42 Best Things to Do in Paris
The question isn't what to do in Paris, but rather how to decide. With so many wonderful museums, historic landmarks, and curated boutiques, it’s impossible to fit everything into your itinerary. Perhaps this is why the French capital is among the world’s most-visited cities. Whether it’s your first time or fifth, we’ve got you covered with some of the best things to do in Paris, from the unmissable monuments across the City of lights to the local-loved favorites that will make you feel like a true Parisian in the making. All you have to do now is pack, put on your most comfortable shoes, and decide where to go first. These are the best things to do in Paris on your next visit.
Read our complete Paris travel guide here.
This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
GettyactivityJardin du Luxembourg
Located in the heart of the Sixth Arrondissement, the famous Jardin du Luxembourg is an inviting green oasis for Parisians and visitors alike. Come for people watching, romantic strolls, picnics, or just to admire the mash-up of English, Italian, and French landscaping influences. If you're feeling athletic, join the early-morning joggers or stake out one of the tennis and pétanque courts.
Courtesy SamaritaineshopSamaritaine Paris Pont-Neuf by DFS
Did Paris need another department store? Certainly not. But this one has a legacy that laid dormant for 16 years: The 19th century landmark reopened in 2021 after a $900 million restoration by LVMH, and swapped the utilitarian focus for one decidedly more upscale. Locals used to shop here for everything from light bulbs and garden supplies to dresses, but now it's a gallery of sorts for designer clothes, beauty brands, and a handful of food and Champagne concept spaces throughout the shop. But it's an Art Deco and Art Nouveau wonder which is the primary reason to visit. Approximately 215,000 square feet are devoted to retail space in this complex, which includes the Cheval Blanc hotel, office space, and housing, making it the smallest of the city’s department stores (the others are Le Bon Marché, Printemps, and Galeries Lafayette). The spaces it does occupy covers the usual terrain: streetwear and luxury ready-to-wear which includes pieces exclusive to La Samaritaine, clean beauty and classic perfumers, handbags and fine jewelry, and several rooms used for rotating thematic installations.
GettyactivityBasilique du Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre
Sacré-Coeur is a Catholic basilica that sits on the highest hill in Paris, in the Montmartre neighborhood. Its height is topped only by the Eiffel Tower. The basilica's distinct white travertine façade gives the Romano-Byzantine structure a unique look among Parisian monuments. The church is open all day to anyone who wishes to visit, though big crowds mean you may have to wait to go inside.
GettyactivityMusée du Louvre
The Louvre hardly needs an introduction—it is still the most-visited museum in the world, with more than 7.8 million visitors in 2022. The former royal palace is now the magnificent home of some of the world's most iconic artworks (ever heard of the Mona Lisa?). Don't freak out, but walking through the halls where Louis XIV once strolled (he lived here before moving to Versailles), surrounded by the most famous art on earth can be an overwhelming experience. What’s more, there are some 35,000 artworks and artifacts from prehistory to the 21st century housed within its walls. As a result, it could take a lifetime to see and experience it all so don’t try (the museum sells multi-day passes so you can spread out your visit).
GettyactivityPalais Garnier
The pinnacle of Napoleon III architecture, the resplendent Le Palais Garnier opera house is opulent from every angle. The facade is covered with ornamentation and busts, as well as l'Harmonie and La Poésie, the two gilded copper statues flanking the entrance from on high. Inside, make sure to channel your best "Phantom of the Opera" moment on the iconic lobby's Grand Staircase, a triumph of decadent Parisian design. Admission costs about 14 euros, but it's well worth it—walking through these public spaces is like walking into the Paris of the past. The Opéra National de Paris is going back to performances in mid July, with reduced attendance and the country's health pass required.
activityCentre Pompidou
When the Centre Pompidou, known by locals as Beaubourg, opened in 1977, it was a radical (and controversial) design for a museum—all industrial pipes and open glass views of Paris. Forty-plus years later it's the undisputed grande dame of Paris's contemporary art world. Within the massive 100,000-piece collection that stretches back to 1905, you’ll find everything from Picassos to video installations. It is highly recommended to book your tickets in advance for a specific time slot and note that if you’re in town on the first Sunday of the month, admission to the permanent collection and children’s gallery is free.
