What To Do in Paris If You’re Visiting For The First Time

Paris is chock full of things to do and sights to see. The hard part is figuring out what to do in Paris since this city has so much to offer. After living in Paris for 3 years and having lots of family and friends visit, I’ve perfected my list of to-dos for first-timers. Below I’ve narrowed down the top ten best things to do in Paris if you’re visiting for the first time, plus a few tips on where to stay and when to visit.

When to Visit

Paris is a good idea almost all year round, though some seasons are better than others. I think fall is the best time to visit Paris because it offers the mildest temperatures + the city is so pretty under all the orange and yellow leaves. I’ve even written about 10 unique things to do in Paris in the fall, a testament to my preference for Paris during this season. If you want to visit during the fall, I would aim for October or early November for the best weather and fall vibes.

Summer (June & July) is also a great time to visit Paris. It is peak tourist season, but Paris has a particularly carefree vibe with everyone out and about due to the warmer weather. You’ll catch people strolling along the Seine, picnicking in the parks, or enjoying their meals on the restaurant terraces. The only summer month I don’t recommend visiting is August as everyone in Paris is also on vacation. Many restaurants, bakeries, and bars will be closed. As vacation is practically sacred in France, it’s much better to visit Paris when the locals are also in town to get a feel for what Paris is really like.

December is also a great time to come to Paris. The Christmas decor around the city makes Paris particularly magical during this time. Plus, you can enjoy more seasonal activities such as trying raclette, drinking vin chaud, and perusing the Christmas market in Jardin de Tuileries. If you’re visiting in December, I have also written about the best things to do in December in Paris.

If I were to recommend against any months to visit Paris, they would be January, February, March, and August. The first 3 months of the year offer nothing but cold weather and grey skies, so the city feels a little lackluster. August I’ve already covered as much of Paris is closed and the city is dead during this time.

Where to Stay in Paris

Paris is broken up into arrondissements numbered from 1 to 20. These arrondissements are organized in the shape of a snail, with the first arrondissement starting at the very center.

Ideally, you’ll want accommodation with easy access to all the main sights. Due to this, I recommend staying in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or 6th arrondissements. Many people make the mistake of booking their accommodation in the Eiffel Tower area, but as you can see, the Eiffel Tower is a little bit farther away from the city center. It isn’t totally inconvenient to stay there, but there are better and more convenient neighborhoods to stay in.

What To Do in Paris — 10 Things To See in Paris For The First Timer

#1 See the Eiffel Tower (duh)

What to do in Paris besides seeing the Eiffel Tower? If it is your first time in Paris, you can’t possibly not see the Eiffel Tower, which has become synonymous with Paris itself. There are many places to get a great view, but there are only a handful of places to get a great photo. I recommend at least one of these spots to get that perfect Eiffel Tower picture. The locations are outlined below:

• Square Rapp
• Rue de l’Université
• Pont d’Iéna
• Pont de l’Alma
• Avenue de Camoens
• Pont Alexander III
• Trocadero

If you’re looking for the ultimate view of the Eiffel Tower, aim to see it during sunset and catch it once it sparkles. Every night from 8pm to 1am, the Eiffel Tower lights up and sparkles for the first 5 minutes of every hour. My favorite viewing spot is Pont d’Iéna, where there surprisingly aren’t a ton of people flocking for a view (it’s nothing compared to Trocadero). Grab a bottle of wine and some glasses and treat yourself to a drink and a relaxing sunset view of the Eiffel Tower.

#2 Stop For a Hot Chocolate

As you probably already know, café culture in Paris is a big deal, extending past just coffee. Hot chocolate, or chocolat chaud, is no exception. First brought to France by Spanish Conquistadors, it was originally reserved for the nobility and upper classes. Hot chocolate was thought to be Louis XV’s favorite beverage, and he even made hot chocolate for himself in his private apartments — the very apartments you can tour in Versailles today.

