Table of Contents
Planning a trip to Paris and looking for things to do in the city? Here is our selection of the best activities in Paris and the Île-de-France region, presented as easy-to-scan cards: Seine cruises, museums, iconic neighborhoods, offbeat outings, cultural events and outdoor activities. Click a card to find out more or to book.
Looking for something seasonal? Check our guide to what’s on in Paris this month, or our complete guide to New Year’s Eve in Paris.
Must-sees – Activities on the Seine – Neighborhood & museum tours – Paris on two wheels – Offbeat things to do – Cultural outings – Sports & sporting events – Outdoor activities – Itineraries – FAQ
Must-sees: the most popular things to do in Paris
Visit the Eiffel Tower
The most famous monument in the world. Several floors reachable by stairs or elevator.
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Seine river cruise or dinner cruise
A guided cruise along the Seine, with the option of lunch or dinner on board.
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Visit the Louvre Museum
The most visited museum in the world: the Mona Lisa, Egyptian antiquities, Greek and Roman art.
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The Musée d’Orsay
Our favorite museum in Paris: Monet, Cézanne, Van Gogh, Renoir, Pissarro.
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The Arc de Triomphe
One of the finest views over Paris, especially at sunset.
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Visit the restored Notre-Dame
More beautiful than ever since its restoration. Free entry, timed slot recommended.
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Day trip to Versailles
The Hall of Mirrors, the Trianon estate and Le Nôtre’s gardens, 40 minutes from Paris.
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Sainte-Chapelle
A Gothic jewel famous for its immense stained glass windows. Best seen on a bright day.
Activities on the Seine: cruises and boat tours
Bateaux-Mouches
The most famous company in France. Large boats, one-hour sightseeing tours.
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Bateaux Parisiens
From a simple sightseeing trip to a romantic dinner cruise, departing from Port de la Bourdonnais.
Find out moreVedettes de Paris
Cruises with crêpes and/or champagne, departing from Port Suffren.
Find out moreRomantic dinner or lunch cruise
One of the most romantic dinners in Paris, served while sailing past the monuments.
Find out moreBoat tour from the Eiffel Tower
The most convenient departure point, right at the foot of the tower.
Find out moreVedettes du Pont Neuf
Departing from Pont Neuf near Notre-Dame, for a more intimate look at the Seine.
Electric boats at La Villette
Rent a small electric boat on the Villette basin or the Canal de l’Ourcq — no license needed.
Cruise + cabaret evening
A dinner cruise followed by a show at the Moulin Rouge, Paradis Latin or Crazy Horse.
Find out moreNeighborhood and museum tours in Paris
Guided tour of the Louvre
One of the world’s finest museums — a guide helps you get the most out of it in two hours.
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Explore old Montmartre
Steep cobbled lanes, a bohemian atmosphere and the traces of famous artists.
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Discover the trendy Marais
One of the oldest districts in the city: mansions, boutiques, the Picasso and Carnavalet museums.
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Les Invalides and the Army Museum
Napoleon’s tomb and the largest arms and armor collection in the world.
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Hunt for bargains at the flea markets
The largest flea market in Europe, at Saint-Ouen: antiques, vintage furniture and vinyl.
Find out moreThe Impressionist trail
Musée d’Orsay and the Orangerie, then Chatou, Auvers-sur-Oise or Giverny.
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Walk the Champs-Élysées
The most famous avenue in the world, from Concorde up to the Arc de Triomphe.
Find out moreDouble-decker sightseeing bus
See the main monuments from the top deck, hopping on and off as you please.
Find out moreParis on two wheels and original rides
Bike along the Seine
Car-free quays with views over the finest monuments — lovely in spring.
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Electric bike tour
One of the best ways to reach off-the-beaten-path Paris, and to climb Montmartre without effort.
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Bike along the Marne
Leave from the Bois de Vincennes or Nogent-sur-Marne for a change of scenery.
Friday night rollerblade ride
With Pari Roller, every Friday at 10 p.m. from Place Raoul Dautry (14th).
Offbeat things to do in Paris
Visit the Catacombs
Head several yards underground into centuries-old ossuary tunnels.
Tour the Paris sewers
One of the most unusual museums in the city. Not for the faint of heart.
Street art in the 13th arrondissement
Monumental murals by Shepard Fairey, Seth and Kenor — also in Belleville.
