Paris Travel Guide
If you’re looking for the ultimate Paris travel guide, you are in the right place. Keep reading I’m going to start with a list of things I did while in Paris on a solo adventure, and then follow with a list of activities or places I missed out on last time I was there. You can pick and choose what you will be doing when you go to Paris.
Paris is a massive city with so much to do and see, and it’s hard to play the pick-and-choose game here, but have no fear! Thank the goodies I have the ultimate list perfect for a busy 3, 4, or 5 days in Paris.
You can do any of these things solo, with a girlfriend, or with your bae.
The Best Things To Do In Paris
If you’re looking for the best things to do in Paris for your next trip, you are in the right place. Keep reading I’m going to start with a list of things I did while in Paris on a solo adventure, and then follow with a list of activities or places I mssed out on last time I was there. You can pick and choose what you will be doing when you go to Paris.
First, I want to encourage you to shop at the local markets and farmers’ markets for groceries and things to have in your bag or around your hostel kitchen or Airbnb.
Marché Raspail, in Saint-Germain, and Marché des Batignolles are fabulous take a bag and go! To read up on some great markets, you could visit, Click Here.
Moving on…
Paris is a massive city with so much to do and see, and it’s hard to play the pick-and-choose game here, but have no fear! Thank the goodies I have the ultimate list perfect for a busy 3, 4, or 5 days in Paris.
You can do any of these things solo, with a girlfriend, or with your bae.
Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning that at no additional cost to you, I will receive a commission if you click through and make a purchase. For more information, read our full affiliate disclosure HERE
Paris Paris Paris
Second things first.. I encourage you to shop at the local markets and farmers markets for groceries and things to have in your bag or around your hostel kitchen, Airbnb, or hotel room.
You never know when you will need a snack.
This will also help to keep you grounded and aware of your surroundings.
Where To Shop In Paris
Marché Raspail, in Saint-Germain, and Marché des Batignolles are fabulous. Take a bag and go shopping!
- Marché des Enfants Rouges– For yummy food from fresh produce, cheese, wines, and fish, it is tiny, but there are tables and stools. This market dates back to the 1600s.
- Marché aux Fleurs Reine Elizabeth II– Directly on the banks of the Seine River is this cute little flower market you must walk through. buy yourself some flowers. They sell cute touristy gifts here as well.
- Les Puces flea market- Antiques galore.
- Marché du livre ancien et d’occasion- A sprawling market filled with old books, rare editions, CDs, DVDs, and more.
To read up on some great markets you could visit, click here.
Get Into It
What are some of the things that come to mind when you think of visiting France? I bet most of your thoughts head straight for Paris.
Here are a few iconic must-do thi
The Louvre
An absolute must-do!
In fact(pre-COVID) I just so happened to head over there late(like 3 pm late) on a Wednesday, to find the lines light, the crowds medium, and the sunset through the windows from the inside of the museum mesmerizing
Thanks to their late closing hours(10 pm).
Rule numero Uno: the Louvre is massive, and unless you spend a handful of hours there, the way I did, don’t expect to see it in its entirety.
Yes the Mona Lisa is here, and the room she is located in is bustling, you can beeline for it when you first get there or do like I did and wander the wing until you accidentally stumble on her.
She is beautiful, small, but beautiful
I was pretty excited when I realized why the room was packed to the brim with people.
The captivating Venus statue, the walls, the ceilings, the floors, and the windows, don’t skip out on the basement housing huge Egyptian artifacts.
You can easily dedicate an entire day to this museum.
The Eiffel Tower
There are gardens as you leave the Louver that looks straight onto the Eiffel tower.
At sundown, it is nothing short of a marvel.. at least, for us tourists, as the Eiffel tower light show(from sundown till 1 am).
If you can plan ahead go up the tower.
Maybe have dinner upstairs!
I didn’t because it felt super touristy, I was being cheap, and this trip honestly had zero set plans, but I kind of regret it so I will happily do so in the future.
Arc de Triomphe
Take a stroll and climb up to the top. Watch for all the cars speeding by!
Notre DAME
Regardless of your background, Cathédrale Notre-Dame is an absolute marvel to look at and shouldn’t be skipped over.
Located directly on the Seine, it is a fabulous example of French Gothic architecture.
