Paris is a city that has something for everyone. Whether you’re interested in art, history, food, or just strolling around and taking in the sights, you’re sure to find something to love.
Here is a list of some of the best things to do in Paris:
1 – What to do in Paris? Climb The Eiffel Tower, which rewards you with breathtaking views
Address: Parc du Champ de Mars
Hours: Open from 9:30 a.m. to as late as 10:45 p.m every day
Métro: Bir-Hakeim, Trocadéro or Ecole Militaire
The renowned Eiffel Tower is mostly appreciated for its aesthetic value. Incredible as it may seem, many early Parisians didn’t see the beauty within the architectural marvel we call the Eiffel Tower.
But the Eiffel Tower continues to be among the world’s top popular tourist destinations.
At the peak of the Eiffel Tower, accessible by both stairs and an elevator, those visiting Paris can take in breathtaking vistas of the city below.
2 – Breathe some fresh air at the Versailles Palace & Gardens
Address: Place d’Armes
Hours: Open from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m every day except Monday
Métro: Saint-Michel or Champs de Mars
The enormous Palace of Versailles can be found in the town of Versailles. Approximately ten million visitors annually make the journey from Paris to see the renowned splendor of a former royal palace.
You may be interested when you hear that former French kings, including King Louis XIV, used to live here. Also if you’re curious about Marie Antoinette, you’ll find something here about her that will grab your attention.
3 – Enjoy the views of Paris from above at the Montparnasse Tower Observation Deck
Address: 33 avenue du Maine
Hours: Sun to Thu: 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Fri to Sat: 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Métro: Montparnasse-Bienvenüe
After making your approach to the top of the Montparnasse Tower, you’ll quickly understand why they call the vistas from the viewing deck the greatest in all of Paris.
Tall windows that go from the floor to the ceiling at the lower deck provide breathtaking views of famous landmarks including the Eiffel Tower and the Seine river.
4 – Indulge in the famed UNESCO World Heritage site Notre Dame Cathedral and its beauty
Address: 6 Parvis Notre-Dame – Pl. Jean-Paul II
Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Métro: Cité
The Notre Dame Cathedral, similar to the famous Eiffel Tower, is a symbol of Paris.
Situated on the beautiful bank of the Seine, Notre Dame Cathedral is universally hailed as a masterwork of Gothic architecture and is often named among the world’s finest examples of its style.
This famous cathedral was damaged in a fire in 2019, however, so it may not look how it used to but it still remains as a site of world heritage as classified by UNESCO.
5 – Discover new art at Palais De Tokyo
Address: 13 avenue du Président Wilson
Hours: 12 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Métro: Alma-Marceau or Pont de l’Alma
The Palais de Tokyo is housed in a colossal structure that was first constructed in 1937 and the structure still stands strong today.
The building that is considered one of the major European centers for creativity and contemporary art is located in the west wing of the palace.
6 – Find classic pieces of art within the Louvre
Address: 99 rue de Rivoli
Hours: Mon, Wed, Thurs, Sat, Sun: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Fri: 9 a.m. to 9:45 p.m.
Métro: Louvre-Rivoli
It is recommended that the Louvre should be your first and only stop in Paris when you only have time to see one French museum, which houses Venus de Milo and the Mona Lisa.
Because it is generally agreed that the Louvre museum is not just among the finest museums and art galleries in Europe, but among the finest in the whole world.
Opening its doors in 1793, the museum now houses over 35,000 pieces of art including famous masterpieces.
In this space, art lovers will get a chance to get close to works of art across a wide range of countries and historical periods.
Also, it’s possible to skip the line if you buy your tickets online.
7 – Admire beautiful artwork around the Musée de l’Orangerie
Address: Jardin Tuileries
Hours: Wed to Mon: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Métro: Concorde
The Musée de l’Orangerie has an extensive collection of impressionist art as well as post-impressionist art. Large reproductions of Claude Monet’s “Water Lilies” are its claim to fame.
Eight huge artworks are shown in two circular chambers with glass roofs.
The museum is also home to works by Picasso, Cézanne, Matisse, Renoir, and more.
8 – Find Van Gogh’s masterpiece in the Musée d’Orsay
Address: 1 Rue de la Légion d’Honneur
Hours: Tue to Wed & Fri to Sun: 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thu: 9:30 to 9:45 p.m.
Métro: Assemblee Nationale
The Musée d’Orsay, located in a renovated railway station on the Seine’s left bank, is renowned for its extensive array of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings.
You may see works by several French painters, including Degas, Monet, Cezanne, as well as Van Gogh. In addition to paintings, photographs, and even furnishings, this museum also has a variety of statues.
