Welcome to LetsVoyaj’s ultimate guide to best things to do in Paris, where every cobblestone street and grand boulevard tells a story of art, history, and romance. From sipping espresso beneath the Eiffel Tower to wandering the opulent halls of Versailles, Paris offers an endless array of unforgettable experiences.
Whether you’re gazing upon the Mona Lisa at the Louvre, admiring the stained glass of Notre-Dame, or strolling the bohemian streets of Montmartre, this vibrant city promises to spark your imagination and captivate your heart. Let’s uncover the best Paris has to offer!
Visit the Eiffel Tower
The 330-meter iron lattice tower was constructed by Gustave Eiffel for the 1889 World’s Fair and initially faced criticism from Paris’s artistic community. Today, visitors can ascend through three levels, with the top floor standing 276 meters above ground. The structure contains 18,000 metallic parts joined by 2.5 million rivets and requires 60 tons of paint every seven years for maintenance. The tower’s lighting system includes 20,000 bulbs that create a sparkling effect for five minutes every hour from sunset until 1 AM. Different observation decks offer varying perspectives of Paris, with the second floor providing the optimal balance of height and proximity for city landmark identification. The tower features multiple restaurants, including the Michelin-starred Le Jules Verne on the second floor.
Explore the Louvre Museum
Originally built as a fortress in the 12th century and later transformed into a royal residence, the Louvre spans 72,735 square meters of exhibition space. Beyond the iconic Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and Winged Victory of Samothrace, the museum houses extensive collections of Egyptian antiquities, including artifacts from the Pharaonic period, and the apartments of Napoleon III that showcase Second Empire opulence. The Islamic Art department features one of the world’s largest collections with pieces dating from the 7th to the 19th century. The museum’s glass pyramid entrance, designed by architect I.M. Pei in 1989, contains 673 glass panes and has become an iconic landmark in its own right. The Louvre’s extensive holdings are so vast that seeing every artwork would require spending just 30 seconds at each piece for eight hours daily over 100 days.
Admire Notre-Dame Cathedral
Construction of this Gothic masterpiece began in 1163 and continued for nearly 200 years. Its architectural innovations include pioneering use of flying buttresses that allowed for higher walls and larger stained glass windows. The cathedral houses exceptional artifacts including the Crown of Thorns and a fragment of the True Cross. Before the 2019 fire, the spire contained three relics sealed in a copper rooster: a fragment of the Crown of Thorns and relics of Saint Denis and Saint Genevieve. The Great Organ, dating from the 18th century, features five keyboards and nearly 8,000 pipes. The cathedral’s gargoyles serve both decorative and functional purposes, channeling rainwater away from the building’s foundation.
Marvel at Impressionist Masterpieces in Musée d’Orsay
Housed in the former Gare d’Orsay railway station, a Beaux-Arts masterpiece built for the 1900 World’s Fair, the museum was inaugurated in 1986 after extensive renovations. Its collection bridges the gap between the Louvre and the Centre Pompidou, focusing primarily on art created between 1848 and 1914. The museum showcases the evolution of art movements from Academic painting and Realism through Impressionism to Post-Impressionism and Art Nouveau. Iconic works include “Whistler’s Mother” by James Abbott McNeill Whistler, Vincent van Gogh’s self-portraits, and Édouard Manet’s controversial “Olympia.” The building’s transformation preserved many original architectural elements, including the monumental clock faces that now serve as features within the exhibition spaces. The museum’s top floor is bathed in natural light from the original glass roof, creating ideal viewing conditions for Impressionist works that emphasized light effects.
Stroll Through Montmartre & Ascend Sacré-Cœur
This historic district, standing 130 meters above Paris on a gypsum hill (the “mount of martyrs”), has maintained its village-like character despite urban development. Sacré-Cœur Basilica, completed in 1914, was built as a national act of contrition following France’s defeat in the Franco-Prussian War. The white travertine stone used in construction releases calcite when exposed to rainwater, helping the basilica maintain its bright appearance despite pollution. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the area attracted prominent artists including Picasso, Modigliani, and Toulouse-Lautrec, who frequented establishments like Le Lapin Agile cabaret, which still operates today. The Place du Tertre, just steps from Sacré-Cœur, continues the artistic tradition with approximately 140 officially licensed artists creating portraits and landscapes for visitors. Nearby attractions include the Montmartre Vineyard (Clos Montmartre), which produces about 1,500 bottles of wine annually, and the Moulin Rouge cabaret in the adjacent Pigalle district.
Wander the Opulent Halls of the Palace of Versailles
Located just outside Paris, this UNESCO World Heritage site exemplifies royal grandeur through its opulent palace interiors, most notably the Hall of Mirrors. The expansive formal gardens designed by André Le Nôtre feature meticulously manicured landscapes, fountains, and the Grand Canal. The estate includes Marie Antoinette’s private retreat, offering insights into French royal history.