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Of all the world capitals, Paris is arguably the most chic with some of the best things to see and do. The city is an attractive mix of gorgeous and innovative architecture, spectacular art collections, top-end cuisine, Gothic churches, and romantic cafés. Its attractions make it one of the most visited cities in the world, and it is one city we have returned to over and over again throughout the years – and will return to again to explore the things we haven’t had the fortune to explore yet.

In many ways Paris remains timeless with its rounded beaux arts buildings, graceful arching bridges, and the spires and domes of its church and cathedrals that have reached to the sky for centuries. However, its dynamic theatre and music scene, eclectic gallery exhibits, and architecture with a futuristic flair definitely bring Paris into the 21st century.

A timeless city of gorgeous and innovative architecture, world-class art and cuisine, and romantic cafés - check out these 21 things to do in Paris to make the most of your visit!
21 Things to Do in Edinburgh - Panorama of City Architecture

With so much to see and do you may feel a bit overwhelmed when planning a trip to Paris, even if you’ve already been it can be hard to decide what to see next! Know up front that as much as you’d like to you simply won’t be able to see and do it all in one visit.

To help you discover the magic of Paris and plan a great trip, we’ve rounded up 21 of the best things to see and do that we, along with some fellow travel bloggers, have experienced during our time in the city. Some of the attractions are lesser known “hidden gems” that you may not have heard of, while others are more visited options (such as the Eiffel Tower) which are popular for a reason and shouldn’t be overlooked.

We recommend you choose the things that interest you most and then leave yourself time to appreciate Paris the way it was intended to be enjoyed – on its picturesque bridges and streets meant for strolling and exploring while you savour the city around you.

A map showing the location of all the attractions mentioned in the post can be found at the end.

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Take in the City from the Eiffel Tower

Things to Do in Paris - Eiffel Tower (Knycx Journeying)

Ever since this monument was built to celebrate the World’s Fair, the Eiffel Tower has become not only the landmark of Paris but an icon and a symbol that’s been known to the world for decades.

The Eiffel Tower was built in 1889, served as the entrance of the World’s Fair in the same year. The design of the tower initially faced much criticism, with the majority claiming that it has ruined the city’s skyline. Today, it’s one of the most-visited tourist attractions in the world, with over 7 million visitors a year. While most visitors can simply enjoy the view of the tower from Champ de Mars, or on a Seine River Cruise, the best way to experience this monument is going up to the summit.

The Eiffel tower is now the tallest observation deck in mainland Europe, with three levels available to the public. It is one of the best viewpoints in Paris, and also is recommended to pre-purchase a ticket online due to its popularity – the summit of the tower has a limited number of timeslots for visitors each day, but there, visitors can see an unobstructed panoramic view of Paris and beyond.

Contribution and Photo from Kenny of Knycx Journeying

Reviews of the Eiffel Tower  |  Champ de Mars, 5 Avenue Anatole 75007  |  Nearest Métro Stops: Trocadéro (M°9), Bir-Hakeim (M°6), or École Militaire (M°8)

Enjoy Opera and Opulence at the Palais Garnier

Things to Do in Paris - Palais Garnier Opera (CosmopoliClan)

The Palais Garnier Opera House in Paris counts as one of the city’s most opulent landmarks. It’s named after its architect Charles Garnier and inaugurated in 1875.

As you make your way from the Louvre via the Avenue de l’Opéra, you’ll notice the building’s shiny copper dome. It’s topped with a statue of Apollo, the god of music and poetry. A visit to this grand monument is the highlight of any visit to Paris even if you’re not attending a performance.

The first eye-catcher is the impressive candelabra-lined marble staircase that leads to the balconies. Then there is the spectacular Grand Foyer, adorned with golden ornaments and an incredible collection of frescos depicting mythological scenes which is flanked by the Salons of the Sun and the Moon.

