Paris: What to See and Do in the City of Lights - France
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The City of Love & Food
Eiffel Tower, Ratatouille, Crepes, and Macarons - these words will remind you of Paris, France. It’s no wonder that most people pick an Ultimate Food Tour to learn, and taste, more of what this city is about! With a population of over two million people, Paris is the most populous city of France. Other than being known as “The City of Love,” Paris is also famous for its history and beautiful Middle Age architectures.
You could fill a weeks worth of activities in Paris as it offers numerous unique attractions; However, if you only have a couple of days, check out our other article: Wonderful 1, 3 or 5 day Itinerary in Paris.
Book one of our recommended Paris City Tours in this article or, if you don’t feel like following a tour guide’s schedule, feel free to just plan your own! Go ahead and read our list of attractions below to help you plan your trip.
*Note: Paris isn’t the only place in France worth checking out. To get a full experience that covers the history, art, and culture of France - don’t miss this Family Journey that does it all - the perfect pairing before, or after, a short stay in Paris!
AIRPORT TRANSFER TO HOTEL or BNB: Private Transfer from Charles de Gaulle Airport
CHRISTMAS IN FRANCE: The Christmas Markets in Alsace are an absolute Must-See!
The Highlights of Paris, France
Parc Des Buttes-Chaumont
This 61 acres public park can be located on the northeastern side of Paris. It is accessible via Buttes-Chaumont, Laumiere, and Botzaris Metro Stations. Parc des Buttes-Chaumont is the fifth-largest park in Paris and believe it or not, it has a rather sinister history behind it. This park was once the site for Gibbet of Montfaucon - A place where criminals and traitors were executed and their bodies were left hanging as a display to warn the public.
However, this urban park is now one of the most beautiful spots in the city. One of the main attractions is the Temple de la Sibylle, a temple perched on top of a 50 meters high cliff. This beautiful temple was inspired by the Temple of Vesta that can be found in Trivoli, Italy. To get to the temple, you have to get across the suspension bridge that spans about 200 feet long and 72 feet above the artificial lake. It was also built by Gustave Eiffel, the engineer who built the Eiffel Tower!
There is also a grotto located at the cliff where you can enter and find a magnificent man-made waterfall that is 32 meters high! The glimmering water flowing the cascading rock combined with the stalactites will make you feel like you’re in a magical world. This park also holds the Silhouette Short Film Festival every September where you get to watch French and International short films accompanied by an award ceremony.
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Parc Monceau
This 20.3 acres park is also worth a visit if you’re planning a trip to Paris. Parc Monceau can be reached by stopping at the Metro Station Monceau. The park was created by the Duke of Chartres in 1778 who was a close friend of the Prince of Wales. Being a lover of all things English, the Duke decided to create an English-style park. This unique park has a collection of small-sized architectural structures such as the Egyptian Pyramid, a Dutch Windmill, and a Chinese Fort.
You can also find many statues of famous French figures around the park such as Charles Gounod, the famous French composer, and Edouard Pailleron, a French poet and dramatist. This free WiFi park is also a great place if you’re traveling with kids as it has play areas and even a Merry-go-round!
EASY TOURING: See all the Top Sights with the Hop-On Hop-Off Paris Bus Pass
Cathedral Notre-Dame
If you are a fan of the novel and the Disney Animated film titled The Hunchback of Notre Dame, you need to include this Medieval Catholic Cathedral in your itinerary. Constructed in the Middle Ages, Notre-Dame was once a site of the coronation of Napoleon and now, it is known as the most famous landmark in Paris. The cathedral stands with two majestic bell towers at the side. These 223 feet high towers are divided into three stories and are decorated with early gothic carvings.
The cathedral’s exterior features the famous gargoyles to portray a realistic image of the damned afterlife. Even though the exterior architecture of the gothic cathedral is awe-inspring, it is highly recommended to go inside and witness the magnificent glasswork, rose windows, and high columns accompanied by spectacular flying buttresses. You can also gain entry to the Cathedral Treasury where you can view a collection of relics and objects of worship.
Note: However, due to the fire incident in 2019, parts of the cathedral were destroyed. So, Notre-Dame is currently closed for restoration works until further notice. You can still get a tour of Notre Dame's Island that includes a tour around the outside of Notre Dame as well as Sainte Chapelle and Marie Antoinette's prison, though!
Montmartre
Montmartre is a huge hill in Paris that has a height of 130 meters. The hill is famous for its authentic French village where you can roam around. You can start your Montmartre Tour by getting to the Blanche Metro Station. From there, walk up to Rue Lepic.
