Best Things to Do in Paris: What To See + What I'd Skip
Paris is one of those cities I keep somehow ending up back in. I’ve now been three times, and every trip has looked a little different. I’ve done the major tourist attractions, spent way too much time in museums, gone to Versailles more times than any normal person needs to, and eaten an unreasonable number of pastries.
Ryan, meanwhile, has somehow still never been to Paris, so I already know I’ll eventually be doing a fourth trip. There are definitely things I would happily do again. There are also a few things I have absolutely checked off the list and do not need to repeat.
One thing to know before you start planning, though: Paris is huge, and there is a lot to do.
Depending on how long you’re staying and your travel style, you probably won’t get through everything on this list.
If you like slower trips, long meals, wandering neighborhoods, and sitting at cafés, you’ll naturally see less. If you like packed sightseeing days, you can fit in a lot more.
Either way, I would use this as a list of ideas rather than a checklist. There are definitely things I would happily do again. There are also a few things I have absolutely checked off the list and do not need to repeat.
If you're planning your first visit and trying to narrow down the best things to do in Paris, this is what I would prioritize, plus a few popular Paris experiences I personally think you can skip.
Best Things to Do in Paris at a Glance
See the Eiffel Tower during the day and at night
Take a Seine River cruise
Visit the Louvre and see the Mona Lisa
Walk through Luxembourg Gardens
See the Arc de Triomphe
Visit the Petit Palais and see the Grand Palais
Walk across Pont Alexandre III
Explore Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur
See Notre-Dame and Sainte-Chapelle
Visit Les Invalides and Napoleon’s Tomb
Visit La Galerie Dior
Take a day trip to Versailles
Eat and drink your way through Paris
Wander Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Explore Le Marais
Find a Paris rooftop
See a cabaret show
Then I’ll get into what I would personally skip or deprioritize.
1. See the Eiffel Tower During the Day AND at Night
I know. Groundbreaking advice. But if this is your first trip to Paris, you need to see the Eiffel Tower. And I specifically think you should see it twice.
Once during the day. And once after dark. The atmosphere is completely different.
During the day, you actually appreciate how enormous the structure is and can see all the detail. At night, it becomes the Paris moment everyone pictures in their head.
I wouldn't even worry about finding one single “best” viewpoint. Part of the fun of Paris is randomly turning down a street and suddenly seeing the Eiffel Tower between the buildings.
Some of the classic places to see it include:
Trocadéro
Champ de Mars
Pont de Bir-Hakeim
along the Seine from a river cruise
rooftops around the city
And if you're anywhere nearby at night, stick around long enough to see it lit up.
2. Take a Seine River Cruise
This is one of those extremely touristy things that I still think is completely worth doing.
A Seine cruise lets you sit down for a minute while Paris basically comes to you.
Depending on your route, you'll pass major landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, the Conciergerie, and Grand Palais.
There are a ton of different options:
basic sightseeing cruise
sunset cruise
champagne cruise
lunch cruise
dinner cruise
private boat
For a first visit, even the basic sightseeing version is enough.
Personally, I would try to time it around sunset or early evening so you get Paris during the day and as everything starts lighting up. This is also a great activity when your feet are completely done with Paris. Which will happen.
3. Visit the Louvre
You should go to the Louvre on your first trip.
And yes, you should go see the Mona Lisa, just to say you saw it. Is she surprisingly small compared with the crowd surrounding her? Yes. Should you still see her? Also yes.
She's displayed in the Louvre's Salle des États, which is actually the museum's largest room because of the enormous number of people who come specifically to see her.
But please do not make the Mona Lisa the only thing you look at. Hot take: There's much better art in the Louvre than Mona Lisa. However, you might as well see her while you're there.
The Louvre is absolutely enormous. There is an overwhelming amount of art inside, and trying to see every room is one of the easiest ways to make yourself hate museums by day two of your Paris vacation.
Pick a few things you actually care about. See those. Then leave.
Book Your Louvre Tickets Beforehand
This is one attraction where I would not just casually show up and hope everything works out. The Louvre recommends timed reservations, and reservations have even been mandatory for all visitors during some peak summer periods.
Book ahead. Save yourself the headache.
See the Lourve Pyramid
Obviously, if you're going to the Lourve, you'll see this anyways. However, even if you aren't a museum person, go see the Louvre Pyramid.
It has become almost as recognizable as the museum itself. The glass pyramid in the Cour Napoléon was designed by I.M. Pei and inaugurated in 1989.
Go during the day. And if you happen to be nearby again at night, it is worth seeing illuminated too.
