Best Things to do in Paris

If you’ve never been to Paris before, your first stops should be the bucket-list destinations. They may sound cliché, but they’re popular for good reason. You simply must admire, and climb, the Eiffel Tower and watch it sparkle at night from Trocadéro Square or the Champ de Mars. You should sojourn through the Champs-Élysées, wander by the Arc de Triomphe and Notre Dame Cathedral. Of course, lend at least an afternoon to the Louvre and spend a day enjoying the romance of Montmartre, home to the wall of love, the iconic Sacré-Cœur and numerous quaint cafes and galleries.

Paris is known as the capital of fashion, so of course, one of the top things to do in Paris is shop – or window-shop. Galeries Lafayettes is one of the most-famous destinations for fashion and is especially popular with its sparkling Christmas lights and displays. You’ll find this iconic Parisian department store at the corner of Rue La Fayette and Boulevard Haussmann. Printemps is another eminent department store, house in a domed gallery along the same street. It’s equally packed with popular designers and artfully curated window displays. Discerning fashion fans, or those who’ve visited the other stores, should head between the 6th and 7th Arrondissement to Le Bon Marché, an upmarket mall with exclusive brands and an exceptional Christmas display.

If you’ve visited the Louvre and the contemporary Centre Pompidou, try Palais de Tokyo. Hosting striking and immersive exhibitions of modern art on a grand scale – this is no portrait gallery. On the banks of the Seine, in a grand former-railway station, the Musée d'Orsay houses important 19th and 20th century European collections. You’ll find paintings by Van Gogh and Rousseau, as well as sculpture, decorative arts and photography. Set in the beautiful Tuileries Garden, the Musée de l'Orangerie should capture your imagination, housing (among others) eight of Monet's water lilies murals, which are truly breath-taking. If you don’t consider yourself a gallery-goer, or have young children in tow, make a beeline for L'Atelier des Lumières. This interactive, modern gallery brings classic works to life with 3D, captivating moving projects and colourful video reinterpretations of famous art.

After you’ve explored the most-famous museums in the French capital, head to the Panthéon. The 18th Century mausoleum is an architectural phenomenon with stunning domed ceilings and impressive marble columns. It’s the final resting place of many famous French citizens. The catacombs are another must-do activity in Paris. Chamber after chamber of artfully arranged bones and skull-lined walls may sound macabre but suspend your horror – the history and stories behind this underground labyrinth are fascinating. Les Caves du Louvre is a recently-opened 18th Century wine cellar, allowing visitors the option to tour and taste, unveiling the history of this popular tipple. Finally, the Palais Garnier opera house is worth just as much attention as any gallery in the city. The unbelievably ornate building, with its gilded walls, magnificent staircases and dazzling ceilings, is sure to leave you reeling.

If you’re inspired by fashion design and history, Paris will be a bucket-list destination for you. It is and has been home to so many inimitable designers and iconic fashion houses. You can saunter past the first Chanel store. Coco Chanel used to live and work in the atelier/apartment above the store, but sadly that’s an invite-only destination. Freely accessible fashion archives, however, are in abundance. The Musée Yves Saint Laurent and the La Galerie Dior are two of the best things to do in Paris for fashion afficionados. Both house immaculately curated collections of the most memorable designs the brands have created, laid out in photo-worthy displays. The Musée des Arts Décoratifs and Palais Galliera also house fabulous collections of textiles and fashion through the ages.

Summer in Paris can be sultry, but for Parisians, one of the top things to do in Paris in summer is head to the beach. Parc Rives de Seine esplanade is decked out in summer with loungers and parasols, so you can relax with a riverside view. Other Seine-side walkways and streets are covered in sand and adorned with deckchairs for your enjoyment. You can also nip in for a swim at Bassin de la Villettearis open-air pool with water-sports facilities, on the side of the Saint Martin canal. This spot fills up with families and locals in summer enjoying the water-side ambience. The Piscine Josephine Baker is a year-round popular spot – a heated riverside lido near the Pont de Bercy where you can swim with a Seine view.

A stroll through a park is one of our favourite things to do in Paris. The Jardin des Plantes botanical garden is the perfect place to start, with its vast grounds and natural history museum, as well as a Christmas lantern festival. The Jardin du Luxembourg is another popular spot for a stroll, whether in spring in full bloom or in its golden, autumn guise. Enjoy the serene atmosphere and tree-lined avenues of Père Lachaise Cemetery, while spotting fascinating old mausoleums and crypts. Other popular parks include Tuileries Garden – the epitome of a sculpted Parisian park – and Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, with the romantic Temple de la Sybille perched atop a rocky promontory. Bois de Vincennes in the 12th Arrondissement is a sprawling woodlands and par, while on the other side of town the former hunting estate Bois de Boulogne is home to its own mystical caverns and waterfalls.