The Best Things to Do in Paris that You Need to Book Now
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Paris is one of my favorite cities to visit, a cultural capital brimming with so many things to do.
The city has a fascinating array of museums, historical sites, and attractions, ensuring that you’ll never be bored during your time there.
BUT VISITORS TO PARIS ROUTINELY ENCOUNTER TWO MAJOR CHALLENGES.
The first is deciding where to dedicate your precious time when building your Paris itinerary.
The second, and lately more anxiety-inducing, is making advance arrangements for those Paris experiences that seem to be at the top of every traveler’s must-visit list.
The truth is, a lot of the most popular Paris attractions sell out weeks or even months in advance – rewarding advance planners, and leaving last-minute travelers scrambling for alternatives.
I’ve been visiting Paris annually for the last six years, and I’ve noticed a distinct increase in the volume of tourists in the last few years.
That might be due to the city’s time in the spotlight as host of the 2024 Summer Olympics, or an add-on effect of France being the most visited country in the world.
Either way, during our latest visit to Paris this past spring, I found myself firmly in the camp of last-minute travelers, scrambling and scheming to find a way into a sold-out Louvre and other major attractions.
SO I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT A LIST OF THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN PARIS THAT WILL REQUIRE A BIT OF ADVANCE PLANNING.
Read on to learn which Paris experiences are my favorites, as well as a few of the best experience providers to book with, well in advance.
Famous Attractions in Paris That Sell Out Quickly
The exterior of the Louvre, with its iconic glass pyramid.
Musée d’Orsay’s interior, which used to be a train station.
Louvre Museum
THE LOUVRE IS THE LARGEST ART MUSEUM IN THE WORLD, AND THE BUSIEST ATTRACTION IN PARIS.
It’s home to a breathtaking collection of works, but none is quite as notorious as Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.
The museum sells tickets on a timed entry system, and while booking ahead of time is always wise, in the summer months it becomes a necessity.
The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays, and open for extended evening hours on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Understandably, the weekends are quite busy, and some say Mondays are, too, due to the Palace of Versailles being closed that day.
YOU CAN EXPLORE THE LOUVRE ON YOUR OWN, WITH THE AUDIO GUIDE, BUT I OFTEN FIND IT TO BE OVERWHELMING.
If you’re an art enthusiast who loves to understand the context and history behind key works, then joining a guided tour or hiring a private guide is the best way to experience the Louvre.
Best Louvre Museum tours to book:
Eiffel Tower
Climbing the Eiffel Tower is probably the most obvious thing to do in Paris.
Its summit access is especially popular, and the most desirable timed-entry slots can disappear quickly during high season.
THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE IF YOU’RE HOPING TO VISIT AROUND SUNSET.
Visitors can choose between elevator access or stairs access, though elevator tickets are usually the most convenient option and often the first to go.
There are also restaurant experiences inside the Eiffel Tower, like Madame Brasserie, which require even more advance planning.
IF THIS IS YOUR FIRST TRIP TO PARIS, DON’T MAKE THE MISTAKE OF ASSUMING THAT YOU CAN WALK UP AND BUY THE EXACT TICKET YOU WANT ONCE YOU ARRIVE.
Instead, decide whether you want summit access, second-floor access, a guided experience, or a restaurant reservation, and book well before you leave for Paris.
Best Eiffel Tower tours to book:
Palace of Versailles
The Palace of Versailles routinely captures the imaginations of visitors, with its gilded grandeur and massive gardens.
Its location about 20 kilometers (12 miles) outside of Paris makes it a great choice for a day trip, though many visitors only dedicate half a day to the Palace.
DECIDE WHICH TYPE OF VERSAILLES EXPERIENCE YOU WANT BEFORE VISITING.
In addition to the Palace, visitors can tour the Estate of Trianon, which includes the private residences of the Grand Trianon and Petit Trianon, as well as the Queen’s Hamlet, a rustic village built for Maire Antoinette.
Beyond these breathtaking structures, the grounds and gardens are full of impressive landscape architecture, fountains, and activities, like paddle boating.
ALL OF THESE EXPERIENCES COULD EASILY TAKE AN ENTIRE DAY, AND WOULD BE BEST DONE WITH AN EARLY START.
If you’re interested in a shorter visit, you can limit your visit to just the Palace and the nearest gardens.