End your visit with a glimpse of the majestic auditorium from one of the balconies with its plush, red velvet seats and gold leaf touches. But the centerpiece is the elaborate bronze and crystal chandelier that accentuates a mural from the hand of Marc Chagall.

Contribution and Photo from Sarah of CosmopoliClan

Reviews of Palais GarnierPlace de l’Opéra 75009 Paris  | Nearest Métro/RER Stops: Opéra (M°3, M°7, and M°8) or RER (A)

Have a Picnic along the Canal Saint-Martin

Things to Do in Paris - Canal Saint Martin (Places of Juma)
The Canal Saint Martin is a bit of an insider’s tip and for sure one of the best places to visit in Paris away from the typical tourist’s path. Located in picturesque working-class area the canal enchants with many beautiful locks, Venetian-style foot bridges, lush green parks, lovely squares, and wonderful places to sit and enjoy the waterfront. Not surprisingly, that Canal Saint Martin has become a popular meeting point for locals as well as tourists for having a picnic at the canal banks.

Walking along the canal and enjoying the marvelous scenery is the best relaxing thing you can do in Paris. Just do it like the locals: Take your lunch, a bottle of red wine and some drinks and soak in the unique atmosphere of Paris next to the water. If you prefer eating out there are many lovely small shops and bars along the canal. However, don’t forget to take you camera! Canal Saint Martin offers many lovely photo opportunities.

The nicest part the 4.5-kilometer-long Canal Saint Martin is definitively between rue Dieu and rue des Récollets. Here you will also find the Hotel du Nord, built in 1885, which was the location of the film Hôtel du Nord by Marcel Carné.

Contribution and Photo from Martina & Jürgen of PlacesofJuma

Reviews of Canal Saint-Martin  |  Nearest Métro Stops: Jacques Bonsergent (M°5) or Gare de l’Est (M°4 and M°7)

Watch the World go by at Café Les Deux Magots

Things to Do in Paris - Les Deux Magots (World Wide Honeymoon)

Paris is well known for its delightful cafés. With all chairs facing the street, each person gets a front-row ticket for amazing people watching as well as fantastic Parisian sights as they partake in French delicacies from croissants to escargot. 

The cafés in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, located in the 6th arrondissement of Paris, are no exception. What makes some cafés in this area, like Café de Flore or Les Deux Magots different, however, is the opportunity to dine in a place full of history. 

Brilliant minds and talented artists of the twentieth century would often meet here. If you want to dine and feel as if you’re part of history, and to see where the likes of Hemingway, Picasso, and Beauvoir dined with friends and even felt inspiration for their work, then these cafes are perfect! 

Whether you want to stop in during your trip to Paris for the best hot chocolate at Les Deux Magots or you are craving a glass of French wine at Café de Flore, you’re in for a treat in some of Paris’s oldest and most famous cafés!

Contribution and Photo from Kat of World Wide Honeymoon

Reviews of Les Deux Magots  6 Place Saint-Germain des Prés, 75006 Paris  |  Nearest Métro Stop: Saint-Germain des Prés (M°4)

Find Your Next Read at Shakespeare & Company

Things to Do in Paris - Shakespeare and Company Bookstore

Set in a 17th-century building is the oldest and most famous bookstore in Paris, and perhaps the world – Shakespeare & Company. The bookstore was opened in 1951 and is situated along the banks of the River Seine opposite Notre Dame.

Once inside the store, two stories of books await you. The smells of the old books, the rustic look of the bookstore, and the worn-out bookshelves are all a reminder of a forgotten era and will immediately teleport you back to the olden days.

The bookstore is quite famous amongst Instagrammers and bloggers alike, what with them trying to showcase the beauty of this hidden gem. There is a café adjoining the bookstore where you can relax with a cup of coffee. The store is normally open from 11:30 am to 5:45 pm.

Pro Tip – The place is usually packed with tourists so consider visiting it on a weekday to explore it in peace.