Paris in a vintage 2CV
One of the most romantic ways to see the city, in a classic Citroën.
Escape games
Teams of 5 to 10 players race to unmask the culprit before the clock runs out.
Treasure hunt in the covered passages
A trip back in time through the glass-roofed arcades of the Belle Époque.
A day at Disneyland Paris
The largest theme park in Europe, 40 minutes east of the city on the RER A.
Find out moreShopping with a personal shopper
An indulgence worth trying in the world’s fashion capital.
Cultural outings in Paris
See a show at a Parisian cabaret
Moulin Rouge, Paradis Latin, Crazy Horse: legendary venues, often with dinner.
Find out moreSee a musical
At the Mogador, the Châtelet or the Casino de Paris.
Go to the theater
A small neighborhood venue, the Comédie-Française or one of the grand Paris stages.
Visit the art galleries
In the Marais, Saint-Germain, Montmartre or along the Canal Saint-Martin.
A ballet at the Paris Opera
The Palais Garnier or the more modern Opéra Bastille.
Museums by night
Late openings are the best way to see the big museums without the crowds.
Find out moreA movie in an iconic theater
Le Louxor, the Grand Rex, the Champollion or the Cinémathèque Française.
A night at a jazz club
Jazz Club Étoile or the Caveau de la Huchette, in a medieval cellar.
Sports and sporting events in Paris
A tennis tournament
Roland Garros or the Paris-Bercy Open — two very different atmospheres.
A soccer game at the Parc des Princes
PSG fan or not, a great sporting spectacle in a fine stadium.
Red Star at Stade Bauer
An alternative to PSG: smaller crowds, just as much passion.
Stade Français at Jean-Bouin
Paris’s rugby club plays at the Jean-Bouin stadium.
France at the Stade de France
Rugby or soccer internationals in this legendary stadium.
Racing at Longchamp
An afternoon at the races on the edge of the Bois de Boulogne.
Outdoor activities
Père Lachaise cemetery
A genuine open-air museum, green and peaceful. Guided tours available.
Find out moreChristmas lights and window displays
Department store windows and decorated streets at the end of the year.
The Coulée Verte
An elevated walkway above the 12th arrondissement — Paris’s answer to the High Line.
Picnic in a Paris park
Buttes-Chaumont, Bois de Vincennes, Parc Montsouris or the Luxembourg Gardens.
Biking in the Bois de Boulogne
The largest green space in Paris, on foot or by bike.
Rowing on Lac des Minimes
A quiet boat ride in the Bois de Vincennes.
Pétanque at La Villette
A game on the edge of the basin, with friends and a drink.
Simply walk around Paris
The city’s many neighborhoods are best explored with no fixed route at all.
Find out moreNeed a full itinerary?
Prefer a day-by-day plan rather than browsing these cards? Take a look at our ready-made itineraries, depending on how long you’re staying: 2 or 3 days or 4 to 5 days in Paris. Traveling with children? See our guide to visiting Paris with kids.
Frequently asked questions about things to do in Paris
What is the best thing to do in Paris?
There is no single best activity, but a Seine river cruise (sightseeing or dinner cruise) remains the most popular choice, because it lets you see the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay in a single outing. For art lovers, the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay come a close second.
What can you do in Paris for free?
Many activities in Paris are free: walking through the parks and gardens (Luxembourg, Buttes-Chaumont, Bois de Vincennes), visiting Père Lachaise cemetery, admiring the street art in the 13th arrondissement or Belleville, wandering around the Marais or Montmartre, visiting the restored Notre-Dame, and taking advantage of free museum days.
What are the most offbeat things to do in Paris?
Among the most offbeat activities in Paris: visiting the Catacombs, touring the Paris sewers, a treasure hunt through the Belle Époque covered passages, a ride in a vintage Citroën 2CV, or an escape game in a Parisian apartment.
How many days do you need to see the best of Paris?
To cover the essentials (Eiffel Tower, a Seine cruise, the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay), allow at least 2 to 3 days. To also explore the neighborhoods, offbeat activities and cultural outings, plan on 4 to 5 days.
Do you need to book activities in Paris in advance?
Yes. For the most popular sites (Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, dinner cruises, cabarets), booking online in advance is strongly recommended to avoid the lines and secure your place, especially in high season.
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