All citiesParis Things to do and walking itinerary
France Paris travel guide
34 things to do in Paris, where to stay, airport transfers, 8 MICHELIN-starred restaurants. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
Top things to do in Paris
- Eiffel Tower — tower located on the Champ de Mars in Paris, France (visit ≈ 40 min)
- Louvre Museum — art and archeology museum in Paris, France (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Notre-Dame de Paris — cathedral in Paris (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Musée d'Orsay — art museum in Paris, France (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Arc de Triomphe — triumphal arch in Paris (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Bastille — former fortress in Paris, France (visit ≈ 75 min)
- Élysée Palace — official residence of the President of France (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Palais Garnier — opera house in Paris, France (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Centre Georges Pompidou — national cultural center of contemporary art in Paris, France (visit ≈ 120 min)
- place de la Concorde — square in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, France (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Panthéon — mausoleum in Paris for the most distinguished French people (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Sacré-Cœur — Roman Catholic church in Paris, France (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Tuileries Palace — royal and imperial palace in Paris which stood on the right bank of the River Seine (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Sainte Chapelle — chapel in Paris, in France (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Champ de Mars — large public green space in Paris, France (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Musée des Arts et Métiers — science and technology museum located in Paris, France (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Luxembourg Palace — seat of the French Senate (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Jardin du Luxembourg — urban park in Paris, France (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Palais-Royal — palace and an associated garden located in the 1st arrondissement of Paris (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Place des Vosges — Paris's oldest planned square, opened in 1612 in the Marais, framed by red-brick arcaded houses. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Musée Rodin — Mansion the sculptor used as a studio; works like The Thinker stand in its rose garden. (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Musée de l'Orangerie — Museum at the end of the Tuileries where Monet's huge Water Lilies panels fill two oval rooms. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Père Lachaise Cemetery — Vast cemetery strolled like a park, with tree-lined slopes and monuments; resting place of many writers, artists and musicians. (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Tuileries Garden — public garden in Paris, France (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Petit Palais — building housing the Museum of Fine Arts of the City of Paris (visit ≈ 120 min)
- La Madeleine — Roman Catholic church in the 8th arrondissement of Paris (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Grand Mosque of Paris — mosque in Paris, France (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Catacombs of Paris — underground ossuary in Paris, France (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Pont Alexandre III — bridge that spans the Seine in Paris, France (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Lutetia — Roman city, predecessor of Paris (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Pont Neuf — bridge across the Seine in Paris, France (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Bataclan — theatre in Paris, France (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Palais Bourbon — Seat of the National Assembly in Paris, France (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Beaux-Arts de Paris — national school of fine arts in France (visit ≈ 120 min)
2-day Paris walking itinerary
Starting point: Le Marais. The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 9.2 km · 12,450 steps · 2 h 3 min on the way): Centre Georges Pompidou → Palais Garnier → place de la Concorde → Musée d'Orsay → Louvre Museum
- Day 2 (≈ 6.0 km · 8,080 steps · 1 h 19 min on the way): Notre-Dame de Paris → Panthéon → Bastille
Hidden gems and overlooked spots in Paris
- Galerie Vivienne — 19th-century glass-roofed covered passage with mosaic floors, bookshops and elegant boutiques. (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Passage des Panoramas — One of Paris's oldest covered passages, with stamp and postcard dealers and small eateries. (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Rue Crémieux — Short pedestrian street of pastel houses, famous for photos; be mindful of residents. (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Coulée verte René-Dumont — Elevated garden walkway on an old railway viaduct running east from Bastille. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Parc des Buttes-Chaumont — Romantic park with cliffs, a lake and a hilltop temple overlooking the city. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Saint-Ouen Flea Market — One of Europe's biggest flea markets, full of antiques, vintage finds and curiosities. (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Musée Nissim de Camondo — Family mansion museum next to Parc Monceau, preserved with 18th-century decor. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Musée Marmottan Monet — Mansion museum in the 16th holding the world's largest Monet collection, including Impression, Sunrise. (visit ≈ 75 min)
- Musée Jacquemart-André — Lavish 19th-century mansion of a collector couple, with Italian Renaissance paintings and period rooms. (visit ≈ 75 min)
- Marché des Enfants Rouges — Paris's oldest covered market, dating from the early 17th century in the Marais, with food stalls from around the world. (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Bourse de Commerce – Pinault Collection — Contemporary art in the circular former exchange renovated by Tadao Ando, with a frescoed dome and a concrete drum. (visit ≈ 75 min)
- BnF Richelieu – Salle Ovale — Oval reading room under a glass dome in the National Library's historic building; free to enter and wander quietly. (visit ≈ 40 min)
- Institut du Monde Arabe — Jean Nouvel building with light-sensitive metal apertures; its free roof terrace looks over the Seine to Notre-Dame. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Fondation Louis Vuitton — Major contemporary art shows in Frank Gehry's glass-sailed building on the edge of the Bois de Boulogne. (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Wall of Love (Le Mur des je t'aime) — Navy tiled wall in a small Montmartre garden, with 'I love you' written in hundreds of languages. (visit ≈ 10 min)
Where to stay in Paris
- Le Marais: Historic lanes, boutiques and cafés; central and walkable.
- Saint-Germain-des-Prés: Classic Paris cafés and elegant streets; near the Louvre and Orsay.
