The boating lake in Bois du Boulogne park in Paris

Things to do in Paris During The Day

With over 1,000 museums, around 400 parks and more boutique shops and cute pavement cafés than you can shake a very large stick at, there are dozens of things to do in Paris during the day. Here’s our pick of the crop.

See the Sights

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Paris’s relatively compact center is easy to explore on foot but if you really want to max out your daytime sightseeing, there’s an abundance of other great ways to see the city.

For sheer convenience, you’ll find Paris’s near-ubiquitous electric scooters tough to beat. Known as trottinettes to locals, these zippy little machines can be picked up and dropped off at hundreds of locations around the city, making them a super-easy way to get from A to B with minimal effort. Note that for safety reasons the speed limit for trottinettes is restricted to 10km/h in most parts of Paris.

Join a guided Segway tour to tick off some of the city’s big attractions in, um, style. A self-deprecating sense of humor and a decent ability to stay upright are all you need to participate. Pass the mandatory training session and in no time you’ll be whizzing to big-hitting Paris landmarks including Les Invalides, the Arc de Triomphe and the soaring Pont Alexandre III with its photogenic Art Deco lanterns.

Alternatively, plan your own tour itinerary and rent a Vélib bicycle – also available for pick-up and drop-off pretty much everywhere in central Paris. Meander riverside and through the city’s stunning parks, pausing to admire the fabulous architecture and smell the roses, and, of course, to pick up some still-warm pains au chocolat from a boulangerie along the way.

Seine sightseeing cruises depart from the Eiffel Tower throughout the day and are particularly enchanting at sunset, while hop-on hop-off bus tours are another fine way to see the city, especially from the top deck on a sunny afternoon.

Have a Picnic in the Park

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Picnicking in the park should be considered mandatory on any trip to Paris. Open-air markets and street food abound in the city, so putting a gut-busting lunch together is pas de probleme. Rue Montorgueil is brimming with fab boulangeries, fromageries and street stalls that runneth over with juicy, fresh fruits. Pick up some just-baked bread, aromatic cheeses, plump grapes and artisan wine then hit the oldest pâtisserie in town for a decadent dessert of creamy rum babas and éclairs.

Or head to Marché des Enfants Rouges in the Marais for gut-busting fried sandwiches, galettes that fairly ooze cheese, and some of the best Moroccan street food this side of Marrakech at Le Traiteur Marocain. Now fully equipped for your al fresco feast, the question is which park? Decisions, decisions...

In the shadow of the Eiffel Tower, the Champ de Mars is a picture-perfect location for whiling away a few hours. Its sprawling manicured lawns and ringside views of the tower makes it an inspired location for your picnic – and a dozen or so selfies.

One of Paris’s biggest parks, Bois de Boulogne contains – among other attractions – a château, a botanical garden and several lakes. Hire a boat to row across the largest of these (you’ll work up an appetite for sure), then walk off your picnic with a wander to the beautiful Parc de Bagatelle botanical garden, with its bountiful rose gardens and heavenly scents.

The exquisite Luxembourg Gardens promise some low-octane pursuits including giant chess and the ancient French sport of pétanque. Head to Parc de la Villette for its fascinating series of architectural follies – there are 26 to find across the 137 acres of this huge green space, plus open-air music and cinema in the warmer months. Also in summer, take your picnic down to the banks of the Seine for the annual Paris Plages, where golden sands, deckchairs and ice creams are the order of the day.

See Some Great Art

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Paris is a paradise for art lovers – and artists. Matisse, Modigliani, Manet, Renoir and Toulouse-Lautrec are just some of the painters who went on to become household names after being inspired by this great city. No surprise, then, that you’re rarely more than a stone’s throw from an amazing museum or gallery.

Of course, you can’t come to Paris and not visit the Louvre, home of the world’s most famous painting. Once you’ve ticked off the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo it’s time to experience what is hands-down the finest work of art in the museum. That would be the Mont Blanc, a decadent, gravity defying French fancy comprised of whipped Chantilly cream, meringue, chocolate shavings and chestnut vermicelli. You can view – and demolish – this bona fide masterpiece in Café Angelina on the first floor of the Richelieu wing.

If you find the Louvre just a tad overcrowded for your liking, nearby Musée d’Orsay provides a less hectic alternative within the picturesque surroundings of the old Gare d’Orsay train station. The museum boasts one of the biggest collections of French Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art on the planet, with many pieces from Toulouse-Lautrec’s Moulin Rouge series and a number of Monet masterpieces, including one from his Water Lilies series. Other smaller but equally unmissable galleries include Musée de l'Orangerie in the Jardin des Tuileries, the Rodin Museum with its extraordinary seven-acre sculpture garden, and Renoir’s pretty garden at the Musée de Montmartre.

