12 of the best things to do in Paris – from cruising down the Seine to vintage shopping in Le Marais

The city of love and lights is a living museum of fromageries, art and landmarks

Fashion, grand facades and al fresco espressos await in Paris (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The fashionable French capital is in the spotlight on the global sporting stage this summer as the Paris Olympic Games 2024 prepare to sprint into action.

Outside the arenas, the ‘City of Lights’ is no stranger to hosting hordes of enamoured tourists with city break itineraries bursting with things to do in every arrondissement.

Primed with pavement cafes for coffee and carafes, a chic culture of classical music, fashion and rich cuisine gives Paris an ambient allure for friends and lovers.

Add Michelin-starred meals, museums and galleries, weaved between centuries of grandeur on the average rue, and romantic long weekends are just a hop across the Channel.

From bucket list big hitters; the Louvre, Versailles and icon of the spikey French skyline – la tour Eiffel – to Seine cruises and sidecar cocktails in the Latin Quarter, here’s our guide to perfecting Paris.

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Picnic under the Eiffel Tower

The symbol of Paris stands at 330m tall (Getty Images)

France’s iron lattice is hard to miss on arrival in its capital city. For a simple view of all 330m of the Eiffel Tower pack a blanket and a fresh baguette and head for a picnic on the Champs de Mars. Take the lift to the top floor of the landmark post-patisserie spread for arrondissement panoramas and sips of champagne in its native country.

Sunset cruise down the Seine

Avoid the Arc de Triomphe traffic on the Parisian river (Getty Images)

Flowing through the heart of Paris, a glide down the Seine River rivals any open-top bus for views of Musée d’Orsay, Notre Dame Cathedral, Place de la Concorde, and the Grand Palais. To see the impressive architecture glisten, depart on a city cruise at golden hour – there are dinner, jazz and bar boats to choose from as your mode of transport under the city’s famed footbridges.

Indulge in Montmartre’s café culture

The ‘village’ of Paris buzzes with tourists and caffeine (Getty Images)

Indulge in alfresco debriefs with friends, colleagues and strangers over a bitter coffee and a pastry on the streets of Montmartre. The handsome hill in northern Paris has cafes, cobbles and colour to boot, with the charming status as the “laid back” part of the city. Though traditional tables of coffee, cigarettes and a newspaper prevail, hip matcha and milk alternatives are making their way to Montmartre.

Shop vintage in Le Marais

Style can come second-hand in Paris (Getty Images)

Ditch the Galeries Lafayette to sashay the boutiques of Le Marais if vintage thrifting is your speciality. From crafts to clothes, shop Ew’s eclectic antiques, The Room Paris’ runway regulars and Vintage Paris’ coveted jewellery collection. Elsewhere, the world’s largest flea market, Les Puces de Paris Saint-Ouen is has one-of-a-kind second-hand goods to fill your suitcase.

Stroll the Palace of Versailles

The Palace of Versailles was built in the 17th century for King Louis XIV (Getty Images)

With a hall of mirrors, groomed gardens and dining rooms built for royal banquets, the Palace of Versailles is a regal echo of the French monarchy. The Palace, just west of Paris, was the main royal residence until the Revolution in 1789 and a day trip to discover the 800 hectares of fountains, pomp and porcelain showcases the city in all its grandeur.

Marvel at gallery masterpieces

Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa lives in The Louvre (Getty Images)

Paris is renowned for its cultural offerings with an almost overwhelming number of art masterpieces hanging on walls across the city, from The Louvre’s glass pyramid to Musee d’Orsay’s mammoth Impressionist collection. More modern newcomers have also entered the scene in recent years with Centre Pompidou‘s art oddities and the l’Atelier des Lumières sensory exhibition breathing life into the traditional gallery experience.

Take a dip in the Josephine Baker Pool

A swim in the Seine side pool costs €6.50 in summer (Piscine Joséphine Baker)

To dangle over the Seine, dive into Piscine Josephine Baker for some open-air lengths with views of the Eiffel Tower. The elevated leisure centre with a 25m pool is a worthy alternative to a plunge in Paris’ main river even after the clean-up efforts to make the Seine sparkle ahead of Olympic open-swimming events.

Embrace festivities at the Christmas markets

Swap Christmas for Noël this winter (Getty Images)

Make your trip mulled with a visit to Paris during the festive period. The city’s markets are a yuletide classic with scents of cinnamon, roasted chestnuts, fresh crêpes and mugs of warm wine from November to January. Square Rene Viviani is a favourite opposite Notre Dame, and chalet-style stalls are ideal for handicrafts and Christmas gifts.

Catch kick-off at a Paris Saint-Germain game

PSG play in the top division of French football (Getty Images)

Aside from the summer of sport sweeping Europe in 2024, Paris Saint-Germain football club is pitched up in Paris year-round. Football fanatics can take a stadium tour of Parc des Princes or watch a fixture to see their favourites score on the pitch and purchase some official merch to add to their collection.

Savour a sidecar cocktail in the Latin Quarter

Visit Caveau de la Huchette for a jazzy evening in Paris (Getty Images)

The Latin Quarter – the capital’s “coolest” district – unsurprisingly pairs very nicely with Paris’ signature cognac sidecar cocktail. The fifth arrondissement of students, trendy brasseries and historic rebellion has mythic jazz bars to enjoy the sultry tones and channel your inner Parisian.

Find your style at Paris Fashion Week

This autumn Fashion Week starts on 23 September (Getty Images)

With spring and autumn come two instalments of Paris Fashion Week. To polish your wardrobe in the style of inimitable Parisian chic, source a trendy trenchcoat and sit aside the runway at Haute Couture shows, as this is the time to travel to the home of the Chanel, Dior and Balmain fashion houses.

Get a taste of Parisian cuisine

Paris: a land of fromage and frogs legs (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

To avoid a €20 croque monsieur, follow the locals instead of your nose. Michelin can make way for budget bouillons and steak frites on street food tours of the city’s culinary back alleys. Think cheese nibbling at fromageries, first-time tries of escargot and failsafe fresh crêpes on exploratory tastes of foodie hubs including Rue Montorgueil.

Read more: Best hotels in Paris: From Eiffel Tower views to luxury locations