The best things to do in Paris – that you won’t find in every guide

💎 Verdict: The best thing to do in Paris (and the world) in 2026

What is it? La Caverne du Pont Neuf is a colossal 120-metre-long installation set to take over Paris’s oldest bridge, the Pont-Neuf, from June 6-28, 2026. 

Why go? We named this artwork the best thing to do on the entire planet in 2026 for a reason. ‘The Cave’ is a nod to artist duo Christo and Jeanne-Claude who wrapped the bridge in 40,000 square metres of golden fabric back in 1985. But this one is a little more high-tech, creating digital layers that mess with your perception of space as you walk through. The ‘skin’ of the sculpture will look like solid rock, but the entire structure will only weigh five tonnes – essentially it will be like a giant, ultra-stable bouncy castle, tied down with weights. 

Don’t miss: If you can’t make it to Paris in June, you can find more of JR’s work at the Perrotin gallery in the Marais from June 5 to August 1. 

Address: Pont Neuf, 75001 Paris

Opening hours: 24-hours a day from June 6-28, 2026

💎 Verdict: This summer’s must-do activity 

What is it? It was rumoured for years, but in 2025, it finally happened – you can now actually go swimming in the River Seine, between July and August in 2026. 

Why go? After a €1.4 billion investment into cleaning up the city’s river, it’s finally been declared safe to swim in without getting sick (for the first time in 102 years, we’ll point out). But that doesn’t mean you can jump in anywhere – head to Bras Marie, Bras de Grenelle or Bercy for changing rooms, showers, beachy furniture and all the rest of it. Around 300 people are expected to be able to visit at one time. 

Don’t miss: It’s perfectly safe, but if the thought makes you squirm, head to one of our favourite (actual) swimming pools in Paris instead. 

Bras Marie: Quai des Célestins, 75004 

Bras de Grenelle: 4 Port de Grenelle, 75015 

Bercy: 183 Quai de Bercy, 75012 

💎 Verdict: The one thing you can’t miss 

What is it? A deli serving the best ham and cheese baguette in the city.

Why go? It may be a tight squeeze inside, but the interiors are charmingly retro, with old-fashioned kitchen scales, vintage enamel advertising signs and yellow tiles on the walls. Take your pick from the mouth-watering menu; think classic Prince de Paris jambon-beurre, smoked chicken baguette and chorizo tortilla.

Don’t miss: The perfect way to eat on the run while rushing to catch a show at the Théâtre de la Bastille.

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Address: 85 Rue de la Roquette, 75011 Paris 

💎 Verdict: Paris’s best art galleries

What is it? Two of the best museums near the Eiffel Tower.

Why go? In the heart of the 16th arrondissement, two museums with equally impressive programmes – but entirely different vibes – face each other. The first, the Palais de Tokyo, combines installations, videos and new-age icons, cementing its status as a temple of contemporary art, while the second, the Musée d’Art Moderne, pays tribute to the Avant-gardistes.

Don’t miss: The exceptional bookshop in the basement of the Palais de Tokyo, which is famed for its selection of titles covering fashion, contemporary art and more.

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Palais de Tokyo: 13 Avenue du Président Wilson, 75116 Paris

Musée d’Art Moderne: 11 Avenue du Président Wilson, 75116 Paris

💎 Verdict: The best famous attraction to visit in Paris

What is it? Our la dame de fer needs no introduction, but we’ll give her one anyway. It took two years to build her (and some 18,000 pieces of metal), and she was once the tallest thing in the entire world – though New York’s Chrysler Building ended up overtaking. 

Why go? The Eiffel Tower is the most quintissentially Parisienne thing you can do – and it’s earned its spot as our top tourist attraction in the city. On a clear day, the views are fantastic, and it’s in a great spot for a day of sightseeing. We’ll say it now: tourist attractions don’t get much better than this!

Don’t miss: The view of the Iron Lady from one of our favourite rooftop bars in the city, Ombres. 

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Address: Champ de Mars, 5 Avenue Anatole France, 75007 Paris

💎 Verdict: Best classic bistro lunch

What is it? An elegant, old-school bistro serving fuss-free French cuisine.