Spend a Day in the Marais

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Picking a favorite district in Paris is like being asked to choose a favorite French fromage. There are just so many good ones to choose from! Set on the Seine’s Right Bank in view of Notre-Dame, the Marais is an entrancing maze of narrow, winding streets and alleyways that are chock-full of tiny independent boutiques, tempting pâtisseries and adorable pavement cafés.

Grab a spot beneath the linden trees and watch the world go by in the Place des Vosges. This formal garden sits in the oldest planned square in Paris, hemmed in by atmospheric arcades and immaculate 17th-century townhouses with steeply pitched slate roofs. One of these – the former home of Les Misérables author Victor Hugo – is now a museum exhibiting furniture and works of art that belonged to (or were created by) the man himself.

Indeed, for such a diminutive district, the Marais packs in a fairly impressive number of museums and galleries. Make for the Maison Européene de la Photographie for the best in contemporary photographic art, and don’t miss the Musée National Picasso-Paris, a stellar collection of over 700 paintings and sculptures by the father of Cubism.

The legacy of Paris’s former Jewish quarter lives on in the Marais, primarily via its selection of kosher restaurants and bakeries. Make sure to treat yourself to a falafel wrap or pastrami sandwich at one of the excellent takeaway joints on the Rue des Écouffes or Rue des Rosiers – just follow your nose to discover true manna from heaven.

Save on things to do in Paris during the day

Save on admission to Paris attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.

Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Freelance travel writer

Stu caught the travel bug at an early age, thanks to childhood road trips to the south of France squeezed into the back of a Ford Cortina with two brothers and a Sony Walkman. Now a freelance writer living on the Norfolk coast, Stu has produced content for travel giants including Frommer’s, British Airways, Expedia, Mr & Mrs Smith, and now Go City. His most memorable travel experiences include drinking kava with the locals in Fiji and pranging a taxi driver’s car in the Honduran capital.

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Two-Day Paris Itinerary

Traveling to Paris but only have two days to soak up all the sights and sounds? It’s not only possible to see a representative slice of Paris in just a weekend, but it’s also a delightful way to squeeze in a quick vacation! We’ve put together a two-day itinerary for those weekend getaways to Paris. These ideas will give you a starting point for your explorations, and help you to make the most of your brief time in the city. Our sample itinerary for two days in Paris includes the following: The Louvre Musée de l'Orangerie Champs Élysées Shopping Hop-on Hop-off Paris Bus Tour Eiffel Tower Paris River Cruise Day 1: The Louvre A museum so renowned that it practically needs no introduction, the Louvre is one of the finest collections of art in the entire world. It’s the perfect place to visit on your first day in Paris, with so many iconic works of art, sculpture, and more to be found within its unique walls. The Louvre is also a remarkable structure in and of itself—the I.M. Pei-designed pyramids are gorgeous, perfectly Instagrammable architectural marvels. Plan to devote an entire morning to the Louvre, and leave a little time to just hang out in the courtyards outside the museum to people-watch. Musée de l'Orangerie Take a stroll through the inimitable Jardin des Tuileries (a seventeenth-century pleasure garden filled with elaborate botanical structures and statues) to get to your next attraction, the Musée de l'Orangerie. This unique museum combines its twentieth-century European art collection with one singularly remarkable gallery—a collection of eight water lily murals by Monet. It’s a singular experience to stand within the Monet gallery and turn in every direction to see those signature water lilies in every direction. This modestly-sized museum should take about an hour or so to explore fully. Champs Élysées Shopping End your day with a bit of retail therapy. You’re just steps from the Champs-Élysées neighborhood, which is notable for the Arc de Triomphe as well as its extensive luxury retail offerings. These days, you’ll also find some fast fashion, athletic apparel, and cosmetics alongside the iconic boutiques and signature European fashion houses. Other highlights of the neighborhood include the Grand Palais and the Champs-Élysées Garden, should you prefer to sightsee more instead of acquiring your next big fashion item. Plan to devote the remainder of your afternoon to exploring this exciting neighborhood. Day 2: Hop-on Hop-off Paris Bus Tour Start your second day in Paris with a comprehensive bus tour that will escort you around the city’s best landmarks. This hop-on hop-off option from Big Bus Paris is an excellent choice, with eleven premier stops including the Notre Dame, the Paris Opera House, the Grand Palais, and more. Use the bus to get around the city, or just ride the whole loop to enjoy the sightseeing. This fully-narrated tour is offered in more than eight languages, so no need to brush up on your French before visiting! If you choose to stay on the bus for the entire loop, set aside about two and a half hours. Eiffel Tower The Eiffel Tower is one of the most recognizable structures in the entire world, so it’s a must-visit on your weekend in Paris itinerary. Use the hop-on hop-off bus tour to get here, and then stroll around the grounds. One of our favorite Instagram photos is a shot looking up at the Eiffel Tower from below! We especially like the way the Eiffel Tower looks at night when it’s illuminated and brilliant against the modern Paris skyline. So, it’s also an option to save this attraction until later in the day. Please keep in mind that you will need separate tickets if you’d like to go inside. Paris River Cruise After you’ve enjoyed a walk around the Eiffel Tower, or perhaps a picnic beneath it (one of our favorite ways to truly experience the city like a local), take a quick walk to the waterfront and hop aboard the Paris River Cruise. The Seine is a magnificent body of water, providing stellar views of the crowded city along its banks. Some of the sights you’ll enjoy from your vessel include Musée D'Orsay, Tuileries Gardens, Grand Palais, and, of course, the Eiffel Tower. Your cruise will last approximately one hour, leaving you plenty of time to find that perfect restaurant for dinner and wine. Save on Admission to Paris Attractions Payless to visit the attractions on this weekend in Paris itinerary with a Go Paris pass. Pay just 95 Euro for admission to these and other great attractions. This is an excellent value for those who want to scope out the best museums! Share Your Adventure with Us Tag @GoCity in your vacation photos and we'll feature you on our page. Follow the Go City Instagram and Facebook pages for competitions, special offers, and events and inspiration for your chosen destination, too!
Katie Sagal
Montamartre and the Sacré-Cœur Basilica
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5 Days in Paris

