12 Best Things to Do in Paris

Paris offers so many beautiful sights, any vacation will seem too short! Before to travel is good to check it out what are the best things to do in Paris. Here we will tell you all about what to see and to do and all the most popular attractions of the capital of France. We provide with some detailed information in this article. So let’s get started!

Just a little reminder! Paris is one of the most popular tourist destination in the world. All tickets to attractions and museums recommended to book in advance.

Here we’ve listed 12 of the best attractions in Paris to visit during your stay in the city of love!

Eiffel Tower: Best Parisian Experience

This elegant structure was erected by Gustave Eiffel specifically for the 1889 World's Fair and was the entrance arch to the exposition area.

There are two levels available to tourists: at an altitude of 57 and 115 meters and you can have a panoramic view of Paris. You can combine pleasant with pleasant in one of the restaurants of the Eiffel Tower, they are located on the 1st and 2nd levels of the attraction.

Worth to mentioning that the best view of the Eiffel Tower opens from Trocadero Square where you can take a splendid photo. The illumination of the Eiffel Tower is from 8 pm in winter and from 9 pm in summer. Don't miss this spectacular show!

• Ticket price: from $ 10 to $ 26.90. You will not stand in line at the ticket office if you buy tickets in advance.
• The nearest metro stations are: Bir-Hakeim (line 6), Trocadéro (line 6 and 9), RER: Champ de Mars – Tour Eiffel.
• Address: Champ de Mars, 5 Avenue Anatole France, 75007 Paris.

Louvre Museum: A Paris Must-See Attractions

One of the most famous museums in the world was founded by King Francis I (it was to him that the Louvre owes its "Gioconda") and developed rapidly during the time of Napoleon, who actively exported masterpieces of art from the countries he defeated (although when the Corsican was deposed and the allies entered Paris, they returned much of the loot back).

There's you can see very famous works like a Venus, Mona Lisa, Marianne and Nika. There are huge collections of French, Italian, Flemish, ancient Roman and ancient Greek art. Also you can admire antiquities from Egypt, the Middle East and other regions of the world.

There are 13.5 km of galleries in the museum. So it’s not possible to pass them at one time or for sure you can get lost.

The Louvre is in the heart of city of love and is surrounded by other attractions. After leaving the museum, you can immediately enter the Royal Tuileries Garden. And then you can walk past the Orangerie Museum and exit to the Place de la Concorde. The cost of the visit: 17 €. The visit must be booked in advance.

• Nearest metro stations: Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre (1 line).
• Address: Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris.

Champs-Élysée: Shopping and Dining in Paris

Champs-Élysée is one of the most famous avenue in Paris. The street is a promenade, the street is a showcase, the street is a song. As a song, it was glorified by many French chansonniers (for example, Joe Dassin), and as a showcase – by the best world brands. Here you can find an expensive boutique with variety of well-known brands, restaurants, and bars. You can do some shopping. In the evening, you can try a delicious French cuisine.

• Nearest metro stations: from Concorde Station to Charles de Gaulle – Etoile station (1 line).
• Address: Av. des Champs-Élysées, Paris.

The Best Experiences at Luxembourg Gardens

One of the most favorite walking places of Parisians, sung by Verlaine, Baudelaire and Nerval. These 23 hectares of neatly trimmed grass and flower beds were created thanks to Napoleon III, who decided that the Parisian left bank was vitally lacking a park to "balance" the Tuileries Garden located to the north. Cost of visit: free of charge.

In the northern part of the park is the Luxembourg Palace, built by order of the Italian Maria de' Medici – the architect took the Florentine Palazzo Pitti as a basis. After the Medici, the palace repeatedly changed owners and scope of use: during the revolution, it even had to be a prison. Nowadays, the Luxembourg Palace is the meeting place of the French Senate. You can get inside the palace only during the Heritage Days in September.

• The nearest metro stations are Odéon (lines 4 and 10), Luxembourg (RER A and B). The park is located next to Saint-Germain-des-Pres and the Latin quarters.
• Address: Jardin du Luxembourg,75006 Paris.

Notre Dame de Paris: Best Things to Do Near the Iconic Cathedral

The living and beating (before the fire of 2019) heart of Paris, located on the small island of Cité – the "cradle" of the French capital. The grandiose cathedral was finally completed in 1345, becoming the largest temple in Europe of the early Gothic period (it could simultaneously accommodate nine thousand people).

Notre Dame Cathedral was glorified by Victor Hugo's literary masterpiece of the same name – who, by the way, saw the first letter of his surname Hugo in the famous H-shaped facade of the temple. If we talk about the facade, the view from the embankment on the left bank of the Seine is almost more picturesque than the portals of the main square – fortunately, in the process of the grandiose Parisian "renovation", prefect Baron Ossmann demolished almost all the medieval buildings of the Cité and now nothing prevents admiring the side facade. Due to fire currently closed to the public and it will reopen at least in 2024. But you can visit and see outside.

• Metro station: Cité or Saint-Michel.
• Address: 6 Parvis Notre-Dame — Pl. Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris.

Uncover Parisian Glory at the Arc de Triomphe

The Triumphal Arch, towering in the center of the Square of the Star (Étoile), was the largest in the world until 1982, until the arch in North Korean Pyongyang took away this title from it. It is one of the most important sights of Paris along with the Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral, the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower.The arch was conceived by Napoleon as a symbol of his military triumphs – his victorious Great Army  was supposed to parade under it. 10 million francs and 30 years of work were spent on its construction – the construction was completed only in 1836.

In 1970, after the death of General de Gaulle, the square received the double name place Charles de Gaulle – Étoile.

