A trip to Paris is a bucket list vacation for many world travelers, and it isn’t hard to see why. The City of Lights is home to some of the best shopping, restaurants, museums, architecture, artwork, and monuments in the world, and with so much to consider, narrowing down your itinerary to a manageable plan can be a real challenge. However, there are some things that rise above the rest as quintessential things you absolutely must find time for while you’re in the city. Make sure you find some time for these must-do’s on your trip to Paris:
PEOPLE-WATCH IN MONTMARTRE.
Situated on a hilltop overlooking the rest of the city, this artistic neighborhood is home to lots of hidden gems. Wander its winding streets, watch the street artists painting in the square during the warm summer months, and grab a coffee or tea to sip at a table outdoors and soak up some of the best people-watching you can find in the city.
PICNIC BENEATH THE EIFFEL TOWER.
As long as the weather is warm enough for a picnic, pick up some pastries from a local boulangerie or an assortment of French snacks from Monoprix or another local grocer. Then, make yourself comfortable on the Champ-de-Mars, the grassy park sprawled out in front of the monument, for an affordable way to spend an afternoon.
STROLL THROUGH THE PERE-LACHAISE CEMETERY.
Cemeteries don’t typically top the list of major tourist attractions, but this one stands out above the rest. You’ll find sprawling, ornate tombs and impressive burial chambers here designed to hold generations of deceased French families, as well as some well-known celebrities like Oscar Wilde, Edith Piaf, and Jim Morrison.
EAT A CREPE.
Crepes are one of the best street foods you’ll find in Paris. Available in both savory and sweet varieties, they’re the perfect treat to satisfy any craving, and they can be enjoyed as a breakfast treat, an afternoon snack, or a late-night indulgence. Head over to the Latin Quarter and visit Au P’tit Grec for one of the best crepes you’ll find in Paris.
TAKE THE ELEVATOR TO THE TOP OF TOUR MONTPARNASSE.
Want some of the best views of the Paris skyline you can find anywhere? Don’t travel to the top of the Eiffel Tower. Instead, head across town to the Tour Montparnasse and pay for a ticket to ride their ultra-fast elevator up to the observation deck nearly 700 feet high. You’ll be able to snap that elusive picture of the Parisian skyline with the Eiffel Tower as its focal point.
CHECK OUT AT LEAST ONE SMALL MUSEUM.
Paris is known for the Louvre, Musee d’Orsay, and other internationally-renowned art institutions, but it’s also home to tons of interesting smaller museums. Less crowded and expensive, options like the Le Musée des Vampires or the Musée des Egouts, which highlights the history of the Parisian sewer system, can offer an intriguing glimpse of the city most tourists miss out on.
From prime people-watching opportunities to tasty street food delights, don’t let yourself leave these top Paris to-do’s off of your itinerary!
