The best things to do and see in Paris

Are you interested in a stay in the City of Light? But what to see in Paris? It is sometimes difficult to choose among the many attractions that the French capital offers. Here is a small list of the best things to do in Paris to put in your suitcase. Take your camera and comfortable shoes to walk the streets: you are ready for your Parisian itinerary. Let’s go!

The Louvre

Considered one of the most beautiful museums in the world, the Louvre Palace with its glass pyramid is a must-see. It is easy to get lost in the maze of its alleys! Plan a good day to discover it or take advantage of the night-time hours to avoid the crowds. Among the most famous works on display are Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and magnificent paintings by David, Géricault, Delacroix and Veronese. Discover also its ancient sculptures such as the Venus de Milo or the Victory of Samothrace, or Mesopotamian with its winged bulls. Opening dates vary and online booking is strongly recommended (full price: 17 €)

The Eiffel Tower and the Quai Branly

The Eiffel Tower is obviously one of the best places to visit in Paris. Don’t worry, you won’t have to take the stairs. You can buy a ticket to climb to the top via the elevator, which is accessible from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 p.m. (in high season from 9 a.m. to 11:45 p.m.). The full price for an adult is 26,80 €. 312 m high, it offers a magical 360° view of the city! Just a few steps away, the Quai Branly Museum awaits you with its numerous works of art from Africa, Asia and Oceania. Very playful, it is perfect for a family visit for example. Its quiet garden also gives you the opportunity to take a little break.

The Orsay Museum

Formerly a train station, the Musée d’Orsay now houses the largest collection of impressionist and post-impressionist paintings. Come and admire the superb works of Monet, Van Gogh, Degas, Renoir, Berthe Morisot and Rodin. Under its imposing vault, this multidisciplinary museum presents paintings, sculptures, photographs and decorative objects. Special tours for children are also available, so don’t hesitate to ask! You can then continue your itinerary in the streets of the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district and stroll to the terrace of a café. The Musée d’Orsay is open from Tuesday to Saturday, from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and until 9:45 p.m. on Thursday. A ticket costs 16 €.

The Pompidou Center

This original building with its colorful pipes, designed by Renzo Piano, exhibits one of the finest collections ofmodern and contemporary art in the world, with works by Kandinsky, Delaunay, Duchamp, Frida Kalho or Louise Bourgeois. From the top of the escalators, you have a magnificent view of the city. This museum has a gallery reserved for children. Take the opportunity to stroll through the streets of the Marais, one of the oldest districts in Paris, known for its magnificent private mansions. The Centre Pompidou is open every day except Tuesday, from 11 am to 10 pm. Access to some areas is free and different tickets are offered for others (count 15 to 20 € per adult).

The Concorde and the Musée de l’Orangerie

Bordered by superb hotels, the Place de la Concorde is located between the Champs-Élysées and the Tuileries Gardens. Sadly famous in the past, because the guillotine was held there during the Revolution (Louis XVI, Marie-Antoinette, but also Robespierre were executed there), it is now one of the most prestigious sites of the city. TheLuxor obelisk is in the center and is located on the historical axis of Paris. This royal road goes from the Arc de Triomphe of the Carrousel du Louvre to the Arche de la Défense. Right next door, you can admire Claude Monet’s Water Lilies paintings at the Musée de l’Orangerie for €12.50 (free access on the first Sunday of each month with a time slot reservation). The Orangery Museum is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:45 p.m., except on Tuesdays, May 1 and December 25.

The Seine by boat

You want to visit Paris as a couple or with your family? A trip on a bateau-mouche is ideal! It is one of the best rated attractions in Paris. Admiring the city by boat allows you to discover the historic heart of the capital from a different angle. You can see the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre-Dame, the Conciergerie and the bridges of Paris. With a guided tour, you will also learn many anecdotes. You can even book a dinner cruise to enjoy a good meal during your river trip.

