Things to Do in Paris

Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world, and for good reason — it layers centuries of art, architecture, and culture into a city that is still genuinely alive with neighbourhood cafes, river walks, and world-class museums. This guide covers the essential attractions, areas, and practical tips for planning your visit.

Best Things to Do in Paris

• Climb the Eiffel Tower for panoramic views across the city from the iron lattice summit at 276 metres
• Walk through the Louvre Museum and see the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and thousands of works spanning 9,000 years of history
• Stroll along the Champs-Elysees from Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe
• Explore Montmartre and the hilltop Sacre-Coeur basilica with its sweeping views over the city
• Take a Seine river cruise past Notre-Dame, the Eiffel Tower, and the grand Haussmann facades from the water
• Visit the Musee d'Orsay for the world's largest collection of Impressionist art including Monet, Renoir, and Van Gogh
• Spend an afternoon in the Luxembourg Gardens — 23 hectares of formal lawns, fountains, and tree-lined paths in the heart of the Left Bank

Top Attractions to Visit in Paris

Eiffel Tower was built in 1889 as a temporary structure and has become the most visited paid monument in the world. Three observation levels offer progressively higher views — the summit at 276 metres on a clear day reaches to Versailles. Book timed entry tickets well in advance to avoid multi-hour queues.

The Louvre is the world's largest art museum, housing over 35,000 works across 60,600 square metres of gallery space. The most visited works — the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory of Samothrace, and Venus de Milo — are on the main visitor circuit. A full visit requires at least half a day.

Notre-Dame Cathedral is one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture. After the 2019 fire, the cathedral reopened in late 2024 following a major restoration. The exterior facade and towers are a landmark on the Ile de la Cite in the centre of the Seine.

Palace of Versailles sits 20 kilometres from central Paris and is accessible by RER train. The palace, Hall of Mirrors, and formal gardens cover an enormous area — a full day visit is recommended, particularly in spring and summer when the fountains run.

Areas and Neighbourhoods in Paris

Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements that spiral outward from the centre. Each has a distinct character and understanding the key ones helps you plan efficiently.

• Le Marais (3rd and 4th) — Medieval streets, the Place des Vosges, Jewish quarter, contemporary galleries, and some of the best falafel in the city. Compact and walkable.
• Montmartre (18th) — The hilltop village feel, artist studios, Sacre-Coeur, and sweeping views. Most crowded around the basilica — explore the quieter streets to the east.
• Saint-Germain-des-Pres (6th) — Historic cafes, bookshops, the Luxembourg Gardens, and a high concentration of antique dealers and art galleries.
• The Latin Quarter (5th) — Student district centred on the Sorbonne, with narrow medieval streets, cheap bistros, and the Pantheon.
• Canal Saint-Martin (10th) — A local favourite with iron footbridges, tree-lined canal banks, indie cafes, and a relaxed neighbourhood atmosphere far from the tourist crowds.
• Champs-Elysees and 8th arrondissement — The grand avenue, luxury shopping, Arc de Triomphe, and the Palais de l'Elysee. Best for the architecture and the walk rather than value shopping.

Romantic Things to Do in Paris

A Seine river cruise at dusk is the most consistently popular romantic experience in Paris. As the sun drops and the city lights come on, the illuminated facades of Notre-Dame, the Louvre, and the Eiffel Tower reflect across the water. Most operators run hour-long cruises departing from near the Eiffel Tower.

The Eiffel Tower at night sparkles for five minutes every hour on the hour from dusk until 1am. Watching the light show from Trocadero square across the river, with a bottle of wine on the grass, is one of the most enduring Paris experiences for couples.

Exploring Montmartre in the early morning before the crowds arrive — the cobbled streets, the vineyard, the small squares — gives the neighbourhood a genuinely quiet, village feel that is difficult to find in central Paris at any other hour.

Things to Do in Paris at Night

The Eiffel Tower light show runs every hour on the hour after dark until 1am and is free to watch from any open vantage point across the city — Trocadero, Champ de Mars, or the Bir-Hakeim bridge.

Cabaret shows at the Moulin Rouge and Lido de Paris are a long-standing Paris evening tradition. Shows typically begin at 9pm and 11pm and include dinner options. Book tickets in advance, particularly in summer.

The Canal Saint-Martin area comes alive in the evening with locals gathering along the canal banks. The surrounding streets in the 10th and 11th arrondissements have a high density of natural wine bars, cocktail bars, and casual bistros that stay open late.

A late dinner in Le Marais — the neighbourhood stays lively well past midnight — followed by a walk along the Seine is a quintessentially Parisian evening that requires no booking and no budget.

Family Activities in Paris

Paris has a strong range of family attractions spread across the city and its immediate surroundings.

• Disneyland Paris — Located 32 kilometres east of the city centre, it is the most visited theme park in Europe with two parks covering Disney and Walt Disney Studios attractions. Accessible by RER A train in 40 minutes.
• Cite des Sciences et de l'Industrie — Europe's largest science museum in Parc de la Villette, with interactive exhibitions designed specifically for children aged 2 and above. The attached Geode IMAX cinema is a separate attraction.
• Jardin d'Acclimatation — A leisure park in the Bois de Boulogne with rides, a puppet theatre, a farm, and a boating lake. Suitable for children up to around 12.
• Musee de l'Air et de l'Espace — Located at Le Bourget airport north of Paris, this aviation museum houses over 150 aircraft including Concorde. Fascinating for children and adults interested in aviation history.
• Parc Asterix — A Gaul-themed amusement park 35 kilometres north of Paris with roller coasters and live shows based on the Asterix comic series. Better suited for older children and teenagers than Disneyland for thrill rides.

Best Time to Visit Paris

April to June is widely considered the best time to visit. Temperatures range from 12°C to 22°C, the city is in bloom, and the long daylight hours make sightseeing and outdoor dining genuinely pleasant. It is also peak season — book accommodation and major attractions well in advance.

September and October are excellent alternatives. The summer crowds thin out, prices drop, and the light in autumn is particularly good. Many Parisians return from their August holidays and the city feels fully alive again.

July and August bring the highest tourist numbers and prices. Many local restaurants and smaller shops close for August. The upside is that queues for outdoor attractions like Versailles are at their longest but the weather is warm and reliable. November to February is the quietest and cheapest period — cold and sometimes grey, but the city is far less crowded and the museum experience is significantly more comfortable.

Practical Information for Visiting Paris

• Getting there: Charles de Gaulle airport is 25 kilometres northeast of the city. The RER B train connects the airport to central Paris in around 35 minutes for under 12 euros. Orly airport is closer to the south and connected by the Orlyval shuttle to the RER B.
• Getting around: The Metro is the fastest way to move around Paris. A single ticket costs 2.15 euros. A carnet of 10 tickets or a Paris Visite pass offers better value for multi-day visits. Velib bike sharing is also widely used.
• Currency: Euro. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, though some smaller markets and cafes are cash only.
• Language: French. A few words of French — bonjour, merci, s'il vous plait — are genuinely appreciated. English is widely spoken in hotels and tourist areas.
• Tipping: Service is included in restaurant bills by law in France. Leaving a small tip of 1 to 2 euros for good service is appreciated but never expected.
• Book in advance: The Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and Versailles all require timed entry tickets. Walk-up queues at all three can exceed two hours in peak season.