Things to Do in Paris
DESTINATION GUIDE

Things to Do in Paris

50 curated spots from Paris itineraries

Activities & Attractions

30 curated experiences

Louvre Museum
Do
morning

Louvre Museum

Admire the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and Winged Victory; opt for a skip-the-line guided tour.

2h · $50 or Free
Musée d'Orsay
Do
morning

Musée d'Orsay

See Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces in a former railway station with striking Beaux-Arts design.

2h 30m · $18 or less
Luxembourg Gardens
Do
late_morning

Luxembourg Gardens

Enter near the Sénat, circle the central basin, admire the Médici Fountain, and sit on the green chairs under chestnut trees.

1h · Free
Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur
Do
morning

Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur

Ride the funicular or walk up to Sacré-Cœur, then explore Place du Tertre and quieter backstreets.

2h 30m · Free (small fee for dome if you climb)
Seine River Cruise
Do
evening

Seine River Cruise

1-hour cruise past Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame at dusk.

1h · $20
Musée d’Orsay
Do
afternoon

Musée d’Orsay

Explore Impressionist and post-Impressionist masterpieces inside a grand former train station, including works by Monet, Van Gogh, and Degas.

2h 30m · $18-22
Sainte-Chapelle
Do
afternoon

Sainte-Chapelle

Gothic chapel renowned for its floor-to-ceiling stained glass; entrance via the Palais de Justice complex.

1h · $13 (under 18 free for many visitors)
Arc de Triomphe
Do
morning

Arc de Triomphe

Climb for city views; stroll Champs-Élysées for shopping.

1h 30m · $16
Centre Pompidou
Do
afternoon

Centre Pompidou

Modern art exhibits and rooftop views.

1h 30m · $15
Eiffel Tower
Do
afternoon

Eiffel Tower

Iconic iron lattice monument offering breathtaking views of Paris from three levels. Visit at sunset for romantic golden-hour photography.

2h · $10-20
Jardin du Luxembourg
Do
afternoon

Jardin du Luxembourg

Wander the formal gardens, sit for a break, and photograph the fountains and palace views.

1h · Free
Canal Saint-Martin Stroll
Do
morning

Canal Saint-Martin Stroll

Walk along the tree-lined canal, watch the locks, browse small boutiques, and take relaxed photos on the iron footbridges.

1h · Free
Seine River Evening Cruise
Do
evening

Seine River Evening Cruise

Take a 1-hour cruise from a central dock to see the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and bridges beautifully lit.

1h 15m · $20-30
Marais Walking Tour
Do
morning

Marais Walking Tour

Place des Vosges, Jewish Quarter history; self-guided.[1]

1h 30m · Free
Palace of Versailles
Do
morning

Palace of Versailles

RER C train; tour palace, gardens, Trianon.

6h · $30 + train $10
Tuileries Garden
Do
afternoon

Tuileries Garden

Stroll the central alleys from the Louvre toward Place de la Concorde, stopping at the octagonal basin for photos and people-watching on the iconic green chairs.

1h · Free
Eiffel Tower & Champ de Mars
Do
morning

Eiffel Tower & Champ de Mars

Ascend tower (book summit), picnic on lawns, watch hourly sparkle show.

2h · $30 or Free grounds
Le Marais Shopping
Do
evening

Le Marais Shopping

Boutiques, falafel stands, concept stores.

1h 30m · Varies or Free
Le Marais Walking Tour
Do
afternoon

Le Marais Walking Tour

Explore historic mansions, trendy shops, Jewish quarter architecture.

2h · Free
Musée Carnavalet
Do
morning

Musée Carnavalet

Free museum of Paris history in two mansions with gardens; explore artifacts and architecture (5-min walk to falafel).

1h 30m · Free
Musée de l'Orangerie
Do
morning

Musée de l'Orangerie

Admire Monet's massive water lily murals in oval rooms; early visit for serene photography

1h 30m · $17 or Free
Musée du Louvre
Do
morning

Musée du Louvre

Explore highlights like Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and Egyptian wing; use family trail map.

3h · $20/adult, Free under 18
Palais Garnier
Do
morning

Palais Garnier

Opulent opera house tour; grand staircases for photos.

1h 30m · $20
Caveau de la Huchette
Do
late evening

Caveau de la Huchette

Legendary jazz club with live swing music and dance floor.

1h 30m · $25
Covered Passages & Grands Boulevards Walk
Do
afternoon

Covered Passages & Grands Boulevards Walk

From the Grands Boulevards area, explore 19th‑century covered passages like Passage des Panoramas and Galerie Vivienne with vintage shops and cafés.

2h · Free (shopping extra)
Jardin des Plantes
Do
morning

Jardin des Plantes

Botanical gardens, alpine rock garden, greenhouses (Metro 15 min).

