What to do in Paris
98 places curated from 10 travel vlogs — the more a spot gets mentioned, the higher it ranks
The 'Iron Lady' is visible from all over the city and is Paris's defining symbol. Its summit offers unforgettable views.







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 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.






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.





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.





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.




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.




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




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




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



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.



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.


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.


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.


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


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


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


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.


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


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


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.


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


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 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.


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


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


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.


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 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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

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 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.

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

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.

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 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 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.

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

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

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 Montmartre restaurant recommended for a quintessential 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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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 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 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.

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.

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.

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