See the Eiffel TowerMust-See SightsPaidThe Eiffel Tower is worth seeing up close even if you skip the top. The summit visit is impressive but ticketed, timed and busy — book well in advance. Going at dusk gives you daylight and the evening light-show.0 Add to listSee the Eiffel TowerMust-See SightsPaidThe Eiffel Tower is worth seeing up close even if you skip the top. The summit visit is impressive but ticketed, timed and busy — book well in advance. Going at dusk gives you daylight and the evening light-show.0 Add to list
Visit the LouvreMust-See SightsPaidEnormous museum — a single visit only covers a fraction of it. The Mona Lisa is smaller than expected and surrounded by crowds; leave time for the lesser-visited wings. Book timed tickets online to skip the main queue.0 Add to listVisit the LouvreMust-See SightsPaidEnormous museum — a single visit only covers a fraction of it. The Mona Lisa is smaller than expected and surrounded by crowds; leave time for the lesser-visited wings. Book timed tickets online to skip the main queue.0 Add to list
See Notre-Dame CathedralMust-See SightsCheck AccessNotre-Dame has reopened after the 2019 fire restoration. The Gothic facade and the interior are genuinely impressive. Check current access before you go — entry policies may still be evolving.0 Add to listSee Notre-Dame CathedralMust-See SightsCheck AccessNotre-Dame has reopened after the 2019 fire restoration. The Gothic facade and the interior are genuinely impressive. Check current access before you go — entry policies may still be evolving.0 Add to list
Visit the Arc de TriompheMust-See SightsPaidThe rooftop view down the twelve radiating avenues is one of the best in Paris. The climb is ticketed but reasonable. Use the pedestrian underpass — don't try to cross the roundabout on foot.0 Add to listVisit the Arc de TriompheMust-See SightsPaidThe rooftop view down the twelve radiating avenues is one of the best in Paris. The climb is ticketed but reasonable. Use the pedestrian underpass — don't try to cross the roundabout on foot.0 Add to list
See the Sacré-CœurMust-See SightsThe white basilica at the top of Montmartre has a free interior and a good view over the city from the steps. The climb is steep — take the funicular if needed. Busy at any hour, but worth it.0 Add to listSee the Sacré-CœurMust-See SightsThe white basilica at the top of Montmartre has a free interior and a good view over the city from the steps. The climb is steep — take the funicular if needed. Busy at any hour, but worth it.0 Add to list
Walk the Champs-ÉlyséesMust-See SightsThe famous boulevard is mostly upmarket shops and chain restaurants these days. Worth one walk for the scale of it and the view toward the Arc de Triomphe. Not much reason to linger.0 Add to listWalk the Champs-ÉlyséesMust-See SightsThe famous boulevard is mostly upmarket shops and chain restaurants these days. Worth one walk for the scale of it and the view toward the Arc de Triomphe. Not much reason to linger.0 Add to list
Visit the Musée d'OrsayMust-See SightsPaidThe Impressionist collection here — Monet, Degas, Renoir — is as good as it gets, and the building itself (a converted train station) is worth seeing. Often more manageable than the Louvre. Book ahead in summer.0 Add to listVisit the Musée d'OrsayMust-See SightsPaidThe Impressionist collection here — Monet, Degas, Renoir — is as good as it gets, and the building itself (a converted train station) is worth seeing. Often more manageable than the Louvre. Book ahead in summer.0 Add to list
Tour the Palace of VersaillesMust-See SightsDay Trip · Paid · Check AccessA proper half-day or full-day trip from Paris — train from Versailles-Château station takes about 40 minutes. The Hall of Mirrors and the gardens are both vast. Go early, book tickets in advance and expect crowds in summer.0 Add to listTour the Palace of VersaillesMust-See SightsDay Trip · Paid · Check AccessA proper half-day or full-day trip from Paris — train from Versailles-Château station takes about 40 minutes. The Hall of Mirrors and the gardens are both vast. Go early, book tickets in advance and expect crowds in summer.0 Add to list
