10 Must-See Spots on Your Stroll Through Paris

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.