9 – Hasard Ludique
Address: 128 avenue de Saint Ouen
Hours: Sun: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM; Mon: Closed; Tue to Wed: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM; Thu to Sat: 12:00 PM – 02:00 AM
Métro: Abbesses
Located within a former railway station not far from Avenue de Saint-Ouen, le Hasard Ludique is an eclectic cultural hub.
In addition to the atelier and auditorium, there is also a bar and a restaurant accompanied by a small patio at this former train station.
Live concerts, dance parties, kid-friendly shows, and more can all be found in the auditorium. While classes, internships, and seminars are all available at the atelier.
10 – Experience the heart of Paris in Île de la Cité
Address: Île de la Cité
Hours: All day every day
Métro: Cité
Ile de la Cité, once called Lutetia, is the city’s oldest district and is home to several of the city’s most famous landmarks, including the Pont de l’Archevêché, the Pont Neuf, and Notre Dame.
The intersection of Châtelet towards the north with Saint-Germain-des-Prés towards the south places the Ile de la Cite smack dab in the geographic center of Paris, making it a pivotal node in the city’s outer expansion.
11 – Take in nature in the Luxembourg Gardens
Address: Rue Auguste Comte
Hours: Depends on the season
Métro: Odéon or Notre-Dame des Champs
The Luxembourg Gardens are a haven for relaxation and simple pleasures in the warmer months, with 60 acres of parkland dedicated to sunbathing, people-watching, and children’s entertainment.
Wander the walks and elegant gardens, have a picnic and forget about the neighboring metropolis for a while.
12 – Admire the attractions of the capital of France with tours around Paris
Address: Depends on the tour service
Hours: The tour services usually only operate in the daytime
Métro: Tour services are located all over Paris
Spend some time on a double-decker, open-air bus and discover plenty about Paris without having to worry about traveling around on your own.
If you take a guided tour on a bus across Paris, it will be simple to get on and off the bus near the city’s most famous sights.
There is even a guided tour where you’re on a Seine river cruise, so you can admire the left bank and its many attractions.
13 – Witness where the 1998 World Cup took place at Stade de France
Address: Saint Denis Zac du Cornillon NORD
Hours: Depends on ongoing events
Métro: Gare du Nord
The Stade de France, which was constructed for World Cup in 1998, is the country’s largest stadium.
This venue often hosts major sporting spectacles, musical performances with A-list artists, and other spectacular activities.
14 – Catch a show at the Moulin Rouge
Address: 82 Boulevard de Clichy
Hours: Shows start at 7:00 PM, 9:00 PM, and 11:00 PM
Métro: Blanche or Pigalle
The Moulin Rouge is a famous cabaret in Paris that’s known for its can-can dancers. It’s a great place to see a traditional French show and experience the city’s nightlife.
15 – Walk around the Place de la Concorde where royalty met their ends
Address: Place de la Concorde
Hours: Open all day every day
Métro: Concorde
Towards the end area of the Champs-Elysées, you’ll find Place de la Concorde.
The Luxor Obelisk, the high-end hotels in the area, and the two massive fountains have all contributed to the area’s current notoriety.
This place, which was established in 1772, is infamous for its use as a public execution ground during the infamous French Revolution.
It was here that Louis XVI as well as Marie Antoinette were executed by beheading. What we see now is the result of a renovation that happened before the 19th century.
16 – Watch a magnificent performance in Palais Garnier
Address: Place de l’Opera
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Métro: Chaussée D’Antin-la Fayette
The Opéra Garnier, commonly referred to as Palais Garnier, is an 18th-century architectural masterwork that still radiates splendor.
The opera house contains awe-inspiring Old-World décor plus Gaston Leroux’s “Phantom of the Opera,” which was inspired by the Garnier, contributing to its mystique and enigma.
Ballet and opera tickets are preferable for experiencing the opera house.
If you’re not in the area for a musical production or don’t want to pay the expensive ticket, you may tour the building’s exquisite chambers.
17 – See the interiors of a former home of royals, the Château de Vincennes
Address: Avenue de Paris
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Métro: Croix de Chavaux
Despite being somewhat less popular, Chateau de Vincennes is just as spectacular as the Eiffel Tower.
This massive fortress was constructed in the Middle Ages and served as the royal residence for French monarchs including Charles V & Louis XI.
18 – Admire the Arc de Triomphe while also paying respects to the French soldiers who fought for their country
Address: Place Charles de Gaulle
Hours: 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Métro: Étoile
Napoléon built the Arc de Triomphe at the west tip of the Champs-Élysées to commemorate the Grande Armee amid the Napoleonic Wars.
The world’s greatest arch in size has elaborately carved monuments. The very first French Republic as well as Napoleon’s Empire conflicts and commanders are listed under the magnificent archway.
