Are you looking for fun things to do in Paris? Paris is filled with beautiful places! In this article, you’ll read all about the best well-known and the lesser-known spots.
Why should you visit Paris?
Paris, the capital of France, is one of the most famous cities in Europe. When you visit Paris it feels like you’re walking on a movie set. Everywhere you look there are impressive and well-known buildings and landmarks. In any case, you will be amazed and there is a good chance that you will return to this beautiful city after a weekend in Paris.
I myself have been to Paris four times (and I will go again soon!) and in this article, I’ll share an overview of the most fun things to do in Paris. This list undoubtedly includes places that you already know, but I’m sure there are also unknown places for you to discover in Paris.
These are the most beautiful sights in Paris
Do you want to visit Paris but don’t know what to do in Paris? Here are 17 fun things to do in Paris.
The Eiffeltower
The most famous building in Paris is of course the Eiffel Tower. You can see this impressive colossus from many places in the city, but it is definitely thrilling to see it up close. And for a beautiful view of Paris, you can take the elevator or climb the stairs to the top of the Eiffel Tower.
TIP: Don’t feel like waiting in line for a ticket? Skip the line and buy your entrance ticket beforehand, which you can do via this website.
Strolling along the Seine
A good start in Paris is to go for a stroll along the river Seine. You will see many of the most beautiful sights in Paris such as Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower. In addition, you can also buy fun souvenirs at one of the many stalls along the Seine. Also, don’t forget to cross the Seine every now and then. The bridges are gorgeous, and from here, you’ll even have a better view of the river and the city.
Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe is another world-famous landmark in Paris. This triumphal arch is located on the Place Charles de Gaulle, an incredibly busy place in terms of traffic. The enormous structure is a beautiful thing to see. And did you know that you can also visit it and climb the roof of the Arc de Triomphe? Tickets can be purchased through this website.
Visit the Louvre Museum
There are many beautiful museums in Paris, but if you have to choose one to visit during your Paris city trip, it should be the Louvre Museum. In addition to the famous Mona Lisa, there are so many other impressive artworks to see. For example, statues from ancient Egypt and works by the Dutch masters (including Rembrandt). There are even some statues from Easter Island. The museum is huge, so you won’t be able to see it all in one day, just pick your favorite section.
Order your ticket for the Louvre here and skip the line!
Père Lachaise Cemetery
I only visited the famous Père-Lachaise cemetery during my last visit to Paris. And it was a pleasant surprise! It’s by far the most beautiful cemetery I’ve ever been to. It’s situated beautifully on a hill, with lots of big mausoleums. Here you will find the graves of some famous artists, like Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, and Frederic Chopin. The best thing: it’s very quiet (which is very nice in busy Paris) and at some points, you’ll have a great view of the city and the Eiffel tower.
Jardin du Luxembourg
Are you blessed with beautiful weather during your city trip to Paris and do you want to relax for a minute? Then head to Jardin du Luxembourg, one of the most beautiful parks in Paris. It’s a gigantic park (surrounding a palace) and it has lots of chairs for you to just pick up and sit anywhere you like.
Basilique du Sacré-Cœur
Sacré-Coeur Basilica is situated on a hill in the neighborhood called Montmartre. The church is a sight to behold from the inside, but most people just climb the hill near the church to enjoy the spectacular view of Paris from the steps.
Montmartre
The Sacré-Cœur is located in the Montmartre district and this is the most enjoyable districts in Paris. VERWIJ This is also the Paris you know from the movies: narrow streets, lovely restaurants, street performers, and painters. It is a lively neighborhood with a lot to see and explore.
The Notre Dame
This photo of Notre Dame was taken in 2016.
Notre Dame is the most famous church in Paris and stands on an island in the River Seine. Unfortunately, the church has been closed to visitors since the horrific fire in April 2019 (hopefully we can visit it again in the future!), but you can still get a good look at it from the outside.
The Pantheon
Most people know the Pantheon in Rome, but did you know that there is also one in Paris? It is mainly known as a cemetery for famous French people, including Voltaire, Victor Hugo, and Marie Curie, who are buried here. You can also admire the Foucault Pendulum here. This pendulum proved the Earth’s rotation in 1951.
Get your ticket here if you want to visit the Panthéon.
Disneyland Paris
Ok, it’s not quite in Paris, but it’s awesome to visit Disney as a day trip when you’re in Paris. Disneyland Paris consists of two parks: Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park. The first park is all about famous fairy tales and stories, and the second park is all about the movie world. Both parks are a joy to visit for both young and old.
