Paris Bucket List: 50 of the Best Things to Do, See and Eat in Paris
This Paris bucket list is packed with museums, cathedrals, historic sites and parks in the French City of Lights.
From the dancing lights of the Eiffel Tower to famous art museums and Gothic churches, this Paris bucket list packs in all the best Paris landmarks and experiences. Whether you’re after the best free things to do in Paris or the top luxury shopping districts, it’s all right here!
With 50 of the top things to see, do and eat in Paris, this list will help you design the perfect Paris itinerary for your first visit. We’ve broken it all down into categories, so you can scroll to the Paris activities that interest you the most, whether that’s famous monuments, impressionist art, shops and markets, or epic views.
There’s also a cheaper Paris Museum Pass with admission to dozens of museums and monuments around the city.
Keep reading for the top Paris bucket list landmarks to figure out what should soar to the top of your Paris itinerary!
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Paris Go City Pass
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The Ultimate Paris Bucket List
This Paris bucket list is broken down into categories so you can quickly find the best things to do in Paris to fit your interests.
Paris Landmarks and Experiences
Seine Boat Tours
Sightseeing boat rides and twilight cruises on the Seine are a great way to soak up all the Paris views along the riverfront. Sailings after dark really paint a romantic picture of the City of Lights. A boat ride on the Seine is one of the best things to add to your Paris bucket list!
Eiffel Tower
Built in 1889, the Eiffel Tower is one of the most famous landmarks in Paris and around the world. It’s 1,063 feet tall with three levels of observation decks you can access via elevators. Stairs also go to the 2nd floor. The city panoramas from the top are spectacular, but you’ll also want to spend some time in the gardens on either side of the tower enjoying the views of the Iron Lady.
Louvre
Paris’ most famous museum holds one of the most famous paintings in the world — the “Mona Lisa.” Most tourists come here just to see Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece, crowding into the room where the small portrait is housed. The rest of the massive art museum holds a wealth of paintings from other European icons, as well as Greek and Egyptian antiquities.
Notre-Dame Cathedral
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris has been a symbol of Paris since the 13th century. You can admire the Gothic exterior from the courtyard or Square Rene Viviani, on the left bank of the Seine in the Latin Quarter or venture inside to tour the crypt.
Sainte-Chapelle
Near the famous Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle also dates to Gothic days but has a much different appearance inside with 15 windows full of stained glass. More than 1,000 panes display colorful bible scenes that dazzle when the sun shines through.
Arc de Triomphe
One of the most famous monuments in Paris, Arc de Triomphe was built during the early 1800s Napoleon era. The arched structure in the middle of a traffic circle is nearly 165 feet tall and has breathtaking views of the Eiffel Tower from a terrace at the top. This one is definitely Paris bucket list worthy.
Sacre-Coeur
The white domes that pop up from the Paris skyline belong to the Sacre-Coeur Basilica, which sits high on a hill overlooking the city. Because of its elevation, the courtyard here is a popular place to soak up city views, as you can see the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame and other landmarks. You can also pop into the church for a look around and climb up into one of the domes for a fee.
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Pont Alexandre III
The lavish Pont Alexander III bridge over the Seine draws tourists for both its ornate details and spectacular views toward the Eiffel Tower. It was built at the end of the 19th century and has Art Nouveau lamps, golden statues on carved posts, and an arched structure.
Arts and Culture
Musée Rodin
Fans of French sculptor Auguste Rodin will appreciate the pieces at this museum dedicated to his works. You can walk around a sculpture garden just outside.
Palais Garnier
Dating to 1875, the Palais Garnier opera house hosts music and dance performances in an auditorium adorned with a colorful ceiling and elaborate chandelier. It’s perhaps most famous as the setting for the story of the “Phantom of the Opera,” and on tours of the interior, you can pop by the box reserved for the phantom.
