Bonjour Paris! Essential Travel Tips for the City of Love

Paris, the City of Light, is the most popular love destination for all —a city that oozes art, history, and romance. Every time I visit, I’m taken in by its charming streets, iconic landmarks, and intimate cafés. Whether strolling along the Seine at sunset with the Eiffel Tower looming in the distance, gazing at the masterpieces of the Louvre, or indulging in a warm crêpe along the Seine, Paris never ceases to amaze me.

Here is my expert’s tip-to-top guide to the best things to do and see in the city of love–loads of top attractions and a couple of expert tips I have picked up along the way:

My Best Things to Do in Paris

✔ Ascend the Eiffel Tower at golden hour – The skyline is enchanting when city lights begin to sparkle.

✔ Get lost in Montmartre and feast – Walk the cobblestone streets, visit Sacré-Cœur, and even get your picture drawn by a street artist.

✔ Dinner along the Seine – Grab a baguette, cheese, and a bottle of wine and have yourself a Parisian evening out in the town.

✔ Taste pastries – A crispy croissant at Du Pain et des Idées or rich macaron at Ladurée? Oui, s’il vous plaît!

Things to Keep in Mind When Visiting Paris

Visit the Eiffel Tower

No Paris visit would be worthwhile without a visit to the Eiffel Tower. At 1,083 feet, it provides a beautiful view of Paris. It is possible to climb up to the second floor or use the lift to go to the summit. The second floor is ideal for catching a glimpse of the city, but the top offers a bird’s-eye view of the whole city.

The night tower is illuminated by tens of thousands of light and gives a fairy tale-like atmosphere. Light shows are held hourly after sunset, so it is better to take pictures here during sunset. Avoid spending too much time waiting in line by booking ticket slots in advance or eating at one of the restaurants within the tower.

Tour the Louvre Museum

The Louvre is the largest art museum in the world, with thousands of masterpieces adorning its walls. The Louvre was once a royal palace and now boasts masterpieces like the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and The Winged Victory of Samothrace. The glass pyramid entrance acts as both the main entrance and the landmark.

To avoid the crowds, go early in the morning or on weekdays. Entrance is free on the first Saturday of every month from 6:00-9:45 PM and on Bastille Day on July 14.

Walk Down the Champs-Élysées

Champs-Élysées is the globally renowned street lined with theaters, boutiques, and cafés. A walk along the avenue takes an individual directly to the Arc de Triomphe. Along the way, clients may satisfy macaron appetites at Ladurée or indulge in high-end boutiques.

Visit the Arc de Triomphe

At the western end of the Champs-Élysées, the Arc de Triomphe commemorates soldiers who died fighting for France. Hike up to the top to see Paris, the Eiffel Tower, and the Louvre from a beautiful vantage point. Do it at sunset when Paris glows golden.

Walk through Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur

Montmartre is a quaint area that is renowned for its bohemian past. The Sacré-Cœur Basilica looms over Paris and offers breathtaking views. The church is decorated with beautiful mosaics and stained-glass windows. Artist studios, cafés, and shops are located around the church.

Visit Notre-Dame Cathedral

Notre Dame is the Gothic city’s capital and is renowned for having the most resplendent of stained-glass windows and very nearly heavenly spires. Devastated close to beyond recall in the fire of 2019, yet restored to the original glory that it had fallen from and again opened in 2024, its resplendent facade is visible, with nearby Île de la Cité accessible by tour.

Walk Paris’s Beautiful Bridges

Some of its historic personality bridges span the Seine. Some of the most well-known are:

Pont Alexandre III– Beautiful golden statue bridge.

Pont Neuf – Paris’s oldest bridge, strangely named “New Bridge.”

Pont des Arts – Once covered in love locks, it is now a photo stop for couples.

Unwind in Luxembourg Gardens

The Luxembourg Garden is a quiet haven with statues, flowerbeds, and fountains. Individuals can hire small boats to sail on the lake or take a break under the tree shade. A playground and puppet show are also provided for children.

Visit the Palace of Versailles

Outside Paris proper is the Palace of Versailles, a surety. The former home of French queens and kings, it has unbelievable halls, the Hall of Mirrors, and humongous gardens. Marie Antoinette’s Hamlet and the Grand Trianon palace are even on the property.

Try French Street Food

Paris also prides itself on having delicious crepes hawked by street vendors all over the city. Bananas and Nutella crepes and ham and cheese crepes are also delicious. Croissants, macarons, and baguettes are among the thousands more to test.

