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Lisa 30 Best Things to Do in Paris: A Must-Read Guide For First Timers
Paris is not just a city; it is a phenomenon that leaves anyone stunned with its awestruck beauty.
As writer Jim Morgan aptly describes it, “The place is like one great piece of art. Every quarter, every street, every character seems painterly.”
Also referred to as the city of light, Paris is a mosaic of vibrant destinations. From the magnificent Eiffel Tower to landmarks like Versailles Palace, each piece is a site to explore.
So, before you, set foot in the city and get confused with all the places. Go through this list of must-visit places, explore the best things to do in Paris and immerse yourself in the Parisian magic!
1. Eiffel Tower
Being one of the most sought-after dream destinations in the world, the Eiffel Tower is on the list of almost every travel enthusiast all around the world. It was designed for the 1889 Exposition Universelle (the World’s Fair). Originally constructed as a temporary structure, today Eiffel Tower has permanently captured the hearts of millions of travelers.
It is located on the city's western side, designated as a famous landmark. You can go either to the first floor or take the elevator to the top for a more picturesque view, where you will see a panoramic view of the city. Explore the Eiffel Tower and other Paris landmarks with ease.
2. Louvre Museum
Paris is a hub for the world’s popular museums and a paradise for an artist. So if you also have a knack for art, visiting the Louvre's exquisite art collection will be one of the best things to do in Paris for you.
This place has earned the title of the most frequented museum in the world. It is home to thousands of paintings and masterpieces like Liberty Leading the People by Eugene Delacroix, the Raft of the Medusa by Théodore Géricault, and the widely acclaimed portrait of the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci.
3. Palace of Versailles
The majestic Palace of Versailles holds significant political history itself; it is a former royal residence of French monarchs, commissioned by King Louis XIV. Located 18 kilometers west of Paris, the Palace is an opulent complex, making it a popular tourist attraction, with about 15,000,000 people visiting every year. Visitors are enchanted by its stunning architectural designs and hall of mirrors, adorned with over 357 mirrors. Book your visit to the Palace of Versailles today!
4. Notre Dame Cathédral
Having a serene walk in the Notre Dame Cathedral, which is widely recognized as a symbol of the French nation, is another one of the best things to do in Paris. Frequently visited by many tourists, it celebrates many 19th-century sculptures and 17th- and early 18th-century altarpieces and is among a few of the most important relics in Christendom.
Furthermore, it is considered one of the finest exhibits of French Gothic architecture. On your trip to the French capital, don’t miss out on seeing this exquisite Romanesque-style Catholic Church.
5. Arc de Triomphe
Standing at the western end of the Champs-Élysées, the Arc de Triomphe is another must-visit place on your trip across France. The iconic Arc de Triomphe was built to honor soldiers who died in the French Revolution and Napoleonic wars, with their names inscribed on the surfaces.
Among some of the largest of its kind in the world, this towering Arc de Triomphe has several impressive, carefully carved sculptures. A flame is lit and rekindled every night at 6:30 pm to honor the Grande Armée who died during the wars.
6. Seine Cruise Tour
Flowing directly through the heart of Paris, the Seine River is among the most famous waterways in the world and serves as a photo backdrop for tourists. Many tourist spots can be located through its banks that can help you find your way around during your trip.
Navigating this second-largest river via cruise is one of the best things to do in Paris and will give you a picturesque view of the city. It is also home to 37 bridges and was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991. Book Your Seine River Cruise Today!
7. Latin Quarter
Known best for its campus life and lively atmosphere, the Latin Quarter of Paris is an urban university campus. Situated on the left bank of the Seine near the Sorbonne, the Latin Quarter is one of the oldest parts of the universities that continues to be the heart of the city.
Furthermore, this place is home to many academic establishments and an absolute must-see spot for architecture lovers. Here, you will find many friendly places like restaurants and attractive shops to enjoy and shop in.
8. Disney Land Paris
The world’s best tourist destination, Disney Land Paris, has the largest visitor attendance as compared to any other theme park in the world. The concept of this magnificent park was initiated by Walt Disney in 1955. Located at Marne-la-Vallee, it is the spot to meet all your favorite heroes and fictional characters from the fairy tale stories of Disney.
This place is a hotspot for many attractions for everyone, from Buzz Light Year to Mad Hatter’s tea cups. Its rides and parades are some of the best things to do in Paris that you should not miss at any cost. Furthermore, it is packed with exhilarating fun, having adventure rides of every kind.
9. Moulin Rouge
The Moulin Rouge, established in 1889 by Charles Zidler and Joseph Oller, is a renowned cabaret in Paris. Crowds worldwide are drawn by the razzle-dazzle of Moulin Rouge, making it a top highlight in Paris.
This place is best known as the origin place of the modern form of the can-can dance. It features exquisite dances, electric stage visuals, and vibrant performances by 80 skilled performers. So make your trip exciting by visiting this place full of entertainment.
10. Montmartre
Located on the top of a small hill in the 18th arrondissement, you will find a little green haven, best known as Montmartre. It is situated at the highest end of the city of lights. If you are a fan of art, music, and culture, Montmartre should be definitely on your list. It is among the finest Parisian districts.
