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Who doesn’t dream of La Via Parisienne? A sensory overload of all the little pleasures in life – the aroma of espresso blended in with French accents overlapping each other, the echo of jazz music emanating from the bars right into the dimly-lit alleyways of this hilly city, the boheme vibe looming over its every alley and neighborhood, the unparalleled grandeur….
There’s an undeniable joie de vivre that comes with visiting Paris, a city that you experience rather than travel to. It has long been the melting pot for all poets, writers, and masters of craftsmanship, a place they depended on to fuel their inspiration. And who blames them? The first time I visited Paris I found it hard to fathom the years of history that went into centuries-old churches, a joyful gastronomic experience and of course – museums and galleries that exude an effortless blend of culture, class, and history.
There are plenty of things to do in Paris that cater to all types of travelers. Whether you want to spend your mornings sipping rosé by the River Seine or you want to explore the bohemian Montmartre, or you want to spend an evening under the Eiffel tower – you can pretty much do whatever you want.
Over 20 arrondissements and a few days at your hand will get you exploring the diverse sides of Paris in no time. Let’s have a look at the top things you can do at Paris.
Top Things To Do & See in Paris
Take in the views from the Eiffel Tower.
The quintessential symbol of Paris and one of the most recognizable landmarks in Europe is as cliché as you can imagine it to be but absolutely worth it. The scintillating edifice pierces into the sky in the most magnificent of ways. To simply put it: you’ll be mind-blown. Get ready to break your neck looking at this postcard-worthy landmark, fighting through crowds to take that perfect picture, and hoarding off vendors (and I mean all this in the nicest way possible…It’s worth it.)
If looking at Tour Eiffel isn’t enough for you, you can stride up…. wait for it, 704 steps (good luck) for some panoramic vistas of the entire city. Great option if you missed your workout! The reason I recommend going up is that the Cineiffel Theater is up there with an educational movie about the history of the Eiffel Tower. This is a great option if you’re looking for a less cliché option (let’s face it, everything in Paris is cliché!)
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Stroll the Avenue de Champs Elysees.
As much as I want you to go off-the-beaten-path (and we’ll get to that later), you need to visit Paris’ top landmarks and streets before venturing off on your own adventure to those hidden gems and local secrets. Stroll down the Champs Elysees all the way down to the grand Arc de Triomphe. There’s pretty much everything you could want along the Champs-Elysees – whether you’re looking to do some fancy shopping, visiting art exhibitions, eating some fine food, or people-watching at one of the many sidewalk cafes, you’ll get to do it all.
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Explore the Louvre but don’t expect to see everything.
I’ll make it simple for you: Yes, the Louvre is wonderful, it’s an incredible mix of the largest display of works from all over the world spanning different civilizations on Earth but it is a mammoth. You will be overwhelmed at first, not knowing where to start, where to go, how long to spend there and let’s not forget the dreaded lines to get in. That’s part of the joy of it, though, from exploring the largest collection of Egyptian antiques that are outside of Cairo to gawking at Da Vinci’s masterpieces to the sheer wonder of the Louvre’s architecture….Take your time navigating through this maze of art and culture.
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Experience the true meaning of gothic majesty at the Notre Dame cathedral
If you’re into taking mini-journeys into the past, dramatic spiraling towers, raw gothic architecture and a little bit of legend sprinkled into the mix then you will love the Notre Dame cathedral. It is, without a doubt, one of the most stunning gothic cathedrals in the world. Apart from its religious significance, the church boasts ethereal stained-glass windows and is free! The bell towers, however, cost EUR8.5 but you will have to climb up 387 stairs.
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Wander around Paris’ top three neighborhoods.
Paris isn’t all about checking off the top attractions from a list of things to do (okay, it is.), but it’s also about getting lost in its neighborhoods and really taking in the vibe of the city instead of seeing it through its museums. There is something to be said about the manner of artistic taste found in the streets, and nothing feels better than feeling the night-time creep in on you as you walk down a Parisienne neighborhood.
- Montmartre – This area has long been the main hangout spot for artists, singers, poets, and more, and it has been able to maintain its “quirky” vibe. This hilly neighborhood stands on top of the city and is the heartbeat of creativity, of trends, art, and culture. The meandering streets end in incredible dance halls, artistic streets juxtapose with quaint cafes and charming jazz bars are on every corner. After all, you’ll be walking right in the footsteps of Vincent Van Gogh and Pablo Picasso. Don’t forget to visit the Musee de Montmartre, The Basilica of Sacre-Coeur and Moulin Rouge!
- Le Marais – This was historically Paris’ Jewish neighborhood and is the perfect place to hang out in if you’re looking for somewhere with a great energy and a lot of things to do. It’s loud, it’s lively and you’ll find yourself spending a lot more time there than you initially planned.
- The Latin Quarter is another great neighborhood to explore. If you want a student area with a fascinating history, cool terraces, lively streets and all sorts of travelers, writers and creative then this is the place to go to!
Post-Impressionist Art at the Musee D’Orsay.
