Fabulous Things to Add to Your Paris Itinerary

About Tara: Vegan travel blogger and content creator based in Lisbon, sharing helpful destination guides from all around the world. Find out more

I’ve rounded up some of my favorite things to add to your Paris itinerary, whether that's a 24-hour layover or a 10-day itinerary. It includes all the places you should visit, all the amazing things you have to see, and a few favorite vegan places to eat in Paris.

Table of Contents

What to add to your Paris itinerary

Hop-on hop-off bus tour

I always recommend a hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus tour in a new city. It may seem a bit cheesy, but it’s the perfect way to help you get the lay of the land. This tour is best done on the first day of your Paris itinerary. You can jump out to explore Paris’ many attractions, then spend the rest of your trip exploring all of your top choices with more time to spare.

Eiffel Tower

No trip to Paris would be complete without a visit to the magnificent Eiffel Tower. Depending on where you’re staying, an enjoyable way to visit the Eiffel Tower is by walking and stopping at several places along the way to or from the tower. And if you can spare the time, it’s so much fun to visit the Eiffel Tower in the morning and at night, when the lights are illuminated and sparkling like pure magic across the city.

You could start your day with this fantastic Eiffel Tower Morning Tour and Seine River Cruise. After the tour, stop at The Louvre and spend a little time in the Tuileries Garden, or take that cheesy-yet-essential photo of yourself touching the top of the pyramid. Then, walk to Jardin des Plantes following the Seine River. The lush botanical garden is full of life and color. If you have a green thumb, this is a must visit.

Seine River

I could spend all day just walking along the banks of the Seine and back. There are so many stunning buildings along the way, as well as fun outdoor cafes that invite you to take a break and enjoy the scenery. It’s also common to see dance groups practicing along the boardwalk. The Banks of the Seine are a UNESCO World Heritage Site in their own right, so I highly recommend seeing them from a different angle with a fun Seine River Cruise.

The Louvre

This museum is probably one of the best in the world. It’s certainly the largest. It’s a must-visit that will have you standing back to revel in the incredible works of art. A timed-entry ticket to the Louvre is a must if you are going to visit the museum, as the ticket lines can be hours long. 

Musée d’Orsay

Like The Louvre, this museum is another must-visit for art lovers. The museum is housed in a former Beaux-Arts railway station that is absolutely glorious. The best way to visit the Musée d’Orsay is by using a Musée d’Orsay timed-entry ticket.

Montmartre and Sacre-Coeur

I love this area! It’s thoroughly enchanting. The Montmartre neighborhood is full of nooks and crannies and exploring them is the best way to really appreciate its fascinating, artsy history. You must visit the Sacre-Coeur Basilica and take in the view before heading inside. I highly recommend this walking tour of Montmartre and Sacre-Coeur.

Moulin Rouge

This is an ultra-entertaining way to spend an evening. This world-renowned cabaret is one of the oldest in the city. Book a show ticket that includes dinner and champagne and prepare to be entertained. A vegan menu is available too!

Secret spots Bike Tour

If you want to see all the hidden gems on your Paris itinerary, then this bike tour is for you. It’s a small group tour that takes you through all the hotspots of Paris, including the famous Marais, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, and the Latin Quarter. 

Arc de Triomphe

This is another recognizable Parisian landmark, with the crowds to match. Book an entry ticket that allows you to skip the line and then marvel at the breathtaking views from the top of the arch. Top tip: Visit at sunset for the most beautiful view or the Eiffel Tower and Champs-Élysées. 

Le Parc des Princes

If you love soccer, then you will absolutely love a visit to Paris Saint-Germain’s ground, Le Parc des Princes. A tour of the stadium will give you behind-the-scenes access to see it like its players, even going inside the dressing rooms. Walk in Neymar Jr and Messi’s footsteps on a tour of the field where all the magic happens, and take in the fascinating story of Paris’ top team. 

