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From enjoying a typical French meal at Le Relais de l’Entrecôte to strolling the peaceful Jardin des Tuileries, this ultimate Paris bucket list has all the spots you need to consider when planning your itinerary.
With its unmatched architecture, famous museums, charming little streets lined with lively cafes, and more bakeries than you could ever try, Paris can be an overwhelming city to visit for the first time.
Even looking up “best things to do in Paris” will probably have you spiraling with how many things there are to see, which museums are actually worth a visit, and which obscure church is worth re-routing for.
So, after visiting Paris over five times, and recently living there for almost three months, I’ve compiled this Paris bucket list to help you easily navigate your first time in the city.
These are the things I truly believe are worth adding to your itinerary as a first-time visitor, depending on how long you have in Paris.
Because while there’s so much to see, you can’t possibly fit it all in a short trip. And if you tried, you would end up running all around the city, without downtime to actually enjoy and live in the city, which I think is more important than visiting all the museums.
So hopefully, this Paris bucket list will help you plan your itinerary wisely, in a way that works best for you, allowing time to sit and people-watch from a cafe or a park bench, in true Parisian form.
Paris Bucket List for 1–2 Days in Paris
There are so many incredible things to do and see, but if you’re only spending 1-2 days in Paris, these are the things I believe are worth prioritizing.
Best view of the Eiffel Tower across the bridge
Starting strong, and a bit obvious, with the first thing you need to have on your Paris bucket list: the Eiffel Tower.
But it’s not as obvious as it seems.
Instead of doing what every Paris first-time visitor does, which is:
- Go straight up to the Eiffel Tower park to try to get a picture from almost underneath the tower (terrible angle and muddy background).
- Go to the Trocadero esplanade, which is packed with other tourists trying to get the same shot, and pushy souvenir sellers.
What you need to do to get the best view and the best pictures of the Eiffel Tower is to cross the bridge “Pont d’Iéna”, from here you’ll get unobstructed, picture-perfect views of the tower.
I do this every time I’m in town, and whenever I show friends or family around Paris.
Visit Musée de l’Orangerie
This might be slightly controversial, but if you only have one or two days in Paris, I wouldn’t necessarily visit the Louvre.
I know, I know, but hear me out: It takes too much time out of the day, and if you’re only going because it’s a famous museum, and you want to see the Mona Lisa, I don’t think it’s worth it.
The only two ways I think it would be worth adding the Louvre to a short Paris visit are:
- If you book a Louvre guided tour of the highlights with skip-the-line access. This way, you get all the information you need in 2 hours, and you don’t waste time waiting in line.
- If there’s a specific section of the Louvre you’re incredibly passionate about.
(Apparently, I really enjoy numbering my arguments now)
If you just wanted to go to the Louvre to tick off one of the many iconic museums in Paris during your short trip, I’d highly recommend visiting Musée de l’Orangerie instead.
This is where you’ll find the museum’s iconic oval rooms, home to Monet’s beautiful Water Lilies series, one of my favorite art exhibitions ever, and one that can very easily take only one hour to visit.
Tip: Skip the audio guide, though; it’s not worth it.
Walk along the Seine
As I mentioned in the introduction, one of the top things to do in Paris is simply to enjoy Paris: walk slowly, look up at the buildings, admire the surroundings, and savor the city.
For this, a walk along the Seine is a must-do for any Paris visitor; it doesn’t matter if it’s your first or your tenth time in the city, walking along the river doesn’t get old.
And the best thing is that you don’t have to go out of your way to do this, simply check this off while moving from one place to another, walk and enjoy the city, instead of ordering an Uber.
Besides giving you a chance to slow down and get incredible views of the city, you never know what you might find along the way.
The book sellers by the Seine have some very interesting items. Last time we found a stand that was selling old historical newspapers. They were really cool!
Explore charming Montmartre
An area you cannot miss when visiting Paris for the first time is the charming and bohemian Montmartre.
I’ll admit it took me a few visits to fully get on board with this, though…
The first few times I visited Paris and headed up to Montmartre, I felt incredibly overwhelmed by the crowds, the obnoxious souvenir sellers, and that main road leading up to Sacré-Cœur lined with cheap trinkets. It felt like a tourist trap.
During the nearly three months I spent living in Paris, I was determined to go back to Montmartre and try to find another angle to it, see what everybody else was talking about. And I found it!
So, if you’re visiting Paris for the first time, definitely go up to Montmartre, enjoy the view from Sacré-Cœur, and then walk away from this area.
