France has a way of getting under your skin before you have even packed your bag. You have seen the photos, watched the films, heard people talk about it with...
tyl
June 19, 2026
France has a way of getting under your skin before you have even packed your bag. You have seen the photos, watched the films, heard people talk about it with that slightly faraway look in their eyes. And then you actually go — and somehow, it’s still better than you expected.
The light is softer. The food is better. The streets feel like something you have been trying to remember your whole life. But here is what nobody tells you: knowing about France and knowing what to actually do there are completely different things. It’s easy to arrive with a vague plan and leave feeling like you missed something.
This guide is about making sure that doesn’t happen. Whether it’s your first trip or your fifth, these are the experiences worth building your itinerary around.
What Are the Best Things to Do in France?
Honestly? That depends on who is asking. France is one of those rare countries that doesn’t really have a wrong answer — it just has different ones depending on what you are after. History, food, art, nightlife, theme parks, countryside, couture — it’s all here, and it’s all genuinely excellent.
What the best experiences tend to have in common, though, is that they surprise you a little. You think you know what something will be like, and then you are standing in front of it thinking: oh, it’s actually like that. That’s the French effect. And these are the places and moments most likely to give it to you.
Things to Do in Paris, France: The City That Earns Every Cliché
Paris is one of the very few places on earth that actually lives up to its reputation. Not always immediately — the city can feel overwhelming at first, even a little indifferent. But give it a day or two and it opens up.
The Louvre: Go for More Than the Mona Lisa
Most people spend the Louvre trying to photograph a painting they can barely see through the crowd. Don’t do that. Book your tickets in advance through TickYourList, skip the queue entirely, and give yourself the freedom to actually explore. The Egyptian antiquities wing is extraordinary.
The Winged Victory of Samothrace will stop you in your tracks. The Richelieu wing — which most visitors never find — is worth an hour on its own. The Mona Lisa is smaller than you think and more beautiful than you expect. See it, then move on. There’s so much more.
Montparnasse Tower: The View Paris Doesn’t Talk About Enough
Here is a local secret that isn’t really a secret anymore, but still gets overlooked: the best view of Paris is from the Montparnasse Tower. Not the Eiffel Tower itself — because from up there, you can’t see the Eiffel Tower. Montparnasse gives you the whole skyline, golden spires and all, with the tower sitting right in the middle of it.
At sunset, it’s the kind of view that makes you go quiet. Grab tickets in advance and you won’t regret it.
Les Invalides: Napoleon, Arms, and Goosebumps
The golden dome of Les Invalides is one of Paris’s most recognisable silhouettes, but most people just admire it from the outside. Go in. Napoleon’s tomb alone — vast, dramatic, and somehow deeply moving — is worth the visit.
The Army Museum that surrounds it holds one of the finest collections of military history in Europe, spanning centuries of armour, weapons, and wartime artefacts. It’s one of those French tourist attractions that takes you completely by surprise. TickYourList has skip-the-line tickets, which makes a real difference here.
The Arc de Triomphe: Actually Climb It
Everyone photographs it. Far fewer people climb it. The view from the top — twelve avenues fanning out below, the city stretching to the horizon in every direction — is spectacular and strangely intimate at the same time. It doesn’t feel like a tourist attraction up there.
It feels like Paris is actually showing itself to you. Book timed entry through TickYourList before you travel and it’s completely seamless.
The Emily in Paris Tour: Better Than It Sounds
Yes, we are including this. And yes, it’s genuinely great. The filming locations for Emily in Paris happen to be some of the most beautiful corners of the city — Saint-Germain, Montmartre, tucked-away streets in the Marais that most visitors walk straight past without realising what they are looking at.
TickYourList runs a guided tour of the filming spots, and whether you love the show or couldn’t care less about it, it’s a brilliant way to see a side of Paris that standard itineraries miss entirely.
The Eiffel Tower: A Paris Must-See You Can’t Skip
Talking about France and not mentioning the Eiffel Tower feels almost impossible — it’s the first thing that comes to mind, and for good reason. There’s nothing quite like watching the iron lattice catch the evening light as the city hums below it.
