Ready to explore? Here are some of the top things to do in Paris.
GETTING AROUND IN PARIS
Paris is divided into twenty arrondissements.
For your first time in Paris I recommend:
1st Arrondissement: This is the starting point when visiting Paris for the first time. Also known as the Louvre, the arrondissement is situated on the right bank of the River Seine.
Le Marais: Located in the third and fourth arrondissement, this is the closest you will get to the feel of medieval Paris and has more pre-revolutionary buildings and streets left intact than any other area in Paris. It also has a vibrant Jewish community.
7th Arrondissement: This Left Bank neighborhood is also home to numerous tourist attractions, including the Eiffel Tower and the Musée d'Orsay.
8th Arrondissement: A popular area of the city that is home to several impressive palaces, along with the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Elysees.
11th Arrondissement: This area is a popular part of the city for those looking to enjoy the nightlife. There’s a good range of restaurants to enjoy, plus it’s home to the Edith Piaf 's Museum.
La Defense: On the edge of the city, this part of Paris has some wonderful modern art displayed and architecture. This is also one of the city’s main business areas.
TRAVEL TIP
The public transportation in Paris is a very useful and an inexpensive way to get around. Hop on and off the metro or busses to get from place to place! If you are < 26 years old you will have a lot of discounts in different things (transports, free entrances in some museums… check this site to see everything.
If you are heading to somewhere further away, you can always grab a taxi or Uber. However, the best way to see the city is to walk around on foot! We have walked ~12 km per day.
There are tons of attractions to visit in Paris. These are my favorites:
The Eiffel Tower
What would a trip to Paris be without a visit to the famous Eiffel Tower? Built for the 1889 World Fair, it stands at 324 meters tall and offers some seriously impressive views of the city.
While there is a cost to go up, it’s definitely worth it if you want to see Paris from a new perspective. If you don’t feel like going to the top or have a fear of heights, you can still enjoy it from below at one of the nearby parks (Champs de Mars) or even go to Trocadero (one of my favorite spots to take photos).
Louvre Museum
The Louvre Museum is the most visited museum in the world. In 2018, it welcomed more than 8 million visitors!
Inside the museum you will find Leanardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa's painting and the famous Venus de Milo statue.
The Louvre is a massive building, and you’ll want to plan your visit out before you arrive. With so many exhibits, you won’t get through everything in one day, so it’s a good idea to have a game plan and download the museum’s app to help you get around. If you don’t want to go inside you can simply admire the building and pyramids from the outside. I also recommend you to visit Jardin de Tuileries that is a public garden located between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde.
Notre Dame
Since Notre Dame was completed in 1345, it has been the religious heart of the city. It’s considered the finest example of French Gothic architecture.
Cross Pont de la Tournelle to the Left Bank. Walk along the Seine. As you approach Pont de l’Archeveche you get a beautiful view of Notre Dame. As you continue your walk along the river you will notice stands set up selling books. These booksellers, or “bouquinistes” sell used/ 2nd hand books, magazines, and posters.
With the great fire that destroyed part of the building in April 2019, Notre Dame is now in construction and you can not get closer.
You will also pass Shakespeare & Company. This bookstore opened in 1919 and was a gathering place for Ernest Hemingway, James Joyce, and Ezra Pound.
Champs Elysees
The Champs Elysees is one of Paris’ most iconic streets. Lining the boulevard on either side are manicured trees leading up to another of the city’s top attractions, the Arc de Triomphe. It’s also one of the best sunset spots in Paris.
Arc de Triomphe
Commissioned by Napolean in 1806, the Arc de Triomphe was built to celebrate Napolean’s victory at the Battle of Austerlitz. If you’re looking for an incredible sunset spot in Paris, climb the 300 stairs to the top of the building. It will cost you about 10-12€ but the view is worth it!
Montmartre
Montmartre is one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Paris, and definitely one of my favorites (despite the crowds).
You will probably recognize many streets and scenes from paintings you saw elsewhere, as this is a very famous spot for artists. It is considered the Bohemian neighborhood of Paris, so everything an artist like.
Explore around, you will find stores selling all kinds of stuff, it is a good place if you are looking for souvenirs to bring back home. There are many cafes where you can have a good meal and a delicious crepe.
Sacre Coeur
TIP: You can take the cable car to Sacre Coeur (if you have a metro ticket you can use it for free to enter the cable car).
The Sacre Coeur will probably be crowded, especially if you go during the summer, but the entrance is free, so no reason to give up. Bear in mind, unfortunately, it is not allowed to take pictures inside the church. The Sacre-Coeur Basilica sits atop the highest hill in Paris. The steps in front of the Basilica are a popular spot to watch the sunset.
Moulin Rouge
This is the most famous cabaret and a must-see in Paris. It was built in 1889 and is one of the few traditional cabarets that are still working. During the night, the lights are on, which gives an absolutely new charm to the place.
WHERE TO EAT IN PARIS:
Here are 2 of my favourite places in Paris:
Pink Mamma - Near Moulin Rouge - Italian food (be aware that this restaurant doesn’t take reservations so you need to be the first one to arrive if you don't want to wait a lot (we arrived at 18h45)
- Breizeh Cafe - Le Marais area- to eat the famous galettes
FACTS
Language: While some people may speak English or other European languages, I recommend to try to learn a few words in French.
Currency: Euro.
Credit Cards and Banks: All tourist areas will have ATMs with most hotels and restaurants accepting credit cards, although it is wise to carry some cash as small retailers may not take cards. I use my revolut card to pay everything. You can get yours here.
Climate: The weather in Paris is generally quite mild for most of the year, with a reasonable amount of rain throughout the year. Take your umbrella.
Cold season: Daytime temperatures between November and February rarely get above ten degrees Celsius, but seeing Paris in the snow can add a whole new dimension to this lovely city.
Hot season: July and August are usually the hottest months in Paris
You can also check my Paris highlight on my Instagram here.
@MarianaGemelgo
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