JUST BE AWARE THAT VERSAILLES IS CLOSED ON MONDAYS, AND QUITE CROWDED ON SUMMER WEEKENDS.
There are also musical fountain performances that create extra demand and often involve higher ticket prices.
Best Palace of Versailles tours to book:
Musée d’Orsay
Just thinking about Musée d’Orsay makes me swoon. 🥰
Housed in a former train station, this museum’s art collection is dedicated to Impressionism, that rebellious 19th century movement that originated in France.
Though significantly smaller than the Louvre, its popularity continues to grow, and lately, I’ve found Musée d’Orsay to be even more difficult to gain entry to than the Louvre.
IN FACT, DURING OUR RECENT PARIS TRIP OVER EASTER, ALL TIMED ENTRY SLOTS WERE COMPLETELY SOLD OUT.
If you are looking to visit one great art museum in Paris, and you’re turned off by how busy and chaotic the Louvre can be, then I highly recommend a visit to Musée d’Orsay.
They’re closed Monday, though, and if you’re not familiar with Impressionism, be sure to book a guided tour to discover the history of these works.
Best Musée d’Orsay tours to book:
Elevated Paris Experiences Worth Reserving Early
Paris Food Tour
A food tour is a great way to experience the flavors and culture of Paris.
In addition to the city’s vibrant restaurant scene, its bakeries, cheese shops, wine bars, and specialty food stores are not to be missed.
AND THESE ARE PRECISELY THE ESTABLISHMENTS THAT MOST FOOD TOURS WILL INTRODUCE TO YOU.
Depending on your interests, you might book a pastry-focused tour, a cheese and wine tasting tour, a market tour, or a neighborhood food tour in areas like Le Marais, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, or Montmartre.
These tours are usually run in small groups with no more than twenty people, and it's easy to ask the guide questions or strike up a conversation with other travelers.
THE ONLY DOWNSIDE IS THAT THE BEST SMALL-GROUP FOOD TOURS HAVE LIMITED AVAILABILITY.
If you’re visiting during summer or the holidays, be sure to confirm this booking in advance.
Best Paris Food Tours to book:
French Cooking Class
If you’re sold on the idea of a Parisian food experience, but want something a bit more immersive, then I highly recommend a French cooking class.
A cooking class is especially great for travelers who want to learn a skill, connect with a local chef, and leave Paris with more than just a camera roll full of pretty buildings.
Depending on your interests, you can book a croissant class, a macaron workshop, a traditional French cooking class, or even a market tour that ends with a shared meal.
Cooking classes are one of my favorite types of experiences because they give you a real sense of the care and technique behind a destination’s culinary traditions.
SURE, EATING A CROISSANT IN PARIS IS WONDERFUL.
But learning how much butter, folding, chilling, and patience goes into making one gives you an entirely new appreciation for it.
Just like food tours, cooking classes also tend to be small by nature, which means availability can be limited.
WEEKEND AND MORNING CLASSES ARE ESPECIALLY LIKELY TO BOOK UP FIRST, SINCE THEY FIT NEATLY INTO MOST PARIS ITINERARIES.
If a cooking class is high on your list, I would choose your preferred style of class early and plan the rest of that day around it.
Best Paris Cooking Classes to book:
The Best Things to Do in Paris at Night (That Require Reservations)
Seine Dinner Cruise
A Seine dinner cruise may sound a bit touristy, but Paris is, in fact, stunning from the water.
Gliding past the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, and the bridges of Paris during dinner is incredibly romantic and atmospheric.
NOT ALL SEINE CRUISES ARE THE SAME, THOUGH.
There are simple sightseeing cruises, casual lunch cruises, champagne cruises, and more elevated dinner cruises with multi-course meals and live music.
AS A NIGHTTIME ACTIVITY, DINNER CRUISES ARE A GREAT DEPARTURE FROM TRADITIONAL RESTAURANT DINNERS.
The best evening departures tend to book first, especially if you’re hoping for a window seat or a more premium package.
Best Seine Cruises to book:
Moulin Rouge
The Moulin Rouge is one of the most famous cabarets in the world.
Located in Pigalle, beneath its iconic red windmill, the Moulin Rouge has become synonymous with Paris nightlife.
