Table of Contents
- 1 1. Visit the Eiffel Tower
- 2 2. Relax Along the Seine
- 3 3. Explore the Louvre
- 4 4. Walk Around the Tuileries Gardens
- 5 5. Stop by the Pantheon
- 6 6. See the Notre Dame Cathedral
- 7 7. Stroll Down the Champs-Élysées
- 8 8. Walk to the Arc de Triomphe
- 9 9. Climb the Hill to Sacré-Coeur
- 10 10. Explore Saint-Germain-de-Pres
- 11 11. Visit the Palais Garnier
- 12 12. Take a River Cruise
- 13 13. Walk Around Le Marais
- 14 14. The Musée d'Orsay
- 15 15. Walk the Many Bridges
- 16 16. The Jardin du Luxembourg
- 17 17. Place de la Concorde
- 18 18. Shop at the Galeries Lafayette
- 19 19. Relax at a Café
- 20 20. Day Trip to the Palace of Versailles
- 21 Conclusion
- 22 PIN IT FOR LATER!
Paris is a magical city full of culture, history, beautiful architecture, and delicious food. There are so many things to do here that it would take several trips to see it all.
If it is your first time in Paris, I recommend staying at least three days in the city, but a couple more days would be ideal. I’ve put together the top 20 best things to do in Paris for your first time.
1. Visit the Eiffel Tower
No trip to Paris is complete without a visit to the Eiffel Tower. This iconic monument is a must-see. The monument was built for the World Fair in 1889, and stands 324 meters tall.
If you have time, take a ride up to the viewing deck or grab a bite at their restaurant. You can purchase tickets to either the 2nd floor or go all the way to the summit for a spectacular view of the city. The lift is open late as well if you want a more romantic experience.
Visit the Official Website to learn more about times, prices, and dining. Make sure to catch a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower lit up at night, it is absolutely magical!
2. Relax Along the Seine
One of the most relaxing things to do is a picnic on the banks of the Seine. I recommend packing a classic french picnic of wine, bread, cured meats, and cheeses. From morning until late at night, you will see many locals doing just that!
Try visiting one of the three islands on the river for a little more privacy! If you don’t feel like a picnic, there are several restaurants located on the water and riverboat restaurants as well. Grab a drink, and enjoy!
3. Explore the Louvre
The world’s largest art museum, The Louvre is 45,000m² and has over 30,000 pieces of artwork. You could spend a whole week there and still not see half of what it has to offer.
Once inside, it can be easy to get turned around with the multiple levels and galleries, so make sure to plan out your visit before you go. Think about what galleries and works of art you’d like to see and consider renting an Audio Guide.
The museum even has an APP to help you find your way around. Click here for information on admission and guided tours.
4. Walk Around the Tuileries Gardens
The gardens are just outside of the Louvre museum. They were constructed by Catherine de’ Medici after she came to live in the Louvre. They are full of families relaxing and enjoying the beautiful gardens and fountains that span the park.
If you walk to the opposite side of the gardens you will come across the Musée de l’Orangerie, home of Monet’s famous water lily paintings.
5. Stop by the Pantheon
In the Latin Quarter sits Paris’ Pantheon. It was built to resemble the original one in Rome and was used as a church in the 18th century. The church is now used as a burial site for many influential people such as Voltaire, Victor Hugo, MarieCurie, and Rousseau. Every once in a while the Pantheon will host different art exhibits that can be seen during your visit.
6. See the Notre Dame Cathedral
No matter how long you are staying in Paris, you need to carve out some time to visit this beautiful cathedral. It is one of the finest French Gothic buildings in the world. Construction first started in 1163 and took until 1345 to be completed. For only 10€ you can even climb the 380 stairs to the top towers.
7. Stroll Down the Champs-Élysées
The Champs-Élysées is a beautiful tree-lined boulevard that goes from the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe. It is both popular for its beauty, and luxurious amenities.
High-end shops, nightclubs, and luxury hotels are located on both sides of the road. During Bastille Day, the Champs-Élysées turns into the location of the famous military parade.
8. Walk to the Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe sits at one end of the Champs-Élysées, in the middle of the Place Charles de Gaule. This is a junction where twelve different roads meet and traffic is forced to circle the monument. The Arc Triomphe was built in honor of Napoleon’s victories in Europe. For less than $10 you can climb to the top of the monument.
9. Climb the Hill to Sacré-Coeur
The Basilica of Sacré-Couer is located in Montmartre. Constructed in the late 19th century, it is known for its unique white exterior. Sacré-Coeur is also free to visit and open from 6 am to 10:30 pm every day.
Make sure to visit the Dome. The entrance is located outside the Basilica and requires a small entrance fee. From the climb the 300 stairs to the top for a stunning 360º view of Paris.
10. Explore Saint-Germain-de-Pres
One of my favorite things to do is explore the city. One of my favorite neighborhoods is Saint Germain in the 6th arrondissement. Saint Germain was home to many artists and writers such as Hemmingway and is full of cafės, shops, and restaurants. This arrondissement is known for its traditional architecture and charming café lined streets.
11. Visit the Palais Garnier
The Palais Garnier was built in the late 1800s by Charles Garnier. With its 2,500 doors and underground tunnels and lake, the Palais Garnier became the inspiration for Gaston Leroux’s famous novel “The Phantom of the Opera”.
