Things to do in Paris for self travelers
Enjoy self-guided audio tours with included attraction tickets in one appTop sights in Paris
All self-guided activities
Explore Les Invalides and the Army Museum and discover one of the most prestigious monuments in the heart of Paris. While walking through the halls of the museum the audio guide will relate the fascinating history of this place and explain the most interesting exhibits. You'll see the collection of medieval armor and weapons, one of the largest in the world. Exhibits in the museum cover the wars fought by Louis XIV through to the Cold War, with every major conflict in between. Artifacts, weapons, and uniforms help bring each moment to life. You will visit the beautiful Cathedral – a soldier's church – where classical concerts are offered in the evening. Your visit also takes you to the Dome of the Church, which since 1861 has been home to the monumental tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte. The tour finishes outside the church for a unique photo opportunity, while discovering the architectural details of the cathedral. This tour is not affiliated with Les Invalides and the Army Museum but is provided by an independent creator. A ticket is included for the customer's convenience.
Have you ever wanted to visit a castle? With this self-guided audio tour, you can visit an authentic medieval castle built from 1360-1410. Located only 20 minutes from central Paris, the castle is easily accessible by metro. Come on my tour to learn about the medieval castle — its construction, its features, its defenses. We will take the drawbridge over the moat and enter through the main tower. We will visit the keep and its residential area. We'll make the rounds on the wooden terrace which commands views for miles around. We will climb a dizzying spiral staircase to the top of the castle and see the battlements with its bell tower, just like the soldiers who once guarded the castle. Then we descend into the dungeons and kitchens. I provide the historical context to help you learn about life in the Middle Ages! Note! This tour is not affiliated with Chateau de Vincennes but is provided by an independent creator. A ticket is included for the customer's convenience.
Explore the Rodin Museum in Paris with this self-guided audio tour, which includes an entrance ticket! Auguste Rodin is one of the most significant sculptors in the history of art. He is known for his deep understanding of the human soul and his ability to capture emotions and anxieties using various materials. You will visit the mansion that once served as the sculptor’s studio and see models of some of his most important works. The stories behind these masterpieces will unfold as you explore the collection at your own pace guided by an engaging audio commentary on your phone. Then, you will take a walk through the garden and see The Gates of Hell, The Kiss, and The Thinker. You will also find works by Camille Claudel, his student and lover, and also a very talented sculptress in her own right. Prepare to plunge into the fascinating world of Rodin! Note! This tour is not affiliated with the Rodin Museum but is provided by an independent creator. An e-ticket is included for the customer's convenience at no charge.
Take this in-app audio tour with a ticket to explore the iconic Conciergerie! Standing in the center of Paris is a medieval Palace that is over 1000 years old. Built on top of Roman foundations, the Palace was home to the Kings of the Capetian dynasty who ruled France from 987 to 1848. Over the centuries each king embellished the Royal Palace, building the largest civic hall in Europe, adding kitchens, gardens and chapels. When the royal court was moved to the Louvre in 1360, the building was transformed into a prison, under the supervision of a warden known as the Concierge, thus the name of the building. The prison became (in)famous during the French Revolution of 1789 when some 4200 prisoners were held and tried at the Conciergerie for counter-revolutionary activities. This in-app audio tour with a ticket allows you to discover this medieval palace, over 1000 years old, at your own pace. As you stroll through the exhibits, you will listen to the audio commentary and "meet" some of the more famous prisoners, such as Marie Antoinette and Madame Roland, who tragically died for a cause she believed in. Note! This tour is not affiliated with the Conciergerie but is provided by an independent creator. Tickets are included for the customer's convenience.
Visit Palais Galliera, the Paris Fashion Museum, located in a 19th-century Neo-Renaissance building. See 200,000 items that tell the history of Parisian fashion from the 18th century to today. Look at dresses from the 1700s and haute couture from the 1900s. You will find original design sketches and photo collections on display, showcasing the evolution of fashion trends through the years. View the current exhibition, _Stephen Jones, chapeaux d'Artiste_, showcasing the work of a renowned British milliner recognized by celebrities and designers, highlighting his creative process, inspirations, and the artistic role of hats, with a special focus on Paris.
