Top 10 List

Top 10 Things to Do in Paris

Ten standout Paris experiences, ranked with practical tips on when to go and how to plan them.

No. 1

Eiffel Tower

Best for: First-time visitors and anyone who wants the classic Paris view
What makes it special: The Eiffel Tower is both Paris's defining landmark and one of its best viewpoints. The second level offers a strong balance of city detail and height, while the summit gives a broader panorama. For some of the best views of the tower itself, head to Trocadéro or the Champ de Mars.
TopTenTravelDestinations tip: Book a timed ticket online well ahead, and take the stairs to the second floor if the lift queue is long — it is faster and usually cheaper.
Don't Miss: The hourly sparkle after dark, best viewed from the Champ de Mars or Trocadéro.

No. 2

Best for: Art lovers and anyone with a half-day to spend indoors
What makes it special: The Louvre is too large to see properly in one visit. Pick two or three areas—such as Italian painting, Egyptian antiquities or French sculpture—and enjoy those well. The former royal palace itself is part of the experience.
TopTenTravelDestinations tip: Check current entrance options before you go. Depending on operating conditions, entrances other than the Pyramid may sometimes be less crowded.
Our Take: The Cour Marly sculpture courts — naturally lit, rarely crowded, and easier to enjoy than the crowd around the Mona Lisa.

No. 3

Best for: Orientation on a first trip, and travelers with limited walking stamina
What makes it special: A Seine cruise connects many of Paris’s major landmarks in a short amount of time, including the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Île de la Cité, historic bridges and views toward the Eiffel Tower. Basic sightseeing cruises are usually the simplest option, while dinner cruises are a more expensive experience.
TopTenTravelDestinations tip: Take the cruise early in your trip. It helps orient you to the city and makes later sightseeing easier to plan.
Our Take: A departure near sunset can give you both daylight views and the city beginning to light up after dark.

No. 4

Best for: History, architecture and a walkable half-day in the city center
What makes it special: Notre-Dame has reopened after its major restoration, and the cathedral's interior is once again accessible to visitors. Pair it with a walk around Île de la Cité and nearby Sainte-Chapelle for one of Paris's strongest history-and-architecture combinations.
TopTenTravelDestinations tip: Entry to Notre-Dame is free. Check the cathedral's official reservation system shortly before your visit if you want a timed slot; walk-up entry is also available, though waits can be longer at busy times.
Don't Miss: Sainte-Chapelle's upper chapel on a bright morning, when the windows are at their strongest.

No. 5

Best for: Atmosphere, views and an easy half-day away from the museums
What makes it special: Montmartre sits on a hill above the city, and the basilica steps give one of the best free panoramas in Paris. The immediate square around Place du Tertre is heavily touristed; the quieter streets to the west and north — vineyards, staircases, small squares — are where the neighborhood still feels lived in.
TopTenTravelDestinations tip: Go early in the morning or later in the evening if you want fewer crowds around Sacré-Cœur and Place du Tertre.
Our Take: The quieter lanes around Rue de l'Abreuvoir and the small vineyard nearby are some of the most photogenic parts of Montmartre.

No. 6

Best for: Travelers who want a major museum they can finish in one visit
What makes it special: Musée d’Orsay combines a major Impressionist and Post-Impressionist collection with one of Paris’s most memorable museum settings: a converted railway station. It is more manageable than the Louvre and works well for visitors who want a major museum experience in a few hours.
TopTenTravelDestinations tip: Head to the Impressionist galleries early in your visit, since they are among the museum’s most popular areas.
Don't Miss: The view of the Seine and Montmartre through the glass face of the station clock on the upper level.

No. 7

Best for: A first-trip landmark walk and the best elevated view of the city grid
What makes it special: The Arc de Triomphe terrace gives one of Paris's strongest panoramic views, looking straight down the city's radiating avenues. The Champs-Élysées adds a grand ceremonial boulevard, major shops and an easy walk toward Place de la Concorde.
TopTenTravelDestinations tip: Use the underground passage to reach the arch; crossing the traffic circle on foot is not permitted. Sunset is the busiest slot on the terrace.
Our Take: Walk downhill toward Place de la Concorde and the Tuileries after your visit. The route gives you a strong sequence of classic Paris views.

No. 8

Best for: Walking, food, independent shops and a slower afternoon
What makes it special: Le Marais escaped much of Paris’s 19th-century rebuilding, so its streets feel older and narrower than much of the city. It combines historic squares, museums in former mansions, boutiques, galleries and plenty of places to stop for food, all within a compact walkable area.
TopTenTravelDestinations tip: Sunday can be a good time to explore Le Marais because many shops and cafés there stay active even when other parts of Paris are quieter.
Don't Miss: Place des Vosges and the arcades that surround it.

No. 9

Best for: A break between sights, families, and anyone traveling with children
What makes it special: Luxembourg Gardens is one of Paris’s best places to slow down between major sights, with gravel paths, the central basin, movable green chairs, tennis courts and family-friendly areas. Its location near Saint-Germain and the Panthéon makes it easy to include in a sightseeing day.
TopTenTravelDestinations tip: Pick up lunch or a snack nearby and enjoy it in the garden. It’s an easy way to take a break without leaving your sightseeing route.
Our Take: The Medici Fountain is a quieter corner of the gardens and a good place to sit for a while.

No. 10

Best for: Travelers with four or more days who want one excursion outside the city
What makes it special: Versailles is about 40 minutes from central Paris by RER, and the palace, gardens and Trianon estate can easily fill a full day. The State Apartments are usually the busiest area, while the gardens and smaller Trianon buildings offer a quieter contrast.
TopTenTravelDestinations tip: Go on a weekday if possible, arrive early, and check the official schedule before booking because fountain and musical-garden programs can affect garden access and ticketing.
Don't Miss: The Queen's Hamlet at the far end of the estate, a rustic model village that feels very different from the palace.

Travel inspiration

Get our newest Top 10 destinations, hotel picks, travel guides and trip ideas delivered to your inbox.