19 – Partake in a diverse food tour throughout Paris
Address: Wherever the tour takes you
Hours: Depends on what you want
Métro: Varies depending on the locations you go to
If you’re looking for the best Paris tours, try a food tour. Taste your way through some of France’s finest and hear interesting tales about the neighborhoods of Paris on this wonderful, leisurely tour that lasts several hours.
You could be brought into the Latin Quarter, by the Grand Palais, through Saint Germain, or even along the Canal Saint Martin.
20 – Bestow upon yourself the beauty of Sainte Chapelle and its stained glass windows
Address: 10 Boulevard du Palais
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Métro: Châtelet
Stain glass windows like those at Sainte-Chapelle are unlike anything else in Paris.
The windows of this royal chapel, which date back to the construction of the building in the 13th century, include 1,113 images from the Bible’s Old and New Testaments painted in vibrant color.
Sainte-Chapelle, a masterpiece of gothic architecture completed in under seven years, formerly served as a repository for Christian relics obtained by Louis IX.
21 – Walk through the Tuileries Garden
Address: Place de la Concorde
Hours: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Métro: Concorde
Description: Queen Catherine de Medici commissioned the construction of the Tuileries Palace back in 1564 on the site of a former tile factory, thus the name “Tuileries Gardens,” which is called Jardin des Tuileries in French.
Around In 1664, the grounds were redone in the French classical gardening style by King Louis XIV’s famed gardener, André Le Nôtre.
Locals and visitors alike enjoy strolling through the gardens that divide the Louvre from the Place de la Concorde.
22 – Admire the works of art within Palais de Beaux-Arts
Address: Republic Square
Hours: Mon: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Tue: Closed; Wed to Sun: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Métro: République Beaux-Arts
The Palace of Fine Arts may be found in the famous Place de la République in the center of Paris.
Its grand façade from the nineteenth century overpowers the prefecture.
Because of its extensive art, sculptural, and oddities holdings, it is considered to be among the finest museums in France.
Following your tour of the palace, you may stop at the neighboring Beaux Arts Railway Station, the biggest in the system.
23 – Relax and settle down for a while at Bois de Boulogne
Address: 16th arrondissement
Hours: Open 24/7
Métro: Porte D’Auteuil
The Boulogne woodland is the biggest recreational area around western Paris and was formerly used as a hunting park by French royalty.
The park is so large, at 850 hectares, that it has several sights. It has miles and miles of bike paths, bridle paths, and walking trails.
24 – Commemorate the dead that is buried at Père Lachaise Cemetery
Address: 16 Rue du Repos
Hours: Mon to Fri: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sat: 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sun: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Métro: Philippe Auguste
Most Parisians and tourists alike make their way to Père Lachaise to pay their respects.
It covers an area of 44 hectares in the 20th arrondissement of Paris and has 70,000 graves.
The cemetery has the feel of both a shrine as well as an English park. This cemetery has examples of every major school of funeral art.
25 – Revisit a dark part of history at the Shoah Memorial
Address: 17 Rue Geoffroy-l’Asnier
Hours: Sun to Wed: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thu: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Fri: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sat: Closed
Métro: Hôtel de Ville
Finding the extermination camps and learning about the catastrophic Holocaust are powerful weapons in the battle against bigotry and prejudice of all kinds.
The Holocaust Memorial of Paris, the biggest information center in Europe on the topic, provides guided tours and other educational opportunities for anyone interested in learning more about the Holocaust as well as the persecution of Jews throughout the Second World War.
FAQ
Paris is a big place and there are lots of things to do, so it’s evident that there are some questions you’d like to know the answers to relating to the heart of France.
Is spending 3 days on a visit to Paris enough?
Yes. Three days should be ample time to visit all the sights and explore a somewhat more unseen side of the French metropolis. Don’t worry though as you can always come back to Paris when you can and experience more of the city.
What are places that you should not miss out on in Paris?
You should definitely visit the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Notre Dame. Yes, they are the most popular, and that is exactly why you shouldn’t miss out on these places.
There are some places not mentioned here that you should definitely not miss whenever you visit Paris. Some examples are Place du Tertre, Moulin Rouge, and Parc de la Villette. However, you should always savor your time when you visit somewhere you’ve wanted to for a long time.
Is it acceptable to wear jeans when in France?
In Europe, in addition to being socially acceptable, jeans are also widely worn. They look terrific year-round, but you shouldn’t wear jeans in the heat of summer. You can be certain that your jeans will remain in style wherever you go like Richard Rogers, who has been a renowned name in the artist scene of Paris.
What is the most well-known thing about Paris?
An art lover would say the pieces of art all over the museums in Paris, France is the most well-known thing. However, Parisian identity is inextricably linked to the Eiffel Tower; imagine the city without it! The 324-meter-tall structure attracts about 7 million tourists annually, making it, by statistics alone, one of many among the world’s most popular tourist destinations.
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