Musée d’Orsay
One of Paris’ top art museums, Musée d’Orsay is known for its impressionist collection from French and other European artists like Renoir, Van Gogh and Monet. It’s located in a former Beaux-Arts train station that was built for the 1900 world’s fair in Paris.
Musée de l’Orangerie
Located near the Louvre in the 1st arrondissement, Musée de l’Orangerie is best known as the home of Monet’s famous “Water Lilies” paintings. The collection here includes impressionist and post-impressionist works.
Petit Palais
One of a pair of palaces built for the 1900 world’s fair in Paris, Petit Palais is stunning from the outside and has a garden courtyard within the walls. It’s also home to a fine arts museum with a collection from the Renaissance through the 1900s.
Dali Paris
As the name implies, Dali Paris holds a permanent collection of about 300 Salvador Dali works, including sculptures and engravings by the Spanish surrealist.
Moulin Rouge
Established in the late 19th century, Moulin Rouge is known for its cabaret performances and the giant windmill that adorns the exterior. Just outside the Montmartre neighborhood, it still puts on lively and colorful music and dance shows for tourists.
Picasso Museum
The art museum dedicated to Spanish painter and sculptor Pablo Picasso is located in a 17th-century building in Le Marais. The gallery includes some 5,000 works as well as the artist’s own collection.
Historic Sites
Place de la Concorde
Marking the east end of Champs-Elysees on the border of the 1st and 8th arrondissements, Place de la Concorde is a historic public square dating to the 18th century. Decorated with fountains and a tall Egyptian obelisk, the large square was used as the execution site of Marie Antoinette and King Louis XVI during the French revolution. It’s now a busy traffic circle and tourist zone.
Conciergerie
Dating to the middle ages, the Conciergerie building has been a palace and prison, but now mostly holds judicial offices and courtrooms. Parts of it are open to the public as a national monument.
Les Invalides
This complex in the 7th arrondissement has museums dedicated to the Army of France, to 20th-century history, and to military models and maps. The Dôme des Invalides, the tallest church in Paris at some 350 feet, is also here and holds the tomb of Napoleon and other notable French military members.
Catacombs
An underground labyrinth of tunnels, the Catacombs of Paris hold the remains of millions of residents in former quarries. This may not be an attraction that appeals to all, but it certainly holds a wealth of Parisian history.
Pantheon
Built in the 18th century, the picturesque Pantheon has Corinthian columns and a huge domed roof. Originally intended as a church, it quickly transitioned into a mausoleum for famous French citizens like Voltaire, Victor Hugo and Marie Curie. Even if you don’t have the time or interest in touring the interior, it’s worth pausing at for photos as you wander the 5th Arrondissement.
Musée de Montmartre
This niche museum in the Montmartre neighborhood is housed in a 17th-century building where Renoir and other artists once lived. The collection is full of artworks that preserve the legacy and culture of Montmartre.
Grand Palais
Facing Petit Palais on Avenue Winston Churchill, the Grand Palais was also built for the 1900 world’s fair and later served as a military hospital. Now, it holds exhibition halls and museums and has a jaw-dropping glass roof.
French National Museum of Natural History
Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle is the natural history museum of France, located in a complex that includes botanical gardens and a zoological park. Come here for things like rare plants and dino skeletons.
Paris Neighborhoods
Latin Quarter
Located mostly in the 5th arrondissement, the Latin Quarter of Paris is home to the historic Sorbonne university and packs in sidewalk cafes, tiny bookshops and Gothic churches. Boulevard Saint-Michel and Boulevard Saint-Germain contain a busy chunk of the action, but there are also tons of narrow streets and winding alleys to get lost on. Walking around this district is one of the best free things to do in Paris.
Saint-Germain-des-Pres
This neighborhood along Boulevard Saint-Germain is full of antique shops, vintage bookstores and popular cafes. Sipping coffee and people-watching is a pastime here, especially at spots like Les Deux Magots and Cafe de Flore, both known by tourist crowds thanks to their famous former regulars like Hemingway and Picasso.
