10 Quintessentially Parisian Things to Do in Paris, France
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Known for its fashion labels, quaint outdoor cafés, historic monuments galore, art museums, scrumptious pâtisseries, Parisian restaurants and foodie experiences, and excellent people-watching, Paris is a buzzing city with so much to offer.
And because of that, I'd be surprised if you didn't feel a little overwhelmed while planning your trip to Paris. With so many things to do in Paris, deciding how to spend your time and money can be a daunting task.
Here are ten of my favorite things to do in Paris. Ten absolutely iconic activities that will always be awesome. Every single time. No matter what. Ready?
1. See the Eiffel Tower
Of course, #1 on this list of quintessential Parisian experiences has to be the La Tour d'Eiffel.
Whether you want to admire the Iron Lady from rooftops far away, as you stroll through town, or by ascending all 300-something stairs of the tower yourself, you obviously can't miss the 324-meter-tall Eiffel Tower. (Even if you tried.)
This is the ultimate Eiffel Tower experience, including elevator access to the second floor and summit access on foot!
2. Eat Plenty of Macarons
Ladurée, Pierre Hermé, and Gérard Mulot are just a few of the many exceptional patisseries you'll find around Paris.
If I were you, my goals for this trip would include finding my favorite macaron, eating as many as I could, and then buying a giant box to take back with me. But, maybe that's just me…?
MADDY'S TIP: If you love baking, you can learn to make your own macarons! Check out this macaron-making class with a professional pastry chef.
3. Picnic in a Park
My all-time favorite thing to do in Paris is to have a picnic.
With an abundance of fresh baguettes and pastries, artisanal cheeses, great wine, and freshly harvested produce from the French countryside, I don't think there's a better place in this world to have a picnic.
On a sunny day, hit up some specialty food shops and/or markets, and source the most epic picnic components you can find. Then, head to a park – like the Jardin des Tuileries – and munch on French delicacies to your heart's content. Bliss!
MADDY'S TIP: Planning to visit the Palace of Versailles? You can picnic there! I recently went on this full-day picnic and bike tour of Versailles and highly recommend it. Before biking through the Royal Gardens and touring the Palace, we stopped at a local market to source picnic items. Then, we picnicked in the gardens with the Grand Trianon and Grand Canal in view.
4. Discover the Louvre
Oh, the Louvre. This museum is always packed, and there's a minimum of 50 people crowded around the teeny-tiny Mona Lisa at any given time. But as the world's largest art museum, set inside a centuries-old palace, it's all part of the experience.
Without question, the Louvre is home to one of the finest art collections in the world, and it should not be missed.
MADDY'S TIP: If you want to avoid the crowds, visit first thing in the morning, right when the doors open. Even better, book this skip-the-line tour of the Louvre to see the highlights with an expert guide.
5. Dine at an Outdoor Café
Nothing beats sitting at one of Paris's many outdoor cafés, with a cup of coffee (or a glass of red wine), good company (or a good book), and the best people watching you could hope for. Here's my complete list of where to eat in Paris!
Just make sure not to choose a café too close to any of the city's main tourist attractions, because you'll end up paying double! More on how to avoid tourist trap restaurants here.
6. Explore Different Arrondissements on Foot
There are twenty different arrondissements (neighborhoods) in Paris, so there's no way you can explore all of them in one trip. Instead, I'd recommend choosing a few different ones that you'd like to discover in-depth, on foot.
For starters, check out:
- The 1st: For the Louvre
- The 3rd & 4th: For Le Marais, a lively, historic area with narrow alleyways, beautiful architecture, trendy shops, and good food
- The 7th: To climb the Eiffel Tower and many other famous tourist attractions
- The 6th: For Saint Germain-des-Prés, a chic, trendy area filled with galleries, bookstores, cafés, artisanal shops, and markets
- The 18th: For Montmartre, a charming, artsy area with great views of Paris and cute cafés
- The 5th & 6th: For the Latin Quarter, which offers cheap eats, medieval vibes, and my favorite crêpe shop (Little Breizh).
MADDY'S TIP: My favorite areas to stay in Paris are the 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 6th!
7. Hang out at Canal Saint-Martin
Canal Saint-Martin is one of the most serene, picturesque, and trendy places in Paris to hang out. Grab some friends and a bottle of rosé and simply enjoy the atmosphere.
8. Walk the Seine at Sunset
When the sun starts to go down in Paris, head to the Seine! Walk along the waterway and over the many bridges, watching as the water below reflects pink and orange hues, the city starts to light up, and the crowds thin out.
Day or night, Paris is beautiful – but experiencing the Seine at sunset? Now that's really something special.
9. Bike Around the City (or Versailles!)
Paris is a very bike-friendly city, so on a sunny day, skip the métro and rent a bike instead!
This way, you'll experience more of the city and have more freedom to get to where you want to go. Plus, it's a great way to work off all that heavy French food and wine you'll have inevitably consumed.
Want to join a bike tour and learn some history while you're at it? I loved both of these bike tours:
10. Visit the Notre Dame
Notre Dame is one of the most famous cathedrals in the world. Its French Gothic architecture will have you taking too many pictures; no doubt, you'll find yourself in awe of the stunning stained glass and immaculate details on the building's façade.
Outside of the cathedral, you will also find some of the city's best people watching. Find a bench under a shady tree and just soak it all in!
Plus, if you don't mind waiting in a queue for a while, you can climb up the tower for one of the best views of Paris.
Bonus: Go on a Seine River Lunch or Dinner Cruise
As I said, strolling along the Seine is a Paris must. But floating down it while feasting on fine French cuisine? That’s next-level.
A Seine lunch cruise or Seine dinner cruise combines the city’s jaw-dropping landmarks with Champagne, multiple courses of delicious food, and live music – all while you glide past Notre Dame, the Louvre, and (of course) the Eiffel Tower!
Honestly, I was nervous to book a gourmet Seine River cruise. I figured that this Paris experience would be touristy, overpriced, and underwhelming, but I was wrong! It's now one of my all-time favorite things to do in Paris – and I can't wait to do it again.
Click here to book your Seine River dinner cruise!
READ MORE: Paris Seine River Dinner Cruise vs. Lunch: My Honest Review + Comparison
Very helpful post. Headed to Paris in 2 days and trying to do some last minute planning!
Yay! I hope you have an amazing time, Nina!