Montmartre is a lovely location, where taking a stroll down the road and walking into museums, art galleries, and diverse art and culture hubs are some of the best things to do in Paris. The street is full of famous attractions, making it a must-visit in the French capital.
11. Centre Pompidou
A place composed of all modern and contemporary art, it has more than 120,000 pieces of art in its complete collections. Each collection here is dedicated to a specific era/style of art: fauvism, expressionism, cubism, and Dadaism. It also includes a sizable public library and research facilities.
Nestled in the heart of Paris, this is a modern architectural wonder incepted in 1977 and named after the President of France, George Pompidou.
12. Sainte Chapelle
Sainte Chapelle was built in the 13th century by Louis IX. The primary reason behind its construction was for him to have a place to store his collection of Passion relics. This entire building is further bifurcated into two parts: the upper and the lower chapel.
It is covered in stained glasses that depicts over 1113 scenes from the Bible. The Chapelle follows a gothic architectural style which is reminiscent of Rayonnant architecture.
13. Musée d'Orsay
Situated close to the Louvre Museum, Musée d’Orsay has an extensive collection of famous French painters like Van Gogh, Degas, Monet, and Cezanne and is among one of the largest museums in Europe. This place is home to various artworks, sculptures, and pictures from the 19th and early 20th centuries, making its expedition one of the best things to do in Paris for art lovers.
Musée d'Orsay has become a massive attraction point for art fanatics, so if you also have a frenzy for art, be sure to visit this place.
14. Aqua Boulevard Paris
Get ready to splash around at the largest aquatic attraction in Paris, Aqua Boulevard. Brace yourself for a thrilling adventure both indoors and outdoors. The park doesn’t leave a single fun spot; it has all sorts of rides, including two wave pools, lazy rivers, and eleven water slides. But the adventure doesn’t end here, to boost your adrenaline; it also features Tarzon’s rope, Aqualooping, Aquamikaze, Aquaturbo, and Aquajonas.
15. Place de La Concorde
The Place De La Concorde, built between 1757 and 1779, is the largest plaza in Paris. It is among Paris’ widely traveled public squares, surrounded by mesmerizing scenery and two magnificent fountains. The place is renowned for the 3300-year-old Egyptian Luxor Obelisk, which was a gift from King Mehmet Ali to King Charles X of France.
16. Le Marais
Make the fondest memories out of your trip to Paris by visiting the hustling, bustling neighborhood of Le Marais. Home to various must-visit destinations, this place houses some of the best things to do in Paris and is a hotspot for many art galleries, vintage shops, and museums.
Here you can find Musée Picasso, Centre Pompidou, the National Archives of France, and highly delectable food ventures like Marché des Enfants Rouge, Paris’ oldest market. The market has delights to satisfy everyone’s appetite.
17. Petit Palais
Located in proximity to the renowned Avenue des Champs-Elysées, you will find the Petit Palais, adorned with sculptures, over 1,300 paintings, and other alluring artifacts dating back from the early twentieth century.
These artworks are reminiscent of the country’s rich history and traditions and include masterpieces by artists like Gustave Courbet, Claude Monet, Eugene Delacroix, and many other craftsmen. Apart from its rich art exhibition, the Palais is furnished with painted ceilings and breathtaking architecture.
18. Champs-Élysées
One look at the Champs-Élysées and you will be dazzled with all the sparkling lights and a lively atmosphere. For many shopping addicts, this place is a paradise. It is among the heavily traveled streets swamped with crowds and is best known for luxury stores like Louis Vuitton and Chanel rubbing shoulders with low-priced enterprises like Adidas and Zara. For an unforgettable experience in Paris, include the Champs-Élysées in your itinerary.
19. Le Manoir De Paris
Le Manoir De Paris brings to life the horror myths of Persian streets that have existed for ages and presents five levels of fearfulness. Face your darkest fears in this ominous place, featuring 13 Parisian legends inspired by literature or Persian folklore dating back to the 18th to 20th centuries.
Feel the thrill as this haunted mansion houses over 23 rooms, rendering a soul-stirring experience with fictional spooky stuff. Paying a quick visit to this haunted place is another best thing to do in Paris for the dark copers.
20. Place Des Vosges
Responsible for the chic nature among the Parisian nobility of Le Marais, Place des Vosges is the oldest planned square in the city of lights, built between 1605 and 1602. Originally known as the Place Royale, it is a perfectly symmetrical public plaza, located between the 3rd and 4th arrondissements of Paris. This lavish plaza is surrounded by serene views of the Louis XIII garden and is an ideal spot to placate and relax.
21. Musée Rodin
As Friedrich Nietzsche once said, “An artist has no home in Europe except in Paris.” Musée Rodin holds this quote, as here you can find all the exquisite sculptures, including the Walking Man, the Kiss, and the Thinker, along with 8,000 drawing collections of eminent artists.
This museum is a hotspot for impressive masterpieces. It is a former residence of the famous 19th-century sculptor Auguste Rodin. Along with crafts, its scenic gardens are an add-on for tourist attractions.
