Want to see and do a little bit of everything in Paris? We've included places to shop, where to have a drink and a couple of landmarks and attractions to get you started.
Take a look at our recommendations for the best places to visit in Paris and add your favourites to your travel itinerary…
Jardin de Luxembourg
Top of our list for the places to visit in Paris is the Luxembourg Garden. You can easily spend a whole day exploring the 'garden of the French Senate', with its 23-hectare (23,000 square metre) expanse of neatly trimmed lawns and tree-lined promenades. It’s a great place to enjoy some serenity away from the bustling metropolis of Paris. There are plenty of things to see, including the puppet theatre, the vintage carousel, free musical performances and hundreds of statues.
Red Route, Stop: Notre Dame
Musee Rodin
One of our favourite things to do in Paris is wander around the various art galleries and museums. The Musee Rodin is well worth a visit to see over 6,000 sculptures by the famous French sculptor, Auguste Rodin, including 'The Thinker' and 'The Kiss'. There’s also a beautiful garden around the museum with a small lake where you can take a break in the fresh air to decide which piece you enjoyed the most.
Red Route, Stop: Musée d'Orsay
Explore Marche aux Puces
Those searching for an unusual activity in Paris could quite easily spend a whole day wandering round this enormous flea market. Established in the 19th century, it’s a true hidden gem for locals and tourists alike. With over 2,500 stalls full of various wares, it’s a great place to pick up some vintage items – but most come with a hefty price tag, so don’t go in search of a bargain but do haggle for the best price.
Shop til you drop at Le Marais
Le Marais is one of the city’s hottest shopping districts, filled with individual boutiques, retro stores and pop-up shops - including Free ‘P’ Star, a haven for vintage lovers. There’s also a huge number of delicious street food joints to pick up one of Paris’s cheap eats, as well as trendy bars. Marais is home to Paris’s LGBT+ district, extending from Rue Vielle du Temple outwards. You can also discover more traditional tourist attractions in Marais, including the Musee Picasso and Place des Vosges.
Red Route, Stop: Notre Dame
Visit Montmartre
Wander the tightly wound streets and bustling cafes of Montmartre, a must-visit for anyone wondering what to do in Paris. Take on the hike up the city’s highest hill to be rewarded with views of the white domes of Basilique du Sacré-Coeur. Find a secret bistro and order something delicious from the menu to feast on as you watch the world go by. Or hop-on the Big Bus Night Tour to discover Pigalle, the area surrounding the foot of the hill - home to the Moulin Rouge, the world’s oldest cabaret show.
Blue Route, Stop: Gare du Nord
Big Bus Night Tour
Cruise along the Seine
A cruise along the Seine is a fantastic way to see the city and the only way to see underneath the river’s many bridges – with fantastic statues and intricate designs. For mesmerising views of all the most iconic Paris sights we recommend waiting until nightfall to climb aboard. Don't forget, our bus and cruise combo tickets include our open-top sightseeing tour and a relaxing cruise along the Seine.
Red Route, Stop: Tour Eiffel
Bus Tour & River Cruise Ticket
Cocktails at Harry’s New York Bar
Feeling thirsty? This bar is over 100 years old, but it’s still one of the top places to indulge in a cocktail or two in the city. As the bar’s history goes, “in 1911, a former US jockey convinced a friend who owned a bar in New York to dismantle it and to shift it to Rue Daunou in Paris”. It soon became a favourite watering hole of writers including Hemingway and Sartre, and some of the world’s best-loved cocktails were created here, such as the Bloody Mary. Try it for yourself and see what you think, we think it’s one of the best bars in Paris.
Red Route, Stop: Opéra Garnier
Visit any of our suggestions and you’ll know why so many people keep returning to the City of Love. If you’re short on time in the French capital, don’t worry because you can still spot most of these great places to visit in Paris from one of our Big Bus tours, and many can be easily accessed from our bus stops.