shopMerci
Merci is an independent concept boutique, spread out over three loft-like floors in the Marais. The well-curated selection of clothes, accessories, home goods, and just about anything else you might want, draws savvy shoppers from around the globe. Keep an eye out for up-and-coming designers and labels especially in the central space that houses themed pop-ups, or go for Merci’s own affordable in-house brand. Either way, you'll be hard-pressed to walk out empty-handed.
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Nicolas MatheusactivityMusée Yves Saint Laurent Paris
Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris is housed in a private mansion that served as the legendary fashion designer’s headquarters from 1974 to 2002. The museum opened in 2017 alongside its Moroccan counterpart, Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech, and hosts retrospectives and temporary exhibits. With a focus on Saint Laurent’s creative process rather than the brand’s history, the small museum is a treasure trove of iconic haute couture designs, as well as illustrations, photographs, sketches, and films. Spread out over 4,800 feet, the museum was designed to recreate the intimate feel of the original couture house. Highlights include the reception rooms where the designer met with clients, as well as the studio, where all of the collections were designed.
shopWestfield Forum des Halles
The Forum des Halles is a sprawling shopping, dining, and transportation hub right in the heart of Paris, with nearly 150 shops and restaurants. A 2016 renovation saw the addition of a spectacular wavy roof nicknamed La Canopée—you’re going to want a picture of it. Though the architecture is new, the shopping concept is not: A market has stood on this very site since the 1100s.
Ambroise TezenasactivityHôtel de la Marine
This recent addition to the capital’s cultural offering is unlike any other in the city, largely by dint of its heritage and size. Perched over the Place de la Concorde, the museum occupies the former royal Garde Meuble—the depository for the King’s furniture collections, crown jewels, tapestries, and decorative arts—and what later became the country’s naval headquarters for 200 years. Given that it is only a year old, it remains moderately trafficked but the word is out. Open to the public for the first time in 250 years, its new incarnation as an immersive museum experience allows visitors to explore the 18th century apartments of the Garde-Meuble intendants, recreated and restored to their original layout and design, as well as the structure’s grand reception halls filled with period furnishings, paintings, and objets d’art. Key to the visit is the audio guide, which leans theatrical. You could speed through the audio guide in an hour, get a view of the Place de la Concorde from the covered balcony, and take in the jaw-dropping Cabinet des Glaces, a mirror-walled boudoir not unlike the hall of mirrors in Versailles, covered in paintings.
Courtesy Le Bon MarchéshopLe Bon Marché
Dating back to the 1850s, Le Bon Marché is the oldest department store in Paris, and certainly the most iconic. The elegant Left Bank institution is as celebrated for its airy layout as for its top selection of the world’s best designers. If it’s luxe, you can probably buy it here. Before your shopping spree is done, peek in at La Grande Épicerie, Le Bon Marché’s fine-foods emporium in an adjoining building.
activityMusée Picasso Paris
The Hôtel Salé alone is reason to visit, but of course the real draw is Picasso's oeuvre, more popular than ever following a much-hyped 2014 reopening. And since the museum is centrally located in the bustling Marais, it's easy to work the Musée Picasso into a day out shopping and dining. While there are other single-artist museums in Paris, the combination of Picasso's fame and the beauty of the setting make this one of the very best. Timed tickets must be reserved online in advance to visit the museum. Reserve tickets in advance to avoid long lines.
GettyactivityArc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe was commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 to celebrate his victory at the Battle of Austerlitz. Climb the nearly 300 steps or take the elevator to the top for some of the best views of Paris, with clear vistas straight down the Champs-Élysées all the way to the Louvre. You'll need a ticket purchased online or at the entrance to go inside and up to the viewing platform, but anyone can come to admire the ornate façade for free.
