Planning a trip to Paris can be overwhelming, so hopefully this Paris bucket list can help narrow it all down for you. There are so many awesome things to see and do in Paris, and even though you won’t be able to mark all of them off on your first visit, these are some of the best places to start.
I’ve included several categories of options like museums, famous restaurants, iconic foods, and the most popular (and still worthwhile) attractions, and more. Concentrate on the things that interest you the most and, above all, have fun in Paris!
Paris bucket list map
This map contains all the things to do in Paris that I mention in this post. To save this map: Click on the star ⭑ next to the map’s title to save in your Google Maps. To use this map: When you get here, open Google Maps on your phone, click “Saved” at the bottom, then click “Maps.”
Also read: Best Time to Visit Paris: Summer vs. Winter Edition
How to save money on your Paris bucket list
Before we get into all the best things to do in Paris, I first must share with you the best ways to save money on all these things.
Paris GoCity Pass
First up is the Paris GoCity Pass. GoCity specializes in sightseeing passes that include admission to TONS of attractions for one super reasonable base price. These passes typically include fun tours and other activities as well. They have them for cities all over the world, and thankfully for Paris too.
You can choose from 2-, 3-, 4-, or 6-day all-inclusive passes and you can visit as many of the attractions as you want/can. (Challenged accepted!) See the full list of attractions here.
Pick up a Paris GoCity pass here
Paris Museum Pass
Another great option is the Paris Museum Pass. Choose from 2-, 4-, or 6-day options and get access to over 60 museums and monuments around Paris for a deep discount.
Check out all the options (but know that the GoCity Pass mentioned above actually includes a Paris Museum Pass in case there’s something beyond this you want to see).
Pick up a Paris Museum Pass here
Paris bucket list attractions
Here are the most popular, most interesting, and most iconic Paris attractions you simply must check out for yourself.
1. Eiffel Tower
Obviously, first on this list is the Eiffel Tower. You can take the elevator all the way to the top, or simply just hang out in the park and admire it from below. (I’ve done both and they’re both worthwhile!) Whichever you choose, you should at least make it a point to head over here to check it out up close.
If you want to go up the tower, there are three different levels you can get to (with increasing prices as you go up). Some involve stairs, some include a lift. Book your ticket(s) as far in advance as you can as they can (and do) sell out.
2. Arc de Triomphe
Another most iconic attraction in Paris is the Arc de Triomphe—a memorial to those who fought and died in the French Revolutionary Wars, Napoleonic Wars, and WWI. It sits at the end of the Champs-Élysées and is surrounded by a huge and chaotic rotary. (Honestly some of the most terrifying driving in all of France.)
But more than just a monument, you can actually climb up to the top and get the most incredible views of Paris from this central point. It’s not a terrible climb, nor is it as crowded and crazy as the Eiffel Tower, and the views are definitely worth it.
3. Paris Catacombs
Head 20 meters below the city to explore Paris’s historic ossuary—filled with the bones of six million people, dating back to the 1700s. You’ll see bones neatly stacked on one another and arranged in artistic designs, all winding through a series of subterranean tunnels. This is about as metal as you can get.
4. Napoleon’s Tomb
The tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte is a large monument located inside the even larger Les Invalides. Besides the elaborate sarcophagus, the building itself is notable. During the reign of Louis XIV it served as the royal church. During World War II, it served as a shelter for Allied pilots. (There are several military museums and other Paris WWII sites you can see here as well.)
5. Montparnasse Tower
If you’re looking for great views of Paris and the Eiffel Tower, add the Montparnasse Tower to your Paris bucket list. Though not always the first to come to mind, the views from here are absolutely incredible, especially at night when the Eiffel Tour is all lit up. It has a full panoramic rooftop observation deck and a clear view straight to the Eiffel Tower.
