The city of lights offers you an almost unlimited array of things to do. Whether you enjoy museums, old architecture, or grand, iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, you will find lots of things to do in Paris.
These are the seven unmissable things to do in Paris.
Best things to do in ParisHow do these rankings work?
1. See the Eiffel Tower – duh!
One way or another in your life, you’ve seen the Eiffel Tower somewhere before. If you’re in Paris, you must come see this 324m-tall, iconic landmark in person.
Take in the grandness of this structure from the ground or if heights doesn’t bother you, take the lift all the way to the top for unreal panoramic views of Paris.
2. Louvre Museum
Another must-see in Paris is the Louvre Museum. Beneath the familiar glass pyramid that is the Louvre lies thousands of the most famous works of art from artists such as da Vinci and Michelangelo among others.
When you’re at the Louvre Museum, make your way over to da Vinci’s crown jewel painting, the Mona Lisa.
3. Musée d’Orsay
Art fans should continue on and make their way to Musée d’Orsay. Here, you will find the largest exhibition of impressionist and post-impressionist art from household artist names such as Van Gogh, Monet, and Renoir, among others.
If you’re a lover of art, you can easily spend an entire day here at the Musée d’Orsay.
4. Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris
The Notre Dame Cathedral is the heartbeat of Paris and is where Napoleon was crowned. When you walk inside, you can’t help but be enamored with the Gothic-inspired design and large famous windows.
Even though it is currently closed due to the fire that badly damaged the Cathedral in April 2019, it’s still worth your time to come by and take in and appreciate its importance in Parisian culture.
5. Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe is another iconic landmark in Paris that acts as another symbol of Parisian pride and culture. Surrounded by a large roundabout that is constantly streaming with cars, the Arc de Triomphe can be viewed far away or up close.
If you do come up close to it, venture inside it and make your way up the 284 steps to the viewing platform where you can have some great views of Paris.
6. Palace of Versailles
Located on the peripheral of Paris is the royal chateau, the Palace of Versailles. This Palace is truly the king of palaces as this sprawling compound features the Hall of Mirrors, Grand Canal, and the Royal Opera House.
It’s easy to spend an entire day at Palace of Versailles and you should absolutely do so. You can also take a leisure bicycle ride through the Palace park if you don’t feel like walking.
7. Shakespeare and Company
Not as famously known as the previous six things to do in Paris, but Shakespeare and Company is a bookstore that was frequently visited by legendary authors, Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Ezra Pound.
Come to this bookstore for a different take of Parisian history but one that is worth your time if you are a literature fan.