Paris city will always stand in first place on every enthusiastic backpacker’s bucket list, due to its popular historical landmarks, fashion streets, art scenes and museums and romantic atmospheres, making it a great destination to visit in the world. But here I will create 15 major things that will help to understand Paris city in a more precise manner. From ancient monuments and museums to local cuisines and shopping stuff, this article will help you plan a unique Parisian experience.
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15 Popular Things to Do in Paris
1. Take a Walk to World Famous Eiffel Tower
No matter what are the listed places included in your Paris trip, but visiting the world famous Eiffel Tower during Paris trip surely is a great idea to start your journey. Everybody knows about the Eiffel Tower, but more often known for its architectural marvelousness like design, structure and material they used, historical significance, and breathtaking views. Constructed in 1889 during the World’s Fair, today, Eiffel Tower offers great panoramic views of the city for those who dare to climb its 1,655 steps. Due to its location, popularity, and historical backgrounds, Eiffel Tower is recognised as the “Symbol of Love” in the world.
Despite its features, the Tower has some internal beauties like it contains a tiny post office inside and its height varies from season to season. Even today such a great man made wonder stand as one of the tallest structures in the world. Along with, perhaps most of its beautiful legacy helps to receive more than 6 million of annual visitors to Paris city.
2. Visit Louvre Museum
After exploring everything about the Eiffel Tower, as a backpacker you just need to take a direction to another popular yet world famous landmark in Paris, the Louvre Museum. The museum is a place home to world renowned paintings and sculptures including Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. The museum also holds paintings like Venus de Milo, The Virgin of Rocks, liberty leading the world along the Venus de Milo, and other French paintings. The Louvre spreads across 73,000 sq. Km, home to 35,000 of art works and paintings, making it one of the most visited museums in the world.
Additionally, the museum includes world best art works including pieces of paintings, art objects, sculptures that mostly belong to the ancient periods. Each one depicts the cultures and historical legacy of French, Roman, Spanish, British, Europe, Middle East, Greek and Egyptians. This massive glass museum is renowned as the world’s most visited art museum due to its massive collections of mid-19th century art objects.
3. Take a Leisure Stroll along Seine River
Since Paris city located in the bank of the Seine River, often called as “Paris Waterway”, Seine River is a most popular attraction where visitors or backpackers leisurely stroll along both the side of the river to get most beautiful views of the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame along with other city’s attraction. The river’s bank is always filled with traditional booksellers and beautiful boulevards, historic cafes, and charming neighbourhoods that help us to catch many things at one place. Two banks of the Seine are bifurcated as La Rive Gauche (left bank) and a La Rive Droite (right bank), both banks are listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site for its breathtaking flavor of the Parisian experiences.
Visitors also experience bouquinistes, where good numbers of old book collections, magazines, green metal boxes and ancient unique souvenirs and gifts are sold. Make sure that each series of Seine River Boat Tour provides a series of beautiful historic bridges, ancient buildings and monuments like Cathedral of Notre Dame, Louvre Museum and Eiffel Tower. Seine River Cruise offers the most diverse way to enjoy the Seine River from its best cruise options.
4. Experience the Beauty of Notre-Dame Cathedral
Experience the intrinsic beauty of the Notre-Dame Cathedral is another marvelous aspect to things to do in Paris. A perfect symbol of Gothic architecture in Europe, starting in the middle of the 12th century, took 200 years to build such brilliant architecture. Located in the eastern end of the Ile de la Cite in Paris, the Cathedral includes stained glass windows, stone carvings, and soaring spires (upto 100 meters high), making it the most beloved monument in the world. Today it is home to ruins of Roman temples like Jupiter and Christian Romanesque Basilica. Most French people believed that Jesus Christ had been worn during his crucifixion from this church.
From the 12th century to the 21st century, this historical evidence witnessed many historical events, revolutions, war and festivals, making it one of the oldest revolution inspired churches on earth. Moreover, the Gothic church holds a special place in the hearts of the Parsianas and those who are dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Such a brilliant UNESCO World Heritage Site, standing 230 feet high, where most restoration took place that damaged often but reopened in 2024 after the Cathedral was damaged by the massive fire.
