Things To Do In Paris

There are countless things to do in the city of lights. Today I’m sharing my suggestions for Things to do in Paris, to help you spend your time and money wisely!

Paris France Girl’s Trip (Updated)

A couple of years ago I spent a week in Paris with a few girlfriends. I traveled to Paris years ago, however it was a very short trip and we had a hard time fitting in everything we wanted to see and do.

On my second trip, we had 8 whole days to explore the city and I was determined to make the most of it. Fortunately for us, we had assistance from an expert, Doni Belau from GirlsGuideToParis.com.

Doni helped my friends and I plan an amazing adventure through one of the most easy-to-love cities I’ve ever visited.

This past fall Lt. Dan and I were able to visit Paris again for a romantic getaway. This trip is more focused on this to do with your sweetheart.

Beginners Guide To Paris

In fact, all three Paris adventures inspired me to write my own Beginners Guide to Paris, based on my experiences and how I like to travel.

Since my first visit was so brief, I thought I’d break down what I would do in Paris if I only had:  

• 1 day to explore
• 3 days to explore
• 5 days
• and up to 7 days

That way, no matter the length of your trip, I feel I’m giving you my best suggestions.

Things To Do In Paris

1 Day in Paris

If you only have a single day in Paris, due to a long layover or business trip, I feel your pain.

That’s ok. You can still have a marvelous time from dawn until dusk, making the most of your day in (what I feel are) the most iconic parts of Paris, France.

1st) Spend your morning in the Montmartre area.

This is the original bohemian neighborhood of Paris, where famous artists like Van Gough, Degas, Piccaso, Renoir, and Matisse lived and developed their artistic style.

The neighborhood is fairly commercialized now, but you will still find picturesque Parisian streets, cafes, bakeries and shops. Check out the modern local artists and street musicians.

Make sure to work your way up and down the streets of Montmartre; there are hidden gems and photo-opts around every corner!

Walk through the Basilica Sacré-Cœur overlooking Paris at the top of Montmartre.

Then walk down to the Moulin Rouge at the base of the gritty Boulevard de la Chapelle.

2nd) Visit the Eiffel Tower.

Of all the monuments and architectural wonders in Paris, the Eiffel Tower is the most recognizable. You can see it all over town, but it would be a shame not to visit it.

However, do not spend time waiting in a long line to go to the top. Whether you have one day in Paris or a month in Paris, I wouldn’t want to waste 2-5 hours of my precious time standing in line.

You can schedule a private tour through Fat Tire Tours with a guide to lead you all the way to the top, with no waiting in line!

Having a personal guide to share Eiffel Tower history is the best way to get the most out of your experience.

Both of my experiences with Fat Tire Tours have been incredible… I highly recommend them!

Later, make sure to be at the Eiffel Tower at 8 pm when the lights are turned on.

The Eiffel Tower will shine all evening, however every hour on the hour, it will *sparkle* for five minutes.

It’s a great way to end your day in Paris!

P.S. Walk by the Eiffel Tower every chance you get.

It offers a new level of appeal with every angle and time of day.

3 Days in Paris

Got a couple more days to spend in Paris? Fantastic!! Here’s what I would do…

Day 1) Spend a day in Montmartre and Take an Eiffel Tower Tour. (see above)

Day 2) Walk from the Louvre to the Arc de Triomphe. Starting at the Louvre, there are several worthwhile sites along the almost straight shot to the Arc de Triomphe.

The walk itself is around 45 minutes, but you’ll spend longer exploring:

• The gorgeous grounds of the Louvre Museum.
• The beautiful Jardin des Tuileries garden (Stop and have a coffee at one of the outdoor cafes.)
• Place de la Concorde.
• Avenue des Champs-Élysées passing the Grande Palace and Petit Palace and two famous theaters.
• And finally the scenic view of the Arc de Triomphe Carroussel, the epic eight-lane roundabout that circles the Arc de Triomphe.

Make sure to go through the tunnel under the roundabout and up into the Arc de Triomphe.

There you have a fantastic 360-degree view of Paris, including the Eiffel Tower. (There is a fee to enter the Arc.)

*Notice I didn’t mention going into the Louvre. Only do that if you are staying longer. Really.

Day 3) Visit Notre Dame Cathedral, then Get Lost in Paris.

This epic church is another must-see in Paris.

Huge, solemn, and lavishly designed. It’s a good idea to visit Notre Dame Cathedral first thing in the morning before the lines get long.

Hop in the line right away while it’s short, and quietly tour the inside. Then make sure to walk around the cathedral from front to back to take in the impressive architecture and garden.

Visiting Notre Dame is free! The cathedral is open from 9:30 am to 6 pm M-F and 9 am to 6 pm on the weekends.

After visiting Notre Dame, spend the day wandering through some of Paris’ other charming neighborhoods.

Explore the rest of  Ile de la Cité… the river island where Notre Dame is located.

Then cross the bridge to the small river island of Ile Saint-Louis, with quaint streets and fun shops.

Make sure to try the famous Berthillon Ice Cream Parlor or the luxurious hot chocolate at La Charlotte de L’Isle!

Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Latin Quarter are other fun neighborhoods to explore.

Walk along the Seine River to the Pont des Arts Bridge, then head back toward Saint Germain Boulevard. Meander, people watch, take in the local flavors, and discover other cathedrals and monuments.

When you’ve explored all the streets of Paris you can handle, take a cab (or Uber) back to your hotel or apartment. 