Free or almost-free things to add to your Paris itinerary

Visit Rue Cremieux

This colorful street is absolutely adorable. It’s become an Instagram hotspot for its pretty pastels, bright houses, and many plants and flowers. When you take photos here, just be mindful that people actually live there.

Go to any of the local farmer’s markets

This is one of my favorite Parisian activities and makes me feel less like a tourist and more like a local. The markets are gorgeous and bring to life the scenes you have likely seen in all of the Paris movies. There’s a vast array of colorful and delicious plump fruits and veggies, creamy cheeses, and other French delicacies.

Place des Vosges

Add Place des Vosges to your itinerary for a fun place to see locals enjoying a picnic. The ambience is festive and it’s entertaining to watch all of the fashionable Parisians enjoying a lovely day in Paris' oldest square.

Coulée Verte Reneé-Dumont

If you’ve been to NYC, you’ve likely gone to The High Line. This is Paris’ equivalent, and was actually a model for the NYC High Line. It’s called Coulée Verte Reneé-Dumont and is definitely one of the highlights of any Paris trip. This walking trail is grown on a former elevated railway, which affords gorgeous views of the buildings nearby. There are trees, shrubs, and native vegetation throughout the trail. Try to see it in summer when the bright botanic colors are on full display. 

Memorable day trips from Paris

Day trip to Versailles

If you want to see the richness and opulence of former French royalty, the Palace of Versailles is a must-visit. It has over-the-top decorations, furniture, and magnificently manicured gardens. Book a palace and garden entry ticket for the best deal.

Day trip to Disneyland

If you are traveling with kids, then you may want to add a day trip to Disneyland to your Paris itinerary. It includes two parks: Walt Disney Studios Park and Disneyland Park. You will certainly be entertained all day at this world-famous theme park.

The best vegan food in Paris

Now, let’s talk about where to eat fantastic vegan food in Paris. Below is my list of delicious vegan eateries. 

My favorite is a classic - VG Patisserie. They have the most delicious pastries, macarons, croissants, and cakes. It would be a shame to visit Paris and miss out on their most famous treats. Just walking into the bakery is a feast for the eyes as you take in its gorgeously decorated pastries and desserts.

WHERE TO EAT

1. Aujourd’hui Demain, 42 Rue du Chemin Vert
2. Coffee Crêpes, 24 Quai du Louvre
3. Comptoir Veggie, 75 Av. Ledru Rollin
4. Jah Jah by Le Tricycle, 11 Rue des Petites Écuries
5. VG Patisserie, 123 Bd Voltaire
6. Itadakizen Paris, 12 Rue Pradier
7. Cloud Cakes, 6 Rue Mandar
8. Furahaa To Go, 78 Rue Réaumur
9. Land and Monkeys, 2 Rue de Turenne 
10. Le Potager de Charlotte, 12 Rue Louise-Émilie de la Tour d'Auvergne

More fun activities in Paris

Another activity that will take you to a hyper-local Parisian neighborhood: perusing thrift shops. Most of the thrift shops are concentrated in the Marais neighborhood. You will find everything from vintage Chanel to clothes sold by the kilo along Rue de la Verrerie and the surrounding streets. Below is a list of some of my favorites:

Thrift shops

1. Free P Star, 61 Rue de la Verrerie, 20 Rue de Rivoli
2. Kilo shop, 69 Rue de la Verrerie
3. Guerrisol, 21 Blvd Marguerite de Rochechouart
4. Croix Rouge, 36 rue Geoffroy l’Asnier
5. Hippy Market, 41 Rue du Temple

The activities listed above will keep you entertained for at least a week of adventuring in Paris. Many of the recommended tours are absolutely worth the money as they save you countless hours waiting in lines so you can spend the time at other iconic sights. If you’re anything like me, Paris will enchant you from the very first day. I highly recommend that you explore as much of the city as possible and try to immerse yourself in the Parisian lifestyle. Enjoy this captivating city.

About Tara: Vegan travel blogger and content creator based in Lisbon, sharing helpful destination guides from all around the world, travel tips, and vegan food guides on her site, veganfamilyadventures.com