Things to do in Paris on a Monday

Mondays might be known for downtime in Paris, but that doesn’t mean you’re out of things to do. In fact, it’s the perfect day to explore lesser-known spots, sip something chilled on a terrace, and enjoy top attractions without the weekend rush. With your Paris Pass, you’ll skip the lines and head straight into adventure—whether that’s a panoramic rooftop, a quiet museum, or a scenic bike ride through the city. Here’s how to make the most of your Monday in the City of Light. 

Cruise the Seine on a Bateaux Parisiens tour 

📍 Port de la Bourdonnais, 7th arrondissement 

 💸 Included with Paris Pass 

Start your week with a splash—literally. The Bateaux Parisiens river cruise is a relaxing way to see Paris from a fresh perspective, especially on a quieter Monday morning. You’ll glide past landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, and Musée d'Orsay, all narrated with fun facts and historical tidbits. The glass-roofed boats mean great views rain or shine, and the vibe is just right: not too crowded, not too rushed. Whether you hop on after breakfast or at golden hour, it’s a smooth intro to the week ahead—with zero footwork required. 

Take in the view from Tour Montparnasse 

📍 33 Avenue du Maine, 15th arrondissement 

 💸 Included with Paris Pass 

Looking for a Monday moment of wow? Head to the top of Tour Montparnasse. This sleek skyscraper might not be the prettiest building in Paris, but the view from the 56th floor is unmatched. You’ll get a full panoramic sweep of the city—with the Eiffel Tower front and centre. It’s open all week, including Mondays, and you’ll avoid weekend queues entirely. Pop up before lunch or as the sun starts to dip for that golden-hour glow. Bonus points if you bring a pain au chocolat to enjoy with the view. 

Explore Musée d’Orsay’s masterpieces 

📍 1 Rue de la Légion d’Honneur, 7th arrondissement 

 💸 Included with Paris Pass 

While many museums shut on Mondays, the Musée d’Orsay keeps its doors open—making it your go-to cultural fix. Housed in a grand former railway station, this museum is all about the greats: Monet, Van Gogh, Renoir, Toulouse-Lautrec, and more. The light-filled galleries are perfect for taking it slow, and the massive clock windows offer a dreamy view of the Seine. It’s one of the most beautiful places to get lost in art, and the upstairs café is an excellent stop for a low-key lunch once you’ve had your fill of brushstrokes and brilliance. 

Browse treasures at the Musée de l'Orangerie 

📍 Jardin des Tuileries, 1st arrondissement 

 💸 Included with Paris Pass 

Mondays in the Tuileries feel especially peaceful—and the Musée de l'Orangerie is the cherry on top. This museum is best known for Monet’s dreamy Water Lilies series, which is displayed in curved, light-filled rooms designed to feel like a garden in bloom. But there’s more than Impressionism here: the lower level has Cézanne, Matisse, and Picasso in a surprisingly compact, easily digestible layout. It’s a museum you can enjoy in under an hour—or stretch into a full morning if you’re in no rush. Exit straight into the gardens for a post-culture stroll. 

Wander the Middle Ages Museum (Musée de Cluny) 

📍 28 Rue du Sommerard, 5th arrondissement 

Tucked in the Latin Quarter, the Musée de Cluny is your go-to Monday museum for something a little different. This place dives deep into medieval life, with everything from stained glass and sculpture to quirky relics like 14th-century chess sets. The showstopper? The famous Lady and the Unicorn tapestries, rich with colour, symbolism, and just a dash of mystery. The museum is newly renovated, calm, and incredibly atmospheric, with parts built over ancient Roman baths. It’s a perfect pick if you’re after history with a bit of drama—and fewer crowds. 

Join a Montparnasse neighborhood walking tour 

📍 Departure near Montparnasse Tower, 15th arrondissement 

 💸 Included with Paris Pass 

Kick off your week with a walk through the heart of bohemian Paris. This Montparnasse tour is led by a local guide who knows the neighbourhood inside out—think artists' haunts, literary cafés, and quiet corners you’d never find on your own. It’s not just about the stories (though those are great); it’s also about soaking up the vibe of a neighbourhood that gave the world Simone de Beauvoir, Modigliani, and Josephine Baker. It’s easy-paced, friendly, and just the right amount of offbeat for a Monday morning. 

Climb the Arc de Triomphe 

📍 Place Charles de Gaulle, 8th arrondissement 

 💸 Included with Paris Pass 

Start your week on a high note—literally. The Arc de Triomphe is open Monday, and the rooftop offers one of Paris’s best panoramic views. You’ll see the Champs-Élysées stretching out like a runway below and the Eiffel Tower peeking out beyond Haussmann rooftops. The climb up is short but steep, and totally worth it for that top-of-the-world feeling. There’s also a moving memorial to the Unknown Soldier at the base, which adds a touch of reflection to the experience. Come early to beat the crowds and enjoy a quieter moment with the city. 

Dive into the Museum of the Arts and Invention 

📍 60 Rue Réaumur, 3rd arrondissement 

If your brain’s craving something fun and slightly geeky, the Musée des Arts et Métiers is open on Mondays and ready to inspire. It’s packed with inventions, machines, and quirky contraptions—everything from Foucault’s pendulum to early airplanes and mechanical calculators. Kids love it, but it’s just as fascinating for grown-ups. The building itself, a converted priory with soaring ceilings, makes everything feel even more epic. It’s the kind of museum where you’ll say “just one more room” about seven times—and leave with a head full of curious facts. 

