What to do in Paris: 30 fantastic travel tips

Paris is a huge city full of surprises, where to start? Here come over 30 extraordinary and classic things to do in Paris from many travel blogs in a nutshell. For example, explore the romantic artists’ quarter of Montmartre, visit a flea market that not everyone knows about, fly high above the city in a hot air balloon for a great view, look through the giant station clock in the Musée d’Orsay and drink coffee in a pink café, where Picasso is said to have drunk his coffee.

What to do in Paris?

30 travel tips from 28 travel blogs:

1. Dance in front of the Eiffel Tower and take the obligatory souvenir photo on the Trocadero. Or admire it at night, when it is illuminated every hour. As a landmark, it simply belongs to Paris and to have stood in front of it at least once is great. You can also take an elevator to the top and enjoy the view over Paris (ticket available here). Wake up with a view of the Eiffel Tower in this hotel or even closer in this accommodation.
2. Walk the charming alleyways in the artists’ district of Montmartre, past colorful houses and small stores. Sit on the steps of the famous white Sacre-Coeur Basilica to enjoy the view (you can also visit the church from the inside and even climb up into the dome). In Montmartre you’ll also find the ‘Je t’aime’ wall, which reads ‘I love you’ in 250 languages. Stay right there in a pretty boutique hotel in Paris’ most popular neighborhood. Take a tour of the secret spots away from the selfie sticks.
3. Enjoy the view over Paris, e.g. from the terrace on the 7th floor of Galeries Lafayette, from the roof terrace on the Tour Monteparnasse, from the observation deck of the Arc de Triomphe (with this ticket you don’t have to queue for it), from the hot air balloon ‘Le Ballon de Paris’, from the Grande Arche or of course from the top of the Eiffel Tower.
4. Two more must-sees in Paris: admire the imposing Notre Dame Cathedral on the Seine and walk along the Champes Elysées boulevard to the Arc de Triomphe (from Place de la Concorde to Place Charles-de-Gaulle). Nearby is also the Élysée Palace!
5. Smile back as the Mona Lisa smiles her mysterious smile at you in the Louvre. Discover there not only the famous painting by Leonardo Da Vinci but also many other famous works of art. And take a look through the glass pyramid. Let a guide show you the famous paintings when there are few tourists.
6. Walk across the famous bridge ‘Pont Alexander III’ over the Seine. Or walk across the lesser known ‘Pont des Arts’ and enjoy the view of the Ile de la Cité. If you come at sunset, it is said to be especially beautiful and romantic on the bridges. The oldest bridge is Pont Neuf.
7. Get on a boat and admire Paris while cruising on the Seine River. You can check out different boat tours here (there’s also one in the evening so you can admire the lights of Paris). Or take a boat tour on the Marne River, less known by tourists.
8. Stroll among fragrant flowers in the Jardin du Luxembourg, a baroque park and admire the Palais du Luxembourg. Also nice: Jardin des Plantes, where you can find rare plants and some greenhouses.
9. Admire the covered arcades and stroll along inviting shop windows: Passage des Panoramas, Galerie Vero-Dodat, Galerie Vivienne
10. Stay extraordinary: e.g. in a hotel with overloaded splendid interior in Belle Époque style (this hotel has an equally extraordinary interior), or in a stylish hotel in the middle of Paris, or romantic in this accommodation or also here, or in a pretty boutique hotel with the possibility of a cooking class. Or in a former monastery hotel with organic breakfast. Or in a room with a view directly of the Eiffel Tower! For camping fans, stay at the campsite and take the shuttle into the city.
11. Visit the famous Galeries Lafayette department store and take a picture from the top. It is supposed to be especially beautifully decorated at Christmas time. And from the roof terrace you have a great view over Paris.
12. Take your pick at the world’s largest flea market: Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen. A pretty ceramic plate, an enchanting bracelet, a small sculpture for your desk at home? There are 3000 stalls and 15 sub-markets with antiques, jewelry, clothes, furniture, musical instruments,… Treat yourself to something good to eat in between, there are also restaurants (e.g. Bistro Chez Luisette). With hundreds of thousands of visitors, the flea market can be overwhelming, so here is an alternative.
