The Ultimate Paris Bucket List including Eiffel Tower, Museums, Palaces, and Restaurants
1. Afternoon Picnic at the Eiffel Tower
Skip the $300 meal at the top of the Eiffel Tower and create your own picnic in Paris. My biggest tip to wherever your journey takes you is to not eat at the restaurants that are right next to the famous landmarks. More times than not, it will be average food and overpriced. Get creative and make your own picnic! We spent 22 euros for our entire picnic, and yes, including WINE!
We popped in and out of butcher shops, French patisseries, and Fromage stores. It was a bluebird day, we settled at the Champs de Mars Park located right in front of the Eiffel Tower. We grazed on salami, cheese, French bread, fruit, rosé, and for dessert; cheesecake, croissants, and macarons! I had my first real French macaron and felt just like Blair Waldorf from Gossip Girl.
2. Palace of Versailles
Another must-visit place is the Palace of Versailles. I highly encourage spending a full day here. The famous landmark is about 20 miles from Paris. Purchase tickets online before arriving. Make sure to get the Full Access Pass, including the palace gardens, house tour, and fountain show. During the house tour, you will come across The Hall of Mirrors. For all of you Instagrammers, get your cameras ready because this is the room a girl has always dreamed of. It has 43 crystal chandeliers, lined from wall to wall. To finish your tour through this massive estate, enjoy the garden fountain show!
3. Eiffel Tower at Night
I know I am going to sound like the typical tourist but the Eiffel Tower is a must-see. You cannot go to Paris without seeing the famous attraction. The most magical time to visit is at night. It lights up and sparkles its way through a 5-minute show. I was in total ah the first time seeing it.
4. Domaine National du Palais-Royal
The Domaine National du Palais-Royal is a hidden gem. My friend from college recommended it to me. The palace is difficult to find but worth the hunt. The black and white columns are all different heights. If you are short like me, you will not have any trouble finding one to strike a pose on. During our visit, there was a bride and groom getting their wedding photos taken. I was jealous and thought that was a great idea.
5. Visit a French Brasserie
To fully indulge in the French culture, you must visit a local café for some duck confit. Bistrot Victoires was an amazing find and located right in the center of Paris. With affordable prices, delicious food, and a cozy ambiance you cannot find a better place to eat at. Check out my full review on Bistrot Victoires in my post The Best French Bistrot in Paris.
6. Hike the Steps to Sacre Coeur Basilica
An extra day in Paris, what to do? What to do? Flixbus decided to last-minute cancel our trip back to The Netherlands, giving us an extra day in Paris. I highly encourage adding an additional day to any trip, it will allow for extra time to take in the city and capitalize on the local’s recommendations. With one whole extra day, we decided to adventure out to town and hike the steps to Sacre Coeur Basilica. The Sacre Coeur Basilica is a large dome castle with 222 steps leading up to it. Once you are at the top, take in the views of Paris and the bustling people below.
7. Crêpes
The land of Crêpes! From savory crêpes to sweet crêpes, I loved them all. You must get at least one crêpe during your travels through Paris. There is something about the light delicate envelope, filled with luscious cream and rich dark chocolate, the dusting of powdered sugar is the icing on the crêpe! If you are an ice cream lover, try a crêpe filled with your favorite ice cream. The contrast between the warm crêpe and the frozen dessert is delectable. I would recommend The Crêperie located near the Luxembourg Gardens and Crêperie Saint Eustacheright in the heart of Paris.
8. Luxembourg Gardens
Right next to The Crêperie you will find the Luxembourg Gardens. Pull out a chessboard, play a game and enjoy the fresh flowers and lush green grass. Admission is free!
9. Walk Champs-Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe
If you are not tired yet, you must take a walk on Champs-Élysées leading to the Arc de Triomphe. You will be able to shop until you drop! The famous avenue is filled with name-brand stores and restaurants. Stop by the famous Ladurée and grab some French macarons. My favorite was the orange blossom.
10. Shop at Les Grand Boulevards
Grab your wallets and get ready to get your shop on! Les Grand Boulevards is a large shopping center that looks like a castle inside, with a gorgeous stained-glass dome. The best part is the hidden lookout at the top of the building. To get to the rooftop bar, take the elevator to the top floor and then climb an extra flight of stairs to the outside. The journey is worth the breathtaking views. On a clear day, you will see the Eiffel Tower standing grand and tall.
Free Printable Paris Bucket List