Canal Saint-Martin
Centered around a canal that connects down to the Seine, the Canal Saint-Martin neighborhood in the 10th arrondissement is the perfect spot for a walk or bike ride away from the main tourist hub. Streets on either side of the canal are lined with boutiques and eateries, while the tree-shaded waterfront is perfect for picnicking and people-watching.
Le Marais
Full of 17th-century mansions once occupied by the likes of Victor Hugo and other French authors and aristocrats, Le Marais is located in the 3rd and 4th arrondissement on the right bank. Here you’ll find green neighborhood squares with fountains and sculptures and trendy boutiques and handicraft shops.
Montmartre
The whole neighborhood of Montmartre belongs on your Paris bucket list! A favorite for its hilltop views and boho vibes, Montmartre in the 18th packs in antique and vintage shops, small theater venues, and street artists performing in cozy squares. The most famous destination here is the Sacre-Coeur Basilica, but you can also visit the Dali Paris museum and Musée de Montmartre.
Paris Food
Macarons from Laduree
The macarons from Laduree are in just about every Paris guidebook, and they are indeed the perfect sampling of the favorite French treat. Laduree has locations all over the city in just about every tourist zone, including on Rue Cler near the Eiffel Tower, along the Champs-Elysees, on Boulevard Haussmann near Galeries Lafayette, and a block from Saint-Germain-des-Pres.
Michelin-Starred Restaurant
With its high concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants, Paris is the perfect place for an evening of fine dining, if you want to pay the hefty price tag. The city has over 100 restaurants with one, two and three-star ratings.
Les Deux Magots
This popular Paris bucket list cafe in Saint-Germain-des-Pres opened in 1885 and is known as the former hangout of arts and literary giants like Picasso and Hemingway. Today, tourists hoping to recapture some of that atmosphere crowd into the sidewalk tables for espresso.
Cafe de Flore
Like its neighbor Les Deux Magots, Cafe de Flore is one of the oldest in the city, dating to the 1880s. And also like its neighbor, it has long attracted big names in art, literature and philosophy. It still draws crowds today for chats over croissants and coffee.
Crepes, Croissants and Baguettes
Can you visit Paris and not carbo-load? You won’t have trouble spotting a bakery on every corner to grab a flaky pastry each morning and baguettes for picnics. And you can find sweet and savory crepes cooked fresh by street vendors and counter-service cafes all over the city. They make the perfect grab-and-go meal during a busy sightseeing day.
Paris Shopping
Champs-Elysees
The most famous shopping street in Paris, Champs-Elysees draws hoards of tourists curious to wander by the luxury stores along the tree-lined avenue. In addition to pricey outposts for high-end brands like Louis Vuitton and Cartier, you’ll also find more attainable retailers including Zara and H&M.
Triangle d'Or
If shopping (or window shopping) for luxury goods is on your bucket list for Paris, you’ll want to stroll the streets in the Triangle d’Or. The haute couture hub near the Champs-Elysees in the 8th centers around Avenue Montaigne, Avenue George V and Rue Francois 1er. Here you’ll find flagships for names like Prada, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Chanel, Hermes and so many more.
Boulevard Saint-Germain
The wide Boulevard Saint-Germain runs through the 5th, 6th and 7th arrondissements. The Saint-Germain-des-Pres zone in the 6th is particularly known for antiques, galleries and bookshops.
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Galeries Lafayette and Boulevard Haussman
The upmarket Galeries Lafayette department store has its flagship on Boulevard Haussman in the 9th. Even if you don’t plan to buy anything, stop in to see the Art Nouveau building with its central glass and steel dome. You’ll find other lux shops and department stores nearby along Boulevard Haussman.
Rue Cler
A few blocks from the Eiffel Tower in the 7th, Rue Cler has a pedestrian street market where locals and tourists come for fresh produce, flowers and sweets. There are a few cafes tucked along the stone lane, too.
