Paris: Top 10 Touristy Things That Are Totally Worth Doing

Paris has more “must-see” attractions than almost any city in the world. Some travelers try to avoid the tourist crowds, but in Paris, many of the well-known experiences are actually worth doing. They offer some of the best views, food, and atmosphere the city has to offer.

We always recommend getting away from the beaten path and finding genuine local experiences, but here’s a realistic, honest guide to 10 classic Paris activities that live up to the hype. We’ll give you practical tips to help you make the most of each one while you enjoy the magic of the City of Light.

1. Dinner Cruise on the Seine

A dinner cruise on the Seine is one of those things that looks touristy but ends up being genuinely memorable. We were surprised at how happy this experience made us, even though we just did it this summer on our 7th visit to the city. You get a different perspective on the city as you float past landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame. The best cruises serve solid French food, but the real highlight is seeing Paris lit up at night without having to walk miles or fight for photo spots.

We went with the mid-range option, Bateaux Mouches, which is lovely and includes wine with dinner. We really enjoyed the meal and the ambiance (booking a window table is essential). We had great weather, and they timed it perfectly to pass the Eiffel Tower as it sparkled on the hour after dark.

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If you want a more upscale version, we hear Ducasse sur Seine offers a fine dining menu with delicious French dishes and a quieter atmosphere.

2. Dinner Inside the Eiffel Tower

Dining inside the Eiffel Tower is one of those tourist experiences that actually feels special. Madame Brasserie, run by Chef Thierry Marx, sits on the first level and serves well-executed French classics with great views of the Seine. Prices are high, but the food quality and the setting make it worth doing at least once. Lunch here is a slightly more affordable way to enjoy the experience if you’re not planning to splurge on dinner.

Reservations open months in advance, so it’s smart to book early and request a window seat if possible. Our meal was timed perfectly for sunset, which gave us both daylight and night views. We were also able to walk around the tower before and after dinner, and the skip-the-line entry into the tower grounds was an added perk.

For something truly extraordinary, Le Jules Verne on the second floor takes the experience to another level. It’s a Michelin-starred restaurant with impeccable service, a perfectly executed French tasting menu, and one of the most iconic dining views in the world.

Guests use a private entry line and elevator, which makes the whole experience feel exclusive from the moment you arrive. The meal itself is a splurge, but it’s unforgettable.

3. Croque Madame in Montmartre at Fric Frac

Montmartre is one of the most charming neighborhoods in Paris, but also one of the busiest. Despite the crowds, it’s still worth visiting for a classic French lunch and to soak up the artistic vibes.

Fric Frac, a small café not far from Sacré-Cœur, serves one of the best Croque Madames we’ve ever had. They put a great spin on classic French lunch dishes, and the photo below speaks for itself.

After lunch, walk uphill to the Sacré-Cœur Basilica. Entry is free, and the gorgeous view from the top steps overlooks almost all of Paris. If you want to skip the crowds, go early in the day before your lunch stop. Montmartre can feel tourist-heavy, but if you wander away from the main area, you’ll find quiet cobblestone streets and local art studios.

4. A Timed Visit to Musée d’Orsay

If you only have time for one major museum in Paris, make it the Musée d’Orsay. It’s smaller and easier to navigate than the Louvre, and the building itself — a converted Beaux-Arts train station — is impressively beautiful.

The museum houses the world’s best collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art, including works by Monet, Degas, Van Gogh, and Renoir. We make sure to check out the collection almost every trip.

Buy timed-entry tickets online before you go. The museum gets busy by mid-morning, so aim to arrive right when it opens or two hours before closing. Don’t miss the view of the Seine from the giant clock window on the top floor — it’s one of the best free photo spots in the city. It can get crowded with people taking photos, but on off-season trips, we’ve lucked out and had it all to ourselves.

5. Photos at the Louvre Pyramid

The Louvre is the world’s most visited museum, and while the art collection is extraordinary, the experience can be overwhelming. Even if you don’t go inside, stop by to see the glass pyramid in the courtyard. It’s one of the most recognizable landmarks in Paris and makes for great photos, especially early in the morning or at sunset when the crowds thin out.

Pro tip: The museum is closed on Tuesdays, which makes for better photo ops at the pyramid without the crowded entrance lines.

