Paris, also nicknamed the City of Light (or Ville Lumière in French), is a destination that never ceases to amaze and captivate visitors all around the world. In my opinion, it’s possibly the most monumental city I’ve ever been to! From its historic landmarks to its charming cafes, the French capital offers a perfect blend of architecture, culture, and food. In this travel guide, we will explore the top things to do in Paris, from where to eat or go shopping to where to stay, while covering some insider tips for making the most of your visit. As the 2024 Summer Olympics are underway, there’s never been a better time to explore this iconic city. At the end, you will also find a Paris map so you can easily locate all the spots mentioned throughout this post. Bienvenue!

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Disclaimer:

• I have visited Paris (France) various times over the years, the last one being in February 2022. This post includes the latest information available to this date. I’ll keep updating it as I discover more Parisian attractions and experiences worth sharing. Stay tuned!
• Please note that this post includes some affiliate links. This means that, at no additional cost for you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. In case you have any question about the companies advertised here or my status as an affiliate, please do not hesitate to contact me.

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When visiting the French capital, feel free to use this Paris pocket guide by Lonely Planet to plan your stay and make the most out of it. You may also browse these Paris or France-related resources. I hope you’ll find them helpful!

What to do in Paris

In this comprehensive section about what to do in the capital of France, including the best things to do in Paris, we will go over the following topics:

• The 🔝 things to do in Paris
• Other things to do in Paris (by category)
• Paris hidden gems 💎
• The best panoramic views in Paris 👀
• The most Instagrammable spots in Paris 📸

Feel free to jump directly to the section that sounds more appealing to you! Are you ready to get started?

The top things to do in Paris (France): 7 Paris attractions you can’t miss

The capital of France is full of things to do as well as iconic landmarks to visit. Listed below are my top 7 Paris attractions:

• Arc de Triomphe
• Avenue des Champs Élysées
• Cruise the Seine river
• Eiffel Tower
• Louvre Museum
• Notre-Dame Cathedral
• Sacré-Cœur Basilica

Let’s learn more about each of these Parisian attractions, including some background information and their nearest metro station so you can easily get around.

Arc de Triomphe

Inaugurated in 1836, this national symbol and monumental arch honors all those who fought and died for France during the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars. This masterpiece lies at the center of 12 avenues departing from it, including the famous Avenue des Champs Élysées. That is why Arc de Triomphe is also known as Place de l’Étoile (Star Square). You can either pay to admire the panoramic views from the top, head downstairs to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, or walk freely underneath the monument.

🚇 Nearest metro station: Charles de Gaulle-Étoile.

Avenue des Champs Élysées

I would argue there’s hardly anything more Parisian than strolling down this iconic 2 km avenue connecting Place de la Concorde and Place Charles de Gaulle. Considered one of the most beautiful and grand avenues around the world, it is lined up with upscale boutiques and department stores. Champs Élysées also marks the finish line of the bicycle race Tour de France every year.

Cruise the Seine river

You could explore by boat the left and right banks (known as rive gauche and rive droite) of the Parisian Seine river, the various bridges crossing it and the imposing monuments alongside them anytime during the day. If you ask me, this is certainly a great way of taking a break if you’ve been walking for hours. That being said, I would suggest to book a Seine river cruise at night to fully experience the magical charm of the capital of France. You can find various boat companies offering this service (Bateaux-Mouches, Bateaux Parisiens, Batobus, Paris Canal, Vedettes de Paris or Vedettes du Pont Neuf), with some of them even including meals on board. During my last visit to Paris, I booked a cruise on the Seine with Vedettes du Pont Neuf and really loved it. I found their ticket price was a good deal (12 EUR/ person), the audio guide speaking both French and English was excellent, and despite the cold temperatures in February, catching a glimpse of the sparkling Eiffel Tower was truly magical! Or should I say magnifique?

Eiffel Tower

The Tour Eiffel is a total must if you’re coming to Paris and remains an essential part of any itinerary. It’s for sure one of the best things to do in Paris! Even though it was originally designed by Gustave Eiffel as a temporary piece for the Universal Exhibition of 1889, it is now one of the main Paris attractions and a symbol of the city. There are two ways of exploring the imposing Eiffel Tower, either by going up the steps (360 to the fist floor and another 360 to the second floor), or by taking the elevator (check your Eiffel Tower tickets here).

Once you’ve reached the top floor at 276 meters high (note that it can get very windy at times), enjoy the breathtaking view of Paris lying at your feet. If you can, try to time your visit to the Tour Eiffel around sunset, and note that the Eiffel Tower actually sparks on the hour, every hour from sundown till 1 AM for a full 5 minutes. Finally, you will find a few restaurants, bars and shops throughout the Tour Eiffel.

🚇 Nearest metro station: Bir-Hakeim or RER Champ de Mars-Tour Eiffel.