5. Visit Inside of Musee d’Orsay
Situated in a former railway station, Musee d’Orassy is a great place to collect vast amounts of evocative paintings, meaning paintings express deep emotions, memories, thoughts and ideas relating to particular subjects. Along with, Vincent Van Gogh’s self-portrait is a most popular and famous among depicting his life, drawings and brilliant colors. Built in the 1900, Musee d’Orsay today home to vast collections of Impressionist paintings from Bal au Moulin de la galette from Renoir, Berhe Morisot, Edouard Manet and Sisiely to Arles de Van. Each painting inside of Musee d’Orsay exhibits the country’s rich history, art, and architecture that always captivates millions of visitors every year.
Additionally, Musee is home to 1, 00,000 works mostly belonging to 1848 to 1914, out of that 25 masterpieces renowned as most preserved and popular. Former train station, today it exhibits masterpieces such as Honore Daumier, Auguste Clesinger, Gustave Courbet, Jean Francois Millet, Alexandre Cabanel, Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux, and Berthe Morisot. Make sure that, museum includes specific timings and entry fees to explore inside its best and vast collections of paintings, visit its official website for details.
6. Stroll at Montmartre and Sacre-Coeur
Montmartre and Sacre-Coeur is an artistic neighbourhood contains most beautiful bridges and picturesque sceneries. Built in 1923 in Roman-Byzantine style, popular through its unique architectural designs, spectacular views and location. Set top of the hill where visitors go to see most artists’ views, historical monuments and quaint cafes, but the most interesting element under Montmartre Sacre-Coeur is to take a leisurely stroll from its incredible neighbourhoods. During our stroll, the neighbourhood offers artistic Place du Tertre, historic Moulin Rouge, Musee de Montmartre and vibrant shops of wine, bread, cheese and charcuterie. This Parisian district is home to many artistic works such as Modigliani, Monet, Degas, Picasso, and van Gogh.
When we talk about design and architecture, it has a Basilica named Sacre Coeur, which is 85 meters long and 83 meters high, including domes, round towers and white stones that contrast the rest of the city’s architecture. Inside there is a crypt, and some ancient religious painting collections and stone statues representing great personalities of French revolutions. However, the Basilica contains a total of 5 bells, but Savoyarde, considered as the largest one in the world too. Take a guided tour along with your stroll for a better experience and to understand local historical facts and architecture.
7. Explore the Beauty of Champs-Elysees and Arc de Triomphe
The Champs Elysee is a popular Parisian avenue starting from Arc de Triomphe to Place de la Concorde. Such massive pathways leading to the city’s world famous monumental arch, and other vibrant shopping centres and sightseeings. Champs-Elysees is an extension of the existing Tuileries Garden, built in the 17th century where trees, theatres and cafes are lined making it a major hotspot to Parisian society. But during the late 18th century, most of the avenues were filled by the shopping centres, iconic stores and vine collections. The same legacy which has been forwarded even during the 21st century.
Arc de Triomphe is a monument and triumphal arch commissioned by the great French General and Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. Built in 1806, for the honour of the French army’s victories during Napoleonic wars. Today it stands as one of the most renowned architectural beauties in the city and the monument symbolises the legacy of national pride and French history. Its architectures represent carvings and inscriptions that explain stories regarding battles they made and victories they won. This Ard de Triomphe is the most inspiring monument in the world, India Gate of New Delhi was inspired and built according to this Arch style.
8. Make Dinner at Seine River Cruise
Sounds interesting right, but ya it is true, making dinner at one of the Seine river cruises is the next travel adventure to enthusiastic backpackers. There are multiple Seine river cruises available to travelers to experience it, each one is unique and that will allow visitors to discover Paris from different angles making your city trip more romantic and magical. When you cruise along with Seine River, city lights slowly disappear as you softly slip by along shimmering waters. The cruise dinner includes the most sophisticated menu options with extraordinary settings, along with the most beautiful glittering with thousands of lights passing Eiffel Towers, Notre-Dame Cathedral and Musee du Louvre.
