Paris Travel Guide: The Best Things to Do, See & Eat
Paris, the enchanting capital of France, is famed for its landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame Cathedral. Stroll along the Seine, explore world-class museums like the Louvre, and indulge in exquisite French cuisine. The city's vibrant neighborhoods, from Montmartre to Le Marais, offer unique experiences and a glimpse into Parisian life.
With 308+ hand-picked places to explore, Paris rewards travellers who look beyond the obvious. Here's our complete guide to the best of the city — organised by what you're in the mood for.
Must-See Attractions in Paris
The icons and landmarks no first visit is complete without.
Start with Eiffel Tower — ideal for couples and families seeking iconic views and a piece of Parisian history. Just as worthwhile is Pont Alexandre III: experience one of Paris's most ornate bridges, rich in history and grandeur. Pont Neuf completes the picture: an iconic equestrian statue of King Henry IV marks Paris's oldest bridge, Pont Neuf, spanning the Seine.
Eiffel Tower
Paris • Famous Landmarks
Ideal for couples and families seeking iconic views and a piece of Parisian history.
Pont Alexandre III
Paris • Famous Landmarks
Experience one of Paris's most ornate bridges, rich in history and grandeur.
Pont Neuf
Paris • Famous Landmarks
An iconic equestrian statue of King Henry IV marks Paris's oldest bridge, Pont Neuf, spanning the Seine.
Pont des Arts
Paris • Famous Landmarks
Ideal for couples and tourists seeking romantic views along the Seine River in Paris.
Museums & Culture in Paris
Galleries, museums and cultural landmarks for a deeper look at the city.
Top of most lists is Musée de l'Orangerie: a unique venue featuring custom-built oval rooms for Monet's Water Lilies, enhancing the art experience. Locals will also point you to Musée d'Orsay — incorporate a visit to this museum into your Parisian day for a cultural highlight amidst your explorations. And for something different, there's Sainte-Chapelle: a Gothic chapel on Boulevard du Palais renowned for its stunning 13th-century stained glass collection.
Musée de l'Orangerie
Paris • Museums
A unique venue featuring custom-built oval rooms for Monet's Water Lilies, enhancing the art experience.
Musée d'Orsay
Paris • Museums
Incorporate a visit to this museum into your Parisian day for a cultural highlight amidst your explorations.
Sainte-Chapelle
Paris • Historical Sites
A Gothic chapel on Boulevard du Palais renowned for its stunning 13th-century stained glass collection.
Galerie Perrotin
Paris • Art Galleries
Avant-garde exhibitions define this influential contemporary art gallery in the Marais district of Paris.
Best Things to Do in Paris
Activities and experiences to fill your days.
If you only make time for one stop, make it Escape Hunt Paris — a unique indoor escape room experience that adds excitement to your Paris itinerary, perfect for groups or team building. Monkey Kwest earns its reputation too — ideal for families and groups seeking a fun, interactive way to explore Paris. Round out the shortlist with Accor Arena — located on Boulevard de Bercy, this arena is a key venue for sports and entertainment in Paris.
Escape Hunt Paris
Paris • Indoor
A unique indoor escape room experience that adds excitement to your Paris itinerary, perfect for groups or team building.
Monkey Kwest
Paris • Outdoor
Ideal for families and groups seeking a fun, interactive way to explore Paris.
Accor Arena
Paris • Sports
Located on Boulevard de Bercy, this arena is a key venue for sports and entertainment in Paris.
Climb Up Paris
Paris • Sports
Ideal for active individuals and groups looking to experience indoor climbing in Paris with city views.
Where to Eat in Paris
From local classics to standout modern kitchens.
Start with L'Arpège — a Michelin-starred restaurant specializing in innovative vegetarian dishes sourced from its own gardens. Just as worthwhile is Le Cinq: ideal for couples and culinary enthusiasts seeking an elegant dining experience in Paris. Le Jules Verne completes the picture: dining with a view on Avenue Gustave Eiffel, offering classic French cuisine in a stunning setting.
L'Arpège
Paris • Local Cuisine
A Michelin-starred restaurant specializing in innovative vegetarian dishes sourced from its own gardens.
Le Cinq
Paris • Local Cuisine
Ideal for couples and culinary enthusiasts seeking an elegant dining experience in Paris.
Le Jules Verne
Paris • Local Cuisine
Dining with a view on Avenue Gustave Eiffel, offering classic French cuisine in a stunning setting.
Le Meurice Alain Ducasse
Paris • Local Cuisine
An elegant dining room inspired by the grandeur of the Château de Versailles sets the stage for fine French cuisine.
Paris After Dark: Bars & Nightlife
Where to go once the sun sets.