The show combines elaborate costumes, large-scale choreography, feathers, sequins, and plenty of old-school spectacle.
In other words, this is not the evening to book if you’re looking for quiet sophistication.
BUT IF YOU WANT A CLASSIC PARIS NIGHT OUT, IT IS HARD TO FIND A MORE ICONIC OPTION.
Travelers can usually choose between show-only tickets and dinner-and-show tickets, with the dinner option starting earlier in the evening.
I’m not the biggest fan of dinner-and-show options, and would recommend dining on your own and then heading to the show.
As you might expect, weekend performances, dinner packages, and better seating options tend to be more competitive.
You’ll also want to dress up a little, like for any theater performance, so be sure to schedule some time back at the hotel in order to change out of your daytime sightseeing outfit.
Best Moulin Rouge tickets to book:
The Best Day Trips from Paris to Book Ahead
Champagne vineyards in Reims, France.
The water garden at Giverny.
Champagne Day Trip
A Champagne day trip from Paris is one of the best ways to add a little luxury to your itinerary, and it's especially great for food and wine enthusiasts.
THIS IS THE KIND OF EXPERIENCE WHERE I THINK A GUIDED TOUR MAKES A LOT OF SENSE.
Most of these guided tours focus on Reims, Épernay, or a combination of both, with visits to major Champagne houses, smaller producers, and historic cellars.
Technically, you can take the train and piece together your own tastings, but the best part of a Champagne day trip is being able to relax, learn, and taste without constantly checking train times or worrying about transportation between houses.
Small-group tours are especially appealing because they often include more intimate tastings and a better chance to ask questions.
UNSURPRISINGLY, THOSE ARE ALSO THE TOURS THAT TEND TO BOOK UP.
If you’re visiting during harvest season, on a weekend, or during the warmer months, book your Champagne day trip well in advance.
This is not an experience where I would count on finding the perfect tour at the last minute.
Best Champagne Day Trips from Paris to book:
Monet’s Gardens at Giverny
Monet’s Garden at Giverny is one of the most beautiful day trips from Paris, especially for art lovers.
THIS IS WHERE CLAUDE MONET LIVED AND PAINTED FOR DECADES.
The water garden, Japanese bridge, and famous lily pond are the obvious highlights, but the flower garden near the house is just as charming.
Unlike some Paris attractions that are open all year, Giverny is seasonal.
That already creates a narrower window for visiting, and within that window, demand can shift depending on what is in bloom.
Spring and early summer are especially popular, though the gardens remain beautiful throughout the open season.
You can visit independently by taking the train toward Vernon and continuing onward to Giverny, but many travelers prefer to book a guided day trip from Paris to simplify the transportation.
IF SEEING MONET’S GARDENS IS IMPORTANT TO YOU, I WOULD NOT TREAT IT AS A BACKUP PLAN.
Choose your date early, check the seasonal opening period, and decide whether you want to handle the logistics yourself or book a guided tour.
Best Giverny Day Trips from Paris to book:
When to Book Paris Experiences (Before It’s Too Late)
The frustrating thing about booking Paris experiences is that there is no single rule that applies to everything.
Some attractions release tickets on their own schedule, some experiences depend on small-group availability, and some tours simply become more competitive as the travel season approaches.
IN GENERAL, THOUGH, I WOULD BOOK YOUR MUST-DO PARIS EXPERIENCES AS SOON AS YOUR TRAVEL DATES ARE FIRM.
This is especially true if you are visiting in spring, summer, or during the holidays.
It is also true if you have your heart set on a specific time slot, like sunset at the Eiffel Tower, an evening Seine dinner cruise, or a weekend cooking class.
Conclusion
Don’t confuse the fact that Paris has plenty to do with the assumption that Paris always has availability.
The City of Lights rewards spontaneity in people watching at cafés, strolls along the Seine, and niche neighborhood shopping.
But the most popular attractions and the most memorable experiences are a different story.
THOSE OFTEN REQUIRE PLANNING.
My advice is to book the experiences that would genuinely disappoint you to miss, then leave the rest of your itinerary loose.
Paris remains a wonderful city for wandering.
IT’S JUST NO LONGER A WONDERFUL CITY FOR SNAGGING A LAST-MINUTE ATTRACTION OR EXPERIENCE TICKET.
Until next time,
Angela
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