Paris is one of my favorite cities in Europe because there are just so many things to see, do, and experience that you can never get bored!
I have visited a few times now and have done almost everything labeled touristy; from a day trip to Versailles, strolling through the Latin Quarter, or taking in the views from the top of the Eiffel Tower. I always find myself going back again and again to my favorite spots, even though they might be labeled “touristy!”
I of course add in new activities, but these 3 touristy attractions are 100% worth visiting on your trip, whether it’s your first or fifth time! I am also going to tell you about 3 touristy things I would skip, and what you should do instead.
3 Touristy Things Actually Worth Doing in Paris, France
Below are, in my opinion, the 3 touristy things actually worth doing in Paris, France! I will also recommend where to buy tickets/book the tour, how much it costs, and/or how to plan your visit.
1. A Day Trip to the Palace of Versailles
Yes, you read that correctly, this is my favorite tourist attraction to do while in Paris, France, and it’s not even in Paris! If you’re like me and you love history, art, and amazing architecture, this is a must do on your trip. Depending on where you’re staying in Paris, the palace is only about a 30 to 45 minute drive away. I usually Uber and it costs anywhere from $30 to $40, but you can take public transportation for a fraction of the cost. There are also companies that will bus you there and guide you through the palace, but in my opinion those aren’t worth it because they only give you a set amount of time to wander around, and I like to take my time.
Make sure you purchase tickets in advance (at least a day but the earlier the better) and purchase them directly from the website: https://en.chateauversailles.fr There are a ton of scam sites out there so be careful. The best ticket option is the “Passport” ticket which includes the palace, garden, and Estate of Trianon. The entire cost for a full day ticket will cost approximately $40.
After wandering around the bed chambers of Marie Antoinette, the Royal Chapel, and of course the Hall of Mirrors; take a stroll or ride through the massive gardens and estates! I usually pack a lunch or buy some macarons and plop myself down in one of the beautiful grassy fields, but there are benches and auditorium style seating all over the gardens. You can also rent a small paddle boat and paddle around one of the lakes, but make sure either you or the person you are with have some serious arm strength. (My boyfriend and I lasted about 10 minutes before giving up…)My first time there I actually witnessed the cutest marriage proposal, which made the experience all the more better!
2. An Evening Cruise on the River Seine (with Champagne Of Course!)
Ok, back to the actual city of Paris… Every single city I visit that has a river, you can best believe I am booking an evening river cruise and Paris is no exception! A cruise down the river Seine is the absolute best way to start the evening or end the night. The sun setting over the city, the views of the architecture, and the general vibes are just unmatched in my opinion.
There are so many options to choose from in regards to the type of cruise/experience you want to have and what’s in your budget; a guided cruise with commentary, a quiet ride, a dinner cruise, a booze cruise, a family friendly cruise, etc… BUT my absolute favorite way to cruise down the Seine is with a nice refreshing glass of Champagne!
To book, simply go to Viator or TripAdvisor and search for a Champagne river Seine cruise and tons of options will pop up. Prices vary from the cheapest that includes one complimentary glass of champagne and a 1 1/2 hour cruise, costing approximately $35, to the most expensive that includes an open bar, appetizers, and a 3 hours cruise costing approximately $120. For me, the one glass cruise is usually enough before my dinner reservations. I don’t have a specific company or cruise to recommend but I try to find one that has over 300 reviews, between 4/5 stars, and has the best price for the amount of amenities offered.
I can go on and on about river cruises for hours, but I don’t want to spoil too much of the experience for you! If you are an extrovert like me, you might end up meeting some really cool people on your cruise. On the last one I went on, I ended up meeting a film crew that were celebrating after the Cannes Film Festival! One of the producers was actually from the same state as me and we had a long chat about all things midwestern!
3. Hop on Hop off Big Bus Tour
This one might get me in trouble with the travel snobs….but I stand by my opinion! If you want to see almost the entire city in one day and have it narrated for you, a Big Bus tour is the way to go! Especially if you don’t have a lot of time or you are there on a longer layover, this is the perfect experience. I swear Big Bus is not sponsoring me, this is my real opinion! (but if Big Bus is reading, please contact me because I would love to be a sponsor..)
