11 Things You Need To Do In Paris - International Traveller

This comprehensive list of things to do in Paris is all you’ll need to get started.

So, it’s your first time going to Paris. Drink it all in – many people across the world would give anything to relive this experience (myself included).

Seeing the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night, taking that first bite into a croissant that will forever redefine your concept of a croissant, walking lazily down the leafy avenues and soaking in the Parisian magic: all of it is ahead of you.

From enjoying a hot chocolate at Cafe de Flore to seeing a ballet at Palais Garnier, these iconic activities are a great place to start.

1. Enjoy a picnic under the Eiffel Tower

In my opinion, the Eiffel Tower is one of the world’s few famous landmarks that actually lives up to its larger-than-life reputation. When you catch your first glimpse of the tower, it’s pure magic.

an aerial view of Paris with the Eiffel Tower — Nothing screams Paris like the iconic Eiffel Tower. (Image: Margarida Louro)

The best way to enjoy the monument is in quintessential Parisian style: a picnic. Pack a light blanket and swing by a market (Rue Cler is one of the best in the 7th arrondissement) to grab a fresh baguette, cheese and prosciutto before enjoying your bounty in the grassy lawn by the tower.

picnic in Paris — Prepare a Parisian picnic like a local. (Image: Calvin Shelwell)

2. Cycle through the city with a local guide

Biking is a popular form of transportation in Paris for locals, and it’s also a great way to cover more ground while exploring the city.

a bicycle on the side of the street in Paris — Cycling is a great way to cover more ground while exploring the city. (Image: John Towner)

On this bicycle tour, a local guide will introduce you to Paris’ most significant historical and cultural landmarks – such as Notre Dame, the Louvre, and the Champs-Elysées – while you get your bearings in the city’s central neighbourhoods.

bicycles parked on the side of the road in Paris — Tour Paris by bicycle. (Image: Svetlana Gumerova)

3. Go to a historic jazz club

During the 1920s, Paris became a haven for many American expatriate writers, musicians and artists. This period, often referred to as the “Lost Generation," saw a flourishing of creativity and innovation, with jazz bars serving as important venues for these artists to connect and share ideas.

Le Caveau de la Huchette is one of Paris’ oldest, a self-proclaimed “temple of swing" since 1946.

the red signage of Le Caveau de la Huchette — Immerse in the world of jazz at Le Caveau de la Huchette. (Image: Matheus Frade)

4. Take a boat ride down the Seine

A boat ride along the Seine River winds straight through the heart of Paris and offers a romantic new perspective on the city. A dinner cruise is especially idyllic.

a boat ride in Paris during autumn — Explore Paris from a new perspective. (Image: Eva-Katalin via Getty Images)

You’ll be serenaded by a live singer and sip Champagne as you pass the many riverside monuments like the Eiffel Tower, the Musée d’Orsay and the Conciergerie, lighting up as dusk settles on the City of Light.

the Musée d’Orsay in Paris — See Musée d’Orsay from the Seine. (Image: Florian Rebmann)

5. Sip hot chocolate at Cafe de Flore

Cafe de Flore has a long history of attracting acclaimed writers, thinkers and artists. Poet and art critic Guillaume Apollinaire was said to coin the term ‘surrealism’ on the terrace. Karl Lagerfeld read Vogue alone for hours at a downstairs table. Ernest Hemingway retired to the comparatively calmer cafe when Café Les Deux Magots across the street grew too hip.

people dining inside Cafe de Flore in Paris — Embrace your creativity at Cafe de Flore. (Image: Valentin Kremer)

The cafe’s classic, Parisian Art Deco style has remained constant through the years, with small tables and bistro chairs pointed to face the street. Just dollop a cloud of whipped cream on your indulgently rich hot chocolate, sit back and watch as Paris passes by.

a cup of coffee at Cafe de Flore in Paris — Watch Paris pass by at Cafe de Flore. (Image: Christina Terzidou)

