The Honest Truth About Everything there is to see & Do in Paris
This is a big city, and you well know that the tourist attraction list is very long. Whether you visiting for a few days or moving here, this page will summarize my honest reviews of everything going on.
This page will be continuously updated as I experience and review new activities, so keep checking back. I’ll throw in a Directory in case you are looking for anything in particular. I know you’re a busy lady.
How does it work?
Super simple, this page is your ULTIMATE guide for Paris, honestly and genuinely reviewed by me. Who am I to do this? Good question – I live in Fontainebleau, France and I go into Paris a lot. And those are my qualifications, really.
1. Honest Reviews – Everything here I have personally visited. If there is an attraction not on this list, it is because I haven’t done it yet. Definitely reach out if you have questions about something not here!
2. Two Columns – Column on the left tells you the practical info: Name, location, website, etc. Column on the right are my reviews, takeaway, and advice.
That’s enough now – I don’t want this to feel like those super long stories behind a recipe on those food blogs. I know what you came here for. l
Le Marais
- Neighborhood Name: Le Marais
- Arrondisement: 4th
- Attractions: Picasso Museum, The Centre Pompidou, Maison Victor Hugo, Marché Couvert des Enfants Rouges
Great for walking & Shopping
I spend a lot of time here – it’s one of my favorites. This neighborhood is overflowing with adorable cafes and restaurants, and more shops than you could ever possibly enter. This is also the LGBTQ+ neighborhood of Paris, meaning there are tons of fun brunches and nightlife. It isn’t far from the Louvre or the Notre Dame, so it’s very easy to add into your tourist activities. Plus, you’ll find the Centre Pompidou here. This is the home to Paris modern art museum, but also boasts amazing and free views of the Paris skyline. This is a MUST.
Montmartre
- Neighborhood Name: Montmartre
- Arrondisement: 18th
- Attractions: Basilica Sacré Cœur, Le Moulin Rouge, La Maison Rose, Rue de l’Abreuvoir
Beautiful, but Further from the center of paris
Montmartre is home to one of the most beautiful streets in Paris (Rue de l’Abreuvoir, left), the Sacré Cœur, the Moulin Rouge, and amazing views of the city below. That being said, it is a but further away from the city center, so plan for an additional 20-30 minute commute on the metro. This area is best explored on a sunny day so you can meander the twisted streets. You will find a lot of tourists in this area, especially around the Basilica.
Other cool spots in Montmartre: Halle Saint-Pierre, Montmartre Museum and Renoir Gardens, Clos de Montmartre (last working vineyard in the city!)
Attractions & Things to See
I SO highly recommend!
If you’ve seen my Instagram (or peak left), you know I love the Centre Pompidou. It is a really great modern art museum that showcases famous artists and interactive exhibits. I’m a huge fan of the outdoor patios that incorporate sound or water. It’s lovely to be above the hustle and bustle of the city. This museum does offer discounted entry for certain groups, including free entry for EU citizens under the age of 26.
Speaking of the skyline, this is the BEST place to go for panoramic views of the city. Forget all of the other rooftops that overcharge you for drinks or have heavy entrance fees. Entering the Centre is absolutely free. Just walk in through security and head to the escalators on your left, and take them all the way up. Soon you’ll be able to see everything from the Sacré Cœur to the Eiffel Tower.
Bonus Tip: Go right before sundown to see the city turn pink and orange, and then watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle in the distance.
Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature
- Location: Le Marais
- Admission: Paid
- Website: Le Musée de la Chase et de la Nature
This place is... weird. Just really weird.
Translation: Museum of the Hunt and of Nature
I will admit I had a lot of fun at this museum, but that is due to luck and good company. The day I visited there was an event going on, meaning free entry and activities throughout the museum. We got to see some talented actors take us through the different galleries while telling us poetic stories of the exhibits.
The building is beautiful, but a lot of the rest just felt unnecessary.
Honestly, I had to process what I saw in there after I left. There was an exhibit with these horrific sculptures, and occasionally you would see them in other rooms of the museum. They weren’t necessarily graphic, just awful to look at. There was a also a trophy room (trophies of animals, that is) with a talking boar head. Not to mention the sexual energy some of the art gave…did I mention the event this day was for children? Yeah.
So would I recommend going? Not if you are visiting Paris for a few days. If you live here, then maybe if it’s free. I wouldn’t pay 10 euros to enter.
Lovely, easy museum in the Tuileries Garden
Here you will find wall-to-wall paintings by Monet, amongst many other impressionist and post-impressionist artists. Easily located in the Tuileries Garden, near the Place de la Concorde, I highly recommend this as a nice way to spend an afternoon.
If you only have time for one museum in Paris, go to the Louvre. But if you have more time or live in the city, this is a great option that tends to be less crowded.
The museum offers free entry the first Sunday of each month with a reservation, along with the usual discounts for certain groups. This includes EU citizens under the age of 26.
Overpriced, Overcrowded... Save your Time & Money
This event is just… okay. The lights are very cool, and the way they move with the music is very interesting to watch. However, the reality of it is that you are in one large crowded room staring at the same walls for an hour (or however long you want to stay).
With a full price ticket costing 16euros, and the best discount still costing 11euros, I just don’t find it to be worth it. Put that money towards a nice glass of wine and a charcuterie board with friends instead.
The only way I see this place being truly amazing is, unfortunately, if you enter inebriated.