Paris bucket list museums
If you’re a museum nerd (like me), you’re going to LOVE Paris. This city has more world-class museums than pretty much anywhere in the world. I won’t list them all because there really are just too many, but here are some of the top ones to consider adding to your Paris bucket list.
6. The Louvre
The Louvre is one of my favorite museums ever and its charm goes well beyond just the Mona Lisa. You can see some of the world’s most famous pieces of art here like the Venus de Milo, Winged Victory, the painting Liberty Leading the People, and tons more.
For better or worse, you could spend an entire day at the Louvre (and still not see even a fraction of its collection). For this reason, I highly recommend going with a guide who can show you the highlights (and let you skip the line), especially if you only have a short amount of time in Paris.
7. Musée d’Orsay
While I love the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay is my favorite Paris museum. It focuses on impressionist paintings and French artists, but contains so much more. It also has tons of famous works you’ll recognize by Monet, Van Gogh, Degas, Renoir, and more.
Plus, the atmosphere and architecture here is so beautiful and unique. The building was originally a train station, opened in 1900. It was transformed into a museum in the 1980s. Besides the art, don’t miss the amazing clock window that overlooks the Seine.
8. Musée de l’Orangerie
If you’re a big fan of Claude Monet and his Water Lilies paintings, this is where you need to go. Yes, you can see some of his Water Lilies at the Musée d’Orsay (and tons of other places), but seeing them here is something special.
This museum actually began as a space for living artists to display their works. And Monet actually helped with the architectural design of the space and the installation of his paintings here! The Orangerie displays eight of his Water Lilies paintings which also happen to be his largest ones. (They take up two whole oval-shaped rooms that form an infinity symbol.)
Interested in seeing Monet’s waterlily pond in real life? Don’t miss #22 on this list!
Paris bucket list activities
Here are some of the best things you can DO in Paris that go beyond just looking at pretty things. (Though “looking at pretty things” is pretty quintessential Paris.)
9. Take a Seine river cruise
I always advocate for taking a river cruise in whatever European city you’re visiting. They’re so relaxing and a fun way to see the city and learn some stuff too. I’ve taken Seine cruises in Paris several times and it’s always an enjoyable experience. They even have dinner and lunch river cruises (and more).
10. Take a sightseeing bus tour
People may scoff at bus tours for being “touristy” but the joke’s on them… these tours are clutch, for several reasons:
- You get to see some of the best monuments and sights from the top of an open-air bus where you can get amazing photos without being in the crowds.
- It’s a great way to get a lay of the land if you’re new here.
- They also double as transportation! You can hop-on and hop-off the bus whenever you feel like it to explore a certain attraction or area, or you can just stay on and ride around the city.
- They have commentary too so you can learn about what you’re seeing as you pass by.
I’m a big fan of the Big Bus tours. They offer 24- and 48-hour versions and even night tours to see Paris all lit up. And your ticket includes a Seine river cruise! Get all the Big Bus Paris info and book your ticket here.
11. Take a food tour
Another fabulous thing Paris is famous for is its food. Take advantage of this with a guided food tour so you can try tons of the most iconic foods. Walks Tours offers some of the best and most popular Paris food tours. (Like this Ultimate Paris Food Tour or the Paris Pastry & Chocolate Tour.)
12. Shop at Shakespeare and Company
Shakespeare and Company is Paris’s most famous bookshop (and some say the most famous independent book store in the world). The original S&Co. was started by Sylvia Beach, an American ex-pat who owned and operated it throughout in the 1920s and 1930s. It became a hangout spot for such writers as Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, James Joyce, and more.
Unfortunately, the original shop closed during the Nazi occupation of Paris and never reopened. However, in 1951, another American ex-pat reopened Shakespeare and Company, just at a different location. The current version sits facing the Seine across from Notre Dame in a 17th-century building and has the same Lost Generation vibe and values.
13. Attend a ball at Versailles
Each year, the Palace of Versailles hosts a handful of special events. Two of those events are literal balls. Get dressed in your best baroque gown and powdered wig and dance until they bring out the guillotines. (Ok, maybe they do draw the line somewhere.)
