Top 10 Things to Do in Paris

The most obvious thing to do is to head to the top of the city’s most iconic symbol. The Eiffel Tower, built for the 1880 World Fair, rises 1,083 feet above the atmospheric streets below. Climb the steps or take the elevator to the top for a magnificent Parisian panorama. In addition to the panoramic view from the observation deck, you can explore museum exhibits, shop for souvenirs, and dine at one of several eateries. It’s worth taking in the vista during the day and after dark with countless lights twinkling across the cityscape. The tower is illuminated with thousands of flickering bulbs that make it sparkle every night on the hour, an effect you’ll also want to see from afar.

Notre-Dame Cathedral’s breathtaking Gothic façade has long been an icon on the Paris skyline. It was built between 1163 and 1345, taking nearly 200 years to finish. After all that time and effort, it was allowed to fall into disrepair following the Revolution. After author Victor Hugo stirred passion for it once again through his novel Notre Dame de Paris, it was brought back to life with extensive renovations, becoming one of the city’s top attractions. This fine example of French Gothic architecture nearly lost its life in 2019 when it was significantly damaged by fire. After more than five years of rebuilding to restore its former glory, the Notre-Dame was fully reopened in December 2024. 

The Louvre is the largest art museum in the world, with 675,000 square feet of space displaying impressive works from nearly every civilization. Its collection began as the private collection of King Francis 1 in the 16th century, which included the famous Mona Lisa. Opened in 1793 to the public it sits within a vast palace constructed on the site of a 12th-century fortress with paintings, sculptures, and other works spanning from ancient civilizations to the Victorian era in the mid-1800s. Among the roughly 35,000 works, just a few of the highlights include the Mona Lisa, frescoes by Botticelli, Slaves by Michelangelo, and the two Hellenistic-era Greek sculptures: The Winged Victory of Samothrace and Aphrodite, best known as the Venus de Milo.

If you’re looking for a lush and picturesque oasis to relax and refresh, there are few better places to be during the warmer months than the Luxembourg Gardens. It’s the city’s largest park on the Left Bank and offers winding paths that meander throughout, dotted with nearly 100 statues and filled with some three thousand trees, some of which date to the 17th century when they belonged to Marie de Medici. There’s also a heritage orchard that preserves over 500 ancient varieties of apple and pear trees, nearly 54,000 square feet of floral beds, and an extraordinary orchid collection. Families with children will really love it here with activities for the kids like a merry-go-round, puppet shows, and a playground.

You can’t visit Paris without taking a cruise on the River Seine. It’s been the heart and soul of the city as far back as 250 BC when it first began to develop. The Parisii tribe established their fishing village on an island in the river now called Ile de la Cite. Under the Roman Empire, it became the important commercial artery it is today, linked by canals to the Rhone, Rhine, and Loire. There are a variety of cruises available that explore the sights of the city from the river, including the picturesque bridges and most well-known landmarks. The bateaux mouches are especially popular. These open excursion boats provide everything from basic sightseeing tours to trips that include gourmet meals with champagne. 

One of the highlights of a trip to Paris is the food, with French pastries a classic. They can be enjoyed in Parisian Patisseries, basically French pastry shops that sell pastries. And, in this country, only bakeries that employ licensed master pastry chefs are legally allowed to use this term so you know you’re going to get the best when you walk into any of them. You’ll see locals happily waiting in line at the postcard-perfect patisserie windows showcasing everything from colorful macarons to choux pastries with glossy finishes drawing on adventurous flavors like Iranian pistachio. You might even sample your way around the city in pursuit of your favorite on a Paris private tour, with so many patisseries to choose from.

The Catacombs of Paris are a unique attraction lying 65 feet beneath the city streets. These are ancient burial grounds, housing the bones of over six million Parisians who’ve long since passed. They’re stacked atop one another in various chambers, creating walls that are lined with human bones. Dating to the 13th century, the narrow, haunting passageways were originally used for mining limestone. The very same limestone that helped build some of the most famous bridges and buildings in Paris. By the late 1700s, the cemetery in the heart of the city was overcrowded, so the bodies were moved to the mines. A variety of tours are available for delving into the eerie beauty and fascinating history of this underground labyrinth. 

Paris is a shopper’s paradise with something for every budget and taste, from markets with second-hand goods to upscale boutiques and opulent department stores. The luxury hub is the Golden Triangle, an affluent area of the 8th arrondissement with big haute couture names like Chanel, Dior, and Louis Vuitton. Hermès flagship is here, spanning three levels with 5,900 feet of retail space and marble, mosaic floors. Saint-German-Des-Prés is where you’ll find Le Bon Marché, the oldest department store in Paris, and many antique shops and art galleries tucked among other high-end retailers. Montmartre offers some of the best shopping beyond big-box stores, including many vintage clothing and antique shops. Chinemachine is a favorite among vintage lovers and deal-seekers.

You can’t leave the city without catching a cabaret show. It’s one of the most unique experiences you can have in this city. Famous worldwide for their Vegas-style glitz, Paris cabarets have influenced the world over, including New York City’s famous Broadway. There are nearly a dozen in the French capital, including famous Moulin Rouge and Crazy Horse, bringing the chance to witness an incredible cultural performance born and raised in Paris. The near-mythical Moulin Rouge is what most envision when thinking of cabaret. The renowned theater was established during the late 19th century with a great desire for joie vivre. Located near Montmartre in the red-light district, it features special effects, sexy dancers in elaborate costumes, and a dash of humor.

The bohemian neighborhood of Montmartre has been home to many famous artists throughout history, including Vincent van Gogh, Auguste Renoir, Claude Monet, and Pablo Picasso. Place du Tertre serves as the beating heart of the “artists’ village,” with most of it occupied by artist boutiques. The square attracts portraiteers, art students, and artists from across Europe and beyond, with many tourists coming to get their portraits sketched or painted. You’ll find many small arts and crafts shops tucked between the cafes and restaurants. The Montmarte Museum sits within a large 18th-century house where well-known artists once lived. Even Renoir painted here, as did Suzanne Valadon whose studio is still filled with her works, telling the story of the neighborhood during its artistic heyday.