Whether you are heading up for the view, the history, or just to say you did it, it’s one of those moments that sticks with you long after the trip ends. The lines can get long though, especially in peak season, so having your tickets sorted ahead of time makes all the difference.
Places to Visit in France That Aren’t Paris
Paris gets most of the attention, and it deserves it. But some of the best places to visit in France are just outside the city limits and they are worth every minute of the journey.
Palace of Versailles: Nothing Can Actually Prepare You
You have seen the pictures. You still won’t be ready. The Palace of Versailles is one of those places where the scale of it — the sheer, almost absurd ambition of it — only hits you when you are standing in front of it. The Hall of Mirrors is extraordinary. The gardens go on forever, in the best possible way.
And the whole thing is a reminder that sometimes history really was as dramatic as it sounds. Go on a weekday morning if you can manage it. Give yourself the full day. And book your timed entry tickets in advance — the queue without a booking is brutal, and there is no reason to deal with it.
Disneyland Paris: Unapologetically Brilliant
No guilt required. Disneyland Paris is the most visited theme park in Europe and it earns that title every single day. The magic is real, the rides are excellent, and there’s something about the whole experience that makes it almost impossible not to enjoy yourself.
It’s about 35 minutes from central Paris by RER, and TickYourList has tickets sorted so you can walk straight in. One day of pure joy. Absolutely worth it.
Parc Astérix: The One the Locals Know About
This is the one international visitors often overlook and locals are quietly happy about that. Based on the iconic French comic series, Parc Astérix is funny, creative, and genuinely thrilling, with roller coasters that hold their own against any of the bigger parks.
It has personality in a way that a lot of theme parks don’t. If you’re looking for places to visit in France that feel like a real discovery, this is one of them.
Paris After Dark: Shows, Spectacles, and Sweet Things
The city changes after sunset. It gets slower, warmer, more alive in a different way. These are the evenings you will be talking about long after you are home.
Moulin Rouge: Still the Best Show in Town
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It’s been running since 1889 and it hasn’t lost a step. The Moulin Rouge is pure Parisian spectacle — feathers, champagne, dancers who make the impossible look effortless. It’s theatrical and joyful and genuinely dazzling. Book your show tickets through TickYourList and arrive ready to be completely swept up in it.
Crazy Horse: Artistry at Its Most Precise
Where the Moulin Rouge is grand and exuberant, the Crazy Horse is precise and hypnotic. The choreography, the lighting, the visual composition — it’s been called one of the most elegant shows in the world, and that’s not an exaggeration.
A completely different experience from any other night out in Paris. It’s the kind of evening that stays with you.
Musée Grévin: Surprisingly, Genuinely Fun
The Grévin Wax Museum doesn’t always make serious travel lists, but it should. The building alone — a beautiful 19th-century space in the heart of Paris — is worth seeing, and the celebrity encounters inside are far more entertaining than you’d expect.
It’s one of those French tourist attractions that catches you off guard in the best way. Go with low expectations and leave thoroughly charmed.
Chocolate Making at the Chocolate Museum
This one is for the food lovers — which, in France, is everyone by the second day. The Chocolate Museum’s hands-on workshop lets you make your own chocolate from scratch, and it’s as satisfying as it sounds.
TickYourList offers this experience, and it’s a brilliant way to spend a rainy afternoon or fill the gap between bigger days.
Best Time to Visit France
People ask this constantly, and the real answer is: there isn’t a bad time, there are just different versions of France depending on when you go.
Spring (April–June) is the classic choice for good reason. The weather is mild, the gardens are at their best, and the summer crowds haven’t arrived yet. Paris in bloom is exactly as good as everyone says.
Summer (July–August) means heat, energy, and peak everything — prices, crowds, and atmosphere. If you’re heading to the South of France, this is honestly the time to do it. For Paris and the major tourist attractions, just book everything in advance and you will be fine.
Autumn (September–October) is arguably the best-kept secret on the French travel calendar. September especially is warm, golden, and noticeably quieter than summer. The light in Paris in October is the light that made people want to paint Paris in the first place.