Louvre Museum

The Musée du Louvre is certainly one of the most popular Paris attractions! Home to thousands of artworks, the Louvre is the world’s largest and most visited museum, and you could easily spend several months admiring its vast collection. Assuming you wouldn’t have that much time, be sure to allocate a few hours to see at least some iconic masterpieces such as the Mona Lisa / La Gioconda by Leonardo da Vici, the Venus de Milo, the Caryatids, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, Venus and the Three Graces Presenting Gifts to a Young Woman, the Salon Carré, the Grande Galerie, the raft of the Medusa, the Slaves statues by Michelangelo or Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss. The main entrance to the Louvre Museum can be found at the glass pyramid known as Grande Pyramide. To skip the long lines, you can speed up the process by purchasing the Paris Museum Pass or the Paris Pass.

🚇 Nearest metro station: Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre.

Notre-Dame Cathedral

The Paris Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris), displaying sublime Gothic architecture thanks to its colorful rose windows, endless flying buttresses and fearsome gargoyles, is the spiritual as well as the geographical heart of the city. The distances from Paris to any point in France are measured from this point (Point Zéro des Routes de France). Despite the devastating fire in 2019, Notre-Dame continues to be a Parisian symbol while restoration efforts are ongoing.

🚇 Nearest metro station: Cité.

Sacré-Cœur Basilica

Located at the top of the bohemian neighborhood of Montmartre, this stunning basilica (Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre) inaugurated in 1919 is easily recognizable from a distance thanks to its white domes. Tourists and locals flock to this Paris attraction to enjoy panoramic views of the capital of France from the basilica’s steps. You can reach the basilica by foot, by train with Le Montmartrain or by cable car with your metro ticket.

🚇 Nearest metro station: Anvers, Abbesses.

And voilà, these are my top 7 Paris attractions to visit in the capital of France. Which ones are your favorites? Would you add any others to this list?

By the way, if you’re a fan of Emily in Paris, many of these iconic Parisian attractions might ring a bell 😉. Browse these 10 series & films to travel while binge-watching from Stockholm to New York City, and from Medellín to Oxford. For more inspiration about Paris, feel free to check my section below on ‘practical tips for visiting Paris’.

Other things to do in Paris (by category)

There are so many things to do in Paris (France), it’s impossible to attempt to do them all at once. Besides the top attractions mentioned above, you may want to wander around in search of other Parisian landmarks, be they monumental bridges, peaceful parks or renowned museums. Feel free to pick and choose among the wide array of options below depending on your own preference.