13. Visit a smaller flea market in Paris, which is less known by tourists: Puces de Vanves. It is quieter here and you will also find wonderful things with vintage flair. Pick out old postcards or photos, for example, and frame them at home. Around the flea market you should be able to eat well (e.g. Le Jeroboam, Le 14 Juillet). Take a trip to the weekly market “Marché de Brune” just nearby.
14. Relax in the palace park Jardin de Tuileries after a visit to the Louvre and discover statues by Rodin and Giacometti. In summer the fair Fête des Tuileries takes place there.
15. Dine at one of the most beautiful train station restaurants, ‘Le Train Bleu’ at Gare de Lyon.
16. See a French movie in an arthouse cinema, such as Luminor Hôtel de Ville or Studio 28.
17. Sit in a Parisian café, drink a fragrant coffee, write down your best experiences of the day in your travel journal and stop every now and then to listen to the French chatter, e.g. La Bossue, Le Charlot, Grand Café Tortoni, Le Consulat, Peonies, Holiday Café, Passager, Odette, Café de Flore, Au Vieux Paris d’Arcole, Les Deux Magots, Chez Eugene, Boot Café
18. Pack a less classic guidebook such as Lucky Places in Paris or GuideMe TravelBook Paris: Instagram Spots & Must-See Sights or Bruckmann Travel Guide: 500 Hidden Secrets Paris
19. Get a very special view of the city from a flying balloon! Head to Parc André Citroen and take to the skies in the hot air balloon ‘Le Ballon de Paris’.
20. Cook and eat with locals! A cooking class is a very special way to really immerse yourself in the culture. For example, make your own macarons, eclairs or croissants, cook with a Parisian chef or learn to prepare French desserts.
21. Discover one of the most beautiful cemeteries: Père Lachaise. Edith Piaf, Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison or Frederic Chopin were buried here.
22. Sit down at lunchtime in a bistro, eat a French delicacy and watch the hustle and bustle on the street. Famous is the ‘Café Deux Moulins’ in Montmartre from the movie ‘The Fabulous World of Amelie’. Other bistros: Bistro Grenouilles, Le Sancerre, Pharamond, Café de La Nouvelle Mairie, Le Progres, Bistrotters, Bistrot Paul Bert, Le Petit Rétro, Juveniles, Les Philosophes, Café des Anges, Le Cadoret and many more.
23. Experience the atmosphere and art (including Monet, Degas, Renoir) at the Musée D’Orsay, which is in a former train station building – the hall is impressive. Look out over Paris from the huge clock to the Sacre-Coeur Basilica. Get a ticket in advance so you don’t have to wait in line outside the museum (Musée de l’Orangerie is right there too).
24. Stay over in a room above the rooftops of Paris, open the window in the morning and watch the city slowly awakening with a cup of hot coffee in your hand… It’s best to choose an accommodation with a view of the old buildings in the city center of Paris, e.g. Hotel des 3 Poussins or an apartment. You can also see the typical rooftops of Paris from the terrace of the Centre Pompidou or on a sightseeing flight over the city, even can try to book such rooms or apartments at . 
25. Walk in the garden of the Rodin Museum among its famous sculptures and rose bushes. The sculptures ‘The Thinker’ and ‘The Kiss’ can be found here.
26. Which museum would you like to visit next? e.g. Musee de l’Orangerie, Picasso Museum, Centre Pompidou, Musée Curie. Paris has so many great museums to offer!
27. Explore the Marais neighborhood, discover galeries and hip stores, sample falafel, walk rainbow crosswalks, marvel at grand houses, and visit the Marché Bastille on Sundays. Take a foodie tour of Marais!
28. Feel the romance at the ‘Musée de la Vie romantique’? The museum is dedicated to George Sand (a Romantic writer) and has a small garden. Have a cup of tea in the green! More museums of famous writers: Maison de Balzac and Maison de Victor Hugo.
29. More sights? See the obelisk at Place de la Concorde and ride the Parisian Ferris wheel, visit the Pantheon where famous people like Victor Hugo, Voltaire and Rousseau are buried or see the Invalides Cathedral with its impressive dome.
30. Drink coffee where Picasso is said to have had his coffee and decide if the little pink café ‘La Maison Rose’ in the Montmartre neighborhood deserves the Instafame. Then continue down Rue de l’Abreuvoir for another charming street.