Shakespeare and Company
In the Latin Quarter just across the Seine from Notre Dame, Shakespeare and Company is housed in a tiny shop that used to be part of a 17th-century monastery. The bookstore is well-known and popular, but that doesn’t take away from its charm. The inside is crammed with stacks of new and used books, and you can wander upstairs to cozy reading nooks.
Parks and Squares
Luxembourg Garden
With a palace, gardens, athletic fields, a museum and historic monuments, Jardin du Luxembourg is packed with activity but also makes a peaceful respite from the city buzz. Spread over about 55 acres in the 6th, it’s perfect for an afternoon stroll on shady paths or a picnic on chairs surrounding a feature pond in front of the Luxembourg Palace.
Place des Vosges
This pretty square in Le Marais is one of the oldest in Paris, dating to the 1600s. Under the shady trees, benches invite parkgoers to sit and enjoy the views of fountains and the surrounding red brick buildings. Victor Hugo lived in an adjacent apartment, which is now a museum dedicated to the author.
Champ de Mars
Tree-lined walking paths and long green lawns mark the Champ de Mars, a public park leading to the Eiffel Tower. This is where you come for a Parisian baguette and cheese picnic in the shadow of the Iron Lady.
Jardin des Plantes
Paris’ riverfront botanical gardens in the 5th have walking paths lush with greenery and trees. The large park includes a bushy labyrinth, flower gardens, 19th-century greenhouses and museums for geology and natural history.
Tuileries Garden
Next to the Louvre along the Seine, Jardin des Tuileries dates to the 17th century. It fills the space between the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel monument and Place de la Concorde square with green lawns, historic statues and reflective ponds.
Coulee Verte Rene-Dumont
This elevated pedestrian path traces an old railway line in the 12th and is akin to the High Line in New York, with lots of leafy greenery along the way. It runs from the Opera Bastille to Bois de Vincennes, a huge suburban park next to a 14th-century castle.
Best Paris Views
Eiffel Tower Decks
Sunsets from the 906-foot-high 3rd-floor deck of the Eiffel Tower paint the city skyline in golden hues, a magical Paris bucket list experience. If you arrive in the late afternoon, you’ll get to admire the panoramic vistas from each level in daylight, too. When it gets dark, head back down to the Champ de Mars lawns to see the Eiffel Tower’s dancing light show from below.
Jardins du Trocadéro
Located on the opposite bank of the Seine from the Eiffel Tower, Jardins du Trocadero is a popular photography spot, thanks to the views of the Iron Lady with greenery, fountains and a carousel in the foreground. The park is surrounded by a complex of museums and has fountains running down the center.
Montparnasse Tower
The city’s highest rooftop viewing terrace, Montparnasse Tower is a great spot to snap photos of the skyline with the Eiffel Tower. The observation deck is 650-feet up. Visit just before sunset to enjoy daylight and twilight vistas.
Seine Riverfront
Walking along the riverfront of the Seine, you’ll find many pretty views of the city and the Eiffel Tower, especially in the 1st and 8th. My favorite spot is by the Pont Alexandre III bridge, where you can photograph the elaborate arched structure with boats gliding by and the Eiffel Tower in the background.
Sacre Coeur Courtyard
Thanks to its elevated position a few miles north of the Seine, the courtyard of the Sacre Coeur Basilica features picture-perfect views of the Paris skyline. Since a series of steps lead uphill to the church, you can try different spots along the way to look for the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame and other recognizable landmarks.
Top of Notre Dame
Though closed for the next few years, the roof of Notre Dame was once one of the best spots to look out over Paris. With a ticket, guests could climb steps up toward the bell towers and see the gargoyles that adorn the church up close. The sweeping views take in the old rooftops of the Latin Quarter, the Seine riverfront and the Eiffel Tower in the distance.
Arc de Triomphe Terrace
At the top of the Arc de Triomphe, a viewing deck has panoramic views of the Champs-Elysees and the Eiffel Tower. You have to climb steps to reach the lookout.