Winter (November–March) brings quieter museums, Christmas markets, and a particular grey-gold atmosphere that photographs beautifully. Cold, yes. But romantic in a way that’s hard to replicate any other time of year.
For outdoor experiences — Versailles, the theme parks, the Arc de Triomphe at sunset — late spring and early autumn hit the sweet spot. You get the best weather and the most breathing room.
France Attractions at a Glance
Not sure where to start? Here is a quick overview of every experience covered in this guide — what it is, where it sits, how long to allow, and who it’s best for.
Attraction
Type
Time Needed
Best For
The Louvre
Museum
Half day-full day
Art and history lovers
Montparnasse Tower
Viewpoint
1-2 hours
Panoramic views, sunset visits
Les Invalides
Museum and monument
2-3 hours
History buffs
Arc de Triomphe
Monument
1-2 hours
Views, iconic Paris moments
Emily in Paris filming spots tour
Guided tour
2-3 hours
Culture lovers, show fans
Eiffel Tower
Landmark & Observation Deck
2-3 hours
First-time visitors, city views, photography
Palace of Versailles
Palace & gardens
Full day
First timers, history lovers
Disneyland Paris
Theme park
Full day
Families, all ages
Parc Astérix
Theme Park
Full day
Thrill-seekers, locals’ favourite
Moulin Rouge
Cabaret show
Evening (2-3 hours)
Couples, first time visitors
Crazy Horse
Cabaret show
Evening (1.5-2 hours)
Art lovers
Musée Grévin
Wax museum
1-2 hours
Families, pop culture fans
Chocolate Museum Workshop
Hands-on experience
1-2 hours
Foodies, rainy day activity
All of the above are bookable through TickYourList — tickets, timed entry, and guided experiences in one place.
Ready to Plan?
To make the most of France tourist attractions, book ahead. Not because spontaneity doesn’t work here — it does, sometimes brilliantly but because the moments that really stay with you tend to be the ones you made space for. Whether you are after fairy-tale castles, cabaret nights, or a morning at the Louvre without the queue stress, TickYourList has you sorted.
From Disneyland Paris and Parc Astérix to Versailles, the Moulin Rouge, Crazy Horse, and tucked-away gems like the Chocolate Museum workshop and Emily in Paris filming tour — the tickets are there, ready to book. France is one of those places that gives back exactly what you put into it. Put in a little planning, and it’ll give you everything.
FAQs
What are the best things to do in France?
The best things to do in France include visiting Paris landmarks, exploring the Palace of Versailles, enjoying Disneyland Paris, watching a Moulin Rouge show, touring world-famous museums, and discovering charming towns, food, and cultural experiences.
Is Paris worth visiting on a trip to France?
Yes, Paris is one of the top destinations in France. Visitors can explore the Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, Montparnasse Tower, Les Invalides, beautiful neighborhoods, and famous cafés while experiencing the city’s rich history and culture.
How many days do you need in France?
Most travelers should spend at least 7–10 days in France. This allows enough time to explore Paris, visit nearby attractions like Versailles and Disneyland Paris, and experience other regions, cuisine, and cultural highlights.
What is the best time to visit France?
Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October) are considered the best times to visit France. The weather is pleasant, crowds are smaller, and popular attractions are easier to enjoy than during peak summer months.
Is Disneyland Paris worth visiting?
Yes, Disneyland Paris is Europe’s most visited theme park and offers attractions, shows, and entertainment for all ages. It is located about 35 minutes from central Paris and makes a great day trip.
What are the best attractions near Paris?
Some of the best attractions near Paris include the Palace of Versailles, Disneyland Paris, and Parc Astérix. These destinations offer history, culture, gardens, thrilling rides, and family-friendly experiences within easy reach of the city.
What should first-time visitors not miss in France?
First-time visitors should prioritize the Eiffel Tower area, the Louvre, Versailles, Arc de Triomphe, Montparnasse Tower, and iconic Paris experiences. These attractions showcase France’s history, art, architecture, and world-famous culture.