2h · $10 or Free
Jardin des Tuileries
Do
afternoon

Jardin des Tuileries

Formal gardens with fountains, playgrounds, carousel, and rentable toy boats near Place de la Concorde.

1h 30m · Free (small fees for rides/boats)
La Cuisine Paris Cooking Class
Do
morning

La Cuisine Paris Cooking Class

2.5hr market-to-table class (10am start, €89); learn pastries. Book online.

2h 30m · $100
Latin Quarter & Panthéon Walk
Do
afternoon

Latin Quarter & Panthéon Walk

Walk from the Seine up via Rue Saint‑Jacques or Rue de la Montagne-Sainte-Geneviève to the Panthéon, exploring side streets and the church of Saint‑Étienne-du-Mont.

2h · $15 if entering Panthéon, otherwise free to walk
Latin Quarter Walk
Do
morning

Latin Quarter Walk

Stroll medieval streets, Shakespeare & Co bookstore, free explore ruins.

1h · Free

Restaurants & Food

20 local favorites

Café de Flore
Eat
morning

Café de Flore

Classic café breakfast with coffee, tartines, or a pastry; order simply and enjoy the scene.

1h · $20-35 per person
Chez Janou
Eat
afternoon

Chez Janou

Provençal bistro; try ratatouille or bouillabaisse with pastis.

1h 15m · $50-75 per person
Marché des Enfants Rouges
Eat
lunch

Marché des Enfants Rouges

Historic covered market with modern food stalls. Choose from Lebanese mezze, Japanese ramen, French rotisserie, and fresh produce. Eat at shared tables in light-filled space.

1h · $12-22 per person
Breizh Café
Eat
afternoon

Breizh Café

Gourmet crepes with cider; buckwheat galettes.

1h · $20-35 per person
La Maison Rose
Eat
afternoon

La Maison Rose

Pink cottage bistro; order salade niçoise or coq au vin with house rosé; communal terrace tables.

1h 15m · $25-40 per person
Café Constant
Eat
evening

Café Constant

Classic French bistro; order duck confit or steak frites.

1h 30m · $30-45 per person
Le Consulat
Eat
morning

Le Consulat

Historic rustic cafe; order coffee with pain au chocolat or croissants fresh from local bakery.

45m · $10-15 per person
L’As du Fallafel
Eat
evening

L’As du Fallafel

Famous takeaway falafel and shawarma spot on Rue des Rosiers; grab a pita and eat it on a nearby bench or quiet side street.

45m · $10-15 per person
Bouillon Chartier
Eat
morning

Bouillon Chartier

No-frills brasserie; escargot and steak frites.

45m · $15-25 per person
Bouillon Pigalle
Eat
evening

Bouillon Pigalle

Huge, lively bouillon serving classic French dishes (oeuf mayo, boeuf bourguignon, chocolate mousse) at very reasonable prices.

1h 30m · $18-30 per person
Café Marly
Eat
afternoon

Café Marly

Museum courtyard bistro; croque-monsieur and salads with Louvre views.

1h · $25-45 per person
Le Procope
Eat
afternoon

Le Procope

Oldest café; coq au vin and crème brûlée.

1h 15m · $30-50 per person
Le Refuge des Fondus
Eat
afternoon

Le Refuge des Fondus

Fondue house in wine bottle-shaped glasses; try cheese fondue with local charcuterie.

1h 15m · $25-40 per person
Angelina Paris
Eat
afternoon

Angelina Paris

Hot chocolate and Mont Blanc pastry; light savory options.

1h · $25-40 per person
Bread & Roses
Eat
morning

Bread & Roses

Artisan bakery; avocado tartine, matcha croissant, coffee.

45m · $15-25 per person
Holybelly 5
Eat
morning

Holybelly 5

Popular brunch spot with excellent coffee, pancakes, and eggs; arrive near opening or late morning to avoid long waits.

1h 15m · $18-25 per person
Le Petit Cler
Eat
evening

Le Petit Cler

Friendly bistro on a pedestrian market street; order a daily special and share a carafe of house wine.

1h 30m · $25-40 per person
Les Philosophes
Eat
afternoon

Les Philosophes

Classic Marais bistro known for well‑executed French standards and good salads; try the onion soup or tartare.

1h 15m · $25-38 per person
Semilla
Eat
evening

Semilla

Contemporary bistro with an open kitchen and seasonal, market‑driven French dishes in a minimalist but warm setting.

2h · $40-55 per person
Coutume Café
Eat
morning

Coutume Café

Calm, design-forward specialty coffee shop; pair a flat white or filtre with a simple pastry or tartine before crossing the river to the Latin Quarter.

45m · $10-18 per person

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