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Must Things To Do In Paris – One of the best things about city life around the world is the variety of ways to be entertained, whatever your tastes, and that’s certainly true in the city of light (and love) – Paris!
Here are some ways to explore Paris and truly immerse yourself in the city – completely free of course!
Must Things To Do In Paris
1.) Take advantage of the first Sundays free: access to Paris museums and monuments is free on the first Sunday of the month! Check the official website for more details.
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2.) Stroll along La Promenade Plantée: This is basically an old train line covered in trees and offering great views of Paris as you stroll and explore the city from the footbridge.
3.) See the obvious sites: Notre Dame, Sacré Coeur, Jardin des Tuileries, Jardin du Luxembourg…etc. These are all free and probably the most obvious thing to do when you arrive in Paris (hence why they are all grouped here – no need to list them all one after the other 😉 ) so be sure to check them out. check list (if you haven’t already).
6.) Catch a free movie at the outdoor cinema in Parc de la Villette: it’s more of a summer thing of course
7.) Spend an afternoon at Parc des Buttes Chaumont: This is one of those gifts you have to work for! It is a long hike to the Temple of the Sibyl.
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8.) Go vintage shopping in Le Marais: technically free, because you don’t have to buy anything to enjoy the joy of window shopping and daydreaming! Most of the stuff here is really cool, so it’s definitely worth checking it out! If you are planning a trip to Paris, how do you decide what to do? There are places people dream of visiting on their first visit to Paris, like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, but there are also neighborhoods to explore and new dishes to try. This list of things to do in Paris contains 45 of the best experiences you can have in Paris. Don’t expect to see them all on your first trip to Paris, neither do we. If you’re like us, Paris is the type of city you’ll want to visit again. We have been to Paris three times and it just keeps getting better.
At the end of this article, read our recommendations for the best things to do in Paris. If you have limited time in the city, this will help you narrow down that huge list of sites.
Without a doubt, the Eiffel Tower is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Paris. For many people, it’s exciting the first time you see the Eiffel Tower. And for beginners, a visit to Paris wouldn’t be complete without a climb of the Eiffel Tower.
There are three levels at the Eiffel Tower: the first floor, the second floor and the top floor. The first and second floors are accessible by elevator and by taking the stairs. The only way to visit the top of the Eiffel Tower is to take the elevator.
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It’s cheaper and the lines are shorter to take the stairs, simply because very few people want to do a major stair climb. But it’s also a great way to skip the lines or wait in a shorter line at the Eiffel Tower. If you choose to take the stairs, you can also purchase an elevator ticket to reach the top floor.
PRO TIP: The queue to visit the Eiffel Tower can be epic (we’re talking about a 2-3 hour wait). To avoid this nightmare, book your tickets in advance. How far in advance? As soon as you know your travel dates. I’ve heard recent reports that tickets can sell out up to 1-2 months in advance. If so, you can also purchase skip-the-line tickets through GetYourGuide.
The Louvre is the largest art museum in the world. This building was once the home of the kings of France, including Louis XIV. During the French Revolution in the 18th century, the Louvre was transformed into a museum.
The Louvre is huge and you could literally spend days there. However, you can see the highlights (Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and Winged Victory) in just an hour or two.
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Sightseeing ? Yes. But even so, it’s a must. It is one of the most recognizable streets in the world, stretching from Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe. Along the way, head to Ladurée for macaroons, another must-try in Paris.
Sitting atop the Champs-Elysées is the Arc de Triomphe. From the top of the Arc, you benefit from one of the most beautiful views of Paris. Look down the Champs-Elysées to the Louvre, to La Défense and over the rooftops to the Eiffel Tower. At night, you can watch Paris (and the Eiffel Tower) twinkle… quite a sight to behold.
One of the best ways to visit the Arc de Triomphe is to book a skip-the-line ticket, available through GetYourGuide.
PRO TRAVEL TIP: Download the Arc de Triomphe app before you go. This app gives you interesting facts about the Arc de Triomphe and helps identify the buildings you see from the terrace.
Best Things To Do In Paris
The Île de la Cité is the small island in the center of Paris which houses the Sainte-Chapelle and Notre-Dame. It is the historic heart of Paris.
In front of Notre-Dame is a plaque on the ground marking the Point Zero (Point Zéro des Routes de France), the historic center of Paris.
Also on the Île de la Cité is Au Vieux Paris, one of the most beautiful cafés in Paris.
The Pont Neuf is the oldest bridge in Paris. It connects the right bank to the Ile de la Cité. From this bridge, enjoy the view of the Seine, the Pont des Arts (the next bridge over the river) and the Eiffel Tower in the distance.
Must See Attractions In Paris
IMPORTANT NOTE: On April 15, 2019, Notre-Dame suffered a devastating fire. The cathedral and towers will be closed until further notice.
Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the oldest and grandest cathedrals in the world. Go inside to see the nave and the stunning stained glass windows, but the highlight of a visit here is the gargoyle’s view of Paris from the top of the cathedral.
A short walk from Notre-Dame is Sainte-Chapelle, another magnificent cathedral and one of the best stained glass windows in the world. Queues to enter Sainte Chapelle are usually long, but it’s worth the wait.
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The Conciergerie can be combined with a visit to the Sainte Chapelle, since they are located next to each other. This is where Marie Antoinette and others were imprisoned before being taken to Place de la Concorde to be executed.
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Queues can be long to enter Sainte-Chapelle and the Conciegerie. To save time, you can buy a skip-the-line ticket in advance.
Place de la Concorde is a large roundabout sandwiched between the Tuileries Gardens and the Champs-Élysées. This famous square is steeped in French history. It was the place during the French Revolution where King Louis XVI, Marie-Antoinette and Robespierre were executed by guillotine.
From mid-November to early May, a giant Ferris wheel takes pride of place on Place de la Concorde. If the line is short and you want a great view of Paris, consider taking a tour.
Versailles is a royal castle located at the gates of Paris. In 1682, King Louis XIV moved the royal court from the Louvre to the Palace of Versailles. For just over 100 years, it was the seat of government of France. It ended in 1789 with the French Revolution. The monarchy returned to Paris and since then the city of Paris has remained the seat of government of France. During your visit to Versailles, you will visit the castle and stroll through the gardens.
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Access: Take the RER C from Paris to Versailles. This journey takes approximately 45 minutes. Since Versailles is outside the city, your transport card (if you have one) will not be valid for this trip. In the metro station, you will need to purchase a separate return ticket to and from Versailles. This detailed ticket explains how to get from Paris to Versailles.
Hours: The palace is closed on Mondays; open at 9am; The gardens and the park are open every day and for free visit.
Museums Pass: The Museums Pass covers your entry to the castle, the Trianon and Marie-Antoinette’s estate. It does not cover musical gardens. You will have to buy this ticket separately (and you should do it in advance) for 10€.
Versailles Tour: This popular Versailles tour includes skip-the-line access, a 90-minute tour with an expert guide, and access to the gardens.
Iconic Things To Do In Paris On A First Visit (+ Helpful Tips)
There are a bunch of good restaurants and bars that offer a view of the city. Why not watch the sunset and enjoy a fabulous dinner at the same time? Only a few include
