Paris is a city with endless treasures. It is impossible to create a list that encompasses all that the city of lights has to offer. I genuinely believe that 90% of the fun is discovering little hidden gems as you explore the neighborhoods and winding streets.

That said, below is a curated list of 10 activities that are must-sees for any first time traveler to Paris:

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Planning a Trip to Paris

How many days should I spend in Paris?

I recommend planning to spend at least 5-7 days in Paris to ensure you have a decent amount of time to hit all of the spots on your bucket list. Plan to spend three days visiting all of the typical tourist locations. But spend the remaining 2-4 days exploring the various neighborhoods without too strict of an itinerary. That is when you will discover the ‘hidden gems’.

What is the best time of year to visit Paris?

The best time of year to visit Paris is the fall between late-August and late-October. These months occur just after the peak tourist season of the summer – but still offer great weather. Just make sure to take Paris Fashion Week into account when you are booking your vacation. This event often occurs in September, and will drive hotel prices up the wall.

I also think that the spring months of May and June are great times to visit as well. The flowers are in full bloom in the parks, and the collective cheer of emerging from winter hangs about. May is typically the rainiest month in Paris, so just be sure to pack an umbrella and raincoat.

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10 things to do in Paris

1. Visit the Palais Garnier

The Palais Garnier is one of the most well-known landmarks in Paris. The ornate, golden decor, jaw dropping grand staircase, and magnificent domed ceiling fresco certainly make the opera house a must-see on any trip to Paris.

The Paris Opera House was also the inspiration behind Gaston LaRoux’s gothic novel, Phantom of the Opera – which, in turn, inspired Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical of the same name. The Opera House is a must-see for any fans of Phantom of the Opera.

Check out my guide to visiting the Paris Opera House here!

Cost: 14 Euros for a self-guided tour, and slightly more for a guided tour. Purchase tickets on the Palais Garnier’s official website.

2. Wander through Sainte-Chapelle and Notre Dame

Two of Paris’ most famous and ornate gothic churches are located just a stone’s throw from each other in the fourth arrondissement. I would consider both of these locations “museums” in addition to “active churches”. 

Notre Dame Cathedral’s iconic gargoyles, pipe organ, and looming towers contrast slightly with Sainte-Chapelle’s kaleidoscopic and panoramic stained glass windows. Both churches hold such beauty in their own, unique ways.

I recommend visiting both. If you really want to go in-depth, you can take a tour of their towers and lower chapels – which is an amazing experience.

Cost: Notre Dame is free to enter – however, entrance to the crypts or towers might cost extra. I recommend getting there early to avoid the queue lines for these experiences. Sainte Chapelle is a bit more expensive, costing $11 Euros to enter. In my opinion, both are worth it. 

3. Explore the Catacombs

The Paris Catacombs, while fascinating, are certainly not for the faint of heart. Not everyone will enjoy serpentining through underground labyrinths filled with the skeletal remains of 6 million people. That said, if you are looking to add something spooky to your itinerary, you’ve come to the right place.

This history of the catacombs is fascinating. You’ll learn a lot about how Paris operated just 250 years ago, and you’ll have the opportunity to explore 2 miles of the nearly 200 that lie beneath Paris.

Check out my guide to visiting the catacombs for more information!

Cost: 30 Euros (and 5 Euros for anyone under the age of 18).

4. Take a day trip to Versailles

Located just a 1 hour train journey from Paris’ city center is the Palace of Versailles, built by King Louis XVI in the late 1600s. Versailles is the epitome of “royalty”. Shimmering chandeliers and ornate mirrors line the hallways, and frescos decorate the ceilings.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Versailles are the sprawling gardens. On your visit, you can explore the chateau’s 250 acres of land. We spent hours here on our visit, and I reckon we only saw around a third of what the land had to offer.

Cost: A ticket to the Palace of Versailles and the surrounding gardens costs $19.50 Euros. If you prefer a tour, expect to pay closer to $50-$100 Euros depending on the tour you purchase. Check out Versailles website for more information.  

5. Marvel at the Magnificent Art in the Louvre, Musee de l’Orangerie, and Musee d’Orsay

Paris is home to much of the greatest art in the world – housed in a number of museums scattered throughout the city. 

The Louvre is home to DaVinci’s famous Mona Lisa, and Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People (the art featured on Coldplay’s Viva la Vida album), as well as infinitely many more iconic art pieces. If you’re in Paris, this is an absolute must-see. Just be sure you’re ready to battle thousands of tourists with selfie sticks queuing to take a pic with Mona Lisa.

The Musée d’Orsay is home to many of the impressionist paintings, including Manet, Monet, and Van Gough. 

