Hardly any other European city is as praised as Paris. The “capital of the 19th century” has always been a place of longing and refuge for writers and artists and is, even today, still known as the city of love, light, and fashion. France’s capital is divided into 20 districts, the so-called arrondissements, which are all very different from each other. Although Paris is surprisingly small in size, there is so much to explore in every little corner of the city. Whether you are visiting Paris for a couple of days, one week, or longer – my Paris Bucket List hopefully gives you an overview of what there is to do and see in each part of the city.
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Paris Bucket List Activities
Arrondissements 1 and 2
Being called “Le Premier” in French, the first arrondissement is one of the oldest parts of Paris. It’s home to many popular tourist attractions such as the Louvre and the Jardin des Tuileries. The second is the smallest of all 20 arrondissements. Make sure to tick the following things off your Paris bucket list when visiting this part of the city.
1. Visit the Louvre Museum – the biggest museum in the world!
2. Walk around Jardin des Tuileries
3. Explore Galerie Vivienne
4. Admire the Palais Royal
5. Marvel at all the Designer-Boutiques along Rue Saint Honoré
6. Stroll around Place Vendôme
7. Visit the Musée de l’Orangerie
Arrondissements 3 and 4
Being referred to as the “arrondissement du temple”, the third one is home to many museums and the perfect place for art lovers. The 4th arrondissement consists mostly of the hip neighborhood of Le Marais. Here you will find numerous shopping boutiques, bars, and restaurants, but also places to rest such as the Place des Vosges – an oasis of peace in the middle of the bustling city and the perfect place to enjoy summer and spring in Paris.
8. See the works of Picasso in the Musée Picasso
9. Go to the Jardin de Archives Nationales
10. Visit the Musée des Arts et Métiers
11. Stroll around the district Le Marais on your own or take part in a Le Marais walking tour
12. Enjoy the atmosphere at Place des Vosges and take a stop at the house of Victor Hugo
13. Take photos of the famous cathedral Notre-Dame de Paris
14. Discover the Centre Pompidou
Arrondissements 5 and 6
In the 5th arrondissement, the so-called Latin Quarter, you will find Sorbonne University, the stunning Panthéon, a botanical garden, and much more. It’s one of the best places to stay in Paris. The 6th arrondissement is well known for its lively district Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Fans of the Netflix series “Emily in Paris” watch out: Here you can walk past Emily’s apartment and Gabriel’s restaurant.
15. Admire the Panthéon from both outside and inside
16. Stroll around Jardin des Plantes
17. Buy a book from the world-famous bookshop Shakespeare & Company
18. Spend a relaxing afternoon in Jardin du Luxembourg
19. Enjoy a coffee in one of the prettiest cafés: Café de Flore or Café Les Deux Magots
20. Follow in the footsteps of Emily in Paris
Arrondissements 7 and 8
The 7th arrondissement has been home to the French Upper Class since the 17th century. Here you can find the most iconic landmark of Paris – the Eiffel Tower. Both in the 7th and 8th, in the political center of Paris, there are endless things to do and see. Have you already added the following activities to your Paris Bucket List?
21. Climb up the Eiffel Tower
22. Take a picnic at Champs de Mars
23. Enjoy a Seine River Cruise (starting point e.g.: Pont de l’Alma)
24. Visit the Musée d’Orsay
25. Marvel at the Hôtel des Invalides
26. Enjoy the view from the top of the Arc de Triomphe
27. Walk along Champs-Élysées
28. Admire the Palais Élysée
Arrondissements 9 and 10
The 9th, the “arrondissement l’Opéra” is mostly known for its elegant shopping galleries, among which the most famous is Galeries Lafayette. So, if you have some rainy days in Paris, this is the area to go to! In the 10th arrondissement, you can find not only one but two major train stations in Paris: Gare de l’Est and Gare du Nord. When you arrive in the capital of France by train, the 10th will most likely be your starting point for exploring Paris.
