What to do in Paris

The 'Iron Lady' is visible from all over the city and is Paris's defining symbol. Its summit offers unforgettable views.

"The 'Iron Lady' is visible from all over the city and is Paris's defining symbol. Its summit offers "

A hillside neighbourhood and former artistic centre of Paris, once home to Picasso, Dalí and Van Gogh. Its twisting streets and narrow lanes are perfect for wandering.

"A hillside neighbourhood and former artistic centre of Paris, once home to Picasso, Dalí and Van Gog"

A former 14th-century palace that is now the world's most visited art museum, with over 35,000 works including the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. The collection is too vast to see in a single day.

"A former 14th-century palace that is now the world's most visited art museum, with over 35,000 works"

The gleaming white basilica that crowns the top of the Montmartre hill.

"The gleaming white basilica that crowns the top of the Montmartre hill."

A Gothic masterpiece completed in 1345 on Île de la Cité, known for its flying buttresses and gargoyles. It has been the stage for defining moments in French history and literature.

"A Gothic masterpiece completed in 1345 on Île de la Cité, known for its flying buttresses and gargoy"

Historic Paris neighbourhood full of old buildings and great food stops, though it also has many tourist traps. It includes the Jewish quarter, which is closed Friday night and Saturday for Shabbat.

"Historic Paris neighbourhood full of old buildings and great food stops, though it also has many tou"

Napoleon's triumphal arch stands at the centre of Place Charles de Gaulle. It offers commanding views of the 12 grand avenues that radiate outward like a star.

"Napoleon's triumphal arch stands at the centre of Place Charles de Gaulle. It offers commanding view"

This grand avenue on the historic axis is where Parisians come to dine, shop, see theatre and celebrate life. It opens into formal gardens and majestic buildings.

"This grand avenue on the historic axis is where Parisians come to dine, shop, see theatre and celebr"

It holds the largest collection of modern art in Europe. Its radical inside-out design is still debated by Parisians.

"It holds the largest collection of modern art in Europe. Its radical inside-out design is still deba"

Gardens with fruit groves and over 100 statues and fountains. It is the ideal place to grab a deckchair and relax like a Parisian.

"Gardens with fruit groves and over 100 statues and fountains. It is the ideal place to grab a deckch"

A magnificent 17th-century château, now an easy half-hour train ride from central Paris. It welcomes everyone from heads of state to backpackers.

"A magnificent 17th-century château, now an easy half-hour train ride from central Paris. It welcomes"

A garden right next to the Louvre that was a popular meeting place for Parisians in the 19th and 20th centuries.

"A garden right next to the Louvre that was a popular meeting place for Parisians in the 19th and 20t"

A former church that now serves as a secular mausoleum for distinguished French citizens such as Victor Hugo and Marie Curie. Its 360-degree panoramic views are among the best in Paris, with shorter waits than the Eiffel Tower.

"A former church that now serves as a secular mausoleum for distinguished French citizens such as Vic"

Paris's modern business district, full of light and public art and futuristic architecture. It marks the start of the city's six-mile historic axis.

"Paris's modern business district, full of light and public art and futuristic architecture. It marks"

The largest square in Paris, at the end of the Champs-Élysées.

"The largest square in Paris, at the end of the Champs-Élysées."

A quiet cemetery full of birdsong and a retreat from the bustling city. Visitors come to pay respects at the graves of Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde and other great figures.

"A quiet cemetery full of birdsong and a retreat from the bustling city. Visitors come to pay respect"

Considered the most ornate of the 37 bridges crossing the Seine in Paris.

"Considered the most ornate of the 37 bridges crossing the Seine in Paris."

A graceful bridge with incredible views of the city, where artists and photographers gather to capture the light. Lovers attach padlocks to its railings.

"A graceful bridge with incredible views of the city, where artists and photographers gather to captu"

The historic birthplace of the French can-can, at the foot of Montmartre hill. It is now a popular attraction with musical dance shows.

"The historic birthplace of the French can-can, at the foot of Montmartre hill. It is now a popular a"

A former medieval royal palace that became a prison during the French Revolution. It was the last prison to hold Marie Antoinette.