If you’ve watched the famous French film Amélie, you’ll recognize a few of the shops around there in an instant!
There are several cafes around the area where you can enjoy mouth-watering crème brûlée and a cup of coffee. If there is one area in Paris that you should consider tasting all of the famous French food, this is it. It’s no wonder it has TWO 5-Star food tours: the Montmartre Hill Sweet & Savory French Gourmet Food & Wine Tasting, and the Taste of Montmartre!
Since Montmartre was once a place where famous artists lived, the hill is now full of artists and painters that are more than happy to draw your portrait – for a price, of course!
The main attraction on this beautiful hill is Sacre Coeur, a white-domed place of worship that was built in the 19th century. Since it is perched on top of the hill, you can witness a breathtaking view of the whole city of Paris from the top of Sacre Coeur. If you’re already tired of walking, hop on the Petit Train de Montmartre – a 40-minute guided tour around the district. You can even do a Family Treasure Hunt Tour here in Montmartre!
Arc De Triomphe
Your visit to Paris is not complete if you don’t get a picture of yourself in front of the most popular monument in Paris, Arc de Triomphe. This monument is located at the center of Place Charles de Gaulle and is in the middle of a busy road, so be careful and never attempt to cross the road! Instead, use the under passage at Champs Elysees to reach this massive triumphal arch.
Commissioned by Napoleon after his great victory of the Battle of Austerlitz in the early 18th century, this monument was built to honor those who fought and died in the great battle. However, Napoleon never lived to see the completed structure as it took 30 years to construct. This 164 feet high arch has the names of war victories and 558 generals engraved. The pillars were decorated with four sculptural reliefs namely the La Marseillaise, Napoleon’s Triumph of 1810, Resistance of 1814, and Peace 1815. There is also a tomb of an unknown soldier beneath the arch!
Tourists can enter a small museum under the arch where the history and facts of the arch are displayed. You can also pay 13 Euros and climb 284 steps to the top of the monument where you will be rewarded with a spectacular view of the Eiffel Tower.
Champ de Mars
Champ de Mars is a large public green space that is located between the Eiffel Tower and Ecole Militaire, a training school for French army officers. Named after Campus Martius in Rome, Italy, the park is a perfect spot for a picnic while having the Eiffel Tower as the background.
You can bring along your children to this park as it has four different playgrounds for them to play at, a basketball court, a puppet theatre as well as an antique carousel! Don’t forget to ready your cameras too as this is also considered as an “Instagram Hot Spot.”
Eiffel Tower
Named after Gustave Eiffel, the Eiffel Tower is the main historic landmark in Champ de Mars, Paris. It was built in the 18th century and is currently the tallest building in Paris with a height of 324 meters. The tower has three levels for visitors. You can find restaurants on the first and second floors as well as an observation deck on the third level which is 276 meters above the ground. There is also a 3-star Michelin gourmet restaurant on the second floor of the tower called Le Jules Verne!
The Eiffel ticket cost varies according to how you want to go up – either by using the stairs or the elevator. Adults over 25 who are willing to take the stairs only have to pay 7 Euros while those who are aged 12 to 24 pay just 5 Euros. However, to use the elevator, it will cost 11 Euros and 8.5 Euros respectively.
For those who want to avoid long lines and save time, you can get the tickets in advance by buying them from the official ET website. Do keep in mind that there are no such things as “Eiffel Skip the Line” tickets to access the Eiffel Tower, but if you buy the tickets online, you’ll be lining up in a much shorter and faster line compared to those who are buying walk-in tickets.
You can also get tours of the Eiffel Tower to learn more about the history and accomplishment of the tower that includes the “shorter-line” tickets, even up to the observation deck. Here is the shorter line guided tour with elevator and the shorter line guided tour using stairs. Enjoy!
Day Trip: Versailles Monarchy from Paris
Musee d’Orsay
Musee d’Orsay, also known as the Orsay Museum, can be located on the Left Bank of the Seine. Originally a railway station, this museum is considered as the largest museum in Europe where you can view a variety of French arts dating from 1848 to 1914! It houses the largest collection of impressionist masterpieces by world-famous artists such as Van Gogh and Edouard Manet. This museum is a must-visit especially for art lovers since you will get a chance to look at the famous Starry Night Over the Rhone and Luncheon on the Grass up close!
To enter the museum, there are two main Orsay Tickets that you can choose from, or a skip-the-line tour.