Why go? At this excellent Right Bank spot, the charismatic maître d’ perches behind a bar and advises punters on the best red to enjoy with their confit beef cheeks (or whatever else they order). It’s perfect for Sunday lunch, a boozy dinner with mates, or even a solo trip. However you do it, you’ll savour every single bite.

Don’t miss: You won’t find sausage and mash like this anywhere else, so loosen your top button and dig in.

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Address: 136 Rue du Faubourg Poissonnière, 75010 Paris

Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday 12pm-2.30pm, 7.30pm-10pm, closed Sunday and Monday

💎 Verdict: The best flea market in Paris

What is it? A huge flea market spread across seven hectares, made up of twelve covered markets and five shopping streets. 

Why go? Calling this place a market doesn’t do it justice. This is more accurately described as a shopping universe – noticeable via its flying saucer-shaped structure (the Maison Futuro) under the main glass roof. The market is open from Friday to Monday and until 6pm on weekends, so plan to spend the whole day if you can.

Don’t miss: The tightly packed lanes of Marché Vernaison, perhaps the most authentic corner of the whole market.

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Address: 110 Rue des Rosiers, 93400 Saint-Ouen

Opening hours: Friday 8am-12pm, Saturday-Sunday 10am-6pm, Monday 11am-5pm

💎 Verdict: The best shop to visit in Paris

What is it? A cheese shop that’s been serving the best of Paris-made fromage since 2017. 

Why go? Pierre Coulon, a former employee of Androuet and a connoisseur of local cheese, has been turning organic milk into palate-pleasing delicacies at the heart of Goutte d'Or for a while now. La Laiterie produces exceptional soft cheeses, such as a Saint-Félicien with raw cream, a Brillat-Savarin made with triple cream, or a Labat crafted with Breton goat milk... You can also find cheeses from small local producers, aged on-site, and a Normandy camembert from Pierre’s farm in the city of the same name.

Time Out tip: As of April 2025, it’s actually illegal to bring home cheese from Paris if you live in the UK. So make sure you devour it all before you get your Eurostar. 

Address: 74 Rue des Poissonniers, 75018 Paris

💎 Verdict: The best thing to do with kids in Paris

What is it? A nineteenth-century amusement park offering fun for all ages, found in the very pretty Bois de Bologne. 

Why go? With 42 attractions, including flying boats and rides titled Speed Rockets and Crazy Frogs, the Jardin d'Acclimatation will surely please thrill-seekers. Smaller kids can waddle around the paddling pool or frolic in the Dry Fountain and Bear's Den, while nature lovers can enjoy a boat ride on the Enchanted River, and there's even a farm with pony rides.

Don’t miss: If you have tickets to the neighbouring Fondation Louis Vuitton, you can access the Jardin d'Acclimatation for free (excluding attractions).

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Address: Carrefour des Sablons, Bois de Boulogne, 75116 Paris

Opening hours: Monday-Friday 11am-6pm, Wednesday-weekends

💎 Verdict: Best free thing to do 

What is it? Undoubtedly the world’s best-known graveyard.

Why go? For those who enjoy immersive, unusual places, Père-Lachaise is a must. It’s also beautifully picturesque: a vast, shaded labyrinth with snaking hillside paths and pretty stone stairs. In this maze, you’ll find graves belonging to a long list of cultural icons including Edith Piaf, Jim Morrison and Oscar Wilde. 

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Address: 16 Rue du Repos, 75020 Paris 

Opening hours: Monday-Friday 8am-6pm, Saturday 8.30am-6pm, Sunday and public holidays 9am-6pm (summer hours)

💎 Verdict: Best museum in Paris

What is it? The largest and most visited museum not just in Paris but in the entire world – which you’ve got many, many options for visiting. 

Why go? With over 35,000 pieces on display, it would be impossible to feel like you’ve ‘completed’ the Louvre in just one visit. Instead, we’d suggest trying one of the niche tours of the museum, like a feminist tour, a comedy tour. 