You do not need a Louvre ticket just to appreciate the exterior and courtyard.
4. Walk through Luxembourg Gardens
You need a few things on your Paris itinerary that don't involve a timed entry ticket.
Luxembourg Gardens is one of them.
This is somewhere I would go when you need a break from sightseeing. Walk around. Sit down. People-watch. Bring something from a bakery.
Paris trips can become surprisingly exhausting because you're constantly trying to “see” something. Give yourself permission to spend an hour doing absolutely nothing.
5. See the Arc de Triomphe
The “giant arc” you are thinking of is the Arc de Triomphe. And yes, absolutely see it.
It sits at the end of the Champs-Élysées, which is known for luxury shopping and theatres.
You can also go up to the top for another Paris viewpoint. Personally, I don't think you need to go to the top of every Paris monument. But see the Arc itself either way.
6. Visit the Petit Palais
I think the Petit Palais is one of the easier museums to work into a Paris itinerary because the permanent collection is currently free. The building itself is also gorgeous. You have paintings, sculpture, decorative arts, and a beautiful interior courtyard and garden.
If you're already around the Champs-Élysées or Grand Palais area, this is a very easy stop. And because you're not paying a huge entrance fee for the permanent collection, you don't feel obligated to spend four hours inside just to “get your money's worth.”
See the Grand Palais
If you're already around the Champs-Élysées, Petit Palais, or Pont Alexandre III, I would also stop by the Grand Palais.
The building itself is beautiful, especially the massive glass roof, but I wouldn't necessarily tell everyone to buy a ticket just because they're in Paris.
Instead, check what exhibition or event is happening while you're there. The Grand Palais hosts rotating art exhibitions, performances, concerts, and other temporary events, so whether it's worth actually going inside really depends on what's on during your trip.
Several parts of the building are also free to access year-round, including some public spaces, shops, and restaurants.
My recommendation: Definitely see the Grand Palais while you're in the area, but only build a full visit into your itinerary if there's an exhibition or event you're actually interested in. You may also be able to see it from a Siene River cruise.
7. See Pont Alexandre III
You’ll probably see Pont Alexandre III during your Seine River cruise as well, since many of the popular cruise routes pass directly underneath it.
But I still think it’s worth walking across at some point. From the boat, you get a really pretty view of the bridge from below. From land, you can actually appreciate all of the details—the gold statues, ornate lampposts, and the views toward Les Invalides and the Grand Palais.
The nice thing is that you don’t need to make a separate trip just for it. I would group Pont Alexandre III, the Grand Palais, and the Petit Palais together since they’re all right near each other.
8. Explore Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur
Montmartre is touristy. I still wouldn't skip it.
Walk around the neighborhood, make your way toward Sacré-Cœur, wander the little streets, and stop somewhere for coffee or food. The atmosphere feels completely different from the grand boulevards around central Paris.
This is also somewhere I would avoid trying to follow an overly strict itinerary.
Just walk around.
9. See Notre-Dame & Sainte-Chapelle
Notre-Dame is another obvious first-trip stop. And while you're on Île de la Cité, I would pair it with Sainte-Chapelle.
Sainte-Chapelle is significantly smaller, but the stained glass inside is incredible.
These are close enough together that it makes absolutely no sense to visit them on separate days.
10. Les Invalides & Napoleon’s Tomb
This is one I would add if you like history. The giant golden dome you see over Les Invalides contains the tomb of Napoleon I.
Napoleon's remains were brought back to France from Saint Helena in the 19th century and ultimately placed beneath the Dome in 1861. The same space also contains the tombs or graves of several other important military figures, including Napoleon II, Joseph and Jérôme Bonaparte, Marshal Foch, Vauban, and others.
The whole building is impressive even before you get to the tomb.
There is also the Musée de l'Armée if you want to go deeper into French military history.
Again, though: Paris has so many museums. You do not need to spend four hours in every single one.
I also would probably skip this if you get creeped out easily, though I personally found it interesting. I certainly wouldn't go alone unless you really enjoy history.
11. Visit La Galerie Dior
If you’re into fashion, La Galerie Dior is the fashion museum I would personally recommend.
I’ve been to both La Galerie Dior and the Musée Yves Saint Laurent, and I definitely preferred Dior.
La Galerie Dior is located at 30 Avenue Montaigne, right next to Dior’s historic couture house, and the exhibits walk you through the history of the brand with dresses, sketches, accessories, photographs, and some really beautiful installations.
As a girl, I absolutely loved seeing this and the famous wall.
12. Visit Versailles — ONCE
Okay. I've now been to Versailles three times. That is way too many times. You do not need to go to Versailles three times. You really only need to see it once.