First, there is usually the option to sit inside or outside depending on the weather; second, they have audio guides in 3 to 17 languages depending on the city; and third, you can use it for cheap transportation! I usually prefer Big Bus tours because they have a long history of providing excellent service and they usually have multiple routes depending on what you want to see. To book, download the app on your phone or go to the website: https://www.bigbustours.com/en/paris/ I would recommend buying the 24 hour pass without the other add-ons!
One of my favorite things about taking a bus tour is that the views/pictures you get are sometimes extremely unique. on the Paris tour, the views you get of the Arc de Triumph and the Eiffel Tower are unmatched because you get to take the picture head on from the street rather than from the side on the sidewalk or too close in front of it!
3 Touristy Things to Skip in Paris, France (and what you should do instead)
Below are, in my opinion, 3 touristy things to skip in Paris, France. I will however, recommend what you should do instead; and sometimes the recommendation is just changing the experience slightly!
1. Going to the Top of the Eiffel Tower
I know, it’s supposed to be romantic and the views are supposed to be the best in the city, but it’s just NOT. THAT. GREAT. You basically spend $35 to wait in line with 2,000 other people to the take the stairs to the second floor; wait 15 to 30 minutes to get on an overcrowded elevator; only to get there, take one look, and be underwhelmed.
What you should do however, is enjoy a nice picnic at the Champs de Mars or the Jardin Du Trocadero and see the Eiffel Tower in all its glory there! Also, it’s FREE! I usually pack some wine and sandwiches or go to a cafe and grab a coffee and pastries.
While you won’t see Paris from above, you will get to stare at the Eiffel Tower as long as you want and enjoy your personal space! It’s also the perfect place to snap a picture of you “holding” or “leaning” against the tower!
2. Shopping on the Champs-Elysées
Whether you want to or not, if you are in Paris, you will probably end up walking on the Champs-Elysées! Contrary to popular belief, this is not the shopping epicenter of Paris… This is the shopping epicenter for name brands and the rich! There are so many better places to shop in Paris like La Marais, Boulevard Haussmann, and Saint Germain des Prés.
I’m not saying don’t GO to the Champs-Elysées, because you definitely should! Instead of shopping, you should have lunch or dinner on the Champs-Elysées at a restaurant with tables on the sidewalk close to the street so you can do some great people watching or just enjoy the scenery. One time, I unknowingly booked lunch reservations there on the last day of the Tour de France and got to watch all the cyclist do the last leg of the race!
3. Going to Disneyland Paris
If you have children who way too young to appreciate art, history, or architecture, it might be worth adding it to your itinerary; but if you don’t, I wouldn’t recommend it! First, the tickets are extremely expensive and so is everything inside the park. Second, it’s a pain to get there and a pain to get back. Ubers are very expensive and you will probably sit in traffic. You can also take a bus or train but the ride is more than an hour each way.
I feel like I don’t have to explain myself too much here! There are so many other places I would recommend to include, visiting the Louvre, Musee de O’rsay, Notre Dame, the Montmartre, and so many more!
Disney people, please don’t hate me…I love Disney…It’s just not my favorite thing to do in Paris!
Conclusion
There are so many other things to do in Paris but I can’t fit them all into one article! These are just a few of my favorite touristy things to do and least favorite. Ok, let’s quickly recap!
Must do touristy things:
- A day trip to the Palace of Versailles
- An evening cruise on the river Seine
- Hop on Hop off Big Bus tour
Touristy things to Skip:
- Going to the top of the Eiffel Tower
- Shopping on Champs-Elysées
- Going to Disneyland Paris
Not wanting to seem like a tourist is definitely a universal experience for everyone, but what’s the point of traveling if you aren’t going to see all the big places like everyone else! There is always time to do more lowkey/local things after you’ve seen the touristy things. (and I totally have recommendations for those things too.) I hope my recommendations can help you shape the itinerary for your next trip to Paris!