By the end of this list, you’ll have a full lineup of things to actually do in Paris instead of just saving pins forever, lol!
I went through hundreds of Paris photos and travel posts to put this together. Some were so pretty but completely unrealistic for a everyday trip, so those got cut.
What made the final cut are the spots and moments that are doable, budget-friendly. Genuinely worth the walk, am I right?
You’ll find the famous things here, but also a few things most guidebooks barely mention. Both matter just as much, honestly!
Use this as a loose checklist rather than a strict schedule. Paris rewards wandering, so leave room to get a little lost.
Grab a coffee, get comfy and let’s go through all 16, shall we?
PARIS BUCKET LIST IDEAS
Sunrise Photo At Trocadero
We’re starting off strong with a sunrise photo at Trocadero. I set an alarm for 6am and still barely beat the crowd.
Show up before 7am if the plaza empty matters to you. Otherwise you are just another head in someone’s photo, lol!
The reflecting pool looks like glass at that hour.
- Best before the crowds
- Empty plaza before 7am
- Free to visit anytime
Picnic Beside The Seine
A picnic beside the Seine sounds simple. It kind of is!
Grab a baguette, some cheese and a bottle of something fizzy nearby. I once sat down right next to a tour boat dock by accident, haha!
Wander a bit before you settle, because not every riverbank spot is postcard-worthy. Lesson learned the loud way.
- Cheapest date with a view
- Under 15 euros for two
- Best light around golden hour
Climb Arc De Triomphe
Climbing the Arc de Triomphe is not for anyone afraid of stairs. There are close to 300 of them.
My legs reminded me for two days straight, lol!
The view at the top beats the Eiffel Tower one in my opinion. You actually see the tower itself instead of standing under it. Worth every wobbly step, honestly!
- Views without the tower crowds
- 284 steps to the top
- Sunset slot books up fast
Explore Louvre Pyramid Courtyard
The Louvre Pyramid courtyard works even if you skip the museum. I always end up there at night when it lights up and the crowd thins out.
Glass triangles against old stone just do something to me!
No ticket needed, so it slots easily between other stops. Free views like that do not come around often, do they?
- Free and open after dark
- No ticket required outside
- Photos best after sunset
Stroll Montmartre Artist Square
Montmartre’s artist square is chaotic in the best way. Painters set up easels all day and some will sketch you for a small fee.
Wander the side streets after since the square fills up fast. I keep meaning to get one done myself and never do.
Hers is the only souvenir from that trip anyone still talks about!
- Old world charm, no ticket
- Portraits run 15 to 30 euros
- Mornings are calmer
Visit Notre Dame Cathedral
Notre Dame is still worth visiting even mid restoration. I stood outside it last spring and the exterior alone told a whole story.
Access has changed a lot since the fire.
Check the current visiting hours before you go. Showing up unprepared just wastes your morning.
A quick search the night before saves the whole day!
- History you can still touch
- Exterior always viewable
- Interior access varies by season
Boat Ride On Seine
A boat ride on the Seine gives a totally different angle on the city. Bridges and buildings all look smaller and prettier from the water.
I always forget a jacket and regret it instantly, lol!
Evening cruises are the move if you want the lights turned on. Bring something warm, because the river breeze is no joke, haha!
- The lazy tourist win
- Rides run about an hour
- Evening departures light up the bridges
Croissant Tasting At Bakery
Who doesn’t love a good croissant tasting, am I right? Skip the big chains and hit a few neighborhood bakeries instead.
Butter croissants should flake the second you touch them. If they don’t, you’re at the wrong bakery!
A good one leaves crumbs everywhere. That’s how you know.
- The tastiest research project
- Two euros gets a good one
- Mornings mean fresh batches
Evening Walk Champs Elysees
An evening walk down the Champs Elysees fits perfectly into a paris itinerary 3 days plan, especially your first night. I always end up walking slower than everyone else just staring at the storefronts. The lights turn on as the sky darkens.
It is touristy, sure, but so pretty. My slow pace is worth the trade every time. Who could rush past all that, honestly?
- First night energy
- Free window shopping the whole way
Secret Garden Musee Rodin
The secret garden at Musee Rodin barely makes anyone’s list, which is exactly why it should. Sculptures sit scattered among rose bushes and it stays dead quiet.
I brought a book once and never opened it. If you were hunting for hidden gems paris, this one is a keeper!
Bring one anyway and just sit for a while. No shame in doing absolutely nothing there, lol!
- A quiet break from the chaos
- Garden ticket cheaper than the museum
- Roses bloom through early fall
Covered Passage Galerie Vivienne
Galerie Vivienne is one of those covered passages people walk right past. Old mosaic floors, glass ceilings, tiny bookshops tucked in corners.
I missed the entrance twice before I finally found it, haha!
It feels like stepping into a different century for five minutes. Talk about a hidden gem hiding in plain sight!
- Old Paris under glass
- Quiet even on busy afternoons
Quiet Canal Saint Martin Walk
Canal Saint Martin has none of the crowds the Seine gets. That is the whole appeal.
Locals jog, read and picnic along the water here. I always end up staying longer than planned.
Weekends bring out little vendors selling snacks by the locks. My afternoon plans never survive this place, lol!
Who could blame me when there’s fresh crepes involved?
- Where locals actually hang out
- No entry fee ever
- Lock system fun to watch
Rooftop View Printemps Terrace
The rooftop terrace at Printemps might be the best free view in the city. Not a lot of tourists know it exists.
I stumbled onto it by accident chasing a coffee craving.
There is a small cafe up there too for a coffee with your skyline. My accidental discovery turned into a repeat habit. How cute is that?
- The view nobody talks about
- Elevator ride from the top floor
Navigating Paris Metro Map
Figuring out the metro map is genuinely one of the best paris travel tips first time visitors need before anything else.
Colored lines look confusing for the first ten minutes, then it just clicks.
Download an offline map before you land, just in case. Cell service underground is basically nonexistent anyway.
- Not as scary as it looks
- Trains run every few minutes
- Apps work offline underground
Budgeting Cash For Paris Trip
Budgeting cash for a Paris trip saves a lot of stress once you land. Small bakeries and markets often prefer cash anyway.
I got stuck once with only a card and an empty stomach.
Keep a mix of cash and card. Check your bank fees before you leave. My wallet learned that lesson the hard way!
- Skip the ATM panic
- Small bills for bakeries
- Notify your bank beforehand
Essential French Phrases Card
Last but definitely not least, keep an essential French phrases card in your pocket. A simple bonjour and merci go further than you would think.
My pronunciation is rough, but people still smile at the effort.
Locals warm up fast once they see you trying. I butcher half the words and get a smile anyway. Not that anyone expects fluency, lol!
- Small effort, big payoff
- Fits in any wallet
- Covers ordering and directions
Just a little note - some of the links on here may be affiliate links, which means I might earn a small commission if you decide to shop through them (at no extra cost to you!). I only post content which I'm truly enthusiastic about and would suggest to others.
And as you know, I seriously love seeing your takes on the looks and ideas on here - that means the world to me! If you recreate something, please share it here in the comments or feel free to send me a pic. I'm always excited to meet y'all! ✨🤍
Xoxo Dana
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