26 Things Everyone Should Experience in Paris

My sister Jill just returned from a 10-day trip to Europe that spanned Florence, Naples, Sorrento, Paris and Amsterdam.

To say that I was a little jealous would be an understatement.

As we sat in her apartment, eating Dutch cheeses and French mustard, talking about everything she’d saw along the way, I found myself thinking about our own trip to Paris, now almost 3 years ago! We spent 5 days exploring the city (definitely not enough), and I’ll never get over the beauty and charm that surrounded us on every corner. It was our last big adventure together before deciding to settle down and start a family, not knowing when we’d have the chance to make such a trip again.

As I started flipping through the photos on our computer, little bits and pieces of the trip that had gotten lost in my memory suddenly came back: the sidewalk cafes where we’d stop for lunch and watch the Parisians passing by, the narrow streets we’d find ourselves lost in while trying to navigate by paper map, and the wonderful feeling of being free in a city where everything was new and exciting. These are a few of our favorite places in Paris that stand out most in our memories:

These are a few of our favorite experiences in Paris that stand out most in our memories:

Our favorite memories of Paris, summed up by 26 amazing experiences // Europe Travel | France | Paris Itinerary | 3 Days in Paris | Top Things to Do | Where to Eat | What to See

Our favorite memories of Paris, summed up by 26 amazing experiences // Europe Travel | France | Paris Itinerary | 3 Days in Paris | Top Things to Do | Where to Eat | What to See

The quiet gardens behind Notre Dame

Our favorite memories of Paris, summed up by 26 amazing experiences // Europe Travel | France | Paris Itinerary | 3 Days in Paris | Top Things to Do | Where to Eat | What to See

…and the scrolling wrought iron balconies adorning every building.

Our favorite memories of Paris, summed up by 26 amazing experiences // Europe Travel | France | Paris Itinerary | 3 Days in Paris | Top Things to Do | Where to Eat | What to See

The love locks of Pont de l’ArchevĂŞchĂ©.

Our favorite memories of Paris, summed up by 26 amazing experiences // Europe Travel | France | Paris Itinerary | 3 Days in Paris | Top Things to Do | Where to Eat | What to See

Tiny winding streets that led to tiny bookstores and artisan food shops.

Our favorite memories of Paris, summed up by 26 amazing experiences // Europe Travel | France | Paris Itinerary | 3 Days in Paris | Top Things to Do | Where to Eat | What to See

Stunning Sainte-Chapelle and its stained glass windows.

Our favorite memories of Paris, summed up by 26 amazing experiences // Europe Travel | France | Paris Itinerary | 3 Days in Paris | Top Things to Do | Where to Eat | What to See

Our favorite memories of Paris, summed up by 26 amazing experiences // Europe Travel | France | Paris Itinerary | 3 Days in Paris | Top Things to Do | Where to Eat | What to See

The patisserie around the corner, where we’d grab our daily eclairs or macarons or pain au chocolate.

Our favorite memories of Paris, summed up by 26 amazing experiences // Europe Travel | France | Paris Itinerary | 3 Days in Paris | Top Things to Do | Where to Eat | What to See

Our favorite memories of Paris, summed up by 26 amazing experiences // Europe Travel | France | Paris Itinerary | 3 Days in Paris | Top Things to Do | Where to Eat | What to See

Our adorable chambre de bonne in the 5th arrondisement…

Our favorite memories of Paris, summed up by 26 amazing experiences // Europe Travel | France | Paris Itinerary | 3 Days in Paris | Top Things to Do | Where to Eat | What to See

…and the little Frenchie children that would trot by every day on their way home from school.

Our favorite memories of Paris, summed up by 26 amazing experiences // Europe Travel | France | Paris Itinerary | 3 Days in Paris | Top Things to Do | Where to Eat | What to See

The Eiffel Tower in the early morning rain…

Our favorite memories of Paris, summed up by 26 amazing experiences // Europe Travel | France | Paris Itinerary | 3 Days in Paris | Top Things to Do | Where to Eat | What to See

…and the anticipation of the ride up to the top.

Our favorite memories of Paris, summed up by 26 amazing experiences // Europe Travel | France | Paris Itinerary | 3 Days in Paris | Top Things to Do | Where to Eat | What to See

The magic of the twinkling lights at night…

Our favorite memories of Paris, summed up by 26 amazing experiences // Europe Travel | France | Paris Itinerary | 3 Days in Paris | Top Things to Do | Where to Eat | What to See

…and drinking French wine with every meal.

Our favorite memories of Paris, summed up by 26 amazing experiences // Europe Travel | France | Paris Itinerary | 3 Days in Paris | Top Things to Do | Where to Eat | What to See

Feeling so small inside the pyramid at the Louvre.