Contribution from Jess of Tourist to Travellers

Reviews of Shakespeare &Company Bookstore37 rue de la Bûcherie 75005 Paris, France  Nearest Métro Stops: St-Michel (M°4) or St-Michel Notre-Dame or RER (B)

Learn the History of Paris at Musée Carnavalet

Things to Do in Paris - Musée Carnavalet (Salut from Paris)

Paris has more museums than even the most avid culture lover could visit in one trip. But after visiting the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay or even the Picasso Museum, there is one museum that shouldn’t be missing on anyone’s Paris bucket list: The Musée Carnavalet.

Tucked deep in the center of the Marais, one of Paris most iconic neighbourhoods, the Musée Carnavalet takes you on a journey throughout the history of Paris itself. Starting with artefacts from Roman times, when Paris was still called Lutecia, to scale models of the th-century mediaeval Paris. Of course the French Revolution isn’t missing and with it some interesting pieces, for example a pair of earrings featuring the dangling head of Marie Antoinette, of course with the matching guillotine.

If you are still hesitant if the Musée Carnavalet is worth it, knowing that it’s one of the free museums in Paris will surely help you decide.

Contribution and Photo from Lena of Salut from Paris

Reviews of Musée Carnavalet23, rue de Sévigné 75003, Paris  |  Nearest Métro Stops: Saint-Paul (M°1), Bréguet Sabin (M°5), Pont-Marie (M°7), Chemin Vert (M°8)

Stand in Awe at Sainte-Chapelle

Things to Do in Paris - Sainte-Chapelle

Built between 1242 and 1248 for King Louis IX, this church is somewhat unique in that it was built under the design of only one architect, so it has a very cohesive design. The church was built to hold Christian relics brought back from the Middle East during the 13th-century crusades, especially Jesus’ Crown of Thorns (which is now kept at Notre-Dame).

The exterior is functional with great buttresses to hold up the stone roof, but the real stars are the walls that are almost entirely made out of stained glass so when the weather is right the interior is bathed in colourful light. There are more than 1,100 Bible scenes from the Creation to Judgement Day illustrated by the light and glass.

We’ve purposely not included a photo of the interior and we recommend not looking it up before you go; just visit and be amazed like we were.

Reviews of Sainte-Chapelle  |  8, Boulevard du Palais, 75001  |  Nearest Métro Stop: Cité (M°4)

Go Under the City in the Catacombs

Things to Do in Paris - Catacombs (Trip Scholars)

One of the most extraordinary things to do in the City of Light is visit the Catacombs of Paris. Far from being a macabre tourist attraction, the catacombs reveal themselves to be a place that inspires great reverence and deep reflection. For history loving travelers, it is a fascinating experience that dramatically connects us to people of the past in a way unique from museums and other historic sites. After you visit, it will live on vividly in your memories.

The best way to visit is to purchase your tickets in advance directly from the Catacombs of Paris website. The entrance is at 1, avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy. The route is about 1.5 km and visitors leave at 21bis, avenue René-Coty.

If you have limited mobility, learn more about the site and its 200 stairs before you decide to visit. Wear good walking shoes for both the stairs and puddles. Be sure to bring your camera but don’t bring any large bags with you.

The audio guides are helpful, however if you do a lot of research before you arrive, you may choose to turn it off after a while. You will still understand the stories and historical significance of the site. But by learning in advance, you can be alone with your thoughts and fully present to the profound experience of being in the Catacombs of Paris.

Contribution and Photo from Erica of Trip Scholars

Reviews of Paris Catacombs |  Entrance: 1, avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy, 75014 Paris  | Nearest Métro/RER Stops: Denfert-Rochereau (M°4) and (M°6) or RER (B)

Check Out Rooftop Views from Galeries Lafayette

Things to Do in Paris - Galeries Lafayette (Offbeat France)

The beauty of Paris is thought by many to be its skyline, but there are very few places people you can go to for that bird’s eye view: the Tour Montparnasse and the Eiffel Tower are the main ones, although you do get a view from the Sacré-Coeur as well.