Sergio Azenha/AlamyshopGaleries Lafayette Haussmann
Historic department store Galeries Lafayette Haussmann isn’t just one of Paris's first “luxury bazaars” but also an emblem of Art Nouveau architecture. The French chain's flagship location in the 9th arrondissement features a striking domed roof with stained glass windows by master glassmaker Jacques Gruber. And with over 750,000 square feet of retail space, beautifully designed window displays, and special events, it's easily one of the best places to shop in Paris. You’ll find almost every major luxury brand under Galeries Lafayette Haussmann’s roof but the department store also makes a point of spotlighting emerging designers. Some labels, like Ester Manas (a sustainable and size-inclusive fashion brand) offer exclusive pieces you won’t find anywhere else. On the fourth floor, one of the broadest shoe selections in the world boasts over 200 brands ranging from Veja Shoemakers to Maison Margiela. Beyond the luxury goods, a highlight is the rooftop terrace, which offers a spectacular view of the city.
GettyactivityPalais-Royal
The Palais-Royal complex is in some ways Paris in a nutshell: shops, cafés, art, history, architecture, bureaucracy, and spectacular gardens for people watching. And since it's all right across the street from the Louvre, you likely won't need to make a special trip. Don’t miss the Insta-famous Colonnes de Buren art installation in the inner courtyard.
GettyactivityPanthéon
There are a few major reasons to visit the Panthéon, starting with the gorgeous neoclassical architecture; designed by Jacques-Germain Soufflot in 1757, it began as a replacement to the original Church of Sainte-Geneviève. People also come to visit the final resting places of some of France's most famous sons and daughters, from Victor Hugo to Marie Curie. And then there are those who come to marvel at Foucault's Pendulum, tracing the path of the Earth. The vibe in the crowd is a mix of awe, reverence, and curiosity. Timed tickets can be purchased online.
Musée RodinactivityMusée Rodin
Auguste Rodin lived in the Hôtel Biron in the later stage of his life, where the gardens inspired some of his work. The former home opened as a museum to the public in 1919, almost 200 years after it was built for a wealthy financier. The high ceilings of the intimate rooms allow visitors to see Rodin's sculptures and drawings up close, while the large gardens showcase his most famous bronze sculptures, like "The Gates of Hell" and "The Thinker."
activityPalais de Tokyo
The Palais de Tokyo is the largest center for contemporary art in Europe. Opened in 2002, its mission is to celebrate living artists across multiple disciplines. As part of the renovation of the building, the 1937 structure was stripped back to the original concrete, giving it a raw and unfinished feeling that is distinctly different from the typical white-room museum layout. Visitors should start their exploration in the subterranean levels, where art such as large-scale graffiti works are on display, and end with a drink or dinner either at Monsieur Bleu or Bambini, the more festive spot from the Paris Society Group.
Micro/Courtesy Grand PalaisactivityGrand Palais
As associated with years of Chanel runway shows being held in the nave of this stately Beaux-Arts space as it is with the art exhibitions it houses, the Grand Palais is an emblem of French grandeur and architectural process. The time has come, however, for the grand dame of buildings, originally built for the World’s Fair of 1900 to be refurbished. It is closed for renovations until 2024, but in its place, there is now the Grand Palais Ephémère, a 100,000-square-foot temporary space on the Champ de Mars, which hosts the artistic, cultural, fashion and art events that would normally be held in the Grand Palais.
GettyactivityEiffel Tower
Gustave Eiffel's controversial wrought-iron lattice tower has been polarizing Parisians since it was built for the 1889 World's Fair, but today, the Eiffel Tower is one of the most beloved and instantly recognizable landmarks in the city—and the world. The structure anchors one end of the expansive Champ de Mars and provides an orientation point for the city. Jules Verne, the second-floor restaurant, is a Michelin-starred (and pricey) institution that is currently closed for renovation until the fall, as is the tiny Champagne bar at the tippity-top, which is still closed due to COVID regulations. The Eiffel Tower will reopen to visitors on July 16 and is currently accepting reservations for timed tickets.
