Things to Do in Paris: The Complete 2025 Travel Guide

Paris is one of those cities that lives up to its reputation — and then exceeds it. Food, art, history, romance, architecture, and one of the world's great café cultures all in one place. Things to do in Paris can feel overwhelming — the Louvre alone could absorb a week. This guide cuts through the options to give you a practical, neighborhood-by-neighborhood plan that works whether you have three days or three weeks.

Iconic Landmarks You Should See

Eiffel Tower

The symbol of Paris and still one of the most impressive structures in the world. Book skip-the-line tickets in advance — queues for walk-up entry can stretch 2+ hours, especially in peak season. Go at sunset for the golden light, then stay for the hourly light show after dark.

The Louvre

The world's most visited museum and home to the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and the Winged Victory of Samothrace — plus tens of thousands of other works. Buy timed-entry tickets online. Arrive early, go straight to the Denon Wing for the Mona Lisa (and get there before the tour groups), then spend the rest of your time exploring at leisure.

Notre-Dame Cathedral

The Gothic masterpiece is currently undergoing reconstruction after the 2019 fire — the exterior has reopened, and the full restoration is nearing completion. The square in front and the surrounding Île de la Cité neighborhood are well worth the visit.

Arc de Triomphe & Sacré-Cœur

Climb the Arc de Triomphe for a stunning view down the Champs-Élysées and across the city. Then head north to Montmartre and the gleaming white Sacré-Cœur Basilica, perched on the highest point in Paris. The neighborhood below — cobblestone streets, artists' studios, and the Place du Tertre — is one of the most atmospheric in the city.

Musée d'Orsay

If you only go to one museum beyond the Louvre, make it the Orsay. Housed in a former railway station, it holds the world's finest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art — Monet, Renoir, Degas, Van Gogh, Cézanne. The building itself is extraordinary. Book tickets in advance.

Paris Neighborhoods Worth Exploring

Le Marais — Medieval streets, gorgeous Renaissance architecture, the Place des Vosges (Paris's oldest planned square), excellent falafel on Rue des Rosiers, and a thriving LGBTQ+ community. Also home to the Picasso Museum and the Centre Pompidou (modern art).

Saint-Germain-des-Prés — The intellectual heart of Paris, home to legendary cafés like Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots. Browse independent bookshops, sit in the church square, and eat well at almost any bistro on a side street.

Belleville — Working-class neighborhood with some of Paris's best street art, a growing food scene, and panoramic city views from the Parc de Belleville. More authentic and less touristy than central Paris.

Canal Saint-Martin — Tree-lined canal in the 10th arrondissement, popular with young Parisians for picnics and afternoon drinks. Indie boutiques, coffee shops, and a relaxed atmosphere. Great for a slow afternoon walk.

The Latin Quarter — The student district on the Left Bank, centered around the Sorbonne. Bookshops (including the famous Shakespeare and Company), crêpe stands, jazz bars, and the Panthéon. See our travel deals for hotel packages near the Left Bank.

Day Trips from Paris

Versailles — The Palace of Versailles and its extraordinary gardens are 45 minutes from central Paris by RER C train. Arrive before 10am to beat the crowds. Buy a combined palace + gardens ticket in advance.

Giverny — Monet's house and the water lily garden that inspired some of the world's most famous paintings. About 1.5 hours from Paris by train + shuttle. Best visited April through October when the gardens are in bloom.

Loire Valley — France's château country, with hundreds of Renaissance castles, excellent wine, and beautiful river scenery. 1 hour by TGV to Tours, then explore by bike or rental car.

Mont Saint-Michel — The tidal island monastery is one of France's most dramatic sights. About 3.5–4 hours by TGV from Paris to Rennes, then a shuttle bus. Worth the trip for a full day excursion.

Champagne Region — The cathedral city of Reims is 45 minutes by TGV and offers tours of the great Champagne houses (Taittinger, Mumm, Pommery) and the UNESCO-listed cathedral. A perfect day trip for wine lovers.

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Paris Food: What You Should Eat

Paris eating is a full-time activity. Prioritize:

• Croissant + café au lait at a sidewalk café — The essential Paris morning. Order at the counter (standing) to pay the lowest price. A proper French croissant is laminated, buttery, and nothing like the ones back home.
• Fresh bread from a boulangerie — Stop at a neighborhood bakery for a baguette tradition (the good kind, made to a legal standard). Eat it walking, tear off pieces, no apology needed.
• Steak frites bistro dinner — At any old-school Parisian bistro, the steak frites with a carafe of house red is one of the great meals in the world. Ask for it saignant (rare) the way Parisians order it.
• Crêpe from a street vendor — Butter and sugar, or nutella — keep it simple. Crêpes from a proper galettière in Montparnasse or near the Luxembourg Gardens are the real thing.
• Macarons at Ladurée — The Champs-Élysées location is packed, but the rue Royale original near Madeleine is worth visiting. Buy a box to share.
• Wine + cheese picnic by the Seine — Stop at a fromagerie and a wine shop, pick up a baguette, and find a bench on the quai. One of the quintessential Paris experiences.

Practical Tips for Paris

Paris Museum Pass: The 2, 4, or 6-day pass covers entry to 50+ museums and monuments including the Louvre, Orsay, and Versailles. If you're planning to visit 3+ major museums, it almost certainly saves money — and you skip the ticket queue at most sites.

Skip the Champs-Élysées for meals. The boulevard is beautiful to walk, but restaurants along it charge 2–3× the Paris average for mediocre food. Walk one block off any main tourist strip for immediately better quality and pricing.

Navigo Découverte: A weekly metro and RER pass that covers unlimited travel within Paris and out to Versailles. Available at any metro station. Much cheaper than buying individual tickets if you're staying 5+ days.

Tipping: French service staff are paid living wages — tipping is not expected the way it is in the US. Rounding up to the nearest euro on a bill or leaving €1–2 for exceptional service is appreciated, but leaving 20% is not the norm.

Best Time to Visit: April–June and September–October are ideal — mild weather, manageable crowds, and most attractions operating normally. Avoid August if possible: many Parisians leave for their own vacations, and some neighborhood restaurants and shops close for the month.

See best hotels in Paris 2025 for accommodation recommendations across all budgets.

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