40 best things to do in Paris in 2026: some are free

Let’s be honest. On your first time in Paris, you’ll see the big ones. The Louvre Museum, the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, maybe even the Arc de Triomphe or the observation deck of the Eiffel Tower. These are iconic Paris attractions and famous Paris landmarks for a reason. Here’s the other 40 best things to do in Paris, because… Paris gets really good after that first glance.

Long walks along the River Seine, museums without long lines, gardens and cafés where real life in the French capital actually happens. Think of this as an ultimate guide to mix and match depending on your mood, the season, and how much energy you have that day. Some days call for a full museum moment. Some days for a leisurely walk between cafés and boutiques. Both count in the city of lights.

Many (20 places) of these are free. The rest are the kind of experiences that actually feel worth it.

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Book This First (Save Time Later)

• ✈️ Flights to Paris (Charles de Gaulle / Gaulle airport)
• 🎟️ Tickets for Paris Museums: ex. Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Arc de Triomphe 
• 🛥️ Seine river cruise or guided tour 
• 🏰 Palace of Versailles and Gardens Full Access Ticket
• 🏰Palace of Versailles day trip or guided tour 

For more Paris Inso, check these blog posts:

👉20 best hotels with Eiffel Tower view 
👉20 instargrammable Paris cafés guide
👉 5 day itinerary in Paris: your ultimate guide

Paris Map: All 40 Spots Saved

To make planning easier, I pinned every place from this guide on one map so you can plan days without jumping between hundreds of open tabs.

You can check here for more accommodations in Paris:

If you want a hotel with Eiffel view, check my blog post: 20 hotels with Eiffel Tower Views for any budget.

Bonus: Free Rooftop Views in Paris

If you’re looking for views without paying for a ticket, these two rooftops are easy to add to any sightseeing day.

Galeries Lafayette Rooftop – from here you can see Opéra Garnier, the Eiffel Tower, Sacré‑Cœur, and Notre‑Dame. One of the best panoramic views in Paris that’s completely free to visit.

Printemps Rooftop – a calmer alternative to the first one and it’s just across the street, with beautiful open views and a more relaxed atmosphere, especially nice around sunset.

Cafés & Sweet Stops

Along the way, these are some of the best places to take a break on the Left Bank, in Saint-Germain, or near major landmarks. They’re easy to combine with walking routes, nearby metro stations, or a relaxed afternoon in the Latin Quarter.

These are my go-to café moments in Paris, from classic ones to quick, stylish breaks. If cafés are a big part of your trip, I wrote a separate, detailed guide with what to order and why to get to each place.

👉20 instargrammable Paris cafés guide

1. Café de Flore – One of the most iconic cafés in Saint-Germain-des-Prés. It’s closely linked to writers like Ernest Hemingway and Oscar Wilde. This one is definitely a classic stop on the Left Bank for coffee, hot chocolate, and people-watching.
2. Carette (Trocadéro) – Famous for its rich hot chocolate with whipped cream and classic pastries, right by the Eiffel Tower. Best to get early in the morning to avoid lines.
3. Ralph’s Coffee – It’s more of a stop for coffee, pastries, and quick take‑away drinks when you’re moving between sights near Saint‑Germain.
4. Louis Vuitton Café – one of the most stylish lunch spot above the Art Deco exhibition space. It has been known for beautifully plated desserts.
5. Angelina (Rue de Rivoli) – A historic tea room best known for its thick hot chocolate and Mont‑Blanc dessert. Pair it with a walk in Tuileries Gardens.
6. Madame Madame – A fun, casual stop famous for its Eiffel Tower‑shaped waffles, with both sweet and savory options.
7. Le Jardin Dior Café – A dessert and coffee stop after visiting La Galerie Dior. Famous for its elegant presentation.
8. Ladurée (Rue Royale) – The oldest Ladurée location, ideal for macarons, afternoon tea, and classic French sweets in a historic setting. If you don’t want’ to seat there, grad some macarons to go.
9. Café de la Paix – A grand historic café near Opéra Garnier, popular for coffee, lunch, and terrace seating with opera views.
10. Di Vino – An Italian restaurant (you can get lunch or just coffee there) mainly chosen for its outdoor Eiffel Tower view, rather than food.