Each day menus offer different cuisine options, ranging from local traditions to vegetarian and gluten free, including traditional dishes. Every recipe that is emblematic of French gastronomy, continues to supply quality foods to their beloved customers. Price of the cuisine varies according to time and menu, €90 for 6:00 pm dinner cruise and €130 to €340 for 8:30 pm cruise dinner. Book your Seine River Cruise Dinner at Bateaux Mouches or Bateaux Parisiens for better exercises.
9. Roam Amidst of the Jardin du Luxembourg Gardens
Taking a leisurely stroll amidst one of the beautiful gardens in Paris could be the great idea to add your things to do in Paris. Jardin du Luxembourg Gardens or simply Luxembourg Gardens is a 25 hectares of land classified as a French and English garden, located on the border between Saint Germain des Pres and the Latin Quarter. Made in 1612, under the initiatives of Queen Marie de Medici, where visitors see orchards with a variety of old and forgotten apples, greenhouses, bee keeping and collections of orchids and rose varieties. However, the garden is home to more than 100 statues that are situated every corner along with Medici fountain, Orangerie and Pavillon Davioud. It is recommended that all these attractions and beauties within the garden are more mesmerising when visitors are ready to explore through picnics and leisurely strolls.
Luxembourg Gardens often offers most ideal outdoor activities especially for children and family visitors, such as puppets, rides and slides. For adults, tennis, chess, remote control boats and basketballs are major activities. Gardens open daily at 9:30am under free access to the general public. Do not miss out to attend any cultural programmes hosted here by the free photography exhibitions and bandstand.
10. Discover the Total Collections of Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau is an artistic and architectural style of sculptures that mostly emerged during the late 19th century and early 20th century. Most people believed that Art Nouveau and Art Deco are the same, but it is not, art deco is an opulent style of design, art and architecture mostly emerged during the 1990s. Art Nouveau is a decorative one, emphasising organic, natural forms like flowers, plants and insects. This style of design mostly contains a lot of flowing lines, intricate patterns and earthy colors. Additionally, stained glass windows and sculptural elements are common elements that giver more stunning and awe inspiring to the building styles. Alphonse Mucha and Gustav Klimt are the prominent artists who are developed and made world recognised.
Hector Guimard’s metro station design and entrance in Paris is the prime example of the Art Nouveau style architecture. However, Galeries Lafeyette Haussmann or La Samaritaine are elegant departmental stores, another 2 best examples to this style of architecture. If you do not have a time to explore every architecture of Art Nouveau, then you can visit home of the Jules Lavirotte at 29 Avenue Rapp, where facades are still exist same design and Maxim’s a French restaurant, where Art Nouveau wood detailing are made inside of it.
11. Enjoy the Inside Beauty of Opera/ the Palais Garnier
The Palais Garnier is the most prestigious opera house in Paris, and exploring its beauty is one of the finest things to do in Paris. This opera house was constructed between 1860 to 1875, by the legendary architect Charles Garnier, person who selected from the fierce design competitions. The 19th century building, considered the most expensive masterpiece, comes from the Second French Empire under the regime of Napoleon 3. Its interior designs usually include intertwining corridors, alcoves, and landings, most of the opera’s constructions made with marble staircase, grand foyer and intrinsic paintings. Its auditorium was made based on traditional Italian horseshoe shapes in 1900, making it the largest in Europe, accommodating up to 450 artists and audiences.
This Palais Garnier opera house accommodates upto 2,000 people at a time. Today home to the Opera Garnier, place of art, beauty and intrigues, along with seasonal live shows and lovely architectures that express 9th century Paris. Besides its massive auditorium, the opera house contains some inside attractions, that are, Rotunde des Abbonees, Salon du Glacier, Grand Escalier and a Library. Take a Guided or Self-guided tour of the Opera to get brief insights about.
12. Take Look for Nearby Latin Quarter
Despite an Urban College Campus, Paris Latin Quarter recognised as the most alluring spot in the entire France city. Latin Quarter located in the left side of the Seine River, a historic place known for its lively atmospheres, cafes and Sorbonne University. Founded over 2000 years ago, where most intellectuals and scholars were gathered to be the part of the Sorbonne. One of the oldest areas in Paris, contributions of early developments of the Latin Quarters goes to the Roman Empires, later transformed as the first universities in Europe. Its same legacy transformed from ancient time to present day, today making it a city’s renowned bookstores, knowledge and cultural centres that leads to the construction of Sorbonne University.
