Ooh la la! So, you’ve booked yourself a magical trip to Paris for an experience of a lifetime. We bet you’re so excited about all the places to visit in Paris. Think of all the restaurants to check out and all the shopping to do. Honestly, the list can go on and on and on. In fact, this city has so much to offer that it can be overwhelming to decide what the best things to do in Paris actually are. Well, lucky for you, Roomi’s here to help. With our list of the 17 best things to do in Paris, you’ll never have to worry about missing out! So, let’s begin.

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Experience the scenic outdoors in Paris

1. Pari Roller

This is one of those things that are unique to Paris. What started in 1992 with 12 people has evolved into one of the most fascinating outdoor experiences in Paris. Every Friday night, roller-bladers take over the streets of Paris for three hours. It’s become so popular that there is actually a special police force tasked to monitor the Pari Roller. You can become a subscriber of the Pari Roller or just hop in randomly. The choice is yours. It’s truly one of the best things to do in Paris!

• Hours of Operation: Every Friday, 10 pm- 1 am
• Venue: Raoul Dautry, 15th.
• Métro: Montparnasse Bienvenue.

2. Canal cruising

Cruising in Paris is one of the most breathtaking experiences one can have. You have quite a few options such as Canal Saint-Martin or Seine River. And quite a variety of cruises, too. So, head on over to one of the ports and hop onto the best experience of your life!

3. Pony rides

You can walk into any of Paris’s gardens, such as Luxembourg Gardens, and you’ll find ponies trotting about. It’s one of the sweetest sites of all time! So, if you have a toddler with you, we highly recommend going along for a pony ride. Your child will never forget this experience!

• Cost: €2.50 a ride
• Hours of Operation: May to September, 10am-5.30pm
• Location: Jardin des Tuileries, 2nd
• Métro: Tuileries or Concorde.

Catch a game while in Paris

1. Stade de France

If you want to watch a game in Paris, you might as well watch it at France’s national stadium: the Stade de France. Built for the World Cup in 1998, the stadium has hosted many fantastic games like soccer and rugby. So, if you’re in Paris, definitely catch a game here! It’s one of the most lively places to visit in Paris!

2. Parc des Princes

While soccer (oops football) may not be the most popular sport in the US, it’s an extremely beloved sport in Paris. And the Parc des Princes is home to the city’s biggest club – Paris Saint-Germain (sometimes known as PSG). The stadium, built in 1972, used to be the national stadium of France. Today, the stadium holds many soccer matches as well as concerts.

Explore world-famous museums in Paris

1. The Louvre

Of course, The Louvre has to make an appearance on a list about Paris. This is the one place that comes up on everyone’s list of places to visit in Paris. It would be blasphemous not to include it. The Louvre happens to be the world’s largest museum as well as the most visited. Of course, as many of you probably already know, it’s also home to the iconic Mona Lisa. Today, around 35,000 works of art and artefacts are on show, split into eight departments and housed across three wings.

Make sure to check the website to see if any galleries are closed on certain days and plan your trip accordingly.

2. The Centre Pompidou

The Centre Pompidou is one of the most famous places in Paris. Why shouldn’t it be, it’s one of the best things to do in Paris! The exposed pipes and air ducts of Beaubourg, as Parisians call it, are a sight to behold. The museum has the largest collection of modern art in Europe. The museum, and library, are free for all but you will have to pay to go up the escalators.

3. Musée des Arts et Métiers

Europe’s oldest science museum, Musée des Arts et Métiers is the perfect place for all science nerds (ahem, enthusiasts)! From barometers, clocks, and astrolabes to the Lumière brothers’ cinematograph, this place is filled with fascinating gadgets and technologies. We highly recommend paying a visit here, as it’s one of the best places to visit in Paris!

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Imbibe the rich culture of Paris

1. Paris Autumn Festival

Paris Autumn Festival is a multidisciplinary contemporary art festival that takes place in 47 different venues throughout Paris and the Île-de-France region. From visual arts to theatre, to dance, to music, to film, there’s no art form that the Paris Autumn Festival does not include. Running from September through December, the festival is not to be missed. Locals would definitely call it one of the best things to do in Paris!

2. Beaujolais Nouveau

This is another one of those things that only happen in Paris. Every year, on the third Thursday of November, everyone in France waits for the release of the year’s batch of Beaujolais Nouveau. It’s basically the market release of a particularly “young” wine, only six to eight weeks old. So, if you’re in Paris on the third Thursday evening of November, go to a local bar or a restaurant and take advantage of the special deals and discounts!

3. Nuit Blanche

There’s nothing like staying out all night in a city as beautiful as Paris. Nuit Blanche (White Night) is an all-night event that takes place on the first Sunday of October. It’s an all-night celebration of the artistry and creativity of Parisians. From performances to installations and exhibitions- the night is filled with art. The routes are planned by the festival director of that year and public transportation is kept open all night. It’s truly one of the best things to do in Paris!

Experience the Delectable flavors of French Cuisine in Paris

1. Epicure

If you want to dine fancy, this is the place for you. This triple-Michelin-starred restaurant is one of the most immaculate restaurants in all of Paris. Quiet conversations, some exquisite wine, and delicious food are what you should expect when you step in here. So, if you’re willing to spend extravagantly on your meal, do check Epicure out!

2. Chez L’Ami Jean

For traditional French food, head to Chez L’Ami Jean. Though we must warn you, this place is never empty. Rustic dishes, inspired by rural French cooking, are the soul of this place.  We cannot stress enough just how lovely the whole dining experience here is. A cozy and friendly atmosphere and some mouth-watering dishes, what more could you want from a restaurant in Paris?

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3. L’Astrance

Another three-Michelin-starred restaurant in Paris, L’Astrance, is considered one of the best restaurants in the whole world. The place is synonymous with fine dining.  And at €250 for the dinner menu, it also happens to be one of the cheaper three-star Michelin restaurants, too.

Go shopping in Paris

1. The Golden Triangle

Walking down the golden triangle, you’ll see stores like Dior, Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Chanel, and Balenciaga. Oh yes, it’s fancy. The Champs-Elysées, the most popular section, has some of the most gorgeous stores you’ve ever seen. So, even if you’re only window shopping, we recommend taking a stroll through The Golden Triangle. It’s one of the most gorgeous places to visit in Paris!

2. Montmartre

One of our personal favorites, Montmartre contains the bohemian spirit of Paris. From Monet to Picasso and Pisarro, some of the greatest artists in French history have lived here. You can buy vintage furniture here (all the way back to Napoleon III), vintage clothes, and, of course, flowers. It’s one of the best things to do in Paris!

3. Le Marais

The narrow streets of Le Marais are a sight to behold. From hand-crafted products to designer stores, this place has it all. Every time you step out here, you’ll find something new. So, whenever you find yourself in Paris, make sure you explore Le Marais!

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