Stroll through the charming Rue de l’Abreuvoir, visit the iconic Place du Tertre, walk along Rue des Abbesses lined with cafés and shops, and finally, down Rue des Martyrs, to see a more local side of the neighborhood.
I guarantee that if you do all this, you’ll leave with a much better taste of Montmartre than I did on my first trips to Paris, and you’ll get to see all that charm people always talk about.
Visit the locally-loved Jardin du Palais-Royal
A spot you’ll see a lot on Parisian feeds, without even knowing, is the Jardin du Palais-Royal; more than a park, it feels like a secret garden, a haven for locals to slow down in the middle of the day.
The Jardin du Palais-Royal is quite small, but I love bringing people here as it’s a very “Parisian” place to me, a space where people sit by the pond with a book, or people-watch from a bench.
I just love this little garden so much! And I think it’s a cute, peaceful place to visit for first-time visitors to Paris, especially when you need a break from crowds or busy boulevards.
From here, don’t forget to visit the Colonnes de Buren, for those photogenic black and white columns you see on everyone’s posts.
Get a practical souvenir at the Merci shop
There are so many incredible shops to visit in Paris, from clothing to skincare to unique boutiques, and more.
However, if you only have one or two days in Paris, a good shop to visit to cover a lot of your shopping needs is Merci, a curated shop offering everything from clothing to homeware, stationery, and a whole section of cute Parisian souvenirs.
You might have seen different kinds of colorful totes with the word “Merci” on them out in Paris or on your feed; these are from here, and are a great practical souvenir to get from the trip.
I have a mini one, and I love it!
Their Parisian souvenir section also has some really cute contenders, such as knitted baguette keychains, stickers, pins, cute mugs, and more.
Lunch at Le Relais de l’Entrecôte
An iconic meal to have while in Paris, even if it’s on a short trip, is steak frites, and the best place to enjoy this French classic is at Le Relais de l’Entrecôte.
Le Relais de l’Entrecôte is a dedicated steak frites restaurant. You sit down, and they’ll ask how you want your meat, then immediately you’ll be served a small salad, followed by fries and steak in green sauce.
Everything is so straightforward and so good! And it’s also a great price for value, as it’s a set menu, with a plate refill.
Even when we’ve been in Paris for a short trip, we love to always fit in a lunch or dinner at Le Relais de l’Entrecote, as it’s a classic, good-quality meal, loved by locals and tourists alike.
Stop by Shakespeare and Co.
Visiting Shakespeare and Co. should be on your Paris bucket list if you’re a book lover, and/or have a thing for Midnight in Paris, Hemingway, Picasso, and that whole artistic era.
If you don’t care about any of that, you can probably skip this.
But if you do care, then you should stop by this iconic English bookshop, whose original location was frequented by Hemingway, Fitzgerald, and other literary legends of the time.
The current bookshop location is not the original, but the vibe is still there; super cozy, packed with English books, and there are still spaces inside for writers to work, and people to slow down with a book.
Visit literary cafés in Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Again, if you’re a fan of the Lost Generation and have read Hemingway’s “A Moveable Feast,” you’ll definitely want to add a visit to the historic cafés of Saint-Germain to your Paris bucket list.
Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots are both Parisian icons, where many incredible artists have passed through over the years, including Picasso, Dalí, Hemingway, Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, and more.
If you don’t have the time to grab a table and sit down to enjoy a café, you should at least walk past them to see them. They are so cute!
There’s a Relais de L’Entrecote location right around the corner, so you could kill two birds with one stone and visit both.
Try the iconic Ladurée macarons
Something that you can’t skip while visiting Paris is trying some delicious macarons, and the best ones are from Ladurée.
I’ve tried different popular brands, but I still think Ladurée is the best, with intense flavors and the perfect consistency: crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside.
You’ll find a few of their shops around the city. For a central location, there is one by the Jardin des Tuileries, or there’s also one in Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
Make sure to try the raspberry one, it’s my absolute favorite, the flavor is just so intense. My other two favorite ones are pistachio, salted caramel, and rose.
Eat a perfect crepe at Breizh Café
Because no trip is really complete without trying some local food, even if you’re only there for one or two days, you need to try a crepe, and the best ones are at Breizh Café.
This is an easy stop to add to your itinerary as a lunch option for either one of the days, and you can easily fit it in, as there are a few Breizh locations around Paris.
The crepes here are the best ones I’ve had in Paris, and I’ve tried many. They are simple, classic, but you can taste the high-quality ingredients.