But if this is your first trip to Paris and you have enough time? Yes, I do think you should go.
Versailles is outside central Paris, but it’s an easy day trip. Depending on where you’re staying, expect roughly 30–45 minutes by train, and the Versailles Château–Rive Gauche station is only about a 10-minute walk from the palace.
The property is absolutely enormous. You have the main palace, Hall of Mirrors, gardens, fountains, Grand Trianon, Petit Trianon, and Marie Antoinette's Estate.
You can even rent a rowboat and paddle around the Grand Canal, which I think is such a fun way to break up a day of walking through the palace and gardens.
This is not somewhere I would try to squeeze into a random two-hour opening in your itinerary. Give it the better part of a day.
Would I Go to Versailles a Fourth Time?
Ryan still hasn't made his way to Paris, and I've already told him: The only way I'm going back to Versailles again is for the giant masquerade ball. And yes, this is actually a thing.
The Grand Masked Ball at Versailles takes over the Orangery for an elaborate overnight party with Baroque costumes, masks, DJs, dancers, performers, the Night Fountains Show, fireworks, and an after-party in the gardens. The event returned for its 14th edition in 2026. Everyone has to dress up. You need a mask. It is completely over the top.
THAT I would go back for. However, the tickets immediately sell out. You have to follow their social media account to know the day and time of when they're releasing the tickets.
Walking through the Hall of Mirrors for the fourth time? Ryan can handle that one without me.
Also, some of the floors inside the palace definitely feel a little sketchy to walk on. There are areas where the old wooden floors creak so much under your feet that you start wondering how many millions of people have walked across them over the years. Obviously, Versailles has been standing for centuries, so you're probably fine.
13. Eat and Drink Your Way Through Paris
Paris is one of those cities where eating and drinking should absolutely be part of the itinerary. And I would not overcomplicate it.
Try escargot at least once. Even if you're convinced you won't like snails, Paris is probably the place to test that theory. Between the garlic, butter, and herbs, they are much less intimidating than they sound.
Then spend an unreasonable amount of time in bakeries.
A few things I would make sure you try:
Croissants
Pain au chocolat
Baguettes
Macarons
Éclairs
Mille-feuille
Paris-Brest
Tarte au citron
Madeleines
Chouquettes
Basically anything that looks like it contains an irresponsible amount of butter
Also, buy a baguette and some cheese at least once and call it lunch.
And then there is the hot chocolate. Parisian hot chocolate can basically taste like someone melted an entire chocolate bar into a cup. It is incredibly rich, thick, and more like a dessert than a drink.
But I would personally skip the super-famous hot chocolate spots with the giant lines. You do not need to spend an hour waiting at a viral café to get good hot chocolate in Paris.
Instead, I would look for a smaller chocolatier or neighborhood café. PLAQ Chocolat is a good option if you really care about the chocolate itself, and Jacques Genin is another great stop for chocolate and other sweets. Or honestly, just walk into a cute local café and order a chocolat chaud.
Part of the fun of Paris is finding places you did not plan weeks in advance.
14. Wander Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Saint-Germain is one of those neighborhoods where I would deliberately plan almost nothing. Go walk around. Stop at cafés. Look through boutiques. Find a bakery. Sit outside. Continue walking.
This is the kind of Paris experience that I think people miss when they book an attraction for every two-hour block of the day. I completely understand, especially if they're only in Paris for a few days. However, if you have the time, I would definitely check it out.
15. Explore Le Marais
I would also give yourself a few hours for Le Marais if you have the time. It has boutiques, restaurants, cafés, historic buildings, galleries, and much more of a neighborhood feel than some of Paris's major tourist corridors. If shopping and food are priorities for you, I would much rather spend extra time here than on the Champs-Élysées.
16. Find a Paris Rooftop
At some point, get above the city. You can obviously do this from monuments, but I also like doing it somewhere you can just sit with a drink.
A rooftop gives you a completely different view of the Paris skyline because suddenly you can see the Eiffel Tower, rooftops, domes, and monuments all layered together.
17. See a Cabaret Show
If you want something fun to do at night, I would definitely consider seeing a Paris cabaret show.
There are a few famous ones to choose from, and they all have a slightly different feel.
Moulin Rouge is probably the most iconic. This is the classic Paris cabaret experience with huge costumes, feathers, rhinestones, elaborate sets, and the famous French cancan.
Paradis Latin is another historic option and mixes traditional cabaret with a more modern show featuring dancers, singers, acrobats, comedy, and plenty of spectacle.
