Paris has a way of seducing you at first sight. The sparkle of the Seine at twilight, the elegance of a café terrace, the way light kisses limestone façades — it all feels cinematic, as if the entire city is conspiring to sweep you off your feet.
But where do you start? Whether it’s your very first visit or your fifth, there are some Parisian experiences that feel absolutely essential — the ones that capture both the grandeur and the intimacy of the City of Light.
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Here are 15 things to do in Paris you truly won’t want to miss.
1. See the Eiffel Tower at Golden Hour
Yes, it’s cliché. Yes, it’s crowded. But there’s no escaping it: the Eiffel Tower is the heartbeat of Paris.
Whether you climb it, dine in it, or simply admire it from a distance, you’ll never forget your first glimpse.
The key is timing. During golden hour, when the sun dips low and the tower glows bronze against a pastel sky, the experience feels cinematic.
Spread out a picnic on the Champ de Mars with cheese, wine, and a fresh baguette. Or take the classic photo from the Trocadéro steps as the tower twinkles at the top of the hour.
The moment is pure Paris — unapologetically romantic and unforgettable. Truly one of the must-do highlights when it comes to the top things to do in Paris.
Pro Tip: Book your tickets to the summit in advance online, especially in summer. If heights aren’t your style, Rue de l’Université offers one of the most photogenic (and less crowded) views of the tower.
2. Wander the Louvre Museum (Beyond the Mona Lisa)
The Louvre Museum isn’t just one of the world’s greatest galleries — it’s also high on any list of things to do in Paris for first-time or seasoned travelers alike.
Think Napoleon’s apartments, Egyptian antiquities, and entire galleries that feel almost empty compared to that one famous room. Even the glass pyramid outside is a work of art, glowing dramatically at night.
You could spend days here and still not see it all. But even a few hours will give you a taste of its grandeur.
Pro Tip: The Louvre stays open late on Wednesdays and Fridays. Go then for fewer crowds and a chance to see the pyramid illuminated at night.
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3. Climb to the Musée d’Orsay Clock
Housed in a former Beaux-Arts railway station, the Musée d’Orsay is filled with Impressionist treasures. Monet, Renoir, Degas, Van Gogh — it’s a dream collection.
But don’t miss the museum’s own jewel: the giant clock window overlooking the city. Standing behind it feels like stepping into a vintage postcard of Paris.
The soaring glass ceilings and ornate details make the space itself a masterpiece. It’s more manageable than the Louvre, but no less magical.
Pro Tip: Start on the top floor and work your way down. You’ll catch the clock window early and avoid the heaviest crowds.
4. Stroll Île de la Cité & See Notre Dame
Even as Notre Dame undergoes restoration, its gothic towers remain iconic.
Wander the Île de la Cité — cobbled lanes, flower stalls, and the famous Shakespeare & Company bookshop just across the river. This tiny island is where Paris began, and you can feel its soul in every stone.
Pro Tip: Visit early in the morning for quiet streets, then stop for a coffee at Café Saint-Régis.
5. Drift Down the Seine on a Night Cruise
By day, the Seine River is charming. But by night, it transforms into something unforgettable.
A Seine night cruise is one of the most magical things to do in Paris at night, as monuments shimmer to life and the water reflects their glow.
You’ll float past icons like the Eiffel Tower twinkling, the Louvre illuminated, and the city’s romantic bridges glowing golden — all of it unfolding like a living postcard.
Pro Tip: Choose an open-air boat such as Vedettes du Pont Neuf. Bring a scarf, sit outside, and enjoy the most atmospheric photos of your trip.
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6. Sunset on Montmartre’s Sacré-Cœur Steps
Climbing Montmartre may leave you breathless, but the view from Sacré-Cœur will take the rest away.
At sunset, street musicians play as locals share wine and travelers soak in a panorama stretching across all of Paris. It’s a magical moment that belongs on every list of essential things to do in Paris.
It feels less like sightseeing and more like stepping into a scene from a French film — a timeless Parisian ritual of light, sound, and cityscape.
Pro Tip: Skip the funicular. Walk up the ivy-draped side streets for a more atmospheric approach.
