Top Ten Things To Do In Paris

Having been in Paris last summer I though it would be interesting to share my top ten favorite things to do in the city of love and lights.

Like any top ten list, it is very subjective. A lot depends on what you personally like to do, and on the time you gave to get to know Paris.

Since my trip was for only 6 days, I was rather limited in the number of things that I could do, and my top ten list reflects this. Also, keep in mind that I love walking! There is no better way to get to know a city than to walk its streets and discover little know corners.

Having said all this, lets start the list of the top ten things to do in Paris.

The Eiffel Tower in number 1 on my top ten list of thing to do in Paris.

I was lucky enough to have visited the Eiffel Tower on a beautiful summer day in June, so the wait wasn´t too bad and the view was just breathtaking. The view of the Seine River and the Trocadéro from atop the Eiffel Tower doesn´t leave anyone indifferent.

Within walking distance from the Eiffel Tower is the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs Elysees. The reason I ranked the Arc de Triomphe second on the list was because of the great views of Paris, especially the view of the Eiffel Tower.

I recommend that you visit the Arc de Triomphe during sunset and at the beginning of the night. This way you can get a night view of the Eiffel Tower which gives it a very special effect.

Following the visit to the Arc de Triomphe I recommend a walk down the Champs Elysees. There are many coffee shops, restaurants and shops to visit during the long walk to the center of Paris. Take your time, enjoy the sights and wear good walking shoes!

If I am not mistaken, The Louvre is the most visited world attraction. The Louvre has some of the most famous paintings and sculptures in the world, with works that cover several millenniums. The Venus de Milo and the Mona Lisa are just two of the better known exhibits. You can´t miss these two masterpieces, they are the ones with hundreds of people around gathering.

Plan to spend a whole day at the Louvre. Start early and also walk the park before the actual museum entrance. Be prepared for long lines to get in, but they move fast. The museum itself is huge, with several floors and wings, so be prepared to do lots of walking.

Although I am not really religious, I enjoy visiting churches and cathedrals, and Notre Dame is one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the world.

You can visit the inside of the cathedral for free where the splendid tall windows of stained glass stand out.

To visit the towers and go all the way to the top you use a side entrance and have to pay an entrance fee. The views from the top are just incredible, and get a close look at the gargoyle sculptures.

The Cathedral of Notre Dame is uniquely located in the middle of the Seine River.

The Sacred Heart Basilica is number 5 on my list of the top ten things to do in Paris (I told you I like churches). It is located at the highest point of the city. You can visit both the tower and dungeon of the Basilica.

After visiting the Basilica you should walk down the long narrow street bustling with shops and people before getting back to the city center.

I guess this one really depends on your age, but even if you are not into bar hopping, a leisurely stroll in the Bastille area at night will show you a different side of Paris.

Highly recommend you visit this part of down after the sun goes down.

La Defense, with its tall and modern buildings, shows you a different side of Paris.

La Defense is the business district of Paris.

From the top of the modern version of the Arc de Triomphe found in La Defense you can see all the way to the "original" Arc.

La Defense is also full of shopping and budget eating options.

To get to La Defense you need to ride the metro line all the way to the end.

The River Siene crosses the city of Paris and offers a different view of many of the city´s most famous landmarks. From a river cruise you get to see the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame from a whole new perspective.

I would recommend a sunset cruises and you can even opt-for a dinner cruise.

You will find there are many cruise companies and options to choose from.

Since I was in Paris for less than one week, I did not include too many museums on my "things to do list", and only went to the Louvre and the Musée du quai Branly, having said this, the Musee d´Orsay is a must see for all who like sculptures and impressionist art.

Is going to an Iron Maiden concert a top ten things to do in Paris? Probably not, but it made my list because that was the reason I actually took this trip to Paris.

The show was at the Bercy, which seats about 17 thousand fans. While the concert was great, I must admit that the French Iron Maiden enthusiasts do not stack up to the Portuguese counterparts.

So, while Paris is a great city to visit, if you want to attend an awesome concert I suggest you drop by Portugal instead ;-)

So that sums up my list of the top ten things to do in Paris.

Like I said, its based on a 5 to 6 day trip, and with has lots of my personal opinion and some humor trown in.

How different would your top ten things to do in Paris list be from my?