They are just so good, and one of my favorite places to eat in Paris on a budget, so I always visit when in town, and I love taking friends and family here, as it’s always a hit.
Stroll through Jardin des Tuileries
Another unmissable spot for someone visiting Paris for the first time, for one or two days, is the Jardin des Tuileries.
This central park is like the Jardin du Palais Royal, a calm place for locals to go wind down, sit by the pond, and read a book, but on a larger scale.
Located next to the Louvre, this is a spot you’ll inevitably come across; however, I think it’s worth it to take the time to stroll through it a little bit, to feel what Parisian life really feels like.
Here you’ll find lots of public spaces to sit and enjoy your surroundings, so it’s also a great place to take a break from exploring and being on your feet all day.
Visit the Louvre (maybe)
Again, as I mentioned at the beginning of this 1-2 day in Paris section, I wouldn’t necessarily visit the Louvre if I only had two days in Paris.
If you really want to add it to the itinerary (which I also understand, you’re already here), I think the best way to do it is with a guided tour.
Most people underestimate just how massive the Louvre is. There are more than 400 rooms. It would probably take you days or months to see everything the Louvre houses.
If you visit it alone, as I did the one time I’ve been, it’s an incredibly overwhelming experience, especially if you’re trying to be efficient with your time.
For that, I’d recommend booking a guided tour of the Louvre highlights, that way you’re in faster, you see the main works of art, and then you can leave after almost two hours, without spending the whole day getting lost inside the museum.
Book your guided tour before it sells out:
Admire the Cathédrale Notre-Dame
Another iconic location that you shouldn’t miss during your first time in Paris is the Notre-Dame Cathedral.
Visiting the inside of the Cathedral is free; you just need to make sure to book your spot in advance.
I’m not sure how long the wait to go in would be, even with the booking, as I generally hate waiting in line, so if I only had two days in Paris, I’d prefer to sit down outside and enjoy the view of the Cathedral.
However, I do remember, when visiting many years ago, that the inside of it is also quite impressive. So if you want to squeeze this into your short trip, make sure you book your timed slot to avoid waiting in line too long.
Take a boat tour along the Seine
Something that’s on everyone’s Paris bucket list is a boat tour along the Seine, and for good reason; it’s a great way to see the city, and if you take it at sunset, it’s just so dreamy.
The thing with most Paris boat tours is that the departure point is somewhere close to the Eiffel Tower, which is a bit far away from the city center, and can make the day feel rushed if you need to get all the way across town.
For this, I’d recommend this Paris boat tour along the Seine, which departs close to Notre Dame Cathedral, making it a much more central and convenient meeting point, especially if you’re on a tight schedule.
Fear not, you’ll still get to see the Eiffel Tower.
We had this as our office Christmas party last year, and it was amazing seeing the Eiffel Tower sparkle from the water, with a glass of prosecco in hand. 5/5 would recommend!
Book your evening river cruise before it sells out:
Extra Paris Bucket List Experiences If You Have 3–5 Days
These additional items are all things I love to do in Paris, and that are great for a first-time visitor; however, if you’re only spending 1-2 days, I wouldn’t necessarily be rushing all over the city to accomplish all of these.
These extra activities are great to add to a 3-5 day Paris itinerary, where you can spread out your time in the city and tick off other unique attractions at an enjoyable pace.
Sip a decadent hot chocolate at Carette
If you’re visiting during the winter months, you’ll surely have hot chocolate on your mind, especially those iconic, whipped cream-topped, Parisian hot chocolates you see all over your feed. Those are from Carette, a historic Parisian pastry house.
After putting off Carette for so long, and finally trying it this last winter, I do have to admit that their iconic hot chocolate is delicious, pricey, but delicious!
I was ready for this to be an overpriced tourist trap, but the quality is there; even the croissant was perfect.
The place is incredibly popular, though, so you can always expect a line. This is why I wouldn’t recommend this for a short Paris trip, but if you have more than 2 days, and really want to try that velvety hot chocolate, it’s worth a try.
For a shorter wait time, make sure to visit the location in Le Marais.
Shop the foodie aisles of La Grande Épicerie
La Grande Épicerie is Paris’ dream spot for foodies: a massive gourmet food market where you can buy anything from paté to French cheeses, wines, butter, salted caramel, and so much more.
I love La Grande Épicerie, and while I wish every foodie traveler would visit, it’s quite a detour from the main attractions. So I would only really make the effort to go here if you have more than 2 days in Paris… and some luggage space available.
