Unforgettable Paris: 10 Dreamy Highlights for First - Time Visitors
If you’ve ever dreamed of Paris - the kind that lives in postcards, perfume ads, or poetry - it’s all real. Paris is just as magical as you imagine, but it’s the experience of the city that makes it unforgettable.
I’ve been lucky enough to visit Paris a few times over the years, and each trip has given me something new to fall in love with. My husband and I even renewed our vows here for our 15th wedding anniversary - an experience that made Paris feel more like a part of our story.
Beyond the tourist crowds and Instagrammable spots, there are moments that truly stay with you. If you're planning your first trip or simply dreaming from afar, these are the highlights that made my time in Paris truly meaningful.
If I could recommend 10 things for you to do in Paris, this would be the list.
If I could recommend 10 things for you to do in Paris, this would be the list.
1. Picnic Under the Eiffel Tower - Keep the Magic, Skip the Queue
Yes, the Eiffel Tower is iconic. But instead of lining up to go up, I recommend sitting under it. Pick up a baguette, some cheese, fruit, and maybe a little bottle of wine. Find a spot on the grass at Champ de Mars. Watch the light change as the sun sets. Listen to the mix of laughter, languages, and street music around you. And when the Eiffel Tower starts to sparkle at night - it's pure magic. This is where Paris feels like a movie, and you get to be in it.
2. Arc de Triomphe + A Stroll Down the Champs-Élysées
Climbing the Arc de Triomphe offers one of the best views of Paris, especially at sunset. You stand above the chaos of the roundabout and look down the grand avenues spreading like rays from a sunburst.
Afterwards, take your time walking down the Champs-Élysées. It's busy, yes, but there's something thrilling about shopping (or window shopping) on one of the most famous avenues in the world. Pop into Pierre Hermé for arguably the best macarons in France or browse French luxury boutiques.
If you’re a fashion lover, this is sacred ground. Paris is the fashion capital for a reason. Whether or not you're planning to buy, just being in the flagship stores of Chanel, Louis Vuitton, or Dior feels like a pilgrimage.
And if you're not into brands, head to vintage shops or indie boutiques in Le Marais for unique finds.
3. Step Into a Dream at the Palais Garnier
One of the most awe-inspiring places I visited was the Palais Garnier - the lavish 19th-century opera house that embodies pure Parisian opulence.
From the moment you walk through its grand entrance, you’re swept into a world of velvet, marble, and gold. The sweeping staircase, crystal chandeliers, and painted ceilings feel like something out of a fantasy. Even if you don’t catch a performance, taking a self-guided tour is a must.
You’ll leave feeling like royalty - or at least like you’ve stepped into the pages of a classic novel.
4. Capture the Moment at the Louvre Museum
Yes, the Louvre is massive - and yes, it can be crowded but it’s absolutely worth it. Not just for the art (though the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, and so many others are unforgettable), but for that moment outside. Standing in front of I.M. Pei’s iconic glass pyramid, camera in hand, I felt the surreal joy of truly being in Paris.
Take the photo. Take several. It’s more than just a travel cliché - it’s a memory frozen in time, proof that your dream of Paris became real.
5. Cruise Along the Seine - A River of Light
One of the best ways to see Paris is from the water. A river cruise along the Seine - especially at dusk offers a perspective that walking just can’t match.
You’ll glide past Notre-Dame, the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, and countless bridges. With the breeze in your hair and the city slowly lighting up around you, it’s quiet, cinematic, and absolutely beautiful.
I didn’t expect it to be emotional, but it was.
6. Pray, Reflect, or Wish - Notre-Dame & Sacré-Cœur
Whether you’re spiritual or not, there’s a unique sense of peace inside Paris’s sacred spaces. At Notre-Dame, I stood in awe of its Gothic grandeur. Looking up at its original spires before the devastating fire changed its silhouette forever - I felt incredibly lucky to have witnessed the cathedral as it stood for centuries.
I lit a candle inside Sacré-Coeur in Montmartre and made a quiet wish. I sat in silence, then stepped outside to one of the most breathtaking views of the city.
Both places reminded me to slow down, be present, and just breathe.
Both places reminded me to slow down, be present, and just breathe.
7. See Paris From Above
Paris is a city best appreciated from a little distance. Whether it's the top of the Eiffel Tower, Sacré-Cœur, or a rooftop café, seeing the city from above gives it a new kind of poetry.
I stood in awe, looking out at the grey rooftops, the neat streets, the domes and towers peeking through the haze. From up here, Paris looks organized, calm - like it’s exhaling.
8. Jog or Walk Through Parisian Gardens and Bridges Along the River Seine
Start your day like a Parisian and go for a jog or a gentle walk - whether through a quiet garden or along the flowing River Seine. Both offer their own kind of magic.
I had been looking forward to a morning run in Paris more than anything else - and when I finally did it, it was everything I hoped for. I laced up my shoes just after sunrise, with the city still waking up and the air fresh and cool. Jogging through the Jardin du Luxembourg, with its fountains, statues, and tree-lined paths, felt like running through a painting. But even more memorable for me were the moments along the Seine - passing historic bridges like Pont Neuf and Pont Alexandre III, watching the light dance on the river, and feeling the quiet heartbeat of the city beneath my feet.
There’s something grounding about these routes - whether you choose the peaceful beauty of a garden or the poetic rhythm of the river. I felt grateful in those moments - for my body, for the city, and for the simple joy of moving through such timeless beauty.
9. Eat Everything - A Food & Pastry Tour (and the Café Culture is a Must!)
If you do one thing in Paris, let it be this: eat your way through it. Croissants that flake like snow. Pistachio éclairs that taste like a secret. Duck confit so rich and tender you forget to speak. Cheese that demands silence and respect.
I didn’t take a formal food tour - I just wandered. The best meals came from trusting my senses: the smell of butter from a side street boulangerie, or the little chalkboard menu that only locals seemed to notice.
But one of the most Parisian food experiences? Sitting at a café. Find a sidewalk table, order a café crème or a glass of wine, and just… stay. No rush. Watch the world pass. Waiters are in no hurry, and neither should you be. I spent over an hour at a tiny café along the street, people-watching while nibbling on a warm French pastry and sipping hot chocolate.
That café wasn’t just a break - it was the experience. In Paris, the table is a stage, and you’re part of the performance. Food here is more than a meal - it’s art, ritual, and conversation.
10. A Night by the Seine - The City of Light Earns Its Name
My favorite memory? Sitting by the Seine at night, doing absolutely nothing. The river glowed. People gathered along the banks with drinks and guitars. Strangers danced, talked, laughed. And I just sat there, soaking in the beauty, the sound, the warmth of it all.
Paris at night is a completely different city. And it's everything you hope it will be.
The Paris I'll Always Remember
Paris wasn’t just beautiful, it was unforgettable. Not because I saw all the famous sights, but because I felt something in each moment. I let the city in. I let it slow me down, feed me, challenge me, and charm me.
If you ever get the chance to go - or are dreaming of it now, I hope you’ll find your own magic in these moments too.
Subscribe via RSS
0 comments