You’ll find that French hot chocolate, or hot chocolate in Europe in general, is much thicker than American hot chocolate. This is mainly because they opt for real chocolate bars and whole milk/cream, instead of powdered cocoa, creating a richer texture.

You can stop in pretty much any café and grab a hot chocolate. However, the best places to get hot chocolate are:

• Angelina
• Carette
• Jacques Genin
• La Chocolaterie Cyril Lignac
• Café de Flore

A trip to Paris in December is not complete without a hot chocolate stop, but if you’re not into hot chocolate, here is my list of artisinal Parisian coffeeshops that you can visit instead.

#3 Visit the Louvre

The Louvre is another one of the absolute must-dos when you’re looking for what to do in Paris. Aside from the fact that the Louvre has some of the most famous artworks in history (the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, the Coronation of Napoleon, Liberty Leading the People, the list goes on), the Louvre is also literally enormous, coming in at 652,300 square feet. If you wanted to see each piece for at least 10 seconds, you would need 3 days and two nights non-stop. So yeah… the Louvre is huge.

To visit the Louvre, you must go in with a game plan. Block out at least 3-4 hours to properly visit the museum, and pick up a map on your way in, identifying the works you want to see. I also recommend booking your ticket ahead of time so that you don’t have to wait in line. If you want to be efficient with your time in the Louvre, I try this 3-hour guided tour so that you don’t get lost and can easily see the works you’re looking for.

The Tuileries Garden, or Jardin de Tuileries, is in front of the Louvre and leads into its entrance. You don’t have to explore the gardens, but it is worth strolling through on your way to the museum.

#4 Explore the Montmartre Neighborhood and Visit Sacré Coeur

Montmartre is arguably one of the cutest, most Parisian neighborhoods in all of Paris. Historically, Montmartre was known as the creative district in Paris, where artists such as Picasso, Van Gogh, and Renoir used to live. Now it’s more famous for its cobblestone streets, quaint cafes, and historic landmarks like the Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur, where you can get another great (and free) view of Paris from its steps.

While Montmartre is out of the way compared to where all the other touristy things are, I still think Montmartre is worth making time for in your Paris itinerary. When friends and family ask me what to do in Paris, I almost always recommend Montmartre for a half day. The neighborhood is so picturesque and feels almost like a small village within Paris itself. My favorite picture spots in Montmartre (aside from Sacré Coeur) are Rue Saint Vincent, La Maison Rose, and Butte Montmartre to capture the Sinking House of Montmartre.

#5 Take in the Views at the Top of the Arc de Triomphe

I always recommend the Arc de Triomphe as the best view of Paris. When thinking of what to do in Paris, getting a full skyline view of the city is another must-do on your itinerary, and in my humble opinion, the Arc is the best place to do it!

You’re probably wondering why I’m not recommending going up the Eiffel Tower. Going up the Eiffel Tower is overrated because a view from the Eiffel Tower omits it from your skyline photos! A view from the Arc allows for a 360 skyline view of Paris with the Eiffel Tower set perfectly in the backdrop.

You can buy a ticket up the Arc de Triomphe for 16 euros per person. I recommend grabbing a ticket beforehand to avoid any wait times. If you want only to see the Arc de Triomphe, you only need about 10 minutes to catch a photo of this iconic monument. To visit and actually go up the Arc, you’ll want to block out at least one hour and prepare yourself for some stairs (284 steps to be exact).

#6 Visit a French Pharmacy

Whether you’re a skincare novice or a seasoned aficionado, you’ll want to come home with a bag of skincare goodies from the French pharmacy. While you can go to any old pharmacy in France, there is a particular one you’ll want to seek out. CityPharma is a discount French pharmacy in Paris and it easily has the largest selection and discounts of products out of all the pharmacies in Paris. It is located in the 6th arrondissement in Paris, near the Saint Germain de Prés area.

If you want to learn more about the French pharmacy, including some inspo on what exactly you should buy, you can check out my blog on my favorite products in the French pharmacy. Visiting during the summertime? Here’s a blog on the top 10 French pharmacy products for the summer.