From the double staircase to the golden auditorium, the Palais Garnier is one of the most beautiful Opera Houses in the world.
At night, the Palais Garnier still hosts a variety of concerts, operas, and ballets. The Opera House offers both guided and self-guided tours, so make sure to stop by!
12. Take a River Cruise
A fun way to see the city is by boat. Numerous companies offer boat tours and dinner cruises. These last anywhere between 1-3 hours and many include food and drinks.
Whether you are looking to learn more about the city or want a unique dining experience, this is a great way to explore the city.
Bateaux Mouches and Bateaux Parisiens are two popular companies that offer a wide range of experience. For more cruise ideas, check out this website!
13. Walk Around Le Marais
Another great area is Le Marais. This district is well known for its history and architecture. Also, it is one of the more lively parts of the city with lots of cafės, bars, galleries, shops, and restaurants. You can also find Paris’s oldest market, Marché couvert des Enfants Rouges, here. There is never a problem finding something to do.
14. The Musée d'Orsay
Originally a railway station, the museum was built for the Universal Exhibition in 1900. Now it is known for its collection of Impressionist art. The Musée d’Orsay is my favorite museum in Paris.
It is not as crowded as the Louvre and includes the work of famous painters such as Monet, Renoir, and Van Gogh. Make sure to journey up to the fifth floor and look down at the Seine through the clock window. You can use the Paris Pass for entry, or buy tickets to skip the line.
15. Walk the Many Bridges
The center of Paris is divided by the river Seine, so naturally, there are a lot of bridges that connect the two banks of the city. Many people stand on the bridge for a view of the Eiffel Tower or watch the many boats navigating the river below. Some of the most iconic ones are the Pont de Arts, Pont Neuf, and Pont Alexandre III.
Pont des Arts became well-known in the early 2000s as the “lock bridge”. Couples from around the world come to add their engraved locks to the railings.
The Pont Neuf is the oldest bridge that spans the Seine. It is even more beautiful to see at night when it is completely lit up.
Last is most people’s favorites, the Pont Alexandre III. It is the most elaborate with gold lamps, bronze sculptures, and intricate details. A perfect spot for some great photos!
16. The Jardin du Luxembourg
The Jardin du Luxembourg is part of the Palace’s grounds. The Palace was formerly a home for french royalty but is now used by the senate. They were designed by Marie de’ Medici in 1614, and although they do look quite different now, the size of the gardens stays the same. The gardens are free to enter, with guided tours available on Wednesdays.
17. Place de la Concorde
The Place de la Concorde is the largest square in Paris and is very close to the Champs-Élysées. It is easily recognized by the obelisk in the center of the square. The obelisk was given to France by Egypt in the 1800s. On either side sit two large fountains inspired by the ones in Rome.
18. Shop at the Galeries Lafayette
If you are looking to do some shopping, you’ve come to the right place. This large department store has everything you could want. It did not make this list for the stores though. It is due to the beautiful domed ceiling in the middle. The Galeries Lafayette also hosts many art exhibits that change throughout the year.
19. Relax at a Café
One of the most relaxing things to do is sit outside at a small Paris café with a cup of coffee and people watch. The small tables with wicker chairs lining the sides of the roads are a part of Parisian culture. Best of all, they are on almost every street corner making for a convenient stop when you need a break from walking around.
20. Day Trip to the Palace of Versailles
Even though Versailles isn’t in Paris, I had to put it on this list. It is one of the most extravagant palaces in Europe. Home of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, and the famous Hall of Mirrors, Versailles is a must-see.
You can get to Versailles by using the RER line C and riding to the “Versailles Rive Gauche” station. You can easily spend an entire day wandering around the palace and gardens, so make sure you give yourself plenty of time to explore!
TRAVEL TIP: Join a tour group or buy tickets in advance to skip the line.
Conclusion
There is a reason that Paris is the most loved city.
Enjoyed this post? Here are some more about Paris!
Paris
- The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Trip to Paris
- Ultimate 5 Days in Paris Itinerary & Day Trip Ideas
- 20 of the Prettiest Streets in Paris
- How to Order Coffee in Paris the Parisian Way
Paris Day Trips
- Day Trip from Paris: The Loire Valley
- Trip to the Loire Valley: Castles, Vineyards, Tours, and More
- Visiting the Palace of Versailles: First Timer’s Guide
- The Most Charming Cities Near Paris
- Visitor’s Guide to Château de Chambord
- Visitor’s Guide to Château de Chenonceau
Travel Planning Resources
BOOK YOUR FLIGHT
Skyscanner is one of the top search engines for finding and booking flights. They price check over 1,200 travel sites to help you find the best prices.
BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION
Booking.com is one of the best sites to book hotels and vacation rentals. They offer some of the cheapest rates and different payment options.
SCHEDULE YOUR TOURS
Get Your Guide is one of the top sites for tours, excursions, and activities. Viator is another terrific website for all types of experiences.
GET YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE
World Nomads is one of the top travel insurance companies. It will cover you if you must cancel your trip or if something unexpected happens.
Check out the resource page for additional travel planning resources.
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