Things to Do in Paris
Discover 35 activities and experiences in Paris, France — from outdoor adventures to cultural events. Curated from real traveler recommendations.
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Lafayettes Tomb
A must for anyone interested in the history of the American Revolution. This small cemetery includes three mass graves from the French Revolution plus a section that includes many of France's most noble families that lost members during the French Revolution and consequently have a continuing right to be buried there. In the farthest right hand corner is the tomb of General Lafayette the friend and fellow soldier of George Washington. Beside him is his beloved wife plus other members of her family, the de Noailles who were almost completely wiped out,during the French Revolution, because of their closeness to the Court. Since 1834 the American flag has apparently flown continuously over his grave, even, I was informed by the local expert, during the German occupation pf Paris during World War 2. A fascinating place well worthy of a visit.
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- 35 Rue de Picpus
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- Tu-Sa 2:30PM daily except
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Buttes-Chaumont
Popular city escape for nature lovers and walkers who can spend hours wandering around this lush green paradise. Biggest, most hilly, and least touristy park in Paris, here you still find a real Parisian atmosphere, far from the crowds at the city's centre (it still is crowded in summer during weekends as many Parisians come to sunbathe on the grass). Climb on top of the hill and overlook the north of Paris with the Montmartre hill right in front of you. The park has an almost enchanted feel, with its waterfall (water is pumped from the nearby canal Saint Martin), stream, lake and its steep cliff, topped with a "temple" which can only be reached via a suspension bridge. A true oasis.
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- rue Botzaris
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Sab's Secret Paris Photo and Curiosity Tours
Paris fanatic Sab Will combines high quality street photography instruction with intriguing commentary on the many quirks and curios of the city. Sab's most popular tours include Montmartre, the Latin Quarter, the Marais and the Louvre/Palais Royal area but many people choose to create their own exclusive tours with Sab's help. The balance between photography and history/curiosities is decided by the client. The type of camera you have and your experience level doesn't matter as Sab concentrates on developing the photographer's 'eye' and an appreciation for composition and capturing unexpected moments creatively.
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- Tours are private and last around 4 hours
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- €150/half day, discounts for couples, friends and families.
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Promenade Plantée
If you were a city planner in one of the great cities of our Earth and you discovered that a railroad right-of-way had been abandoned and would never be used again what might you do? Perhaps if you knew your stuff you'd convert it into a 4 mile long park, about half of which is elevated above street level on the old rail viaduct. This long narrow park pretty much allows the visitor to walk in carfree bliss from Place de Bastille to the Bois de Vincennes.
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Le Cordon Bleu Paris
Offering both long-term professional programs as well as short term hourly sessions, Le Cordon Bleu is one of the most famous culinary schools located in the heart of Paris. Le Cordon Bleu is considered to be the guardian of French culinary technique through its culinary programs that continue to preserve and pass on the mastery and appreciation of the culinary arts that have been the cornerstone of French gastronomy for over 500 years.
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- 8 Rue Léon Delhomme, Paris 75015
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Opéra Bastille
One of the truly great venues for the performing arts anywhere in the world, Paris' new opera house actually managed to inspire some neighborhood protest during its planning and construction. Pretty much everybody is a believer nowadays though. Check out the website for upcoming shows, it might even make sense to plan a trip to Paris around one.
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- Place de la Bastille
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Le Foodist
In the Latin Quarter, Le Foodist is an cooking school that offers French Cooking, Pastry and Baking Classes, Wine Tastings initiations, Food Tours and Hosted Gastronomic Dinners. Led by French Chefs, courses are made in english, small classes, with the ambition of teaching both the technique and the history of traditional french recipes.
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- 59 Rue du Cardinal Lemoine, Paris 75004
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- Register online, classes last 2-6 hours
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- Prices range from €35 for a Wine Tasting Initiation to €180 for a Market class
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Parc de Bercy
Between the River Seine and the rail yards attached to '''Gare de Lyon''' and '''Gare de Bercy''' is a green space which would seem pretty huge if the 12th weren't also the home of the '''Bois de Vincennes'''. The park is a good place to hang out waiting for the line to form for sporting events and concerts at '''AccorHotels Arena'''.
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Better Paris Photos
Better Paris Photos offers instructional tours and workshops that combine hands-on learning of essential photographic techniques with guiding to, and commentary about, the most photogenic spots of Paris. Led by English-speaking photographers and instructors, these tours are open to all skill levels and interest.
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- 32 Avenue de Suffren
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- By appointment, tours last from 4 hours
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- From €195/half day; €290/full day
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Cafe Philo in English
Cafe Philo in English meets on the first Wednesday of each month upstairs at the famous Cafe de Flore. Everyone is invited. You don't have to be knowledgeable about philosophy. Meetings begin with a two round voting process to determine a topic. The topic is discussed for two hours.
