Paris. The city of lights, love and romance. It’s on (almost) everyone’s travel bucket list – and with good reason too.
But do you really want to spend all that precious time in Paris inside museums and hopping from landmark to landmark?
Experience the REAL French capital’s beauty, gastronomy, and culture with these off-the-beaten-track things to do in Paris that would take your breath away!
Whether you’re into museums or street art, fine dining or casual picnics, Paris has something for everyone.
Let’s start with 3 reasons to visit Paris (not that you need any):
1. To discover the city’s beautiful neighbourhoods
2. To explore French culture
3. To try famous French cuisine
Here are 12 fun (and unusual) things to do in Paris
Remember, this guide about the things to do in Paris isn’t going to be a list of all the typical Paris landmarks you have to visit. There is so much more to discover in this beautiful city.
1. Visit some of the basic landmarks
Okay, I lied. One of the 12 things to do in Paris involve sightseeing BUT you get to choose which sights to see.
Many people visit Paris and don’t really experience the true Paris because they get caught up hopping from landmark to landmark trying to tick them all off their list in the limited amount of time that they have in the city. Don’t do that! Do a little research pre-trip, decide which ones you’d like to see, and spend the rest of your trip enjoying the other little Parisian experiences.
That being said, you can’t visit Paris without paying a visit to at least one of the famous landmarks. Choose what you like, not what you think you should see.
Here are some basic landmarks you can visit in Paris: The Louvre – Arc de Triomphe (go at sunset) – Notre Dame – Pantheon – Tour Eiffel (best at night) – Musée d’Orsay (my personal favourite)
For sightseeing, I recommend the 2-3-5 day Paris Pass which includes free entrance to more than 50 museums as well as a boat cruise, bus tour, unlimited transport in zones 1-3.
Cost: Paris Pass €109 for 2 days / €129 for 3 days / €155 for 5 days
2. Visit museums in Paris free of charge on the first Sunday of the month
Every first Sunday of the month, museums in Paris open their doors to guests at no entrance fee.
Keep in mind that many museums in Paris offer free entrance days year-round and others offer them during off-season.
Cost: FREE
3. Check out the newest contemporary art exhibition
Visiting Atelier Des Lumieres, a beautiful new contemporary art exhibition in Paris, is a must!
Defying artistic traditions using technology, this lights workshop is a space for talented artists to create their works on a larger scale using sensory projections. The results are awe-inspiring! Bring a small shawl with you, place it on the floor of the dark venue and enjoy the show.
Cost: €14.50 per adult / Reduced rates are available for seniors, students, children…
For more information regarding opening times and ticket prices, kindly visit this link.
4. Plan a day trip to Versailles
Only a 45-minute train ride away from Paris, the Palace of Versailles is one of the most beautiful attractions in all of Europe and also considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. The 721,182-square-foot palace has even housed some of the most famous European royalty.
Cost: €7.10 round-trip via RER + €20 per adult (€27 for musical fountains show)
5. Eat your way through Paris on a food tour
Sign up for a food tour like we did! We went on a fun walking food tour (that involved more food than walking, I promise) with Paris by Mouth. We tried the most delicious butter croissant, exquisite cheeses from around the country paired with fragrant wine and traditional French baguettes, and more! Our guide even taught us more than a thing or two about French cuisine and traditions. Highly recommended!
Cost: €110 per person
Read the full review of our Paris Food Tour.
6. Go on a free walking tour with Discover Walks
My favourite parts of my trip to Paris were the walking tours. Both our Paris food tour and this amazing walking tour of Montmartre.
Walking tours offer a great introduction to the city, and you get to meet new people visiting from around the world! If you have the time, I would recommend doing several of these tours at the beginning of your trip.
Cost: Virtually considered “FREE”, however, you’re expected to tip you guide what you think is fair
7. Browse through the Bouquinistes stalls along the Seine River
“Bouquiniste” means second-hand bookseller. The Parisian Bouquinistes are considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site as of 1991. Spot the famous green box stalls along the Seine River and browse through their beautiful collections or pick up some artwork. Here, you’ll discover rare edition second-hand books, old magazines, posters, and souvenirs such as magnets and postcards. Even if you’re not a big fan of books, the Bouquinistes should be a part of your itinerary.
Cost: FREE
8. Go to Disneyland!
Disneyland Paris is a no-brainer when it comes to things to do in Paris. Whether you consider this off-the-beaten-path or not, it’s highly recommended for all age groups (it’s not just for kids). I grew up with Disney in the background, literally – so to all the Disney fans reading this, don’t skip Disneyland Paris!
Tip: Buy a ticket for BOTH parks (you may think you wont have time, but you will, and there are amazing rides in both parks that you WANT to do!).