"A former medieval royal palace that became a prison during the French Revolution. It was the last pr"

The island in the centre of Paris, with beautiful authentic streets that evoke life in Paris centuries ago.

"The island in the centre of Paris, with beautiful authentic streets that evoke life in Paris centuri"

An 18th-century underground ossuary in former stone mines holding the remains of over 6 million people. Signs in the tunnels show the streets above and the original cemeteries.

"An 18th-century underground ossuary in former stone mines holding the remains of over 6 million peop"

A complex of buildings and monuments relating to French military history, including the tomb of Napoleon.

"A complex of buildings and monuments relating to French military history, including the tomb of Napo"

A museum in a former railway station with a large collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces.

"A museum in a former railway station with a large collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist"

One of the most beautiful buildings in Paris and a quick cultural stop in the Opéra shopping district. It offers an alternative while others in a group go shopping nearby.

"One of the most beautiful buildings in Paris and a quick cultural stop in the Opéra shopping distric"

A famous department store near the Opéra, named as one of the most famous shopping centres in Paris.

"A famous department store near the Opéra, named as one of the most famous shopping centres in Paris."

A museum in painter Ary Scheffer's former home, with free permanent collections. Its garden café is a serene spot for tea and pastries, and it is closed on Mondays.

"A museum in painter Ary Scheffer's former home, with free permanent collections. Its garden café is "

A 4.5 km canal commissioned by Napoleon I in 1802 and seen in Amélie. It is now a favourite local hangout for picnics, drinks and canal cruises.

"A 4.5 km canal commissioned by Napoleon I in 1802 and seen in Amélie. It is now a favourite local ha"

A lively 5th-arrondissement area with charming streets, cafés and sights like the Panthéon and the Sorbonne. It is also known for its nightlife.

"A lively 5th-arrondissement area with charming streets, cafés and sights like the Panthéon and the S"

A busy bouillon that serves simple, cheap traditional French dishes such as pâté, award-winning œuf mayo, steak frites and pork roast. A starter and a main cost around €15.

"A busy bouillon that serves simple, cheap traditional French dishes such as pâté, award-winning œuf "

A well-known historic square in the Marais. A secret passage at one corner leads to a quiet courtyard linked to a mansion, offering a break from the busy neighbourhood.

"A well-known historic square in the Marais. A secret passage at one corner leads to a quiet courtyar"

One of the host's favourite parks, with water features, decks and cute benches. It is ideal for a relaxed break.

"One of the host's favourite parks, with water features, decks and cute benches. It is ideal for a re"

An under-the-radar local neighbourhood full of cute bars, shops and restaurants. It feels almost like a little village.

"An under-the-radar local neighbourhood full of cute bars, shops and restaurants. It feels almost lik"

An underrated, typically Parisian residential area just north of Montmartre, about a 10-minute walk from Sacré-Cœur. It has the classic Montmartre staircases, good food shops and little neighbourhood bars.

"An underrated, typically Parisian residential area just north of Montmartre, about a 10-minute walk "

A church right next to Sacré-Cœur at the top of Montmartre that the video recommends not missing.

"A church right next to Sacré-Cœur at the top of Montmartre that the video recommends not missing."

A museum in Montmartre with small vineyards close by.

"A museum in Montmartre with small vineyards close by."

A fountain next to the Centre Pompidou that the video recommends not missing.

"A fountain next to the Centre Pompidou that the video recommends not missing."

The largest public park in Paris, with lakes, gardens, a zoo, a botanical garden and a castle.

"The largest public park in Paris, with lakes, gardens, a zoo, a botanical garden and a castle."

A 364-foot cube-shaped modern landmark echoing the Arc de Triomphe and aligned with it. It has an observation deck.

"A 364-foot cube-shaped modern landmark echoing the Arc de Triomphe and aligned with it. It has an ob"

The square in front of the Centre Pompidou is known for its street performers. In spring it hosts miniature carnivals with bands and caricature and sketch artists.

"The square in front of the Centre Pompidou is known for its street performers. In spring it hosts mi"

A grand department store near the Opéra, named as one of the most famous shopping centres in Paris.