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- Cafe de Flore, 172, Blvd St-Germain
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- Free
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La Cuisine Paris
La Cuisine Paris is an English-friendly culinary school located in the heart of Paris, right on the Seine that offers expert teaching of the essential techniques of cuisine française. Led by French and English-speaking chefs, these classes are open to all skill levels and tastes.
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- 80 Quai de L'Hôtel de Ville, Paris 75004
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- Register online, classes last 2-4 hours
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- Prices range from €65 for a Macaron class to €150 for a Market class
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Front de Seine
Take a walk along the ''Front de Seine'' to appreciate the modern mixed use architecture between Bir-Hakeim bridge and Garigliano bridge, some of the buidings were designed by world renowned architects; The view is probably best from bridge Pont Mirabeau.
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Comédie Francaise
The theatre is one of the rare state theatres in France. The company's primary venue is the Salle Richelieu. It was enlarged and modified in the 1800s, then rebuilt in 1900 after a severe fire. The played repertoires sum to around 3,000 works.
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- 1 Place Colette
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le Cordon Bleu
Offering some short courses, workshops and culinary "demonstrations". Julia Child, who famously popularized the art of French cuisine in America, graduated from this school in the 1940s, as portrayed in the movie ''Julie & Julia''.
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- 8, rue Léon Delhomme
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Lido de Paris
The most famous cabaret celebrates spectacle revues. Children ages 4 and older are welcome. Casual elegant dress code. Coat and tie appreciated. Shorts, Bermuda shorts, athletic clothing and tennis shoes are not allowed.
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- 116 bis av des Champs-Elysées
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- Daily, 09:00-02:00
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Cooking with Class
Hands on French cooking classes in a relaxed atmosphere with an experienced French chef. 4 hours of fun, including market visit, cheese and wine tasting, 5 minutes from the Sacre Coeur in the heart of Montmartre.
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- 21, rue Custine
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Bois de Vincennes
There are many beautiful footpaths, a Buddhist Temple, and a lake with rowboats available for rental (about €10 as of Feb 2009). The lake has many different kinds of birds, and islands accessible by footbridge.
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Tapovan Paris
This Ayurvedic centre offers both treatment and professional training in various Ayurvedic healing arts: hatha & nada yoga, reiki, Ayurvedic massage, reflexology, oil treatments (e.g. Shirodhara).
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- 9 rue Gutenberg
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Promenade Canal St. Martin
Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the water's edge while viewing amazing sunsets over the canal. Linger over a coffee and tuck into a pastry while feeling that you are experiencing the true Paris.
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Cité de la Musique
Music museum that focuses on the culture, the listening and the learning of music. With headsets, visitors can enjoy listening and learning about the history of music.
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- 221, av Jean-Jaurès
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Cafezoïde
A café for kids, the Cafezoïde a fully weekly calendar of events for kids from 2-16 years old. An English-language sing-along happens on Thursday afternoons at 16ː00.
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- 92 bis, quai de la Loire
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- W-Sa 10ː00-18ː00
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Palais des Glaces
Grand palace with two theatres, the Palais des Glaces (Palace of Mirrors) features two shows, often two comics, simultaneously, and sometimes shows for children.
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- 37, rue du Faubourg-du-Temple
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- M-Sa, 11:00-18:30
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Môm'artre
An arts centre intended primarily for kids (''Môme'' means kid) the Môm'artre features workshops for kids and adults, hosted by neighborhood artists.
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- 44, rue Joseph de Maistre
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Ô Chateau, Paris Wine Tasting
Discover French wines with a native French sommelier. Informative, relaxing, and fun. In English in a beautiful Parisian loft.
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Paris By Scooter
All Vespa scooter rentals and Paris guided City tours include the collect and picked up from, your hotel in Paris.
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- (Scooter always delivered to your hotel)
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- 08:00-21:00
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- From €60
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Théâtre national de l'Opéra-Comique
The théâtre national de l'Opéra-Comique (National Opéra Comic Theatre) is an opera company and opera house.
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- 5, rue Favart
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Ballon de Paris
Get a unique bird's eye view of Paris on board an air-balloon, from an altitude of 150 m.
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- Parc André Citroôen
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- 12€
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Maison de la culture du Japon
The location hosts several expositions, a library and a concert hall.
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- 101Bis Quai Branly
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Olympia Hall
Concerts for an older crowd. Be sure to tip the usher €2 or so.
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- 28, boul des Capucines
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Aquaboulevard
Biggest swimming pool and recreational center inside Paris.
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- 4 rue louis Armand
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les Grands Boulevards
Go shopping at the ''grands magasins'' (department stores).
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Théâtre Édouard VII
French theatre, for those with command of the language.
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- 10 place Édouard VII
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- €20-55
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Tour Montparnasse, Top deck
Panoramic View of Paris from the 56th floor.
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- 33, Avenue du Maine
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- 9:30 AM to 10:30 PM
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- 15€
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Marché Poncelet
Street market.
