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France is a popular honeymoon destination, and Paris, the City of Love, is the favourite place in the country, everyone wants to visit.
However, when you are in Paris, the problem is deciding what to prioritise. People who visit for the first time often plan too much on day one and end up standing in queues at museums.
That’s why this guide lists the top things to do in Paris, from the most well-known experiences to the ones most people skip but shouldn’t. So, with no confusion on what to do in Paris, enjoy the city with the help of this blog.
Quick Look at the Top 20 Things to Do in Paris
| Must-Visit Landmarks | Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, Palais Garnier, Musée d’Orsay, Notre-Dame Cathedral |
| Best Experiences | Seine River Cruise, Moulin Rouge, Cafe hopping |
| Neighbourhoods | Montmartre, Latin Quarter, Le Marais |
| Popular Day Trips | Versailles, Disneyland |
| Unique Places | Catacombs, Sainte-Chapelle |
| Relax Spot | Luxembourg Gardens, Champs-Elysees |
| Shopping | Galeries Lafayette, Flea Market |
Top 20 Things to Do in Paris
Paris receives around 40 million visitors per year. The city is divided into 20 numbered districts. The 20 activities below take you to the main landmarks, the famous neighbourhoods, the best Paris nightlife places, and the day trips from the city.
1. Visit the Eiffel Tower
- Entry: Approx. 4,000 INR (summit and elevator to 2nd floor)
- Timings: 9:30 AM – 11:00 PM
Tip: Book at least 2 weeks ahead in summer; summit tickets sell out fast.
France has many places to visit, but for most, the trip starts at the Eiffel Tower. It’s the one landmark in Paris we all dreamed of visiting. When you stand at the base of the tower and look up, it gives every traveller goosebumps.
The tower was built in 1889 for the World’s Fair, and today, it receives 6 – 7 million visitors a year.
When you go up, the experience changes entirely. From the second floor, at 115 metres, you can understand the city’s layout very clearly. You can access the second floor via the lift or take the 347 stairs.
2. Take a Seine River Cruise
- Cost: Starts from 2,300 INR
- Boat Operators: Bateaux-Mouches, My Paris River, Vedettes de Paris, & Yachts de Paris.
Paris looks completely different from the water. When you take a boat cruise on the Seine, you can see the Louvre, Notre-Dame, Musee d’Orsay, the Grand Pont Alexandre III bridge, and the Eiffel Tower.
When you take the night cruise, you can see lighted monuments, and the river reflects the light. If your time is right, the boat passes the Eiffel Tower just as the light show begins.
Take a dinner cruise, it is a two-hour boat ride that includes a three-course meal and live music.
3. Explore the Louvre Museum
- Cost: Approx. 3,600 INR
- Timings: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Wednesday & Friday); 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Thursday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday). Closed on Tuesdays.
Tip: The museum is free for all visitors on the first Friday of the month.
The Louvre is not just a museum. It is a former royal palace that became one of the most important collections of human history. You will be walking through the glass pyramid and into the stone corridors where French kings lived.
Don’t just focus on finding Mona Lisa and miss the rest. There are more displayed, from ancient Egyptian sculptures to the paintings of the Italian Renaissance. If the Mona Lisa is your priority, then go to room 711 on the first floor.
4. Walk Around Montmartre and Sacre-Coeur
- Sacre-Coeur fee: Entrance is free, but pay approx. 900 INR for the dome access
- Timings: 06:30 AM – 10:30 PM (Sacre-Coeur)
Montmartre feels like a different city from the rest of Paris because it is quieter, less touristy, and the streets are narrow.
This neighbourhood became an artists’ quarter in the late 19th century, as the rents were cheap and taxes were lower. Picasso, Toulouse-Lautrec, and Modigliani all had studios here, so the creative energy is still here. You can see portrait artists working even today here.
The Sacré-Coeur Basilica is the highlight of Montmartre, one of the best viewpoints in Paris. The white domes are easily visible from many parts of Paris. When you step inside, the city noise is gone, and you find a calm, quiet interior.