Yet there’s an even easier way to see the delightful rooftops of Paris: the city’s iconic department stores. They each have different types of terraces, but by far the easiest to access and the most rewarding is that of the Galeries Lafayette. Simply take yourself to the top floor, follow the signs, walk up the steps and you’ll be rewarded with the most amazing view of Paris, in any weather.

Spending time in a major department store may seem like an odd way to have fun if you’re not in shopping mode, but the Galeries are much more than a shop, they are a destination. Architecturally, the stained-glass dome – the Coupole – that graces the atrium is stunning.

During World War II, it was dismantled pane by pane, each pane was numbered, and it was all packed away to avoid possible destruction. Once the war ended, like a puzzle it was put together again.

Take a close look as you make your way to the rooftop. The Art Nouveau dome will take your breath away, as will the upstairs view.

Contribution and Photo from Leyla of Offbeat France

Reviews of Galeries Layfayette  |  40, Boulevard Haussmann 75009 Paris  |  Nearest Métro/RER Stops: Chaussée d’Antin-La Fayette (M°9 and M°7), Trinité (M°12), and Opéra (M°3, M°7, and M°8) or RER Auber (A) and Haussmann St.Lazare (E)

See the World’s Greatest Art at the Louvre

Things to Do in Paris - The Louvre (The Travelling Twins)

The Louvre is the biggest museum in the world containing over 35000 paintings and sculptures from different periods and regions of the world. There are also different things that can attract you here such creamware, armour, antiquities, and many others. It is full of masterpieces from different eras, and every corner you turn has another fantastic sight to reveal.

The museum takes its name from the Louvre Palace that was once at the heart of it all. In 1793, France’s revolutionary government decided to make the Louvre a public museum so as many people as possible could experience its wonders. Since then, it has grown enormously and boasts thousands of paintings by the biggest names in art history – including Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, Picasso and French artists such as Monet, Matisse, Eugène Delacroix or Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres.

This place is also fascinating because you can feel the history that fills its rooms with every step you take. It is certainly a must-visit for those who come to Paris.

Contribution and Photo from Ania of The Travelling Twins

Reviews of the Louvre99, Rue de Rivoli 75001 Paris (1st Arrondissement)  | Nearest Métro Stops: Palais-Royal Musée du Louvre (M°1 and M°7) and Pyramides (M°14)

Explore the Charming Montmartre Neighbourhood

Things to Do in Paris - Montmartre Funicular

Montmartre is quite likely the most charming neighbourhood in Paris! Located on a hill in the 18e arrondissement, its cobbled streets, unique architecture, and laid-back atmosphere will remind you more of a village than a busy city and have been a real source of inspiration for the French cinema in movies like Amélie.

In the 19th century, Montmartre became the home of many artists, including Picasso and Modigliani, and still is so you will find art galleries showcasing modern art and local artists. To see artists perform live, go Place du Tertre to watch them paint typical sights of Paris.

While in the area, have lunch at the famous La Maison Rose, admire the Sacré-Coeur, and the view over Paris, especially at sunset.

Did you know that you could climb in the Sacré-Coeur’s dome? It’s an unforgettable experience when in Montmartre. In October, you can also visit the local vineyard and participate in the harvest.

To reach Montmartre easily and avoid the hundreds of steps, you can hop on the funicular for the price of a metro ticket. Alternatively, you can climb the stairs of the Louise Michel Garden and enjoy the fantastic view.

Contribution from Sophie of The Beach Muse

Reviews of Funiculaire de Montmartre  Butte Montmartre, 75018 Paris  | Nearest Métro Stops: Anvers (M°2) or Abbesses (M°12)

Shop at a Local Food Market

Things to Do in Paris - Local Markets

Paris is undoubtedly one of the world’s greatest food cities and is known for its Michelin starred restaurants and elegant pastry shops. However, one of the best things to do to get the pulse of the city is a little more low key and that is to visit the famous Paris street food markets. Here you can enjoy the atmosphere of locals shopping for produce and perhaps join in yourself.

