In Paris you’ll find iconic tourist attractions, landmarks, high-brow culture, delicious dining and shopping thrills (for every budget). Here are a few essential Parisian experiences that will stay etched in your vacation memories long after you’ve jetted home:

First-time travelers to Paris will (rightly so) put the Eiffel Tower at the top of their must-do list; this 324-meter-high (1,063 feet) wrought-iron spire, designed by Gustave Eiffel in 1889 as a temporary addition to the city’s skyline, remains one of the world’s most-famous tourist attractions.

Visitors can take a glass elevator up 270 meters (886 feet) to the top of the Eiffel Tower where two observation deck floors — one indoor, one outdoor — bestow 360-degree views of the city and beyond. For a selfie with the Eiffel Tower in it, head down to Mars Field (Champs de Mars), the peaceful green space that sits beneath it. And if you want to experience the best view of the tower at night, head to Trocadero Place (Place du Trocadéro), a large square located directly across the River Seine from the Eiffel Tower. It’s the perfect spot to experience the famous sight lit up and sparkling with hundreds of tiny lights.

In the mood for a workout? There are 300 steps to reach the Sacré-Cœur Dome, but it’s worth it for one of the most spectacular panoramic views of Paris. For those not able to make the climb, the Montmarte funicular will take you from the bottom of the hill to the steps of Sacré-Cœur in a quick 90 seconds. You might not get the same panorama of the city, but the journey still affords a beautiful look at the bustle around you. And if you feel peckish along the way, the grass-covered slopes around this Roman Catholic beauty — finally finished in 1923, after nearly 50 years of construction — are made for picnics.

Simply strolling (ideally with un café in hand) through the cobbled streets and elegant boulevards is one of the best ways to really get a feel for Paris. Start at Notre-Dame Cathedral (Metro stop: St-Michel Notre-Dame). Even though the famous 12-century cathedral is closed to tourists following the fire in 2019, it’s still a site to see from the outside. Oh, and if buttery sustenance is needed before you begin, snap up some heavenly cakes, macarons and more at A. LACROIX Pâtisserie on Quai de Montebello.

From here, take an hour to leisurely explore the city’s central section of the River Seine and the two historic islands (Île de la Cité and Île Saint-Louis) that are bedded in the middle of this emerald ribbon of water. The River Seine features spectacular views of the Louvre, Eiffel Tower and iconic monuments and landmarks.

Around 15 minutes’ walk south from Notre-Dame lies the Jardin du Luxembourg (in the sixth arrondissement), arguably the city’s most famous green lung. The garden was created in 1612 and remains just as inviting today — offering guests towering palms, fragrant orange trees, a superb children’s play area (Ludo garden) and a historical puppet theatre to discover.

Gastronomy comes in many forms in Paris. You’ll always find something to make your mouth water. There are the Michelin-starred culinary alchemists who wow guests on a nightly basis in lavish, fine dining settings. Le Pré Catelan (Bois de Boulogne) and Guy Savoy (11 quai de Conti) are among those currently adorned with three coveted Michelin stars.

For more traditional Parisian experiences, consider half-a-dozen oysters and a glass of ice-cold crémant (sparkling wine) in any one of the city’s hundreds of chic brasseries. Stay on the move with a ham and cheese crepe from a street vendor — a classic lunchtime favorite. Head to Rue de l'Odéon for some of the best as you hop between famous sights.

Don’t forget the sweet treats, either. Artisanal bakers craft cakes and pastries that look like works of art. You’ll find a pâtisserie on almost every street but there are some that warrant a special trip. Pick up a few lemon tart pastries (tarte au citron) at Stohrer (51 rue Montorgueil); it’s the city’s oldest bakery, dating back to 1730.

The Louvre, right in the heart of Paris on Rue de Rivoli, is the world’s largest art museum, and commands at least a day of your time to even skim the surface of this landmark.

For families with younger children, just wandering the grounds, including its famous glinting glass pyramid, may well be entertainment enough. It will certainly help score bonus points with the social media-loving teenagers in your life. Jumping pics in front of the museum are a surefire way to get those Instagram likes pouring in.

Art fans who do make it through the museum’s hallowed doors won’t be disappointed, though. More than 10,000 years of art history unfolds here, with almost every master — from Caravaggio to Vermeer — exhibited. Alexandros of Antioch’s “Venus de Milo” and Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa,” of course, draw the biggest crowds. Book in advance, and remember the museum is closed on Tuesdays.

Just a 10 minutes’ walk away from the Louvre, on the city’s Left Bank, is the Musée d’Orsay (1 Rue de la Légion d'Honneur), a shrine to the impressionist movement and brimming with works by Monet, Van Gogh, Renoir and Degas (be sure to check out the latter’s stunning dancer sculptures).

The Centre Pompidou (Place Georges-Pompidou) — a 15-minute walk from Notre-Dame — looks futuristic although it’s already celebrated its 40th birthday. Home to a vast collection of modern art, it's a great choice for families, thanks to bright colors throughout and its kid’s gallery (Galerie des enfants).

If you’re lucky enough to have a budget for the fanciest French designers, then head to Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré in the first arrondissement where the likes of Givenchy and Hermès sell their very expensive wares. History fans will enjoy the Guerlain boutique, at 68 Avenue des Champs-Élysées, which opened in 1914 and is now listed as a protected historical monument.

Galeries Lafayette is the one store that you really shouldn’t miss. The vast flagship art nouveau store in the Opera district was founded in 1893, with many of the department store’s goods sitting under a spectacular 1,000-square-meter (104 feet) stained glass flower dome.

For different consumer thrills, visit Les Puces de Paris Saint-Ouen (Rue des Rosiers), a sprawling flea market that sells antiques every Friday to Monday — around 180,000 visitors head here each weekend. It’s the perfect spot for picking up a little piece of Paris — be it decor, jewelry or art — to take home.

Joanna Tweedy is an award-winning travel writer and editor who lives in London. A former UK national newspaper travel editor, she now contributes across many titles, and specializes in writing about family travel, wellness breaks and luxury vacations.