With this in-app audio tour, complete with an entrance ticket, you will discover the highlights of the magnificent Louvre Museum. Enter the museum through the Pyramid or the Carrousel entrance at 99, rue de Rivoli — take the green priority queue for visitors with tickets. Explore this extraordinary collection of art spanning from prehistoric times to Antiquity, through the Middle Ages to the Renaissance and up to 1848. Beyond the famous Mona Lisa, the museum reveals the treasures of human civilization: ancient Egyptian antiquities, graceful Greek sculptures, medieval European art, and Renaissance masterpieces. Your journey begins on the lower level, within the remains of a medieval fortress. You will encounter iconic works such as the Venus de Milo and the Winged Victory of Samothrace, also known as Nike. At the heart of the Louvre is its most celebrated masterpiece — the enigmatic Mona Lisa. Discover the secrets behind her famous smile and the genius of Leonardo da Vinci. The tour concludes in the Near Eastern antiquities section, where remarkable artifacts reveal the origins of writing. Designed for easy navigation, this tour focuses on the museum’s most essential works, guiding you to the iconic artwork that has marked our civilization. Please note: this tour is not affiliated with the Louvre. It is created by an independent author. The entry ticket to the museum is included for your convenience at no extra charge.
Explore the historic Conciergerie and the awe-inspiring Sainte-Chapelle with an in-app audio tour! Both buildings were part of the original Royal Court, the first in France, established in the 10th Century. The Conciergerie served as the first Royal Palace, while the Sainte Chapelle was built as the Royal Chapel for the Kings of France. Commencing at the Conciergerie, a medieval palace standing for over a millennium, delve into its rich history. Originally a residence for the kings of the Capetian dynasty, it was transformed into a prison during the French Revolution. Immerse yourself in this unique site, listening to audio commentary that introduces you to notable prisoners like Marie Antoinette. Continue the tour and discover the magnificent Sainte-Chapelle, celebrated for its Gothic splendor. Marvel at its stunning stained-glass windows dating back to the 13th century, illustrating biblical scenes. This architectural marvel captures the essence of French Gothic design and achieves the impossible: 70% of the building's surface is composed of stained-glass! Note! This tour is not affiliated with the Conciergerie and the Sainte-Chapelle but is provided by an independent creator.
Visit Musée du quai Branly - Jacques Chirac and explore Paris with this self-guided walking audio tour. (!) Note that while your ticket to the Museum is included and available within the app, the interior of the museum is not covered within this tour. Discover the arts and cultures of Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas at the museum. After you finish exploring the museum on your own, unpause the tour and continue your exploration of Paris. You will follow a vivid route that connects world culture, modern art, Belle Époque elegance, and military history. Stand at the sweeping terrace at Trocadéro, then move through the museum quarter around Palais de Tokyo, the Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris, and Palais Galliera. The route carries you onward past La Galerie Dior, the Petit Palais, and the richly decorated Pont Alexandre III, before leading through the sculpture garden of the Musée Rodin. The tour ends at Hôtel des Invalides, beneath its gleaming golden dome. Along the way, you will enjoy dramatic views of the Eiffel Tower, riverside panoramas, elegant fashion addresses, monumental bridges, quiet garden spaces, and one of Paris’s most powerful military memorials.
Ticket to Aquarium de Paris is included in this self-guided walking audio tour through central Paris, ideal for first-time visitors who want famous landmarks, river views, major museums, and the city’s grand public spaces in one route. Please note that an audio tour inside Aquarium de Paris is not provided. Your walk begins at Aquarium de Paris in the Trocadéro gardens, where you can already see the Eiffel Tower rising beyond the trees and across the Seine. After you visit the Aquarium, unpause the tour and follow a route through the exhibition district to the Grand Palais, Petit Palais, and ornate Pont Alexandre III, then continue past the Musée de l'Orangerie, Place de la Concorde, the Tuileries Garden, the Louvre Pyramid and Louvre Museum, the Musée d'Orsay, Musée Rodin, Les Invalides, and the broad lawns of the Champ de Mars. The tour ends at the Eiffel Tower. Along the way, you will trace how Paris was shaped by royal ambition, revolution, world fairs, art, and engineering. You will stand before the Luxor Obelisk, cross one of the city’s most decorative bridges, walk formal garden paths lined with statues, admire the glass pyramid in the Louvre courtyard, and finish beneath the iron lattice of the Eiffel Tower.
Take this in-app audio tour with a ticket to explore the iconic Arc de Triomphe in Paris. A visit to the Arc de Triomphe is a visit to one of the nation's most sacred monuments – it honors those who sacrificed their lives for France. For the tourist, however, the Arch is a splendid monument, providing the opportunity to see Paris from a unique perspective....a height of 50 meters (154 feet). The names of victorious French battles and generals are inscribed on the walls. At the foot of the monument lies the tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Eternal Flame, which is rekindled every evening at 6:30 pm by members of the Committee of the Flame, so that it never extinguishes. The Arc is the centerpiece of the annual 14th of July parade and the final leg of the Tour de France, symbolic of the importance of this monument for the nation. The best place to enjoy the Arch is at the very top, on the terrace, which affords spectacular views over the city, from Montmartre to La Défense. See Paris from the rooftops! Note! This tour is not affiliated with the Arc de Triomphe but is provided by an independent creator. A ticket is included for the customer's convenience.