• 🌉 Bridges across the Seine river: there are 37 bridges alongside it connecting the docks (quais) from the left and right river banks (rive gauche and rive droite). Some of the most beautiful bridges in Paris are Pont Alexandre III, Pont de Bir-Hakeim, Pont Mirabeau or Pont Neuf.
• 🌸🌲 Forests, gardens and parks: locals and visitors alike are lucky to have plenty of green spaces to enjoy life and outdoor activities, be those a forest (bois), a garden (jardin) or a park (parc). Bois de Boulogne, Bois de Vincennes, Jardin des Plantes, Jardin des Tuileries, Jardin du Luxembourg, Jardins du Trocadéro, Parc du Champ de Mars, Parc Monceau, Parc de la Villette, Parc des Buttes-Chaumont or Promenade plantée are a few examples of popular forests, gardens and parks in Paris worth mentioning. Don’t miss out the open air cinema in Parc de la Villette during the summer time!
• 🏛️ Grand buildings: if there’s one thing that never ceases to amaze me each time I visit Paris is the endless number of imposing buildings that await at the turn of every corner. Some of my favorite examples include Hôtel des Invalides (housing the impressive dome under which lies the tomb of Napoleon I as well as the Army Museum – Musée de l’Armée), the elegant Opera House in Palais Garnier (Opéra Garnier; even if you don’t catch a show, the guided tours provide a glimpse into its lavish interiors) or the Panthéon (since 1791, this former abbey dedicated to Sainte-Geneviève was turned into a mausoleum where French figures such as Rousseau, Victor Hugo or Voltaire are buried. The majestic dome also protects the original Foucault pendulum).
• 🖼️ Museums: cultural activities rank high on the list of the best things to do in Paris. In addition to the iconic Louvre Museum mentioned above, there are plenty of museums to choose from, including Centre Pompidou (modern art), Dalí Paris (displaying art by this painter from Catalonia), Maison de Victor Hugo (you can pay a visit for free to this French writer’s apartment right in Place des Vosges), Musée de Cluny-Musée National du Moyen Âge (featuring numerous medieval statues, stained glass windows, tapestries and even Gallo-Roman baths), Musée d’Orsay (housing impressionist, post-impressionist and art nouveau paintings in a former train station), Musée Jacquemart-André (sumptuous mansion from the 19th century featuring Rembrandt or Van Dyck works), Musée de Montmartre (to learn about this iconic Parisian neighborhood where the Sacré-Cœur Basilica is located), Musée des Beaux-Arts de la Ville de Paris (housed in the Petit Palais), Musée Picasso (displaying masterpieces from this Málaga-born artist) or Musée Rodin (housing the sculptures by French sculptor Auguste Rodin, make sure to stop by the rose garden too). Check the whole list of local museums in Paris. If you’re a culture geek, getting a Paris Museum Pass might be worth it. Also, if you’re traveling to Paris on a budget, you can time your visit around the first Sunday of the month, when many museums are free. You could also take advantage of museums being open and free of charge during the European Museum Night (around the third Saturday in May) or Nuit Blanche (usually on the first Saturday in October).
• 🇫🇷 Quartiers: even though Paris is a large city housing over 11 million inhabitants, when exploring the capital of France you will notice that each Parisian neighborhood (quartier) has its own distinct charm. Wander around the following quartiers to get a more authentic flavor of the City of Light: Saint-Germain (picturesque area with plenty of university students, boutique-filled boulevards, and art galleries); Le Marais (this historic district packed with trendy boutiques, galleries, and vibrant nightlife features a magnificent architecture and rich history along its narrow medieval streets), Montmartre (this famous artists’ quarter with bohemian vibes and cobbled streets houses the Sacré-Cœur Basilica as well as the iconic Moulin Rouge cabaret, some former windmills such as Moulin Blute Fin and Moulin Radet and the Place du Tertre, where artists sell their paintings. Did you know that you can also find vineyards in this district? Get ready to celebrate the grape harvest (Fête des Vendanges de Montmartre) in the first half of October!); the Latin Quarter or Quartier Latin (is home to the Sorbonne University and student-filled cafes, famous bookshops, family-friendly attractions and the stately Panthéon building).
• ✝️ Religious temples: there are endless churches throughout Paris. Here are some you should add to your bucket list: Église de la Madeleine, Église de Saint-Germain-des-Prés (this former royal abbey was consecrated in 558), Église Saint-Eustache (housing a painting by Rubens and one of the largest organs in France), Église Saint-Sulpice or Sainte-Chapelle (consecrated in 1248 and located on the island of Île de la Cité, this Gothic temple features exquisite stained glass windows). Note that, even though many of these churches are free of charge, you should be respectful when visiting and avoid doing so during a mass service.
• 🛍️ Shopping in Paris: if you’d like to emulate the chic Parisian style you might have seen when walking around the streets of Paris, I have some good news. There are plenty of shopping options in the capital of France depending on your budget! Of course, you could take advantage of the sales (soldes) taking place during the summer and winter seasons. From iconic haute-couture brands (Chanel, Dior, Givenchy, Hermès, Louis Vuitton or Yves Saint Laurent) you could find when strolling along the Triangle d’Or – comprising Avenue George V, Avenue Montaigne and Avenue des Champs-Élysées – or Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, to more ready-to-wear French brands such as Maje, Sandro, Sézane or Zadig & Voltaire, shopping options in Paris seem to be never-ending. A great idea is to explore French departments stores as well, including Galeries Lafayette, Le Bon Marché, Monoprix, Printemps and Samaritaine, or discover the indoor galleries known as ‘passages couverts‘ (for more details about the latter, feel free to refer to the section below on ‘Paris hidden gems’). Last but not least, check out the various flea markets (marchés aux puces) taking place throughout Paris in case you’re looking for rare vintage finds. You can get started at La REcyclerie, Marché aux Puces d’Aligre, Marché aux Puces de la Porte de Vanves or Marché aux Puces de St-Ouen.
• 📍 Squares: in Paris, you’ll find plenty of elegant and monumental squares. Listed next are some of the most iconic Parisian squares: Place de la Bastille (where the French Revolution kick-started), Place de la Concorde, Place de la République, Place des Vosges, Place du Tertre or Place Vendôme.

Paris hidden gems 💎

In addition to the top things to do in Paris, you might also enjoy exploring some attractions off the beaten path in the City of Light. If that’s the case, here are some suggested Parisian hidden gems away from the flocks of tourists to get you started.