"A grand department store near the Opéra, named as one of the most famous shopping centres in Paris."

An attraction next to the Opéra that offers a historical tour of Paris through 3D movies and a miniature replica of the entire city.

"An attraction next to the Opéra that offers a historical tour of Paris through 3D movies and a minia"

The crypts at Notre-Dame, described as an often forgotten treasure of the cathedral.

"The crypts at Notre-Dame, described as an often forgotten treasure of the cathedral."

Chocolatier run by Jean-Paul Hévin, who has held the Meilleur Ouvrier de France title since 1986. It is known for natural-tasting macarons and complex spiced and single-origin chocolates.

"Chocolatier run by Jean-Paul Hévin, who has held the Meilleur Ouvrier de France title since 1986. It"

Elegant marble-clad shop and coffee spot from the historic Buly perfumery, famous for its soaps and personalised dispensers. It is styled after the original Saint-Germain shop and lists illustrious former clients such as Manet.

"Elegant marble-clad shop and coffee spot from the historic Buly perfumery, famous for its soaps and "

Famous bakery that never switched to baguettes. It is known for its big traditional round sourdough loaves, the kind of bread Parisians ate before the 1920s.

"Famous bakery that never switched to baguettes. It is known for its big traditional round sourdough "

Delicatessen almost 100 years old that stocks cheeses and charcuterie from the Aveyron region. It is a great place to try goat's and sheep's milk cheeses and peppery dry-cured saucisson.

"Delicatessen almost 100 years old that stocks cheeses and charcuterie from the Aveyron region. It is"

Classic Marais bistro with waistcoated waiters and outdoor seating that offers a fixed-price formule. The owner sources produce locally and makes everything from scratch, and its steak tartare and French onion soup are standouts.

"Classic Marais bistro with waistcoated waiters and outdoor seating that offers a fixed-price formule"

Renowned falafel spot in the Jewish quarter serving falafel made to an Israeli recipe in pita, crisp outside and soft inside. It is a cheap lunch, best visited on a Sunday since it closes for Shabbat.

"Renowned falafel spot in the Jewish quarter serving falafel made to an Israeli recipe in pita, crisp"

One of the oldest bakeries in Paris, recommended by a local friend. She stopped by for a classic croissant and a hot chocolate to start the day.

"One of the oldest bakeries in Paris, recommended by a local friend. She stopped by for a classic cro"

Parisian fashion brand store where she tried on cardigans from the new fall collection.

"Parisian fashion brand store where she tried on cardigans from the new fall collection."

Paris showroom of the French leather handbag brand, where she tried on several shoulder and handheld bag styles.

"Paris showroom of the French leather handbag brand, where she tried on several shoulder and handheld"

An upscale Left Bank area known for high-end shops and iconic cafés, suggested for a luxury stay.

"An upscale Left Bank area known for high-end shops and iconic cafés, suggested for a luxury stay."

A free arch beside the Louvre built from 1806 to honour Napoleon's victories. It has military reliefs in rose-pink marble and a sculpture of Peace in her chariot on top.

"A free arch beside the Louvre built from 1806 to honour Napoleon's victories. It has military relief"

A café about a 10-minute walk from the Louvre that serves healthy, light meals for around $20-30. The avocado toast and quinoa salad are crowd favourites.

"A café about a 10-minute walk from the Louvre that serves healthy, light meals for around $20-30. Th"

Manicured gardens leading to the former royal palace, which now houses the Ministry of Culture. Its striped Daniel Buren columns are one of the most Instagrammable spots in Paris.

"Manicured gardens leading to the former royal palace, which now houses the Ministry of Culture. Its "

A museum inside the Tuileries known for Monet's Water Lilies. It is closed on Tuesdays and free on the first Sunday of the month.

"A museum inside the Tuileries known for Monet's Water Lilies. It is closed on Tuesdays and free on t"

A pâtisserie on the Champs-Élysées famous for its macarons. A box costs around $20-30.

"A pâtisserie on the Champs-Élysées famous for its macarons. A box costs around $20-30."

