The Top 10 Things to Do in Paris, France
#10 -
Eiffel Tower
A sparkling architectural majesty standing against the romantic backdrop of the City of Lights. This grand structure was an awe-inspiring, stop and take it all in, glorious part of our trip. We enjoyed going to the top twice during our visit. Once during the day and the other at night to catch a glimpse of the breathtaking views from different perspectives. This is a MUST book ahead attraction, as lines will be long if you don’t get a reserved time. So worth the opportunity to look out from one of the world’s most beautiful monuments. Our hotel was nearby, so we were lucky enough to be able to see the Tower multiple times and to sit alongside the romantics on the Champ de Mars, taking in the astonishing light show with a bottle of wine! Full disclosure: there will be large crowds and many street vendors in the surrounding area. However, it is so astonishing to have the chance to see the showcase of Paris!
#9 -
Notre Dame
Fortunately for us, we visited Notre Dame before the fire that did so much damage to the cherished building. It is a truly distinguishable cathedral showcasing the Gothic architectural style of the Middle Ages. We were able to reserve a time in advance to scale the towers for an up close view of the carvings and photo op with the church bell at the top. You can also venture inside the 115 foot high cathedral to take in the flying buttresses and the three rose windows still made from the original 13th century glass. The latest reopening plans target the year 2024, opening in time for the Paris Olympic games.
#8 -
Caves du Louvre
Loved this unique experience! Getting to go into a historical cellar and be taken through an informative, fun, and yummy wine tasting experience was very special. You get to walk through a sensory experience to learn how the wines are made, soil types used, and of course taste many of the succulent wines. These cellars were once used to house the wines of royalty, so you literally get a taste of history! You can also visit on your own, but the tour is highly recommended and comes as part of the Paris City Pass.
#7 - Louvre
An amazing piece of art itself, the heart of this museum boasts a glass pyramid that is wonderful to see and of course snap some fun pics alongside! Inside, the Louvre features the world’s largest art museum with over 35,000 works of art and even more objects on display spanning across history. The top visited museum has become a historical landmark full of sculptures, drawings, paintings, and more that take you back through ancient civilizations. Highlights of the museum include Leonardo DaVinci’s Mona Lisa, Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People, and the sculpted Venus de Milo. Book tickets in advance and be prepared for a line, but well worth it!
#6 -
Hop on Hop off Bus Tour
A likely first day tour for us around any city, these hop on/hop off rides allow us to get an overview of the city to best plan the rest of our stay. They offer friendly tour guides that give you informative facts that are priceless in such a city rich with history. Ride along the Champs-Elysees and around the Arc de Triomphe, gaze at the historical Louvre, and of course spot the Eiffel Tower along many parts of the route. With stops at Champ de Mars, the Arc de Triomphe, and Notre Dame, this also offers an alternative ride to many of the locations listed on our blog.
Photo provided by Big Bus Tour Paris.
#5 -
Musee d’Orsay
Located along the banks of the Seine river, this art museum was built in a former railway station for the Universal Exhibition of 1900. It was one of my favorites, since it offered a smaller, more intimate feel for a museum and showcased many French artists. Some of my favorite artists, such as Monet, Degas, Renoir, Seurat, and Van Gogh hold a place in this beautiful attraction. You can peruse the halls of many collections dating from 1848 to 1914. During your visit, snap a memorable photo with the Musee d’Orsay clock. Make sure to check days that the museum is open ahead of time and grab a ticket online.
#4 -
Arc de Triomphe
A triumphant monument located at the western end of the famous Champs-Elysees Avenue, this architectural beauty honors those who fought in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. Also, beneath the structure, lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War 1, for which an eternal flame shines. This 164-foot arch took 30 years to build and was completed in 1836. You can avoid the traffic along the surrounding round-about by using the underground walkway, before climbing to the top of the arch for sweeping views of Paris. Historical victory marches and funerals made their processions here and present day, you can witness the finish line of The Tour de France and the start of the Bastille Day march. The ticket price is worth the breathtaking experience. Also, if you’re in a shopping mood, walk down the aforementioned Champs-Elysees Avenue for top tier shopping and dining options!
#3 - Moulin Rouge
A rousing show full of exhilarating dancing and music that is sure to excite! Book ahead to experience dinner and entertainment during the Feerie show with 80 artists and 60 Doriss girls from around the world! Take in the extravagant set designs and costumes glittering with rhinestones and sequins and fluttering with feathers. While it’s nothing like the film sharing its name, a night at Moulin Rouge is like no other! It is pricey, so dress up (there is a dress code), clink those champagne glasses, and enjoy some cabaret...cheers!
#2 -
Disneyland Paris
Go visit Mickey while in Paris! Take a train ride from the main city to relick in the magic that all Disney has to offer! The train was pretty easy to navigate (look for all the other people wearing Disney shirts) and took about 2 hours to arrive. We got there early and opted for their park hopper pass, allowing us to go between their two parks: Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park. Our favorite rides were their unique Space Mountain and the Ratatouille ride! If you want to eat at one of their top restaurants, it’s best to make reservations well ahead of time through the Disney app. We ate at Captain Jack’s Restaurant des Pirates, which was nestled behind the Pirates of the Caribbean ride (like the Blue Bayou at Disneyland in California) and lots of fun! As native southern Californias, it was like a piece of home halfway across the globe! While similar to the Disney Parks in the states, the two Disney Parks in France have plenty of unique features and rides to make it a must visit for Disney fans.
#1 - Versailles/Giverny Tour
Absolutely loved taking this day trip out of Paris. First stop was The Palace of Versailles. A beautiful work of art and history, this palace began as Louis XIII’s hunting grounds and continued to be transformed and embellished until the French Revolution. In 1837, it became the The Museum of the History of France, filled with 2,300 rooms of paintings and sculptures. One of our favorite rooms was the Hall of Mirrors that gave sweeping views of the lustrous gardens. We were set free to walk among the gorgeous fountains and groves. So lovely! Second stop, The Mill, for lunch. Here, our guide knew all the locals and we got to eat a French lunch and get to know our travel buddies. Last stop, Giverny, home to Claude Monet, my favorite artist. This was a drive, but definitely worth it! The centerpiece of many of Monet’s most famous works, the waterlily pond, Japanese bridge, gardens, and hay stacks were amazing to see firsthand. You can walk through where the artist lived and gained his inspiration and visit the on-site art museum and his final resting place. It was extremely beautiful! We booked through the website pariscityvision.com and our host was great and very informative. We got to skip the line at Versaille and admission/lunch/transportation were all included. Skipping the line at Versaille was worth the price of admission alone!
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