Don’t miss: Have your very own Night at the Museum experience, with evening tours starting at 6.30pm on a Friday evening.

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Address: Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris

💎 Verdict: Best outdoor activity

What is it? The place to be during the summer months (running from July 22 - August 16, 2026). 

Why go? Spread out over 35 hectares, this is the largest of Paris’s parks, and every summer it hosts an annual open-air cinema festival. There’s always a good vibe, and yes, we have witnessed a crowd of more than 2,000 get up and dance beneath the stars at the end of Grease. Tourists, don’t fear: English films are shown in their original language, with French subtitles. The best part? It’s completely and utterly free to visit. 

Don’t miss: Bring a picnic with you for park chilling beforehand, and then round off the night at beach-style nightclub Plage du Glazart, which is kitted out with sand and deckchairs.

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Address: 211 Avenue Jean Jaurès, 75019 Paris

Opening hours: Films shown at nightfall

💎 Verdict: Our favourite Eiffel Tower view in Paris

What is it? A seasonal rooftop bar on the top floor of the Musée du Quai Branly, with impressive views of the Eiffel Tower.

Why go? Bringing together the genius of Margot Lecarpentier (from Combat) and superstar chef Alain Ducasse, Les Ombres is well-loved by cocktail enthusiasts. The space itself is magnificent: cocktails are sipped on a rather nice terrace on the roof of the Musée du Quai Branly, with close-up views of the Eiffel Tower.

Don’t miss: Try the white Negroni, which is as masterful as it is unexpected thanks to the clever addition of green olive.

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Address: 27 Quai Jacques Chirac, 75007 Paris

Opening hours: Daily 5pm-10pm

💎 Verdict: The best bakery in Paris

What is it? A tiny, chaotic bakery in Abbesses, with inconvenient opening hours and bread scattered everywhere, where you might just taste the best bread you’ve ever had. 

💎 Verdict: The most unique thing to do in Paris

What is it? An old network of railway lines has been transformed into the perfect romantic walk.

Why go? Built 150 years ago, La Petite Ceinture is almost 32km long. A public transport network until 1934, it was then used to transport goods until the late 1970s. Untouched for years, it has been cut up and transformed into various distinct sections, much like New York’s High Line.

Don’t miss: Grabbing evening drinks at The Recyclerie, a bar at the former Boulevard Ornano station.  

Address: Multiple access points through 12th-20th arrondissements

Opening hours: officially open sections accessible daily,  mostly 9am-8pm 

💎 Verdict: Best for living like a local

What is it? A small food market that feels like – and is? – the ‘real’ Paris.  

Why go? This historic Parisian market takes its name from the Enfants Rouges (Red Children) orphanage, which was built in the 16th century and closed down just before the revolution. We recommend Enfants du Marché, but don’t expect starched white tablecloths, veggie-friendly options, and discrete service: more of a market counter than a restaurant, food is enjoyed standing at the bar (there’s no ceiling, so expect to be chilly in winter) and accompanied by the charismatic and cheeky presence of Michael Grosman, maître d', sommelier, and winner of Best Host in Paris at the Time Out Food and Drink Awards. Chef Shunta Suzuki’s hearty, meaty dishes are as delightful as they are pricey: think iconic Groix mussels in a gorgonzola sauce, tempura brains (don’t be afraid), and more. 

Don’t miss: You’re slap bang in the middle of the Marais, one of our top picks for places to stay in Paris, so once you’ve paid l’addition, take a stroll around the area. 

Address: 39 Rue de Bretagne, 75003 Paris

💎 Verdict: Best for young adults

What is it? A former coal station turned music hotspot, where most tickets sit between €10-15. 

Why go? Since 2016, La Station (originally meant to be open for just six months) has been impressing us with its adventurous programming, which covers both rock and electronic music. Concerts, parties, and installations shake up the impressive (and enormous) space, which was once the Parisian hub for coal coming in from the north, and the atmosphere aims to be as relaxed and inclusive as the programme is cutting-edge. An essential stop on a night out in Paris.

