Top 10 Things to Do in Paris

Sainte-Chapelle is Paris's most jaw-dropping Gothic interior, a 13th-century royal chapel whose upper level is almost entirely composed of 15 vast stained glass windows depicting 1,113 biblical scenes. Built by Louis IX to house the Crown of Thorns, it's a 15-minute walk from Notre-Dame and consistently overshadowed by its famous neighbour — which means shorter queues and a more intimate experience. Tickets cost €13 and include access to the Conciergerie.

Le Marais is Paris's most historically layered neighbourhood, encompassing the Jewish Quarter around Rue des Rosiers, the hip Haut Marais with its concept stores, the Place des Vosges (the city's oldest planned square), and the Picasso Museum. It's also home to Paris's LGBTQ+ community centred on Rue Sainte-Croix-de-la-Bretonnerie. The area is best explored on foot over a lazy afternoon, ending with a falafel sandwich and a scoop of Berthillon ice cream.

Montmartre retains its village-on-a-hill atmosphere despite its fame, with cobbled lanes, artists' studios, and vineyard remnants alongside the gleaming white Sacre-Coeur Basilica at its crown. The hilltop views over Paris are extraordinary. Visit on a weekday morning to avoid weekend coach-tour crowds. The artists' square (Place du Tertre) is touristy but charming, and the surrounding neighbourhood hides excellent bistros and wine bars.

The Canal Saint-Martin is the beating heart of Paris's alternative scene — a 4.5km waterway lined with iron footbridges, lock gates, leafy plane trees, and indie cafes, bookshops, and vintage clothing stores. The neighbourhood around it (particularly the 10th and 11th arrondissements) is where Parisians themselves spend their Sundays. Grab a coffee from Ten Belles, browse the concept store at Antoine et Lili, and watch the barges negotiate the locks.

The Luxembourg Gardens are Paris's most beloved green space — 23 hectares of formal French gardens, tree-lined promenades, tennis courts, a puppet theatre, pony rides, and the magnificent 17th-century Luxembourg Palace. Children love the model sailboats on the central octagonal pond, available to rent for €4. The Orangerie hosts changing art exhibitions. Free to enter, open daily; perfect for a picnic lunch between museum visits.

The Centre Pompidou houses Europe's largest collection of modern and contemporary art, and its inside-out architecture — with colour-coded exposed pipes and escalators on the exterior — is itself a landmark. The permanent collection includes Kandinsky, Duchamp, Matisse, and Warhol. The rooftop terrace offers panoramic views over Paris without the Eiffel Tower queues. Admission €15; the public piazza outside is always animated with street performers.

The Palais Royal is one of Paris's best-kept open secrets — a colonnaded 17th-century palace enclosing a perfectly manicured garden surrounded by independent boutiques, antique dealers, and excellent restaurants. Daniel Buren's black-and-white striped columns in the courtyard are a famous modern art installation. It's steps from the Louvre but sees a fraction of the crowds. Free to enter, open daily, and magical at dusk when the arcaded restaurants begin their evening service.

No amount of cynicism can diminish the experience of standing beneath Gustave Eiffel's 1889 iron masterpiece. The summit views stretch 70km on clear days. Book the top-level lift tickets online months in advance (€35 summit ticket) to avoid the infamous queues — walk-up stairs are available to the second level for €12. The Tower illuminates with a sparkling light show every hour after dark. Families love the second floor's glass-floored observation deck.

La Villette's Cite des Sciences is Europe's largest science museum and the ideal full-day destination for families with children. Interactive exhibits cover astronomy, mathematics, life sciences, and technology across multiple floors. The Geode IMAX dome screens 3D films, and the outdoor park hosts the famous Cite de la Musique and free outdoor cinema in summer. Metro: Porte de la Villette. Adult tickets €12, children €9.

Sainte-Chapelle is Paris's most jaw-dropping Gothic interior, a 13th-century royal chapel whose upper level is almost entirely composed of 15 vast stained glass windows depicting 1,113 biblical scenes. Built by Louis IX to house the Crown of Thorns, it's a 15-minute walk from Notre-Dame and consistently overshadowed by its famous neighbour — which means shorter queues and a more intimate experience. Tickets cost €13 and include access to the Conciergerie.

Le Marais is Paris's most historically layered neighbourhood, encompassing the Jewish Quarter around Rue des Rosiers, the hip Haut Marais with its concept stores, the Place des Vosges (the city's oldest planned square), and the Picasso Museum. It's also home to Paris's LGBTQ+ community centred on Rue Sainte-Croix-de-la-Bretonnerie. The area is best explored on foot over a lazy afternoon, ending with a falafel sandwich and a scoop of Berthillon ice cream.

Montmartre retains its village-on-a-hill atmosphere despite its fame, with cobbled lanes, artists' studios, and vineyard remnants alongside the gleaming white Sacre-Coeur Basilica at its crown. The hilltop views over Paris are extraordinary. Visit on a weekday morning to avoid weekend coach-tour crowds. The artists' square (Place du Tertre) is touristy but charming, and the surrounding neighbourhood hides excellent bistros and wine bars.

The Canal Saint-Martin is the beating heart of Paris's alternative scene — a 4.5km waterway lined with iron footbridges, lock gates, leafy plane trees, and indie cafes, bookshops, and vintage clothing stores. The neighbourhood around it (particularly the 10th and 11th arrondissements) is where Parisians themselves spend their Sundays. Grab a coffee from Ten Belles, browse the concept store at Antoine et Lili, and watch the barges negotiate the locks.

The Luxembourg Gardens are Paris's most beloved green space — 23 hectares of formal French gardens, tree-lined promenades, tennis courts, a puppet theatre, pony rides, and the magnificent 17th-century Luxembourg Palace. Children love the model sailboats on the central octagonal pond, available to rent for €4. The Orangerie hosts changing art exhibitions. Free to enter, open daily; perfect for a picnic lunch between museum visits.

The Centre Pompidou houses Europe's largest collection of modern and contemporary art, and its inside-out architecture — with colour-coded exposed pipes and escalators on the exterior — is itself a landmark. The permanent collection includes Kandinsky, Duchamp, Matisse, and Warhol. The rooftop terrace offers panoramic views over Paris without the Eiffel Tower queues. Admission €15; the public piazza outside is always animated with street performers.

The Palais Royal is one of Paris's best-kept open secrets — a colonnaded 17th-century palace enclosing a perfectly manicured garden surrounded by independent boutiques, antique dealers, and excellent restaurants. Daniel Buren's black-and-white striped columns in the courtyard are a famous modern art installation. It's steps from the Louvre but sees a fraction of the crowds. Free to enter, open daily, and magical at dusk when the arcaded restaurants begin their evening service.

No amount of cynicism can diminish the experience of standing beneath Gustave Eiffel's 1889 iron masterpiece. The summit views stretch 70km on clear days. Book the top-level lift tickets online months in advance (€35 summit ticket) to avoid the infamous queues — walk-up stairs are available to the second level for €12. The Tower illuminates with a sparkling light show every hour after dark. Families love the second floor's glass-floored observation deck.

La Villette's Cite des Sciences is Europe's largest science museum and the ideal full-day destination for families with children. Interactive exhibits cover astronomy, mathematics, life sciences, and technology across multiple floors. The Geode IMAX dome screens 3D films, and the outdoor park hosts the famous Cite de la Musique and free outdoor cinema in summer. Metro: Porte de la Villette. Adult tickets €12, children €9.