Paris Must-Do List
Paris travel checklist for a first trip to Paris and a second trip to Paris.
So finally, you are traveling to Paris! Before your trip, you hardly got a chance to breathe, let alone organize your time on-site. What to do when you arrive in the City of Lights?
With a city spanning thousands of years in the making and a diverse collage of arrondissements and neighborhoods spread far and wide over the whole city, it’d be no surprise if you simply couldn’t fit in everything you wanted to get done during your stay.
But I can help! I have narrowed down a Paris checklist, a list of things to do in Paris with all the must-see attractions and points of interest for first-timers. Also, there’s a second Paris to-do list for those who have already been to the city and want to go beyond its main sights.
Whether you are visiting Paris for the first time or this is your second trip to Paris, there’s always something for everyone in the French capital, and finding a great day out in Paris has never been easier!
Are You Planning a Trip to Paris Last Minute?
If you are booking a last-minute trip to Paris, I’ve got you covered! Below are our guides, top tours, hotels, and more:
» Plan: Paris Travel Planner; Paris Arrondissements Guide; Check out the best Paris Metro tickets for tourists
» Book your flight tickets with Omio; book your train tickets with Omio
Book your transfer from the airport to the city with Welcome Pickups.
» Where to Stay: Best Districts to Stay in Paris
- Le Pavillon de la Reine (historical 5-star hotel in Le Marais)
- Hotel La Comtesse (mid-range hotel with Eiffel Tower view from all the rooms!)
- Hotel Ducs de Bourgogne (super central 4-star hotel near the Louvre)
» Top-Rated Paris Tours & Tickets:
- Louvre Museum Skip-the-Line Ticket
- Eiffel Tower Summit Access Ticket
- Seine River Night Cruise
- Château de Versailles and Gardens
- Catacombs Skip-the-line tour with VIP access to restricted areas
Want skip-the-line access at museums & attractions in Paris? Get your hands on a Paris Museum Pass!
» Don’t leave without travel insurance! SafetyWing Essential plan works well for long and short trips (from 5 days up). Can also cover electronics theft through their add-on.
First Time in Paris Checklist

This is a to-do list Paris for those who are visiting Paris for the first time. This Paris trip checklist covers the main Paris tourist attractions and popular things to do in Paris.
By ticking most of the items on this Paris checklist, you will get a good idea of what the city has to offer.
At the end of this list, you will also find itineraries to visit Paris in 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 days, which include most of these Paris tourist attractions.
TIP: Visiting Paris for the First Time? Check out these Paris tips for a unique trip to Paris
Squares, Parks and Gardens

DO YOU NEED MORE PARIS TRIP CHECKLISTS? Check out my Pre-Trip Checklist and these Packing Lists for Paris (by month!)!
Palais Royal Garden and the Buren Columns
Place Vendôme
Place des Vosges
Other Things to See & Do in Paris
Wake up with the view of the Eiffel Tower from your room
Coffee and people-watching in a Parisian café
Look for the best view of the Eiffel Tower
Enjoy a traditional meal in a Parisian bistro
Admire Paris’ skyline from a rooftop bar, cocktail in hand
Day Trips from Paris

Versailles Palace & Gardens (Ile de France)
Monet’s House and Garden at Giverny (Normandy)
Mont Saint-Michel (Normandy)
These are the top things to do in Paris. I recommend visiting these sights in the following Paris itineraries:

Second Time in Paris Checklist
For your second (or third) time in Paris, I understand that you have a good knowledge of Paris’s main tourist attractions.
This is a Paris must-do list for those who want to go beyond Paris’ main sights and for those who are looking for lesser-known or off-the-beaten-path places with a more local feeling.
By ticking most of the items on this second Paris checklist, you will discover more about the city, especially about local life.
And if you still want more, then check out the list of the 50 best things to do in Paris, with all the iconic things to do in Paris.
Monuments and Museums

Squares, Parks and Gardens

Place Dauphine
Park Buttes-Chaumont
Paris Walks

Montorgueil /Les Halles neighborhoods
A stroll along Canal Saint-Martin
Promenade Plantée /Coulée Verte
La Petite Ceinture (I recommend the section in Paris 15)
Other Things to See & Do in Paris
Go beyond Montmartre’s main sights
Visit a local market or take a food tour
Enjoy a picnic in one of the parks in Paris
Visit a Parisian flea market for some vintage shopping
Have fun like the locals with a Paris Treasure Hunt
Visit the Flower Market on Ile de la Cité
Paris canal cruise on a self-drive boat
Look for the Paris festivals and seasonal events during your stay
Do you Need Extra Help with Your Paris Trip Checklist?

In addition to the information on this site and our Facebook community, I am also available for private travel consultations. These one-to-one meetings are the perfect opportunity for you to receive tailored advice about your upcoming trip— especially if this is your first time visiting France.
You can read more about me and the service offered here.
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