Paris is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It’s also one of the most visited, so it's no surprise that travelers often focus on visiting famous landmarks like Notre Dame and Sacre Coeur. While these iconic sites are worth seeing, there are several other things to do in Paris that aren't on your list yet.
Whether you’re genuinely fascinated by things that many people overlook or just want someplace to use to flex on people, there are many places you can find in the city of light.
The Top Eight Things to do In France
- Visit the Louvre Museum
- Musée D’Orsay
- Jardin Du Luxembourg
- Galeries Lafayette
- Musée de L’Orangerie
- Places des Vosges
- Place de la Concorde
- Versailles and the Hall of Mirrors
Here are some of our favorite activities, destinations, and experiences, whether you’re visiting Paris for the first time or the fiftieth.
Visit The Louvre Museum
The Louvre is a Frenchart museum that contains thousands of the greatest works of art in the world. Here, the main attraction is the Mona Lisa, the most famous painting in the world as a whole. Painted by Leonardo da Vinci in 1503, this is a mysterious and beautiful painting that has almost single-handedly made the Louvre one of the most famous museums in the world.
Apart from that, there are countless examples of modern and gothic art everywhere in the Louvre, from the stained glass windows to incredibly recent works. If you’re ever in the vicinity of Paris, check out this museum before you leave.
Musée D’Orsay
This museum can be found on the left bank of the Seine river, one of France's most prominent bodies of water. It holds works of Claude Monet, Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Renoir, and many other masterpieces of impressionist and modern art.
This art gallery is worthy of a day trip all its own, full of enigmatic and magical works of art from the 18th century as well as the 19th century.
Speaking of the Seine, The Seine is a great place to walk, and there are plenty of places along the way where you can sit down for a bite to eat, watch the sunset, or people watch. There are also several flea markets on weekends, museums nearby, and concerts in parks during the summer months.
If art is your passion, this is the perfect place to visit. Take some time to walk around its halls full of world-defining art, and take the time to refresh yourself at local cafes and restaurants.
Jardin Du Luxembourg
The Jardin du Luxembourg is also home to a famous literary landmark, the statue of Peter Pan. French sculptor Louis Paul Jonas created the sculpture. You can find it in a small park near Rue de Vaugirard and Rue Guynemer, just steps away from Luxembourg Gardens’ entrance.
The Jardin du Luxembourg is one of the most popular parks in Paris. It’s located on the Left Bank of the Seine River and has been a public garden since 1612.
In 1789, during the French Revolution, it became a prison for political prisoners — mainly priests who had refused to take an oath against their faith or renounce their religion (the same happened at other palaces around Paris). The last prisoner left in 1795 when Napoleon took control over France and abolished all forms of imprisonment for religious reasons.
Galeries Lafayette
Galeries Lafayette is a department store in Paris that has been around since 1894. It is located on Boulevard Haussmann and is easily accessible by the metro (lines 1, 8, and 9). Galeries Lafayette is also a famous shopping destination and well-known for its designer brand selection.
If you are looking for boutiques in Paris, then Galeries Lafayette could be your best bet. The store offers various products ranging from clothing items to home décor to beauty products. They even have their brand of fragrances called "Lafayette."
This is the perfect place if you’re looking for a genuine FrenchLouis Vuitton accessory. The staff members are amiable and knowledgeable about their inventory; they will help you find what you're looking for if it's not already on display. This should be on your list if you're looking for unique gifts or items from France that aren't found anywhere else.
Musée de L’Orangerie
Musée de l’Orangerie is a place you should visit when in Paris. It’s located in Parc Monceau and is a small museum with only half an hour at the most to explore. But what makes this museum great is that it houses some of the most famous impressionist paintings in the world.
There are also sculptures by Auguste Rodin, including The Gates of Hell and The Burghers of Calais. The main attractions here are Vincent Van Gogh's Sunflowers and Water Lilies, but there are other works from Monet and Renoir, too (to name just a few).
Place Des Vosges
Place des Vosges is one of the oldest planned squares in Paris and is still gorgeous. It is located in the third arrondissement and is part of Paris's historic heart, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The square was built between 1605 and 1612 by François Mansart, who originally intended to create a fountain there. The fountain was never built, though you can still see some remnants of where it would have been located on your right if you enter from rue de Birague or rue du Vertbois.
Place de la Concorde
Place de la Concorde is a public square in Paris, France, located at the eastern end of the Champs-Élysées. It was turned into a roundabout in 1966 by Georges Duhamel and is surrounded by shops and restaurants.
The Place de la Concorde is the largest square in Paris and one of France's most famous locations. The square is adorned with fountains, statues, and monuments that have become landmarks for tourists visiting Paris or locals who live there.
Versailles and the Hall of Mirrors
The Hall of Mirrors at Versailles is a grand room, one of France's most famous. It was built by Louis XIV as part of his palace at Versailles and took over four years to complete. In this space, you can see mirrors on one side, windows on another, and an impressive Parisian chandelier hanging from the ceiling.
You don't have to be royalty or wealthy to visit this room; tickets are affordable for most visitors, and you can easily book online.
More Places To Visit
While we don’t have enough time to cover every place that’s worth visiting in Paris, there are many more that we’d love to list off quickly:
- Arc De Triomphe
- Île De La Cité
- Jardin Des Tuileries
- Le Marais
- Montmartre
- Montparnasse
- The Palais GarnierOpera House
- The Palais Royal
- The Panthéon
- Père Lachaise Cemetery
- The Pompidou
- The Right Bank Of The Seine
- Sainte-Chapelle
- The Saint-Germain-Des-Prés
- Tuileries Garden
Why Is Paris Such a Great Place To Visit?
Paris has been the most visited city in the world for several years, and it's easy to see why. The city is home to beautiful architecture, world-class museums, and food. It’s a cultural and historical center in Europe, with countless guided tours of its importance through the 17th-century and 19th-century world and the modern world.
Of course, there are many places that you’d be remiss not to take some time to check out while you’re in Paris. Places like
- Notre Dame Cathedral
- The Eiffel Tower
- The Mona Lisa
- The Latin Quarter
- The Catacombs
are breathtaking and exciting. However, there are many other places to check out if you’re looking for the best views without the crowd.
If you have time after finishing up your main event sightseeing, feel free to check out these destinations between your romantic river cruises.
Conclusion
Traveling to Paris is one of the most exciting things a world traveler can do. It’s been the home or favorite place of countless famous and influential people in history, from Victor Hugo to Oscar Wilde to Jim Morrison to Marie Antoinette. Paris is known as the city of love, after your visit there you will likely have a better understanding of why this is the case with its majestic architecture, rich culture and cuisine.
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