The popular market on Rue Mouffetard in the Latin Quarter is open every day except for Monday from around 10am. Here you can browse stalls for seasonal fruits and vegetables, cheese, and pastries, just as people have been doing since Medieval times. Marché Raspail in the 6th Arondissement is a vibrant local market open on Tuesdays and weekends. Make sure to stop by the poulet rôti stall and pick up delicious roast chicken and potatoes for a picnic or feast after a long day of sightseeing.

Perhaps the most popular market in Paris is Le Marché Bastille held on Thursday and Sundays. With over 100 stalls selling meat, fruit and vegetables, flowers and of course baguettes and croissants, this is the place to go to pick up supplies and soak up the local Parisian atmosphere.

Contribution from Katy of Untold Morsels

Reviews of Mouffetard Market |  Nearest Métro Stop: Censier-Daubenton (M°7)

Reviews of Le Marché Bastille |  Nearest Métro Stops: Bréguet – Sabin (M°5) and Chemin Ver (M°8)

View the Best of French Art at Musée d’Orsay

Things to Do in Paris - Musée D'Orsay

For any museum lovers visiting Paris, you’ll absolutely love the gorgeous Musée d’Orsay located in a historic building, that was once an important railway station, on the banks of the Seine.

Converted to a museum in 1986, the building now houses the best of France’s iconic Impressionist and post-Impressionist paintings, sculptures, and other artworks, such as furniture and photography, from around the country. These works are expertly presented into collections featuring different prominent artists from this timeframe which makes for an awe-inspiring visit.

If you aren’t into art from this time period, even walking through this stunning building or dining in the ornate Beaux-Arts style grand hall, will give you a good insight into French culture, history, and their joie de vivre.

Contribution from Noel of This Hawaii Life

Reviews of Musée d’Orsay  |  Esplanade Valéry Giscard d’Estaing 75007, Paris  | Nearest Métro/RER Stop: RER Musée d’Orsay (C)

Climb the Iconic Arc de Triomphe

Things to Do in Paris - Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe is one of the most iconic landmarks of Paris and a great addition to your visit to the city. While you can see the arch from the walkway around the roundabout that encircles it, you can also go to the top for some fantastic views of the city.

Tickets to get to the top of the Arc de Triomphe are €13, and there are about 280 steps to climb, but it’s worth it. The twelve roads leading into the arch make for great views of the beautiful Parisian streets and, from the top, are some of the best views of the Eiffel Tower.

Standing under the arch, you can see intricate sculptures that represent important moments of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars and pause for a moment at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the final resting place of an unidentified French soldier from World War I.

If you are in Paris at New Year’s, you can also enjoy New Year’s Eve festivities at the Arc de Triomphe. Thousands of people fill the streets to watch the light show and fireworks making it a magical place to spend New Year’s in Europe.

Be careful when visiting the Arc de Triomphe though. You do not need to try to run across the roundabout to get to it. Instead, follow the signs to the métro and use the tunnel to safely cross under the streets to get to it.

Contribution from Christine at Live Love Run Travel

Reviews of Arc de TriomphePlace Charles-de-Gaulle, 75008 Paris  | Nearest Métro Stop: Charles-de-Gaulle-Etoile (M°1M°2, and M°6)

Take in the Grandeur of Notre-Dame

Things to Do In Paris - Notre Dame

Both a religious mecca and a cultural icon, Notre-Dame Cathedral towers above the Ile de la Cité and the Seine River. The first stone was laid in 1163 and it took another 170 years to build Europe’s first Gothic cathedral. It was made with soaring pillars, massive stained-glass windows and intricate stone carvings meant to both inspire and to instill the fear of God. It’s still as imposing today as it was all those centuries ago.

