15+ Bucket List Things to Do in Paris (from Someone Living in Paris) -

skyline view of Paris with the Eiffel Tower in the middle

Paris is truly one of the most magnificent cities in the world. It’s art, history, romance, gastronomy; there is nothing that Paris doesn’t do well. When I first visited Paris back in 2017, I felt completely overwhelmed about what I should do in the city, how to capture that “feeling” of Paris. I was worried that I would fall into a tourist trap or miss something special. Now, after living in Paris since 2025, I have created a list of what captures the feeling of Paris, all of the things that you can do in this magical city that make Paris feel like Paris. This is the ultimate Paris bucket list – from someone living in Paris!

What to Know Before You Visit

Before getting to the good stuff, there are some things that you should know about Paris to guarantee that you have the best visit possible. To start, Paris rewards slow travelers. The magic will be lost if you’re running from one side of the city to the next trying to see too many sights or explore too many museums. It’s truly a city to slow down in, to sit at a café and drink a glass of wine while people watching. If your trip isn’t long enough to see everything, don’t push it. Just plan a trip back in the future. It’s much better to see Paris twice versus see it once incorrectly.

Which brings me to… how many days should you spend in Paris? To get a feel for the city, you only need a couple of days. However, if it’s your first time, I’d recommend at least four days and if you aren’t rushed for time, I’d suggest an entire week. And if you’re wondering which arrondissement to stay in in Paris, here’s what I think…

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Iconic Paris Bucket List Experiences (Worth the Hype)

Eiffel Tower

Of course you can’t visit Paris without seeing the Eiffel Tower, and this might be controversial, but there are much better ways to see the Eiffel Tower than by going up top or trying to have a picnic in the gardens nearby. Instead, I’d choose to see the Eiffel Tower from the top of the Arc de Triomphe, from a rooftop, Rue de l’Université (a street), or the top of Montmartre hill (if you’re looking at the front of the Sacre Coeur, make a left and you’ll find an area – Point de Vue de Paris – where you can see the tower).

Day Trip to Giverny

If you have an extra day in Paris and want to get out of the city, I would definitely recommend a day trip to Giverny. It’s about 1.5 hours by car or just over an hour by train from Paris Saint-Lazare, one of the easiest escapes from the city! Here you can tour the house and gardens of Claude Monet who spent 43 years creating and painting the gardens. For everything you need to know before you go, read my complete Giverny day trip guide from Paris.

For maximum flexibility, you can hire a private guide to pick you up in Paris, show you the grounds, and drop you back off at your hotel.

For another day trip option, check out this post maximizing your time at Disneyland Paris!

Louvre Museum

The Louvre is great, but underwhelming if you don’t know the local secrets. To start, I would suggest Musée d’Orsay over the Louvre any day. But if you’re set on the Louvre then I’d highly recommend visiting on a Wednesday or Friday night about 2.5 hours before closing. Normally, the Louvre closes at 6pm, but on Wednesdays and Fridays it stays open until 9pm and sees much fewer visitors. It’s the perfect time to explore without the crowds and you can even make a fun night of it by grabbing a late dinner nearby.

Another way to do the Louvre correctly is with a private guide. This will enhance your experience so much and allow you to learn so much about the art and history of the museum.

Montmartre Village

Another iconic spot in Paris (worth the hype) is Montmartre Village. Montmartre is a hilltop village-within-a-city in northern Paris, best known for the Sacré-Cœur Basilica and winding cobblestone streets that once made it the home of Picasso, Monet, Van Gogh, and others. It’s busy, but definitely worth a stop to explore the souvenir shops, or grab a drink at one of the many outdoor cafes.

If you’re set on avoiding the crowds, explore early! The village starts to get crowded around 10am so the earlier, the better. And if you’re there early, stop in for a coffee and pastry at Les 5 Marches.

Seine River Cruise

Instead of your typical Seine River Cruise on a boat that holds hundreds of other tourists, opt for a private sunset experience! This is truly one of the best ways to experience Paris and see the Eiffel Tower up close! I recommend using Le Bateau Francais, My Paris River, Visite Paris en Bateau, or Paris River Cruise.

