Things to Do in France: What Is Worth Your Time

The things most worth your time in France are a handful of Paris classics booked ahead, a day at Versailles and one region beyond the capital, such as Normandy, the Loire, Provence or the Riviera. With a week, choose from the experiences below rather than trying to see everything, and leave evenings free for walks along the Seine.

France offers far more than Paris, and many first trips try to fit in too much. This guide groups 18 experiences by place and type and explains who each one suits, so you can build a balanced trip. Pair it with our 7-day France itinerary and France cost guide.

At a glance

Paris

1. The Eiffel Tower. Go up to the second floor or the summit with a timed ticket, or simply enjoy it from the Trocadéro and the Champ de Mars at dusk, when it sparkles on the hour. Suits everyone.

2. The Louvre. The Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo and the Winged Victory, in one of the world's largest museums. Choose a few wings rather than trying to see it all.

3. Musée d'Orsay. Impressionist paintings by Monet, Renoir and Van Gogh in a former railway station. Smaller and calmer than the Louvre.

4. A Seine cruise. An hour on the river passes Notre-Dame, the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower. Ideal for parents and an evening activity.

5. Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur. Hilltop views, artists' squares and cafés. Take the funicular to save the climb.

6. Notre-Dame and Sainte-Chapelle. The restored cathedral and the stained glass of Sainte-Chapelle on the Île de la Cité. Sainte-Chapelle uses timed entry.

7. The Champs-Élysées and Arc de Triomphe. A walk down the avenue and a climb to the top of the arch for views along the axis of Paris.

8. Disneyland Paris. A full day for families, about 40 minutes by train from the centre. Book tickets ahead.

Day trips from Paris

9. Versailles. The palace, the Hall of Mirrors and the gardens, with musical fountain shows on many summer weekends. Allow a full day.

10. Giverny. Monet's house and water-lily garden, open from spring to autumn. Suits garden and art lovers.

Beyond Paris

11. Mont-Saint-Michel. The abbey on a tidal island in Normandy, best with an overnight stay to see it without crowds.

12. The D-Day beaches. Normandy's Second World War landing beaches and memorials, moving for history lovers.

13. The Loire châteaux. Chambord, Chenonceau and Amboise, with gardens and riverside towns. Good by car or tour.

14. Provence. Lavender fields in late June and July, hill villages, Avignon and Arles. Suits couples.

15. Nice and the Riviera. The Promenade des Anglais, Èze, Monaco and Cannes, with beaches and sea views.

16. Alsace. Colourful half-timbered towns such as Colmar and Strasbourg, especially pretty at Christmas.

17. Chamonix and Mont Blanc. Cable cars to the Aiguille du Midi for Alpine views. Altitude is high, so go slowly.

18. Bordeaux and the vineyards. Elegant riverside city and wine estates. Suits food and wine lovers.

Food experiences

Bakeries and pâtisseries, a cheese shop, a crêpe on the street and a market visit are simple pleasures. Vegetarians eat well, with quiches, salads, crêpes, cheeses and Middle Eastern food, and Paris has many Indian restaurants around Gare du Nord and Passage Brady. Jain travellers should plan meals ahead.

In winter

From November to March, Paris is quieter and museums easier to visit, though days are short. Christmas markets in Strasbourg and Colmar and the lights on the Champs-Élysées are highlights, and the Alps offer skiing.

On a rainy day

Museums fill a wet day well: the Louvre, the Musée d'Orsay, the Orangerie, the Centre Pompidou and the covered passages of Paris, along with Galeries Lafayette's rooftop when the rain stops.

What you can safely skip

On a first trip, you do not need every museum. Choose one or two, skip long queues for minor attractions and avoid tourist-menu restaurants beside the main sights.

Getting between the experiences

The Paris metro and RER reach almost every sight, and fast TGV trains link Paris with Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Bordeaux and Strasbourg. Normandy and the Loire are easiest by car or guided tour, and regional trains serve Giverny and Versailles.

Favourites with Indian travellers

Many Indian visitors enjoy the Eiffel Tower at night, a Seine dinner cruise, shopping on Boulevard Haussmann and outlet villages, Disneyland Paris and the Swiss Alps combined with Paris on one trip.

When to go

April to June and September to October bring pleasant weather and manageable crowds. July and August are busy in Paris and on the Riviera, and some Parisian shops close for holidays in August. Lavender blooms in Provence from late June to July, and the Loire gardens are at their best in late spring.

Shopping

Paris department stores on Boulevard Haussmann, boutiques in the Marais and outlet villages outside the city are popular with Indian travellers. Visitors from outside the EU can often reclaim VAT on eligible purchases; ask for the tax-free form and validate it at the airport.

How to choose

With a week, spend four nights in Paris with Versailles, and two or three in one region. Our Switzerland and Paris and Paris, Amsterdam and Switzerland trips combine Paris with the Alps.

Free and low-cost experiences

Some of the best moments in Paris cost nothing: walking along the Seine, the Luxembourg Gardens, the view from Sacré-Cœur, the Marais on a Sunday and the Eiffel Tower lit up at night. Many national museums are free for young people under a certain age from the EU, and some are free on the first Sunday of certain months; check before you go.

For families and parents

Children enjoy Disneyland, the Eiffel Tower and boat rides. Parents may prefer guided tours with skip-the-line entry and taxis, as many metro stations have stairs.

For couples

Couples often favour a Seine dinner cruise, Montmartre at dusk, Provence and the Riviera.

Practical tips

Carry ID for museum discounts, watch for pickpockets in crowded areas and on the metro, and dress modestly for churches. Read our France trip guide from India for visas, flights and money.

A BagPackerMe planner can choose and plan these experiences privately, with one named planner, WhatsApp support throughout and vegetarian and Jain food planned in.

Your questions, answered

What is the one thing not to miss in France?

For most first-time visitors, the Eiffel Tower, ideally at dusk when it lights up, followed by the Louvre and a Seine cruise. Book timed tickets ahead in busy months.

Which French experiences suit families?

Children usually enjoy Disneyland Paris, the Eiffel Tower, the Cité des Sciences, a Seine boat ride and the beaches of the Riviera. Keep museum visits short.

Is it worth leaving Paris on a first trip?

Yes, if you have at least a week. Versailles and Giverny are easy day trips, and two or three nights in Normandy, the Loire valley, Provence or the Riviera show a different side of France.

How far ahead should I book French sights?

Book the Eiffel Tower summit, the Louvre, Versailles and Sainte-Chapelle as soon as your dates are fixed, as popular slots sell out in spring and summer.