GettyactivityPère Lachaise Cemetery
If visiting a cemetery sounds morbid and dreary, rest assured: It is, but in the best possible way. Death is an inescapable part of French life, and the layers on layers of Parisian history on display at Père Lachaise Cemetery are a fascinating peek into how the city has evolved over time. Visitors flock to the A-list graves here, with Oscar Wilde, Edith Piaf, and Jim Morrison among the most-visited. But one of the great delights is to walk away from the crowds and get lost wandering among the lesser-known, less-visited ones, which are all in various states of repair. Some have been completely worn down with obscurity over time; others appear to be washed and adorned with fresh flowers on a weekly basis. Keep your eyes peeled, and you might find some other noteworthy names buried here, from composer Frédéric Chopin to writer Marcel Proust and painter Eugène Delacroix.
GettyrestaurantCafé de Flore
$$Stepping into Café de Flore is like stepping into a time capsule, into an era when the Left Bank was a bohemian enclave for the likes of Pablo Picasso and Ernest Hemingway. The interior—red booths, mahogany, polished brass railings—has changed little since the Art Deco period, but anyone who is anyone knows that the best seats in the house are actually out on the sidewalk (and thankfully the famous terrasse is open at full capacity again), where the people watching can't be beat and the city's café iconic culture is at its finest. Although afternoons are best for perching on a table outside and enjoying the pulse of Boulevard Saint-Germain, there's also a vibrant after-dark scene. In other words, there's no wrong time to visit.
Cyrille WeinerMusée Histoire de Paris Carnavalet (The Carnavalet-History of Paris Museum)
The oldest museum dedicated to the history of Paris itself originally opened in a historic mansion in the Marais in 1880, but a recent renovation completed in 2021 has thoroughly brought the space into the modern era. The layout of the building has been redesigned, highlighting the beauty of the mid-16th century mansions as much as helping you to discover the paleolithic origins of the city through the present with 3,800 works now on display. Additionally, the museum is even easier to navigate now for everyone, with a new approach to accessibility including elevators and ramps. Don’t miss the newly added restaurant on the gardens as well for a post-visit refreshment.
activityPhilharmonie de Paris
The Philharmonie de Paris is a striking contemporary building, designed by Jean Nouvel (not without controversy) and opened in 2015. Located within the Cité de la Musique complex in the Parc de la Villette, in the underexplored 19th arrondissement, the building breaks with all the design conventions of traditional symphony halls, instead favoring pod-like boxes inside the theater, a stage in the round, and a complex, undulating metal façade.
activityMusée d'Orsay
A vast collection of Impressionist art is the focus at the Musée d’Orsay, the second-most-visited museum in Paris (after the Louvre, of course). At every turn, you'll be delighted to recognize yet another piece from pop culture or that art history class you took. There is no room not worth exploring here, so let yourself just wander among masterworks by names like Degas, Cézanne, Manet, Renoir, and Monet. Pre-booking online is recommended for priority access within 30 minutes of the reserved time.
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Cyrille WeineractivityMusée du Quai Branly-Jacques Chirac
The Musée du Quai Branly-Jacques Chirac is perhaps best known for its unusual design by Jean Nouvel. The exterior of the building almost seems alive with plant walls and wild gardens, while the interiors are dark, winding, and dramatically lit. The modern structure stands in sharp contrast with the treasures housed inside: ancient art and artifacts and relics of bygone civilizations (with a specific focus on non-European cultures). Be sure to check out the museum's continuous calendar of special exhibitions, including shows centered around a specific culture.
shopDeyrolle
Deyrolle is a cabinet of curiosities. The Left Bank institution has specialized in taxidermy and entomology since 1831, but in 2008 a fire destroyed nearly 90 percent of the collection, creating the need for a radical restoration project. Today you can hardly tell that the shop is, in fact, a replica of its former 17th-century iteration, right down to the wood cabinetry, parquet floors, and painted walls.
