Things to do
The Best Things to Do in Paris (and Who Each One Is Actually For)
A shortlist of Paris experiences grouped by the kind of day you want, with what to know before you book.
Ramavera Editorial Team · Destination research · Updated 11 September 2026 · 5 min read
Landmarks worth the ticket
Eiffel Tower. Book a timed slot — our guided skip-the-line Eiffel Tower Pick is the version we stand behind, and what to book in advance in Paris covers the timing. The summit is worth it on a clear day; the second floor is the better view of the city itself because the tower is in the frame from everywhere else.
Louvre. Treat it as three rooms you chose, not a building you must finish.
Sacré-Cœur and Montmartre. Free to enter, best early or at dusk, and the walk up through the streets beats the funicular for atmosphere.
Museums, by mood
- Musée d''Orsay — Impressionists in a converted station; the fastest satisfying museum visit in the city.
- Louvre — breadth, and the one to book ahead.
- Smaller house museums — quieter, cheaper, and often the highlight of a repeat visit.
Food experiences
A guided food walk is the one tour type that consistently earns its place on a first trip, because it solves the hardest problem in Paris: choosing where to eat. Look for small groups, a named neighbourhood, and tastings that add up to a meal rather than samples — see how to choose a Paris food tour.
On and along the water
Seine cruises are the low-effort way to see the monuments in sequence. Evening departures are more atmospheric; daytime departures are better for photographs.
Day trips
Versailles is the classic and needs most of a day. Giverny suits travellers who want gardens over grandeur.
How to choose
Ask what kind of day you want, not which sight is most famous:
- Want context: guided tour or food walk.
- Want views: tower, hill or river.
- Want quiet: smaller museums and a neighbourhood walk.
- Want an evening out: show, cruise or a booked dinner.
New to the city? Start with Paris for first-time visitors, or browse the Paris destination hub.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the one thing to do in Paris?
- If you only do one ticketed thing, make it the Eiffel Tower with a booked slot — but a neighbourhood walk is what most people remember.
- Are guided tours worth it in Paris?
- For the Louvre and for food, yes: both benefit from someone narrowing the choices. For walking the city, no.
How we researched this guide (1 source)
Ready to book?
The actions this guide actually recommends — official where official is right, free where nothing needs buying, partners where a commercial option genuinely wins.
Notre-Dame — free cathedral admission, with an optional reservation
Free official route · Every visitor to the Île de la Cité
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