• 🛡️ Arènes de Lutèce: did you know that Paris was once called Lutèce? If you want to go back in time, look no further. Nowadays, these are the only remains from the Gallo-Roman period in the French capital together with the Thermes de Cluny housed at the Musée de Cluny-Musée National du Moyen Âge. Bonus: you can enter for free!
• ⛴️ Canal Saint-Martin: this tranquil canal in the northern part of Paris is lined up with quaint cafes and shops. It’s a less touristy area where you can experience the everyday charm of Parisian life, perfect for a leisurely stroll or a boat ride. Actually, some companies such as Paris Canal or Vedettes du Pont Neuf offering the cruise along the Seine river, do so in Canal St-Martin as well.
• 💀 Catacombs (les Catacombes de Paris): created in 1810 in former quarries out of use, these 1.5km long underground tunnels house skulls and bones that were exhumed from Parisian cemeteries at full capacity. Feel free to skip the visit if you don’t like dark and macabre locations! Tip: make sure to bring comfortable shoes as the floor might be slippery, and bring warm clothes because temperatures underground can drop significantly.
• 🪦 Cimetière du Père-Lachaise: this renowned cemetery founded in 1804 is the final resting place for many celebrities, both French and foreign, such as Chopin, Édith Piaf, La Fontaine or Oscar Wilde. There are many other cemeteries throughout Paris, including Cimetière de Montmartre or Cimetière du Montparnasse.
• 🏙️ La Défense: this vast business district located in the west of Paris is dominated by the imposing Grande Arche de la Défense, a modern arch 110 meters high surrounded by endless skyscrapers. Other nearby attractions in the area include an oriental pavilion (Pavillon des Indes) and a museum (Musée Roybet Fould).
• 🕌 La Grande Mosquée de Paris: inaugurated in 1926, this is the main mosque in the capital of France. In addition to visiting the premises, you can also indulge yourself while enjoying a massage at the hammam, eating couscous at the restaurant and drinking at the tea room. If you’re not able to travel to Morocco or Middle East, this might do the trick for the time being! 
• 🎨 Musée de l’Orangerie: located in the Tuileries Garden, this museum houses Monet’s famous Water Lilies series. It’s a peaceful retreat from the bustling city and a must-visit for art lovers. If you’d like to learn more about this French impressionist painter, you could also do a day trip to Giverny to visit Monet’s house and gardens (read more in the section ‘day trips from Paris’).
• 📚 Paradise for book lovers: if you’re a bookworm, you’ll have a great time at the Shakespeare and Company library in the Latin Quarter (you could even discuss your literary finds in their cafe next door). Another aspect worth mentioning for book lovers are the ‘bouquinistes‘ located along the Seine banks, who sell vintage books, magazines, postcards and souvenirs out of their green kiosks everyday. Look for them in the following locations: Quai Voltaire to Quai de la Tournelle, and from Pont Marie to Quai du Louvre.
• ⛱️ Paris Plages: during the summer, you’d be surprised to find people sunbathing and even taking a swim by the Seine river banks. This is thanks to the Paris Plages initiative, which allows certain spaces (namely Bassin de la Villette, Canal St-Martin and Parc Rives de Seine) to be turned into beach-like spaces from July to September. Bonus: access is free of charge, so don’t forget to pack your swimsuit if you’re visiting Paris during the summer period.
• 👜 Passages couverts: these indoor galleries are ideal for a rainy day in Paris (except on Sundays, when many of them are closed). If you wish to travel back in time to the beginning of the 19th century, make sure to add these galleries to your Paris itinerary: Galerie Véro Dodat, Galerie Vivienne, Passage Choiseul, Passage des Panoramas, Passage Jouffroy and Passage Verdeau.

How did you like these Paris hidden gems? Have you been to any of them already? Which was your favorite?

Feeling adventurous? Check out these outdoor activities with Manawa in Paris!

Canopy tour at Accrocamp Créteil near Paris

First paramotor flight near Paris

First time indoor skydiving in Paris

Helicopter flight around Paris and the Château de Versailles

Survival course in Essonne near Paris

Tandem skydive from 4000m in Peronne, near Paris

The best panoramic views in Paris 👀

Discovering Paris (France) by foot or by boat is great to explore the City of Light, but sometimes it’s better to reach new heights in order to get a broader perspective. The following are some of the best panoramic views in Paris.

• Arc de Triomphe: after climbing 284 steps you will reach the viewpoint standing at 50 meters high and featuring superb panoramic views of western Paris. 12 wide avenues depart from this Parisian landmark, including the famous Avenue des Champs Élysées. Browse the various ticket options to get to the terrace and note that there’s an elevator for people who may need it.
• Eiffel Tower: from the top floor of this Paris attraction you will have the City of Love literally at your feet. At 276 meters high, enjoy the breathtaking view and feel free to unwind at the panoramic restaurants located in this iconic Parisian monument by drinking a glass of champagne or eating a bite.
• Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann: head to the 8th floor of this renowned French department store for spectacular views over Paris, including some landmarks such as the Sacré-Cœur, the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame or the Opéra Garnier. Bonus: it’s 🆓 and you can do some shopping along the way, have a drink or take a bite at the rooftop terrace.
• Notre-Dame Cathedral: the two cathedral towers stand 69 meters tall on its Gothic façade and offer magnificent views of Paris, including the famous gargoyles, the bell tower and the Seine river. Note that due to the raging fire of 2019, the Cathedral is currently closed but set to reopen at the end of this year. If you’ve watched the Disney movie the Hunchback of Notre Dame, this is where Quasimodo lived.
• Sacré- Cœur Basilica: this iconic landmark ideally located in Montmartre provides stunning views of the city of Paris. You can either sit on the area in front of the basilica (parvis) to enjoy the perspective while listening to street musicians, or book a dome tour and climb the 300 steps in order to admire the 360° panoramic view on Paris.

