Things to do in Paris

Counting over a hundred museums that range from history and science to technology and arts, Paris is among the highest-rated cultural capitals in the world. Although it might be difficult to visit them all during your stay, we suggest a selection of the unmissable Parisian museums below.  

• Louvre: the most famous art museum in the world, Le Musée du Louvre is home to several invaluable art treasures. Besides iconic masterpieces such as the Mona Lisa and the Winged Victory of Samothrace, the Louvre Museum, which used to be a royal palace until 1793, showcases over 35,000 artworks encompassing eight centuries of French history and is arranged into eight different theme departments. Among the Louvre’s extensive paintings and sculptures collections, you will admire some of the major Italian Renaissance artworks, Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Antiquities, numerous permanent and temporary galleries, and an area reproducing Napoleon’s apartments, which is an artwork per se. The Louvre Museum is one of Paris’ main landmarks and is connected to the elegant Jardin des Tuileries since 2005. The Louvre’s outer area includes the three famous and controversial glass pyramids realized by Chinese-American architect I. M. Pei, whose modern design contrasts the museum’s Renaissance style.

• Musée d'Orsay: hosted in the former train station Gare d’Orsay in Paris’ 7th arrondissement, the museum is a tribute to Impressionism and Western arts, displaying the world’s richest collection of Impressionist artworks. Monet, Renoir, Manet, Van Gogh, Degas and Toulouse-Lautrec are only some of the illustrious names you will come across while wandering the theme rooms at the Musée d'Orsay. Make sure you check out the museum’s exclusive café tucked behind the former station’s clock (designed by the Campana brothers); the coffee shop, which is submarine themed in homage to Jules Verne's Nautilus, is an attraction on its own.

• Musée de l'Orangerie: home to the emblematic Nymphéas by Monet, the Musée de l'Orangerie boasts a wide collection of Impressionist masterpieces, including paintings by Cézanne, Renoir, Degas along with works by Modigliani, Rousseau, Matisse, Picasso and Derain. An absolute must-see for all art enthusiasts visiting Paris.

• Centre Pompidou: also known as Beaubourg, the modern congress centre designed by Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers is one of Paris’ cultural scene highlights. Home to the National Museum of Modern Art, the Centre Pompidou is renowned worldwide for its modern art collections featuring works by great Impressionist masters such as Matisse and Picasso and contemporary artworks by Andy Warhol, Niki de Saint Phalle and many others. The building also houses a restaurant, a library and the Atelier Brancusi, displaying a unique collection of modern and contemporary sculptures.

• Grand Palais: one of the most recognizable Parisian monuments, the Grand Palais was built for the 1900 Exposition Universelle and is well recognizable thanks to its glass dome and imposing structure. The Grand Palais, located in the proximity of the Champs-Elysées, is arranged into three sections: the Nave, hosting a varied range of international events, the National Galleries, featuring collections by masters such as Picasso, Hopper, Renoir, and the Palais de la Découverte, an interactive science and cultural museum regularly hosting permanent and temporary exhibitions- highly recommended when visiting Paris with kids.

After immersing yourself in art and culture at the Louvre, continue your city tour and head to Paris’ most iconic monument, the renowned Eiffel Tower. Designed by architect Gustave Eiffel to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution during the 1889 Exposition Universelle, the Tour Eiffel has been a symbol of modernity since its construction and is an unmissable must-see when visiting the French capital. The tower is arranged into three floors connected by elevators and includes shops, cultural and artistic installations, a champagne bar, a brasserie and the elegant restaurant Jules Verne, offering exquisite French specialities. Enjoy breathtaking views of Paris’ cityscape from the Eiffel Tower’s top. At 276 metres in height, you can admire the City of Lights from above by day or night, while sipping a glass of champagne or refined French wine. The Tour Eiffel is located in Paris’ 7th arrondissement and is in the proximity of the extensive Champ de Mars public park and the famous square Place du Trocadéro with its beautiful gardens.

You cannot say you have experienced Paris at its fullest until you embark on a cruise on the Seine River. While floating on the waters of the Seine, you can take in most of Paris’ attractions and admire the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the Musée d’Orsay, Notre Dame Cathedral, and many more historical landmarks from a different perspective. You will find several embarking points along the Seine’s banks, with numerous companies offering day and evening tours. For a unique and romantic experience, we suggest a sunset cruise aboard the typical Bateaux Mouches, Paris’ oldest and most famous river-cruising boats. If you are up to a more adventurous experience, you can rent a boat and discover the wonders of the City of Love at your own pace.

Paris parks and green areas are countless; despite being one of the most crowded and hectic holiday destinations in Europe, Paris boasts extensive and finely manicured gardens that offer solace and refuge from the city chaos. Whether you want to enjoy a picnic, a bike ride or simply a relaxing walk surrounded by green, you will find plenty of options in most parts of the city. Although every park has its own peculiarities making it worth be seen, we recommend you not leave Paris without visiting the Tuileries Gardens and the Luxembourg Garden.  