Housed in a former railway station, the Musee d’Orsay boasts, both, an extensive collection of impressionist and postimpressionist paintings spread across three floors to breathtaking architecture and great photo ops.
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Sacre-Coeur.
To be honest with you, it’s hard not to feel like you’re ascending into some mystical setting as you slowly make your way into the Sacre Coeur basilica. Whether you’re religious or not doesn’t matter, the whole place offers you an experience unlike any other. It starts with the musicians playing music on the stairs, the white castle contrasting the spiraling steps that take you up there, and of course – the largest mosaic in France inside. What’s not to love about it?
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Attend a show at Moulin Rouge.
You’ve probably heard of Moulin Rouge before. And I have one thing to say: ooh la la. That’s it. Okay. On to the next attraction now….
Nah, I am just kidding. The Moulin Rouge is the literal embodiment of 19th century Paris. Think flashy outfits, sparkling sequins, bold lipsticks, and avant-garde performances…The show is expensive, but this place has been almost unchanged foe 120 years, and it’s definitely worth watching a show there.
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Cruise down the Seine river.
Sight-seeing by boat is actually an incredible idea. You’ll be floating along the famous Seine River surrounded by some of the most historical attractions in Paris (that are all beautifully reflected on the water by the way!), with great food and drinks. Yes, please!
Get morbid at the Paris Catacombs.
This is not for the faint of heart. If you’re into walking along ling, narrow underground corridors filled to the brim with millions of human bones and skulls, then well, you’re in luck! I get that this is not one of the things you’d expect to do in Paris but it underlines so many historical aspects of Paris and sheds a light on a fascinating side of Paris. You’ll find human skulls right next to philosophical poems on the walls, you’ll find words about life and death, galleries, and you will definitely feel creeped out. In my opinion, this is one of the must-visits in Paris.
Best time to go to Paris
Paris is an all-year-round destination – you can go in summer or winter and you’re still bound to love it.
Summer
Summer is definitely the high season. Sure, the weather is great and you can spend your time comfortably strolling around the streets, or even going to a man-made beach but the lines can get unbearable. It gets extremely crowded and there’s a very little chance you’ll actually get anywhere near a local experience. All the locals leave Paris during the summer months. However, it is the time to go to if you want to attend concerts, events, festivals and much more.
Winter
Paris in winter is a lot more romantic. It exudes the Parisienne lifestyle and the absolute best time to go is during Christmas so you can experience some full-blown Christmas festivities and markets.
Top 3 Restaurants in Paris
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Café les Deux Magots – breakfast.
This is one of the most charming cafes in Paris with a renowned history. It’s where poets, writers and artists used to meet and was a casual meeting place for both Sartre and de Beauvoir. Think about that while you sip on your morning espresso!
With more than 70 Michelin-starred restaurants in Paris, it’s quite hard to pinpoint the top restaurants there.
Septime, however, is one of the best. A modern bistro with creative dishes, Chef Grebaut is a master when it comes to blending in flavors and textures together.
If you’re into seafood, Clamato is one of the best places to go. This seafood bar has a menu that changes daily (so practically, you can go eat there every day if you wanted to!) and don’t forget to try their renowned smoked shrimp.
3 Foods You Need To Try
The three foods you need to try are: baguettes, baguettes, and of course, baguettes.
But no, in all seriousness, try the baguettes. This city does not joke about them and it has the highest density of top-quality baguettes in the world. Grab one, grab a coffee, and some cheese and pretend you’re in a European movie for just a little bit.
Steak-frites are another popular dish with grilled steak, sauces, and chips. Make sure you also try the croquet-monsieur which you’ll pretty much find everywhere.
Estimated Daily Budget
You can spend anything from 20EUR a day to 100EUR a day in Paris. It all depends on how frugal you can be, and what type of trip you want to have. If you want to have an extravagant trip, then expect to pay for eating out. If you intend on saving, you can always grocery shop and eat in.
Here’s a quick look at your expenses:
- Attractions – From free to EUR15.
- Breakfast – 4 to 6 EUR.
- Lunch – 8 EUR to 15.
- Dinner – 9 to 20.
- Transportation (per day) – 5 EUR.
- Accommodation – Around 50EUR per night.
Paris Culture & Travel Tips
- Make sure you get insured. You don’t want to rake up hundreds of euros in expenses if you get sick or pickpocketed in Paris.
- Always take care of your belongings and avoid backpacks or loose bags. Keep your money and your phone tight on you and always check up on them. Always be cautious, specifically on the metro. Try to avoid random people speaking to you in the streets.
- Download the RATP app and always rely on public transportation. It’s insanely cheap compared to everything else in Paris and is also very effective.
- Bring comfortable shoes. Forget about heels or fancy shoes unless you’re going on a night out. I did not expect to be walking that much, but it’s very important to bring shoes that have been broken into before.
- Tipping in Paris is not necessary but is common courtesy.
- Don’t expect to do any Sunday shopping – the whole city is usually closed.
- Do learn some basic French words and phrases.
- Okay, so when you greet people in Paris, expect to be kissed! Parisiennes usually greet friends with a kiss on the cheek.
