Paris Bucket List
Looking for the best things to do in Paris, France? Check out my ultimate Paris bucket list!
Paris is one of my favorite places in the world. It’s the first international destination I ever visited (when I was five years old!) and it’s a city I’ve returned to again and again ever since. I even lived in Paris when I was in college, and last year I spent one month in Paris taking French classes and enjoying the city.
I’ve spent so much time in and around Paris, exploring all that it has to offer.
Whether you’re visiting Paris for the first time or you’ve been before, I’ve put together a big list of Paris bucket list ideas for you below. These are the best things to do in Paris, organized by type of activity.
Don’t have a hotel in Paris yet? Check out my top recommendations here:
- 11 Best Boutique Hotels in Paris, France
- 18 Best Paris Hotels with Eiffel Tower Views
- Where to Stay in Paris for the First Time
And here’s a look at the ultimate Paris bucket list of things you need to do in the City of Light!
Note: I’ve linked to some activities, attractions, and experiences on GetYourGuide. I highly recommend using this platform to book tickets for things in Paris, because you can get the lowest price and have the flexibility to reschedule or cancel your tickets at no added cost. I always use GetYourGuide when I travel!
Things to Do
Let’s start off with some classic tourist attractions and famous sights in Paris, as well as unique entertainment and experiences you can only have in Paris. These are some of the best things to do in Paris…
- See the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night
- Climb to the top of the Arc de Triomphe for amazing views
- Visit the stunning Notre-Dame Cathedral and admire the restored interiors
- Climb to the rooftop of Notre-Dame Cathedral for more incredible views
- Attend a performance (or just take a tour) at the famous Palais Garnier opera house
- Visit the white basilica of Sacré-Cœur in Montmartre
- Watch a nightly can-can show at the Moulin Rouge in Montmartre
- Visit the iconic Shakespeare and Company bookstore
- Check out the Panthéon in the Latin Quarter, where many famous historical figures are buried
- Shop or just admire the grand interior of the Galeries Lafayette department store
- Go to the rooftop of Galeries Lafayette for a great (free!) view
- Take a river cruise along the Seine River
- Descend beneath the streets of Paris to explore the spooky Catacombs
- Listen to live jazz music at Caveau de la Huchette in the Latin Quarter
- Shop in the trendy boutiques of Le Marais
- Take in the views of the city from Tour Montparnasse
- Visit the beautiful Grand Mosque of Paris
- See the opulent interior of Saint-Chapelle
- Browse Galerie Vivienne, a hidden covered passage filled with shops
- Stroll down the colorful, picture-perfect Rue Crémieux
Museums
Paris is a city full of incredible museums, which is why I had to make this a whole category on its own. I’m personally a big museum person, so I’ve been to all of these Paris museums and more. But even if you don’t love museums, you shouldn’t miss visiting some of these world-class museums in Paris.
- Admire the Mona Lisa and other iconic art at the Musée du Louvre
- See famous Impressionist works at the Musée d’Orsay
- Take in Monet’s water lilies and more at Musée de l’Orangerie
- Learn about the history of Paris at the Musée Carnavalet (it’s free!)
- See the works of sculptor Auguste Rodin at the open-air Musée Rodin
- Check out modern art at the funky Centre Pompidou
- Step back in time to the medieval era at the Musée de Cluny
- View the largest collection of Picasso’s works at the Musée Picasso
- Admire modern art at the futuristic Fondation Louis Vuitton
- See excellent European art at the Petit Palais (another free museum!)
Food
Paris is an amazing city for cuisine! Food is considered to be an art in France, and Paris is home to all kinds of culinary delights. These are some of the best food experiences to have while in Paris.
- Take a food tour of a neighborhood like Le Marais or Montmartre
- Indulge in thick and decadent hot chocolate at Angelina
- Try colorful and delicious macarons from Ladurée or Pierre Hermé
- Take a croissant baking class to master this iconic French food
- Stop at a famous cafe like Café de Flore or Les Deux Magots in Saint-Germain-des-Prés
- Enjoy a wine and cheese tasting
- Have dinner at a rooftop restaurant with Eiffel Tower views
- Learn how to craft delicate pastries at a macaron-making class
- Eat at Le Procope, the oldest restaurant in Paris
- Order late-night crepes from a street cart
- Enjoy a dinner cruise with amazing views along the Seine River
- Get ice cream from the historic Berthillon
- Try great ethnic food (my favorites in Paris are Ethiopian, Moroccan, and Chinese!)
- Have lunch at Polidor, one of the oldest bistros in Paris
- Try a croque-monsieur (or a variation of it) at Fric-Frac
Outdoors
One thing I love about Paris is how walkable it is. From strolls through the city’s manicured parks to walks along the Seine River or Paris’s charming streets, these are some great outdoor activities to do.
- Have a picnic on the Champ de Mars in front of the Eiffel Tower
- Walk across Pont Neuf (New Bridge), which is actually the oldest bridge in Paris
- Relax and people-watch in the Jardin des Tuileries
- Go for a stroll along the Seine River
- Go for a walk through the Jardin du Luxembourg
- Have a picnic along the hip Canal Saint-Martin
- Stroll the Promenade Plantée, an elevated park built on old train tracks
- Visit Père-Lachaise, a cemetery where many famous people are buried
- Check out the botanical gardens at the Jardin des Plantes
- Watch the sunset from the steps of Sacré-Cœur
Day Trips
Although Paris is amazing, you should definitely try to get out of the city once or twice! Luckily, there are some really great day trip options not too far from Paris. Within a couple of hours, you can be exploring a historic chateau or seeing a famous artist’s gardens. These are the best day trips for your Paris bucket list.
- Visit Versailles and explore the stunning palace and elaborate gardens
- Go to the impressive Chateau de Fontainebleau, a great alternative to Versailles
- Spend a fun and magical day at Disneyland Paris
- Experience World War II history on a day trip to Normandy
- Step into a real-life Impressionist painting in Monet’s gardens at Giverny
- Visit the gorgeous Chateau de Chantilly and its picturesque grounds
- Explore the Champagne region of France with a visit to Reims
- Be amazed by the ancient town on the tidal island of Mont St. Michel
- Go wine tasting and see impressive chateaux in the Loire Valley
- Experience the charm of Strasbourg, in the Alsace region near Germany
Seasonal
These are not things you can experience year-round in Paris, but if you’re visiting during a particular season, these are some cool experiences, holidays, and events that you can add to your Paris bucket list.
- Visit the festive Paris Christmas markets in December
- See the grand Galeries Lafayette Christmas tree inside the department store
- Photograph cherry blossoms near the Eiffel Tower in the springtime
- See spring flowers at the Jardin des Plantes and other parks around the city
- Attend the French Open tennis tournament in late May or early June
- Dress up for the Versailles Masked Ball in June
- Celebrate Bastille Day (France’s national holiday) on July 14
- Enjoy the Fête des Tuileries, when the Jardin des Tuileries turns into a summer amusement park
- Visit Paris during Fashion Week (it happens twice a year in spring and fall)
- See beautiful fall foliage around the city during the autumn
Paris Bucket List Ideas
This guide showed you the best Paris bucket list ideas.
I hope you found some great ideas that you can add to your Paris itinerary from this guide. These are some of my favorite things to do in Paris that I would highly recommend to first-time and repeat visitors.
Whether you’re looking for iconic tourist attractions, amazing museums, unique foodie experiences, outdoor activities, or great day trips, these are the best things to add to your Paris bucket list.
Enjoy your trip to Paris!
Related Guides:
