Paris has so much charm that it can get on any bucket list, including Framey’s! The Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Versailles, Notre Dame, and Sacre Coeur to name but a few of the most famous places. Cafes, exquisite cuisine, art galleries, museums, idyllic Seine and streets, fashion shows, boutiques, and a world of class. Who wouldn’t want to experience it all?
With so much to see and choose from, the real struggle is to find what are the best things to do in Paris for a memorable holiday. You might even have to return! But let’s face it, there could be worse things to do than having to come back to the most iconic, romantic, and incredible city in the world.
Tourist attractions in Paris
Paris is the capital of love, fashion, and cuisine. It matters not if you are traveling on business or are planning to propose, on a weekend or the annual family holiday. Paris has something for everybody.
Disneyland Paris
If you are traveling with kids, you are in luck. At a short 30 km distance from Paris, you can step into the magical Disney world. Adult or kid alike, everyone loves Disneyland and the world of fairytales, joyrides, shows, and magic.
Getting to the park is also very easy to do. Just get to the train station as it will leave at Disneyland’s doorsteps. This can be one very happy day trip. If a day is not enough you can always return or extend your stay, by booking one of the local hotels.
Eiffel Tower
Whether a first-timer in Paris or for the eleventh time, you know that the Eiffel Tower is always a pleasure to see. It is so representative of Paris that you can not but identify it with the French capital.
If you also want to see the Paris views from the Eiffel Tower you can also do that. It will be worth it. If you are feeling a bit discouraged by the elevator cue, just remember that the first 2 floors are accessible by stairs as well. As long as you are willing to climb them a bit. But to reach the top level of the Eiffel Tower you will need to take the elevator.
Louvre Museum
Another iconic landmark to put one of the best things to do in Paris is the Louvre Museum. Home to one of the largest and richest art and artifact collections in the world, the Louvre tells the story of thousands of years of civilization.
If you have the time, do get lost in the world of Ancient Egypt, Near Eastern Antiquities, priceless art, paintings, and sculptures.
But if you are on a tighter schedule, in just a couple of hours you can see some of the highlights including Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, or The Liberty Leading the People painting – one of the French Revolution symbols.
My advice is to purchase the museum pass and book in advance, if possible, just to avoid spending so much time waiting in lines.
Galleries in Paris
Besides the famous Louvre galleries, Paris has a great number of other museums and art galleries you might want to check out. For example, go to the Orsay Museum for an extensive collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art. Another fine choice is Center Pompidou with its extensive modern art collection or you can enjoy one of the exhibitions held at the National Galleries at the Grand Palais.
Champs Elysees
The famous Parisian Avenue is also on the must-see list. There is always something to do, buy or admire at Champs Elysees. The 2 kilometers avenue between Arc de Triomphe and Place de la Concorde is a mix of shopping paradise with luxury brands and coquets shops, cultural venues, and french pastries. The famous road is also the place to see most events so if you are in town on the 14th of July, enjoy the Parade, as well as the beginning and the finish of the Tour de France if you are a cyclist enthusiast.
Château de Versailles
Château de Versailles or the Palace of Versailles, along with its gardens, is a stunning work of art and a World Heritage site. Louis XIV, the Sun King, the Royal family, and the French court resided here and the entire ensemble is a testament to the French lavish taste and lifestyle at the Court.
The Royal Chambers, the Hall of Mirrors, the statues, the Apollo Fountain, and the Royal Opera are but a few of the most famous places and collections to see. It is one of those landmarks that you will forever remember, a masterpiece!
Notre Dame Cathedral
The Gothic Middle-Age masterpiece, the French landmark stands as ground 0, at the heart of Paris, Ile de la Cite. Visitors from all over the world come here to admire the towers, the stained glass, and the gargoyles. Due to the 2019 fire, the Cathedral is now going through renovation works awaiting the reopening days, but you can always admire it from the exterior.
Fun things to do in Paris
Fun is whatever strikes your fancy. Whether a day trip to Disney Park, for those young at heart, a treasure hunting day, or an escape room in one of the many Parisian venues. You can also get on a boat cruise and admire the river Seine and the views of the most famous Palaces and Cathedrals. Perhaps a sightseeing bus tour or a bike tour to one of many Parisian hidden gems and cozy little streets could also be your choice.