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Address: 29 Avenue de la Porte d'Aubervilliers, 75018 Paris

💎 Verdict: Best for foodies

What is it? Michelin-starred chef Bertrand Grébaut’s unique restaurant venture in Faubourg Saint-Antoine, and one of the best restaurants in Paris.

Why go? Septime's classy setting – which, with its weathered wooden tables, blackened steel, and soft lighting, is reminiscent of a London gastropub – has not aged a bit since it opened in 2011. Nor has Bertrand Grébaut’s Michelin-starred cooking, which remains sharp and pioneering: highlights of the seven-course tasting menu (€135) include braised sucrine lettuce with a wafer-thin slice of bacon, tender scallops paired with bone marrow and brilliant grilled veal sweetbreads with harissa accompanied by couscous broth, arguably the high point of the meal. To enjoy these dishes to their fullest potential, the intelligent, well-travelled and perfectly calibrated wine pairing (€75) is pretty much essential.

Don’t miss: Book early, as it can fill up a year in advance. If you can’t get a table, try Septime La Cave next door.

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Address: 80 Rue de Charonne, 75011 Paris

What is it? One of Paris’s biggest and best art galleries, which reopened in 2025 after four years’ (and €466 million) worth of restorations – to fill the Centre Pompidou-shaped hole in your heart. 

Why go? Well firstly, because you can. And because it looks brand-spanking-new – the central nave and its surrounding galleries have been completely revamped, and there’s a brand-new pedestrian entrance. But thirdly, the Grand Palais will now hold works from Paris’s iconic Centre Pompidou, which will stay closed until some time in 2030. 

Don’t miss: Save some time to wander through its gardens – there’s around 60,000 new plants to admire. 

Address: 3 Avenue du Général Eisenhower, 75008 Paris

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday 9.30am-8pm (Fridays until 10.30pm). Last admission 45 minutes before closing

💎 Verdict: Our favourite shop in Paris

What is it? The city’s best-looking concept store.

Why go? In a light-filled building at the end of a courtyard on the Boulevard Beaumarchais, Merci brings together a range of top designers and stylists across three floors. On offer? Everything from clothes, jewellery, and perfumes to stationery, furniture, and home decor. With a bit of searching, you can find items that don’t cost an arm and a leg, and a portion of the profits goes to the Merci endowment fund, which funds social, educational, and environmental projects in Madagascar and France.

Don’t miss: Enjoy a modern take on Parisian bistro classics at The Used Book Café, a cosy, book-lined spot within Merci.

Address: 111 Boulevard Beaumarchais, 75003 Paris

💎 Verdict: Our favourite cocktail bar in Paris

What is it? A homey cocktail bar run by Elena Schmitt and Margot Lecarpentier (formerly of Experimental Cocktail Club).

Why go? Perched atop Belleville hill, Combat’s cocktails are punchy and well-balanced. We also like their bar snacks, especially the terrine, prepared by Repaire de Cartouche chef Rodolphe Paquin and served with pickles and pain de campagne.

Don’t miss: Parc de Belleville across the road for unbeatable views. Check out our full neighbourhood guide to Belleville for more recommendations. 

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Address: 63 Rue de Belleville, 75019 Paris

Opening hours: Wednesday-Monday 6pm‑2am, closed Tuesday. Sunday closes at midnight

💎 Verdict: Best hidden gem

What is it? One of the few listed swimming pools in Paris, the Butte-aux-Cailles pool is a true pioneer of Parisian bathing culture.

Why go? Its red brick façade hints at Art Nouveau, while inside, the vaulted ceiling and large arches give it an almost ecclesiastical feel. Best of all: the water is naturally warm, drawn from artesian wells. Renovated in the early 2010s, this gleaming pool features a 33-metre indoor pool and a 25-metre outdoor pool open year-round, with a timeless, almost otherworldly atmosphere.

Don’t miss: The outdoor area also includes a paddling pool and a solarium.

Address: 5 Place Paul-Verlaine, 75013 Paris

Opening hours: Tuesday 7-9pm, Wednesday-Friday 7-8.30am, 11.30am-6pm, Saturday 10.30am-8.30pm, Sunday 8am-6pm, closed Monday