So you're planning a trip to Paris? Good call. But let's be honest - figuring out what is there to see and do in Paris can feel overwhelming. I remember my first visit staring at metro maps with that sinking "where do I even start?" feeling. After living here three years and hosting countless friends, I've distilled the real Paris experience beyond those glossy brochures. Forget generic lists - we're diving deep into practical insights you won't find elsewhere.

Iconic Landmarks You Can't Miss

Look, I know guidebooks shove these down your throat, but some spots genuinely deserve the hype. Just don't make my rookie mistake of trying to cram them all into one day.

Eiffel Tower Reality Check

Champ de Mars, 5 Av. Anatole France, 75007 Paris
Open: 9am-midnight daily (summer), 9:30am-11pm (winter)
Tickets: €17-27 (stairs cheaper)
Metro: Bir-Hakeim (Line 6)

The elevator lines can ruin half your day. I always tell people to book skip-the-line tickets weeks ahead or take the stairs to 2nd floor (€11, way shorter queue). Honestly? The best view of the tower is from Trocadéro at golden hour. Bring champagne - street vendors charge €20 for €5 bottles.

Louvre Survival Guide

Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris
Open: 9am-6pm (closed Tuesdays)
Tickets: €17 (book online)
Metro: Palais-Royal–Musée du Louvre (Line 1)

My hot take: trying to see everything here is madness. I once spent 40 minutes just finding Mona Lisa through tourist herds. Prioritize:

• Winged Victory (top of Daru staircase)
• Napoleon III apartments (pure opulence)
• Egyptian antiquities (avoid midday crowds)

Secret entrance: Use the Carrousel du Louvre shopping center entrance - usually 20% shorter lines.

Beyond Postcards: Authentic Paris Experiences

When you tire of crowds, these are what make Paris magical for locals. My neighbor Jacques introduced me to most of these.

Market Hopping Like a Parisian

Sunday mornings find me at Marché Bastille (Boulevard Richard Lenoir). Skip overpriced souvenirs and hunt for:

• €5 goat cheese rounds at Fromagerie Goncourt
• Fresh oysters shucked on-site (€12/dozen)
• Strawberries so perfect they ruin supermarket fruit forever

Warning: Some vendors hike prices after 11am when tourists arrive. Go early.

Seine River Secrets

Tour boats? Overpriced and crowded. My ritual: grab wine at Nicolas (chain with fair prices), walk downstream from Pont Neuf, and picnic at Square du Vert-Galant. Free sunset views without the tourist markup.

Fun fact: Summer months bring Paris Plages - artificial beaches along the Seine with free activities. Locals actually use these!

Neighborhood Deep Dives

Paris isn't a monolith. Each arrondissement has distinct DNA. Here's where to find what mood:

Montmartre Without the Hustlers

Yes, Place du Tertre artists will badger you. I duck into these escapes:

• La Maison Rose: Instagram's favorite pink building (18 Rue de l'Abreuvoir)
• Vin des Artistes: €5 wine bar with actual locals (11 Rue des Saules)
• Dalí Museum: Surrealist gem often overlooked (€13 entry)

Pro tip: Take funicular to Sacré-Cœur (covered by metro pass) unless you want calf burn.

Paris Food Scene Unfiltered

Forget Michelin stars - these are meals I crave weekly. Budget accordingly.

Bakery Battles: Where to Find Real Croissants

Tourist traps sell sad, soggy pastries. After extensive (gladly) research:

• Du Pain et des Idées: Butter bomb croissants (€1.40) at 34 Rue Yves Toudic
• Blé Sucré: Perfect pain au chocolat (opens 7am, closes when sold out)
• Boulangerie Utopie: Black sesame eclairs that justify €5.50

Rule of thumb: If croissants cost under €1, they're probably garbage.

Bistros That Won't Rob You

Finding authentic dinners under €25 seems impossible until you know these:

Honestly? I've had better steak frites at Le Relais de l'Entrecôte (multiple locations, €26 set menu) than at places charging double.

Practical Paris: Navigating Like a Pro

Transportation mistakes can ruin your trip. I learned these the hard way:

Metro vs Walk vs Bike

• Carnet tickets: Buy 10-pack metro tickets (€19.10) at machines - saves 20%
• Walking: Between Louvre and Eiffel Tower looks close on maps but takes 45 minutes
• Vélib' Bikes: €5/day but stations empty during rush hour - check app first

Google Maps is scarily accurate for metro times. Sunday schedules? Different beast entirely.

Money-Saving Tactics

Paris on a budget requires strategy:

• Museum Pass: Only worth it if visiting 3+ museums in 2 days (€52)
• Free First Sundays: Many museums free on first Sunday (Nov-Mar only)
• Picnic Dinners: Cheese + baguette + €7 wine >> €50 bistro meal

My biggest hack? Bakeries do lunch specials: sandwich + drink + pastry for €8-11.

Seasonal Considerations (What Guidebooks Miss)

August Paris feels like a ghost town - locals flee. January has magical sales but 5pm darkness. Here's reality:

• Spring: Gardens bloom but bring umbrella - April showers are real
• Summer: Long days but packed attractions. Book EVERYTHING early
• Fall: Golden light perfection. Wine harvest events nearby
• Winter: Christmas markets! But daylight ends at 4:30pm

I once got stuck in August when my favorite boulangerie closed for "les vacances" - always have backup plans.

Day Trips Worth the Hype

When Paris crowds grind you down, escape routes:

Paris Nightlife Beyond Clubs

Where locals actually unwind:

• Jazz Bars: Le Caveau de la Huchette (€15 cover) for underground vibes
• Wine Bars: Septime La Cave natural wines (no reservations - go early)
• Cinema: Open-air screenings at Parc de la Villette (July-Aug)

Confession: I avoid Pigalle "cabaret" shows. Overpriced tourist traps with watered-down champagne.

Top Questions About What to See and Do in Paris

Is Paris safe for tourists?

Mostly yes, but scams exist:

• Gold ring scam: Someone "finds" a ring and demands reward
• Petition scam: Distract while pickpocketing
• Métro helpers: Offer bogus ticket "assistance"

My rule: Keep valuables hidden, say "non" firmly to street approaches.

How many days for Paris?

• 3 days: Hit icons (Eiffel/Louvre/Notre Dame exteriors)
• 5 days: Add neighborhoods + 1 museum deep dive
• 7+ days: Day trips + local rhythm immersion

Truthfully? You'll leave wanting more no matter what.

Should I tip in Paris?

Service charge included (service compris) BUT:

• Leave €1-2 for coffee at counter
• Round up taxi fares
• 5-10% at restaurants for exceptional service

Unlike the US, staff won't chase you down for tips.

Is the Paris Pass worth it?

Rarely. Math it:

• 4-day pass: €199
• Actual costs: Louvre (€17) + Versailles (€20) + Orsay (€16) = €53

You'd need to do 3+ paid activities daily to break even. Most museums offer free under-26 EU discounts anyway.

Final Reality Check

Paris Syndrome is real - some visitors expect movie perfection and crash when they see graffiti or crowds. My advice? Embrace the beautiful chaos. Skip trying to see everything. Sit at a café for two hours watching Parisians argue passionately about cheese. That's the real magic. When you ask yourself what is there to see and do in Paris, remember it's not about ticking boxes—it's about stumbling upon that tiny jazz club in the 5th, or finding the perfect flaky croissant after three failed attempts. That's the Paris that stays with you.