10 Best Things to Do in Paris

Paris, home of legendary croissants, the Eiffel Tower, and the eternal scent of fresh baguettes in the air, is a city overflowing with art, history, charm, and pure joie de vivre. From hidden flea markets and lavish palaces to sprawling gardens and thrilling amusement parks, the French capital never runs out of ways to make memories.

Whether you're wandering the bohemian streets of Montmartre, cruising along the Seine, or exploring hallways lined with world-class masterpieces, Paris continues to amaze. Here, you might meet heroes, ride rollercoasters, set toy sailboats afloat in tranquil gardens, and stumble upon treasures dating back centuries.

Check out the 10 best things to do in Paris, all packed into this guide.

Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen is not just a flea market—it’s practically a small city dedicated to antiques. Spanning a massive seven hectares and featuring 14 different markets and 1,700 stalls, it’s the perfect place to get lost (in the aesthetically pleasing kind of way).

One of the highlights is the beautiful Paul Bert–Serpette market, known for antique dealers, tribal art, vintage jewelry, architectural fragments, and richly designed items that whisper old stories. Be sure to step into the covered Cambo market near Rue des Rosiers, where Napoléon III furniture and historic ceramics line the aisles like a backstage tour of France’s past.

When your feet need a break, grab a bite at Le Paul Bert, a charming bistro at the market entrance serving casual French food. If you love live music, don’t miss La Chope des Puces—a historic jazz bar still echoing with gypsy swing made famous by Django Reinhardt. Weekend afternoons here feel like stepping into a timeless Parisian musical.

If you’ve ever wanted to walk straight into a Pixar, Disney, or Marvel movie, Walt Disney Studios Park is the place to be. The Avengers Campus feels like the Marvel universe has come to life, complete with action-packed rides. On Avengers Assemble: Flight Force, you’ll rocket through space with Iron Man and Captain Marvel, while Spider-Man W.E.B Adventure lets you sling virtual webs and wrangle rogue spider-bots like you’ve been training your whole life.

You can train with heroes at the Hero Training Centre or stop for scientifically oversized food at PYM Kitchen (tiny and huge portions in one meal—no judgment). Over in the Worlds of Pixar, you’ll find attractions inspired by Ratatouille, Toy Story, Nemo, and Cars.

Thrill seekers can’t miss the Hollywood Tower Hotel, aka the Tower of Terror—where the elevator has absolutely no respect for gravity or your stomach. It remains one of Paris’s most thrilling theme park rides.

A short drive north of Paris takes you to Parc Astérix, a Gaul-themed amusement park filled with humor, adrenaline, and wild characters straight out of the beloved comics.

The star attraction is Toutatis, a high-speed coaster that hits 110 km/h—perfect for guests who like a little wind (or tears of joy) in their face. If inversions are your idea of a good time, OzIris, themed around Ancient Egypt, delivers multiple loops and an exhilarating flight path. Wooden coaster fans won’t want to skip Tonnerre 2 Zeus, complete with airtime and classic wooden coaster personality.

For calmer rides, Pégase Express is family-friendly and spirited without being stomach-inverting. On hot afternoons, cool off on Romus et Rapidus, a rapids ride that soaks, splashes, and spins riders through Roman-inspired landscapes.

Throughout the park, you’ll find themed lands representing Gaul, Rome, Egypt, and Greece, along with live shows, character meet-and-greets with Astérix and Obélix, and charming Gaulish village pathways.

Located 130 meters above Paris, the shining white Basilique du Sacré-Cœur is among the city’s most familiar landmarks. From the steps, you’ll find photo-worthy views of the city. Inside, you can light a candle, admire the enormous apse mosaic of Christ in Majesty (one of the largest in the world), and explore the crypt, where the foundation stone and a statue of Saint Denis stand in quiet reverence.

Feeling energetic? Climb the 300-step spiral staircase to the dome—your legs may protest, but your camera certainly won’t once you see the sweeping panoramic views of Paris.

Afterward, wander down into Montmartre, where cozy lanes, open-air art, and cafés around Place du Tertre offer the perfect Parisian postcard moment.