The Fêtes Galantes is a super fancy affair that takes place in June inside the Hall of Mirrors. The Grand Masked Ball is an all-night rave… where you still wear your best historical dress. I’ll be attending this event in 2025 so stay tuned for all the 18th-century debauchery.
Paris bucket list locations to visit
Here are some more notable spots to visit while you’re in Paris:
14. Champs-Élysées
The Champs-Élysées is the most famous “street” in Paris though it’s much more than that. This grand avenue begins at the Place de la Concorde and ends at the Arc de Triomphe. Along the way, you’ll find shops, restaurants, cafés, and more. It’s a little bit “touristy” in parts but still worth a stroll.
15. Luxembourg Gardens
The Luxembourg Gardens are a beautiful spot to have a picnic or relaxing walk. They date back to the 1600s and were inspired by the Boboli Gardens in Florence. You’ll find tons of beautiful trees and flowers, over 100 statues (including an original replica Statue of Liberty), a pond, and more. The area is free to visit and open to the public.
16. Père Lachaise Cemetery
This is Paris’s largest and most visited cemetery with over 70,000 plots and around 3.5 million visitors annually. While here you can see the graves of Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison, Frédéric Chopin, and many more famous historical figures.
17. Place de la Concorde
The Place de la Concorde is a large public square that’s most famous for being the spot where Marie Antoinette and King Louis XVI were beheaded during the French Revolution. Otherwise, at its center stands an obelisk that was moved here from Luxor Temple in Egypt, believed to be over 3,000 years old.
18. Montmartre
Montmartre is one of Paris’s most charming neighborhoods. You’ll find hilly, cobblestone streets, street artists, quaint cafés, beautiful art, and the famous Sacré Coeur Basilica.
Paris bucket list churches
Whether or not you actually plan on attending church while in Paris, there are still a few that you should visit for other reasons. Don’t miss:
19. Notre Dame Cathedral
As of December 2024, Notre Dame Cathedral has reopened after its devastating 2019 fire (and cleaner than ever, I might add). This medieval cathedral dates back well into the 1200s and is one of the most famous cathedrals in the world.
Book a (free) time slot and you can visit the newly-refreshed church for a look inside. You can also check out the Treasury to see some of the church’s most important relics and priceless treasures.
20. Sainte-Chapelle
The chapel of Sainte-Chapelle is one of the most beautiful I’ve ever been to. Another that dates back to the 1200s, this church is unique in that it is covered on all sides by elaborate stained-glass windows. (One of the most extensive collections of 13th-century stained glass in the entire world.)
21. Sacré Cœur Basilica
High on a hill in the Montmartre neighborhood is the Basilica of Sacré Cœur, a much newer church by Parisian standards (opened in 1901). The church itself is worth a look, but you’ll quickly notice that this spot is more of a general hang out than anything else. This is also one of the best places for incredible views of Paris.
Paris bucket list day trips
I always say one of the best things about Paris is leaving it, because there are so many great day trips in the area. Add these to your Paris bucket list:
22. Giverny
Just an hour and 20 minutes outside Paris is Giverny–the home and gardens of impressionist Claude Monet. But also, his waterlily pond! Yes, the one he painted that you’ve seen so many times.
You can get here yourself by train, or opt for a guided tour that includes transportation. You’ll be able to tour his beautiful home, walk through his gorgeous gardens, and all around his lily pond.
See my post on taking a day trip to Giverny from Paris here
23. Versailles
The Palace of Versailles is just a short distance from downtown Paris but totally worth the trip. You can tour this historic palace and see spots like the famous Hall of Mirrors, the ballrooms and bedrooms, and walk all throughout the beautiful gardens, and more.
