Paris Bucket List – 30 Things To Do in Paris for first-timers

Last updated on June 18th, 2021 at 06:10 pm

As Audrey Hepburn rightly said, “Paris is always a good idea”, it will be difficult to find out a person who doesn’t dream of experiencing Paris, at least once in lifetime. This post on Paris Bucket List will get you started in planning some of the best things to do in Paris on your first time to this enchanting city.

If you are in Paris for 3 days or more, then you can tick off most of these items from the list.

Nevertheless, there is always an option to pick and choose and curate your list of things to do in Paris This list promises to acquaint you with the most notable ones for your first visit.

Well, you can try them out for subsequent visits as well 😊

Note: Many Paris attractions are currently closed due to the pandemic. This Paris Bucket List is to help you plan all future visits to the City of Lights. 

Paris Bucket List – 30 Things To Do In Paris

1) Get to the Top of Eiffel Tower – The number one on Paris Bucket List

Critics might say that it is a touristy and over-hyped activity to get to the top of the Eiffel Tower!

Take it from me. It is NOT, especially if it is your first time in Paris. You cannot leave Paris without experiencing ‘The Iron Lady’ up and close. 

Eiffel Tower has 3 levels – First floor, Second Floor, and the Top level.

You can take the stairs and ascend the Eiffel Tower as well till the 2nd floor (724 steps), but the elevator option saves a lot of time. The third level or the top of the Eiffel Tower (also called Eiffel Tower Summit) is at a height of 281 meters. It offers a panoramic view of Paris and is quite obviously one of the most sought-after Paris attractions.

However, it is not just the view for which you must book a ticket to Eiffel Tower Summit. You will also get to see Gustave Eiffel’s office at the 3rd level where he used to host notable personalities.

Spend a good amount of time at the summit as it is going to be a cherished moment for years to come.

Read more : Tips to Visiting Eiffel Tower for the first time

2) Take a photo at ‘Place to kiss’ at Eiffel Tower Summit

So, you are in Paris and on top of the Eiffel tower enjoying an unobstructed view of the Paris skyline! Eiffel Tower has witnessed the beginning of many romantic stories and you can see a rather ‘suggestive’ sign on the top floor. ‘#EiffelLove – Place To Kiss’ 

This unavoidable pink backdrop tucked in a small corner on the top floor is the perfect place to kiss your loved one and make a memorable Eiffel Tower moment.

Go for it and it will be one of the most precious moments you will bring back from Paris!

3) Watch the Twinkling Eiffel Tower at night

Eiffel Tower is lit up every day from sunset to 1 AM. During summer, it turns off one hour later at 2 AM. A treat to the eyes, the tower lights twinkle for 5 minutes every hour.

Hence, don’t miss that golden moment.  We enjoyed the illuminated & twinkling Eiffel Tower while sailing through Seine river on the cruise.

4) Take the Seine cruise

And that brings me to the next Paris Bucket List item – the Seine Cruise.

A trip to Paris is incomplete without taking the famous River Seine cruise. Explore the city along its waterway as you cross some of the most notable Paris Landmarks. 

The usual 60-min cruises offer some of the spectacular views of Paris.

There is an array of Seine Cruise on offer and you can check for Seine Cruise options from Bateaux Parisiens website.

The regular cruises are reasonably priced while the dinner cruises are way too expensive. You are paying for the view and not the food.  Depending upon your itinerary, you will need to decide from where you will board the cruise.

We opted for the regular late afternoon 60-Min Seine Cruise with an audio-guide explaining Paris landmarks. That way we were able to club the cruise as well as watching the illuminated Eiffel Tower up and close.

Book your Seine Cruise through Bateaux Parisiens website.

5) Say Hello to Arc de Triomphe

Arc De Triomphe is a 50-meter-tall iconic monument commissioned by Napoleon and represents various victories of the French army. While you can admire the monument from the outside, an ascend (a mighty 284 steps) to the top of the observation deck will provide you a beautiful view of Paris & how various streets are radially built around the Arc de Triomphe.         

Arc De Triomphe tickets can be bought online.

6) Walk the Champs-Élysées 

Fancy some retail therapy from high-end boutique stores? Then a walk down the Champs-Élysées is a must.

The Avenue des Champs-Élysées is 1.9 km long connecting Arc de Triomphe with Concorde. It is considered one of the most beautiful & fashionable avenues and a walk down the Champs-Élysées is one of the major tourist attractions in Paris.

This road is home to some of the biggest fashion brands like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci to name a few. Some of them have their flagship stores here.