Top of most lists is Le Duc des Lombards: experience live jazz in an intimate setting, where the ambiance complements the music perfectly. Locals will also point you to Le Trianon — ideal for music lovers seeking a historic venue with an intimate atmosphere. And for something different, there's Brewberry: this craft beer bar features one of the largest selections of brews in Paris, emphasizing quality and variety.
Le Duc des Lombards
Paris • Live Jazz Venues
Experience live jazz in an intimate setting, where the ambiance complements the music perfectly.
Le Trianon
Paris • Live Music Venues
Ideal for music lovers seeking a historic venue with an intimate atmosphere.
Brewberry
Paris • Craft Beer Bars
This craft beer bar features one of the largest selections of brews in Paris, emphasizing quality and variety.
Hoppy Corner
Paris • Craft Beer Bars
Located on Rue des Petits Carreaux, this craft beer bar features a remarkable selection of international brews.
Where to Stay in Paris
Hand-picked hotels, hostels and B&Bs across every budget.
If you only make time for one stop, make it Le Bristol Paris — ideal for couples seeking a luxurious Parisian experience, Le Bristol Paris offers classic elegance and modern comfort. Le Royal Monceau - Raffles Paris earns its reputation too — featuring contemporary design by Philippe Starck and a private cinema, this hotel defines luxury in Paris. Round out the shortlist with Hôtel Plaza Athénée — the Hôtel Plaza Athénée features iconic red awnings and a luxurious Dior spa on Avenue Montaigne.
Le Bristol Paris
Paris • Luxury Hotels
Ideal for couples seeking a luxurious Parisian experience, Le Bristol Paris offers classic elegance and modern comfort.
Le Royal Monceau - Raffles Paris
Paris • Luxury Hotels
Featuring contemporary design by Philippe Starck and a private cinema, this hotel defines luxury in Paris.
Hôtel Plaza Athénée
Paris • Luxury Hotels
The Hôtel Plaza Athénée features iconic red awnings and a luxurious Dior spa on Avenue Montaigne.
Maison Souquet
Paris • Bed & Breakfast
Couples seeking a romantic retreat will appreciate the unique Belle Époque charm of this Parisian accommodation.
Shopping in Paris
Markets, boutiques and everything in between.
Start with La Maison Ivre — ideal for those seeking authentic French souvenirs and artisanal crafts in Paris. Just as worthwhile is Le Bon Marché: a cornerstone of Parisian shopping, perfect for an afternoon of exploration and style discovery. Vintage Désir completes the picture: ideal for fashion enthusiasts and casual shoppers alike, this shop specializes in vintage finds.
La Maison Ivre
Paris • Souvenir Shops
Ideal for those seeking authentic French souvenirs and artisanal crafts in Paris.
Le Bon Marché
Paris • Malls
A cornerstone of Parisian shopping, perfect for an afternoon of exploration and style discovery.
Vintage Désir
Paris • Vintage & Thrift Shops
Ideal for fashion enthusiasts and casual shoppers alike, this shop specializes in vintage finds.
Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen
Paris • Markets
A vast selection of antiques and vintage items awaits at this renowned market just outside Paris.
Parks & Green Spaces in Paris
Room to breathe when you need a break from the streets.
Top of most lists is Jardin du Luxembourg - Orangerie: an elegant orangerie houses exotic plants amid manicured lawns and statues. Locals will also point you to Jardin des Plantes — ideal for families and nature lovers, this botanical garden showcases diverse plant life in Paris. And for something different, there's Promenade des Berges de la Seine: a scenic trail along the Seine River featuring art installations and great views of Paris landmarks.
Jardin du Luxembourg - Orangerie
Paris • Botanical Gardens
An elegant orangerie houses exotic plants amid manicured lawns and statues.
Jardin des Plantes
Paris • Parks
Ideal for families and nature lovers, this botanical garden showcases diverse plant life in Paris.
Promenade des Berges de la Seine
Paris • Hiking Trails
A scenic trail along the Seine River featuring art installations and great views of Paris landmarks.
Bois de Boulogne
Paris • Hiking Trails
A sprawling park that complements a day of exploration in Paris with its diverse trails and serene landscapes.
80 Explorer Picks We Held Back
Every list above is our free tier. On top of it, our editors mark the roughly one-in-ten places in Paris that are genuinely special — standout stays, tables worth planning a day around, and rooms most visitors never find — as Explorer picks, with full write-ups reserved for members. A few currently on the Paris list:
- L'Olympia· Concerts
- Guy Savoy· Fine Dining
- The Ritz Paris· Luxury Hotels
- Le Timbre· Secret Foodie Spots
- Louvre Museum· Museums
Planning where to stay in Paris?
Our neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood guide covers the best areas and hotels for every budget.
Where to Stay in Paris →Plan Your European Adventure
Explore 22,000+ places across 70+ European cities