Cost: Roughly €8 per one-way trip via RER + €60 per adult
9. Discover French wine over an informal dinner in a stranger’s Parisian apartment
The “Wine Regions of France” offered by Flavors of Paris is a fun way to educate yourself on French wine over a 7-course gourmet dinner. Learn about the different wine regions of France, the characteristics of wine and master food-wine pairing!
Cost: €148 per person including wine tasting, dinner, a take-home guide and souvenir
10. Have a typical Parisian picnic in spring or summer
Head over to Rue Mouffetard or Rue des Martyrs, two of Paris’s best market streets, filled with artisan boulangeries, traditional fromageries, and delightful sweet shops. Grab a baguette, your favourite cheese, a bottle of wine, and perhaps some sweets, and head over to Quai de la Tournelle near the Notre Dame Cathedral for a sunset picnic.
Cost: Varies
11. Visit the trendy Le Marais neighbourhood
Explore the city off the beaten (and exceedingly predictable) tourist track. Le Marais area is great for wandering around for several hours without flocks of tourists.
This neighbourhood is also where we went on a Paris food tour!
You’ll come across boutique and designer stores, art galleries, cafés, restaurants, hotels, unusual shops, and some Paris landmarks such as Place de Vosges and Picasso Museum.
Cost: FREE
12. Explore the charming Montmartre neighbourhood
My favourite neighbourhood in Paris has to be Montmartre. Sunrise/sunset is the best time to go. Walk near Dalida’s home for the most beautiful row of pastel-coloured houses on a hill. Make your way toward Place du Tertre to watch numerous talented painters create masterpieces and portraits. Finish at La Basilique du Sacré Cœur de Montmartre and admire the view of Paris.
Cost: FREE
Alright, because I tricked you into visiting landmarks in my list of 12 things to do in Paris, here’s an extra one:
13. Plan a day trip to the beautiful medieval town of Provins
The medieval town of Provins is only an 80-minute train ride away from Paris. Take a break from the city, explore the old cobblestone streets of Provins town and its medieval castle, and perhaps catch a historical re-enactment!
Tip: Every summer, Provins organizes a medieval weekend fair. Check out their program here.
Cost: Roughly €12 per one-way trip via RER + Entrance fees of multiple landmarks & activities
What to eat in Paris
The French are also famous for their butter-licious cuisine. Do I have your attention?
Here are 3 of the most typical French foods to try in Paris:
1. Croissants
2. Baguettes (with or without cheese)
3. Macarons
Check out my Paris Food Guide for more things to eat in Paris!
Getting around Paris
The most recommended methods for getting from point A to B in Paris is by (1) metro/RER, (2) bus, and (3) WALKING.
Other transport methods include (1) taxis, (2) car, and (3) bicycle.
Tickets
Option 1: Pay as you go
Get your ticket valid for metro/RER/bus at the metro station (both cash and card are accepted).
- Full Day Ticket for Zones 1-2 = €7.50 (you’ll use this the most) / Zones 1-3 = €10
- One-Way Ticket for Zones 1-2 = €1.90
Tip: Don’t put your tickets near your mobile phones as they may become inactive
Check out this detailed Paris Transport guide for more info.
Option 2: Paris Pass
Buy the 2-3-5 day passes from the Paris Tourism Board and save tons of money on landmarks and transportation 😉
BONUS: Tips for your trip to Paris
- Even in summer, pack an umbrella and a light jacket, because it will rain – at any given moment. The weather app lies.
- Visit Paris at any time of the year; every season has its charm.
- Get a 1-2 day Paris Pass (free transport + free entrance to many landmarks) to save money. For the rest of your trip in Paris, buy full day tickets for zones 1-2 (priced at €7.50) and walk as much as you can to SEE Paris.
- Shopper’s Tip: Tax refunds are given for purchases of €175 or more in France.
Are there any other things to do in Paris you’ve done and would recommend to travelers?
Let me know in the comments!
LIKED THIS ARTICLE? CHECK OUT MORE TRAVEL ARTICLES IN FRANCE!
Unless otherwise noted, all posted content and photographs are owned exclusively by me. None of the content / photographs may be reproduced, modified, recirculated, commercially exploited or reused in any form whatsoever without my prior written consent.
Non-watermarked photos in 12 Fun Things To Do In Paris (That Don’t Involve The Louvre) were sourced from Paris Tourism Board, websites of concerned attractions and other databases.
For further information regarding permission to use content or photographs, please contact me.
I’ll be waiting for the food guide, thanks for these tips, bookmarked!
Such a detailed and informative guide of Paris! Thanks for sharing your experiences with us and I’ve made a note for some of these places you shared to visit when I go to Paris next month.
It’s a fact that your blog posts are so unique and interesting and I enjoys a lot while reading your posts because you explained your post very deeply in a very easy and clear language.