Top 10 Things To Do In Paris 🇫🇷✨
Paris feels impossible until you're standing in it.
Maybe it's the sound of glasses clinking outside sidewalk cafés. Maybe it's watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle after dark. Or maybe it's realizing that yes - the city really is every bit as beautiful as Instagram makes it look.
But Paris is also massive. And if you're visiting on limited vacation time like we usually are, choosing what actually deserves a spot on your itinerary matters.
After exploring Paris ourselves, here are the attractions we'd tell almost anyone to prioritize.
To make planning easier, we created an interactive Google Map featuring all of the locations in this itinerary:
🎥 Prefer video? Watch our 24 hours in Paris video below👇
1. Climb Arc de Triomphe for One of Paris’ Best Views
Everyone talks about climbing the Eiffel Tower.
Not enough people talk about climbing the Arc de Triomphe.
Standing at the top gives you one of the most iconic views in Paris - twelve grand boulevards radiating outward with the Eiffel Tower rising in the distance.
The climb involves roughly 280 steps, but the payoff feels enormous.
Classless Wanderers Tip 💡
Go around sunset if possible. Watching Paris transition from golden hour into nighttime lights feels magical.
Time needed: 1–1.5 hours
Book ahead: Recommended. Sunset time slots and peak travel seasons can get busy.
Worth it: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
👉 Browse Arc de Triomphe tours and tickets here
2. Get Lost Inside The Louvre
The Louvre isn't just a museum.
It's a half to full-day commitment.
Home to world-famous masterpieces including the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo, this former royal palace contains thousands of works spread across enormous galleries.
Our biggest advice? Don't try to see everything.
They say if you spent just 30 seconds looking at every artwork in the Louvre, it would take around 100–200 days to see everything.
Pick a few sections that genuinely interest you.
Otherwise you'll end up museum-exhausted halfway through.
Classless Wanderers Tip 💡
Book timed-entry tickets ahead of time and aim for morning entry.
Time needed: 3–5 hours
Book ahead: Absolutely. The Louvre is one of Paris’ busiest attractions and timed-entry reservations are highly recommended.
Worth it: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
👉 Browse Louvre tours and tickets here
3. Visit The Eiffel Tower (Because Yes - You Have To)
Touristy? Absolutely.
Worth it? Also yes.
Whether you choose to climb, take the elevator, or simply admire it from spots around the city, seeing the Eiffel Tower in person feels like checking off a major life bucket list moment.
Some of our favorite viewpoints:
• Trocadéro
• Champ de Mars
• Rue de l'Université
• Seine river viewpoints
Classless Wanderers Tip 💡
If possible, see it during both daytime and after dark when it sparkles.
Time needed: 1–3 hours
Book ahead: Yes - strongly recommended. Summit tickets regularly sell out.
Worth it: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
👉 Browse Eiffel Tower tours and tickets here
4. Step Inside Palais Garnier (The Opera House)
If Paris had a "main character energy" building, this might be it.
Massive staircases. Gold accents. Painted ceilings. Crystal chandeliers.
Even if opera isn't your thing, Palais Garnier feels like walking into another era.
Fans of Phantom of the Opera will especially appreciate it.
Time needed: 1–2 hours
Book ahead: Recommended. Especially for guided tours or performances.
Worth it: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
👉 Browse Opera House tours and tickets here
5. Descend Into The Paris Catacombs
Paris has beauty above ground.
The Catacombs show an entirely different side.
Deep beneath the city streets sits a network containing the remains of millions of Parisians.
It's eerie. Fascinating. A little unsettling. And completely unlike anything else you'll do in Paris.
Time needed: 1–2 hours
Book ahead: Absolutely. Timed entries frequently sell out days ahead.
Worth it: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
👉 Browse Paris Catacombs tours and tickets here
6. Take A Seine River Cruise
If we had to recommend one thing for first-time visitors?
This might be it.
Paris simply hits differently from the water.
You'll float past iconic landmarks while seeing the city from a completely different perspective.
Sunset cruises feel especially magical.
Time needed: 1–2 hours
Book ahead: Recommended. Evening and dinner cruises often sell out.
Worth it: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
👉 Browse Seine River Cruise tours and tickets here
7. Visit The Panthéon
Often overlooked by first-time visitors, the Panthéon feels grand without feeling overwhelmingly crowded.
The architecture alone is worth visiting.
Inside you'll find the resting places of influential French figures and incredible dome views.
Bonus: it's located near the Latin Quarter, making it easy to pair with cafés and wandering.
Time needed: 1–1.5 hours
Book ahead: Optional. Helpful during busy travel periods.
Worth it: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
👉 Browse Panthéon tours and tickets here
8. Walk Into Sainte-Chapelle
If we had to pick Paris' most underrated attraction?
Sainte-Chapelle might win.
The moment you walk upstairs and see walls covered in towering stained glass windows, you'll understand.
Photos genuinely don't do it justice.
Go when sunlight is strongest for the best effect.
Time needed: 30–60 minutes
Book ahead: Recommended. Security lines can get long.
Worth it: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
👉 Browse Sainte-Chapelle tours and tickets here
9. Explore The Conciergerie
History lovers shouldn't skip this one.
Once a royal palace and later a prison during the French Revolution, the Conciergerie offers a fascinating look into Paris' past.
Most notably? Marie Antoinette spent time imprisoned here before her execution.
Pair it with Sainte-Chapelle since they're next to each other.
Time needed: 45–90 minutes
Book ahead: Recommended, especially if pairing with Sainte-Chapelle.
Worth it: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
👉 Browse Conciergerie tours and tickets here
10. Finish At Sacré-Cœur
Montmartre feels like stepping into a different Paris.
Street artists. Hidden staircases. Cobblestone streets.
And sitting above it all sits Sacré-Cœur.
Even if you don't go inside, the views overlooking Paris are incredible.
Stay until sunset if possible.
It's one of those moments that sticks with you.
Time needed: 1–3 hours
Book ahead: Usually not required for the basilica itself, but dome access and guided experiences can benefit from advance booking.
Worth it: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
👉 Browse Montmartre tours and tickets here
Final Thoughts: Is Paris Worth Visiting?
Short answer? Absolutely.
Paris can feel crowded. Touristy. Expensive.
But somehow it still delivers.
Between grand landmarks, hidden corners, world-class food, and moments that genuinely feel cinematic, Paris earns its place on so many bucket lists.
And if you're working with limited PTO like we are?
These are the places we'd prioritize for first-time visitors.
✨ Have a favorite Paris spot we missed? Let us know below - we're always looking for an excuse to plan another trip.
If you got this far, thanks for reading and remember to STAY CLASSLESS 😉
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For more inspiration check out our recent France travel guides on YouTube👇
