Paris hits different. One second you are staring at centuries old buildings thinking about art and history and life. The next second you are eating a croissant that makes you question every bakery you have ever trusted. It feels romantic even when you are just walking to the metro. And yes, sometimes it smells weird, but we move.
Here are the places that actually feel worth your time, not just the ones everyone posts about.
The Louvre
The Louvre is massive. It is not just a museum, it is its own universe. You walk in thinking you will see the Mona Lisa and leave three hours later with sore feet and a new appreciation for ancient statues and ceilings that look like paintings. The glass pyramid outside feels iconic in person and the halls inside feel endless.
Do yourself a favour and go earlier in the morning if you can. The crowds get intense. Take your time, sit when you need to, and do not stress about seeing every single room. Nobody sees it all in one day. Look up a lot. The ceilings are half the experience.
The Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is one of those things you expect to feel overrated. And then you see it lit up at night and suddenly you get emotional over metal.
You can picnic on the grass nearby, walk around and see it from different angles, or go up for the view if you feel like waiting in line. Even just watching it sparkle feels unreal. It is touristy, yes, but there is a reason everyone still goes. It is pure main character energy.
Galeries Lafayette Haussmann
There is a big, beautiful shopping center in Paris where the rooftop feels like a free postcard. Think designer stores, stunning architecture, and then you take the elevator up and suddenly the whole city is spread out in front of you.
You see rooftops, the Eiffel Tower in the distance, and all the drama of Paris from above. Even if you do not buy a single thing, it is worth going just for the view and pretending you are in a movie for a few minutes.
Parc Monceau
Parc Monceau feels like a secret garden. It is calm, green, and almost too pretty. There are statues, curved paths, and little corners that feel like they belong in a painting. It is the kind of place where you sit on a bench, eat a pastry, and decide you are going to become a better person.
It is perfect when you need a break from busy streets and museums. Families walk, kids play, and somehow everyone seems softer here. Bring snacks, bring a book, bring your thoughts.
Chez Janou
This is one of those restaurants that makes you think about food long after you leave. Chez Janou feels cozy and very Paris without trying too hard. The energy is warm, a little loud, and very alive.
You get classic French food, lots of flavour, and portions that surprise you. The chocolate mousse situation is intense in the best way. Make a reservation if you can, because it fills up fast and for good reason.
Pachamama
Paris nightlife is wild. And yes, there really are clubs that go on and on like a video game level that never ends. A six story nightclub feels like every floor has its own personality. One floor is house music, another feels like a rave, another is more chill, and somehow there are still more stairs.
You lose your friends, find new ones, dance until your feet give up, and walk out at 5 a.m. questioning every decision while also having zero regrets. It is chaotic, sweaty, and unforgettable. Hydrate. Eat before. Trust me.
You have art at the Louvre. Romance and drama at the Eiffel Tower. A rooftop view that makes everything feel cinematic. Peace inside Parc Monceau. Comfort food dreams at Chez Janou. And then pure chaos at a gigantic nightclub that does not understand the meaning of bedtime.
It is soft and dramatic and exhausting and beautiful all at once.