Things to do in Paris and around
From the Louvre and Ile de la Cite to the chateau at Versailles and day trips out to Giverny and Chartres, Paris rewards visitors with excursions for every kind of trip.
Signature experiences
The excursions that define a first trip to Paris — Notre-Dame and the Ile de la Cite, a walk through Montmartre, and the view from the Eiffel Tower.
Disneyland Paris tickets
Park tickets and transfers to Disneyland Paris, with options for one park or both on the same day.
3 guides
Airport transfers
Private and shared transfers between Paris hotels and Paris Charles de Gaulle, Orly or Beauvais.
1 guide
Versailles tours
Skip-the-line entry and guided visits to the Palace of Versailles, its gardens and the Trianon estate.
4 guides
Giverny and Monet's garden
Half-day trips from Paris to Monet's house and water-lily garden in Giverny, Normandy.
2 guides
Champagne region tours
Day trips to Reims and Épernay, with cellar visits and tastings at Champagne houses.
2 guides
Loire Valley château tours
Guided days from Paris to Loire Valley châteaux such as Chambord, Chenonceau and Amboise.
2 guides
Mont-Saint-Michel day trips
Long full-day excursions from Paris to the tidal abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel in Normandy.
2 guides
Normandy D-Day tours
Guided visits to the Normandy landing beaches, Bayeux and Caen from Paris.
4 guides
Île-de-France day trips
Shorter excursions to Fontainebleau, Vaux-le-Vicomte, Chantilly and Chartres near Paris.
6 guides
Catacombs and underground Paris
Tickets and guided tours of the Paris Catacombs and other underground sites, including skip-the-line access.
2 guides
Seine river cruises
Sightseeing, dinner and evening cruises along the Seine, plus kayak and canal outings.
2 guides
Cabaret and evening shows
Tickets to the Moulin Rouge, Lido, Crazy Horse and other Paris cabaret, concert and theatre shows.
3 guides
Eiffel Tower tickets
Summit and second-floor tickets, guided climbs and skip-the-line access to the Eiffel Tower.
4 guides
Museums and art tours
Tickets and guided visits to the Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, Orangerie and other Paris art museums.
12 guides
Cooking classes
Hands-on lessons in Paris on pastry, macarons, croissants and other French cooking staples.
2 guides
Creative workshops
Perfume, painting, pottery and jewellery workshops taught by local artisans in Paris.
2 guides
Food and wine tours
Guided tastings, market visits and wine sessions across Paris neighbourhoods and bistros.
7 guides
Paris photo shoots
Private photographers for portrait, couple and family sessions at Paris landmarks.
1 guide
Bike and Segway tours
Guided rides through Paris by bike, Segway, scooter or e-bike, day or night.
1 guide
Vintage car tours
Paris sightseeing in a 2CV, sidecar or classic convertible with a local driver.
1 guide
Hop-on hop-off bus tours
Open-top sightseeing buses covering Paris landmarks, with flexible all-day stops.
1 guide
Multi-day tours from Paris
Overnight and multi-day trips pairing Paris with regions such as the Loire or Normandy.
1 guide
Night tours of Paris
Evening and after-dark visits to illuminated monuments, bridges and the Eiffel Tower.
2 guides
Theme parks and family days
Parc Astérix, zoos and family activities near Paris, plus escape games and treasure hunts.
2 guides
Walking tours
Guided walks through Paris neighbourhoods, from Montmartre to the Marais and Saint-Germain.
7 guides
Monuments and landmarks
Entry tickets and guided visits to the Arc de Triomphe, Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle and other Paris sites.
12 guides
Private and VIP tours
Customised private guides and chauffeur-driven tours of Paris and nearby excursions.
2 guides
Paris sightseeing tours
General guided tours covering central Paris landmarks and neighbourhoods in a single outing.
1 guideMore ways to experience the region
Specialist interests and practical planning - photo sessions, water sports, seasonal timing, and the comparisons every first-time visitor searches for.
Planning your Paris trip
Guides on when to visit, how many days to plan and how to order your first days in Paris.
24 guides
Comparing Paris options
Side-by-side guides to help choose between passes, tours and ticket types in Paris.
14 guides
Paris by season
What changes in Paris and Île-de-France across the seasons, from summer crowds to winter opening hours.
10 guides
Getting around Paris
Guides to the Metro, RER, Navigo and airport links for getting around Paris and Île-de-France.
13 guides
Paris with family
Guides for visiting Paris and its day trips with children, from museums to theme parks.
3 guides
Accessible Paris
Guides on step-free access, lifts and accessible routes at Paris monuments and museums.
3 guides
Paris on a budget
Guides on passes, free entry days and lower-cost ways to see Paris and its surroundings.
6 guidesBrowse by destination
Tours and activities organised by where you're headed — the best of each city and region.
Good to know about things to do in Paris
This hub covers activities and visits inside Paris: river cruises and dinner cruises on the Seine, Eiffel Tower access, Louvre and Musee d'Orsay visits, Notre-Dame and the Ile de la Cite, Montmartre walks and food tours, cooking classes, cabaret shows, catacombs tours, and private or small-group options. A few honest points to plan around: the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre both require a reserved time slot, and the Louvre is closed on Tuesdays while the Musee d'Orsay is closed on Mondays — book ahead rather than showing up.
Notre-Dame's cathedral reopened in December 2024 with free entry, though a reserved slot is still worth arranging; its towers are a separate, ticketed visit worth confirming before you go. The Centre Pompidou is closed for a multi-year renovation, so skip it for now. Seine cruises are a reliable way to see the riverbanks, which are UNESCO-listed between the Eiffel Tower and Ile Saint-Louis. Expect queues at the most popular sites and budget more time than you think for security and entry.
Frequently asked questions about things to do in Paris
Do I need a timed ticket for the Louvre?
Yes, a reserved entry slot is required, even if you hold a Paris Museum Pass.
Can I still visit the Centre Pompidou?
No, it's closed for a multi-year renovation with reopening expected around 2030, so it's not a viable stop right now.
Is Notre-Dame open to visitors?
Yes, the cathedral reopened on 7 December 2024 with free entry; its towers are a separate, ticketed visit to check separately.
Which day should I avoid for the Musee d'Orsay?
Monday, when it's closed; the Louvre closes on Tuesdays instead.
Is the Eiffel Tower worth booking ahead?
Yes, reserving a time slot in advance is strongly recommended to avoid the longest queues at the base.
Louvre, Orsay and Paris museum tours on GetYourGuide
Verified deep-linked GetYourGuide tours. Book through these links and we earn a small commission at no cost to you.
GetYourGuide does not provide a product photo for this activity — the image shows the meeting point, photographed by us.
