Top Things to Do in Paris

By Katie Sagal

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.

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Katie Sagal

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Alexander III Bridge over the Seine lit up at nightfall
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Free things to do in Paris

If it’s the idea of Parisian prices that’s putting you off visiting one of the world’s favorite cities, we’ve got a secret to share with you. You don’t have to spend a fortune to be able to see its world-famous attractions and landmarks. There are enough free things to do in Paris to keep even the most hardcore travelers busy for several days. Not convinced? Just check out our pick of the crop below. Discover Montmartre Whilst its hidden sights are perhaps best uncovered as part of a Montmartre & Sacré-Coeur walking tour, or by making use of the Petit Train, it is possible to take in much of Montmartre on a self-guided exploration of the area. Paris’s bohemian artistic quarter, it has been the haunt of a fascinating cast of characters since before it even became part of the city in 1860. Its atmospheric cobbled side streets and public staircases are the perfect place for a stroll, with sights including Renoir’s Garden and the Lapin Agile cabaret club to look out for. For those with budgets that don’t stretch as far as a show, check out the quarter’s street artists instead. Popular spots include the steps leading to the doors of the Basilica of the Sacré-Coeur, which are free to enter (the crypt and dome require a ticket). Rather unusually for a Paris suburb, you can also take in the ripening grapes of the vineyard in Rue Saint-Vincent, producing just 750 bottles of wine in any one year. Look out for special events Even the popular kids don’t have as much in the diary as Paris. Pick a month and there’s probably a public spectacle that awaits, from Chinese New Year to Christmas markets. Many of the French capital’s top annual events are also pleasingly light on the wallet. June, for instance, sees Fête de la Musique (World Music Day) fill the streets of the capital with sound on the longest day of the year. A significant number of major parks and squares get in on the act with performances spanning the world of classical works and the latest urban music. More frequently, free concerts take place from January through to June and September to November at the American Church in Paris. It lies between the Eiffel Tower and Les Invalides – the burial place of Napoleon Bonaparte. Less than a month later on July 14 the Champs-Élysées is cleared of its usual traffic for the grand military parade which forms the centerpiece of the nation’s Bastille Day celebrations – perhaps the most important day in the cultural calendar. Museums open their doors long into the small hours during October’s Nuit Blanche (White Night), whilst those including the Louvre also offer free entry on the first Sunday of each month. Enjoy the art scene Art fans looking for other free things to do in Paris won’t be disappointed. In addition to the Louvre’s gratis entry days, there are several museums with important collections free to enter 365 days a year. The Paris Museum of Modern Art (Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris) is one. Ignore the ‘Paris’ in its name, the artworks it contains come from some of the world’s greatest 20th and 21st Century artists whatever their home city. Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse and Bridget Riley are all represented, alongside their many contemporaries. To discover artworks that are yet to make it into any museum head to the banks of the Canal Saint-Martin. It’s a hotspot for street art, which creates an intriguing contrast between the old locks and ironwork footbridges along its three-mile length. Take advantage of Paris’s green spaces Perfectly aligned with the south side of the Eiffel Tower, the Champ de Mars is an exquisite place to spend a couple of hours. The mix of trimmed lawns, mature trees and tower views makes it an ideal place for a picnic. The older sibling to New York’s High Line, the Promenade Plantée brings the idea of a public park into the 21st Century. Raised above much of the city on a disused railway viaduct and even passing narrowly between buildings, it has plenty of spots to take in the vistas. Elsewhere, Paris’s largest cemetery, Père Lachaise, attracts a steady stream of visitors. Covering 110 acres, its tombstones and mausoleums span more than 200 years and two million interments. Amongst the better known are singers Édith Piaf and Jim Morrison, and Irish playwright Oscar Wilde. Admire the architecture There’s nothing freer or more freeing than getting about a new city on foot, uncovering the hidden sights you might otherwise miss, smelling the aromas of bakeries, cafés and restaurants, and hearing the everyday sounds of an area. Paris has no shortage of free walking tours taking place with an English language guide, although you’ll have to be at the designated starting point for their launch times. Going solo, it’s difficult to get lost if you stick to the right or left banks of the Seine, which are dotted with many of Paris’s most important landmarks from Notre Dame Cathedral to the Jardin des Plantes botanic gardens. The river’s banks are even more magical after nightfall, when its landmarks are picked out in stunning clarity by illuminations. Continue into the east of the city and you’ll quickly catch sight of the four striking towers that make up the National Library’s François-Mitterrand campus. They mark the corners of a lovely hidden garden at the same time as preserving a collection containing an estimated 14 million individual documents. Cross the Seine on the undulating form of Passerelle Simone de Beauvoir Bridge and you’ll end up in Parc de Bercy, liberally sprinkled with monuments. Knowing where to splash the cash in Paris Taking advantage of free things to do in Paris is a great way of staying on budget and exploring much of the French capital. However, there are some attractions you won’t want to miss which require an entry ticket. There’s help at hand here too though, and it comes in the shape of Go City. Save on admission to attractions you were going to visit anyway with our Paris passes!
Ian Packham
A couple lean in for a kiss at a cafe table
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Why we love Paris in February