– Pro Tip –

If you want to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle, make sure to communicate that before booking. The tower sparkles at different times throughout the year so in the summer it’s better to book your boat at 9pm or later, versus in the winter you can see the tower sparkle earlier.

Versailles

Just 30 minutes outside of Paris by RER train, the Palace of Versailles is one of the most awe-inspiring places in all of France… and honestly, in the world. The Hall of Mirrors, the royal apartments, and the 2,000-acre gardens are all as breathtaking in person as they look in photos. And while Versailles is definitely worth the hype, there are some things that you can do that make your journey to Versailles much more worthwhile than just showing up and winging it. Here are my local tips for visiting…

Book tickets in advance
Choose the first opening time to avoid mid-day crowds
Wear comfortable shoes
Plan on visiting The Estate of Trianon
Plan for a full-day in Versailles and have lunch in the gardens (there are restaurants you can reserve or takeaway options)
Opt for a private tour guide if you’re interested in the complete history of Versailles
If you do get a private guide, add on the King’s Private Apartments

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Paris Bucket List Experiences Most Tourists Miss

Buttes-Chaumont Park

Buttes-Chaumont is one of my favorite parks in Paris and instead of tourists, you’ll mainly run into locals here! It’s located in Paris’s 19th arrondissement and has rolling hills, a lake, suspended bridge, and a hilltop temple with sweeping views over the city. I suggest coming for lunch at Ora Farmhouse and then walking around afterwards.

Montmartre Cemetery

Tucked just below the busy streets of Montmartre, the Montmartre Cemetery is one of Paris’s most beautiful and overlooked stops. It’s the final resting place of some of France’s most celebrated artists, writers, and composers and wandering through it feels more like an open-air museum than a cemetery. If you’re already in Montmartre, it’s worth carving out 30 minutes to explore.

Paris’s Covered Passages

Paris’s covered passages are some of the most unique and undervisited spots in the city decorated with glass-ceilinged arcades dating back to the 19th-century. Today, there are still 20+ covered passages in Paris, but at their peak in the mid-1800s, there were over 150! Galerie Vivienne is the most beautiful, with its mosaic floors and elegant boutiques, while Passage des Panoramas is the oldest and has a worn, atmospheric charm. Most are tucked into the 1st and 2nd arrondissements, easy to stumble upon, and a perfect escape when you need a break from the crowds.

Sainte-Chapelle Cathedral

Personally, I think that the Sainte-Chapelle Cathedral is much more impressive than the Notre Dame. It’s one of the most breathtaking and under-visited landmarks in all of Paris, tucked inside the courtyard of the Palais de la Cité on the Île de la Cité – just a short walk from Notre-Dame. Built in the 13th century, the upper chapel is almost entirely made of stained glass with 15 floor-to-ceiling windows covering over 6,400 square feet. It consistently gets overshadowed by Notre-Dame, but I still recommend booking tickets in advance!

Food & Wine Experiences for Your Paris Bucket List

Michelin-Star Dining Experience

It’s not a trip to Paris without experiencing a Michelin-Star restaurant! As of 2026, there are 137 Michelin-starred restaurants in Paris – 9 restaurants with 3-stars (the highest distinction), 21 restaurants with 2-stars, and 107 restaurants with 1-star. The Michelin-star restaurants I’ve been to in Paris and would recommend are Septime and Nhome. For a full list of Michelin meals in Paris, check out the Michelin guide.

Pastry Crawl

One of the most fun and delicious things I’ve done in Paris is the Paris pastry and chocolate tour with Devour (I liked it so much I’ve done it three times now!). Not only do you get a chance to try some of the most famous pastries in France, but you’ll also learn about the history of Paris while walking around.