29. Take a self-guided tour in the Opéra Garnier
30. Shop until you drop in Galeries Lafayette
31. Enjoy the Eiffel Tower view from the roof terrace of Galeries Lafayette
32. Stroll through the covered shopping galleries Passage des Princes and Passage Jouffroy
33. Select one of the many great restaurants and bars at Grand Boulevard
34. Walk around Canal Saint-Martin
35. Visit the Musée Gourmand du Chocolat Paris
Arrondissements 11 and 12
The 11th is the most densely populated arrondissement of Paris. No wonder it’s home to numerous trendy restaurants, bars, and clubs. While the 11th is very lively and offers countless Paris nighttime activities, the 12th offers rather calm living areas, a huge park, and many leisure facilities for families, children, and young adults. Make sure to tick the following activities off your Paris bucket list:
36. Visit the Place de Bastille
37. Go partying in one of the many clubs in the 11th
38. Take photos in the colorful Rue Cremieux
39. Marvel at the Bastille Opera
40. Go souvenir shopping in Bercy Village
41. Attend a concert at Accor Arena
42. Relax in Parc Bois de Vincennes
Arrondissements 13 and 14
The 13th, the “arrondissement des Gobelins” is mainly known for its Asian district and the incredibly large national library. The 14th arrondissement with its huge Montparnasse tower can easily be spotted from almost everywhere in Paris. Here are the best things to do in this area:
43. Visit the Bibliothèque Nationale de France
44. Grab some delicious food at the food market La Felicità
45. Enjoy the view from Montparnasse tower
46. Learn about the city’s history at the Catacombs of Paris
47. Walk around the cemetery of Montparnasse
Arrondissements 15 and 16
The 15th arrondissement counts the most inhabitants of Paris. Did you know that there’s a small effigy of the Statue of Liberty right in the middle of Paris? I tell you, there’s always something to learn and discover in Paris! Together with the 7th, the 16th arrondissement is the most expensive residential district in all of France. No wonder the houses look so beautiful here…
48. Take photos of the Statue de la Liberté
49. Walk over the Bir-Hakeim Bridge
50. Take the Metro Line 6 and enjoy the Eiffel Tower view when crossing the Seine River
51. Walk along Île aux Cygnes
52. Enjoy the Eiffel Tower view from the Trocadéro terrace
53. Another amazing viewpoint: Avenue de Camoens
54. Watch a soccer match at the stadium Parc des Princes
Arrondissements 17 and 18
Besides the business district La Défense on the west side of Paris, the 17th arrondissement is where most Parisians go to work. But the 17th is much more than office departments. Especially the new eco-district in Clichy-Batignolles, which focuses on sustainable urban development, is worth a visit. The 18th arrondissement is mostly known for its artistic history of Montmartre and one of the most charming areas in Paris. Here you can stroll around small alleys, sip on your cup of coffee in one of the pretty cafés and soak in the Parisian (and kind of touristy) atmosphere. Especially if you’re visiting Paris in the fall, you can enjoy the charm of this lovely neighborhood.
55. Take a walk in Parc Clichy-Batignolles
56. Stroll around the narrow streets of Montmartre and relax in one of the cute cafés
57. Climb up the stairs to the Basilica Sacré-Coeur
58. Observe the artists at Place du Tertre
59. Take a stop at the pink café La Maison Rose
60. Attend a cabaret show at Moulin Rouge
61. Take a short break at Square Suzanne-Buisson
Arrondissements 19 and 20
The 19th arrondissement is mostly known for its canals and waterways. What about spending some time in one of the beautiful parks this district has to offer? In the 20th arrondissement, which is often referred to as the Quartier Belleville, there is more here than meets the eye. Don’t miss a trip to the cemetery Père Lachaise, where Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison, and Jean de la Fontaine, among others, are buried.
62. Take a walk in Parc de la Villette
63. Visit the Philharmonie de Paris
64. Relax in Parc des Buttes-Chaumont
65. Explore the Quartier de Belleville
66. Discover the tombs of many famous people at Père Lachaise Cemetery
I hope you enjoyed reading my Paris Bucket List and gathered some ideas of things to do for your Parisian adventure. If you need more inspiration on how to plan your upcoming trip, make sure to check out my packing list.
Let me know in the comments down below if your favorite activity is still missing from my Paris bucket list. When is the next time you are going to visit the city of love?
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