A visit to the Palais Garnier begins with ascending its grand marble staircase—white and green stone inlaid and lit like something out of a royal fairytale. The stairs split and rise into the magnificent Grand Foyer, gilded in gold and glimmering with chandeliers and painted ceilings.

Inside the auditorium, look up to admire Marc Chagall’s vibrant ceiling fresco surrounding the enormous bronze-and-crystal chandelier. The Library-Museum is also a fantastic stop, with collections of set designs, models, costumes, and archival treasures that tell the story of French opera through the centuries.

Cruising the Seine is one of the most iconic Paris experiences—think fluttering reflections of historic bridges, cathedral towers, and elegant 19th-century facades mirrored in the water. Take a sightseeing cruise past Notre-Dame, the Louvre, the Musée d'Orsay, and countless architectural marvels.

On foot, stroll along the riverbanks and browse the classic bouquinistes, booksellers in green booths selling secondhand novels, maps, and beautiful curiosities. On sunny days, you can swim in supervised river areas near Bercy, Notre-Dame, and the Eiffel Tower.

For maximum enchantment, settle on a riverside quay in the evening with a drink and watch the sun drop behind the city’s skyline. Paris sunsets have a special kind of magic.

Imagine walking beneath Sleeping Beauty’s Castle at Disneyland Paris, only to duck inside and discover La Tanière du Dragon, where a massive animatronic dragon slumbers (and sometimes wakes up). Over in Fantasyland, Alice’s Curious Labyrinth challenges you to wander a hedge maze right out of Wonderland, complete with a lookout tower offering views over the area.

Thrill seekers should make time for Star Wars: Hyperspace Mountain, a high-speed, inverted indoor coaster that launches riders into a galaxy far, far away.

Stay for nighttime entertainment, including the iconic Disney Electrical Sky Parade featuring drones that light up the sky above Main Street, followed by the Disney Stars on Parade—complete with shimmering floats and beloved characters.

Walking through the Luxembourg Gardens feels like turning the pages of a Parisian storybook. Start by grabbing a famous green garden chair and relaxing beside the Grand Bassin, where children (and adults who refuse to grow up) can rent small wooden sailboats to set off across the water.

Find the beautiful Medici Fountain, hidden under rows of plane trees and guarded by dramatic statues of Polyphemus and Acis. Across the gardens, you’ll encounter around 100 sculptures, including statues of queens, poets, and historical figures.

If you’re visiting with kids, you’ll find pony rides, a carousel, Guignol puppet shows, and play spaces. Meanwhile, adults can enjoy tennis courts, pétanque lanes, chess tables, and side-garden reading spots that look like they were designed by fairies.

Musée d'Orsay, set inside a grand former train station, is a heavenly stop for fans of Impressionist and 19th-century art. Wander through galleries filled with masterpieces such as Renoir’s Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette, Degas’s The Ballet Class, and Monet’s industrial beauty Gare Saint-Lazare.

Don’t skip the first-floor sculpture collection, featuring highlights such as Bartholdi’s Statue of Liberty. After exploring, step out to the rooftop terrace for striking views of the Seine, the Louvre, and the Tuileries Gardens.

Notre-Dame is a historic and spiritual icon, crowned by its famous twin towers. Inside, explore the Treasury, where revered relics such as the Crown of Thorns and a historic nail are displayed in ornate cases.

On Sundays at 4 pm, enjoy a free organ recital—an unforgettable sound inside soaring Gothic architecture. If you’re up for a climb, ascend the 387 steps into the towers to meet the cathedral’s great bells, including Emmanuel, and enjoy one of the city’s best panoramic views.

Find and book the best Paris hotels from our handpicked selection.

9.7 Superb

Happy Stay Paris - Marais Deluxe Suite

Rez-De-Chaussée 28 Rue Du Bourg Tibourg Paris, FR

7.2 Good

LE RENAUD - Appartement pour 2 au coeur du Marais

Sainte Croix De La Bretonnerie 13 Paris, FR

9.1 Superb

Hotel Dupond-Smith

2 Rue Des Guillemites Paris, FR