Paris

Things to do

Explore around the Eiffel Tower

G‌rab some bread and cheese and head to Trocadéro or the more popular Champ de Mars to enjoy a light picnic while admiring the Eiffel Tower. Go in the morning to avoid crowds, or in the evening to watch the tower illuminated in twinkling lights (every hour). While you’re in the area, snap an iconic Eiffel Tower photo from Rue de l'Université, stroll the market street of Rue Cler or Marché Président Wilson, admire the world’s largest collection of Monet paintings at the lesser-known Musée Marmottan Monet, grab an evening aperitif at the small neighborhood cocktail bar Cravan, or enjoy a classic Parisian bistro lunch or dinner at La Fontaine de Mars or L’Ami Jean.

Metro stops: Trocadéro or École Militaire

Café hopping in Saint-Germain-des-Prés

The 6th arrondissement, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, is a chic neighborhood on Left Bank that was once a favorite hangout of literary legends like Jean-Paul Sartre and Ernest Hemingway. Today, it retains its charming atmosphere and is home to modern art galleries, antique shops, and quintessential Parisian cafes including the famous Café de Flore, Les Deux Magots, and Brasserie Lipp. Grab pastries or a baguette at the legendary Boulangerie Poilâne and a block of French cheese at Barthélémy to enjoy along the Seine or in Jardin du Luxembourg. Stop for lunch at Huitrerie Régis (oysters), Freddy’s (tapas & wine), Chez Fernand Christine (classic bistro) or Le Christine (trendy bistro). Grab a glass of wine at Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels or get cocktails at Prescription Cocktail Club or Grouvie and a nice dinner at Le Petit Lutetia.

Metro stops: Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Odéon, Mabillon, or Saint-Sulpice

Romantic stroll through Montmartre

Saunter the winding cobblestone lanes of Montmartre, a charming historic neighborhood in northern Paris that was once the haunt of famous artists and writers of the 19th and 20th centuries including Picasso, Renoir, Van Gogh, and Dalí. Every turn around this winding hilltop enclave is picture-perfect, so take your time exploring. From Abbesses station, walk up the hill past Place Émile Goudeau towards Rue de l'Abreuvoir and spend the morning getting lost in Montmartre’s picturesque backstreets. Or you can do the route in reverse, starting at the top of the hill and walking down. Visit the iconic Basilique du Sacré Coeur and enjoy views over the city, pop into one of the many museums such as Paris Dalí, linger over lunch at one of our favorite little French bistros La Boîte aux Lettres, and take in sweeping city views from the iconic Basilica of Sacré Coeur. Ideally, visit early in the morning or on weekdays to avoid crowds.

Metro stops: Abbesses, Pigalle or Blanche and keep walking up the hill

Parks, art museums & shopping in Le Marais

Le Marais is probably the hippest neighborhood in Paris, dotted with designer boutiques, lively cafes, leafy parks, and modern art museums. Grab pastries and coffee at Dreamin Man before getting your museum fix at Centre Pompidou or the Picasso Museum, then stroll around Place des Vosges, pop into the many shops and galleries, and grab a bite at Les Enfants du Marché, a market stall located in the back corner of the Marché des Enfants Rouges. Grab cocktails at Les Epiciers or at a local wine bar followed by dinner at Carboni's, The Clown Bar or Parcelles.

Metro stop: Saint-Paul

Wine bars near Canal Saint-Martin

Canal Saint-Martin is a bustling local spot—where the young, in-the-know crowd hangs out. It has a slightly grittier, artsier, laid-back feel than most areas in Paris. Enjoy a stroll along the canal or bring a picnic to enjoy along the banks. Grab pastries at Mamiche, Du Pain et des Idées, Ten Belles, or Holybelly; slurp down fresh oysters at Sur Mer; and wash them down with a glass of wine at Early June or Le Verre Volé. Parc des Buttes-Chaumont isn’t far from here, so you can go here afterwards for nice views over Paris at sunset.

Metro stops: Jacques Bonsergent, Château d’Eau, République, or Strasbourg Saint-Denis

Admire French art — away from the crowds

While we love the Louvre and Musee d’Orsay, we recommend getting a more authentic flavor of Parisian art history—with a fraction of the crowds—at lesser-known museums such as Musée Jacquemart-André (15th-18th century European art in a grand 19th-century townhouse), Musée Rodin (18th-century mansion and sculpture garden displaying Rodin's influential works including The Thinker), Musée de L’Orangerie (20th-century European art, showcasing 8 of Monet's water lilies murals), and the Musée Marmottan Monet (houses the world’s largest collection of works by Monet in an old mansion on the outskirts of the city near the Eiffel Tower).

Catch the best city views from L’Arc de Triomphe or Montparnasse

Many think the best views are from the Eiffel Tower, but we think the best views are from atop of L’Arc de Triomphe or Montparnasse Tower because you can actually see the Eiffel Tower in the skyline—plus fewer crowds and cheaper entry fees.

Scenic walk along the Seine

Take a scenic walk along the Seine River, which runs through the heart of Paris and is lined with the city’s most important landmarks. Start at the Eiffel Tower and head east, passing Grand Palais, Les Invalides, Place de la Concorde, Musée d’Orsay, Jardin de Tuileries, the Louvre, and Notre Dame. End with a wine picnic at the banks of the river at Pont Neuf, or on Il-de-la-Cité or Il Saint-Luis near Notre Dame, or in Jardin de Tuileries. If you’re up for it, continue into the lively La Bastille district for cocktails and dinner.