#7 Visit Opera Garnier

The Opera Garnier, also known as Palais Garnier, is an architectural masterpiece in the heart of Paris. The building was designed by Charles Garnier and showcases the opulent Beaux-Arts style. Its stunning façade is adorned with sculptures, marble columns, and intricate details. The Opera Garnier has been a hub for world-class ballet and opera performances, offering a cultural experience that marries architectural splendor with artistic excellence.

The Opera Garnier is open every day from 9am-5pm, and tickets are 15 euro. You can also book a show to see if you’re more interested in experiencing the opera for its original purpose. Everything regarding tickets and shows can be found their official website, or if you’re interested in a private tour, I recommend this 2 hour private tour on Viator.

#8 Take a Boat Tour Along the Seine

A boat tour along the Seine is a right of passage when visiting Paris. No what to do in Paris list would be complete without mentioning a river cruise. The views of Paris from the Seine are unbeatable, and you can see a good number of the major sights in one go. There are a ton of options when booking a boat tour on the Seine, from dinner cruises, party boats, and private boats, there are options for everyone and pretty much any occasion. Below I’ve listed a few good options + descriptions, depending on what you’re looking for.

• 1-Hour River Seine Cruise with Audio Commentary (€18.00 – 1 hour, large boat so expect 30+ people)
• Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise (€124.70 – 2.5 hours)
• Paris Seine River Private or Shared Boat Tour (€130.00 – 1.5 hours, expect to share with 5-8 people)
• Private Cruise to Discover Paris (€499.00 total – 1.5 hours, can fit up to 8 people)

#9 Enjoy a Hearty French Meal

There is so much amazing food in Paris that it’s hard to choose just 1 or 2 restaurants to recommend. If it’s your first time in Paris, and maybe even your first time in France, my guess is that you’ll want to try traditional French food. Below is a list of my favorite French restaurants in Paris. When friends visit me, I always take them to at least one of the listed restaurants on this list!

• Chez Janou — Tik Tok famous southern French restaurant. Dish highlights are the duck (magret de canard au romarin) & chocolate mousse (mousse au chocolate)
• Les Bons Georges — A restaurant that rivals Chez Janou in chocolate mousse.
• Brasserie Martin — Classic French brasserie. Dish highlights are the poulet rôti à la broche and the saucisse purée
• L’Auberge Aveyronnaise — for the traditional southwestern dish aligot. Aligot is basically cheese blended with mashed potatoes and garlic. Need I say more?

#10 Go to a Local Boulangerie

Did you really visit Paris if you didn’t go to a boulangerie? Boulangeries (bakeries in English) are on virtually every street corner in Paris. While many people will tell you that you can go to any ol’ boulangerie and get a good croissant, I partially disagree with that sentiment. Some boulangeries are better than others, and there is even a competition for the best croissants in the Île de France region. If you’re here for a limited amount of time, you should go out of your way to get only the best-baked goods. Below is a list of my favorite boulangeries in Paris:

• The French Bastards — multiple locations in the 11e, 2e, 17e, 9e, 7e & 4e, this is a hip boulangerie that is a great go-to if you’re near one.
• Du Pain et des Idées — fantastic, traditional boulangerie in the 10e. Aside from their croissants, grab an “escargot,” a pinwheel-shaped pastry with either red fruit, pistachio, or some other seasonal flavor filling.
• Mamiche — a spot that gets raved about often and you’ll most likely see a line out the door. They also have excellent sandwiches for lunch!
• La Maison d’Isabelle — voted best croissant in Paris in 2018, and still the best croissant in the city in my humble opinion. Don’t sleep on this place just because their award was back in 2018!
• Chez Meunier — voted best croissant in Paris in 2023
• Boulangerie Louvard — not sure I would call this one of the best boulangeries in Paris, but they’re the birthplace of the infamous “crookie” (croissant cookie hybrid) that is worth a try while you’re here.