It is certainly meant for high-end retail therapy but for budget travelers, window-shopping is equally fun. Champs-Elysees is also known for cafes, theaters along the road.

7) Relax a bit at Jardin des Tuileries Garden

French and their love for gardens are synonymous. Hop on to Jardin des Tuileries – an ornately decorated garden with sculptures and fountains. If you are in Paris during Spring, then be ready to be mesmerized by the lovely colors adorning the garden. 

It’s a nice place to stroll or simply sit back and relax while.

There is a carrousel on the northern side of the garden for young kids to have a good time.

8) Admire the art repertoire at the Louvre Museum

Right in the heart of 1st arrondissement is the iconic Louvre museum – the world’s largest and most visited museum with art collections that will take a lifetime to explore. It was formerly a palace to the French Kings and was converted to a museum in the 18th century.

The museum’s main-entry adorned by a modern installation of a glass pyramid is magnificent and is itself a work of art.

You can spend an entire day and even several days exploring the Louvre if you are an art connoisseur. Else, it will be a 3 to 4 hour trip to the museum. Anything beyond this can be overwhelming for your first visit.

Whatever is your pick, do not miss out on The Venus de Milo, The Winged Victory of Samothrace, Mona Lisa (obviously), and The Coronation of Napoleon (it was undergoing restoration when we visited last). 

9) Wonder at the 17th Century Palace with a modern twist at Palais-Royal

A few meters away from the Louvre museum, tucked in a small road is the gorgeous 17th-century French palace and its associated garden – Palais-Royal. This place housed the French royal families until the Palace of Versailles was built.

The star of Palais Royale is the modern installation of 260 black and white striped octagonal columns in the palace courtyard. It provides a great photo opportunity.

Palais Royal is a highly under-estimated tourist attraction in Paris. If you are looking for some offbeat things to do in Paris, then Palais Royale should be on your list. 

You get to see an amazing medieval French palace with a modern twist and almost zero crowds!

Entrance Fees: Free

10) Visit Notre Dame Cathedral

* Due to the tragic & devastating fire that had destroyed portions of the Notre Dame Cathedral, it is closed to tourists and worshippers until further notice *

Notre Dame cathedral is one of the most beautiful medieval Gothic cathedrals in the world and boasts of stunning architecture, majestic towers, beautiful gargoyles, flying buttresses, and magnificent stained glass windows, and an icon of the city of Paris. 

Post the devastating fire in 2019, a massive restoration work has been started. Since the entrance to the cathedral and ascending the stairs to the top are restricted till further notice, you can admire the beauty only from outside. Nevertheless, Notre Dame cathedral has to be there in your Paris must-see list.

Personal Story: 15th April 2019: We are probably the last batch of visitors in the world who experienced Notre Dame in its full glory before it caught fire. We had just left the cathedral, grabbed a coffee at a café next to it, and took the metro to come back to Eiffel Tower to catch a glimpse of the tower. By that time (a 45 mins gap), the cathedral had caught fire. The people on the streets of Paris were heartbroken with the news. A tragic, devastating, and heart-wrenching experience while traveling!

11) Watch out for Paris Point zero

Did you know the center of Paris is just in front of Notre Dame Cathedral?

Also known as Paris Point Zero, this point is supposedly the exact center of the city and a point from where distances in France are measured.

Paris Point Zero is a bronze plaque set in the cobblestones in front of Notre Dame cathedral.  This is a great feet photo opportunity if you fancy.

12) Dine at Au Vieux Paris d’Arcole restaurant 

Now that you are in the Notre Dame area, it is time to visit some of the cute cafes in the neighborhood.

This Instagram-famous café deserves all the hype! Located just a few steps away from Notre Dame cathedral is the quaint and charming Au Vieux Paris d’Arcole restaurant.

Au Vieux Paris d’Arcole resides in a 16th-century building. The restaurant exteriors are awe-inspiring with lavender-colored wisteria covering the green-colored café frontage and with the outside sitting arrangement in a matching bright purple theme. It is indeed a sight if you are visiting Paris in the Spring. 

Given that it is quite Insta-famous, there is always a queue to grab a seat outside under the sun. The café has the first level as well decorated with rustic furniture and stone wall retaining old-world French charm. 

The food price is average as compared to other well-known restaurants and the waiters are friendly who will guide you through the food and wine menu.

The excellent atmosphere, delicious cuisine, and perfect romantic setting makes a meal-experience at Au Vieux one of the romantic things to do in Paris.