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Restaurants & Hotel Drinks

11. Plaza Athénée (Breakfast) – it’s a luxury breakfast experience by chef Jean Imbert, they serve high‑quality ingredients in an elegant dining room. Definitely not a regular breakfast experience.
12. Ritz or Hôtel de Crillon (Drinks) – Iconic hotel bars for classic cocktails in historic, beautifully decorated spaces. Ideal for a pre‑dinner drink or a fancy evening stop. You can also get there for afternoon tea.
13. La Verrière – A glass‑roof restaurant near Opéra Garnier, which is popular for lunch and dinner in a Belle Époque‑style setting.
14. Maison Revka – One of my top favorite places for a fancy lunch or dinner. It’s a glamorous restaurant near Place Victor Hugo, inspired by Slavic cuisine, cocktails, and velvet decorated interiors.
15. Francette – A good price and food quality for a spot with Eiffel Tower view. It’s a floating restaurant on the Seine with multiple seating areas and direct Eiffel Tower views, you have to book it in advance.
16. L’Atelier Entrecôte & Volaille – A simple, comforting restaurant focused on meat‑based dishes, I was there for lunch and absolutely loved the food and experience, ideal for a good meal.

Museums (Including Free Ones)

17. Hôtel de la Marine – One of the most beautiful landmarks, with a balcony that overlook Eiffel Towers. It used to be a seat of the Ministry of the Navy for 226 years. After the ministry moved out in 2015, the building was entrusted to the Centre des Monuments Nationaux and fully restored between 2017 and 2021. Today you can visit the beautifully restored rooms and apartments and see this landmark as it was meant to be experienced.
18. BNF Richelieu (Free) – Visit the Oval Room. It was closed for years and now open to everyone. You can sit, read, and stay as long as you like, completely free. No pass is needed for the Oval Room. (For other reading rooms, the library card is called a Pass lecteur.)
19. La Galerie Dior – This is where you really understand why Christian Dior is called the designer of dreams. One of the most immersive and beautifully designed museums in Paris. It feels more feels closer to an experience than a classic exhibition. One of the best places we visited during our trip in Paris.
20. Opéra Garnier – You’ve definitely seen this place online at least once. It’s hands down one of the most majestic opera houses in the world. Did you know that it’s the inspiration behind The Phantom of the Opera. Even without a show, the interiors alone are worth the visit.
21. Archives Nationales (Free) – this museum is inside the former Hôtel de Soubise, transformed in the 18th century into a lavish private mansion for the Rohan-Soubise family. Located in the heart of the aristocratic Marais district, the palace interiors and courtyards are free to visit and beautifully preserved.
22. Petit Palais (Free – permanent collection) – Built for the 1900 Universal Exhibition, just like its neighbour the Grand Palais. The permanent collection is free to visit. Don’t miss the hidden courtyard café makes this a perfect museum-plus-break stop.
23. Musée Carnavalet (Free) – One of my favourite free museums in Paris and the oldest City of Paris museum. It’s dedicated entirely to the history of the city, with free permanent collections and no booking required.
24. Musée d’Orsay – My personal favourite museum in Paris. It used to be a train station built for the 1900 Exposition Universelle. Now this museum holds world-famous works like Monet’s Water Lilies, Renoir, Van Gogh, and Manet.
25. Musée Rodin – Located in an 18th-century mansion surrounded by a French-style garden. Created after Rodin donated his works to the French State in 1916, it’s one of the most peaceful museums in Paris and one you instantly fall in love with.

Tip: If you plan multiple museums, the Paris Museum Pass can save both time and money.