Today the Latin Quarter is popular as the most pictursquare corner in Paris, where the bohemian charm of students and literati, vintages, cafes and jazz clubs are located. Visitors are free to take a stroll amidst the unique atmospheres where shops of books, wine and antiques, patisseries, bakeries and bookshops exist. Do not miss out on seeing things like the Church of Saint Etienne-du-Mont, Montparnasse cemetery and Pantheon Square, which are protected attractions.
13. Enjoy more Peaceful Surroundings at Pere Lachaise Cemetery
Largest cemetery in Paris, Pere Lachaise Cemetery is also a place where more than 3.5 million visitors visit annually. Spending your time under this cemetery for more calm and peace considered one of the great things to do in Paris. Opened in 1804, home to tons of famous graves, including Edith Piaf, Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, Moliere and Gerturde Stein. Besides a burial ground, the cemetery offers peaceful atmospheres from its tree lined paths, those paths even more beautiful if you are in the spring season. Taking a leisurely stroll around is a great idea to spot unknown stuff and see gravesites of great personalities along with seasonal beauties.
At present the cemetery packed 70,000 burial plots under its 106 acres of land and a dizzying array of family ornate, sepulchres, chapels, funerals and mausoleums. Moreover, Pere Lachaise, kept 101 celebrity graves and memorials in its womb, showcasing one of the ancient necropolises on earth. Total 97 division, showing the avenues, and lanes, that are more accessible and explorable through Pere Lachaise Tours.
14. Try Local Cuisine Options and Dishes
Tasting delicious local cuisine is not just a surprising thing, moreover it is a learning process. Great and surprising thing throughout the world where backpackers are stepping in. In the same way, spending time in cooking classes or tasting mouthwatering culinary options in Paris is a great way to enjoy the things here. Most of the restaurants in Paris are incredible and overwhelming to enjoy amazing food options like foie gras, escargots, confit de canard, French Cheese, steak frites and pastries. Cooking class includes; Bread baking class, French pastry cooking classes, macarons, choux pastry and chocolate eclair class. There are number classic French bistros, restaurants and menus serves cuisine in a very unique way, such as;
Bouillon Pigalle– Traditional French dishes include lunch and dinner.
Big Mamma Group– Italian restaurant serves mostly local and Italian dishes shattered across the city.
Au Passage- Offers modern French and natural wines.
Breizh Cafe– Located multiple areas of the city, offers butter and sugar during lunch and dinner.
Little Red Door- A Cocktail Bar.
La Belle Hortense- Wine Bar, Book shop, and restaurants.
15. Purchase Gift and Souvenir at City’s Vibrant Shops
“Fashion Capital of the World” Paris gained a long reputation over the city’s history, hub of fashion houses, and birth of haute couture. Since Paris is home to a major hub of fashion houses, designers, concept stores and vintage shops, this helps visitors make wise decisions when it comes to shopping’s. The city offers some of the vibrant shops such as Marin Montagut (for soap, kitchen items, and gift boxes), Le Bon Marche and Grande Epicerie, Merci, Thanx God I’m V.I.P, Vintage Desire and Bis Boutique Solidaire. Each shop offers things to purchase like designer pieces, perfumes, French Macarons, Wine and Champagne, Parisian Chocolates, French Cheese, Mariniere, Books and Paintings, Skincare’s/ beauty products and popular Bagutte Bags and Cooking items.
If you have taken a stroll in streets like Rue Saint Honore and Avenue Montaigne or Champs D’Elysees, you’ll be much fortunate to catch up local boutiques, home stores and art galleries exist. We can classify major items which we buy in Paris city, that are starting from French beauty products and Luxury brands to clothing. Visit La Grande Epicerie, a popular grocery store for mustards, jams, cookies and French butter and cheese, and Tea House to taste more than 500 tea varieties.
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