6. See Monet’s expansive water lilies paintings at the Orangerie Museum

The Musée de l’Orangerie is famous for hosting eight gigantic murals of Claude Monet’s famous water lilies, the crown jewel of his 30 years studying the subject in his garden in Normandy. The paintings surround visitors on all sides, making for an immersive experience in Monet’s groundbreaking work.

the famous lily pond of the painter Monet — See Monet’s famous water lilies up close at Musée de l’Orangerie. (Image: digitalimagination via Getty Images)

7. Float a boat on the Grand Bassin at Luxembourg Garden

Paris is blessed with an abundance of gorgeous parks (Tuileries is also a must-visit) but stop first at Jardin de Luxembourg to see the Grand Bassin, a large octagonal pond opposite the Palais du Luxembourg.

the Jardin de Luxembourg with flowers in the background — The sprawling Jardin de Luxembourg is a beautiful oasis in Paris. (Image: vkovalcik via Getty Images)

At all hours you’re likely to see children running about with long sticks, launching toy wooden sailboats every which way across the water.

There is a stand that rents out the toy boats for those who’d like in on the action – the perfect occupation for little ones while the adults take a seat by the water’s edge to enjoy the park.

the Luxembourg Palace and the Grand Bassin in Paris, France — You’re likely to see toy wooden sailboats in the serene waters of the Grand Bassin. (Image: Wirestock via Getty Images)

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8. Visit the glittering Palace of Versailles

Just about an hour outside Paris, the Palace of Versailles displays jaw-dropping opulence at every turn. The intricate architecture, the meticulously kept gardens and room after room of golden trimmings will have you marvelling at King Louis XIV’s lavish lifestyle.

the Palace of Versailles in Paris — The Palace of Versailles displays jaw-dropping opulence at every turn. (Image: Mathias Reding)

9. Hike the steps to Montmartre’s Sacré-Coeur Basilica

Over 300 steps lead to the majestic Sacré-Coeur, a 19th-century basilica perched atop a hill overlooking Paris.

the Sacré Coeur in Montmartre — Sacré-Coeur stands atop Montmartre. (Image: Maryline Waldy)

The views of the city are just as spectacular as the distinctive Romano-Byzantine architecture of the basilica itself, and there’s plenty to explore in the surrounding area of Montmartre as well. The neighbourhood’s current lively and creative atmosphere follows in the footsteps of a long history as a bohemian haven for artists.

the Montmartre villagae in Paris — Stroll along the cobbled streets in Montmartre. (Image: Jeff Frenette)

10. Explore the Louvre with a private guide

The Louvre Museum is home to approximately 35,000 historical objects on display, over an area of 60,600 square metres.

The Louvre in Paris — The Louvre exhibits over 35,000 objects. (Image: Daniele D Andreti)

So many unmissable treasures are buried within its depths – including Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and the ancient Greek sculpture Venus de Milo – that you’ll want a guide to ensure you don’t miss a thing.

museum visitors looking at Mona Lisa painting — See Leonardo da Vinci’s famous *Mona Lisa*. (Image: Federico Scarionati)

11. See a ballet at the Palais Garnier

Adorned with gilded statues atop its signature turquoise, domed roof, Palais Garnier is nothing if not iconic. The building was inaugurated in 1875 at the behest of Napoleon III, and every inch of the opera house reflects that ostentatious era with onyx balconies, polished marble, and elaborate ceiling frescoes.

the facade of Palais Garnier — Palais Garnier is nothing if not iconic. (Image: Caleb Maxwell)

Don your best apparel and attend a classical ballet show, like the romantic Giselle or playful La Fille mal gardée, for an elegant and memorable night out.

elegant and elaborate ceiling with chandeliers inside Palais Garnier — Every inch of the opera house reflects its ostentatious era. (Image: Caleb Maxwell)

Explore our list of free cultural attractions in Paris, too.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

11 things every traveller needs to do in Paris at least once