An elegant Left Bank street whose eastern end gives an unparalleled view of the Eiffel Tower. Walking its length takes about 30 minutes.

"An elegant Left Bank street whose eastern end gives an unparalleled view of the Eiffel Tower. Walkin"

An elegant seafood restaurant whose terrace looks out on the Eiffel Tower. Expect around $80-100 per person, and reserve ahead.

"An elegant seafood restaurant whose terrace looks out on the Eiffel Tower. Expect around $80-100 per"

A terrace across the Seine with a direct view of the Eiffel Tower and a top spot for sunrise photos. The Jardins du Trocadéro below make for a peaceful stroll.

"A terrace across the Seine with a direct view of the Eiffel Tower and a top spot for sunrise photos."

A bridge over the Seine from Trocadéro toward the Eiffel Tower that offers great photo stops.

"A bridge over the Seine from Trocadéro toward the Eiffel Tower that offers great photo stops."

The expansive manicured park at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. It offers excellent tower photos, especially early in the day before the crowds arrive.

"The expansive manicured park at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. It offers excellent tower photos, espe"

A brunch spot near the Champ de Mars serving fluffy pancakes, avocado toast and strong coffee for around $20-30.

"A brunch spot near the Champ de Mars serving fluffy pancakes, avocado toast and strong coffee for ar"

The Army Museum at Les Invalides holds one of the world's largest military collections, including armour and personal items of Francis I, Louis XIV and Charles de Gaulle. It is open daily and admission is about $16.

"The Army Museum at Les Invalides holds one of the world's largest military collections, including ar"

A museum dedicated to Auguste Rodin, set in the 18th-century Hôtel Biron, with works such as The Thinker, The Kiss and The Gates of Hell. Admission includes its lovely gardens, and it is closed on Mondays.

"A museum dedicated to Auguste Rodin, set in the 18th-century Hôtel Biron, with works such as The Thi"

A skyscraper whose 56th floor offers panoramic views from the Eiffel Tower to the Louvre and Notre-Dame. Admission is about $22 if booked online.

"A skyscraper whose 56th floor offers panoramic views from the Eiffel Tower to the Louvre and Notre-D"

A cozy pink café on Montmartre's picturesque streets, suggested for a café au lait.

"A cozy pink café on Montmartre's picturesque streets, suggested for a café au lait."

The café featured in the film Amélie, where a coffee costs around $5.

"The café featured in the film Amélie, where a coffee costs around $5."

Montmartre's lively square where artists set up and paint. Visiting early lets you watch them start and perhaps buy a unique souvenir.

"Montmartre's lively square where artists set up and paint. Visiting early lets you watch them start "

A trendy side street east of Sacré-Cœur with stunning architecture and a unique, Instagram-worthy perspective of Paris.

"A trendy side street east of Sacré-Cœur with stunning architecture and a unique, Instagram-worthy pe"

A charming canalside spot on Canal Saint-Martin, suggested for a drink or Parisian fare.

"A charming canalside spot on Canal Saint-Martin, suggested for a drink or Parisian fare."

A charming spot by Canal Saint-Martin, suggested for a drink or some Parisian food.

"A charming spot by Canal Saint-Martin, suggested for a drink or some Parisian food."

A Montmartre restaurant recommended for a quintessential Parisian dinner, at around $40-60 per person.

"A Montmartre restaurant recommended for a quintessential Parisian dinner, at around $40-60 per perso"

A Montmartre restaurant suggested for a classic Parisian dinner, at around $40-60 per person.

"A Montmartre restaurant suggested for a classic Parisian dinner, at around $40-60 per person."

A Montmartre restaurant offering a quintessential Parisian dining experience, at around $40-60 per person.

"A Montmartre restaurant offering a quintessential Parisian dining experience, at around $40-60 per p"

An often-overlooked French Gothic chapel with stunning stained-glass windows depicting biblical stories. Admission is about $14.

"An often-overlooked French Gothic chapel with stunning stained-glass windows depicting biblical stor"

The historic university, named as one of the iconic spots of the Latin Quarter.

"The historic university, named as one of the iconic spots of the Latin Quarter."