Do you know of any other panoramic views in Paris worth sharing?

The most Instagrammable spots in Paris 📸

Are you visiting Paris soon and want to capture some memorable pictures along the way? Below I’ve listed a few ideas that would make for great Instagrammable posts.

• 🥐 Chic terrace: there’s hardly anything more Parisian than sipping a cup of coffee in some cafe while people-watching and eating a croissant or a baguette. Café de Flore, Le Consulat or Les Deux Magots make for great spots.
• 👜 Galerie Colbert: built in 1826, this indoor gallery is one of the hidden gems of Paris thanks to its elegant rotunda and large glass dome. If you want to capture vintage vibes during your visit to the capital of France, this is a great spot!
• 🗼 Jardins du Trocadéro: next to Palais de Chaillot, this is a great location for taking some pictures of the Eiffel Tower from a higher perspective. You might also capture a few shots from the nearby Avenue de Camoens, while enjoying a picnic on the Champ de Mars, or during a cruise along the Seine river (even better if it’s at night and you catch this iconic Parisian landmark sparkling!).
• 🌸 La Favorite Saint-Paul: I’m pretty sure you’ll have seen this iconic café on Instagram already because of its lavish façade filled with pink flowers. A girlie’s dream come true!
• 🎠 Manège Ravoire Sacré Coeur: have fun in this carousel while trying to snap a picture with the Sacré-Coeur Basilica in the background.
• 🪻 Rue de l’Abreuvoir: if you ask a local what the most charming street in Paris is, there’s a very good chance they’ll refer to this location in Montmartre. Lined with ivy-adorned houses and wisteria in the summer, this sloped, cobbled street is extraordinarily picturesque.
• 💕 Rue Crémieux: in case you’re looking for one of the most Instagrammable spots in Paris, this is it. This cute, cobbled street is famous for being lined with pastel houses. Just note that you should be respectful with neighbors while snapping some pictures.
• 💙 Rue Sainte-Marthe: the colorful storefronts on this Parisian street are a pure joy to stroll along and photograph!
• 🔔 Square Jean XXIII: one of the best views of the imposing Gothic cathedral of Notre-Dame can be captured from this small park at the back. Note that it is now temporarily closed due to the ongoing renovation in the nearby temple.

Feel free to share below in case you know of any other Instagrammable locations!

Suggested 4-day itinerary in Paris 🗺️

Based on all the attractions mentioned above, from the best things to do in Paris to the hidden gems, here’s the itinerary I would suggest doing if you’re spending four days in the capital of France. Feel free to adjust it to the time you’ll be visiting and to your own preferences. In my opinion, I would advise to spend two full days in Paris at the very least, but an entire week would be ideal.

• Day 1 (rive droite): Jardin des Tuileries + Musée du Louvre + Jardin du Palais Royal + église St-Eustache + Centre Pompidou.
• Day 2 (western and southern parts of Paris): Arc de Triomphe + Champs-Élysées + Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac + Palais de Tokyo + Tour Eiffel.
• Day 3 (islands and rive gauche): Sainte-Chapelle + Musée d’Orsay + église de St-Germain-des-Prés + Jardin du Luxembourg.
• Day 4 (northern and eastern parts of Paris): Musée de Montmartre + Sacré-Cœur + Canal St-Martin + Parc de la Villette.

What do you think of this 4-day itinerary in Paris (France)? How do you like it for your next visit and what would you plan differently?

