Top Things to Do in Paris

By Katie Sagal
Published: July 18, 2024

Paris is one of those destinations on practically everyone’s must-see list. From its rich cultural history and vibrant modern scene to sumptuous cuisine and fine wine, it’s no wonder that Paris is a beloved vacation spot. Of course, we don’t always have two weeks to spend in Paris, and our trips have to be tailored to accommodate a briefer stay.

If you’re looking to visit Paris and hope to see the best of the best, check out our list of the top things to do in Paris. We’ve selected a few of the must-do attractions for Parisian visitors, ranging from popular museums and cultural attractions to free public monuments, gardens, and more.

Our top things in Paris list includes:

  • Disneyland® Paris
  • The Louvre
  • Paris Bus Tour
  • The Eiffel Tower
  • Arc de Triomphe
  • Seine River Cruise
  • Champs-Élysées
  • Versailles
  • Sacré-Cœur
  • Latin Quarter
  • Trocadéro Gardens

Disneyland® Paris

Image of Nature, Night, Outdoors, Lighting, Sky, Purple, Art,

Come and experience the magic and wonder of Disneyland® Paris!

This is a must for your family trip to Paris. You'll be transported into this whimsical world of classic characters and enjoy a day of total magic. What's more, the parks are dotted with awesome rides, rollercoaster and experiences, and you can also catch stunning shows with yoru favorite characters.

This year the park celbrates it's 30th Anniversary, and extra special surprises are in store for visitors, notably the magnificent nightly fireworks spectaculars at Sleeping Beauty's Castle.

Don't miss out!

Image of Car, The Louvre

One of the best museums in the world, hands-down, is the Louvre. It’s not only among our favorite museums in Paris, but it also has a little bit of everything for all those interested in arts and culture.

With multiple different departments to explore—ranging from Egyptian antiquities to Renaissance painting and beyond—there are practically endless galleries to roam through. For more information about the Louvre, check out our helpful guide.

Paris Bus Tour

It’s easy to urge you to check out the top sights in Paris, and less simple for you to figure out how to do so. Fortunately, a convenient hop-on hop-off Paris Bus tour is available via Big Bus. It helps you get familiar with the city’s most famous sites, range through different neighborhoods, and develop a sense of how everything fits together.

And while Parisian mass transit is easy to use, with a bus tour you can appreciate the sights as you traverse the city!

Image of Nature, Outdoors, Scenery, Boat, City, Car, Eiffel Tower, Landmark, Tower, The Eiffel Tower

Paris’ most famous landmark is the Eiffel Tower. It’s been a monument to the city and the country for generations and is among the most recognizable structures across the globe.

Don’t miss out on your chance to ascend to the top of the tower, or check out the restaurants on the lower levels. Or, for a budget-friendly option, bring some bread and cheese and have a picnic beneath on the Champs de Mars for free.

Image of Traffic Light, Car, Arc De Triomphe, Landmark, Arc de Triomphe

Situated at the western end of the Champs-Élysées, this is another of the city’s most famous landmarks. The Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile is known for its signature design, with twelve avenues radiating out from the center of the Place Charles de Gaulle.

The monument itself is designated to commemorate those who fought in the French Revolutionary War and Napoleonic Wars, with a Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from WWI beneath.

Image of Boat, Water, Waterfront, Cathedral, Church,

Seine River Cruise

Running through the heart of Paris, the Seine River is a prominent part of the cityscape that visitors won’t want to neglect. Happily, it’s easy to explore the riverbanks and bridges of Paris on a leisurely river cruise. Choose from narration in over 14 languages as you glide past top sites like the Pont Neuf bridge, Notre Dame Cathedral, Musée D’Orsay, the Eiffel Tower, and more.

Champs-Élysées

One of the most famous neighborhoods in Paris, the Champs-Élysées combines all the charm of historical Paris with the convenience of a modern shopping paradise. Visit stores ranging from the most selective and elusive of boutiques to mainstream brands at a variety of price points.

Whether you’re hoping to come home with a perfect souvenir or just do some window shopping, this is one of the most-see areas in Paris.

Image of Nature, Outdoors, Scenery, Housing, Person, Adult, Male, Man, House, Versailles

Arguably among the most opulent royal residences in the entire world, the Palace of Versailles is unquestionably among our top things to do when visiting Paris.

Between the magnificent Hall of Mirrors, the exquisite Royal Opera, and the extravagant royal apartments, there’s practically no surface in all of Versailles that isn’t covered in some precious material. Warn your friends about your forthcoming Insta series!

Sacré-Cœur

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris is a gorgeous white church that’s one of the most popular landmarks to visit in all of Paris. It’s located at the top of a high summit and the climb to get up to the basilica itself is part of the experience.

The unique Romano-Byzantine architecture style also separates the Sacré-Cœur from many of the other Catholic churches in the city, including Notre Dame.

Image of Building, Housing, House, Manor, Luxembourg Gardens

An expansive garden/park space located in the 6th arrondissement, Luxembourg Gardens date back to the early seventeenth century when the widow of King Henry IV commissioned the space for her new residence, the Luxembourg Palace.

While the French Senate meets in the Palace, the gardens are open to the public to stroll, picnic, snap photos of the flowers, and so on. It’s a lovely place to get a sense of nature in the midst of the city.