Take a Seine river cruiseMust-See SightsWith KidsPaidAn easy one-hour loop past the main Paris landmarks from the water. Several operators run from near the Eiffel Tower. Fine for kids and good on arrival day before you've oriented yourself.0 Add to listTake a Seine river cruiseMust-See SightsWith KidsPaidAn easy one-hour loop past the main Paris landmarks from the water. Several operators run from near the Eiffel Tower. Fine for kids and good on arrival day before you've oriented yourself.0 Add to list
Count the layers of a fresh croissantLocal FoodLocal RitualsA simple Paris ritual: buy a croissant from a neighbourhood boulangerie in the morning, tear it open and check the layers. A good one is shatteringly flaky. Skip the tourist-area bakeries.0 Add to listCount the layers of a fresh croissantLocal FoodLocal RitualsA simple Paris ritual: buy a croissant from a neighbourhood boulangerie in the morning, tear it open and check the layers. A good one is shatteringly flaky. Skip the tourist-area bakeries.0 Add to list
Walk through Galerie VivienneFun Side QuestsGalerie Vivienne is one of Paris's best-preserved 19th-century covered arcades — mosaic floors, glass roof, small bookshops and wine bars inside. Near the Palais-Royal. Worth a slow walk-through.0 Add to listWalk through Galerie VivienneFun Side QuestsGalerie Vivienne is one of Paris's best-preserved 19th-century covered arcades — mosaic floors, glass roof, small bookshops and wine bars inside. Near the Palais-Royal. Worth a slow walk-through.0 Add to list
Find the funniest love-lock messageFun Side QuestsBehind Notre-Dame on the Pont de l'Archevêché, padlocks still reappear on the railings despite official removal. Find the most heartfelt or unhinged message and photograph it.0 Add to listFind the funniest love-lock messageFun Side QuestsBehind Notre-Dame on the Pont de l'Archevêché, padlocks still reappear on the railings despite official removal. Find the most heartfelt or unhinged message and photograph it.0 Add to list
Say the Silliest Métro Station Name Out LoudFun Side QuestsThe Paris Métro has genuinely funny station names — Chaussée d'Antin, Bonne Nouvelle, Crimée. Write down the best one you pass and say it out loud in your worst French accent.0 Add to listSay the Silliest Métro Station Name Out LoudFun Side QuestsThe Paris Métro has genuinely funny station names — Chaussée d'Antin, Bonne Nouvelle, Crimée. Write down the best one you pass and say it out loud in your worst French accent.0 Add to list
Stare Down a GargoyleFun Side QuestsFind a stone gargoyle on any old church (Notre-Dame is obvious, but Saint-Séverin or Saint-Sulpice work too) and take a photo matching its expression as closely as possible.0 Add to listStare Down a GargoyleFun Side QuestsFind a stone gargoyle on any old church (Notre-Dame is obvious, but Saint-Séverin or Saint-Sulpice work too) and take a photo matching its expression as closely as possible.0 Add to list
Sit at a Sidewalk Café Facing the StreetFun Side QuestsLocal RitualsSit at a Paris café with the chairs facing the pavement — the correct way — order something by pointing if needed, and watch the street. No phones for at least ten minutes.0 Add to listSit at a Sidewalk Café Facing the StreetFun Side QuestsLocal RitualsSit at a Paris café with the chairs facing the pavement — the correct way — order something by pointing if needed, and watch the street. No phones for at least ten minutes.0 Add to list
Point at the Stinkiest CheeseLocal FoodWalk into a proper fromagerie, ask for something 'très fort,' and buy whatever the person behind the counter hands you. Take it to a park bench and eat it. The smell is part of the deal.0 Add to listPoint at the Stinkiest CheeseLocal FoodWalk into a proper fromagerie, ask for something 'très fort,' and buy whatever the person behind the counter hands you. Take it to a park bench and eat it. The smell is part of the deal.0 Add to list
Find the Oddest Vintage Postcard at the BouquinistesFun Side QuestsThe green bouquiniste stalls along the Seine have been selling second-hand books, prints and postcards for centuries. Browse a few and find the oddest vintage postcard to take home.0 Add to listFind the Oddest Vintage Postcard at the BouquinistesFun Side QuestsThe green bouquiniste stalls along the Seine have been selling second-hand books, prints and postcards for centuries. Browse a few and find the oddest vintage postcard to take home.0 Add to list