Practical tips for visiting Paris

• 🗓️ Best time to visit: spring (April to June) and fall (September to November) are ideal times to visit Paris, with mild weather and fewer crowds. Summer is typically busier, especially this year with the 2024 Olympics, but it offers a vibrant atmosphere and numerous outdoor events. Winter in the capital of France can be cold, but it can be a magical period, especially around Christmas.
• 🪧 How do ‘arrondissements‘ work? The city of Paris is divided into 20 urban districts called arrondissements, each one with its own personality. They’re arranged in a spiral clockwise from the city center. The number of the district, which can be displayed in cardinal or Roman numbers, is part of all the addresses of the city. You’ll see it on street signs, often shortened as ‘arrt’. The districts often overlap with the neighborhoods (quartiers).
• 🎥 Inspiration: in case you’d like to get inspired even before traveling to Paris, you could watch these iconic films (Amélie, Les Intouchables, Midnight in Paris, Moulin Rouge, Ratatouille, The Da Vinci Code, The Hunchback of Notre Dame) or series (Emily in Paris, Lupin) that take place in the French city.
• 💘 Is Paris worth the hype? I would say absolutely OUI! Even if the French capital is often crowded with tourists and grumpy locals running around, Paris is one of those cities that you should visit at least once in a lifetime because of all its iconic landmarks.
• ☔ Paris weather: let me break the bad news. Despite the romantic idea that you might have of Paris, the capital of France is often rainy and gloomy, with precipitation distributed more or less evenly across all months. But I guess that’s part of the charm, n’est-ce pas? That being said, the summer period is usually rather enjoyable with temperatures around 25 °C.
• 💰 Travel on a budget: in case you’re looking for ways to save some money while exploring Paris, the city offers a number of options to not break the bank during your stay. Those include the Paris Museum Pass (for discounts and skipping the long lines in some Parisian museums), the Paris Pass (to access endless Paris attractions), the Paris Visite Pass (for unlimited travel in the Greater Paris region for 1, 2, 3 or 5 consecutive days), or the travel cards to use the RATP public transportation network. Also, having a picnic in any Parisian park instead of eating out is a good idea to save some money.
• 🛟 Health & safety tips: Paris is generally safe, but be mindful of pickpockets and scams, especially in crowded tourist areas. Keep your belongings secure and be aware of your surroundings. Also, for extra peace of mind, always travel with a great health insurance. You never know what might happen while you’re on the go! Feel free to calculate how much you would pay for your coverage with the SafetyWing widget below.

Read all my posts about Paris for more inspiration!

A week in Paris: day by day itinerary

Paris in December

Tips for a memorable visit to Disneyland Paris

10 series & films to travel while binge-watching

The Paris 2024 Summer Olympics

Did you know that this will be the third time that Paris becomes the host city of the modern Olympic Games, after the ones in 1900 and 1924?

On this occasion, Paris is set to host the Summer Olympics from July 26 to August 11, 2024, followed by the Paralympic Games from August 28 to September 8. Buy your official tickets now!

The City of Light is gearing up with new venues and infrastructure improvements. The Seine river will feature prominently in the opening ceremony, and events will be held at iconic locations such as the Eiffel Tower or the Grand Palais. This will be a fantastic opportunity to experience the city’s energy while witnessing world-class sports performances.

Read about my experience in Rio de Janeiro during the Summer Olympic Games of Rio 2016!

Where to eat in Paris: the best Paris restaurants & food spots

As you might imagine given the reputation of French cuisine all around the world, Paris is literally food heaven. Whether you’re looking for salty or sweet options, you’ll certainly find a way to indulge yourself in any Parisian bistrot, brasserie, cafe or restaurant and sample the best dishes from all over the country and beyond. To me, eating out in one of the best things to do in Paris!

You can refer to the food section on my France destination page for more info about the French cuisine or the traditional dishes you can sample throughout the country.

Another great idea to discover French food is to book a cooking class, a food walking tour or a wine tasting for a hands-on experience and full cultural immersion!

Below you will find a list of the foodie places I’ve tried so far in the French capital, along with some others that were recommended by local friends or by my trusted Paris pocket guide by Lonely Planet. For your ease of reference, I organized them by category depending on what you’re craving for. Bon appétit! 😋