• Nearest metro stations: Charles de Gaulle – Etoile (1 line).
• Ticket price: 13 €. You can get tickets in advance.
• Address : Place Charles de Gaulle, 75008 Paris.

Alexander III Bridge: A Can't-Miss Experience Among the Best Things to Do in Paris

Another attraction of Paris can be called the Seine River and the bridges over it. The most remarkable is the Alexander III Bridge. It is dedicated to the Russian emperor, because at the end of the 19th century France and Russia exchanged bridges as a sign of friendship. Gustave Eiffel then erected the Trinity Bridge in St. Petersburg.

A special view of the bridges of Paris opens from an excursion boat. Boats ply the Seine all year round. But in summer it is better to book a trip in advance so as not to stand in line at the pier.

• Nearest metro stations:  Invalides (8 and 13 lines); RER Invalides (line C). Visit for free of charge.
• Address: Pont Alexandre III, 75008 Paris.

Legendary Can-Can at Moulin Rouge in Paris

Moulin Rouge! The Red Mill is the most famous cabaret and one of the most recognizable sights of Paris. It was here that cancan and striptease were invented, more than one film was made about this cabaret. Artists, poets, writers, as well as various celebrities, such as Sigmund Freud and the Prince of Wales, rested and had fun in the Moulin Rouge at one time. The Moulin Rouge Cabaret still gives two performances a day.

Be sure to book a ticket. You can buy them at reception, but as a rule they are sold out for a week in advance. Online you can choose tickets with champagne, dinner or in the VIP box.

• Price: attendance of the performance from 87 to 400 €.
• Nearest metro stations: Blanche (line 2).
• Address: 82 Boulevard de Clichy,75018 Paris.

Montmartre: Artistic Explorations in Paris's Bohemian Quarter

The Montmartre district is one big attraction of Paris. At the beginning of the 20th century lived here still unknown artists, writers, and artists who are now admired by the whole world. Here you can find the Picasso house, and the Dalida Square. There are landscapes from paintings by Renoir and Monet. There are pubs in which they dined, and vineyards from which they drank wine. This is a unique place where every alley is full of amazing and true stories.

Up and down the sloping cobbled streets of Montmartre, you need to walk on foot to feel the whole atmosphere of it. Did you know that Montmartre is considered the Parisian "red light district"? Be sure to take a walk around Montmartre.

• Nearest metro stations: Blanche, Anvers (line 2), Abbesses (line 12).
• Address: Montmartre, 75018 Paris.

Climbing to Sacre Coeur: A Top Panoramic Experience in Paris

In tenth place among the main attractions of Paris is the snow–white Sacre Coeur Basilica. The largest cathedral in France is located on the highest hill of the city. Even the Pope conducted his service here. From the observation deck in front of the cathedral, you can see the whole of Paris!

• Nearest metro stations: Anvers (line 2).
• Ticket price: free of charge. Observation deck under the dome – 7 €.
• Address: 35 Rue du Chevalier de la Barre, 75018 Paris.

Invalids' Home: A Parisian Monument to History and Heroism

The Palace or Invalides House was really built as a shelter for veterans of the French army. They certainly enjoyed living in such a luxurious house and resting next to the grave of Napoleon Bonaparte. Now there are not many veterans left and most of the House is occupied by the largest military-historical museums in France. And in the temple on the territory of the complex there is really a tomb of Napoleon.

• The nearest metro stations are Saint-François Xavier (line 13), École Militaire (line 8).
• The ticket price for the Army Museum, the Museum of Plans and Reliefs and the chapel with the tomb of Napoleon: 14 €.

Orsay Museum: A Premier Artistic Experience in Paris

The second most popular museum in Paris is the Musee d'Orsay. And definitely it must be in your list of best things to do in Paris. It occupies a delightful Beaux-arts building on the banks of the Seine. It is too beautiful to be a train station (its first purpose), but for the storage of art objects is the very perfect place. The collection of the Orsay Museum covers the period of the second half of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century, when modernists, impressionists, and post-impressionists worked.

In fact, many travelers realize after the fact that they liked Orsay much more than the Louvre. Think about it, maybe you are also more interested in Monet's water lilies and Degas' ballerinas than Raphael's Madonnas and ancient Greek statues?

• Nearest metro stations: Solférino (line 12), Gare du Musée d'Orsay (RER C).
• The ticket price: 16 €. The queue at the entrance to Orsay is more than a common phenomenon. Take care of the ticket to get it in advance.
• Address: 129 Rue de Grenelle,75007 Paris.

What to do and to see in Paris?

Paris is truly a remarkable amazing metropolis that may seize the hearts of every person who visits it. It is full of best things to do during your vacation even in one is not enough to cover all of them.

We are sure that everyone who visits this beautiful town will virtually fall in love with this city. Paris is a place of affection that offers a variety of sights to visit for everyone. With its stunning architecture, rich art and culture, global-famous cuisine, and romantic environment, Paris gives an exceptional and unforgettable revel in for all tourists from any corners of the world.

Doesn’t matter if you are having a stroll the captivating streets of Montmartre, taking in the breathtaking vistas from the top of the Eiffel Tower, or playing a scrumptious croissant at a cozy and ambient café, there are a lot of things to do and notice in Paris for sure!

From the first day of your visit, you’ll be amazed by the magic vibe of the city with its offerings and endless possibilities for adventure and romance.

It’s without a doubt is a city of love. There's no better location to fall in love with life, culture and the world around us.

Explore Paris: Interactive Map of Top Attractions

Useful links:

The official website for public transportation in Paris.