If you do plan to go inside, don’t try to see everything. Pick one or two sections and spend your time there. Download the Louvre app for maps and short self-guided tours.

And since we’re being touristy here, it’s perfectly acceptable to do “Louvre Lite.” If you’re short on time, this focused 90-minute visit covers the museum’s greatest hits: the Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory (Nike of Samothrace), and the Venus de Milo. It’s the easiest way to experience the highlights without spending an entire day in the galleries.

The Louvre and d’Orsay were two of the first art museum I ever visits when I was 19 on my first trip abroad. They changed my life forever in the best way.

6. A Walk Around Notre Dame

Notre Dame Cathedral has been under restoration since the devastating 2019 fire and reopened for visitors recently.

The exterior remains one of the best examples of Gothic architecture in Europe, and the surrounding neighborhood on Île de la Cité is one of the oldest parts of Paris. Instead of waiting in long lines to get inside, we like to walk completely around the cathedral and see how reconstruction is progressing.

It’s also a perfect area to cross the Seine and check out the historic green bouquinistes, where booksellers have displayed their vintage books, postcards, and prints for centuries. These stalls are officially recognized by UNESCO as part of Paris’s cultural heritage.

7. Brunch at Les Deux Magots

As you wander into the 6th arrondissement, you’ll find Les Deux Magots in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, one of the most famous cafés in Paris. Writers like Hemingway once sat here, and today it’s still a classic brunch stop. Yes, it’s touristy, but the service is perfectly French, and the food is consistently good. We had the best omelet of our lives here.

Expect a traditional French meal of croissants, omelets, fresh juice, and strong coffee. Prices are a bit high for what you get, but you’re paying for the setting and history. Go on a weekday if possible, when it’s less crowded, and ask for a table outside on the street for the best people-watching in the city.

8. Window Shopping on the Champs-Élysées

The Avenue des Champs-Élysées is one of the most famous shopping streets in the world. It’s lined with flagship stores from brands like Louis Vuitton, along with cafés and other attractions. Even if you’re not shopping, the wide boulevard is great for a casual walk toward the Arc de Triomphe at the top.

If you plan to climb the Arc, buy tickets in advance to skip the line. The view from the top gives you a perfect look down the Champs-Élysées to the Place de la Concorde and the Eiffel Tower beyond.

9. Picnic by the Seine or at Champ de Mars

Picnicking in Paris is one of the simplest and most enjoyable ways to spend an afternoon. The Champ de Mars, the large green park at the base of the Eiffel Tower, is ideal for first-time visitors. You get an unbeatable view while you eat. Bring a baguette, cheese, fruit, and a bottle of wine, and you’ll fit right in.

For a more local experience, pick a spot along the Seine River near Île Saint-Louis. Parisians picnic year-round when the weather allows, so don’t worry about looking out of place.

This is an affordable way to experience Paris, check off a bucket list item, and do something locals actually enjoy. You can buy picnic supplies from a nearby Franprix or Monoprix supermarket with no need for anything fancy.

10. Galeries Lafayette Rooftop View

The rooftop terrace at Galeries Lafayette department store in the 9th arrondissement offers one of the best free views in Paris. From here, you can see the Eiffel Tower, the Opéra Garnier, and the city’s iconic skyline. The terrace is open year-round and has a café if you want to sit with a drink and take in the scene.

Before heading up, take some time to walk through the store’s main atrium. It’s stunning! And if you visit during the holidays, Galeries Lafayette also has some of the most elaborate Christmas displays in the city. My first visit was during the holidays, and it was absolutely magical.

Next Time

We’ve done most of the classic Paris experiences, but there’s one major site still on our list: Père Lachaise Cemetery, the famous burial place of Jim Morrison and Oscar Wilde. It’s huge and said to be surprisingly peaceful, with beautiful old trees and quiet paths.

I can’t help but think of the cheesy scene there from my 90s guilty pleasure An American Werewolf in Paris (don’t watch it — it’s awful, but I love it). We plan to make the cemetery a priority next time we’re in Paris to finally visit this popular site.

Have you been to Paris? What tourist spots are totally worth it to you? Let us know in the comments.

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If you’re staying near the Eiffel Tower in the 7th arrondissement, check out these tips from from our friend Tamara, The Brunette Abroad: 7 Best Places to Eat in the 7ᵉ Arrondissement in Paris