5. Visit the Arc de Triomphe
- Cost: Approx. 2,500 INR
- Timings: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
The Arc de Triomphe is one of the best places in Paris to understand how the city was planned. When you stand under the monument and look, you can clearly see the 12 avenues spread in different directions. It gives you a clear picture of Paris as a city built around boulevards, viewpoints, and monumental landmarks.
Napoleon began construction of the arch in 1806 after his victory at Austerlitz, but it was not completed until 1836, after his death. The rooftop terrace is the real highlight, but you need to climb 284 steps.
6. Walk the Champs-Elysees
The Champs-Elysees is a tree-lined avenue in Paris. The boulevard is broad, lined with trees, and stretches for 1.9 kilometres between Place de la Concorde and the Arc de Triomphe.
From one end, you can see the monument rising in the distance, which gives the entire street a grand look. The upper section, toward the Arc de Triomphe, is known for shopping. This is where you find global brands such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Cartier, Guerlain, Longchamp, Zara, H&M, and Sephora.
The lower section, closer to Place de la Concorde, feels different. It is greener and calmer, with gardens, fountains, cinemas, and open spaces.
7. Visit Notre-Dame
- Cost: Free to enter
- Timings: 07:50 AM – 10:00 PM (Monday – Friday) 08:15 AM – 07:30 PM (Saturday & Sunday)
Notre-Dame is located on a small island called the Ile de la Cite, in the middle of the Seine River, and it is one of the most iconic landmarks in Paris. It took 182 years to build, from 1163 to 1345. You will see sculpted saints, pointed arches, gargoyles, rose windows, and intricate stonework.
The cathedral became even more meaningful after the 2019 fire, when millions watched the spire collapse live on television, and again it was reopened in December 2024. The restoration took 2,000 craftspeople from 150 companies.
8. Take a Day Trip to Versailles from Paris
- Tour Cost: Approx. 5,000 INR
Versailles is just a 40-minute train ride from Paris. Louis XIV moved his court here from Paris in 1682 and built a palace. Every hall, fountain, and decorative detail was created to impress nobles and foreign diplomats.
The highlight for most visitors is the Hall of Mirrors, one of Europe’s most famous rooms. It stretches 73 metres, with 357 mirrors reflecting the light from tall windows. The gardens alone are spread across 800 hectares and include the Grand Canal, fountains, and two smaller royal residences you can visit separately.
9. Spend a Day at Disneyland Paris
- Cost: Approx. 10,000 INR
- Timings: 09:30 AM – 10:40 PM
Tip: Don’t visit during French school holidays to avoid the long queues.
Disneyland Paris is not just for young children. It is the best place for couples and adults as well.
There are two separate parks here. Disneyland Park is the main one, home to the castle and the classic themed areas such as Fantasyland, Adventureland, Discoveryland, and Frontierland. This is where you find the iconic Disney experience, family rides, parades, and most of the major attractions.
The second park, the Walt Disney Studios Park, focuses more on movie worlds and thrilling rides.
10. Visit Musee d’Orsay
- Cost: Approx. 1,600 INR
- Timings: 09:30 AM – 06:00 PM (Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, & Sunday) 09:30 AM – 09:45 PM (Thursdays). Closed on Mondays.
Musee d’Orsay, the building itself is a former railway station from 1900. Still, there is the original iron-and-glass arched ceiling, huge clock windows and a glass-vaulted roof.
Compared to the Louvre, it is easier to navigate. This is the museum for people who want to see the paintings from 1848 to 1914.
The museum also includes sculpture galleries, decorative arts, photography, and one of the best interior viewpoints in Paris.
11. Relax in the Jardin du Luxembourg Garden
- Cost: Free
- Timings: Opens at 07:30 AM. Closes 4:30 PM and 9:30 PM based on season.