Steve Tulley/AlamyshopLes Bouquinistes
Walking along the banks of the Seine is an activity as beloved and ancient as the city itself. Along both sides of the river, roughly from Île Saint Louis to the Louvre, are the city's Bouquinistes, independent sellers of used and antiquarian books, old maps, postcards, and all sorts of mementos. It's an activity that rewards patience—you just might find a vintage movie poster or first-edition book to bring home.
Didier MartiactivityJardin des Tuileries
This sprawling, spectacular park is the beating heart of Paris' public spaces. Standing proudly between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde, and along much of the Seine's Right Bank in the 1st Arrondissement, Tuileries Garden ("Jardin des Tuileries") has a history as long and distinguished as it is impressive, from its inception as an aristocratic playground in the 16th century, to becoming a public space in the 17th century, to serving as the site of numerous French Revolution skirmishes in the 18th century. With more than 55 acres, the park offers plenty of room to stroll and lots of photo ops. Keep an eye out for Auguste Rodin's iconic "Le Baiser" ("The Kiss") on the West Terrace. If you have anywhere to go in this part of Paris, skip the taxi or the metro and walk there on foot through the Tuileries. You'll see something different every time.
activityFondation Louis Vuitton
As one of few privately owned and funded art spaces in Paris (owned by LVMH chairman Bernard Arnault), the Fondation Louis Vuitton arrived with a bang when it opened to the public in 2014. Star Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry designed the building, which looks like a magical sailboat afloat on a man-made lake in the Bois de Boulogne. Thanks to the spectacular architecture and blockbuster exhibitions, the museum is bustling at all times, despite its location in the far reaches of the 16th Arrondissement.
© Sergio Pitamitz/CorbisshopShakespeare and Company
Nestled on a prime slice of real estate across the Seine from Notre Dame, Shakespeare and Company is part indie bookshop, part piece of history. The roster of authors who have lingered among the shelves here reads like canon of 20th-century literature, including Ezra Pound, Gertrude Stein, Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and contemporaries like Zadie Smith. Every inch of the space oozes history, from the leaning antique bookshelves to the resident cat to the well-worn piano, which is tucked away upstairs. The café is a great place for people watching—and maybe eavesdropping on a conversation or two while you sip on a café au lait. It still serves original proprietor George Whitman's famous lemon pie, as well.
Courtesy Le Train BleurestaurantLe Train Bleu
$$$It's hard to believe one of Paris' most serene, picturesque and dignified restaurants is also located within one of its busiest train stations, but Le Train Bleu, an icon of Parisian dining, is a far cry from the Gare de Lyon's hustle and bustle. Every inch of this place drips with Parisian opulence in the best possible way. It won't be your cheapest meal in Paris, but it might be your most memorable—or at least your most photographed.
Cyrille Gibot/AlamyactivityNational Museum of Natural History
Part curio cabinet, part institution of higher learning—it's part of the Sorbonne—the National Museum of Natural History is filled with exhibitions that inspire awe in visitors of all ages. The museum consists of 14 locations across France, but the Grande Galerie d'Evolution on the Left Bank is the showstopper all its own, with interiors that pay homage to Art Nouveau Paris through elegant wrought iron railings and soaring glass windows. It's a stark contrast to the main gallery's menagerie of articulated skeletons, taxidermies, and lifelike replications. The main attraction—especially for kids—is the permanent display of life-size elephants and giraffes, but the temporary exhibitions are also good.
activityCoulée Verte René-Dumont
Originally known as the Promenade Plantée, the Coulée Verte René-Dumont is an elevated park built atop a revitalized railway structure. Opened in the late 1980s, the lush garden path stretches for three miles, with landscapes ranging from modern and manicured to wild and natural. This greenway, which for many will recall New York City's High Line, provides an unusual panoramic view over the 12th arrondissement—and since this crosses through less-touristy neighborhoods, you'll get a sense of the real quotidian Paris.
shopMarché des Enfants Rouges
The Marché des Enfants Rouges is the oldest food market in Paris (it first opened in 1615), and is now a buzzing Marais hub for food sellers of all types. Stroll through the dense maze of stalls selling everything from North African grains to Italian deli specialties. For those who want a break from the formality of the traditional French dining experience, this market offers a relaxed and (mostly outdoors) convivial atmosphere (and a great place to stock up on snacks for your hotel room or Airbnb).
