Best Things to Do in Paris - PART 1

The question isn't what to do in Paris, but rather how to decide. With so many wonderful and varied options, it can be hard to plan your itinerary, whether you're an art lover, a history buff, or a serious shopper. Let our list help: Here's a mix of some of the best things to do in Paris that you simply can't miss, from local favorites that will make you feel like a true Parisian, to some of the city's best sites and experiences. All you have to do now is pack.

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris : 

Notre-Dame Cathedral is the finest example of French Gothic architecture on earth. For 800 years its towers have dominated the Île de la Cité, an island in the heart of central Paris. Despite heavy crowds, you’ll feel awed in the soaring, cavernous nave, looking out through the famous stained glass. Even if you don’t have time to wait to go inside, stop by for a look at the iconic exteriors; the façade is especially beautiful in the evening, once it's all lit up. If you have the time (and energy), climb all those spiral steps to the top for gargoyle-framed panoramas of all Paris.

Musée du Louvre

The Louvre hardly needs an introduction—it is the most-visited museum in the world, with more than eight million visitors in 2017. The former royal palace is now the magnificent home of some of the world's most iconic artworks (ever hear of the Mona Lisa?). Walking through the halls where Louis XIV once strolled (he lived here before moving to Versailles), surrounded by the most famous art on earth, is an overwhelming experience.

Jardin du Luxembourg :

Located in the heart of the Sixth Arrondissement, the famous Jardin du Luxembourg is an inviting green oasis for Parisians and visitors alike. Come for people watching, romantic strolls, picnics, or just to admire the mash-up of English, Italian, and French landscaping influences. If you're feeling athletic, join the early-morning joggers or stake out one of the tennis and pétanque courts.

Palais Garnier :

The Palais Garnier is one of the lushest, most opulent Beaux Arts buildings on earth. Commissioned by Napoleon III, this opera house was the setting for The Phantom of the Opera, though it is now reserved primarily for ballet performances. Once inside, visitors will be dazzled by the grand marble staircase and immense foyer with the history of music painted across the ceiling. Don’t miss the famous (and controversial) Marc Chagall artwork on the theatre’s ceiling.

Centre Pompidou :

When the Centre Pompidou opened in 1977, it was a radical (and controversial) design for a museum—all industrial pipes and open glass views of Paris. Forty years later, it's the undisputed grande dame of Paris's contemporary art world. Within the massive, 100,000-piece collection, you’ll find everything from Picassos to video installations.

Basilique du Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre :

Sacré-Coeur is a Catholic basilica that sits on the highest hill in Paris, in the Montmartre neighbourhood. Its height is topped only by the Eiffel Tower. The basilica's distinct white travertine façade gives the Romano-Byzantine structure a unique look among Parisian monuments. The church is open all day to anyone who wishes to visit, though big crowds mean you may have to wait to go inside.

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