13) Marvel at the stained glass windows at Sainte-Chapelle

Would you not have 45 minutes to squeeze in your Paris Itinerary to marvel at the stained-glass windows of Sainte-Chapelle? Built-in the 13th century by King Saint-Louis this Gothic-style church is well-known for exquisite stained-glass windows and undoubtedly needs to be part of your Paris Bucket list.

Whether or not you are into Gothic architecture, a visit to Sainte-Chapelle in central Paris is a must.  Tag it along with your visit to Notre Dam.

Tickets: 11.5 Euro to 17 Euro. Tickets cannot be purchased at the site. Buy your tickets online.

14) Grab a macaron from Laduree

French patisserie does not need an introduction.

And If I talk about the Paris food bucket list, then a few French macarons from Laduree should be one of the top items to tick off. 

Laduree is a 19th-century French luxury patisserie renowned for its delectable and classic French macarons. It rose to fame shortly after it was established and soon became the hub of socializing amongst the then Parisians.

Laduree has a chain of stores across Paris. Along with macarons, there is an array of entrees, main courses, and exquisite desserts on offer. You just need to pick and choose.

One of the best ways to experience in Paris is to grab a macaron from their Champs-Élysées outlet and take a stroll along the famous avenue.

Also read : 11 Must-Try Food in Paris

15) Indulge in a hot chocolate from Angelina

Another stop on your Paris food bucket list should be a hot chocolate from the famed Parisian tearoom Angelina.

During our Paris trip, we loved the Angelina version of hot chocolate so much that ended up having it multiple times including one from Versailles Palace.

16) Grab a crepe from a street vendor

Can you truly explore a city’s food culture without trying its street-food?

Certainly not!

You will find many street vendors selling delicious crepes with sinful filling inside (read Nutella). Just pick and choose. You will need a quick bite for a between-destinations halt.

17) Explore Montmartre District on foot

And who has not fallen for the charm of Montmartre! Artists like Van Gogh and Pablo Picasso once called Montmartre, home.

Montmartre district is a hill and still retains the old-world charm with cobble-stoned streets lined with quaint cafes and old buildings. It is also the home of Paris’s one of the most famous Basilica’s – Sacré–Cœur.

True to its artistic history, you will also find French artists at work in the lanes next to Sacré–Cœur.

Go on a self-guided walking tour of Montmartre – Paris’s most loved neighborhood. If the self-guided tour is not your choice, then a guided tour of Montmartre will also do the charm.

Whichever options you prefer Montmartre promises you to give you a typical Parisian feeling.

Related Post : 10 Things To Do In Montmartre, Paris

18) Sit on the steps of Sacré-Cœur & admire Paris views

Sacré-Cœur or the Sacred Heart Basilica of Montmartre is a Roman Catholic church dating back to the days of the French Revolution. The domed white church with Ice-green statues in front is considered one of the most iconic landmarks of Paris.

The Sacré Coeur stands at the summit of the butte Montmartre, the highest point in the city. And one of the best things to do here is to sit on the steps of the church and drool over a panoramic view of Paris below.

When we visited Sacré-Cœur last time, it was Good Friday and the church was preparing for the celebrations. It was a unique experience to be there when festivities were palpable in the air.

19) Indulge in French food

Delectable is the right adjective for French food. Isn’t it?

Food and wine are an integral part of French culture and one of the best things to do in Paris is to discover and enjoy the bounty of French food. 

French Croissant is world famous now. If you are in Paris, you will have to ensure to taste these insanely light and flaky croissants baked to perfection with multi-layers of dough and butter!

One of my other favorite French food and a must-try while in Paris is the French Onion Soup. Wikipedia describes it as “French onion soup is a type of soup usually based on meat stock and onions, and often served gratinéed with croutons or a larger piece of bread covered with cheese floating on top”

Word of caution! It is almost a dish in itself. So unless you are super-hungry, you can simply savor the soup alone. It will keep you full for a long time.

Read More : 11 Must-Try Food In Paris

20) Transcend to a magical world on a Day trip to Disneyland Paris

DISNEYLAND WILL NEVER BE COMPLETED. IT WILL CONTINUE TO GROW AS LONG AS THERE IS IMAGINATION LEFT IN THE WORLD – WALT DISNEY

If you are traveling with kids, then a day trip to Disneyland Paris is a must and one of the fun things to do with kids.

Meet the Disney heroes and heroines in magical surroundings and transcend into the world of imagination. You will need to book your tickets in advance for the best experience.