Musee d’Orsay Dedicated Entrance Ticket
The best-selling ticket as it acts like the Orsay Skip the Line Ticket. It costs 14 Euros for those who are 18 and above.
Musee d’Orsay and Musee de l’Orangerie
For 18 Euros, you can gain access to two of Paris’ finest museums.
A Musee d’Orsay Skip-the-Line Impressionists Private Guided Tour
For about 56 Euros, you can skip the 1-2 hour line and get an expert (fully accredited guide) to give you a private tour, and then wander the rest of the museum on your own afterward!
Tuileries Garden
Located in between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde, this beautiful garden was first created by Catherine de’ Medici, an Italian noblewoman who was also the queen consort of France. Since it was once a royal garden, the 23 hectares Tuileries Garden is famous for its greenery, colorful flowers, statues, sculptures, and water fountains. There are also a few ponds in the garden where you can find locals playing with their remote-controlled boats.
One way to learn more about this garden is with a walking tour. Another attraction here is the Ferris wheel where you can get on and enjoy the view of the city from above. Being the oldest and biggest Parisian garden, it has been declared as a World Heritage site by UNESCO.
Louvre Museum
This famous glass-pyramid museum is the largest art museum in the world. It was first opened in the late 17th century with an exhibition of over 500 paintings. Now, it houses more than 380,000 objects and 35,000 works of art. The most famous art on display here is the Mona Lisa, a portrait painting of a woman by Leonardo Da Vinci himself.
Other than that, the museum is divided into eight other curatorial departments - Egyptian antiquities, Near Eastern antiquities, Greek, Etruscan & Roman, Islamic Arts, Sculptures, Decorative Arts, Paintings, and Prints & Drawings.
The Louvre Tickets will cost you 15 Euros or, if you have no time to wait in the line, go ahead and purchase the Louvre Skip the Line ticket online for only 17 Euros. Take note that the lines can take upwards of 2-3 hours - so we definitely recommend getting the Skip-the-Line ticket. You can also grab an audio tour or a guided tour of the Louvre if you want to be brought back in time and take an adventure through the Louvre - an experience you’ll never forget! Here’s the upscale private tour for kids and families that we tell people about.
For those who are under 18, the entrance is free!
Saint-Chapelle
Other than the Cathedrale Notre-Dame, this royal chapel is also famous for its Gothic Style architecture. Commissioned by King Louis IX in the 13th century, this chapel was originally created to house precious Christian relics such as Christ’s Crown of Thorns. The most famous feature of this cathedral is the tall stained-glass windows. As soon as you step in the chapel, you’ll be mesmerized by the unique collection of 15 glass panels and the large rose window.
It also contains a lot of first-class sculptures and paintings. Before you leave, do not miss the narrow winding staircase that leads to the upper level of the chapel where you get to witness magnificent stained-glass up close. If you look closely, there are images and symbols on the fine glasses that tell stories about the bible. As with all sites in Paris, we recommend getting a Saint-Chapelle skip-the-line ticket.
Tip from our fans: “Saint Chapelle is one of my favourites. Also recommend Promenade Plantee [a walking path along an abandoned railroad], Pere Lachaise [a famous and charming cemetery] and St Julien de pauvres [a Greek Catholic parish church].” - Sheena Gallagher
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Seine River
The Seine River is about 775 kilometers long and it acts as an important commercial waterway in the North of France. Other than being one of Europe’s great historic rivers, tourists often come here to get on the Seine River Cruise which is a great way to see the City of Love.
By taking the Seine Boat, you get to see the highlights of Paris such as Notre-Dame, the Louvre, as well as the Eiffel Tower! The Seine tickets cost from 10-20 Euros for a basic tour up to 200 Euros for a candle-lit gourmet dinner cruise. We recommend the Vedettes de Paris as the best affordable cruise; However, if you’re looking for a high-end experience at a great price, check out the gourmet Bateaux Parisiens dinner cruise.
UNFORGETTABLE ADDITION: Christmas markets in Alsace
Moulin Rouge
This famous cabaret in Paris is easily recognizable since it has a red windmill placed on top of its roof. Located at the bottom of a hill in Montmartre, Moulin Rouge has gone through every period of transformation – from cabaret to theatre, to a music hall with dancers and performers in roller skates.
The Moulin Rouge Show is the sole reason why tourists are attracted to this place. You can watch fun musical performances where the dancers will be in vibrant costumes popping out of cakes! You can also grab tickets to enjoy the shows while dining in. The Moulin Rouge Tickets vary from 100 Euros up to 190 Euros for dinner and the show!
