out for pickpockets. This is one of the busiest parts of the city, which naturally brings the risks associated with that. Oh, and you definitely should pack some comfortable shoes for walking around (it’s very hilly, too). 

For the lower part of Montmartre, you can take the Metro to Abbesses. 

11. Walk Along the Banks of the River Seine

I think around half of my steps from Paris were taken along the River Seine in some way, shape, or form. Besides being the most scenic way to get from Point A to B in many cases, the banks on either side of the river are just nice for a general stroll. 

I walked along the Seine at all times of the day, and honestly, I wish I had packed my running gear. It’s a great place to go for a jog or even cycle if you’ve rented some bikes. 

You can walk toward the Eiffel Tower in one direction and Notre Dame in the other, going past the Louvre and several other iconic sights. It’s also worth coming here regardless of when in the year you visit. 

12. Check Out the Louvre Pyramid

One of the main reasons I enjoyed visiting Paris is that it’s a photographer’s dream. I’ve wanted to see the pyramid outside The Louvre for a while, and we found it on our first evening in the city. It looks beautiful when illuminated, and I actually like the old-modern contrast with the buildings around it. 

The pyramid is also worth seeing during the day, and regardless, you don’t need a ticket for the museum to see it. However, you will need to stay behind the fenced area if you aren’t visiting the museum itself. 

This area was crowded both during the day and the evening, though crowds were definitely more manageable at night. To see the pyramid, go to the Place du Carrousel. You can take the Metro to either Louvre – Rivoli or Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre and walk from there. 

If you’d like to get closer to the pyramid, you can buy museum entry tickets (advance time slot needed) or a guided tour to The Louvre. Both of these are ideal if you want to also see the museum itself, but if not, I suggest sticking with the free view.

13. Go for Italian Food at Pink Mamma

Italian food is always a good idea, in my opinion, and we were recommended Pink Mamma before visiting. It’s perfect for a date night or just if you want to have a nice dinner. The dough on the pizza is exactly how I like it, and the tiramusú was the perfect way to finish the meal. 

We went to Pink Mamma in Pigalle, which has a nice, laid-back atmosphere. To be honest, it took me a while to pick what I wanted because basically everything on the menu looked good. The restaurant is pretty big, but I still recommend booking a table in advance as it’s quite popular. This is particularly true on weekends. 

You’ll find multiple Pink Mamma restaurants throughout Paris, along with in other French cities like Lyon and Bordeaux. While it’s a pretty big chain, the food still feels like a local restaurant. 

Address (for the one we visited): 20bis Rue de Douai, 75009 Paris

Website: https://www.bigmammagroup.com/italian-restaurants/pink-mamma

14. Get a Pan Suisse at Boris Lumé

Paris and baked goods compete with Daft Punk for the most iconic French duo. You will not struggle to find baguettes, pastries, and more when you visit. If I had stopped in every place that looked tempting, I’m sure I would have seen nothing else. But one place you definitely should go to is Boris Lumé. 

More specifically, I’m recommending Pan Suisse from Boris Lumé. We went here on a Sunday morning for some breakfast, and that was the absolute highlight. The croissants are also good, as you’d expect, and so were the sandwiches. 

Boris Lumé doesn’t have a huge amount of seating, but you can always take your stuff with you if needed. Basically everything will appeal to you when you get here, so grab one or two pieces each alongside the Pan Suisse. You can get some coffee to accompany your food, too. 

We went to the boulangerie on Rue Caulaincourt, but you can also visit the café / pâtisserie on Rue Lepic if you’re looking more specifically for sweets.

Addresses:

48 Rue Caulaincourt, 75018 Paris (Boulangerie)

28 Rue Lepic, 75018 Paris (Café / Pâtisserie)

All of My Favorite Things to Do in Paris in One Place

No matter how many times you visit Paris, you will always find new and interesting things to do. I really enjoyed my most recent trip to Paris, and even if you’re only there for a weekend, you certainly won’t find yourself bored. 

Whether you love bakeries, museums, or sightseeing, France’s magical capital has something for you. It’s the perfect place to visit at different stages of life, too, whether you’re going solo or with your loved ones. 

Now that you’ve read my guide, I hope that you’ve got a better idea of what you can do when you’re in Paris. You can also leave a comment if you need any further help planning your trip. 

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