TIP Would you like to stay a little longer in Disneyland Paris? You can often find great package deals via the official website, which saves you a lot on your entrance tickets and accommodation.
Musée Rodin
Musée Rodin is a calm oasis in the center of Paris. The museum is located in an estate with a large garden and here you can see the work of the painter and sculptor Auguste Rodin. Especially the garden full of statues is a sight to see and wonderful to explore.
Buy your ticket for Musée Rodin here.
Parc des Buttes-Chaumont
One of the most special parks in Paris is located a bit out of the city center, in the 19th arrondissement. Parc des Buttes-Chaumont is a park full of height differences, which makes it feel a bit like you are no longer in Paris. Especially the steep rock formation with the chapel in the center of the park is a striking place.
Opéra Garnier
For a long time, Opéra Garnier was the largest opera house in Europe and it is therefore very impressive to admire this building from 1875. There are many beautiful details in the facade of the building alone, but it is even more fun to take a look inside Opéra Garnier. Everywhere you look you see marble floors, red plush, and beautiful statues. You can check out the building when you’re attending a performance, but you can also opt to take a guided tour.
Galeries Lafayette
It feels a bit crazy to put a shopping center on this list of fun things to do in Paris, but Galeries Lafayette is really one of those places you can’t miss in Paris. It has a huge stained-glass dome and from the roof, you have a great view of the city. This is really one of the best things to do when visiting Paris on a budget because you can visit the mall for free.
Canal Saint-Martin
Canal Saint-Martin is located in the 10th arrondissement and is a 4550-meter long canal. Part of the canal is covered. The part around Le Bassin de la Villette (near the Riquet metro stop) is a very fun place to visit. This area is filled with cozy terraces, restaurants, and cafes, which makes it a lively neighborhood where you’ll see a lot of locals.
Musée d’Orsay
The last museum I want to mention in this list is Musée d’Orsay. This museum is located in a former train station and therefore the building alone is great to see. Here you will mainly see artworks from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, such as works by Monet, Van Gogh, and Toulouse-Lautrec.
Skip the line and buy your ticket for Musée d’Orsay here.
How to get to Paris?
In my opinion, these are the most fun things to do in Paris. Are you looking forward to a Paris city trip after reading this article? As a metropolis, Paris is of course very easily accessible. You can visit Paris easily by plane or train.
From all over Europe, there are high-speed train connections to Paris. For example, you can travel to Paris by train in just 3,5 hours from Amsterdam. You can buy tickets through RailEurope. Do you want to travel to Paris by train as cheaply as possible? You should book the cheapest train tickets as early as possible. This can usually be done three months in advance.
In addition, you can travel to Paris by plane from all over the world. Check Skyscanner to find the cheapest flights to Paris. Please note: you’ll make additional costs to get from the airport to the city and this also takes quite a lot of time.
Where to stay in Paris
There are a lot of hotels, hostels, and apartments where you can stay in Paris. I myself like to stay near Montmartre so that I can easily go to the Sacre Coeur in the evening to watch the sunset. These are my favorite hotels in Paris after four visits:
- Hôtel du Triangle d’Or: only a few minutes walk from Jardin des Tuileries and Opera Garnier. Nicely decorated with a musical theme.
- Hotel Diva Opera: a 15-minute walk from Gare du Nord (which is convenient if you arrive by train) and a 20-minute walk to the Sacré-Cœur. This is a nice hotel in a somewhat quieter area.
More hotel rooms, availability, and prices can be found on Booking.com.
If you stay in Paris a little longer, it might nice to have your own apartment instead of staying in a hotel. In that case, it is convenient to book something through Airbnb. Have you never done that? Then use this link to sign up and get a discount on your first booking.
Do you want to read more about Paris?
Order one of these recommended travel guides:
Paris in Stride: An Insider’s Walking Guide
Other articles about beautiful places in France also appeared on this website. Check them out:
- Awesome day trips from Nice, France (and other useful tips)
- 13 Great things to do in Normandy
- Awesome cities in France for a perfect citytrip
This article first appeared in April 2016. Last update: June 2021.
Hi, and how nice of you to read this disclaimer! As you may understand, maintaining a website is not free. That is why some of the links in this article are affiliate links. If you use these links to book or buy anything, I’ll get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you!
Leave a reply