The best things to do—and the top things to avoid—in Paris. Plus, the best hotels, restaurants, and tips for a memorable vacation. All curated by a trusted Fodor’s writer based in the French capital.
After 20 years of living and writing in Paris, I sometimes feel I’ve only just scratched the surface. Beauty that she is, Paris is so much more than skin deep, and a single visit, as lovers of Paris well know, is a tantalizing toe dip into an ocean of possibility. Certain sights are a must—the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Musée d’Orsay, the Louvre, Notre Dame—but to feel the deeper essence of Paris, do what Parisians do: splurge at a great restaurant, cycle through the city, or stroll the parks, catch a concert, opera, ballet or jazz festival, and seek out the rarer cultural gems. As world capitals go, Paris is compact and easy to cover on foot, so budget some unstructured time to just wander, dream, discover, and be inspired.