The Sacré-Coeur and the Montmartre Museum

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart dominates the Butte Montmartre. To climb it, you have the choice between the stairs or the picturesque funicular. From the square, a beautiful view of the city is offered to you. Following in the footsteps of Amélie Poulain, visit the village of Abbesses, with its pleasant shopping district. Open every day from 10 am to 7 pm, the museum, in the heart of the Clos Montmartre vineyard, is one of the oldest buildings on the Butte. You can visit Suzanne Valadon’s former studio and learn about the history of Montmartre’s cabarets (tickets from 14 € to 36 €). Its peaceful garden is inspired by the masterpieces painted by Renoir.

The Buttes Chaumont park and the Père-Lachaise cemetery

A former gypsum quarry transformed into a pleasant English garden, the Buttes Chaumont park is an ideal place to relax and stroll. Accessible freely from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., this wild and hilly area hides small caves, waterfalls and a lake. Adorable bars are nestled in the old 1900s pavilions. Not far from there is the Père-Lachaise cemetery, a place of poetic meditation. Here lie musicians such as Chopin, Edith Piaf and Jim Morrison, and writers such as Molière, Balzac and Jean de la Fontaine. A varied fauna lives there: many cats, but also weasels, birds and even foxes! Admission is free and the doors open between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. and close between 5:30 and 6:00 p.m. (depending on the day and the season).

The Museum of Romantic Life

Paris is famous for being the capital of love. So, what to do in Paris as a couple? The Museum of Romantic Life is a real nugget. This adorable little museum is hidden in the 9ᵉ arrondissement. It is a former mansion housing a charming tea room. You can enjoy an exhibition on the tumultuous life of George Sand, visit an artist’s studio, and then enjoy a pastry in the greenhouse or in the garden. This haven of peace allows you to take a well-deserved break! The Museum of Romantic Life is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm. Access to the permanent exhibition is free.

The Opéra Garnier and the Philharmonie

If you’re a fan of classical concerts, ballet or opera, there’s nothing better than theOpéra Garnier! That said, you don’t have to buy tickets to discover the interior. You can discover its magnificent ceiling painted by Chagall during a visit, from 14 € (open from 10 am to 5 pm and until 6 pm in high season). The Philharmonie also hosts classical and contemporary music concerts, exhibitions and a brand new wing dedicated to children.

A concert at the Olympia

TheOlympia is a concert hall that has become mythical, which also hosts comedy shows. The dream of every artist is to see his name displayed in big red letters on his facade. It is an ideal place to go out in the district of the great Haussmannian boulevards. Do not hesitate to consult its eclectic program.

Listen to jazz in Paris

Paris is also the capital of swing and jazz since the 1920s. Famous jazz clubs Los lectores de esont always very popular as the Duc des Lombards and the Baiser Salé, the more historical Caveau de la Huchette, or the more cult New Morning. Also enjoy the Jazz à la Villette festival, which takes place every year in September.

A charming guinguette

Would you like to enjoy the typical guinguette spirit? The Rosa Bonheur establishments, in the Buttes Chaumont or on the quays of the Seine, are perfect for drinking a famous rosé pool. Open from Thursday to Sunday, the one in Buttes Chaumont, with its arcade games and large tables, is very kid-friendly on weekend afternoons and offers a lively dance floor in the evening! At La Villette, the bar À la Folie offers dance floors and barbecue every day, from noon to midnight or 2 am. Next to the Porte de Clignancourt, there is an urban farm-café, the Recyclerie, in a former station of the petite ceinture, the railroad line that used to go around Paris. It is open every day with several areas accessible between 8am and midnight.

Parisian gastronomy

Finally, discover the Parisian gastronomy! It’s up to you to find the best baguette or the best croissant in Paris. At the “Marché des Enfants Rouges”, rue de Bretagne, you can taste different cuisines from around the world in the covered alleys. On the rooftop of Galeries Lafayette, enjoy cocktails with a breathtaking view of the roofs of Paris. For a 1900’s brasserie atmosphere, don’t hesitate to have lunch in the famous Bouillons Chartier or Jullien. In the Latin Quarter, the Procope café (the oldest in Paris) plunges you into a historical atmosphere.