Five Top Things To Do in Paris

Paris is easily one of my favourite cities to visit. Romantic, iconic, beautiful to wander and stuffed full of attractions to entertain, inform and amuse – you’ll never run out of things to do and see!

Today, I want to share with you five of my favourite things to do in Paris, all of which are very much worth your time.

1 View The Eiffel Tower from the Trocadero

This is number one in my list, and should be number one on your list too, especially if this is your first time to Paris. Sure, you’ve seen the Iron Lady in photos before. But I promise you that nothing has really prepared you for her magnificent size as she looms over the city, dwarfing everything around her.

Not bad for something installed as a temporary exhibition for a world fair a century ago!

You can go up her of course, but really, my favourite way to experience the Eiffel Tower is to walk under her, around her, and to peer at her from various vantage points in the city.

One of my favourite spots to do that is from the Trocadero, just on the other side of the Seine, which offers an excellent view of the Eiffel Tower, framed by some fountains, and giving you a really great perspective on her and her city, which she has represented in fine style ever since she was first erected.

2 Take in a show at the Moulin Rouge

A little expensive, a little bit cheesy and a little bit risqué? Sure, the Moulin Rouge is all of these things. It’s also an incredible show, packed full of incredibly talented performers who work their socks off (and most of their other clothes!), to entertain you over a two hour period.

Find someone you love, or go alone, partake in the ticket offer that comes with a half bottle of champagne (because why not!), and just enjoy the spectacle in the place that brought the world the Can Can. It’s worth it.

3 Get your portrait painted at Montmartre

The hill of Montmartre, topped by the Sacre Coeur, has long been a place for artists of all types to seek work, lodgings, and ply their wares. The most obvious place today where this tradition continues is the Place du Tertre in Montmartre. Around 300 artists operate in this square, most drawing portraits. The quality is generally pretty good - the process for getting a coveted spot here is seriously tricky, with an application required, that showcases the artists talent, after which the artist has to join a waiting list (around ten years long) before they can start to make some money.

Of course, this being art, you might not like the resulting work, so a couple of tips – check out an artist at work on an actual subject to see how they portray a person, to be sure it’s the right style for you. And agree on a price up front. It’s hard to haggle once the work is completed!

4 Visit the Louvre

Speaking of portraits, if you’re into art, then you can’t visit Paris without visiting the home of the world’s most famous portrait – Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. Even if you will likely be sharing her with hordes of camera waving visitors.

Of course, the Louvre is home to a little bit more than one small portrait. It’s stuffed with art from across the world, and the ages, and has enough on show to keep you occupied for days. Even the outside is beautiful, with the Louvre Pyramid being one of Paris’s more iconic sights. Visit at dusk for the best effect, as the pyramid lights up.

5 Wander the Left Bank of the Seine

Finally, on our whirlwind list of Parisian activities, I’d suggest you take some time to just wander along the bank of the Seine, particularly the left bank. You’ll find book sellers, locals out walking, and gorgeous views of some of the highlights of the city, from the Eiffel Tower to Notre Dame. I’m sure there are more romantic things to do in Paris, but I can’t think of them right now!

And those were five of my favourite things to do in Paris. Thinking I missed your favourite out? Fear not! I have a follow up post coming which shares some of my favourite spots to get a great view in Paris, which might explain a few missing locations in this post!

Homestays in Paris