We personally went to Crazy Horse, and I loved it. Crazy Horse is much more intimate, sensual, and artistic than what you might picture when you think of a huge traditional cabaret. A lot of the show revolves around choreography, lighting, projections, and some very strategically placed shadows.
If you want the classic, over-the-top Paris experience, I would probably choose Moulin Rouge. If you want something sexier and more intimate, Crazy Horse would be my pick.
Either way, I think seeing at least one cabaret is such a fun way to break up all of the museums, monuments, and sightseeing during a Paris trip.
Things I Would Skip in Paris
After three trips, these are the things I would either skip completely or seriously deprioritize.
1. Trying to See Every Museum
This might be my biggest Paris advice. There is so much art in Paris. The Louvre alone could take an entire day.
Then you have Musée d'Orsay, Musée de l'Orangerie, Petit Palais, Centre Pompidou-related programming, Rodin, Picasso, fashion museums, military museums, and on and on.
If you absolutely love art? Go wild.
If you don't? Pick the museums you actually care about.
You do not need to turn your entire Paris vacation into an art-history final exam.
I would personally prioritize the Louvre + Petit Palais + maybe one specialty museum that matches your interests if you have the time.
Then go outside and enjoy Paris.
2. Going Up the Eiffel Tower: Honestly, You Can Skip It
If this is your first trip to Paris, you can go up the Eiffel Tower just to say you did it.
I’ve done it once before, and I’m glad I can say I’ve experienced it. But personally? I don’t think you need to.
For me, just seeing the Eiffel Tower is enough. It's one of those landmarks that is almost better appreciated from the outside anyway, especially because some of the best Paris views are the ones where the Eiffel Tower is actually part of the skyline.
So if your itinerary is already packed, I would not feel guilty about skipping the trip up. See it during the day. Come back and see it lit up at night. Take photos from a few different viewpoints.
And if you still really want to go up? Do it once for the experience.
But I would definitely consider this one of the easier Paris attractions to skip.
3. Skip Chasing the “Perfect” Eiffel Tower View
You can also skip feeling like you need to build your itinerary around restaurants, rooftops, or viral spots that promise the best view of the Eiffel Tower.
We went to Girafe, which is one of the most well-known restaurants for Eiffel Tower views.
And yes, the view can be beautiful. But only certain tables actually get that perfect, unobstructed view of the tower without other tables or people in front of you. For the price, I personally don't think it's worth booking a restaurant solely because you saw the view all over social media.
I feel the same way about places like the Galeries Lafayette rooftop. It can be a pretty view, and if you're already there shopping, absolutely go up and take a look. But I would not cross the city or rearrange your itinerary just for it.
Paris gives you so many chances to see the Eiffel Tower naturally from bridges, rooftops, the Seine, Trocadéro, and even random streets when it suddenly appears between the buildings.
My tip: Choose restaurants for the food first, and viewpoints because they're convenient. You do not need to spend a ton of money or stand in a huge crowd to get a beautiful Eiffel Tower view.
4. Musée Yves Saint Laurent
This is not because Yves Saint Laurent isn't important. If you are a huge YSL fan, then obviously go once it reopens. But I personally thought it was boring.
If you like fashion, I would choose La Galeria Dior or Palais Galliera instead.
La Galerie Dior = best for aesthetics, glamour, and the “wow” factor.
Palais Galliera = best for fashion history, education, and seeing fashion as art/culture.
Also, Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris is currently closed through autumn 2027 anyway.
5. Spending Half a Day Shopping on the Champs-Élysées
I would still walk part of the Champs-Élysées, especially since you’ll probably be heading toward the Arc de Triomphe anyway.
But I would not dedicate a huge chunk of your Paris itinerary to shopping there.
A lot of the stores are brands you can find in plenty of other major cities, and I personally think there are much more interesting neighborhoods to spend your time in.
The exception: If you're planning to buy a luxury bag or another higher-end item, Paris can actually be a great place to shop.
Depending on the brand and where you live, European pricing can sometimes be lower than U.S. pricing, and eligible non-EU residents may also qualify for a French VAT refund on purchases over the required threshold.
If that’s part of your trip, then absolutely do some price comparisons beforehand and leave room for shopping.
Otherwise, I would see the Champs-Élysées, walk toward the Arc de Triomphe, and spend the rest of your shopping time somewhere like Le Marais or Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
My Top Hotels in Paris
If you’re overwhelmed by the number of hotels in Paris, these are the ones I would start with.
1. Shangri-La Paris — Click here for rates & availability.
If you want the full Paris splurge, I would look at Shangri-La Paris.