Packed with world-class museums, verdant parks, superb shopping and household-name attractions including the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre and Notre-Dame Cathedral, it’s no surprise that Paris is one of the world’s most-visited cities. 5 days in Paris gives you just enough time to scratch the surface of this wonderful city, ticking off its top attractions and experiencing a flavor of its arty neighborhoods and exquisite café culture. The sheer number of things to see and do around the city can make it difficult to know where to start though, so check out our suggested 5-day Paris itinerary below for inspiration. Day 1: Bucket List Bonanza Everyone knows you haven’t really arrived in Paris until you’ve snapped a selfie in front of the Eiffel Tower, our first port of call on this, your whirlwind romance with the City of Love. There are a number of ways to experience the Tower: you can climb the 674 stairs or take the glass elevator to the viewing platform on the second floor, 115 meters up. Or you can whiz all the way to the very top where, 276 meters above terra firma, a champagne bar awaits to help steady your nerves. Alternatively, dodge the queues and take in fantastic views of The Iron Lady from a number of nearby vantage points, such as the Champs de Mars park directly underneath, or through the majestic Fountain of Warsaw’s sky-high water jets in the Jardins du Trocadéro just across the Seine. Make your way to the nearby Arc de Triomphe where you can pay your respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and laugh in the face of the meager 284 steps required to reach the viewing platform up top. Board a bateau at dusk for a more relaxed way to sightsee, on a gentle Seine cruise. No time of day in Paris is more magical than when the skies begin to darken and the City of Light comes thrillingly to life, with the illumination of glorious riverside landmarks including the Louvre, Grand Palais and Notre-Dame Cathedral. Day 2: Latin Quarter and Musée d’Orsay Unless you’re absolutely art mad, a five-day trip to Paris will likely only take in one of The Big Two (that’s the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay to you and me). Perched on the Left Bank in the former Gare d’Orsay railway station, the Musée d’Orsay is smaller, more easily navigable and generally less crowded than its famous sibling with the glass pyramid that lies just across the river. The museum boasts the world’s largest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art, with artists including Manet, Monet, Van Gogh, Renoir, Toulous-Lautrec, Degas, Gauguin et al very well represented here. Go for the fine art and stay for the fifth-floor café's huge station-clock window and its exhilarating views over the Seine to the Louvre and Sacré-Cœur Basilica. From Musée d’Orsay it’s a short stroll east along the riverfront to where the Paris bouquinistes ply their trade from stalls packed with second-hand books of all kinds, from antiquarian atlases to graphic novels. Here, in the boho Latin Quarter, stroll the narrow cobbled lanes and alleys, and pause at one of the cute sidewalk cafés for coffee and pastries before paying homage to Rousseau, Voltaire, Louis Braille, Marie Curie and the dozens of other Gallic greats interred beneath the Panthéon’s impressive dome. Day 3: Picnic in the park Paris is made for picnicking. From the sweeping, manicured lawns of the Champs de Mars by the Eiffel Tower to the secluded hills and wooded valleys of Parc des Buttes-Chaumont on the edge of town, there’s a lunch spot to suit all tastes. Step one: pick up your picnic. You’ll want crusty bread, a selection of cheeses and fruits and, why not, a cheeky bottle of French wine as a bare minimum. Sure, you could get all of this in a standard supermarché. But where's the fun in that? Instead, guarantee a knock-it-out-the-park