Paris Things to Do: 14 Best Attractions & Hidden Gems Guide

1. Ascend the Eiffel Tower

No visit to the French capital is complete without standing beneath the Iron Lady. Built for the 1889 World's Fair, this 330-meter lattice tower offers three distinct levels of observation. While the second floor provides the best views for photography, the summit offers a dizzying perspective of the entire city. For a unique experience, take the stairs to the second floor instead of the elevator to see the intricate engineering up close.

• Best Time: Sunset for the golden hour and the first hourly sparkle.
• Practical Tip: Book tickets exactly 60 days in advance on the official website to avoid massive queues.
• Price: €11.80 (Stairs to 2nd) – €29.40 (Lift to Summit).

2. Navigate the Louvre Museum

The world's largest art museum is a labyrinth of human history. Housed in a former royal palace, it contains over 35,000 works, including the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and Winged Victory of Samothrace. Don't try to see everything in one day; focus on one or two wings (Denon, Sully, or Richelieu) to avoid museum fatigue.

• Best Time: Wednesday or Friday evenings when the museum stays open late (less crowded).
• Practical Tip: Enter through the Carrousel du Louvre (underground mall) instead of the main Pyramid entrance to save time.
• Price: €22.

3. The Stained Glass of Sainte-Chapelle

Tucked away inside the Palais de Justice, this 13th-century royal chapel is a masterpiece of Rayonnant Gothic architecture. The upper chapel features 15 massive windows, each 15 meters high, depicting 1,113 scenes from the Bible. The effect of the light filtering through the deep reds and blues is often described as standing inside a giant jewelry box.

• Best Time: A sunny morning between 10:00 AM and 11:30 AM.
• Practical Tip: You must pass through airport-style security; do not bring pocket knives or large metal objects.
• Price: €13 (Free with Museum Pass).

4. Explore the Heights of Montmartre

This hilltop village retains a bohemian atmosphere that once attracted Picasso and Dalí. Start at the Place du Tertre to see street artists, then visit the Sacré-Cœur Basilica for panoramic views. Wander away from the main square into the backstreets to find the Le Clos Montmartre vineyard and the famous "sinking house" illusion near the basilica steps.

• Best Time: Early morning to avoid the tourist crowds at the summit.
• Practical Tip: Watch out for "string men" at the base of the stairs who try to tie bracelets on your wrist for money.
• Price: Free (Basilica); €7 (to climb the Dome).

5. Summary of Top Ticketed Attractions

6. The Impressionist Masterpieces at Musée d'Orsay

Set in a stunning former railway station, the Musée d'Orsay houses the world's largest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art. You can stand inches away from masterpieces by Monet, Renoir, Degas, and Van Gogh. The giant station clocks on the upper floor provide a perfect silhouette frame for photos looking out toward the Seine.

• Best Time: Thursday nights when it is open until 9:45 PM.
• Practical Tip: Start at the top floor (Impressionist gallery) and work your way down.
• Price: €16.

7. A Seine River Cruise

Seeing Paris from the water offers a fresh perspective on its monumental architecture. Most cruises depart from near the Eiffel Tower or Pont Neuf. You will glide under historic bridges like the ornate Pont Alexandre III and see Notre-Dame’s facade from the river level. It is particularly romantic at night when the city lights reflect on the water.

• Best Time: Sunset or night for the "City of Light" effect.
• Practical Tip: Vedettes du Pont Neuf offers smaller boats and a more central boarding location.
• Price: €15 – €20.

8. Descend into the Catacombs

For a darker side of Parisian history, head 20 meters underground to the ossuary containing the remains of over six million people. Created in the late 18th century to solve the city's overflowing cemeteries, the tunnels are lined with carefully arranged skulls and bones. It is eerie, silent, and fascinatingly macabre.

• Best Time: Afternoon slots (must be booked online).
• Practical Tip: The temperature remains a constant 14°C (57°F); bring a sweater even in summer.
• Price: €29 (includes audio guide).

9. Stroll through the Jardin du Luxembourg

Commissioned by Marie de' Medici in 1612, these are perhaps the most beautiful gardens in Paris. You can watch children sail wooden boats in the central pond, see locals playing chess, or admire the Medici Fountain. It is the perfect spot for a picnic with a baguette and cheese from a local boulangerie.

• Best Time: Mid-afternoon for people-watching.
• Practical Tip: Chairs in the park are free to move; find a sunny spot or a shady nook near the statues.
• Price: Free.

10. The Rooftops of Galeries Lafayette

While known as a luxury department store, the Haussmann-style building features a stunning stained-glass dome. However, the real secret is the free rooftop terrace on the 7th floor. It offers one of the best views in Paris, looking directly at the Opera Garnier with the Eiffel Tower in the distance.

• Best Time: Noon for clear visibility.
• Practical Tip: Head to the Gourmet building across the street first to grab snacks before going to the roof.
• Price: Free.

11. The Centre Pompidou and Le Marais

The Marais district is the heart of Jewish history and LGBTQ+ culture in Paris. After wandering its narrow medieval streets, visit the Centre Pompidou. The building itself—with its external colored pipes and escalators—is a work of high-tech architecture. Inside, you will find Europe’s largest collection of modern and contemporary art.

• Best Time: Late afternoon, followed by dinner in Le Marais.
• Practical Tip: Don't miss the street art in the plazas surrounding the museum.
• Price: €15.

12. The Arc de Triomphe

Standing at the center of the Place Charles de Gaulle, this monument honors those who fought for France. While impressive from the ground, the view from the top is superior to the Eiffel Tower because you can see the twelve avenues radiating outward in a star pattern (the Étoile).

• Best Time: Just before dusk to see the Champs-Élysées light up.
• Practical Tip: Use the underground tunnel to reach the Arc; never attempt to cross the chaotic traffic circle on foot.
• Price: €16.

13. Shakespeare and Company Bookstore

Located just across the river from Notre-Dame, this English-language bookstore is a pilgrimage site for literature lovers. Once a haunt for writers like Hemingway and Joyce, the current shop is filled with floor-to-ceiling shelves, cozy reading nooks, and a resident cat.

• Best Time: Weekday mornings when it first opens at 10:00 AM.
• Practical Tip: Photography is strictly prohibited inside; enjoy the tactile experience instead.
• Price: Free (but you will likely buy a book).

14. Père Lachaise Cemetery

This is the most visited cemetery in the world and serves as a sprawling park. It is the final resting place of Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison, Edith Piaf, and Frédéric Chopin. The funerary art ranges from simple slabs to elaborate mini-chapels.

• Best Time: A misty morning for a Gothic atmosphere.
• Practical Tip: Download a digital map beforehand; the grounds are massive and easy to get lost in.
• Price: Free.