Alternatively, try out the Crazy Horse Cabaret, the Lido de Paris, or the Paradis Latin Cabaret if you’re looking for something more affordable!
Disneyland Paris & Walt Disney Studios Parc
Disneyland Paris is a must-visit attraction for Disney fans. You can travel between the City Centre and Disneyland by the Regional Express Network (RER), a suburban commuter and transit system. By RER, the journey will take about 40 minutes. The theme park consists of two parks - Disneyland Park, where you can find Sleeping Beauty’s castle standing at the heart of the park, meet up with famous Disney characters, and get on many exciting rides across the park. The other park is Walt Disney Studios Park which is slightly smaller than Disneyland, but focused more on a wide range of Pixar and Hollywood movies. However, they do have the famous ride, Crush’s Coaster - be sure not to miss it! Check out our Walt Disney Studio’s list for our other top-notch recommendations!
Of course, the highlight of the park is the Disney Dreams Show, the Grand Finale taking place at the castle where it features laser shows, colorful fountains, famous songs from Disney films, as well as the huge fireworks show!
To ease your trip to Disneyland, it is recommended to get the Disney tickets from the Disneyland Paris website and then grabbing your own train tickets to get there (the train station is right at Disney!). The deals online are cheaper than buying them at the gates. Plus, it will save a lot of your time from queuing in the long line!
Alternatively, if you prefer round-trip transportation from Paris, grab your Disneyland Paris 1-park ticket or Disneyland & Walt Disney Studios 2-park tickets here.
Absolute Must See Places in Paris
Paris is a fun city to visit all year round. If you’re planning a trip in summer, there will be a lot of events and parades that you can join such as the Rock en Seine, a three-day rock music festival. If you happen to be in France during the winter season, be sure to drop by the Christmas markets in Alsace!
Paris is all about food and history, so we highly recommend doing the Ultimate Food Tour to get a taste of what this city has to offer. Then, you absolutely need to make sure that you see the 4 most iconic places in Paris before you leave. If you did just these two things, we know that you’ll remember how amazing your trip was for the rest of your life!
We also highly recommend getting out of the city and exploring more of France. If there is one must-do trip for that, it’s this one. You’ll thank us later – please come back and let us know how amazing it was in the comments!
FAQ’s
How much does it cost to visit the Louvre Museum and what are the opening hours?
The Louvre Museum is open every day except Tuesday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (until 9:45 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays). The admission fee is 17 euros for adults, 9 euros for visitors under 26 from outside the EU, and free for visitors under 18 and EU residents under 26¹.
What are some of the best places to eat in Paris and what are the typical dishes to try?
Paris has a variety of restaurants, cafes, and bistros that offer delicious food for every taste and budget. Some of the typical dishes to try are croissants, baguettes, cheese, crepes, macarons, escargots, onion soup, ratatouille, coq au vin, and boeuf bourguignon. Some of the best places to eat in Paris are Le Relais de l'Entrecôte, L'As du Fallafel, Angelina, Ladurée, Breizh Café, and Le Comptoir du Relais²³⁴.
How can I get around Paris and what are the best ways to explore the city?
Paris has an efficient and extensive public transportation system that includes metro, bus, tram, and train. You can buy a single ticket for 1.90 euros or a day pass for 7.50 euros. You can also use the Velib bike-sharing service, which costs 5 euros for a day or 15 euros for a week. Another option is to walk, as Paris is a very walkable city with many attractions within walking distance. You can also join a guided tour, a hop-on hop-off bus, or a river cruise to see the city from different perspectives⁵.
(1) Paris: What to See and Do in the City of Lights - France. https://eatwanderexplore.com/blog/paris-what-to-see-and-do-in-the-city-of-lights-france.
(2) Wonderful 1, 3 or 5 day Itinerary in Paris - France on a Budget. https://eatwanderexplore.com/blog/wonderful-1-3-or-5-day-itinerary-in-paris-france-on-a-budget.
(3) 1 Day Paris Itinerary: Famous Paris Sites in a Day. https://eatwanderexplore.com/blog/2018/4/5/famous-paris-sites-in-a-day.
(4) 3 Days in Paris: The Perfect Itinerary for Your First Visit. https://www.earthtrekkers.com/3-days-in-paris-itinerary/.
(5) 9 Paris foodie experiences you absolutely can't miss. https://www.thecommonwanderer.com/blog/paris-foodie-experiences.
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