66 Things to Do and See in Paris

Situated in lap of luxury amidst the countless designer boutiques on Rue du Faubourg St-Honoré, Le Bristol Paris is an exceptionally chic hotel that draws an exceptionally chic crowd. To cater to said style-conscious patrons, the hotel organizes a special haute couture version of high tea.

On certain Saturday afternoons, Le Bristol will invite one of its high-fashion neighbors (Céline, Saint Laurent, Givenchy, Chloé, et al.) to showcase pieces from their latest collections. You need not be a guest of the hotel to attend—but there's a fee of €70. This gains you entry to the event and covers your full tea service, a glass of champagne, and a special gâteau inspired by the featured designer. The whole thing is basically heaven for any sartorialist.

One of the most extraordinary churches you'll ever see, this royal medieval chapel with its impressive gothic architecture and stunning 13th-century stained glass windows, is not to be missed.

Every summer, several spots around the city are transformed into pop-up beaches, each with its own unique theme. From sandy shores on the right bank in the center of the city to water sports at the Bassin de la Villette, these urban beaches bring a taste of the Riviera to Paris.

The largest cemetery within the city of Paris, Père Lachaise houses the graves of several notable writers, composers, and entertainers, including Oscar Wilde, Edith Piaf, Frédéric Chopin, Sarah Bernhardt, Marcel Marceau, Honore de Balzac, Marcel Proust, and even Jim Morrison.

Arguably the coolest, hippest, liveliest space for modern and contemporary art in Paris, the Palais de Tokyo is currently closed as new exhibitions are installed and will reopen June 23, 2016 with an entirely fresh collection.

There are several secret nightclubs and lounges hidden around the city that make your evening out feel more clandestine and exclusive. There's the exceptionally popular Experimental Cocktail Club, which pretty much started the craft cocktail scene in Paris. It's accessible via a barely-marked door on a side street off the famed Rue Montorgeuil. From the same people behind ECC we get Le Ballroom du Beef Club, which you get to by an unmarked black door to the left of the Beef Club restaurant, and then down a spiral staircase.

Another speakeasy-style gem is Moonshiner. To get to the old-school lounge, you must walk to the back of the restaurant Pizza Da Vito and through the door of their walk-in freezer. Le Très Particulier is a semi-secret spot in Montmartre at the Hotel Particulier, formerly the villa of the Hermès family. To access this revived hotel bar you must venture down a private-access street, buzz on the intercom and say "prendre un verre" ("have a drink") to be permitted entry. It's worth the hassle once inside—interiors are quintessentially Parisian with plush velvet seating in a lush secret garden with black-and-white tile floors and a glass-enclosed terrace.

If you're looking for a challenge with your happy hour, Le Lavomatic (pictured) is where things get next-level tricky. First, you enter into an unassuming, fully functional laundromat. Then, you must find the washing machine that opens up to reveal the spindly spiral staircase that leads up to the bar on the third floor of the building. Once you're in, the traditional speakeasy experience dissipates—no dim lighting or heavy wooden furniture here—the entire space is decorated in bold, bright colors, accented with quirky laundry motifs, and hanging swings.

Once a Beaux Arts railway station, this glass-ceilinged museum houses a permanent collection that ranges from neoclassicism to art nouveau—but the impressionist works by artists like Monet, Manet, Van Gogh, Degas, Renoir, and Seurat are the crown jewel of Musée d'Orsay.

For those more interested in medieval art, unicorn tapestries and Roman baths, head to the Musée de Cluny in the Latin Quarter.

Paris's answer to the High Line? No—the original High Line. Visit the Promenade Plantée (also known as Coulée Verte), the elevated railway-turned-park that inspired New York City's popular west side destination.

Separating the Louvre from the Place de la Concorde, the elegant Tuileries Gardens provide the perfect setting for a relaxing stroll. The French-style landscaping features statues and art throughout, two tranquil ponds, plus a ferris wheel and old-fashioned carousel. From June through August there is the Fête des Tuileries, a carnival with rides, games, and food.

Only recently made viewable to the public, Gustave Eiffel's secret personal apartment is perched on the third level of the tower. The petite space is still decorated in much of the original furnishings from when the architect used it as a cozy, quiet hideaway, as well as a spot for hosting prestigious guests.

Of course, no trip to the City of Light is complete without a stop at the Louvre. The central landmark is instantly recognizable by the iconic I.M. Pei designed glass pyramids that sit out front. Inside, you'll find a massive collection of over 380,000 objects and 35,000 works of art—including, yes, the Mona Lisa.

Designed in the 1970s by Renzo Piano, Richard Rogers and Gianfranco Franchini, the Centre Pompidou garners attention for its high-tech style and unique colorful tubular façade. In addition to being an eye-grabbing feat of modern architecture, the Centre also houses the city's vast Public Information Library, the IRCAM music research institute, one of the city's best views on it's top floor and the Musée National d'Art Moderne, which is the largest modern art museum in Europe.

This stunning church sits atop the highest point in the city, overlooking Paris from the summit of Montmartre. Climb its famed steps and enjoy the views and be sure to explore the surrounding area while you're there—it's one of the most untouched, authentically Parisian neighborhoods in the city.

Take your pick of any of the several restaurants housed in the Eiffel Tower. On the first level you'll find 58 Tour Eiffel, which is open for lunch and dinner with breathtaking city views. Le Jules Verne is one floor up on the second level, offering exquisite contemporary French cuisine in an elegant, modern atmosphere. Finish your evening with a glass of bubbles at the Champagne Bar on the third level.

Colette is Paris' go-to for a well-curated selection of designer pieces, tech accessories, books and jewelry, and Merci carries the best of everything from designer fashion labels like Stella McCartney and Isabel Marant to beauty goods, homewares, even flowers. This concept superstore also houses three cafés: Merci Canteen is great for brunch; the downstairs Used Book Café is perfect for a cup of coffee and a good read; Cinéma Café is a favorite place to stop in for a glass of wine and light bites.

Paris is famous for its year-round flea markets. The grande dame of them all, possibly the largest in the world, is the Marché aux Puces (literally, the Market of Fleas) de St-Ouen—or as it's more commonly referred to, Clignancourt. This sprawling market just outside the 18th arrondissement covers seven hectacres with over 3,000 merchants split across 15 different sections, drawing up to 180,000 visitors each weekend. Come with a plan of action and a map in hand, and the understanding that even after spending an entire day here, you might still not have covered the entire grounds.

Those seeking a slightly less overwhelming flea market adventure may find Marché aux Puces de la Porte de Vanves in the 14th to be a more manageable option. While it doesn't boast the same inventory in antiques and furniture as Clignancourt, it's still rife with treasures for the keen-eyed browser. Vintage clothes and pre-loved Hermès scarves and delicate French linens are all waiting to be found here—just be sure to arrive early so the selection isn't already picked over.