Listen Church Bell in Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris

Shaded Place du Parvis on Île de la Cité, Notre-Dame de Paris is a Gothic jewel. It’s home to valuable Catholic artifacts such as the Crown of Thorns and gorgeous stained-glass windows. Rebuilding after its largely destroyed remains succumbed to the 2019 fire, it reopened entirely renovated and rejuvenated in all its glory in December of 2024.

Stroll Across Jardin du Luxembourg

Spreading from Saint-Germain-des-Prés to the Latin Quarter, the park is a green oasis like an outdoor museum. Walk past statues, look up at the palace, or bask in the sun on the Grand Bassin, a huge octagonal pond surrounded by lawns and flowerbeds. Get lost in a book or pull a portable chair and bask in the Parisian sun.

Be a Kid Again at Disneyland Paris

The Disneyland Paris experience is pure magic. You can stay in the Radisson Blu Hotel outside the parks and upgrade to a business suite with two stunning windows! Inside the park, you can ride the thrill rides, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Hyperspace Mountain, and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. Sleeping Beauty Castle, so stunningly beautiful, was the pièce de résistance.

Tip: Splurge on the room service at the end of a day trawling about — duck confit and pasta are reasonably priced.

Fondation Louis Vuitton

Frank Gehry-designed, it’s a glass ship hovering in mid-air. LVMH-sponsored, the museum is open to temporary shows and works by contemporary masters like Gerhard Richter and Taryn Simon.

Think Twice at Musée Rodin

In a serene garden, the Rodin Museum is any sculpture lover’s haven. The exhibition’s hallmarks are The Thinker, The Kiss, and The Gates of Hell. A flower garden year-round and a warm outdoor café to duck into during lunchtime.

Stroll through Palais-Royal Gardens

Concealed from sight along arched passageways, the gardens themselves are a quiet refuge from the din of cities. Have a picnic under the shade of 1970s-planted lime trees or dine at the two-Michelin-star restaurant. It adjoins the Louvre — ideal to relish with the museum entrance.

Lose Yourself in Monet’s Water Lilies at Musée de l’Orangerie

This stunning little museum contains eight huge Water lily murals by Claude Monet. These murals, which make you feel as if you’re floating over the garden, are not to be missed. Skip no other paintings by Picasso, Matisse, and Cézanne en route.

Admire the Stained Glass of Sainte-Chapelle

Apart from Notre Dame, also on the same island, Sainte-Chapelle has 15-meter-tall stained-glass windows encircling the upstairs chapel. Finished in the 13th century to house sacred relics, it’s a must-see for anyone who adores color, history, and architectural magic.

Visit The Conciergerie

Just behind Sainte-Chapelle, the Conciergerie initially served to house part of the royal palace and, subsequently, a prison. Most horrifically, it was here that Marie Antoinette waited until she passed away. One can purchase an entrance ticket and then wander through French history over the centuries through Galeries Sainte-Chapelle.

Shop Under a Dome at Galeries Lafayette

Even if you aren’t a consumer, Galeries Lafayette is worth a visit just to look upwards at the carved balconies and stained-glass dome. Catch an elevator trip to the rooftop for a panorama of the city, then shop in upscale boutiques or dine in the food court.

Unwind in the Tuileries Garden

Between Place de la Concorde and the Louvre, this historic garden is ideal for a peaceful afternoon. It was built by Queen Catherine de’ Medici in 1564. It has free French tours and a lively summer fair from June to August.

Père Lachaise Cemetery

This world-famous cemetery, an art park in fact, is calm alleys between which lie Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, and Edith Piaf, to mention a few tens of thousands. It is peaceful, stunning, and just heartbreaking. Do make sure to grab a map as you get in.

Stroll through Royalty at the Palace of Versailles

Just 12 miles outside Paris, Versailles is where pomp and luxury meet. Explore the Hall of Mirrors, Marie Antoinette’s apartments, and marvel at the Gardens of Versailles. For something a little more relaxed, look around the Queen’s Hamlet or the Grand and Petit Trianon mansions.

Surrounded By Nature in Jardin des Plantes

Originally constructed in 1635 as a medicinal garden, Jardin des Plantes now boasts one of the world’s oldest zoos, a 170-variety rose garden, and even the National Museum of Natural History. It is free, beautiful, and packed full of activities to do with the entire family.

Final Thoughts

Paris is not monuments and macarons. It is a treasure trove of hidden surprises and cultural jewels, and where the past and present meet. You are an art lover, history buff, adrenalin junkie, or hopeless romantic, but Paris has something in it that will be able to capture your heart.