Famous Sights & Landmarks

26. Sacré‑Cœur Basilica – the basilica itself it’s free to visit, but expect a long line during the day. If you want to climb the dome, note that is paid and you need a ticket. The views over Paris from the top are some of the best in the city.
27. Notre‑Dame Cathedral – the most famous cathedral of France is free to visit. You can reserve a time slot online to skip the line or wait on site. We visited in the morning and the line moved very fast, but reserving is the safer option. Notre‑Dame Cathedral is a major Paris landmark with deep ties to medieval architecture and the French Revolution.
28. Sainte‑Chapelle – one of the most famous chapelle for its stained glass and Gothic design. This chapel is one of the best places to understand medieval Paris. Book ahead to avoid long lines.
29. Les Invalides – Home to the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte and several military museums. You can skip the museums, but Napoleon tomb is a must in my opinion.
30. Pont Neuf – ​The oldest standing bridge crossing the River Seine in Paris. A great spot for views of the city and an easy stop while walking between the Left Bank and the Louvre area.

Gardens & Walks

31. Jardin du Luxembourg – One of Paris’s most loved gardens, with fountains, statues, and classic green chairs.
32. Jardin des Plantes – ​A large green complex that includes botanical gardens, galleries, museums, and the Paris zoo. 
33. Tuileries Garden – Iconic gardens connecting the Louvre and Place de la Concorde.
34. Banks of the Seine – Pedestrian-friendly paths ideal for walks, photos, and casual picnics.

Passages, Markets & Neighborhoods

35. Covered Passages Walk – A classic walking route through Paris’s historic shopping arcades. Get to Passage Jouffroy, Passage des Panoramas, and Galerie Vivienne. Each has a different feel. You’ll find there from old stamp shops and book sellers to elegant floors and boutique cafés. One of the best thing to do on rainy days.
36. Food Markets – Paris markets are a great way to see everyday life. It’s far from a fancy experience, but it’s real and authentic. Try Marché Saxe‑Breteuil for groceries with Eiffel Tower views, Marché Mouffetard for the country vibes, Marché Bastille for a lively open‑air atmosphere, Marché d’Aligre for good prices, Marché des Enfants Rouges for oldest Paris market located ​in the Marais, or Marché Raspail, known for its organic produce.
37. Montmartre Streets & Cafés – One of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Paris. Get to the cobbled streets early in the morning and stop at cafés like Le Consulat, Le Vrai, or La Maison Rose for photos or a short break. It’s one of the best neighborhoods, for photos, people watching, artist watching and iconic cafes. The Moulin Rouge cabaret is also nearby.

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Easy Day Trips From Paris

If you have time, I highly recommend to get at least one day trip from Paris. These destinations are an easy day trip from the French capital by train or small group tour. All of them are convenient if you’re using public transportation, so you don’t have to rent a car, unless you really want to.

38. Palace of Versailles – you already know that this one is one of the most spectacular day trips from Paris. You should do it at least one time. Once you get to Palace of Versailles, don’t miss the Hall of Mirrors. Also check on their website for the Musical Fountain shows in the gardens.
39. Giverny, Fontainebleau or Rouen – Better options for a day trip from Paris if you want something closer. Go to Giverny for Monet’s gardens. Go to Fontainebleau for a royal palace and forest, or go to Rouen for medieval streets and history.
40. Champagne Region (Reims or Épernay) – My personal favorite after Palace of Versailles. You should visit at least one historic champagne house or small family‑run producers to taste the real thing. I’ll recommend to get to one famous and one family run to understand which one is really you’re vibe. ​

You can acctually explore more options here:

Final Thoughts

Paris isn’t about ticking off major landmarks as fast as possible. It’s about finding the best way to experience the city at your own pace. After visiting it for more than a couple of times, I got that Paris works best when you don’t try to do everything in one day or one trip.

For a balanced trip try to mix a museum with a café, a landmark with a park, a big moment with something simple like ice cream by the river. That balance is what makes Paris feel memorable instead of exhausting.