There's a reason Paris tops so many bucket lists. The French capital is packed with world-famous landmarks, extraordinary museums, elegant gardens, and neighborhoods that each feel like a different village. With so much to choose from, deciding what to do can be overwhelming, so here are the 25 best things to do in Paris, with tips on the best time to visit each one.
Iconic Landmarks
1. The Eiffel Tower
Best time: First thing in the morning, or after dark when the tower sparkles for a few minutes every hour.
Ride the lifts or climb the stairs to the second floor, then continue to the summit for views across the whole city. Book tickets online well in advance, especially in summer. For the classic photo, head to the Trocadéro across the river.
2. Notre-Dame Cathedral
Best time: Early morning, before the lines build.
After the devastating 2019 fire, Notre-Dame reopened in December 2024 following a remarkable restoration. Entry to the cathedral is free. Admire the rose windows and the bright, cleaned stonework inside, then walk around the back for the best view of the flying buttresses.
3. The Arc de Triomphe
Best time: Sunset.
Climb to the rooftop for one of the best views in Paris, straight down the Champs-Élysées and across to La Défense. Beneath the arch, the flame on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is rekindled every evening.
4. Sacré-Coeur Basilica
Best time: Early morning or after sunset.
The white basilica crowns the hill of Montmartre, one of the highest points in the city. Climb to the dome for panoramic views, or simply sit on the steps and watch the city below.
5. The Champs-Élysées
Best time: Early morning for a peaceful stroll, evening for the lights.
Paris's most famous avenue runs from the Arc de Triomphe to Place de la Concorde, lined with flagship stores, cafés, and cinemas.
6. Place de la Concorde
Best time: Spring or fall.
The largest square in Paris, where Marie Antoinette was guillotined during the Revolution. Today, its centerpiece is a 3,000-year-old Egyptian obelisk from Luxor.
Museums and Galleries
7. The Louvre
Best time: At opening, or on late-opening evenings.
The world's most visited museum is home to the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, and thousands of other masterpieces. Book a timed ticket, pick a few galleries, and don't try to see everything in one visit.
8. Musée d'Orsay
Best time: At opening or late afternoon.
Housed in a grand former railway station, the Orsay has the world's greatest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art, from Monet and Renoir to Van Gogh. Peek through the giant station clock for a view over the Seine.
9. Musée Rodin
Best time: At opening or the hour before closing.
Rodin's former home and its sculpture garden, where you can see The Thinker and The Gates of Hell among the roses.
10. Musée Carnavalet
Best time: Weekday mornings.
The museum of the history of Paris fills two elegant mansions in the Marais with paintings, shop signs, and period rooms. Entry to the permanent collection is free.
11. Musée National Picasso-Paris
Best time: Weekday mornings.
A huge collection of Picasso's work in a grand 17th-century mansion in the Marais.
12. Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris
Best time: Book ahead, and look out for late openings.
Set in the designer's former couture house, the museum explores the life and work of one of fashion's greatest names.
13. Hôtel de la Marine
Best time: Weekday mornings or late-opening evenings.
This 18th-century building on Place de la Concorde was a royal furniture depository and later the French Navy's headquarters. Its restored apartments are dazzling, and the loggia has great views over the square.
14. The National Museum of Natural History
Best time: Any day, but arrive early in school holidays.
In the Jardin des Plantes, the Grand Gallery of Evolution's parade of animals is spectacular, and kids love the menagerie next door.
History and Architecture
15. Sainte-Chapelle
Best time: A sunny morning, at opening.
This Gothic royal chapel on the Île de la Cité has some of the finest medieval stained glass in the world. On a bright day, its walls of glass glow like jewels.
16. The Panthéon
Best time: Spring to fall, when the dome is open.
The resting place of France's great figures, including Victor Hugo, Alexandre Dumas, Marie Curie, and Josephine Baker. Climb the dome for city views.
17. Palais Garnier
Best time: Weekday mornings.
Paris's lavish 19th-century opera house inspired The Phantom of the Opera. Take a tour of the grand staircase and gilded foyer, or see a ballet.
18. Maison de Victor Hugo
Best time: At opening.
The author of Les Misérables and The Hunchback of Notre-Dame lived in this apartment on the beautiful Place des Vosges. The permanent collection is free.
19. Père Lachaise Cemetery
Best time: Spring.
A peaceful, atmospheric place to wander, with the graves of Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, Chopin, Édith Piaf, and Marcel Proust.
Gardens, Neighborhoods, and the River
20. Jardin du Luxembourg
Best time: May to October.
Grab one of the famous green chairs, watch children sail toy boats on the pond, and admire the palace that houses the French Senate.
21. Jardin des Tuileries
Best time: Spring and summer.
The elegant garden between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde is dotted with statues and fountains, and home to the Musée de l'Orangerie and Monet's Water Lilies.
22. A Seine river cruise
Best time: Sunset or after dark.
See Notre-Dame, the Louvre, the Musée d'Orsay, and the Eiffel Tower from the water. You can also just walk along the riverbanks, past the green bookstalls of the bouquinistes.
23. The Latin Quarter
Best time: Summer evenings.
Home to the Sorbonne, the Left Bank's student quarter is full of bookshops, including Shakespeare and Company, small arthouse cinemas, and lively bistros.
24. Canal Saint-Martin
Best time: Sunny afternoons and weekends.
Iron footbridges, locks, and tree-lined banks make this one of the city's most relaxed neighborhoods. Pick up a picnic and join the locals along the water.
25. The Philharmonie de Paris
Best time: Evening concerts, booked in advance.
A striking modern concert hall in the Parc de la Villette, with world-class concerts and a museum of musical instruments.
Tips for Visiting Paris
- Book ahead for the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Orsay, and Sainte-Chapelle.
- Check museum closing days. Many close on Mondays or Tuesdays.
- Look for free days. Some national museums are free on the first Sunday of certain months, and many city museums have free permanent collections.
- Use the Metro and walk. Many sights are closer together than they look.
- Stay connected. Tickets, maps, and Metro routes all live on your phone. An egoViet France eSIM gets you online as soon as you land.
Plan your stay with our 3-day Paris itinerary, find free things to do in Paris, and read our France travel guide.
FAQs: Things to Do in Paris
What is the number one thing to do in Paris?
Visiting the Eiffel Tower is the classic must-do, followed closely by the Louvre, Notre-Dame, and a walk through Montmartre.
Is Notre-Dame open?
Yes. Notre-Dame reopened in December 2024 after its restoration, and entry is free.
How many days do you need in Paris?
Three to four days covers the main sights. With five days or more, you can add day trips to Versailles or Giverny.
What can you do in Paris for free?
Visit Notre-Dame and the Sacré-Coeur, stroll the gardens and riverbanks, explore Père Lachaise, and see the free permanent collections at museums such as the Carnavalet.