If, just once in your life, you’re lucky enough to travel to Paris, then you’re lucky enough. It’s true that the sky turns a special shade of pink come evening light. It’s also true that it has some of the prettiest buildings in all of Europe.
In a magical land filled with blossoming gardens, ancient bookstores, storied museums, cafés where you can linger for hours, and stolen kisses under the moonlight, it’s hard to narrow it down to 10 must-see spots. But, there are so many lists out there like this, and we’ve done our best to narrow it down for you so you can have the time to see and do it all.
Jardin du Luxembourg
Even if you’re just a casual admirer of gardens, the Jardin du Luxembourg is well worth a visit. It’s filled with those iconic green chairs where locals and tourists blend together in a sea of tranquility.
Whether they’re watching the children play by the fountain, reading a book, or catching up on lost time with a loved one, it’s a special little time capsule where the flowers dance in the breeze and everything feels like it’s going to be okay when you’re within these grounds. This lovely garden definitely makes the cut on our list of the 10 best free things to do in Paris.
Shakespeare and Company
Of course, if you’d like to be one of the people in the garden reading French poetry or the latest well-reviewed book in Le Monde, be sure to pick something lovely up at Shakespeare and Company.
As you hear the gentle lull of children’s laughter in the distance and feel the breeze comb through your hair, you’ll enjoy a welcome reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the city with a book from Shakespeare and Company and the quiet simplicity of ordinary life in the garden.
Mélodies Graphiques
If, instead, you’d like to journal in the garden or a beautiful café, the only place to go for all your stationery dreams is Mélodies Graphiques. It’s a paper and calligraphy store that carries only the finest, most luxurious products.
You’ll find yourself leaving there with some paper that’s so pretty you’ll be afraid to write on it (but you must) and possibly even a new calligraphy pen you didn’t know you needed.
Les Deux Magots
One of the best cafés to scribble in your new notebook is Les Deux Magots. There’s a long list of cafés that Ernest Hemingway frequented, and Les Deux Magots is a chart-topper. He also loved Café de Flore and Closerie des Lilas, where he wrote most of The Sun Also Rises.
Les Deux Magots is a wonderful place to sit outside, savor a glass of wine, order some escargots, and watch the world go by. You’ll be seated rather close to the tables beside you, but that’s part of the fun, making you feel like you’re right there in the heart of it all.
Café du Trocadero
After you’ve enjoyed your afternoon snack at Les Deux Magots, when you’re ready for some dinner, make sure you dine at Café du Trocadero one night. It’s right across the street from Trocadero Square, which is one of the gateways to the Eiffel Tower.
Wait for a table outside, if you must, because that’s where you want to be sipping on champagne when the Eiffel Tower lights up at nightfall. The hourly sparkle show will dazzle you every hour, on the hour, until 11 pm, with an additional sparkle at 1 am in the summer. Then, of course, you can make your way over to the Tower after you’ve enjoyed your meal.
The Eiffel Tower
If this is your first time in Paris, we’d be remiss not to list the star of the show. It’s worth purchasing a ticket to travel up the Tower so you can say you’ve been there, done that.
Truthfully, you don’t have to go all the way up to the top level. When you’re that high up, everything just looks like a little speck down below. But, go as high as you please as you take in those expansive views of one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
The Arc de Triomphe
When you find yourself window shopping on the Champs-Élysées, you might end up at the Arc de Triomphe. This, too, is another tourist hotspot that’s worth your while for the views alone.
After you climb all 284 steps, you’ll have the most spectacular view of the incredibly intelligent layout of the city. It all kind of spiderwebs out from the Arc, and it’s a lovely way to admire the genius that went into the city’s design.
Sacré-Cœur
You’ll also find yourself up in Montmartre at some point throughout your travels. In which case, the next iconic spot for great panoramas and a few photos is Sacré-Cœur.
This beautiful basilica is only 115 years old, surprisingly. But it’s another architectural wonder. Whether you choose to stand outside on the steps and take in the views or dip inside to light a candle, it’ll be worth your time to move with the crowds and see what it’s all about.
The Seine
There’s a book called The Seine by Elaine Sciolino. If you’re a reader, be sure to enjoy this one before you go or on the plane. Sure, it details the storied history of this world-renowned river. But it also details the special meaning it had for the writer when she lived in Paris.
She personifies the river in a way that makes it seem like it was a special friend throughout her time abroad. As you walk along its banks each afternoon or enjoy a simple picnic, you might find yourself developing a similar camaraderie with its lapping waters, too.
Le Polidor
One final way to give Paris a little extra sparkle when you visit is to watch Midnight In Paris before you go. It’s a fabulous tale of an aspiring writer who travels back in time when the bells of Saint-Étienne du Mont sing out at midnight. He meets the likes of Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Gertrude Stein, who help him perfect his novel.
Watching the film is a fun way to get to know some local sights like the church itself, and Le Polidor, the restaurant where he’s stunned by his chance encounter with Hemingway. Dining here is fun because, when it gets busy, the tables become communal, and you just never know who you might meet.
Paris Isn’t Just for Lovers
They say Paris is for lovers and, boy, is it ever. But it’s also for history buffs, art lovers, architectural admirers, garden wanderers, and more. We’ve also detailed 10 ways to enjoy the city on your own. You can savor some wine, drink espresso strong enough to keep you awake for hours, and wander through the most unique shops.
Whichever way you choose to savor the City of Love, we hope you’ll make it to some of these spots. They’re full of wonder, intrigue, and special opportunities to make new memories.
Like so many others, we’re big-time Paris lovers here. Be sure to check out our library of destination guides on the city. Together, we’ll help you book the best hotel, savor the tastiest meals, pack just the right outfits, and enjoy every moment in this unforgettable city.