This is the hotel I would choose if having an incredible Eiffel Tower view is part of the dream. It sits in the 16th arrondissement in the former home of Prince Roland Bonaparte, and many of the rooms and suites have direct views of the Eiffel Tower and Seine.
It is absolutely expensive. Current rates can easily run around €2,000+ per night, and Eiffel Tower-view rooms can cost considerably more.
But if you're coming for a honeymoon, anniversary, or once-in-a-lifetime Paris trip and want the hotel itself to be part of the experience, this is the splurge pick.
Best for: Honeymoons, anniversaries, Eiffel Tower views, and travelers looking for a true luxury experience.
2. Hôtel Dame des Arts — Click here for rates & availability.
If you want something stylish, romantic, and a little more modern, I would look at Hôtel Dame des Arts.
I especially like this one because of its Left Bank location near Saint-Germain-des-Prés, which puts you in one of my favorite areas for cafés, restaurants, boutiques, and just wandering around.
The hotel also has a rooftop with beautiful views over Paris, so you get the rooftop experience without needing to build another viewpoint into your itinerary. This would probably be my pick for a couple who wants a hotel that feels very Parisian but still modern and cool.
Best for: Couples, girls’ trips, Saint-Germain, rooftops, and travelers who care about design and neighborhood atmosphere.
3. Pavillon de la Reine — Click here for rates & availability.
For something that still feels luxurious but much more intimate, I would look at Pavillon de la Reine.
It's tucked away on Place des Vosges in Le Marais, surrounded by gardens, and has much more of a quiet boutique-hotel feel than a huge palace hotel. There is also a spa, restaurant, and bar on property.
I really like this one because the location gives you easy access to one of my favorite areas of Paris while still feeling secluded once you return to the hotel. This would be my pick for someone who wants a beautiful, romantic hotel and an amazing neighborhood but doesn't necessarily need the giant Eiffel Tower-view splurge.
Best for: Couples, romantic trips, Le Marais, boutique luxury, and travelers who care about neighborhood atmosphere.
4. Quinzerie Hotel — Click here for rates & availability.
For a more affordable option, I would absolutely recommend Quinzerie Hotel.
This is actually where we stayed on my most recent Paris trip, and I thought it was the perfect cute hotel. It's in the 15th arrondissement, which feels a little quieter and more residential than some of the busiest tourist areas, but you're still well connected to everything.
The hotel only has 65 rooms and suites, and there are options with Eiffel Tower views, private balconies, terraces, and even Jacuzzis. I loved that it felt stylish and intimate without being insanely expensive, and I would absolutely stay there again.
Best for: Couples, boutique-hotel lovers, more reasonable pricing, Eiffel Tower views, and travelers who don't need to stay directly in the center of the major tourist areas.
How Many Days Do You Need in Paris?
For your first trip, I would aim for 4–5 full days. That gives you enough time to see the major attractions without turning every day into a race.
A loose itinerary could look like:
Day 1
Eiffel Tower → Seine cruise → Saint-Germain → Eiffel Tower again at night
Day 2
Louvre → Tuileries → Petit Palais → Arc de Triomphe
Day 3
Notre-Dame → Sainte-Chapelle → Le Marais → Cabaret
Day 4
Montmartre → Sacré-Cœur → shopping/cafés → Luxembourg Gardens
Day 5
Versailles
Final Thoughts: What Is Actually Worth Doing in Paris?
After visiting Paris three times, I think the biggest mistake you can make is treating the city like one giant checklist.
Yes, see the Eiffel Tower.
Yes, go to the Louvre.
Yes, see the Mona Lisa.
Go to Versailles once.
Take the Seine cruise.
Eat the escargot.
Drink the absurdly thick hot chocolate.
See a cabaret.
But also leave room to sit at a café for two hours. Buy a baguette and eat it in a park. Walk down a street because it looks pretty. Get distracted.
Paris has enough museums and monuments to keep you busy for weeks, but I don't think that's necessarily the best way to experience it.
See the things you've always wanted to see. Then give yourself enough time to actually enjoy being there.
Ready to Plan Your Paris Trip?
If you're planning a trip to Paris and don't want to spend hours figuring out where to stay, which attractions need advance tickets, which tours are actually worth booking, or where you should eat, Ryan and I would be happy to help. We're travel advisors, and we can help with your hotel, tours and activities, restaurant recommendations, transportation, day trips, and overall itinerary. Whether you want help planning your entire Paris trip or just want someone to narrow down the overwhelming number of hotels, museums, tours, and restaurants, reach out to us.
And if you somehow convince Ryan to make his first trip coincide with the Versailles masquerade ball? I'll probably be there too.
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