7. Climb the Arc de Triomphe
Standing at the top of the Arc de Triomphe, you’ll see the Eiffel Tower perfectly framed by grand boulevards radiating outward like a star.
The view is jaw-dropping, especially at sunset when the city transitions from daylight to twinkling night.
Pro Tip: Time your visit for dusk to watch Paris light up in real time.
8. Picnic in the Luxembourg Gardens
The Luxembourg Gardens aren’t just a park — they’re Parisian daily life in miniature.
Children sail toy boats across the fountains, locals read in iconic green chairs, and lovers linger beneath tree-lined promenades.
Bring a baguette, cheese, and a bottle of wine. It’s the quintessential Paris picnic.
Pro Tip: Stop at Gérard Mulot bakery nearby for perfect picnic supplies.
9. Get Lost in Le Marais
A neighborhood that blends history and trend, Le Marais is endlessly charming.
Think chic boutiques, falafel shops, hidden courtyards, and galleries tucked into medieval streets.
Don’t miss Place des Vosges, a serene square that feels timeless.
Pro Tip: Grab lunch at L’As du Fallafel — then head to Place des Vosges for alfresco dining Parisian-style.
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10. Marvel at Sainte-Chapelle’s Stained Glass
Just steps from Notre Dame, Sainte-Chapelle is a hidden gem.
Step inside and you’re bathed in rainbow light from 15 towering stained-glass windows. It feels like being inside a jewel box.
Pro Tip: Visit in late afternoon when the sun sets the windows ablaze with color.
11. Admire the Belle Époque Glamour of the Opéra Garnier
The Opéra Garnier is a Belle Époque fantasy of gold, marble, and chandeliers.
Wander its grand staircase, marvel at Marc Chagall’s painted ceiling, and soak up the opulence. Even without a performance, it’s unforgettable.
Pro Tip: Take a guided morning tour before large groups arrive — the quiet enhances the magic.
12. Reflect in the Panthéon
In the Latin Quarter, the Panthéon blends neoclassical grandeur with deep layers of French history.
Inside, you’ll find the tombs of Voltaire, Rousseau, Victor Hugo, and Marie Curie — names that shaped culture and science. Step outside, and the dome rewards you with one of the most sweeping views of Paris.
Visiting this monument is more than architecture; it’s an essential stop on any guide to the top things to do in Paris.
Pro Tip: Climb the dome for one of the most underrated Eiffel Tower views in the city.
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13. Discover the Rodin Museum & Gardens
The Rodin Museum is as much about its outdoor spaces as it is about the masterpieces inside.
Amid roses and fountains, sculptures like The Thinker and The Kiss seem to breathe with new life in the open air. The setting is serene, romantic, and uniquely Parisian — an artistic escape tucked away from the city bustle.
Exploring this garden oasis feels like stepping into a hidden gem, making it one of the more refined yet essential things to do in Paris for art and culture lovers.
Pro Tip: Short on time? Buy a garden-only ticket. It’s affordable and still magical.
14. Rooftop Views from Galeries Lafayette
Skip the boutiques and head upstairs. The rooftop terrace of Galeries Lafayette offers sweeping city views — and it’s free.
From here, the Eiffel Tower, Opéra Garnier, and endless rooftops stretch before you.
Pro Tip: Arrive at sunset, when the sky blushes pink behind the Eiffel Tower. Champagne optional, but encouraged.
15. Experience Paris Café Culture
More than sightseeing, sitting at a sidewalk café is a Parisian ritual.
Order a café crème or a glass of wine, watch the world pass by, and soak in the rhythm of daily life.
This is where Paris teaches you to slow down and savor.
Pro Tip: Skip tourist-heavy cafés near major landmarks. Try Café de Flore or a tucked-away bistro in Le Marais.
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Closing
Paris isn’t a city you simply see — it’s a city you experience. These 15 things to do in Paris capture its magic, but they’ll also leave you longing for more.
And that’s the beauty of the City of Light: there’s always a reason to return, to discover another corner, another café, another unforgettable moment.
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