An English-language bookshop continuing the legacy of Sylvia Beach's original shop, a haunt of Hemingway and Joyce. The current shop was opened by George Whitman in 1951, a 5-minute walk from Notre-Dame.

"An English-language bookshop continuing the legacy of Sylvia Beach's original shop, a haunt of Hemin"

A charming café known for choux à la crème, at around $10-15. Its rooftop terrace looks out on Notre-Dame.

"A charming café known for choux à la crème, at around $10-15. Its rooftop terrace looks out on Notre"

A free botanical garden that began as a medicinal garden and became a research hub for French botanists and zoologists. It is a haven for flower lovers and photographers.

"A free botanical garden that began as a medicinal garden and became a research hub for French botani"

A relaxed neighbourhood around the famous cemetery with a village feel. It offers food from many different cultures.

"A relaxed neighbourhood around the famous cemetery with a village feel. It offers food from many dif"

A lively district with many local bars and restaurants and a good nightlife scene.

"A lively district with many local bars and restaurants and a good nightlife scene."

A charcuterie shop run by a chef who won a national award (Meilleur Ouvrier de France) for his craft. It is recommended for its quiche Lorraine, a savory tart with a cheese and bacon custard filling.

"A charcuterie shop run by a chef who won a national award (Meilleur Ouvrier de France) for his craft"

A small sandwich shop with an affordable croque monsieur at about €9. This hot ham, cheese and béchamel sandwich is a classic quick cafe bite.

"A small sandwich shop with an affordable croque monsieur at about €9. This hot ham, cheese and bécha"

A very upscale Michelin-starred restaurant said to date back to the 16th century. It is mentioned as the source of the jambon de Paris used in a top sandwich shop's jambon-beurre.

"A very upscale Michelin-starred restaurant said to date back to the 16th century. It is mentioned as"

A meat restaurant famous for its quality beef sourced directly from top French farms. It serves an excellent steak frites with fries cooked in beef fat, and a seasonal steak tartare with changing sides and seasonings.

"A meat restaurant famous for its quality beef sourced directly from top French farms. It serves an e"

A well-known pâtisserie for classic French pastries. The video tries its vanilla-rum flan, a homemade mille-feuille and a strawberry tart.

"A well-known pâtisserie for classic French pastries. The video tries its vanilla-rum flan, a homemad"

A small vineyard on the Montmartre hillside that the local finds really cute.

"A small vineyard on the Montmartre hillside that the local finds really cute."

A former red-light district that is now a cool, trendy and well-connected neighbourhood. It has restaurants and bars for every budget, plus clubs and cocktail bars.

"A former red-light district that is now a cool, trendy and well-connected neighbourhood. It has rest"

The local's favourite bakery near the canal, where she spent a lot of money as a student.

"The local's favourite bakery near the canal, where she spent a lot of money as a student."

A perfectly fine area, but it is the main hotspot for protests in France. The local advises against staying nearby because the metro can get blocked and things can turn chaotic.

"A perfectly fine area, but it is the main hotspot for protests in France. The local advises against "

A shoe shop in the north Marais that the local personally likes to visit.

"A shoe shop in the north Marais that the local personally likes to visit."

A cute covered market with many different food stands and a lively atmosphere. The local often brings visiting friends here.

"A cute covered market with many different food stands and a lively atmosphere. The local often bring"

A truffle restaurant recommended for its well-priced, delicious lunch menus.

"A truffle restaurant recommended for its well-priced, delicious lunch menus."

The local's favourite area to stay in: a former countryside village absorbed by Paris in the 19th century that still feels like a village. It has cute streets, old shops, a nice park, a market and many restaurants.

"The local's favourite area to stay in: a former countryside village absorbed by Paris in the 19th ce"

This small church stands right next door to the Panthéon and is free to enter. The creator thinks it may be even more impressive than its famous neighbour.

"This small church stands right next door to the Panthéon and is free to enter. The creator thinks it"

One of the coolest streets in Paris, lined with spots for coffee, food, baked goods and drinks. The creator says you could happily spend a full day there.

"One of the coolest streets in Paris, lined with spots for coffee, food, baked goods and drinks. The "