Bruce Yuanyue BiactivityInstitut du Monde Arabe
The Institut du Monde Arabe celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2017, but its iconic building, designed by Jean Nouvel, looks as fresh and contemporary as ever. The light dances in and around the building, which hosts a rotating selection of art, exhibits, performances, workshops, and cultural events. Don’t leave without inspecting the innovative façade up close or grabbing a bite with views on the ninth floor (pretty high up, for Paris).
GettybarAu Lapin Agile
$$There are plenty of old things in Paris—some more original than others—but for the last 160 years, Au Lapin Agile has managed to maintain its bohemian character. Nestled on a quiet street in Montmartre, this venue feels like a step back in time—and into a cabaret where the likes of Picasso and Modigliani used to haunt before they were, you know, Picasso and Modigliani. It's the perfect stop for an after-dinner drink with a side of entertainment.
GettyMaison Victor Hugo
Newly reopened after a two year renovation, you can now imagine yourself living the life of a 19th-century writer by wandering through Victor Hugo’s former home on the iconic Place des Vosges. You can discover the home he moved into the year following the publication of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” which is recreated to show the periods of his life pre-exile, in-exile at his home in Guernsey and post-exile along with special exhibitions of his works, including his drawings. A new feature of the renovation is the addition of a garden with a cafe at the exit of the tour.
GettyLa Bourse de Commerce - Pinault Collection
Just opened in May 2021, the newest space for contemporary art in Paris was commissioned by Francois Pinault to house part of his vast personal collection, amassed over 40 years. Designed by Tadao Ondo, the revitalized commodities exchange building is located just blocks from the Louvre in the 1st Arrondissement. With 5,000 works from the Pinault Collection to be displayed across the 3,000 sq. meter space, you can expect to see works from the 1960s to the present with artists including Maurizio Cattelan, Urs Fischer, and Rudolf Stingel.
NoBorders/AlamyrestaurantFouquet's
$$$Many come to Fouquet's to see and be seen, but the seasonal menu by three Michelin-starred Chef Pierre Gagnaire makes it a worthy stop for more than just a cocktail. The atmosphere is chic and retro, without the pretentiousness you would expect from a celebrity-frequented haunt. It’s easy to spend a few hours soaking in the atmosphere of the warm and cozy dining room, which is usually filled with a mix of well-to-do Parisians, film industry veterans, and travelers with an appreciation of classic French gastronomy. Since opening in 1899, the classic brasserie has been a meeting place for those in the arts and culture industry, with past guests including Charlie Chaplin, Marlene Dietrich, Edith Piaf, Jackie Kennedy, and Liza Minnelli. It still hosts the gala dinner for the César Awards (the French equivalent of the Oscars) and has maintained a strong link to the film industry. The restaurant itself has been protected as a historical French monument since 1990 and the classic interiors—complete with warm mahogany wood paneling by Jean Royère—are beautifully preserved.
Christian Mueller/GettyactivityParc des Buttes-Chaumont
Unlike most of the rest of the major parks in Paris, this is a natural space without any rigid formality. The 62-acre park, opened in 1867 as part of the Paris Universal Exposition, is built on a former quarry; there are rocky elevations to traipse up with amazing views of the city, including Sacre Couer in nearby Montmartre. And seeing as it's in the 19th arrondissement, you can expect an authentic Parisian experience, off the beaten tourist path—you'll likely need to take a quick metro or taxi ride to get there.
GettyactivityGalerie Vivienne
Galerie Vivienne is a covered shopping arcade, originally built in 1823 and designed by architect François-Jean Delannoy. It remains open to the public for shopping in a mix of high-end boutiques (Jean-Paul Gaultier opened his first flagship in the arcade in 1986, for example). The glass and steel roof lets in sunlight down to the mosaic floors, making this a uniquely beautiful way to shop and stroll on your way to the nearby Palais-Royal.
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