Luxembourg Gardens is a working public park, not a tourist attraction. You will find locals reading on the benches, students from the nearby university eating lunch on the grass, and people playing chess at stone tables.
The centre of the park has a large pond where locals sit in the famous green metal chairs. You can rent small wooden sailboats and push them across the water and play with your kids. There are also 106 statues, tennis courts, an orchard, and a puppet theatre.
12. Explore the Latin Quarter
The Latin Quarter is a perfect picture of Paris as travellers see it. There are cobbled streets, small cafes with chairs outside, bookshops, and old stone buildings. It has been a student neighbourhood since the 13th century. It is named after Latin because scholars here spoke Latin until the 19th century.
The Sorbonne, one of Europe’s oldest universities, still operates here. Then you have the Rue Mouffetard, the market street to walk around. It is open Tuesday to Sunday, 8 AM to 1 PM. It’s one of the places in Paris to buy things at a low cost, such as cheese, vegetables, bread, and street food.
13. Watch a Show at the Moulin Rouge
- Cost: Approx. 12,000 INR
- Timings: Opens after 7 PM. Go to the venue 20 – 30 minutes before your show time.
- Tip: Shorts, flip-flops, sportswear, and casual clothing are not allowed.
The Moulin Rouge is Paris’s most famous night experience. From the outside, the red windmill on the roof is clearly visible. Inside, it is a fully staged theatre production, not a nightclub or casual performance.
The show, Feerie, runs for 1 hour and 50 minutes and has live music, choreography, acrobatics, stage design, and the famous French Cancan (dance), which originated here in 1889.
There are over 80 performers, with more than 1,000 handmade costumes. So, there will be changing scenes, lighting effects, and live orchestration.
14. Visit Sainte-Chapelle
- Cost: Approx. 2,700 INR
- Timings: 09:00 AM – 05:00 PM
Sainte-Chapelle is underrated, and it’s just 300 metres from Notre-Dame. It was built between 1242 and 1248 by King Louis IX for the Crown of Thorns.
The upper level has 15 stained-glass windows, each 15 metres high, and there is barely any concrete wall. From the outside, the building looks relatively small and easy to miss. Inside, especially in the upper chapel, sunlight passes through the glass and fills the entire room with deep blues, reds, and gold.
15. Shop at Galeries Lafayette
- Timings: 10:00 AM – 08:30 PM (Monday – Saturday), 11:00 AM – 08:00 PM on Sundays
Galeries Lafayette is not just a random department store in Paris; the interior here is worth visiting. The moment you walk in through the main entrance on Boulevard Haussmann, there is a 43-metre Art Nouveau stained-glass dome and curved balconies on each floor.
It was built in 1912, and it still attracts people who have come just to photograph it. The store has 3,500 brands across 10 floors and 70,000 square metres.
You can find dedicated areas for Louis Vuitton, Dior, Chanel, and Balenciaga on the lower floors. Sandro, Maje, and Isabel Marant are on the upper floor. For food, go to the 7th floor for French cheese, pastries, wine, and packaged foods.
16. Spend a Day at Le Marais District
The buildings are older, and the streets are narrow here. This was the aristocratic district of Paris in the 17th century, where nobles built large stone mansions known as hotels particuliers.
After the French Revolution, the place became a more culturally mixed part of Paris. Today, Le Marais has art galleries, independent fashion stores, Jewish bakeries, falafel shops, and cafes, all within a few streets.
Also, there is no single main attraction here, which makes people spend time walking around and enjoying their evenings.
17. Visit the Palais Garnier (Paris Opera House)
- Cost: Approx. 3,000 INR
- Timings: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
The Palais Garnier’s exterior impresses every visitor with the gold detailing, statues of composers like Beethoven and Mozart, and a green copper dome.
Inside, the Grand Staircase has 30 types of marble from across the world, and the main waiting hall has columns and crystal chandeliers. In 1964, artist Marc Chagall painted the ceiling in bold blues, reds, and yellows, to make it modern, which is against the classical 19th-century design.
