Things to Do in Paris
Prices, opening hours, best times to visit and the stuff nobody tells you, everything you need for a first trip to Paris, France, plus one pigeon's opinions on all of it.
Right, Paris. Let's see if you were paying attention, a genuinely iconic city, a hilltop basilica overlooking the whole skyline, one of the world's finest Impressionist collections, and a cemetery that's become a pilgrimage site for music fans decades after the fact. This is the proper, no-nonsense guide to things to do in Paris: what things actually cost, when to go, what to skip, and which bits deserve the queue. Four main stops below, plus a quiz elsewhere on this site to see if you were paying attention.
Sacre-Coeur & Montmartre
A hill in Montmartre is topped by a white basilica, Sacre-Coeur, I nest near this one, it's the hill with the funicular, if that helps, a striking, distinctive white-domed church and one of the best free viewpoints in Paris, with sweeping views over the whole city from the steps outside.
The wider Montmartre district, cobbled streets, artists' squares (Place du Tertre still hosts working painters today), and real bohemian history, rewards a proper unhurried wander beyond just the basilica itself, this was the heart of Paris's artistic community for decades.
Hours Daily, roughly 6am–10.30pm
Address Sacre-Coeur, Montmartre, Paris
Musee d'Orsay
The Musee d'Orsay is famous for Impressionism, think water lilies, lots of water lilies, a world-class collection housed in a former railway station, a striking building in its own right, with Monet, Renoir, Degas, and Van Gogh among the major artists represented, a more manageable, focused alternative to the Louvre if you want a rich art experience without the Louvre's sheer overwhelming scale.
The building's enormous station clock, visible from inside and out, is a distinctive feature, and it's worth allowing a proper few hours to see the collection properly, particularly the top-floor Impressionist galleries.
Hours Tue–Sun, roughly 9.30am–6pm, later Thursdays
Address 1 Rue de la Legion d'Honneur, Paris
Pere Lachaise Cemetery
Pere Lachaise cemetery is a pilgrimage site for Jim Morrison fans, it's the one I told you was my favourite bench, keep up, a genuinely significant, atmospheric cemetery, the largest in Paris, holding the graves of numerous major cultural figures beyond Morrison, Chopin, Oscar Wilde, and Edith Piaf among them.
It rewards a proper unhurried walk, this is less a quick sightseeing stop and more a peaceful, contemplative wander through winding paths and elaborate historic tombstones, so pick up a map at the entrance given how easy it is to lose your bearings.
Hours Daily, roughly 8am–6pm, shorter in winter
Address Pere Lachaise Cemetery, Paris
The Eiffel Tower
Essential despite its status as the most obvious tourist stop in the city, it's worth booking timed entry well ahead if you want to go up rather than just view it from the Champ de Mars below, the second floor offers the best value view relative to cost and queue time compared to the summit.
The Champ de Mars park below, and the Trocadero viewpoint across the river, are both good options even without climbing the tower itself, free vantage points, particularly at night when the tower's hourly light show runs.
Hours Daily, roughly 9.30am–11.45pm, hours vary seasonally
Address Champ de Mars, Paris
Best time to visit Paris
April through June and September through October give the most comfortable weather for the amount of walking this list involves, mild without summer's peak crowds and prices. For the full month-by-month breakdown, including when prices actually drop, see our Best Time to Visit Paris guide.
Paris's museums work well year-round and are worth visiting even outside the shoulder seasons if the weather isn't your priority, this is a city with plenty of indoor options for cooler months.
Getting around Paris
Paris's metro is extensive and the fastest way to cover longer distances. Central areas, including Montmartre and around the major museums, remain walkable in sections. If you're mapping out exactly how to spend your time, our 24 Hours in Paris and 2 Day Paris Itinerary guides lay out an hour-by-hour and day-by-day plan.
Travelling as a couple? Our Paris for Couples guide covers the sunset Seine cruise and Montmartre's quieter corners. Keeping an eye on costs? Paris on a Budget covers what's free and where the tourist markup actually is. And once your dates are set, Where to Stay & Eat in Paris breaks down the neighbourhoods.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Paris worth visiting?
- Yes, unquestionably, few cities anywhere combine this much world-class art, architecture, and history, the Musee d'Orsay, Sacre-Coeur, and the Eiffel Tower together represent some of the best of European culture.
- How many days do you need in Paris?
- Five days covers Sacre-Coeur, the Musee d'Orsay, Pere Lachaise, and the Eiffel Tower comfortably, and Paris rewards more time if you have it.
- Is Paris expensive?
- Yes, one of the pricier European capitals, particularly for accommodation and dining, though Sacre-Coeur and Pere Lachaise remain free.
- What is Paris famous for?
- Sacre-Coeur's hilltop basilica overlooking the city, the Musee d'Orsay's world-class Impressionist collection, and the Eiffel Tower, one of the most recognisable landmarks anywhere.
That's everything I've got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government's latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