While at the time of writing you can’t go inside Notre-Dame, due to the fire in 2019, we still recommend visiting even to see the outside. It is especially awe-inspiring at night when it is lit up with floodlights that showcase its spires, arches, statues, and gargoyles with a sense of drama in the darkness.

Also, just behind the cathedral, is the striking Mémorial des Martyrs de la Déportation dedicated to the memory of 200,000 French deportees exterminated in Nazi concentration camps.

Opened in 1962, the memorial was designed to evoke feelings of doom and claustrophobia which is felt as you descend the steps and the city around you disappears, making you feel like a prisoner.

Although not a popular destination for visitors to Paris, we feel this moving memorial is worth a quite and reflective visit.

Reviews of Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris  | 6 Parvis Notre-Dame, Place Jean-Paul II, 75004 |  Nearest Métro Stops: Cité or Saint Michel (M°4) or Saint Michel – Notre Dame (RER B)

See all of Paris from the Montparnasse Tower

Things to Do in Paris - View from Montparnasse Tower

Montparnasse Tower situated in the Montparnasse neighborhood is the first skyscraper of Paris. It also has the fastest elevator in the world that takes you to the observation deck at 56th floor in no time.

Once at the top you get to experience one of the best panoramic views of Paris at night because all the iconic monuments that make up the glorious skyline of Paris can be seen from here. Imagine looking at the Eiffel tower to the marvelous Louvre, Les Invalides, Sacré- Coeur, Notre Dame Cathedral, Arc de Triomphe – all in a single frame. This makes it a great place to include on a Paris itinerary for first timers.

Surprisingly, the Montparnasse Tower is still one of the offbeat attractions in Paris that does not have a long queue of tourists even in the peak season. In addition to the great views, you can also enjoy a romantic dinner at the top with the city as a breathtakingly beautiful backdrop.

Contribution from Sinjana of Backpack and Explore

Reviews of Montparnasse Tower  33 avenue du Maine, 75015 Paris  | Nearest Métro Stops: Montparnasse-Bienvenue (M°4, M°6, M°12, and M°13)

Have Fun with Science at Palais de la Découverte

Things to Do in Paris - Palais de la Découverte (Le Long Weekend)

Loved by both children and adults alike, the Palais de la Découverte is an iconic museum in Paris. Located in the 8th arrondissement, in the central city, and housed within a beautiful historical building, the museum showcases exhibitions on science and technology.

Spanning over several floors, there’s plenty to keep everyone entertained for hours. Several presentations are held throughout the day too, although some are only available in French. Those not well versed in the language need not worry though, as exhibitions have explanations in English, and you can also download a free audio guide of the museum.

Needless to say, this isn’t your typical stuffy museum, and there are loads of interactive and interesting areas to discover – whether you’re more interested in space or the human body! There’s also a cafe on-site selling healthy treats and meals, and a gift shop selling all manner of science-related toys and trinkets!

If you’re spending a few days in Paris, combine your trip to the Palais de la Découverte with a visit to the Petite Palais art gallery nearby. 

Contribution and Photo from Nadine of Le Long Weekend

Reviews of Palais de la Découverte185 rue Saint Charles 75015 Paris  | Nearest Métro/RER Stops: Balard (M°8), Lourmel (M°8) and Javel – André Citroen (M°10) or RER Javel (C)

Spend the Evening in Le Marais

Things to Do in Paris - La Marais (Groovy Mashed Potatoes)

On the right bank of the Seine River you will find the buzzing Marais district filled with boutiques, restaurants, and bars. Le Marais is one of Paris’s oldest and trendiest neighbourhoods. The happening area has a vibrant nightlife and is popular with the LGBT community and bourgeois-bohemian Parisians.