What could be better than a trip to the City of Love for Valentine’s Day? If you’re wondering if February is a good time to visit Paris, the answer is hell yes! Whilst Paris in February may not have the new growth of spring or the heat of summer, it does have a surprising number of events to look forward to. What’s more, although you might think Paris in February would be packed out because of the presence of Valentine’s Day, the month sits firmly within the city’s low season meaning there’s fewer other visitors and the possibility of cheaper hotel rates too. Here are just some of the reasons we love Paris in February. Paris without the crowds Although you can never say that Paris is free of visitors, it certainly can seem like that when comparing the flow of people into the city’s museums in February to that during the months of July and August. So why not take advantage of the reduced crowds to get up close with the Mona Lisa in the Louvre or climb the 674 steps to the viewing platforms of the Eiffel Tower with a guide in tow. The one exception is the big day of February 14 itself, when entry to the tower is regularly booked up months in advance. If you’re planning to pop the big question, don’t get caught out by this! Celebrate Crepe Day One of Paris’s lesser-known celebrations, Crepe Day nonetheless holds a special place in the hearts of many Parisians. Taking place on February 2, it stems from the Catholic festival of Candlemas or La Chandeleur. It seems to have developed out of the Popes of centuries past giving food to the poor as part of the mid-winter holy day. It has become a way of marking the last days of winter and the first days of spring. Look out for special dinner menus incorporating all things crepe, or grab one from a stall during the day. Discover the bizarre love stories of Versailles Perhaps the grandest estate ever built, the Palace of Versailles and its expansive gardens became one of the first UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1979 such is its importance. The main residence of the kings of France for 200 years, its rooms and corridors have seen their fair share of strange love stories. For instance, Louis XIII never allowed his queen to spend a single night here. To wander these historic spaces, where gold glints off crystal, marble and old master paintings, is an ideal thing to do on an overcast February day whether you’re traveling as a couple, as a group or if you’re a solo visitor. See Paris at its most glamorous The end of February welcomes many of the world’s top models to the boulevards of the French capital for the half-yearly Paris Fashion Week. The country’s top designers and fashion houses – the likes of Chanel and Dior – host lavish events to coincide with the release of their latest collections. Many take place in unique settings such as the Grand Palais exhibition hall and the Carrousel du Louvre underground shopping mall. Should you arrive in Paris at the beginning of the month instead, you don’t have to miss out on the opportunity for some retail therapy. Great savings can be had with the end of the winter sales period – stores of all budgets slash their prices even further. Revel in the Chinese New Year festivities Firecrackers popping around Paris. Performers leaping to the sound of cymbals. Colorful parades taking over the streets. It can only be Chinese New Year, which falls at the start of February (or very end of January). Paris’s size means it’s able to boast several ‘Spring Festival’ celebrations. The largest happens in the 13th arrondissement’s Asian Quarter (Quartier Asiatique). The area’s street parade usually has around 2000 participants with ancestry in China and its neighboring countries. But that’s nothing compared to the 200,000 who turn up to get involved and admire the meticulously choreographed lion dances and sample traditional New Year cuisine. Join the carnival parade Chinese New Year isn’t the only street festival to take place in Paris in February. There is also the small matter of the Paris Carnival, or La Promenade du Boeuf Gras, coinciding with Mardi Gras. Held in one form or another since the 16th Century, the carnival starts with a parade of masked figures at Place Gambetta in the 20th arrondissement. It makes its way to the Place de la République where the celebrations continue as a street party. Make a day of Paris’s monuments to love Offering views of Notre Dame Cathedral,, the Pont des Arts is better known to many as love lock bridge. Literally millions of padlocks marked or engraved with lovers’ initials have been attached to its railings – creating a sea of metalwork estimated to weigh around 45 tons. Amidst the winding streets of Montmartre lies the 40 square meter Wall of Love. Made up of over 600 individual ceramic tiles, they include the words ‘I love you’ roughly 300 times in 250 different languages, including Inuit and Esperanto. No words are needed to visit the heart of Voltaire, situated beneath a marble statue of the writer-philosopher in the Salon d’honneur (Hall of Honor) at the National Library. But if that’s a little bit ghoulish, you can instead hover above the buildings of Paris with a romantic balloon ride on the Ballon de Paris Generali – the world’s largest. Explore the hidden side of Paris Taking place over a long weekend, the Face Cachée (Hidden Side) event is another wonderful thing to do in Paris in February. Around 120 venues and organizations are involved in creating unique experiences. They allow the public to enter parts of the city usually closed off, or experience events they would never otherwise be able to. There are no such limitations with the Palais Garnier Opera House – the reputed home of the Phantom of the Opera. It opens its doors throughout February for self-guided and guided tours of its extraordinary interiors. Ways to save in Paris in February Checking out the discount rails of the department stores isn’t the only way to save in Paris in February. Go City All-Inclusive and Explorer passes get you a great deal on admission to many of the city’s top attractions. All you need to do is pick the right pass for you and start exploring to save!
Ian Packham
Two women enjoy a walk along the banks of the Seine
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Cheap things to do in Paris