• Connecting the Louvre to Place de la Concorde, the Jardins des Tuileries was created in the 16th century by Queen Catherine de Medici as the garden of the Tuileries Palace, becoming a public park after the French Revolution. The elegant landscape, with its manicured green lawns, tranquil ponds, and intriguing sculptures such as ‘The kiss’ by Rodin, is the perfect setting for walking or unwinding; stroll to the south-western end of the Tuileries to reach the Musée de l’Orangerie.

• Located in the proximity of the lively Quartier Latin, the Jardin du Luxembourg is an extensive green park covering an area of 25 hectares. Built by Maria de Medici in 1612, the gardens are split into French and English-style areas and include a forest, a pond, an orchard and over 100 sculptures and statues. Among Luxembourg Garden’s highlights are the magnificent Medici Fountain, the Orangerie Museum and the Pavillon Davioud, hosting the long-established school of horticulture (Ecole d’Horticulture). The Jardins du Luxembourg is an unmissable stop when you visit Paris with your family and kids: the numerous children-friendly facilities include pony rides, a playground with ice-cream stands, puppet shows, pedal karts and a merry-go-round. The Luxembourg Garden regularly hosts cultural events and exhibitions and is one of the Parisians' favourite places for playing tennis, chess, bridge or simply enjoying delicious cuisine at the park's French restaurant.

Situated in Paris’ 18th arrondissement, Montmartre is one of the city’s most popular areas, renowned for its hip vibe and sizzling nightlife. Named after the large hill that dominates the district, Montmartre gained popularity at the beginning of the 20th century, when it used to be home to many Belle Époque artists who lived, worked or had studios there- Modigliani, Picasso, Lautrec, Van Gogh, Mondrian, Monet and Renoir all stayed in Montmartre, contributing to creating the neighbourhood’s bohemian vibe. On the top of Montmartre Hill stands out the emblematic Sacré Coeur Basilica, a majestic white stone cathedral built as a tribute to the martyrs of the revolutionary Commune de Paris. Other landmarks in Montmartre include:  

• Place du Tertre: this quaint square is the pulsing heart of Montmartre, and is crowded with street artists’ boutiques, crafts shops, cafes and brasseries.

• Eglise St. Pierre: smaller and lesser known than the Sacré Coeur Basilica, the church is one of the oldest in Paris- it was built in the 12th century and has been massively renovated since- and is worth a visit for its historical value and Romanesque style interiors.

• Le Musée de Montmartre: at the Montmartre Museum you can learn more about the life and works of the artists that are deeply connected to the district’s history and admire a rich collection of drawings, sketches and paintings.

• The Moulin Rouge and Pigalle: located at the foot of Montmartre Hill, the famous cabaret and nightclub does not need any introduction. A popular attraction for everyone visiting Paris, the Moulin Rouge regularly hosts live performances and shows since the 19th century, including the legendary French Cancan that earned the venue worldwide fame.

Paris’ Latin Quarter, also known as the 5th arrondissement, is among the city’s most popular areas and is home to historical landmarks such as Sorbonne University. Located on the lively Rive Gauche, the Quartier Latin is renowned for its picturesque cafes, bistros, and quaint shops. Do not miss a visit to the historical independently-owned English bookstore Shakespeare & Company, praised by Ernest Hemingway in his memoir, and enjoy the bohemian vibe of the shop and the annexed café. The Pantheon, hosting the remains of France’s most illustrious personalities, the Musée National du Moyen Age, and the Jardin des Plantes botanical garden are all remarkable sights to visit in the Latin Quarter. From the Quartier Latin, you can easily reach the evoking Île de la Cité, an island in the middle of the Seine linked to the land through several bridges, among which the Pont Neuf, Paris’ oldest connection to the island. L’Île de la Cité houses Paris’ jewel and symbol, the magnificent gothic Notre Dame Cathedral. Due to the massive fire that destroyed the spirelet and most of the wooden roof in 2019, the cathedral is undergoing renovation and will be open again to the public in April 2024, in time for the opening of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

Running for almost two kilometres between Place de la Concorde and Place Charles de Gaulle, the Avenue des Champs-Élysées is among the most famous and scenic avenues in the world- and a must-see in any trip to Paris. Lined with shops and luxurious boutiques of the most renowned French brands, cultural venues, restaurant cafes and nightclubs, the Champs-Élysées regularly hosts live and festive events. One of the most successful initiatives among Parisians is the Car Free Day occurring every first Sunday of the month when the pedestrians claim back the venue. Once you reach Place Charles de Gaulle on the avenue’s western end, you can admire another of Paris’ iconic landmarks, the majestic Arc de Triomphe dominating the square with its 50 metres of height. From its rooftop, you can enjoy extensive views of Paris’ cityscape and take some unique, Instagrammable shots.