- Latin Quarter: Student vibe, affordable eateries and a direct RER B link to the airport.
- Montmartre: Village-like hilltop area; hotels are cheaper than in the centre.
- Canal Saint-Martin: Young, local canal-side area with plenty of bars and bistros.
- Opéra / Grands Boulevards: Where many metro lines meet; shopping and the airport bus are close.
Getting from the airport to Paris
- Charles de Gaulle (CDG): RER B train ≈ 35 min
- Orly (ORY): Metro line 14, non-stop ≈ 25 min
- Beauvais (BVA): Airport shuttle bus ≈ 75 min
Getting around
The metro is dense and frequent; most places are 10-15 minutes away. For a few days, a Navigo Easy card or phone tickets are handy.
Classic places to eat
- Bouillon Chartier: Affordable French classics since 1896; snails and duck confit.
- Le Procope: The oldest café-restaurant in Paris; try the coq au vin.
- Café de Flore: Legendary literary café; order the hot chocolate.
- Les Deux Magots: A Saint-Germain icon; enjoy a coffee on the terrace.
- Angelina: Famous for its thick hot chocolate and Mont-Blanc pastry.
- Ladurée: Taste macarons in its Champs-Élysées tearoom.
- L'As du Fallafel: The Marais’s famous falafel pitta; the queue moves fast.
- Berthillon: Ice cream and sorbet on Île Saint-Louis since 1954.
- Stohrer: The oldest pâtisserie, open since 1730; get a baba au rhum.
- Le Train Bleu: A grand Belle Époque restaurant inside Gare de Lyon.
MICHELIN-starred restaurants
Last known stars; check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
- Arpège — 3 MICHELIN stars, Vegetable-led
- L'Ambroisie — 3 MICHELIN stars, Classic French
- Le Cinq — 3 MICHELIN stars, Modern French
- Pierre Gagnaire — 3 MICHELIN stars, Creative
- Épicure — 3 MICHELIN stars, Classic French
- Kei — 3 MICHELIN stars, French, Japanese
- Plénitude — 3 MICHELIN stars, Sauce-led French
- Alléno Paris au Pavillon Ledoyen — 3 MICHELIN stars, Modern French
Romantic views
- Pont des Arts (Sunset): A footbridge over the Seine between the Louvre and the Institut de France.
- Montmartre, Sacré-Cœur Steps (Sunset): You see all of Paris from the hilltop.
- Trocadéro Gardens (Evening): The classic Eiffel Tower view; the lights sparkle on the hour.
- Square du Vert-Galant (Sunset): A small park at the tip of Île de la Cité, in the middle of the river.
- Luxembourg Gardens (Afternoon): Chairs by the pond and tree-lined paths make for a quiet walk.
Football stadiums in Paris
- Parc des Princes: Home of Paris Saint-Germain FC
Day trips
- Palace of Versailles — 18 km from the centre
- Basilica of Saint-Denis — 9 km from the centre
- Disneyland Paris — 31 km from the centre
- Grande Arche — 9 km from the centre
Good to know before visiting Paris
- Fine: Clothing that fully covers the face is banned in public places.
- Fine: Keep your metro/RER ticket until you exit; riding without one is fined at checks.
- Fine: Since July 2025 smoking is banned on beaches, in parks, at bus shelters and outside schools.
- Fine: Flying drones is prohibited over most of Paris.
- Warning: Carry ID or your passport; police may check identity.
- Warning: Driving into city low-emission zones requires a Crit'Air sticker.
- Emergency: 112 (police 17, ambulance 15, fire 18)
- Plugs: C/E, 230V
- Tap water: Tap water is safe; you can ask for a free "carafe d'eau" in restaurants.
- Tipping: Service is included by law; leaving a few euros is a nice extra.
Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: France, Wikivoyage — France, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Paris travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Paris?
- The top 8 places in the centre take about 2 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 6 days for the top 20 places within walking distance. Add extra days for day trips (Palace of Versailles and Basilica of Saint-Denis).
- What are the top things to do in Paris?
- Highlights: Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Notre-Dame de Paris, Musée d'Orsay and Arc de Triomphe. The map has 34 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Paris?
- Le Marais: Historic lanes, boutiques and cafés; central and walkable. Other options: Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Latin Quarter, Montmartre, Canal Saint-Martin and Opéra / Grands Boulevards.
- How do you get from the airport to Paris city centre?
- Charles de Gaulle (CDG): RER B train ≈ 35 min · Orly (ORY): Metro line 14, non-stop ≈ 25 min · Beauvais (BVA): Airport shuttle bus ≈ 75 min
- How do you get around Paris?
- The metro is dense and frequent; most places are 10-15 minutes away. For a few days, a Navigo Easy card or phone tickets are handy.
- Which MICHELIN-starred restaurants are in Paris?
- According to the last known data there are 8 starred restaurants: Arpège (3 stars), L'Ambroisie (3 stars), Le Cinq (3 stars), Pierre Gagnaire (3 stars), Épicure (3 stars) and 3 more. Check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
- What is the emergency number in Paris?
- Emergency: 112 (police 17, ambulance 15, fire 18).
- Do you tip in Paris?
- Service is included by law; leaving a few euros is a nice extra.
Nearby cities
Ghent · Brussels · Bruges · Luxembourg · Antwerp · London · Rotterdam · The Hague
France travel guide: all cities · All cities