Latin Quarter

For those in search of a little bit of culture outside the museums, the Latin Quarter is home to the Sorbonne University as well as many bookstores and cafés. Don’t miss the famous bookshop Shakespeare and Company, for one.

This neighborhood is also a good place for families to explore, featuring the Jardin des Plantes botanical gardens and the National Museum of Natural History.

Trocadéro Gardens

This massive public park is located just across the river from the Eiffel Tower, so it’s a perfect place from which to snap distance photos of this landmark. Within the park itself, you’ll find a grand fountain, plenty of enchanting sculptures, and even the remarkable Aquarium de Paris.

There are also three museums nearby: the Palais de Chaillot, Musée de l’Homme, and Musée Georges Clemenceau.

Save on Admission to Paris Attractions

Explore the top things to do in Paris with the Go Paris pass. Pay just 95 Euro for the 48-hour Paris Museum Pass, which covers admission to more than 55 different museums, chateaux, and monuments in the broader Paris area. You’ll also get access to bus tours, cruises, and other fun ways to explore the French capital.

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
Go City Travel Expert

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An Alternative Guide to Paris Museums

Paris is one of those amazing European cities just brimming with art, culture, and history. In fact, some of the most famous museums in the entire world are found right here in the City of Lights. We’ve all heard of the Louvre, Musée D’Orsay, Versailles, and so on. But what about those of you who’ve already hit up the biggies and are looking to explore some more distinctive or unusual Paris museums? If you’re looking for alternatives to the major label museums in Paris, have we got the handy little guide for you. Check out our guide to the quirky, unique, and unexpected museums in Paris. The alternative museums we highlight in this post include: Musée des Plans-Reliefs Musée de Cluny Museum of Arts & Crafts Museum of Decorative Arts Château de Rambouillet Sèvres, City of Ceramics Museum of Music Discovery Palace Picasso Museum Musée des Plans-Reliefs The Musée des Plans-Reliefs would be Toby Shandy’s delight. 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Museum of Arts & Crafts The Musée des Arts et Métiers is something of a misleading name for this fine collection of scientific and industrial materials. Here you’ll find tens of thousands of drawings and objects—among which are some of the most famous technical objects in history, such as an original Foucault pendulum, the original model for what would become the Statue of Liberty, and the first mechanical calculator. Visitors can also explore historic cars, planes, and other artifacts from the history of transportation. Museum of Decorative Arts Housed in a portion of the Louvre Palace (but distinct from the Louvre itself), the Musée des Arts Décoratifs brings together compelling exhibits from the history of graphic arts, advertising, and fashion. The overall focus is on design and decorative arts, with objects like furniture, wallpaper, ceramics, glassware, children’s toys, carpets, and much more comprising its extensive collections. Visitors will also want to take time to explore themed period rooms that showcase different moments in the history of material goods. Château de Rambouillet Castle of Rambouillet is located a fair distance southwest of Paris, but it’s worth the extra effort to see this remarkable museum. Formerly the summer home of the Presidents of the French Republic, it’s now a historic monument preserving the long history of the castle. It was originally built in the fourteenth century but is most famous as the place that Louis XIV transformed into an idealized version of a country dairy to please his queen, Marie-Antoinette. There were further additions and modifications made by later rulers as well. Sèvres, City of Ceramics A small community in the southwest suburbs of Paris, Sèvres is known for its unparalleled production of exquisite porcelain. The largest porcelain manufactory in Europe is still located in this neighborhood, as the eponymous Sèvres – Cité de la Céramique museum. A visit here is an opportunity to learn about the historic porcelain production in France, as well as a chance to see their fine collection of Asian and European ceramics, including many pieces by modern and contemporary artists. Museum of Music Located within the renowned performance space Cité de la Musique, the Musée de la Musique boasts a unique collection of rare and unusual instruments. Visitors can peruse over 1,000 instruments and musical artifacts ranging from a tortoise guitar to a crystal flute. The collections span the period from the seventeenth century through the modern era including non-European instruments and music. The accompanying audio guide allows visitors to listen to recordings, and free daily concerts provide live musical inspiration. Discovery Palace The Palais de la Découverte is an exciting modern science museum located in the 8th arrondissement in Paris. Permanent exhibitions here include a focus on topics like mathematics, chemistry, physics, biology, geology, and astronomy. It’s particularly notable for its Zeiss planetarium. About a decade ago it merged with the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie, sharing their collective dedication to spreading scientific knowledge and education with visitors of all ages. Picasso Museum An art gallery dedicated exclusively to the expansive productions of one of Europe’s most famous artists, the Musée Picasso is absolutely a must-visit for fans of the Spaniard’s life and works. You’ll find more than 5,000 works of art including paintings, notebooks, sculptures, ceramics, engravings, and drawings, as well as thousands of archival documents include Picasso’s personal correspondence, manuscripts, and photographs. This collection is located in the Marais district of Paris. Save on Admission to Paris Museums Visit these museums and plenty of other cultural institutions with the Go Paris pass. Pay only 95 Euro for the 48-hour Paris Museum Pass, which covers admission to more than 55 different museums and monuments in the broader Paris area. The Go Paris pass also includes admission to tours, cruises, and other fun attractions to help round out your weekend getaway. 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

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