Visit the Sainte-Chapelle stained glass sanctuary 

📍 10 Boulevard du Palais, 1st arrondissement 

 💸 Included with Paris Pass 

Step into a kaleidoscope of colour at Sainte-Chapelle, one of Paris’s most jaw-dropping Gothic chapels—and it’s open on Mondays! This 13th-century gem is known for its 15 soaring stained-glass windows that fill the space with vibrant light and biblical storytelling. Morning visits are especially magical, with sunlight streaming through blues, reds, and golds like a living painting. It’s compact, serene, and deeply moving—even if you’re not religious. Make sure to pause in the lower chapel too, which is more intimate but just as atmospheric. A soul-stirring start to any week. 

Enjoy a Parisian breakfast at Café Louise 

📍 155 Boulevard Saint-Germain, 6th arrondissement 

 💸 Included with Paris Pass 

Need a low-key Monday morning moment? Café Louise is here for you. Located in stylish Saint-Germain-des-Prés, this chic café serves a classic French breakfast that hits all the right notes: buttery croissant, crusty baguette, fresh juice, and a velvety café crème. It’s included with your Paris Pass, which makes it all the sweeter. Sit on the terrace and people-watch as locals start their week or take your time indoors under chandeliers and vintage décor. It’s the perfect reset button to ease into your day like a true Parisian. 

Explore the treasures of the Army Museum 

📍 Hôtel des Invalides, 7th arrondissement 

 💸 Included with Paris Pass 

If you’re looking for something bold and historic, the Army Museum (Musée de l’Armée) is open Monday and full of fascinating artefacts. Located within the grand Hôtel des Invalides complex, it covers military history from medieval times to the 20th century. You’ll see armour, weaponry, Napoleon’s death mask—and even his tomb in the dazzling gold-domed church. It’s an epic, in-depth journey through France’s battles and triumphs, and the building itself is as impressive as the collection. Great for history buffs, but also unexpectedly absorbing even if you’re not one. 

Wander the covered passages of Paris 

📍 Various locations across central Paris 

 💸 Free 

Paris’s covered passages are open-air secrets you’ll wish you’d found sooner. These 19th-century glass-roofed arcades offer a magical Monday wander—no museum pass required. Start with Passage des Panoramas, then hop to Galerie Vivienne or Passage Jouffroy. Each is filled with vintage shops, book sellers, hidden cafés, and antique toy stores. It’s part window-shopping, part treasure hunt, and fully enchanting. These passages are perfect for when the weather turns—or if you’re just in the mood for a little low-effort discovery with serious old-world charm. 

Ride the Petit Train de Montmartre 

📍 Departure: Place Blanche, 18th arrondissement 

 💸 Included with Paris Pass 

Mondays are made for Montmartre—and there’s no easier way to explore than by hopping on the Petit Train. This charming little white tram trundles through the cobbled hills of Paris’s most artistic neighbourhood, passing the Moulin Rouge, Sacré-Cœur, and tucked-away alleyways you’d miss on foot. You’ll get fun facts, great views, and a chance to rest your legs while still sightseeing. It’s especially ideal if you’re travelling with kids or just want to soak in the atmosphere without climbing every hill. Bonus: it runs even on quiet Mondays! 

Get a culture fix at the Louis Vuitton Foundation 

📍 8 Avenue du Mahatma Gandhi, Bois de Boulogne 

 💸 Included with Paris Pass 

Tucked into the edge of the Bois de Boulogne, the Louis Vuitton Foundation is one of Paris’s coolest modern art destinations—and it’s open on Mondays. Designed by Frank Gehry, the glass-and-steel building is a stunner from every angle. Inside, rotating exhibitions showcase bold contemporary works, from global artists to immersive installations. The space is light, airy, and surprisingly serene. Take your time wandering, then grab a coffee on the terrace with views over the park. It’s creative, calming, and just the right level of unexpected to kick off your week. 

Discover Rodin’s quieter side at Meudon 

📍 19 Avenue Auguste Rodin, Meudon 

 💸 Included with Paris Pass 

If you’re up for a little Monday adventure outside the centre, Rodin’s former home in Meudon offers a peaceful, under-the-radar escape. This is where he lived and sculpted for much of his life, and the house and grounds now form a small but beautifully curated museum. It’s far quieter than the Rodin Museum in central Paris and has a lived-in charm that gives you a more personal glimpse into the artist’s world. The leafy setting and light foot traffic make it perfect for a reflective start to the week. 

Sip a Saint-Germain apéro in style 

📍 Various terraces in Saint-Germain-des-Prés 

 💸 Included: French apéro with Paris Pass 

Cap off your Monday the local way—with an apéro in one of Paris’s most iconic neighbourhoods. Your Paris Pass includes a classic French apéritif at a participating bistro, and Saint-Germain-des-Prés is the perfect backdrop. Think cobblestone lanes, warm lighting, and the low murmur of conversation as locals unwind with a glass of wine or a spritz. Sit back, nibble on olives or charcuterie, and watch Paris slowly fade into night. No rush, no itinerary—just vibes. 

 

Mondays in Paris don’t have to be slow. With a little planning—and your Paris Pass in hand—you’ll find art-filled galleries, riverside strolls, sweet snacks and secret views around every corner. It’s the perfect way to start your week the Parisian way: relaxed, curious, and a little indulgent. 

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