Our favorite memories of Paris, summed up by 26 amazing experiences // Europe Travel | France | Paris Itinerary | 3 Days in Paris | Top Things to Do | Where to Eat | What to See

Our favorite memories of Paris, summed up by 26 amazing experiences // Europe Travel | France | Paris Itinerary | 3 Days in Paris | Top Things to Do | Where to Eat | What to See

Riding the metro all over town…

Our favorite memories of Paris, summed up by 26 amazing experiences // Europe Travel | France | Paris Itinerary | 3 Days in Paris | Top Things to Do | Where to Eat | What to See

Our favorite memories of Paris, summed up by 26 amazing experiences // Europe Travel | France | Paris Itinerary | 3 Days in Paris | Top Things to Do | Where to Eat | What to See

…and taking photos of every entrance.

Our favorite memories of Paris, summed up by 26 amazing experiences // Europe Travel | France | Paris Itinerary | 3 Days in Paris | Top Things to Do | Where to Eat | What to See

The doors and windows looking out to the gardens of Versailles

Our favorite memories of Paris, summed up by 26 amazing experiences // Europe Travel | France | Paris Itinerary | 3 Days in Paris | Top Things to Do | Where to Eat | What to See

Our favorite memories of Paris, summed up by 26 amazing experiences // Europe Travel | France | Paris Itinerary | 3 Days in Paris | Top Things to Do | Where to Eat | What to See

…and getting lost in the gardens themselves.

Our favorite memories of Paris, summed up by 26 amazing experiences // Europe Travel | France | Paris Itinerary | 3 Days in Paris | Top Things to Do | Where to Eat | What to See

Marie Antoinette’s hamlet tucked far behind Versailles.

Our favorite memories of Paris, summed up by 26 amazing experiences // Europe Travel | France | Paris Itinerary | 3 Days in Paris | Top Things to Do | Where to Eat | What to See

Our favorite memories of Paris, summed up by 26 amazing experiences // Europe Travel | France | Paris Itinerary | 3 Days in Paris | Top Things to Do | Where to Eat | What to See

Everything about Le Barav (especially that foie gras)…

Our favorite memories of Paris, summed up by 26 amazing experiences // Europe Travel | France | Paris Itinerary | 3 Days in Paris | Top Things to Do | Where to Eat | What to See

Our favorite memories of Paris, summed up by 26 amazing experiences // Europe Travel | France | Paris Itinerary | 3 Days in Paris | Top Things to Do | Where to Eat | What to See

…and afternoon mile-high lemon meringue at Le Loir dans La ThĂ©ière.

Our favorite memories of Paris, summed up by 26 amazing experiences // Europe Travel | France | Paris Itinerary | 3 Days in Paris | Top Things to Do | Where to Eat | What to See

Our favorite memories of Paris, summed up by 26 amazing experiences // Europe Travel | France | Paris Itinerary | 3 Days in Paris | Top Things to Do | Where to Eat | What to See

Our favorite memories of Paris, summed up by 26 amazing experiences // Europe Travel | France | Paris Itinerary | 3 Days in Paris | Top Things to Do | Where to Eat | What to See

The strange beauty of Père Lachaise

Our favorite memories of Paris, summed up by 26 amazing experiences // Europe Travel | France | Paris Itinerary | 3 Days in Paris | Top Things to Do | Where to Eat | What to See

Our favorite memories of Paris, summed up by 26 amazing experiences // Europe Travel | France | Paris Itinerary | 3 Days in Paris | Top Things to Do | Where to Eat | What to See

…and sipping champagne on the River Seine.

Our favorite memories of Paris, summed up by 26 amazing experiences // Europe Travel | France | Paris Itinerary | 3 Days in Paris | Top Things to Do | Where to Eat | What to See

The views through the clock at MusĂ©e d’Orsay

Our favorite memories of Paris, summed up by 26 amazing experiences // Europe Travel | France | Paris Itinerary | 3 Days in Paris | Top Things to Do | Where to Eat | What to See

Our favorite memories of Paris, summed up by 26 amazing experiences // Europe Travel | France | Paris Itinerary | 3 Days in Paris | Top Things to Do | Where to Eat | What to See

…and more views from atop the Arc de Triomphe.

Our favorite memories of Paris, summed up by 26 amazing experiences // Europe Travel | France | Paris Itinerary | 3 Days in Paris | Top Things to Do | Where to Eat | What to See

Walking Rue Mouffetard nearly every night…

Our favorite memories of Paris, summed up by 26 amazing experiences // Europe Travel | France | Paris Itinerary | 3 Days in Paris | Top Things to Do | Where to Eat | What to See

Our favorite memories of Paris, summed up by 26 amazing experiences // Europe Travel | France | Paris Itinerary | 3 Days in Paris | Top Things to Do | Where to Eat | What to See

…and a fabulous anniversary dinner at Frenchie to cap off an amazing trip.

Looking back at these photos, one thing is clear: we’ve not even begun to scratch the surface of this big, big world and have so many adventures yet to take.

What are your favorite spots in Paris?

Read Next: 10 Things You Need to Experience in Rome

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Our favorite memories of Paris, summed up by 26 amazing experiences // Europe Travel | France | Paris Itinerary | 3 Days in Paris | Top Things to Do | Where to Eat | What to See

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