Paris has a reputation for being très cher – very expensive. But, au contraire, it doesn’t have to be. There are a huge number of fun things to do which don’t cost the earth. If you’re heading to the City of Light on a budget – and even if you’re not – check out these cheap things to do in Paris. You won’t regret it! Feel like a local Budget travelers are likely to find themselves in the further reaches of the Paris suburbs, meaning potentially expensive taxi fares to the world-famous landmarks dotted on and around the River Seine. However, as you might expect, there are a variety of cheaper alternatives. Not only that, but some can become attractions in themselves. A great addition to trips aboard a Hop-on Hop-off sightseeing bus are the city’s public buses. Route 89 takes in the sights of the Latin Quarter, including the Panthéon and Jardin du Luxembourg. The north-south route 69 incorporates the Bastille, Louvre, Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral. When the sometimes-fickle Paris weather holds, one of the most charming ways to explore Paris is by bike. The bike-sharing stations of Vélib’ are located across greater Paris. A mix of pedal and hybrid electric cycles, they have rates starting at just €1 for 30 minutes use. Whilst covering 41 square miles, the majority of Paris’s major landmarks are centrally located, making an afternoon stroll an excellent way to absorb the city’s atmosphere. So why not wander along a portion of the Seine, or follow the Champs-Élysées from the Arc de Triomphe towards the masterpieces of the Louvre? Check out the markets You’re unlikely to discover a lost artwork by Monet or Degas among the stalls of Saint-Ouen flea market, located in the same neighborhood as the Sacre Coeur and Moulin Rouge. But even if you don’t, a bit of friendly-haggling with the stallholders can still get you a bargain. One of the largest flea markets in the world, stalls hold everything from vintage fashion to diamond bracelets. There’s no better place to discover Parisians’ love of food and fine ingredients than the oldest covered market in Paris. Founded in 1628, the Marché des Enfants Rouges – or Market of Red Children, after the orphanage of the same name – is a great place to pick up some freshly-baked bread or a bunch of flowers. Should it get your stomach growling, there are also a good selection of cafés and restaurants, many of whom use produce direct from the market’s stalls. Thursdays and Sundays sees another market appearing in the park to the north of Place de la Bastille. In addition to groceries, there’s also a good number of tempting objet d’art and other trinkets you’ll wonder how you ever lived without. Discover the city’s green spaces No list of cheap things to do in Paris should be considered complete without mentioning the city’s array of parks and gardens. Among one of the best is the Jardin des Plantes botanic garden. Largely formal in style, there are few better places for a romantic walk, whilst the small zoo’s collection of animals is sure to enthrall the kids. It’s easy to forget about the city beyond once inside Parc Monceau too. Created by the Duke of Chartres in 1778 as one of the world’s first public parks, it contrasts with the Jardin des Plantes because of its informal English landscaping style. But for a park like few others, head to the Promenade Plantée, also known as the Coulée verte René-Dumont. Similar to New York’s High Line, but opened a full 15 years beforehand, this elevated park gave a long-abandoned railway viaduct a new lease of life as an urban oasis. Take in the views In a city without the skyscrapers of New York or London, the Eiffel Tower has been the main vantage-point for citywide views since it was first erected in 1889. But for views of the Iron Lady herself you’ll need to turn your attention to the opposite end of the Champ de Mars and the Tour Montparnasse (Montparnasse Tower). Although its observation tower is not the cheapest thing to do in Paris, the bar on the 56th story has equally beguiling vistas plus lively conversation for the cost of a drink. Paris is also an excellent place to grab a street-side cup of coffee or plat du jour as you watch the world go by. If you’re keen to break through the frosty exterior some Parisians exude, many bars host a happy hour. Usually sometime between 5PM and 8 PM, just look for the advertising boards outside. Grab a bargain It’s unlikely you’ll have such luck with the stores of Rue Faubourg du Saint-Honoré outside of January or July, but there are several ways to feel a million dollars without having to splash that sort of cash. For instance, top department store Galeries Lafayette hosts regular 30 minute fashion shows curated by some of the biggest names in the industry and complete with catwalk models. Elsewhere, Shakespeare and Company has been supplying the English-speakers of Paris with reading material since 1951. As well as the new books you would expect, you’ll also find a treasure trove of secondhand tomes and also a free reading library. Would-be authors can even stay the night in exchange for helping out – it’s been estimated that more than 30,000 people have stayed since the store first opened its doors. Seeing Paris on a budget Just because you have a budget to stick to doesn’t mean you have to miss out on Paris’s big-ticket attractions. It’s possible to fully explore with Go City – allowing you to save on attraction admission and expensive overseas credit card charges without having to say goodbye to flexibility. Together with our recommendations for cheap things to do in Paris, Go City can help create an unforgettable vacation. You can stay up to date with all the latest tips by connecting with @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook.
Ian Packham

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