Essential Paris experiences include viewing the Eiffel Tower (especially sparkling at night), exploring the vast art collections in the Louvre and Musée d'Orsay, and wandering the historic streets of Le Marais and Montmartre. Visitors should not miss the Gothic architecture of Sainte-Chapelle and Notre-Dame, a Seine River cruise, and indulging in cafe culture.
Top Things to Do in Paris. Snap a pic at the Eiffel Tower, wander around the Louvre, take a day trip to Versailles, or try a sightseeing tour to uncover even more art, history, and undeniable charm. For personalized recommendations, try our AI trip-planning product.
For a first-time Paris visit, prioritize iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and Sacré-Cœur Basilica in Montmartre, alongside essential Parisian experiences such as a **Seine River cruise, exploring the **Latin Quarter and Le Marais, strolling the Champs-Élysées, relaxing in the Luxembourg Gardens, and perhaps a day trip to the Palace of Versailles, all while indulging in local cafés and food.
In Paris, do greet with Bonjour, keep voices down, use the Metro, pre-book major sites, walk, and linger over meals; don't eat on the go, rush service, speak loudly in public, dress overly casually (like graphic tees), or get scammed (like the bracelet scam). Always acknowledge staff with greetings and eye contact, and be mindful of your belongings, especially in crowded areas like the Metro.
La Belle Epoque. This is your classic French bistro with that unmistakable Parisian energy. It's the perfect spot for dinner with a big group of friends or a family gathering. I have the fondest memories here, and I can confidently say I've had the best lentil salad of my life at this restaurant.
At restaurants in Paris, tipping is not required. As ever, it is a way of showing your gratitude. Murray says that, by law, a service charge is included in the final bill, but for exceptional service, he recommends a 10% tip, which would be considered very generous.
Instead, opt for dark skinny jeans, plain shirts without logos, and leather jackets and shoes. Use tote bags or earth-toned simplistic bags if you really want to dress in France to fit in with the locals. Basically: Avoid casual wear, use earth tones, and don't wear open-toed shoes.
The "333 rule" in clothing refers to two popular minimalist fashion concepts: the viral TikTok trend of using 3 tops, 3 bottoms, and 3 shoes to create numerous outfits (9 items total) for styling practice, and the more extensive Project 333, where you select 33 items (including clothes, shoes, and accessories) to wear for three months, excluding essentials like underwear, workout gear, and sleepwear, to simplify your wardrobe and reduce decision fatigue. Both methods focus on versatility, quality over quantity, and creating a functional capsule wardrobe.
The "5 Outfit Rule" is a mindful shopping guideline: before buying a new clothing item, you must be able to immediately envision styling it in at least five different, distinct outfits using clothes you already own, ensuring versatility, reducing impulse buys, and building a more functional wardrobe. This encourages thoughtful purchases that get more wear, preventing clutter from items worn only once or twice, and helps create a cohesive, mix-and-match capsule closet for various occasions and seasons.
“I'll just wing the language part — people speak English, right?” They often do. But one of the biggest niceties you'll learn: saying a simple Bonjour or Bonsoir before anything else opens doors. I walked into a café once, skipped the “bonjour,” and felt like I'd accidentally interrupted their day.
Eiffel Tower ticket prices vary by access level (stairs/lift, 2nd floor/summit) and age, with adult prices ranging from around €14.50 (stairs to 2nd floor) to €36.10 (lift to summit), while youth (12-24) and children (4-11) pay less, and kids under 4 are free; booking online through the official website is recommended for best prices. Guided tours and special packages with champagne cost more, starting from about €40 to over €70.
Montmartre is famous for its artistic heritage. It has a distinctive village atmosphere characterised by steep, winding, cobbled streets which makes it feel different from the rest of Paris. The white Sacré Coeur church crowns its highest point. The area in front of the church offers extensive views of the city.