Musée de l’Orangerie is home to Monet’s Les Nymphéas – an eight piece painting of water lilies that sweeps across an entire gallery. A single ticket to the Musée de l’Orangerie costs $13.50 Euros.

Cost: A single ticket to the Louvre costs $15 Euros when purchased at the door, and $17 Euros when purchased online. You can purchase tickets for the Louvre here. A single ticket to the Musée d’Orsay costs $14 Euros (purchase here). A single ticket to the Musée de l’Orangerie costs $13.50 Euros (purchase here).

6. Climb to the top of Sacre Coeur Basilica

Everyone has heard of Notre Dame. But far fewer have heard of Sacre Coeur Basilica. Located in Montmartre, this basilica’s stunning white domed ceilings make it an absolute architectural staple in the city.

Sacre Coeur is the second tallest structure in Paris after the Eiffel Tower. And the panoramic view from the dome is unmatched. Hear me out… if you’re in Sacre Coeur, your view of the city contains the Eiffel Tower. And I think that makes it the superior vantage point.

If you are looking for a 360 degree view of Paris, I recommend checking out Sacre Coeur over the Eiffel Tower. Fewer tourists, cheaper tickets, better view. Win, win, win.

Cost: Free to explore the basilica. $6 Euros to climb to the top of the dome. EASILY worth it.

7. Snack on a Street Crepe

Listen. This is non-negotiable. Street crepe vendors are peppered all throughout the streets of Paris. If you’re walking by, do yourself a favor and pick one up.

My personal favorites were the simple sugar and fresh strawberry – but there are seemingly endless options to choose from. A freshly made street crepe is the absolute best way to end a day of walking and exploring. 

My recommendation: grab a crepe and people watch by the Seine. 

Cost: Right around 5 Euros (could be more or less depending on toppings)

8. Cruise Along the Seine

The Seine is iconic. Put simply. The Seine is the third longest river in France, and its riverbanks are well traversed by tourists and locals alike. Because the river cuts through the city center, it passes by many of the iconic city landmarks including: The Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and The Louvre. One of the best ways to passively explore the city is to take a cruise along the Seine.

There are several ways to cruise along the Seine – each with their own pros, cons, and costs. I’ve outlined a few below:

• Sight-Seeing Cruise – These cruises are geared towards tourists, and are a great option if you would like to learn about the city. A hop-on-hop-off cruise allows you to board and exit the boat many times with one ticket. Alternatively, a guided tour, like this one from Bateaux, typically lasts around an hour and teaches you about the architecture and history of the city. Cost: right around $20 USD per person.
• Dinner Cruise – If you want to get even fancier, you may opt for a dinner cruise. What could be better than floating through the city of lights at sunset with a glass of wine and a three course meal? Dinner cruises typically last around 2 hours. Cost: Prices for dinner cruises range from $75 USD to $160 USD per person.
• City Ferry – Perhaps the best way to explore the Seine is via the Batobus – Paris’ pubic ferry. Tickets cost $20 USD for a one-day-pass and $22 USD for a two-day-pass. The best part of this tour? You can hop on and off as much as you’d like. 

There are many other cruises offered on the Seine. Check out some additional options here.

9. Find a Restaurant that Makes you Fall in Love with Food… Then Go Again.

It is no surprise that the food in Paris absolutely knocks it out of the park. Every. Single. Time. You’ll find countless food blogs peppered with “the best restaurants to check out”. My recommendation? Find a restaurant that is tucked away – one that smells incredible and looks unassuming – and give it a try. Continue your search until you find a place that makes your jaw drop.

When my mom and I visited Paris, we found a restaurant that served the most incredible duck with fig sauce and potatoes confit. We were speechless. It was that good. We ended up going back three more times. The owner was the kindest man, and brought us free wine on our third visit. To this day, the duck with fig sauce and potatoes confit is still something we bond over. 

Find your own duck sauce. 

E10. Enter the Musee des Arts Forains

The Enter the Musée des Arts Forains is an eclectic museum packed full of vintage and antique fairground items collected by Jean Paul Favand. From carousel animals to arcade games to art – this museum is full of fun oddities to explore.

Food trucks line the outside of the museum and, in the winter, you can enjoy mulled wine or hot chocolate (brewed in cauldrons!) as you meander.

The museum does have pretty odd hours. So make sure you check their website to figure out when they are open next! 

That’s all, folks!

Hopefully this guide gives you a baseline for things to do in Paris. The city of light undoubtedly lives up to the hype – and you will be hard pressed to feel bored as you wander the historic streets.

For more itinerary ideas, check out my ‘free things to do in Paris’ guide.

Have you been to Paris? Drop a comment with your favorite things to check out below!