5 Days in Paris

The extra couple of days will allow you some time to take in more sites, and enjoy some specialized activities for fun memory-making!

Day 1) Spend a day in Montmartre and Tour the Eiffel Tower. (above)

Day 2) Walk from the Louvre to the Arc de Triomphe. (above)

Day 3) Visit Notre Dame Cathedral, then Get Lost in Paris. (above)

Day 4) Visit a Museum or Go Shopping.

This is the day to decide whether you are an art lover or a shopaholic.

Art lovers, visit either Musée d’Orsay or the Musée de Louvre. Both are enormous, stunningly gorgeous, and filled with priceless treasures.

You can easily spend an entire day in either, and you can’t make a bad decision with either. Both are marvelous!

If you are a speed walker, you can even visit both museums on the same day. (Dan and I toured the entire Louvre in about an hour and a half.)

Not an art lover? That’s ok. Spend the day shopping in one (or all) of Paris’ lavish shopping areas.

Depending on where you’re staying, head to:

• Galeries Lafayette – A massive mall with a vibrantly stained glass dome over the top.
• Champs-Élysées  – Rodeo Drive meets Time Square.
• Rue Saint Honore – A true Paris Rodeo Drive experience.
• Carrousel du Louvre  – An underground mall next to the Louvre
• Rue de Levis Street Market – A fresh food and flower market with amazing edible boutiques and gift shops.

Travel buddies Stephanie, Lauren, and Amanda.

Day 5) Take a Segway or Bike Tour. 

You’ve seen all the sites you can handle on foot. Now fit in the last few must-see locations at a faster pace. On my girl’s trip, we took a marvelous segway tour with Fat Tire Tours, zipping all over Paris with our own personal guide. He shared fun facts, historical details, and even sang to us!

If you’re not a segway fan, take a bike tour instead.

Once you’re finished, head over to Angelina on Rue de Rivoli for a pastry and hot chocolate!

However, on the romantic getaway with Lt. Dan, we chose to go on the Paris Night Bike Tour and River Cruise on the Seine with Fat Tire Tours.

We met our guide in the early evening and peddled all over town to see the most famous sites, all lit up!

After dark, we went on a marvelous champagne cruise down the river.

It was such a wonderful way to take in the architecture, and people watch while sipping bubbly.

Although the segway tour was fun, the bike ride and river cruise tour is my top choice! 

7 Days in Paris

You lucky dog! You are going to have such a marvelous time. Here’s what I would do…

Day 1) Spend a day in Montmartre and Tour the Eiffel Tower. (above)

Day 2) Walk from the Louvre to the Arc de Triomphe. (above)

Day 3) Visit Notre Dame Cathedral, then Get Lost in Paris. (above)

Day 4) Visit a Museum. – With extra days, no need to choose! Now you can shop and visit museums. (above)

Day 5) Shop Til’ You Drop. (above)

Day 6) Take a Segway or Bike Tour, then go to Angelina. (above)

Day 7) Plan a Culinary Adventure!

There are all sorts of culinary activities you can experience in Paris.

We took a foodie market tour with Succulent Paris, walking through fresh food markets and tasting local delicacies.

We also took, not one, but TWO cooking classes in one day!

We ployed through an in-depth Bistro Desserts class at Cook’n with Class… Just look at those souffles!

Then later in the afternoon we took a Croissant Making Class at La Cuisine Paris. Imagine, fresh hot croissants, right out of the oven!

We had friendly and helpful instructors at both schools.

My suggestion is to look at both and decide what class you like best, based on what’s available the day you have free.

Or, you could plan your own culinary scavenger hunt.

Search online for the best locations to find your favorite french snack or treats (macarons, chocolate, caramels, various pastries…) then walk around town to taste-test them all!

My Final Thoughts

Paris is the kind of city that makes you want to stay… To get lost down scenic little side streets and not be found for hours. To imagine your life as a Parisian, sipping espresso and people-watching from quiet outdoor cafes. Walking back to your third-floor apartment to sip wine out on your balcony. (Obviously, this is not what all Parisians do, but we can dream.)

When you travel, it’s important to see and do the things that are most important to you, but it’s also important to RELAX so you can truly enjoy your time away from home.

How To Plan A Trip To Paris

With that in mind, plan well while you are at home, then allow yourself to go with the flow while you’re traveling.

Things don’t always work out the way you planned. Weather happens, traffic happens, life happens.

Just remember, it’s a joy to be in Paris, no matter the situation. Breath in the culture, and eat lots of chocolate!

Paris Travel Tips

It’s really easy to get around Paris if you have a good internet connection and google maps (or another mapping app.) If… you have a good internet connection.

We all had different internet providers and found our connections sketchy in different areas of town.

Check with your internet provider before leaving town to determine your best option. Another solution is to purchase short-term internet access when you arrive at an Orange or SFR store.

With a good internet connection, you can plug in your destinations and easily adapt to public transportation… or call an Uber!

PRO TIP: Download google maps on your phone. When you have wifi, go into the app and click on Offline Areas. There you can download Paris maps. That way, you can navigate through Paris without using data. 

P.P.S. If you need help planning your trip to Paris, check out GirlsGuideToParis.com!

There you’ll find countless tips and insider information.

You can book a gorgeous Parisian Apartment and get a discount card for attractions and transportation.

P.P.P.S. Wondering where to eat in Paris? Check out our post on Where To Eat In Paris.

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