• 🍫 Bakeries (boulangeries, confiseries and pâtisseries): Boulangerie Pâtisserie Victoires (Le Moulin de la Vierge) (charming place near the Galerie Vivienne; we ordered a café au lait, a macaron vanille framboise and an éclair au chocolat), Carette, Cédric Grolet, Fou de Pâtisserie, Holybelly, Jacques Genin, Ladurée, Maison Arnaud Delmontel, Pierre Hermé, Poilâne or Stohrer.
• 🍸 Best bars in Paris for drinks and/or live music: Bateau El Alamein (floating bar by the Seine), Early June, Harry’s Bar, La Cave de Martin (good wines and cold meat), Le Bal Blomet, Le Duc des Lombards, Le Mary Céleste, Toit (rooftop terrace at the Moulin Rouge).
• 🥖 Bistrots: Au bon coin (I went for the petit salé aux lentilles -lentils with pork meat-; good option for a quick, simple and affordable lunch fix), Bistrot Paul Bert, Chez la Vieille, Le Bistrot de la Galette, Le Pure Café, Le Relais de l’Entrecôte (they also have a branch in Geneva and I loved eating there!).
• 🐷 Brasseries: Brasserie Thoumieux (unforgettable dinner, 100% recommend!; we ordered pâté –terrine de campagne et toasts– and tuna tartar with spicy avocado –tartare de thon et avocat spicy-, followed by duck confit –confit de canard de la maison Castaing-. To finish on a high note, we asked for the millefeuille vanille coeur coulant caramel), Grand Café Capucines, La Coupole (we had oysters, onion soup with LOTS of Gruyère cheese, curry veal with basmati rice and crêpes Suzette au Grand Marnier), Triadou Haussmann.
• ☕ Cafés & salon de thés: Angelina (its hot chocolate is legendary), Café Campana, Café de Flore, Café l’Entracte, Café le Triomphe (I ate a croque madame in this Parisian café next to Arc de Triomphe), Columbus Café & Co, Dose Batignolles (excellent brunch and great coffee; we had a hot chocolate –chocolat à l’ancienne-, a lemon cake along with a toast with salmon, fromage frais and egg), Le Jardin de Mademoiselle, Le Petit Poucet (quintessential French café to have your breakfast or croissant fix, I loved it!), Les Deux Magots.
• 🫓 Crêperies: Breizh Café, Crêperie des Arts (we ordered galettes au sarrasin: spéciale and cocagne-chèvre miel), Crêperie Pen Ty.
• 🍦 Ice creams: Berthillon, Glace Bachir (Lebanese organic ice cream), La Glacerie.
• 🥙 Food court & street food: Beaupassage, L’As du Fallafel.
• 🍅 Food markets: la Grande Épicerie de Paris, Marché Bastille, Marché Beauvau – Marché d’Aligre, Marché Belleville, Marché Biologique des Batignolles or Marché Raspail. Browse here to discover all the marchés throughout the Parisian arrondissements.
• 🍽️ Restaurants: Bouillon Chartier, Bouillon Racine, L’Ambroisie (Paris restaurant with 3 Michelin stars), Lasserre (3 Michelin stars), Le CasseNoix, Le Comptoir du Relais, Le Consulat, Le Grand Corona, Le Jules Verne (located on the 2nd floor of the Eiffel Tower), Le Meurice Alain Ducasse (Paris restaurant with 3 Michelin stars; ran by the French famous chef Alain Ducasse, he also owns many other food-related businesses around the world), Le Saint-Régis, Le Zinc d’Honoré (next to Place Vendôme), Restaurant du Musée d’Orsay, Restaurant La Mosquée de Paris.

Have you tried any of these Parisian restaurants or foodie locations? How was it? Let me know in the comments below!

Where to stay in Paris: the best hotels in the capital of France

Unsurprisingly, one of the most visited cities in the world has a vast number of accommodations for all budgets, from affordable hostels to charming boutique hotels or dazzling design refuges.

In any case, make sure to book well in advance, especially if you’re planning to visit Paris during peak-time periods such as weekends, special celebrations (Christmas or Valentine’s Day), school holidays or the summer.

If you’re wondering where to stay in the capital of France, here’s a selection of the best Paris hotels sorted by budget:

• Luxury hotels in Paris (💰💰💰): Hôtel de Crillon, Hôtel George-V, Hôtel Ritz, Le Bristol, Le Meurice, Maison Proust (housing Spa La Mer).
• Medium range (💰💰): Hotel Amour, Hôtel Apolonia Paris Montmartre, Hotel Au Pacific, Meliá París Champs Elysées, NH Paris Opéra Faubourg.
• Budget accommodation (💰): Aparthotel Adagio Vanves Porte de Versailles (located just seven minutes away from the metro station in Vanves Malakoff, close to Parc des Expositions and Palais des Sports de Paris and with a far away view of the Eiffel Tower!), Ibis Budget chain, Le Village Montmartre, The People – Paris Bercy.

For more accommodation options in Paris (France), feel free to check out Airbnb or Booking, my go-to places wherever I travel. I actually stayed in this tiny Airbnb apartment during my visit to Paris in December 2015, which was very conveniently located next to Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Élysées. Other times I’ve stayed with friends living in Paris.

How to get around Paris

The capital of France has an extensive public transportation system to get around the city.

TIP: if you’re traveling on a budget, consider purchasing a Paris Visite Pass (for unlimited travel in the Greater Paris region for 1, 2, 3 or 5 consecutive days), or any of the various travel cards to use the RATP public transportation network.

As you can imagine, there are various ways to arrive to and depart from Paris. Let’s see them one by one in more detail.