Shakespeare And Company
A legendary bookstore just a stone’s throw away from Notre Dame.
Apparently, you can work at the bookstore a few hours a week in exchange for a bed in a dorm in the building for as long as you are willing to work.
I was told about this amazing exchange while on a free walking tour and filed it away in my memory.
What an amazing way to experience Paris, especially if you are looking to learn French and stay for some time.
Walking Tour
I say it time and time again and will continue to do so, the first thing you should get yourself into on first arrival to a new place is a walking tour.
No matter if it’s historical, food, drinking, architecture, or art, there is so much to learn about Paris.
There is no way you can learn, even half of, the good stuff from a book or google.
Check out a tour and a promise you will be hooked!
- Free 3-Hour Walking Tour
- Guru Walk
- Ask your hostel if they have a tour
Searching the graveyard for celebrities
Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, and Chopin are only some of the famous names found in Père Lachaise Cemetery amongst millions of others buried in this huge cemetery.
Officially named a cemetery by Napoleon Bonaparte himself, it’s an interesting place to walk through and maybe take some photographs.
It may seem a little morbid, but it’s actually pretty, humbling, and inspiring depending on how you look at death, family, and ..well…life.
It can make for a good few hours.
Picnic in The Park
Pick a park, any park.
Just be sure to bring a baguette and some wine, maybe a book or a camera, and enjoy how yummy life is. Start with:
- Bois de Vincennes
- Palais-Royal
- Parc Monceau
Café
Pick a busy corner and park yourself at a table, my dear.
No matter if you are alone or not, there is no rush.
You are more than welcome to people watch, read, maybe freshen your French up via your language app/book, plan your next day, or just rest your feet.
They are not worried about turning the table over for the next customer at these places and if this doesn’t teach you how to relax and enjoy Paris, I don’t know what will.
Some fabulous cafes in Paris included but not limited to…
*insert drum roll here*
Les Deux Magots *order the quiche Lorraine*
Cafe De Flore *ask for their house wine*
Au Vieux Paris d’Arcole*very photogenic*
Le Cafe Marly *right in front of the glass pyramid at the Louver*
Check out these places, read the reviews, and drop in.
The first two are staples in Paris and might need reservations.
My Must List For Next Time
Take a look through and see if there is anything you would like to research more and add to your list.
Versailles
An amazing day trip that should be planned ahead of time to look back on French luxury the way the royals did it back in their day.
This is not an activity you wake up and mozy off to after a late lunch, as I unfortunately discovered.
You can take yourself on a train..or two(?) and visit the great palace on your own.
However, I was advised by multiple people, including those who took themselves, that planning a guided tour or joining one is your best bet. You can read more about that here
Saint-Ouen Flea Market- Spend half a day digging through the flea market. I love flea markets, and I’m not talking about the tourist trap, spoons, and t-shirt marketplace.
Im talking about a place where you can find quirky, artsy, sweet, and unique things for yourself/friends and family.
Relax at a rooftop bar- Find a place, ask around, and use Google as well, but definitely ask around.
Get yourself into a rooftop bar or restaurant.
If any place in the world deserves a skyline experience, I would say it’s Paris.
Unique Museums
Museum of the sewer system, Monnaie de Paris, Atelier des Lumières, The Center Pompidou, Musée d’Orsay. There is also the Counterfeit Museum and the Wine Museum, among many more.
and
Cabaret Dinner Show
Make sure you book ahead for a seamless experience.
If you want to enjoy cabaret in Paris, the Lido, Crazy Horse, or The Moulin Rouge are top-tier experiences for anyone looking for a show and dinner.
Outdoor Movies
Watch the outdoor movie screens if you visit Paris in the summer. Take a picnic and enjoy.
Free Outdoor Classical Concert
Hit up the googles, but as far as I know Parc Floral is where the people go when they are looking to get a taste of some fantastic classical music.
For FREE. You can read more about it here
Fete des Tuileries
Again, if you plan to be in Paris in the summer, check out this amazing outdoor fair. It’s smack dab in the center of the city.
With bumper cars, Farris wheels, and Parisians, how could you say no to this? Read more about the details.
There are a million amazing unique, fabulous things to do in the City of Lights, and these are only a few.
Sound off in the comments below if you, or someone you know, have done something in Paris you don’t see on here!
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