Discover The Top 10 Must-Do Activities in Paris – Iconic Sights & Hidden Gems

There's a lot to do in Paris, from a VIP dinner cruise to climbing the Eiffel Tower to visiting the Louvre to tasting cheese in a cheese-aging cellar. How do you choose what to do in your limited time here? This list should help — the most-booked activities in the City of Light by Paris Insiders Guide travelers.

#1. Bateaux Parisiens VIP Dinner Cruise

No wonder this is travelers' favorite. A two-and-a-half-hour, slow cruise along the world's most beautiful river with all the famous monuments lit up and visible from your window table. The four-course dinner includes a variety of wines, coffee and champagne. The view and the leisurely pace are fantastic. There's nothing to do but to take in the many aspects of this beautiful city as the sun sets. Be sure to choose the Service Privilege option for the best seating, best meal, and the ultimate experience. Did we mention the champagne?

#2. Dinner Cruise by Maxim's of Paris

We think you're going to love this new dinnertime cruise that joins the Seine River with Maxim's of Paris, the Belle Époque bistro that debuted at the 1900 Paris Exposition. On this evening cruise you'll dine on specialties made famous at the historic bistro as you admire the lights of the city. With VIP treatment, including guaranteed window seating for the best views, you'll be immersed in an unforgettable romantic atmosphere. Travelers are are raving about the delicious meal, live jazz and friendly service.

#3. Versailles Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Entry

There's no better place to experience the majesty of Louis XIV's France than the royal estate at Versailles — the stunning chateau, magnificent gardens, the fountains, the stunning Hall of Mirrors. It's an experience not to miss. This tour begins in central Paris where you meet your driver for a small-group (maximum eight people), priority-access visit to Versailles. A professional guide introduces you to the best rooms in the chateaux, including Hall of Mirrors and the Royal Apartments. There is still plenty of time for you to explore the amazing gardens.

#4. Louvre Masterpieces Skip-the-Line Tour

Nearly 10 million people visit the Louvre every year, and that means there are always long lines. As we've said many times, the only way to guarantee getting past the worst of those lines is by booking a small-group, skip-the-line guided tour. And this popular activity in Paris does exactly that.

Your guide leads you inside for a 2½ hour tour of the best of the Louvre, the artwork that you really don't want to miss. The great thing is that afterwards you can spend as much additional time in the museum as you wish. It's the only way to visit this über-popular museum. Mona doesn't stand in line!

#5. Day Trip to Champagne with Cellar Visits & Tastings

This day trip is the stuff of dreams — visiting the magical Land of Bubbly. You are picked up at your hotel and whisked off on a small-group tour to the Champagne country, only an hour or so from Paris. There you view the vineyards, visit the famous cathedral of Reims, and visit one of the major champagne houses, including a chance to see the famous limestone caves.

Lunch is at a typical regional restaurant and, in the afternoon, you visit a small family producer of champagne. You're back at your hotel in time for dinner in Paris. It makes for a long and lovely day.

#6. Cheese & Wine Tasting in a Paris Cheese Cellar

In Paris, the top cheese sellers (fromagères) also age their cheeses in special cheese caves beneath their stores. This unique & unusual tour is led by a Master Affineur, who ages and sells cheese. You not only get to taste some of the most famous cheese of France, but you learn about their history, production techniques, and which wines to drink with them.

#7. A Taste of Montmartre Cheese, Wine & Pastry Tour

Montmartre, the quartier on the hill is famous for its cobblestone streets, café and terraces, and also for the bohemian crowd who once lived here. Today, it's also famous for its food shops. Join a food-expert guide for a walking tour of the historic district to taste some of the best of French cuisine — cheeses, charcuterie, pastries, and chocolate paired with French wine.

#8. Dinner at Madame Brasserie on the Eiffel Tower

It's one thing to visit the Eiffel Tower; it's another thing to book a table for an elegant dinner on the Iron Lady. The views from Madame Brasserie, 200 feet above Paris, are hard to beat. What an evening: you skip the long Eiffel Tower lines, admire the city lights from above, and dine on an elegant & classic multi-course meal prepared by Michelin chef Thierry Marx.

#9. Skip the Lines at the Eiffel Tower

Speaking of popular — the Eiffel Tower is the world's busiest monument and another place where you really want to skip the lines. That's why a priority-access Eiffel Tower tour is a Paris essential. You'll be smiling to yourself as your guide walks you past the long lines to the priority-access area.

Eiffel Tower tickets are released only three months in advance, so you want to book your tour right at 90 days before you arrive. These tours are very popular (and rightly so), so be sure to book as soon as you can.

#10 TIE. Paris Wine Tasting Lunch with a Sommelier

You really can't visit Paris without tasting French wine. The professional sommeliers on these fun and informal wine tastings cover a lot of wine territory and deliver an extensive tasting of wines in a charming wine bar smack in the center of Paris. We prefer the wine, cheese & charcuterie option that includes champagne.

#10 TIE. Bateaux Parisiens Gourmet Lunch Cruise

After a busy morning sightseeing, hop on a bateau for a relaxing, casual, and affordable 3-course lunch cruise. A Seine river cruise is an essential activity, so why not combine it with a leisurely lunch. Enjoy A glass of wine as you watch the monuments of Paris drift by — from the Louvre to Île de la Cité. Be sure to choose the Service Premier option for the ultimate experience.

Have The Best Time Ever In Paris !

Paris offers endless experiences, but here we curated the top 10 activities that we think you absolutely should not miss. Whether it's your first visit or your tenth, these highlights will give you the ultimate Parisian experience. From admiring the iron-knit Eiffel Tower and strolling through the art-filled galleries of the Louvre, to discovering charming neighborhoods like Montmartre, our suggestions includes the city's most iconic landmarks mixed in with lesser-known treasures. Whether you're a culture buff, history lover, or simply looking to soak in the magic of Paris, these top activities ensure a longlasting memory.