Top 10 Things to do in Paris, France

The Best Things to do in Paris

The Top 10 things to do in Paris are the very best things to do in Paris including the Champs Elysees, River Seine, Musee d'Orsay, Sainte-Chapelle and Tour Montparnasse

6 (7) River Seine

A walk along the banks of the river Seine is one of the best things to do in Paris. It is something that both local and visitors have been doing for a very long time. Head for the pont de la Concorde and the pont de Sully for some of the best views of Paris.

Seine River Cruise

A Seine river cruise tours can be a very enjoyable and relaxing experience with much to see and photograph. Many of the major Paris attractions reside on the river's banks or close to it. Viewable attractions should include Notre Dame, Jardin des Plantes, The Louvre, Royal Palace, Champs Elysees, Eiffel Tower and Orsay Museum. Excluding holes everything looks better in a boat. You can also 'hop on' a river taxi or bus. A must do if you have the time and the weather is with you.

Free Cruise of the River Seine

River Seine CruiseIt would be insane not to cruise the River Seine

Cruise up the majestic Seine and discover the sights of Paris from a new perspective. From the water it is possible to see the bridges and monuments of Paris as you could never hope to see on foot.

History of Paris

The main Bateaux Parisians pier is located close to the Eiffel Tower. Do not miss the opportunity to gain a better understanding of the geography of the city, to learn more about the history of Paris and and most of all, have a great time.

Top 10 Paris Things To Do Links including the River Seine

 

Travel Tip - Do I need to speak French whilst in Paris?

Simple answer is non! The is no harm in trying a little french even if you make a complete hash of it. Most Parisians speak English and will be happy to help. If you don't make an attempt help maybe less forthcoming. Look at it from the French prospective. This is their country. Their language and you are visiting yet you aren't prepared to try. How would you feel if someone spoke to you in French and just assumed you knew what they were talking about.

Simple words / phrases to learn:

  1. Do you speak English? = Parlez-vous anglais? [par-lay voo zon-glay]
  2. Excuse me/sorry? = Excusez-moi [ex-koo-zay mwah]
  3. Good-bye = Au revoir [oh ruh-vwar]
  4. Good evening = Bon soir [bon-swar]
  5. Good morning/good day = Bon jour [bon-zhoor]
  6. Hello = Salut [sah-loo]
  7. I don't understand = Je ne comprends pas [jhuhn kom-prohn pah]
  8. I'm sorry = Pardon [pahr-dohn]
  9. Thank you = Merci [mare-see]

 

7 (6) Champs Elysees

Champs Elysees Paris France

Champs-Elysees - one of the most famous and beautiful avenues in the world

An avenue named Champs-Elysees. The Champs-Elysees is one of the most famous and beautiful avenues in the world. A stroll down the Champs-Elysees is one of the best things to do in Paris. The Champs-Elysees connects the The Arc de Triomphe to the Palace de la Concorde. This street was made for marching but walking will do just fine.

Top 10 Paris Things To Do Links including Champs Elysees

 

8 Musee d'Orsay

Orsay MuseumMusee d'Orsay - a model of a train station?

The Orsay Museum was originally designed as a train station in 1900 but was outgrown by the size of its trains. After a short spell as a theatre it was converted into the treasure we know today as the Musee d'Orsay.

Delacroix, Manet, Guaguin, Cézanne, Monet, Renoir, Sisley, Van Gogh

The Orsay masterpieces include work by Delacroix, Manet, Guaguin, Cézanne, Monet, Renoir, Sisley, van Gogh but perhaps its most famous is a painting is about snake bites.

Woman Bitten by a Snake

Auguste Clésinger’s "Woman Bitten by a Snake" depicts a woman bitten by a snake. Maybe. Was it really the throes of passion? Surely non! The critics of the time even named names. They said the painting was of 19th Century socialite Apollonie Sabatier. The scandal was on a par with Tiger Woods. Just shocking - you really shouldn't look.

Tuileries Gardens

Set on the banks of the Seine opposite the tuileries gardens, the Orsay museum is a work of art itself in a wonderful setting. It is love, art, snake bites and history that "gets" people from all walks of life. You can obtain free entry into the Musee d'Orsay with a Paris Pass.

Top 10 Paris Things To Do Links including Musee d'Orsay

 

9 (27) Sainte-Chapelle

Sainte-Chapelle ParisGothic gem known as Sainte Chapelle

Close to Notre Dame Cathedral on the Île de la Cité island is a little Gothic gem known as Sainte Chapelle (Holy Church). This Gothic chapel with its notable stained glass windows is one of the inspiring visual experiences of Paris. The stained glass windows on the second level will blow you away. The roof appears to be supported by stained-glass giving the effect of being inside a diamond.

Gothic Architecture

Sainte-Chapelle was an architectural and aesthetic marvel of its day and at one time the most important and holy place in the whole world. The building itself is a giant reliquary. It was built to house the great relics of the king, including Christ’s crown of thorns and a piece of the true cross, and to prove the king worthy of owning these relics. At its heart rests a magnificent gold and silver shrine. Sainte-Chapelle is a stunning example of Gothic Architecture.

Free entry with a Paris Pass

More on Sainte-Chapelle

 

10 (17) Tour Montparnasse

Tour MontparnasseSalut down there!

The 56th observation floor of the Tour Montparnasse offers visitors stunning views of Paris in all directions. It is an experience getting up there as Tour Montparnasse has Europe's fastest elevator. The elevator will take you to a height of 196 meters (over 640 ft) in just 38 seconds.

Major Attractions of Paris

From the top of the Montparnasse Tower you can spot the key landmarks and major attractions of Paris, including the Eiffel Tower, Les Invalides, Sacré Coeur, Musée d'Orsay, the Arc de Triomphe, the Panthéon, the Louvre or the Luxembourg gardens. The outdoor observatory, accessible from the 59th floor through a flight of stairs, offers a totally different viewing experience.

Paris Top 100 Top Links including Tour Montparnasse

 

Paris Pass and the Top 10 things to do in Paris

The best way to really see Paris is from the top of Montparnasse and the best way to do that is with a Paris Pass. In fact you can do most of the top 10 things in Paris with a Paris Pass including the Free River Seine Cruise, Sainte Chapelle and Musee d'Orsay.

Paris Pass

Paris Top 15 Things To Do

<<previous | next >>