22. Saint-Germain-des-Prés
A hidden gem located in the heart of Paris, Saint-Germain-des-Prés has been the cradle of intellectual and artistic life. Owing to the large concentration of printers and publishers, it became a hub of numerous great writers, thinkers, musicians, and artists, including Richard Wagner and Oscar Wilde.
Wander around the picturesque streets, filled with museums like Musée Delacroix and Musée du Luxembourg, then unwind at famous cafés like Les Deux Magots or Café de Flore.
23. Palais Garnier
Popularly renowned as Opéra Garnier, Palais Garnier is among the most prominent opera houses in the world, bearing the same fame as Notre Dame Cathedral and the Louvre. Initially, it was known as “le nouvel Opéra de Paris” (the new Paris Opera), owing to its extraordinary opulence that it got its name as Palais Garnier.
Tourists are awestruck by its beautiful neo-baroque architecture, adorned with decorative ornaments, opulent interiors, and a grand staircase. Palais Garnier gained recognition for its setting for Phantom of the Opera.
24. Musée de l'Orangerie
Housed at the west corner of the Tuileries Garden beside Place de la Concorde is a must-see art gallery, Musée de l’Orangerie. The museum features a broad array of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings and is celebrated for the painting of Water Lilies by Claude Monet. Along with Water Lilies, it also includes a collection from Jean Walter-Paul Guillaume, where you’ll find paintings of eminent artists like Picasso and more.
25. Bois De Vincennes
Expanding across 2459 acres, stroll around at the largest public park in the city, Bois de Vincennes. Created by Napoleon III between 1855 and 1866, it was used as a royal hunting ground in the 12th century.
Claimed to be a beautiful spot for picnics because of its family-friendly attractions like a botanical garden, zoo, four lakes, and several cafés, tourists consider visiting this park as one of the best things to do in Paris. Furthermore, you can also visit the Château de Vincennes, a lavish former royal residence located nearby.
26. Musée Jacquemart-André
Step into the fabulous, rich, and luxurious world of Paris by visiting the Musée Jacquemart André, home to the best private collection of art in Paris. It features a collection from the Italian Renaissance, artworks by famous Flemish artists, and 18th-century French pieces.
The museum has many spacious and extravagant rooms where pirates can be hosted. To put it simply, Musée Jacquemart André depicts the high-class lifestyle of affluent Parisians.
27. Conciergerie
Situated below the Palais de Justice, Conciergerie is a former courthouse and prison in Paris. The place holds historical significance, as it was once a royal residence for various French authorities. However, during the French Revolution, it was utilized as a prisoner compound.
If you are a history geek, don’t miss out on this place, as it offers a great history of prison. Visitors are also provided with HistoPad, which allows them to see what the rooms would have looked like centuries ago.
28. National Museum of Natural History
Alt: National Museum of Natural History
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Explore the natural history of Paris, its topography, and zoology at the National Museum of Natural History, which is also renowned for being among three of the largest natural history museums in the world. On display is a massive collection of sixty million specimens ranging from botany, zoology, paleontology, and anthropology. The Great Gallery of Evolution serves as the center of attraction for tourists. The Museum also provides interactive games for children at the Children’s gallery.
29. Rue de Rivoli
Paris is the heart of fashion; it is the hub of many shopping streets, and Rue de Rivoli is another on the list. Named after Napoleon’s victory at the Battle of Rivoli in 1797.
Located in central Paris, it is a commercial street featuring many trendy, fashionable brands. A stroll in this street and you will find the Louvre and Jardin des Tuileries; it also possesses the Musee des Arts Decoratifs and Hotel de Ville (a humongous departmental store).
30. Parc de la Villette Paris
Parc de la Villette is the third-largest park in Paris and is a host for many cultural events and venues like the City of Science, Europe’s largest science museum, the prestigious Conservatoire de Paris, and three exciting concert venues.
It’s a happening and lively park spreading across 137 acres and includes 10 picturesque gardens where you can sit back and relax. The park is an attraction for many musicians and performers as it possesses concert halls, which makes it one of the most entertaining and best things to do in Paris.
Conclusion
With a rich tapestry of history, art, and culture, Paris promises an unforgettable experience. From the Eiffel Tower to Disney Land Paris and the Louvre Museum, there’s so much to see in the city of lights.
The French capital is full of architectural beauty, scenic views, and other splendid destinations that one would want to explore every place. With the areas mentioned above, we have tried to present the best things to do in Paris for you, so cherish the best memories in the city and make the most of your visit.
FAQs
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What is the best time to visit Paris?
You can visit Paris when the temperature is balmy, which means spring and summer are the best seasons to tour Paris. Between March and August, it is ideal to visit, as the weather is perfect, and many festivals are hosted around this time of the year.
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How long does a tour take?
Your tour may take 4 days or can expand to a month depending on the number of places you seek to see. However, to absorb the delights Paris can offer, a trip of 4-5 days shall give you enough time to enjoy and get the most out of the trip.
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Which are some of the best romantic places in Paris?
Paris, or the city of love, is known as a romantic spot for many couples around the world. The Temple of Love, Luxembourg Gardens for a vibrant color mix, or the Wall of Love are some of the most romantic places to visit in Paris.