• 🚲 By bike: downtown Paris and the Seine river banks are ideal for riding a bike since it’s mostly flat terrain. Vélib, a large-scale public bicycle sharing system, offers both mechanical and electric bikes that you can pick up and drop off in the numerous docking points throughout the city. Other bike rental services in Paris include Gepetto et Vélos or Paris à Vélo.
• 🛥️ By boat: Batobus is a useful hop-on hop-off service along the Seine river with nine stops in iconic Parisian landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Les Invalides or the Louvre Museum.
• 🚌 By bus: the RATP bus network covers the entire city of Paris and the vast majority of its near suburbs. In case you’d like to book a sightseeing tour with an audio guide, you may check with Big Bus Tours, Get Your Guide or Hop On Hop Off BIG BUS Tours. If you’re connecting with Paris from other French or European destinations, you may arrive to the following bus stations: Gare Routiére Internationale de Paris Galliéni or Gare Routière Pershing – Porte Maillot.
• 🚙 By car: among others, Avis, Europcar or Hertz offer rental car services. Unless you’ll be also doing a road trip around the Île-de-France region or France (see below for suggested ‘day trips from Paris’), I wouldn’t advice renting a car to visit the capital of France only because of the heavy traffic.
• 👣 By foot: even though Paris is a vast city, walking around is pure joy and you may admire the monuments and attractions at your own pace. Walking tours are also a great option to discover a city by foot! And if you prefer, you can always use public transportation at some point.
• 🚇 By metro: it’s the quickest way to get around Paris. There are 14 metro lines in the RATP transport system connecting the capital of France with the suburbs. If you purchase a metro ticket, you’ll be able to use it on the cable car to Montmartre as well. Pay attention to the iconic vintage metro signs and to some stations that are worth admiring such as Abbesses (line 12, entrance), Bastille (line 5, platform), Chaussée d’Antin-Lafayette (line 7, platform), Cluny-La Sorbonne (line 10, platform), Concorde (line 12, platform), Palais Royal- Musée du Louvre (line 1, entrance)).
• ✈️ By plane: as one of the most visited cities in the world, Paris has various airports, including Aéroport de Paris-Charles de Gaulle (also known as CDG or Roissy, located 28 kilometers northeast of the capital), Aéroport de Paris-Orly (ORY, lying 19 kms south) and Aéroport de Beauvais Tillé (for low-cost airlines, located 75 kms north of the capital). The Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports are well connected to Paris, and you could either rent a car, take a bus, an RER train or the Orly Val shuttle.
• 🚕 By taxi: when in Paris, you can either take a standard taxi or use some ridesharing apps such as Bolt or Uber.
• 🚂 By train: the city of Paris is well connected by train and there are various train stations (‘gares’), including Gare d’Austerlitz, Gare de l’Est (connecting with the German city of Frankfurt, among others), Gare du Nord (connects the French capital with northern destinations such as Amsterdam, Brussels, Cologne or London), Gare de Lyon (connecting with Barcelona, Lyon or Marseille), Gare Paris Montparnasse (this is the one we arrive to when we come from Hendaye in southwestern France) and Gare St-Lazare. All these train stations have their own metro station as well, which makes them a convenient option to get around the city. Note that in addition to high-speed trains (called TGV), you will also find regional trains known as RER. The latter are typically faster than the metro although the stations are further apart from each other.

Day trips from Paris

Even though you don’t risk of running short of Parisian landmarks to visit while you’re in the capital of France, there are many other nearby locations worth exploring. Below are some ideas for your consideration as potential day trips from Paris that are less than two hours away:

• Disneyland Paris: Paris may be the city of love, but it is also known worldwide for its nearby theme park. If you’re planning a visit there soon, make sure to read this blog with my tips for your visit to Disneyland Paris. I can assure you that this is easily one of the best things to do in Paris!
• Fontainebleau: a lesser-known alternative to Versailles, the Château de Fontainebleau offers stunning architecture and rich history, surrounded by a picturesque forest, gardens and a mind-blowing castle.
• Giverny: visit the former home and gardens of Claude Monet (Maison et Jardins de Claude Monet), which inspired many of his masterpieces. The gardens are especially beautiful in spring and summer.
• Sceaux: this castle (Château de Sceaux) is located just 10km southwest of Paris. Both the grand country house as well as the gardens are worth a visit.
• Versailles: the Château de Versailles, with its opulent rooms and expansive gardens, is a short train ride from Paris. Don’t miss the Hall of Mirrors and the beautifully landscaped grounds.

In case you would like to venture a little further outside of Paris (France), you can explore the rich heritage along the Loire Valley (Vallée de la Loire). A former seat of royal power and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the river Loire banks are lined up with magnificent castles (châteaux), landscapes of great beauty and historic towns and villages full of charm. Some of the most famous castles include Château de Chambord, Château de Chenonceau or Château Royal de Blois.

Browse my France destination page for more ideas!

Around lake Léman: Vevey, Yvoire, Nernier, Nyon & Geneva

Itinerary around the French Basque Country

Skiing in La Clusaz

Skiing in the French Pyrenees

The perfect summer day trip: Guéthary & Biarritz

Paris map with the best things to do

Below you will find a Paris map with all the attractions mentioned throughout this post, from the top things to do in Paris, to the best Paris hotels. For your ease of reference, the map is broken down into the same sections as this post.

Make sure to save this Paris map for later in case you’re traveling there soon!

How did you find this travel guide covering the best things to do in Paris, including where to eat, where to stay and much more? Feel free to leave your questions and comments below.

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In the meantime, safe travels around the world!

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