If you’re making it all the way to La Grande Épicerie, make sure to also stop by Le Bon Marché, a beautiful department store next door.
Visit the beautiful Musée d’Orsay
Another spot that’s worth adding to a longer Paris itinerary is Musée d’Orsay, a smaller museum housed inside an old railway station.
I would recommend adding this to a longer stay, OR even swapping it for the Louvre during a shorter stay in Paris, as this museum is smaller and easy to explore within 2-3 hours, and the building itself is also beautiful.
My favorite part of this museum is its incredible impressionist and post-impressionist exhibition, with many works by Manet, Monet, Cézanne, Renoir, Van Gogh, and more.
A must for museum lovers visiting Paris for the first time, or second… or third. I love this museum so much, I think I’ve been back about four times.
Discover the local cuisine with a food tour
After visiting Paris so many times, I’ll confess that the food was always a bit of a problem. I didn’t know what to eat or where to eat it.
And even though I learned and discovered a lot during my multiple visits, on my last stay in Paris, I decided to take a food tour, just to see what I thought of it. And it was a game-changer!
If you have 3-5 days in the city, I think a Paris food tour is a great way to get an introduction to French cuisine, learn more about what the French eat and how. And you can always get extra recommendations from your guide, which helps a lot!
I took this Le Marais food tour, and I loved it! I think it’s a great Paris food tour for first-time visitors as the menu covers a lot of classics: an incredible Croque Monsieur, high-quality French cheeses, wine, macarons, chocolate, and more.
Admire the Art Nouveau ceiling of the Galeries Lafayette
A spot that tends to be recommended to every first-time visitor to Paris is the Galeries Lafayette.
While the building is beautiful and unique, I don’t think a first-time visitor with 48 hrs in Paris should be rushing to this department store just to see the ceiling and then rush out to continue with their itinerary.
However, if you do have more time to explore slowly, then I think it’s worth it to stop by this uniquely Parisian department store to admire its beautiful Art Nouveau architecture. And if you have the time, also do some shopping while you’re there.
Not necessarily a bucket list item, but while you’re in the area, and looking for more unique things to do in Paris, stop by the Maison Louvard bakery to try their viral “crookie“; half cookie, half croissant—it’s delicious!
Visit the opulent Opera Garnier
The Opera Garnier is a place I only just visited now during my last trip to Paris, as I never considered it worth squeezing into a short trip, where I normally prefer to simply enjoy the city.
And after visiting and being really impressed by this incredible building, I kept my original thought.
While being an incredible work of art, I don’t think a traveler with only 1-2 days in Paris should rush to the Opera Garnier. Instead, if you have the extra couple of days, then I think it’s more worth it to add this historic spot to your itinerary.
To visit the Opera Garnier, you need to book your tickets online in advance, and you can opt for a self-guided tour or a guided one.
Wandering around Le Marais
An area I didn’t really explore during my first trips to Paris and only recently dove into is Le Marais.
While I wish I had visited sooner, I also understand that as a first-time traveler to Paris, you want to see all the iconic sights: the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the Jardin des Tuileries, and not necessarily the quiet little streets.
However, if you have more than 2 days in Paris, I think it’s so worth it to spend some time wandering around the trendy Le Marais to see a more chill, local pace of life.
This neighborhood is packed with lively cafes, restaurants, great shops, some of the best coffee shops in Paris, and lots of locally loved spots that get busy after work hours.
It’s a very different vibe from other areas of Paris, and a nice contrast to the touristy vibes around Trocadero, for example.
Final thoughts on the ultimate Paris bucket list
While the list of Paris bucket list items could be never-ending, with everyone considering different things absolute “musts,” I think this post is a good curated version of the actual highlights of Paris.
As someone who has visited over five times now, lived there for almost three months, and has helped many friends and family plan their itineraries to the city, these are the top things that I think every first-time visitor should cover when visiting Paris.
All this with the intention of ticking off some big Paris items, while still allowing downtime to explore the city slowly, spend time at cafés, and truly get a feel of the city.
I’m not a big fan of running around the city checking off every single activity possible. I don’t think that leaves you with the best memory of a trip.
So I hope this Paris bucket list helps you narrow down your priorities and ease the planning anxiety for such a big, iconic city.
If you cover some of these must-see items, and spend the rest of the days eating good food, hopping around coffee shops, and drinking some wine in the evenings, I can guarantee you’ll have a great time in Paris, and do the city justice.
Which bucket list items are you looking forward to checking out, and which ones would you skip? Let us know in the comments.