pique-nique you’ll never forget by heading to one of the city's market streets and stuffing your hamper with delicious, fresh gourmet goodies. Straddling the 1st and 2nd arrondissements on the Right Bank, Rue Montorgueil will make all your foodie dreams come true, and is also home to the oldest pâtisserie in town, where signature sticky rum babas are guaranteed to make your tastebuds sing. Across the river in the Latin Quarter, Rue Mouffetard is a picturesque place to pick up a picnic from the many bustling stalls and stores that line its cobbles. Suitably stocked up, all you need to do now is pick a park for your leisurely lunch. For feet-up-by-the lake tranquility, formal gardens and sculptures by Rodin, Mailliol and more, head for Jardin des Tuileries by the Louvre. Or, for a spot of old-fashioned Parisian people-watching, the gardens of 17th-century Place des Vosges in the Marais are hard to beat. Meanwhile, out on the opposite edges of town, Bois de Boulogne and Bois de Vincennes, the city’s largest public parks, offer relative seclusion and room to roam amid chateaux, boating lakes, botanical gardens, grottoes and more. Day 4: Montmartre One of Paris’s ‘must-sees’, the Montmartre butte is the highest point in the city, with the flamboyant Sacré-Cœur Basilica perched on top, and some of the best views in town. Wander the cobbled streets and you’ll soon discover why this atmospheric part of Paris has inspired so many artists down the centuries. You can view the work of many of them – Manet, Van Gogh, Picasso and Miró – at the excellent Musée de Montmartre, a 17th-century mansion with tranquil gardens that were immortalized in art by Renoir, a former resident. Grab a coffee and pastry at the Café des Deux Moulins, made famous from its starring role in the movie Amélie. Have your portrait painted by local artists in the picture-perfect Place du Tertre, just behind the basilica. Grab a snap of the Moulin Rouge’s iconic red windmill. And head to the wildly romantic-sounding le mur des je t’aime for a souvenir selfie of your time in the City of Love. Featuring the phrase ‘I love you’ in 250 languages, this ‘wall of love’ is a permanent art installation made from hundreds of enameled lava tiles. Day 5: A Spot of Souvenir-Shopping Make your last day in Paris as special as the first, with some leisurely souvenir-shopping in and around the Marais district, with its cobbled lanes, independent boutiques, cute pâtisseries and historic 19th-century arcades nearby. Step back in time to Belle-Époque Paris in the wonderfully whimsical Passages Couverts, a series of 18th and 19th-century shopping arcades with narrow walkways, glass-and-iron roofs and old-fashioned storefronts. You’ll find two of the best in the 2nd arrondissement, neighboring the Marais. Neo-classical Galerie Vivienne has intricate mosaic floors and an elegant glass dome that sits atop a rotunda decorated with nymphs and goddesses. Nearby Passage Choiseul is the longest covered passage in Paris and a registered historical monument. Expect chic fashion boutiques, wine cellars, jewelers, antiquarian bookstores and an old-school Paris vibe inside both. The gift shop just around the corner from the Marais' marvelous Musée National Picasso-Paris merits a visit in its own right, with tasteful Picasso-inspired homeware, art prints, pottery, bags and much more on offer. And it would be remiss to go home without a pretty box of macarons, that colorful meringue-based confection so beloved of Parisians. You’ll find these in any Marais pâtisserie worth its salt. But this is Paris, darling, so treat yourself by splashing out on some of the poshest in town from French pastry master Pierre Hermé. Save on top attractions during your 5 days in Paris Save on admission to Paris attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak

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