See the full post on taking a day trip to Versailles here
24. Disneyland Paris
Another fun and quirky day trip you can take is to Disneyland Paris. You only have to travel about 20 miles from Paris to reach the two Disney parks here. But the best part is that Disneyland Paris is actually affordable and super easy to get to.
See the full guide to visiting Disneyland Paris here
25. Beaches of Normandy
If you’ve got a history buff in your group, you can certainly add in a day trip to the beaches of Normandy where the historic D-Day invasion took place. It’s a long day, but an incredibly meaningful one. You can see a great deal of World War II history here even on just a day trip.
See my full guide to visiting Normandy on a day trip from Paris here
Paris bucket list restaurants
One thing Paris is known for is its amazing food. Here are some of the city’s most popular restaurants to add to your Paris bucket list:
26. Angelina
Angelina is a Paris spot that’s famous for its hot chocolate and decadent pastries. It’s been around for 120 years and now has a few locations. The main location is on Rue de Rivoli (on the edge of the Tuileries Gardens), but they also have locations at Versailles and inside the Louvre.
27. Les Deux Magots
Les Deux Magots’s reputation revolves around its notoriety among the city’s famed literary, intellectual, and artistic crowd. It was once a popular hangout spot for such notable historical figures as Ernest Hemingway, Pablo Picasso, Jean-Paul Sartre, Julia Child, and many more. And, personally, I enjoyed the hell out of my dinner here!
28. L’Oiseau Blanc
L’Oiseau Blanc is a Michelin-starred restaurant located on the 6th floor of the Peninsula Hotel that’s famous for its amazing view of the Eiffel Tower. Plus, the incredible food of course. This well-known restaurant was also featured in an episode of Modern Family (season 11, episode 13).
29. Terra Nera
Terra Nera is a quaint little Italian restaurant tucked into the 5th arrondissement. But the reason you may want to add it to your Paris bucket list is that it’s actually the stand-in for Gabriel’s restaurant in the show Emily in Paris.
Gabriel’s fancy restaurant Les Deux Compères in the show is a real restaurant, sort of. The cuisine and management staff is quite different, but if you’re looking to eat at this Netflix-famous spot, now’s your chance.
Paris bucket list foods to try
While you’re eating your way around Paris, be sure to try one (or many) of these iconic Parisian foods:
30. Macarons
Many people will tell you the famous Ladurée sells the best ones. Ladurée has many locations all around Paris so you’ll surely get a chance to try some.
But you know who else sells macarons in Paris? McDonald’s! I even did a side-by-side taste test of Ladurée vs McMacarons. The result? McDonald’s macarons are better. I said what I said.
31. Crêpes
Crêpes are a must-try in Paris and consist of a nearly see-through thin layer of dough that’s fried and then stuffed with delicious toppings of all sorts. From strawberries and cream to Nutella to even savory options like ham and cheese, the options are endless.
The Montparnasse area is said to be the best place to get them. (Though you can find crêpe stands all over.)
32. Croque Monsieur / Croque Madame
These are simple items you usually find around breakfast/brunch time. Croque Monsieur is essentially a grilled ham and cheese sandwich. Croque Madame is the same, but with an egg on top. (Get it?) French comfort food at its finest!
33. Croissants
You can find these crescent-shaped, light, buttery, flaky pastries just about everywhere in Paris. I’d say they are THE quintessential Parisian food, in an almost religious sense. Head to any quality bakery in Paris and you’re sure to find some of the best you’ve ever had.
34. Escargot
Yes, escargot is snails, but don’t let that stop you from trying them if you haven’t yet. Escargot are typically served in the shell and drowned in the most delicious garlic butter. The consistency is similar to eating a mushroom, and the flavor is equally “earthy.” Personally, I love escargot and will eat them at any chance I get. But, it’s definitely a love it or hate it kinda food. (And using the proper escargot tools is a real challenge.)
More info for your trip to Paris
Like this post? Have questions about this Paris bucket list? Let me know in the comments below. Have fun in France!
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