The theatre seats 1,979 people, and this is also the setting that inspired The Phantom of the Opera in 1910.
18. Try Classic Paris Food
Food is the best way to experience Paris. Nowadays, we get everything in India but a croissant from a proper French bakery, fresh out of the oven, completely different. It’s the same with the macarons, crepes, cheese, and even simple cafe coffee.
Trying Paris food is not about dining at a fancy restaurant. The experience comes from how fresh the food is and how it is prepared.
| Popular Cafe in Paris | Popular Restaurants in Paris |
| Café de Flore | Chouchou |
| Les Deux Magots | SHIRO |
| Café de la Paix | La Jacobine |
| Fringe | Au Bourguignon du Marais |
| Café A | Maslow |
| Le Ju’ | Le Florentin |
| Kozy Bosquet | Miznon |
| Le Nemours | Chez Delphine |
19. Explore the Paris Flea Market, Saint-Ouen
The Saint-Ouen flea market is not a typical street market selling souvenirs. It is the largest antique market in the world, spread across 7 hectares with over 2,500 dealers.
Walking through it feels like you are in the middle of a collection of small museums, where everything is for sale. What makes the market different is its structure. It is divided into 14 separate sections, each focusing on a single topic.
You will find everything from old postcards and vintage jewellery to designer accessories and rare furniture pieces.
20. Visit the Catacombs of Paris
- Cost: Approx. 3,500 INR
- Timings: 09:45 AM – 08:30 PM (Closed on Mondays)
The Catacombs of Paris are not one of those places you think is pretty; it is totally out of the Paris style. You need to descend 130 steps underground from the street and enter a narrow stone tunnel where the temperature remains at 14°C year-round.
Then walk around 1.5 km, and you pass through corridors lined with the remains of around 6 million people. The bones are stacked on the wall, floor, and ceiling throughout the tunnel.
This place exists because in 1786, Paris faced a public health crisis. The city’s cemeteries had overflowed, contaminating drinking water. So, the bones of millions of people were transferred underground into tunnels.
Conclusion
Planning is very important when in Paris, as there are many things to do. It’s good to group your activities by area.
The Eiffel Tower, Seine cruise, and Champ de Mars park are close together in the west. The Louvre, Sainte-Chapelle, and Notre-Dame are all within walking distance in the centre. Montmartre, the Moulin Rouge, and the flea market are all in the north.
To avoid staying in the wrong place, missing out on the best experience or need any help with booking activities, flights, and hotels, contact Dimaak Tours. We will guide you throughout your trip to make your vacation stress-free.
FAQs on Top Things to Do in Paris
1. What are the best things to do in Paris for couples?
The most popular experiences for couples in Paris include visiting the Eiffel Tower at sunset, an evening Seine River cruise, and watching a Moulin Rouge show. Then have a cute date at cafes with outdoor seating and relax at Luxembourg Gardens.
2. What are the best things to do in Paris at night?
At night, the Eiffel Tower light show is one of the main highlights. A Seine River cruise with dinner and evening performances is the fanciest nighttime activity.
Also, visit areas like Le Marais and the Latin Quarter, which are also active at night with cafes and restaurants open until late.
3. How many days do you need in Paris?
You need at least 3 days in Paris to visit all the famous attractions like the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Notre-Dame, and a Seine cruise with no rush.
With 4 to 5 days, plan day trips to Versailles, Musee d’Orsay, and roam neighbourhoods like Le Marais and the Latin Quarter for a more authentic French experience.
4. Best area to stay in Paris?
For first-time visitors, staying in the central areas, which are the 1st to 7th arrondissements, as major attractions are nearby.
The Latin Quarter in the 5th arrondissement is good for budget stays and food options. Le Marais in the 3rd or 4th arrondissements is good if you want more cafes and nightlife. The 7th arrondissement is quieter and closer to the Eiffel Tower, but more expensive.