But since Paris is all about fashion and shopping, a day browsing through boutiques and perfumeries might be fun for you. In this case, the place to visit is the Lafayette Galleries. Just think of all the luxury brands and shops, fashion, and gourmet food. Topped with a great view of Paris from its terrasse.
Free things to do in Paris
Although Paris is not the cheapest of destinations, there are still plenty of free places to visit and not-so-costly experiences to have.
Walk along the river Seine. Get that French atmosphere in and admire the views of central Paris, Ile de la Cite, Notre Dame to the Louvre Museum, or the Tuileries Garden.
You might also consider Basilica Sacre Coeur for a visit. It is also free of charge and the views of the city are incredible, day and night. And the entire neighborhood is incredibly romantic.
Some of the museums are also free. If modern art is your thing, the Museum of Modern Art is the place to go. In front of Center Pompidou, you can visit for free the recreated studio of Romanian sculptor, Brancusi.
Romantic Things to do in Paris
You can never go wrong with a romantic trip to Paris.
Fine dining and romantic atmosphere, a cruise down the River Seine, enjoying the coffee and pastry in one of the local cafes at the corner of any street, or walking hand in hand through the pebble-stone streets of Montmartre.
Prepare a picnic in a park or a well-maintained garden or on the rivers’ quais, or simply admire the Eiffel Tower by night. At Versaille, there is an actual love temple of love commissioned by Maria Antoinette to celebrate the love between the royal couple.
How about saying “I love you” in front of the Wall of Love? The famous Montmartre Mur des je t’aime has the expression written in more than 250 languages. Paris really is the city of love!
Cool things to do in Paris
Some of the most remarkable experiences you can get in Paris are art-related ones.
The first one is Van Gogh’s The Starry Night at D’Orsay Museum. Just cosmic!
The Rodin Museum has some of the most iconic sculptures for you to admire and capture. Admiring the famous Thinker sculpture and doing some reflection of your own in such a serene spot, in the heart of Paris, is refreshing.
Monet’s water lilies mural at the Orangerie Museum is like a walk into another world of tranquility.
Things to do in Paris at night
Make sure you put Paris nightlife experiences on the list as well. There is a very good reason why it is known as the City of Lights. Admiring the light show at Eiffel Tower, a walk along the Ile de la Cite or Montmartre will light your heart and enchant you.
You can also just adopt the Parisian style and enjoy an exquisite dinner with a fine glass of wine or have a drink and get infused by the french jazzy atmosphere or the love ballads. And if you are feeling more in the mood for entertainment, a Paris cabaret show will be more your style.
You can never go wrong with the classic dinner river cruise or with admiring the city from above a rooftop bar at the Lafayette Galleries, for example.
Unusual things to do in Paris
Perhaps a bit unusual or unorthodox but definitely, a Parisian experience to have is a walk in the 2 most famous cemeteries. The first one is the Pere Lachaise Cemetery, where Balzac, Jim Morrison, and Edith Piaf lie. Safe to say that this old burial place is more of a shrine to all who come to pay homage to some of the greatest musicians in the world.
The second one, the not-so-crowded Montparnasse Cemetery is a place where you can just enjoy a serene walk along with the Jean-Paul Sartre or Samuel Becket resting places.
Unique things to do in Paris
One of the most unique and impressive things to visit is the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles Palace and Gardens. The 73-meter-long luxurious Hall is decorated with paintings of Louis XIV’s successes, lavishing chandeliers, and mirrors to symbolize prestige and impress all that entered.
Walk through the fascinating Catacombs, beneath Paris’ former quarriers. And if you want to make the experience even more creepy, just book the visit towards closing hours and see them at nighttime.
Atelier des Lumieres is a unique way to enjoy art, merging lights and music and creating one truly spectacular show that you should definitely not miss.
It is impossible to say all there is to say about the incredible, romantic, and stylish Paris. I hope you enjoyed Framey’s: Best Things to Do in Paris For Memorable Holidays, guide. And, if on your trip you happen to stumble across any other hidden jewels, you can always share them with us. We would love to hear about it!