Don’t miss adding an evening out in the historic Marais to your Paris itinerary. First grab some delicious bites at neighbourhood hotspot Le Mary Celeste. Try to snag an outdoor table and order a variety of their creative dishes, such as the tuna ceviche or the broccoli, Romanesco cabbage and grilled halloumi.

Afterwards, keep the night going at a couple of the city’s top cocktail bars. Try an innovative cocktail at Little Red Door, a Parisian hideout named one of the ‘World’s 50 Best Bars’. Look for a lit up red door and you will know you’ve found the right place.

Lastly take a short walk over to Candelaria, a lively and dimly lit cocktail lounge located in the back of a taqueria. The chic speakeasy is a hidden gem in Paris with excellent cocktails.

Contribution and Photo from Cecily of Groovy Mashed Potatoes

Reviews of Le Marais NeighbourhoodLe Marais 3e Arrondissement, 75003 Paris  | Nearest Métro Stops: Saint-Paul (M°1) and Rambuteau (M°11

Savour French Cuisine on a Food Tour

Things to Do in Paris - Food Tour

There are so many amazing things to eat in Paris but where can you find them all and how do you know it is actually going to be what you want?

France is known worldwide for its popular wines and amazing foods so a brilliant way to make sure you get top quality food in Paris is to go on a food tour. A food tour around Paris will not only take you to some small, boutique places but it will also take you to some amazing hidden gems only known by locals.

Many people associate French food with escargot and frog legs but there is so much more to the cuisine than that. Freshly baked bread is a staple in any French diet but there are special ways to make it and you learn about the balance of the French diet on a food tour. Devour Paris Food Tours are experts in finding people that make the very best in their field and you are able to try it when you tour with them.

Sweets and treats that are so delicate are also a huge feature on food tours in Paris. From macarons to soufflé there are so many for you to sample on a food tour. So many are handmade and absolutely pop the moment you put them in your mouth.

People often opt for a day trip from Paris to taste some of the world-class wine that France is known for but you will find just as many in small wine caves throughout the city.

Contribution from Mark of Wyld Family Travel

Reviews of Devour Paris Food Tours 

Spend an Afternoon Thrift Shopping

Things to Do in Paris - Thrift Shopping

If you’re up for exploring the city in a unique way that celebrates the fashion that France is so famous for, then spending a day thrift shopping in Paris is a must. With so many unique shops ranging from vintage boutiques to eccentric second-hand fripperies, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing where to go next.

A few of the local favorites include FREE’P’STAR at 61 Rue de la Verrerie, where you will find anything from worn-out clothes to designer names and even authentic vintage coats from the 1920s.

For designer finds at unbelievable prices, head to Vintage 77 at 77 Rue de Ménilmontant and don’t miss Chine Machine at 10 Rue des Petites Écuries if you’re into all things eccentric and would love to show off your unique style with a few new finds.

Wherever you choose to go shopping, you’re guaranteed not to leave empty-handed!

Contribution from Dani of No Hurry to Get Home

Enjoy a Scenic River Cruise at Night

Things to Do in Paris - River Cruise on the Seine

For a relaxing way to see Paris, a river cruise can be a wonderful option. There are options to just take a cruise or, for extra romance, treat yourself to one of the evening dinner cruises and see the dramatically lit monuments and beautiful bridges, all while enjoying a lovely meal. The two most popular companies offering these cruises are Bateaux-Mouches and Bateaux Parisiens.

Typically, you’ll be offered a multi-course meal in a dining room aboard a boat that has a glass top making for some great views. If available, it may be worth it to pay the extra to also reserve a seat by the window as they are a little more private and have better views.

Please note: Many dinner cruises have a dress code, so it is worth checking that quickly before heading out, so you’ll be properly attired.

Even if you opt for a day cruise, it is still a great addition to your Paris itinerary. It will give you the opportunity to see the city from a different perspective, see some parts of Paris you might not otherwise get to, and give your feet a little rest!

Reviews of Bateaux Mouches  | Reviews of Bateaux Parisiens

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