Cities in France
About Paris
The best tours to do in Paris with kids are:
The best tours in Paris are:
The must-see attractions in Paris for a first visit are:
The best indoor tours in Paris for rainy days are:
- Paris: Les Invalides Skip-the-Line Access Ticket & Army Museum Audio Tour
- La Conciergerie Ticket & In-App Audio Tour: From Royal Palace to Prison
- Paris: A Stroll Through Time with the Grande Galerie Ticket
- Paris: Louvre Ticket and Highlights Audio Tour
- La Conciergerie & La Sainte-Chapelle Ticket & In-App Audio Tour
Insider tips for visiting Paris
Sergio Clementini is a local guide who has been publishing tours since 2020 for your discovery of hidden gems and local specialities of Paris on their personal guide page (view profile). Explore their expert tips planning trip to Paris.
When I’m in Paris, I slip away to the Musée de la Vie Romantique in the 9th—it feels like a secret garden, especially if you pause in the rose-filled courtyard café. For quieter attractions in Paris, I also recommend the Promenade Plantée, the original elevated walkway that locals use long before they head to the crowds at bigger sights. If friends ask me what to see in Paris beyond the obvious, I send them to Rue des Barres near Saint-Gervais for medieval Paris at its most intimate. Even people who love classic tours in Paris often miss the Canal Saint-Martin locks at golden hour, when the neighborhood feels effortlessly local.
When I visit Paris, I usually tell first-timers to stay in the Marais: it’s central, walkable, and still feels lived-in. Around Rue de Bretagne, you’re near the Marché des Enfants Rouges for an easy lunch, and in the evening the side streets stay lively without feeling chaotic. If you want a more village-like Paris, I recommend South Pigalle near Rue des Martyrs—great bakeries, small wine bars, and quick access to the Metro. In my travel guide Paris notes, these two areas work best because you can actually enjoy the things to do in Paris on foot. If you visit Paris often, Canal Saint-Martin is another local favorite.
When I’m helping someone with a first trip to Paris, I always suggest mixing the icons with small neighborhood moments. Start early on Île de la Cité, then cross to the Left Bank for coffee on Rue de Buci before the streets fill up. For the best things to do in Paris, I’d pair the Louvre or Musée d’Orsay with a slow walk through the passages around Palais-Royal. If you’re wondering what to see in Paris without rushing, take time for the Seine at sunset between Pont Neuf and Pont des Arts. Even people focused on big attractions in Paris or classic tours in Paris often remember those quieter hours most.
If you want to visit Paris around a memorable local event, I’d pick June for Fête de la Musique, when all of Paris spills into the streets with free performances, especially around the Marais and the Latin Quarter. In my travel guide Paris notes, Nuit Blanche is another favorite: contemporary art takes over unexpected corners of Paris for one long night, and the city feels wonderfully awake. I also love January for the soldes, when locals hunt real bargains in the grands magasins and smaller boutiques. For seasonal things to do in Paris, Paris Plages in summer can be surprisingly fun if you know which stretches of the Seine feel more local.
When I visit Paris, I mostly use the Metro, but I’m picky about when: for short hops across central Paris, lines 1 and 14 save the most time, while buses are better when you actually want to see the city between stops. In my travel guide Paris notes, the biggest mistake is relying on taxis in busy hours, especially near Opéra or Saint-Germain. If you plan to visit Paris and linger in neighborhoods, walking is still the smartest choice—many of the best things to do in Paris are only a few bridges or boulevards apart. I also use Vélib’ on Sunday mornings, when Paris traffic feels much calmer.
When I’m in Paris, I see most visitors gravitate toward a few classics, but the best way to enjoy them is with timing. Among the most popular things to do in Paris, the Louvre is far better early or on a late-opening evening, and I always suggest pairing it with the quieter arcades near Palais-Royal. For what to see in Paris, people naturally head to the Eiffel Tower and a Seine cruise, but I prefer boarding near Pont Neuf at dusk, when Paris feels softer and less hectic. Even the biggest attractions in Paris and the usual tours in Paris become more memorable when you build in neighborhood stops like Rue Cler or Île Saint-Louis.
When I visit Paris, I tell people to look beyond onion soup and focus on what Parisians actually queue for: a good baguette tradition, flaky viennoiseries, oysters in season, and classic bistro dishes like steak-frites or œuf mayo done properly. In my travel guide Paris notes, one of the best things to do in Paris is to build a meal from different stops—cheese from a fromagerie, fruit from a market, and pastry from a neighborhood bakery. If you visit Paris in winter, I’d add hot chocolate and buckwheat galettes. Paris is also wonderful for North African food; a great couscous or tagine is as much a part of the city as any café terrace.