Copy a street performer's movesFun Side QuestsFind a street performer and quietly mirror their moves from a few steps back for a full minute. Tip them after. Works better on Montmartre or near the Centre Pompidou.0 Add to listCopy a street performer's movesFun Side QuestsFind a street performer and quietly mirror their moves from a few steps back for a full minute. Tip them after. Works better on Montmartre or near the Centre Pompidou.0 Add to list
Ride a Tiny CarouselFun Side QuestsWith KidsPaidThe double-decker Carrousel de Saint-Pierre at the foot of the Sacré-Cœur steps is small, old-fashioned and completely unironic. A good stop with kids, or if you just enjoy carousels.0 Add to listRide a Tiny CarouselFun Side QuestsWith KidsPaidThe double-decker Carrousel de Saint-Pierre at the foot of the Sacré-Cœur steps is small, old-fashioned and completely unironic. A good stop with kids, or if you just enjoy carousels.0 Add to list
Run the Canal Saint-Martin Quays at DawnActiveLocal RitualsThe car-free quays along Canal Saint-Martin are one of Paris's best running stretches. Flat, shaded and used by locals early morning before the cafes open. Run north toward Bassin de la Villette for the quieter section.0 Add to listRun the Canal Saint-Martin Quays at DawnActiveLocal RitualsThe car-free quays along Canal Saint-Martin are one of Paris's best running stretches. Flat, shaded and used by locals early morning before the cafes open. Run north toward Bassin de la Villette for the quieter section.0 Add to list
Run the Coulée Verte Elevated Rail TrailActiveLocal RitualsAn old railway viaduct behind Bastille has been turned into a 4.7km elevated planted walkway. Jog above rooftop level with good views east over the city. Starts behind the Opéra Bastille.0 Add to listRun the Coulée Verte Elevated Rail TrailActiveLocal RitualsAn old railway viaduct behind Bastille has been turned into a 4.7km elevated planted walkway. Jog above rooftop level with good views east over the city. Starts behind the Opéra Bastille.0 Add to list
Boo the villain at the Luxembourg Guignol theatreFun Side QuestsLocal RitualsWith KidsPaid · Check AccessThe puppet theatre in the Luxembourg Gardens puts on traditional Guignol shows for kids on Wednesdays and weekends. Loud, fast-moving and in French, but young children get it immediately. Check the schedule at the park entrance.0 Add to listBoo the villain at the Luxembourg Guignol theatreFun Side QuestsLocal RitualsWith KidsPaid · Check AccessThe puppet theatre in the Luxembourg Gardens puts on traditional Guignol shows for kids on Wednesdays and weekends. Loud, fast-moving and in French, but young children get it immediately. Check the schedule at the park entrance.0 Add to list
Captain a stick-powered sailboat in the TuileriesFun Side QuestsLocal RitualsWith KidsPaid · Spring · SummerThe rental wooden sailboats at the Grand Bassin in the Tuileries have been running since 1906. Kids nudge them across the pond with a long stick. Cheap, calm and a genuinely Parisian thing to do on a sunny afternoon.0 Add to listCaptain a stick-powered sailboat in the TuileriesFun Side QuestsLocal RitualsWith KidsPaid · Spring · SummerThe rental wooden sailboats at the Grand Bassin in the Tuileries have been running since 1906. Kids nudge them across the pond with a long stick. Cheap, calm and a genuinely Parisian thing to do on a sunny afternoon.0 Add to list
Touch Everything at the Cité des EnfantsFun Side QuestsWith KidsPaid · Check AccessThe hands-on children's section inside the Cité des Sciences at La Villette is one of the best kids' attractions in Paris. Everything is meant to be touched. Book a timed session in advance — popular and often sells out.0 Add to listTouch Everything at the Cité des EnfantsFun Side QuestsWith KidsPaid · Check AccessThe hands-on children's section inside the Cité des Sciences at La Villette is one of the best kids' attractions in Paris. Everything is meant to be touched. Book a timed session in advance — popular and often sells out.0 Add to list