21) Explore French royalty on a day trip to Palace of Versailles

Chateau De Versailles is one of the most magnificent palaces in the world. Built-in the 17th century as a hunting lodge for King Louis XIII, the Palace of Versailles later transformed into the Royal Palace till the French Revolution. It is a significant historical and cultural treasure and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Squeeze out a day to visit Versailles and explore the palace, the Hall of Mirrors, royal apartments of Marie Antoinette and the palace’s expansive gardens.

Versailles is a 45-min train ride from Paris.

22) Visit Paris Catacombs

Up for a creepy Paris experience?

Walk underneath the city of Paris in the catacombs, a series of tunnels lined with human bones! Due to major public health problems, city authorities were required to transfer cemetery content to an underground site in the 18th century.

This underground ossuary is now the final resting ground of 300 million Parisians. The catacomb circuit tour will take 1 hour considering 131 steps to go down and 112 steps to climb up.

Paris Catacombs is a bit unusual Paris attraction – plan for it only if you are interested.

23) Admire the ornate Pont Alexandre III Bridge

People might say, “It is just another bridge! Why the fuss?”

Well, it certainly deserves all the hype. Pont Alexandre III is an ornate (and that’s an understatement) arch bridge on Seine river lined with beautiful lamp posts, dainty angel statues and golden statues of winged horses on the columns.

 A walk across the bridge is one of the best things to do in Paris and it provides great views of the Eiffel Tower.

24) Enjoy the gorgeous and idyllic Luxembourg Gardens

Luxembourg Gardens (Jardin du Luxembourg) is another exquisite one in Paris’s rich repertoire of gardens. If you are staying in the Latin Quarters, then a visit to Luxembourg Gardens is unavoidable. Dotted with sculptures, monuments, and fountains, you can explore the Luxembourg Palace and museum as well.

At the minimum, a simple stroll in the manicured garden can be the definition of an idyllic afternoon after a day’s Paris exploration.

Entry Fee – Free

25) Visit ‘The Centre Pompidou’ for a brush with modern art. 

‘The Centre Pompidou’ houses Musée National d’Art Moderne, the largest and most important museum of Admire the modern art in Europe and is noticeable because of its complex architecture. You can go inside the museum or simply marvel at the unique architecture from outside.

26) Visit Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann

One of the well-known Paris attractions is Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann, an upmarket French departmental store. Paris has headquarters of several fashion brands and most of them have a store here.

Galeries Lafayette is famous for its stunning architecture and its grand décor during festivals. If you happen to be in Paris during Christmas, then a visit to Galeries Lafayette is one of the fun things to do with Kids.

27) Admire the French doors!

Keep your camera ready to capture some of the most beguiling French doors while exploring Paris on foot.

For this Paris Bucket List item, you do not need to spend a dime or plan ahead.

Chances are you will stumble upon some worth-capturing French Doors that will grab your attention.

The style and architecture behind the doors speak volume about the history of the place and probably its inmates!

Frame them 😊

28) Watch a show at Moulin Rouge

Oooh la la… Moulin Rouge!

Colors, exuberance, fabulous settings, and of course good-looking women have made French cabaret shows in Moulin Rouge famous in the world. Moulin Rouge has been entertaining guests for the past 110 years and the tickets get sold out every night.

If experiencing a cabaret show was ever on your bucket list, then a show at Moulin Rouge will be one of the interesting things to do in Paris at night.

Word of caution! The shows are expensive and not recommended if traveling with young children.

Even if you can’t manage to watch a show at Moulin Rouge, ensure to take a photo of the red-colored windmill of Moulin Rouge depicting the history of Montmartre village which once upon a time used to have many windmills.

29) Shop from Drug Stores

For the ladies out there, beauty products from Paris are a must-have.

While there are high-end brands from where you can get your pick, the interesting part is, Parisian Drug stores are equally equipped with a repertoire of affordable and good quality cosmetic items.

Grab some daily-use cosmetics like moisturizers, body lotions, or even bath sea salt without spending a bomb. These are good gift items for your near and dear ones as well.

I can confirm, I stuffed my suitcase with several drug-store buys!

Check out some good recommendations from the Paris-Louvre website.

30) Buy your Paris Souvenir

No souvenir is more Parisian than a miniature version of the Eiffel Tower. Get them from any of the street vendors. Some other souvenirs to bring back from Paris would be the typical Key chains and Fridge magnets.

Closing Thoughts On Paris Bucket List

And that’s a wrap! Paris is always an unforgettable experience whether it is your first time or not. If you are planning a visit to Paris (whenever travel opens up), then this list would guide you with things to do in Paris.

Already been to the City of Lights? What are your top 3 things to do in Paris?