Things to do in Paris

Marvel at the Eiffel Tower.

A trip to Paris is only complete once you’ve seen the Eiffel Tower. Standing 984 feet tall, the wrought iron structure was originally built for the 1889 World’s Fair.

Now it’s a world-famous landmark. Picnic with locals and tourists alike and watch its dazzling lights at night.

For an extra special treat, you can also take in the sights from above with dinner inside the Eiffel Tower at Le Jules Verne.

Book an Eiffel Tower tour

Visit the Palace of Versailles.

See what it was like to live as a 17th-century king at the Palace of Versailles in the Île-de-France region. Spend the day touring King Louis XVI’s magnificent home, and take a peek into Marie Antoinette’s private Petit Trianon.

Then, walk through the famous Hall of Mirrors and roam through the gardens on a day trip from Paris.

Book a Palace of Versailles tour

Stroll around Montparnasse.

Artists like Picasso, Modigliani and Hemingway called this area known for cheap rent home in the early 1900s. Though it’s a slight detour south of central Paris, it’s worth a stop-in at La Coupole or Le Dôme to drink where the greats used to cheers.

Take a tour of Montparnasse

Channel your inner enfant at Disneyland Paris.

Relive your childhood dreams or take the entire family to Disneyland Paris on a day trip to the magic kingdom.

Explore the five themed areas, meet your favorite characters, watch stunts performed live and get a rush of adrenaline from the rides.

Get Disneyland Paris tickets in advance

Explore the Catacombs.

Under Parisian streets lie the catacombs, old mining tunnels that hold the bones of six million bygone folks. Originally buried in cemeteries, the remnants were moved in the 1700s and 1800s to stabilize the tunnels and clear graveyards. Nowadays you can tour the tunnels, lined with the bones of many famous French figures.

Tour the Catacombs

Watch a show at the Paris Opera House.

Study the Baroque Revival architecture of the Palais Garnier, the stunning opera house that inspired the musical The Phantom of the Opera.

On a tour you’ll visit the grand foyer, main staircase, members’ rotunda and the auditorium, all of which show off the Neo-Baroque decor of the 1860s.

Tour the Paris Opera House

Walk around the Latin Quarter.

Left of the Seine lies the beautifully preserved Latin Quarter, originally named for students at nearby universities who conversed with professors solely in Latin until the French Revolution.

Stroll through tiny cobblestone streets and peer into eclectic bookshops and bistros. The Latin Quarter is lovely for people-watching and sidewalk cafes. There, you’ll also find the Panthéon, Sorbonne University, Luxembourg Gardens and Notre-Dame Cathedral.

Take a walking tour of the Latin Quarter

Shop along the Seine.

Parisienne streets are packed with designer shops, specialized boutiques and markets — especially near the Seine. Boulevard Saint-Germain, Galeries Lafayette and Boulevard Haussmann have cafés, luxury retailers and gourmet food.

Make time to meander through the Marché Dauphine, a covered flea market where you’ll find a little bit of everything. And of course there’s the most famous shopping street of all, right between the Arc de Triomphe and Place de la Concorde: the Avenue des Champs-Élysées.

Enjoy a Paris shopping tour

Get lost in the world’s largest art museum.

The Louvre may be most famous for the Mona Lisa, but don’t overlook its extensive collections of Greek and Roman art. Enter through the glass pyramid and prepare to be awestruck by thousands of masterpieces.

Other popular museums include the Musée d’Orsay, which displays a western collection of art, and the Musée de l’Armée — the largest military museum in France. Fans of Picasso should visit Musée National Picasso-Paris, solely dedicated to his work.

Skip the line with guided Louvre tour tickets