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When in Paris or Watching the Olympics in Paris…

Britt Patterson

The Paris Olympics are fast approaching: Friday, Jul 26 - Sunday, Aug 11, 2024, and we have created the perfect list of things to do in Paris between the Olympic festivities.

If it’s your first trip to Paris we highly recommend seeing the sights, Paris is iconic for a reason. Paris is full of culture, history, and beautiful landmarks, and here is a list of some must-see tourist attractions with tips and advice. 

The Obvious Stops:

  • Eiffel Tower. For the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics, the Eiffel Tower has been chosen to display the Olympic rings.

  • L’Arc de Triomphe. Fun fact, the well-known brand Celine. The intertwined “C” logo was created by Celine after her car broke down in front of the L’Arc de Triomphe in 1973. The symbol is on the chains surrounding the monument. We recommend taking the steps to the top of the L’arc.

  • Louvre Museum. Located on the Right Bank of the Seine in the city's 1st arrondissement and home to some of the most canonical works of Western art, including the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and Winged Victory.

    • Free tickets on the first Sunday of each month.

    • Mona Lisa is inside but beware the crowds are large and the wait is very long.

  • Jardin du Luxembourg. Situated on the border between Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Latin Quarter, the Luxembourg Gardens, inspired by the Boboli Gardens in Florence, were created upon the initiative of Queen Marie de Medici in 1612. The gardens, which cover 25 acres of land, are split into French gardens and English gardens.

  • Cathedral Notre-Dame. It is the most famous of the Gothic cathedrals of the Middle Ages and is distinguished for its size, antiquity, and architectural interest.

  • Montmartre. Famous for its cobbled streets, it’s perched on the top of a small hill in the 18th arrondissement, the most famous Parisian district. It has lost none of its village atmosphere that appealed so much to the artists of the 19th and 20th centuries.

  • Sacré-Cœur Basilica. Climb up to the Dome to enjoy an amazing view of Paris. Go early in the morning to avoid the crowds and get the best view.

  • Versaille. Highly recommend doing the paddle boat rides on the lake. Tickets allow you access for the entire day. 

Other sights/things to do in Paris:

  • Disneyland Paris. Much more affordable than Disney World in the U.S. and less crowded. Can dine at Bistro Chez Remy.

  • L'Avenue. An upscale classic French Bistro and the place to see A-List celebrities. 

  • Latin Quarter. Paradis Latin oldest Cabaret in Paris founded by Napoleon.

Things to Avoid in Paris:

  • Going up the Eiffel Tour. Opt for other look-out viewpoints where you can see the landscape of Paris along with the Eiffel Tour such as Montparnasse Tower, Pantheon Tower (our personal favorite), or the Pompidou Center observation deck. 

View from Pantheon

  • Waiting in line to see the Mona Lisa (unless you desperately want to). We recommend Musee Picasso instead.

  • Champs Elysse. Instead shop in Le Marais and Rue des Martyrs for tons of cafes, chocolatiers, bars and more.

  • Avoid eating near tourist attractions. Restaurants near tourist attractions hike up the prices and the food is not always the best. 

That said…

Must-Try Food in Paris:

  • Croissants

  • Escargot

  • Macarons

  • Jambon-beurre

  • Steak Tartare

  • Éclairs

  • Soupe L’Oignon

  • Crepes

  • Baba au Rhum

  • Baguette

  • Wine 

  • Cheese

  • Butter

Au revoir! We hope you enjoyed our suggestions, please add your own below in the comments!


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