Located only 20 kilometres from Paris, the Château de Versailles is a perfect destination for a day trip out of the capital. Spread over 800 hectares, the Estate of Versailles includes the Palace- a former hunting lodge and subsequently the residence of the French royal family until the 18th century-, the gardens, the park and the Trianon estates, built under Lous XIV to create a more intimate space for the royals next to the main property. The Palace of Versailles has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979 and is one of France's most important museums, hosting a rich collection of sculptures, paintings, furniture, and artworks attesting to over four centuries of French history. Explore the majestic Palais de Versailles and discover the famous Hall of Mirrors, a sumptuous 73-m-long space whose magnificent interiors and decorated vaulted ceiling pay tribute to France’s grandeur, the War Room and the Peace Room, attesting to the military victories in the Dutch war. The Palace includes several other spaces that will provide insight into the life and history of the French royals, such as the lavishly decorated King’s state apartment and Marie Antoinette’s private chambers. Before leaving Versailles and heading back to Paris, take a stroll through the property’s elegant gardens and explore the extensive park beyond the chateau.

A more unconventional way to explore the French capital is through its underground. Paris' subterranean tunnel network is a labyrinth of ancient mining corridors and galleries that extend over 300 kilometres, a small part of which hosts the most famous necropolis in the world. Built at the end of the 18th century to face the health emergency caused by overcrowded cemeteries, the Catacombs cover around two kilometres and house an ossuary with the remains of millions of Parisians. Bones and skulls are organized on walls and arranged into compositions and theme areas, where visitors can learn about the necropolis’ history and evolution into an educational space. Paris Catacombs have been depicted in countless movies and literary works, and are among the most visited attractions in Paris. Although accessible through many unofficial entrances all over the city, only a limited part of the necropolis is open to the public. To enjoy your exploration safely, access the Catacombs via the official entrance and join a guided tour.

Despite its reputation as a romantic destination for couples, Paris has lots to offer to travellers of all ages, including kids. If you visit the City of Lights with your children, plan a visit to the renowned Parc Zoologique de Paris, Paris’ state-of-the-art zoo, where you can learn about hundreds of fauna species and their habitats. The zoo is located in the Bois de Vincennes park and is arranged in biozones that are home to the relevant autochthone species. You can admire lions, white rhinos, giraffes, wolves, lynxes, monkeys, and lemurs in a completely cage-free environment. Regardless of the season you visit Paris, make sure you arrange a one-day trip to nearby Chessy, where you can enjoy a day of fun and adventure with your kids at the famous Disneyland Paris entertainment park. The resort encompasses two theme parks- Disneyland Park, originally called Euro Disneyland Park and arranged into five pays (lands), and Walt Disney Studios Park- and several facilities, which include a golf course and a polyfunctional complex with dining, entertainment, and shopping venues. From the Sleeping Beauty’s castle in Fantasyland to the Pirates of the Caribbean in Adventureland, Disneyland Paris’s attractions will bring you and your kids into the fantastic Disney universe for a uniquely fun experience.

Before leaving Paris, we recommend you take a stroll along the quiet lanes of the Cimetière du Père Lachaise. The largest monumental cemetery in Paris, Père Lachaise is a unique burial site combining a tranquil natural setting with invaluable monuments and illustrious personalities’ graves. Here rest the remains of numerous famous composers, politicians, artists and personalities who played an important role in Paris’ cultural and historical development- Honoré de Balzac, Chopin, Maria Callas, Proust, Edith Piaff and Guillaume Apollinaire found all their resting place in Père Lachaise. Other remarkable graves and monuments include:  

• Oscar Wilde’s tomb: adorned by the statue of an angel with huge outstretched wings, the grave is a living tribute to the Irish author, who took refuge and died in Paris after being incarcerated for his homosexuality and disowned by his own country. Over the years, tons of admirers have covered the tombstone with lipstick kisses, quotes from Wilde's works and love messages.

• Jim Morrison’s tomb: one of the most visited graves in Père Lachaise, the Doors leader's tomb used to be covered in graffiti and fans memorabilia until it was recently restored. Every year on the 3rd of July, Jim Morrison’s death anniversary, flocks of admirers visit the burial site to pay their respects to the singer.

• Mur des Fédérés: one of the numerous memorials commemorating the victims of French history, the Communards’ Wall attest to the execution of the insurgents during the Paris Commune uprising, who were lined up against the wall and shot.

No visit to the French capital would be complete without fully immersing in the famous Paris cafe culture. With countless typical cafes, bistros and brasseries almost at every corner, it will be easy to discover the city’s culinary treasures and enjoy the relaxing vie parisienne. Although it would be impossible to list every delicatessen that earned French cuisine its undisputed reputation, we suggest you some of our favourite pastries:  

• Saint-Honoré: a delicious round choux pastry base topped with several small butter-cream-filled choux pastries and filled with Chantilly or Chiboust cream.

• Religieuse: a classic among Parisians of all ages, this cream-filled choux pastry is usually covered in chocolate or coffee icing- a delicious treat to accompany your coffee.

• Macarons: a classic of French cuisine, these delicate meringue sandwich cookies come in many different versions- from pistachio to chocolate or rose water you can try close to infinite sorts of macarons.

• Opéra cake: this exquisite almond-based cake was created in 1955 and has become a classic since then. The opéra consists of various layers of almond sponge cake soaked in coffee, usually glazed with chocolate and served with tea or coffee.