Paris

Day trips

Paris, France, is a bucket list destination for many travelers around the world. Although it would take days and weeks to explore all of Paris’s quaint alleyways, terraced restaurants, and world-famous museums and monuments, there are plenty of things to do in Paris with only a full day to pack in a Paris itinerary. So if this is your first time in Paris or a long layover, here are some ideas on how to spend 1 day in Paris.

Tip: To experience the most of Paris, including free entry and discounts to various attractions I’ve recommended, consider purchasing the Paris Pass. 

Whether it’s your first or your fifth trip to Paris, you will want to get the most out of your vacation by visiting as many of the city’s historical, cultural, and must-see attractions and sights as you can. I thoroughly recommend picking up a Paris Museum Pass to give yourself maximum flexibility in experiencing the top things to do in Paris. The Museum Pass allows you to skip the line at most museums, which saves valuable time and makes it easy to slip a few more things into your itinerary if you find yourself with some downtime. Before activating your museum pass, make sure the sights you want to see are open.

Paris offers families various experiences, from climbing iconic landmarks, like the Eiffel Tower, to exploring interactive museums. There’s no shortage of things to do in Paris with kids, whether you’re discovering history at world-famous attractions or enjoying fun activities for kids in beautiful parks.

For younger kids, sail toy boats at the Luxembourg Gardens or explore interactive exhibits at the Cité des Sciences. Looking for fun things to do in Paris with teens? They will love a scenic Seine River cruise or thrilling theme parks like Disneyland Paris and Parc Astérix. With so many things to do with children, Paris promises an unforgettable family trip.

The City of Light is renowned for its stellar art museums. Stroll along the banks of the Seine, one of the top things to do in Paris, and you’ll stumble on two of the most visited museums in the world — the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay. Whether you’re an art expert or a first-time visitor, both house priceless collections and famous pieces. However, the museums’ collections are devoted to different time periods and also differ in their size and scope. How’s a traveler to choose between two of the best museums in Paris? If you want to see what all the buzz is about, or are torn between seeing da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and Monet’s Water Lilies, we’ve compiled some insider tips so you can confidently choose which museum is right for you.