Parisian Cooking Class

One of my favorite things to do in Paris is take cooking classes; after all, the French are famous for their skills in the kitchen – why not learn a little bit while you’re in town? I recently discovered one of the most fun, Parisian, romantic cooking class in the city called On Rue Tatin. I highly, highly recommend it and you can save $50 with code “KYLEE50”. There are full-day options, half-day options, or private options.

use code “kylee50” for $50 off your parisian cooking class

Picnic Along the Seine

If you want a true local Paris experience, pick up some food and head for the Seine to sit on the ground (or picnic tables at Les Nautes) and watch the boats go by. You can just take a bottle of wine, but I recommend stopping in at a fromagerie, grabbing a baguette, and making yourself a little picnic. Or you can stop at Kaviari Delicatessen – St Paul for takeaway goodies!

Wine & Cheese Tasting

One of my favorite things to do in Paris is a wine and cheese tasting at Secret Wine Door. Secret Wine Door was started in 2019 by Erwan, a Parisian local passionate about French wine and cheese. Located in the 15th arrondissement, you will get 6 wine tastings, 6 cheese pairings, and 2 hours with a small group learning all about French wine and cheese. An absolute must try in Paris!

book secret wine door

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Discover French Antiques at Marche aux Puces de Saint-Ouen

The Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen is the largest antique market in the world, located just north of Paris at the Porte de Clignancourt, and an absolute must for anyone who loves design, vintage fashion, or one-of-a-kind finds. With over 2,000 vendors spread across 15 covered markets, you could spend an entire day wandering through furniture, art, jewelry, vintage clothing, and objects you won’t find anywhere else. Go on a Saturday or Sunday when it’s fully open, wear comfortable shoes, and go early before the crowds arrive. And don’t be afraid to negotiate – it’s part of the culture.

Parisian Hot Chocolate Experience

If you’re a chocolate lover, Paris will ruin you for hot chocolate everywhere else. The city takes its hot chocolate seriously – thick, rich, and made with real melted chocolate (nothing like the powdered packet version you’re used to at home). Angelina on Rue de Rivoli is the most famous spot, and their hot chocolate lives up to every bit of the hype; but be warned – there is always a long line. Another iconic option is Café de Flore in Saint-Germain-des-Prés if you want the full Left Bank café experience alongside your cup. (Please note, I do not advise eating at Café de Flore. Aside from its hot chocolate, I think it’s an incredibly overrated restaurant and wouldn’t recommend it aside from the hot chocolate).

Rooftop Apero at Sunset

In Paris, apéro is taken very, very seriously. Apéro is short for apéritif and it’s the beloved French ritual of gathering with friends for drinks and light bites before dinner, typically in the early evening between 6 and 8pm. In Paris, it’s more about the act of slowing down, connecting, and easing into the evening; a concept Americans don’t really have a direct equivalent for, which makes it one of those quintessentially French experiences worth embracing when you visit. One of my favorite things to do in Paris is find a rooftop bar for sunset apéro and just catch up with friends. My two favorite rooftops for this are Le Toit de la Bellevilloise and Le Rooftop at The Peninsula Paris.

Walk the Seine Before the City Wakes Up

One of my favorite things to do in Paris is wake up early and walk along the Seine before the city comes to life (before 7am if you can manage it). The light is soft, the streets are quiet, and for a moment Paris feels like it belongs entirely to you. The stretch between Pont de la Tournelle and Pont des Arts is particularly beautiful, with Notre-Dame on one side and the Île de la Cité unfolding ahead of you. It’s free, it’s beautiful, and it might just be the most Parisian thing you do on your entire trip.

Watching the Eiffel Tower Sparkle

Watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night is one of those Paris experiences that never gets old. I’ve lived here for over a year and it still stops me in my tracks every, single time. Every evening after the sunsets, 20,000 lights flash across the tower for five minutes at the top of every hour, from nightfall until midnight, and until 1am in summer. It’s a magical experience – to say the least.

Paris is truly an incredible, magical city. I hope that this post not only gives you tips on what to do when you visit, but also inspires you and allows you to consider experiences you might not have known about. If you have any questions about visiting Paris, let me know in a comment below or send me a message on Instagram.

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