Exploring Paris: A Traveler's Guide to Activities
Paris rewards curious travelers with an exceptional range of experiences. Whether you have a weekend or several weeks, the city's 35 documented activities cover the full spectrum — architectural landmarks and world-class museums at one end, local neighborhood festivals and underground cultural scenes at the other. The activities listed on this page come from Wikivoyage contributors who have personally explored Paris and written detailed, practical descriptions to help you plan your visit.
The most rewarding way to experience Paris's activities is with company. Solo travelers who arrive without plans often find that meeting a fellow traveler at a hostel, cafe, or through the Nomax app opens up entirely new itineraries — a museum visit becomes a half-day exploration, a street food crawl turns into an evening of discovery, a day trip to a nearby site becomes an adventure. Paris has an active traveler community, and the city is designed to reward those who explore it with open curiosity.
When planning what to do in Paris, consider mixing well-known attractions with neighborhood-level experiences. The city's most photographed sights are popular for good reason, but Paris's character lives in its quieter corners too — the local markets, the parks where residents spend their weekends, the small performance venues where the next generation of artists and musicians are finding their voice. The 35 activities on this page include both categories, ordered by the richness of their traveler-written descriptions.
How to Get the Most from Paris's Activities
Timing matters in Paris. Many of the city's best attractions have shorter queues and better atmospheres on weekday mornings. Major cultural sites — museums, galleries, historic monuments — often run free admission windows on certain days or evenings; check before booking. Outdoor activities and walking tours are best enjoyed in the morning before the city heats up or fills with tour groups.
Budget-conscious travelers will find that Paris has a strong free-to-access layer. Public parks, open-air markets, architectural walking routes, and many community events cost nothing. The price information included with activities on this page (where available) helps you plan a realistic daily budget. A mix of free and paid activities across a week in Paris is entirely feasible for most traveler budgets.
For travelers who want to do more than just sightseeing, Paris offers organized activities through local guides, tour companies, and traveler apps like Nomax. Group activities — cooking classes, cycling tours, kayaking excursions, photography walks — are a natural way to meet people while experiencing the city. Many travelers who use Nomax in Paris coordinate these types of group experiences together, splitting costs and building memories that last beyond the trip itself.
Activities for Different Travel Styles
Not every traveler wants the same experience. History enthusiasts will gravitate toward Paris's museums, heritage sites, and guided historical walks that reveal the layers of the city's past. Outdoor and adventure travelers will focus on the parks, cycling routes, climbing areas, and day trips to surrounding natural areas. Food travelers will treat Paris's markets, restaurants, and food tours as the primary activities of each day. Culture seekers will fill evenings with concerts, theater, gallery openings, and street performances.
The 35 activities documented on this page span all these categories. Use the numbered list above to browse in order of description quality — longer descriptions generally mean more detailed, firsthand traveler knowledge. For each activity, the address and opening hours (where available) give you everything you need to plan your visit without needing to search elsewhere.
Connecting with Travelers in Paris
One of the best things about traveling to Paris is the community of international travelers already there. Backpackers, digital nomads, long-term expats, and short-trip tourists all share the same city at any given moment. Nomax makes it easy to find who is in Paris right now, see what activities they are joining, and coordinate plans. Whether you want a hiking companion, someone to split museum entry with, or a group for an evening out — the app connects you to people with the same itinerary in minutes.
Download Nomax before your trip to Paris to set your travel dates and start discovering who else will be there at the same time. The app is free, requires no subscription, and works across all the major traveler destinations worldwide — meaning the community you build in Paris often extends to your next destination too.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best things to do in Paris?
Paris offers 35+ activities and experiences for travelers. Top highlights include Lafayettes Tomb, Buttes-Chaumont, Sab's Secret Paris Photo and Curiosity Tours, and much more. This page lists every documented activity in order of description quality, so you can find both the major attractions and the hidden gems.
Are there free things to do in Paris?
Yes — Paris has a strong selection of free activities. Public parks, open-air markets, walking routes through historic neighborhoods, and many cultural institutions offer free admission on specific days. Scroll through the list above and look for activities marked with free or no price information — these are often the city's most authentic experiences.
How do I meet other travelers while exploring Paris?
Download Nomax — a free travel companion app that shows you other solo travelers currently in Paris. You can join group activities, chat with travelers at the same spots, and plan outings together. Many travelers in Paris use Nomax to find companions for day trips, museum visits, and evening activities.
What activities can I do with travel companions I meet in Paris?
Paris has activities for every interest — guided tours, food experiences, outdoor adventures, cultural events, and nightlife. Use Nomax to coordinate with other travelers: join a group for a walking tour, split a day-trip cost, or simply explore the city together. The app makes spontaneous plans easy.
Explore Paris with fellow travelers
Download Nomax — find travel companions, join group activities, and chat with solo travelers in Paris right now. Free forever.
Travel tips by Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA 3.0). Content may have been updated since publication.
