Things to do in Paris

20 activities, venues and outings in Paris, from theatres and live music to parks and tours.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

Do6th arrondissement
Cafe Philo in English
Cafe Philo in English meets on the first Wednesday of each month upstairs at the famous Café de Flore. Everyone is invited. You don't have to be knowledgeable about philosophy. Meetings begin with a two round voting process to determine a topic. The topic is discussed for two hours.
Free
Do1st arrondissement
Comédie Francaise
Théâtre-Français, La maison de Molière
The theatre is one of the rare state theatres in France. The company's primary venue is the Salle Richelieu. It was enlarged and modified in the 1800s, then rebuilt in 1900 after a severe fire. The played repertoires sum to around 3,000 works.
Do
French Open
Roland Garros
One of the four tennis Grand Slam tournaments. It is scheduled for two weeks from the last Sunday in May. The event, on clay courts, features the world’s top-ranked tennis players.
Do8th arrondissement
Lido de Paris
Le Lido
The most famous cabaret celebrates spectacle revues. Children ages 4 and older are welcome. Casual elegant dress code. Coat and tie appreciated. Shorts, athletic clothing and tennis shoes are not allowed.
Daily, 09:00-02:00
Do
Maison Européene de la Photographie
La MEP
Important center for contemporary photography with a large exposition area having three or four major expositions per year dedicated to contemporary photography. Housed in an updated hôtel particulier built in 1706. There is a large library, auditorium and café. Their archive houses over twenty thousand works of art. Admission is free every Wednesday from 17:00 to 20:00.
Wed-Sun 11:00-20:00Admission €9
Do9th arrondissement
Olympia
Olympia Hall
A music hall, which houses concerts for an older crowd. Be sure to tip the usher €2 or so.
Do10th arrondissement
Palais des Glaces
Grand palace with two theatres, the Palais des Glaces (Palace of Mirrors) features two shows, often two comics, simultaneously, and sometimes shows for children.
Mon-Sat, 11:00-18:30
Do10th arrondissement
Promenade Canal St. Martin
Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the water's edge while viewing amazing sunsets over the canal. Linger over a coffee and tuck into a pastry while feeling that you are experiencing the true Paris.
Do
Stade de France
France's national stadium has a capacity of 81,338, and hosts concerts and various events. Soccer clubs sometimes play here when their home stadium is unavailable.
Do2nd arrondissement
Théâtre national de l'Opéra-Comique
National Opéra Comic Theatre
The théâtre national de l'Opéra-Comique (National Opéra Comic Theatre) is an opera company and opera house.
Do1st arrondissement
Ô Chateau, Paris Wine Tasting
Discover French wines with a native French sommelier. Informative, relaxing, and fun. In English in a beautiful Parisian loft.
Do Not mapped
Better Paris Photos
Better Paris Photos offers instructional tours and workshops that combine hands-on learning of essential photographic techniques with guiding to, and commentary about, the most photogenic spots of Paris. Led by English-speaking photographers and instructors, these tours are open to all skill levels and interest.
By appointment, tours last from 4 hoursFrom €195/half day; €290/full day
Do7th arrondissement Not mapped
Champagne on the Eiffel Tower
Enjoy a glass of champagne at the top of the Eiffel Tower and finish your visit on a festive note. The Champagne Bar, located on the top floor of the tower, is both elegant and original. The bar, which is part of the building’s structure, serves a selection of perfectly chilled white and rosé champagne and offers unbeatable views of Paris.
47,30EUR
Do Not mapped
La Cuisine Paris
La Cuisine Paris is an English-friendly culinary school located in the heart of Paris, right on the Seine that offers expert teaching of the essential techniques of cuisine française. Led by an international group of English-speaking chefs all trained in classic French cooking, these classes are open to all skill levels and tastes.
Register online, classes last 2-4 hoursPrices range from €69 for a two-hour Macaron class to €160 for a 4 hour Market class
Do Not mapped
Le Cordon Bleu Paris
Offering both long-term professional programs as well as short term hourly sessions, Le Cordon Bleu is one of the most famous culinary schools located in the heart of Paris. Le Cordon Bleu is considered to be the guardian of French culinary technique through its culinary programs that continue to preserve and pass on the mastery and appreciation of the culinary arts that have been the cornerstone of French gastronomy for over 500 years.
Do Not mapped
Le Foodist
In the Latin Quarter, Le Foodist is an cooking school that offers French Cooking, Pastry and Baking Classes, Wine Tastings initiations, Food Tours and Hosted Gastronomic Dinners. Led by French Chefs, courses are made in English, small classes, with the ambition of teaching both the technique and the history of traditional French recipes.
Register online, classes last 2-6 hoursPrices range from €35 for a Wine Tasting Initiation to €180 for a Market class
Do Not mapped
Paris By Scooter
All Vespa scooter rentals and Paris guided City tours include the collect and picked up from, your hotel in Paris.
Closed · opens 8 am tomorrowFrom €60
Do9th arrondissement
Théâtre Édouard VII
French theatre, for those with command of the language.
€20-55
Do9th arrondissement
les Grands Boulevards
Boulevards of Paris
Go shopping at the grands magasins (department stores).
Do7th arrondissement Not mapped
Vedettes de Paris
sightseeing cruises
Discover Paris by river on a chic boat.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Paris (CC BY-SA 4.0).