Staring up at the Arc de Triomphe—Napoleon’s ‘little’ arch turned Parisian legend—never loses its magic. But this grand star-shaped junction, where a dozen avenues meet, is more than just a great selfie spot or history lesson. Just beyond the crowds, you’ll find leafy boulevards, legendary shopping, bistros with a view, hidden museums, rooftop cocktails and some surprisingly peaceful green spaces. In short: stepping down from the Arc’s heights is where the real adventure begins! Here’s how to turn your visit to Paris’s most famous roundabout into your favorite part of the trip.
Arc de Triomphe: splendid city views
Sure, you’ll start here—and so you should. Step back to admire the scale, read the names of French soldiers etched into the stone, and watch the ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where the eternal flame is rekindled every evening. Climbing the spiral staircase is absolutely worth it: from the top of the Arc de Triomphe, the city is yours—rows of radiating boulevards, the Eiffel Tower, Sacré-Cœur, La Défense’s skyscrapers in the distance, and a sea of rooftops at your feet.
But the best part? The rooftop platform is rarely crowded for long, so give yourself time to take in the view, spot landmarks and shoot a few panoramas. Come at sunset for golden hour light, or later in the evening when Paris twinkles. The perspectives from here set you up for exploring everything else on this list!
Avenue des Champs-Élysées: world-class shopping and sweets
Avenue des Champs-Élysées: world-class shopping and sweets
Step off the Arc and you’re straight onto one of the world’s most famous boulevards—the Champs-Élysées. It’s not just about high-end fashion (though Louis Vuitton, Cartier and Dior are all here in style); you’ll also find global mega-brands, quirky French labels, tech flagships and multi-story bookshops. Window-shop, people-watch from a sidewalk café (select a front-row seat at Ladurée and try a macaron or two), and if you have a sweet tooth, don’t miss Pierre Hermé’s jewel-like pastries at Publicis Drugstore.
Champs-Élysées is also a cultural hotspot. The historic Lido cabaret dazzles with sparkly shows, and the Pathé cinema—one of Paris’s most beautiful—is a plush spot for an afternoon film (with on-site gourmet snacks, of course). In December, the boulevard glitters with holiday lights and a festive market. Champs-Élysées blends upscale glitz, laid-back lounging and excitement at every corner, all year round.
Le Drugstore Publicis: rooftop cocktails and chic snacks
Head just a few steps from the Arc and step into the ultra-modern world of Publicis Drugstore—a glassy, glamorous complex that’s part designer boutique, part restaurant, part Parisian playground. For a big ‘wow’ moment, take the elevator to the rooftop bar and patio, where cocktails come with views of the Arc and Eiffel Tower (no reservation required for drinks).
Le Drugstore’s brasserie has an all-day menu: croque-monsieur, carpaccio, burgers, pastries, and inventive cocktails for sunset hour. Downstairs, you’ll find a gourmet food shop with truffle-infused oils and local chocolates, as well as a first-class find for coffee or a light lunch.
The vibe? Glam but relaxed, perfect for a chic time-out, a romantic date, or a post-shop recharge with friends—and minus the infamous Paris snobbery.
Parc Monceau: Parisian peace and playground fun
Parc Monceau: Parisian peace and playground fun
A 15-minute stroll or quick metro hop northeast takes you to Parc Monceau—pure French garden magic. Winding paths, faux-Roman columns, lily ponds and whimsical follies make this one of Paris’s most beloved parks. It’s popular with joggers, families (the playground is superb and the carousel always spinning), and anyone wanting a quiet break from busy city attractions.
Bring a sandwich or pastries from a nearby boulangerie, claim a spot on the grass, and savor Paris at its calmest. Don’t miss the classical statues and the 18th-century rotunda at the main gate, or the little bridges that cross the park’s stream. Pack a book or just settle in for some world-class people-watching—Parc Monceau is a leafy, welcoming local escape that feels a world away from the tourist zone.
Musée Jacquemart-André: art, architecture and cake
Just a few blocks east of Parc Monceau, the Jacquemart-André Museum is a dazzling mansion-turned-museum packed with Impressionist paintings, masterful sculptures and rooms that ooze Belle Époque glamour. Take a self-guided tour through spectacular salons, art-lined galleries and the lush winter garden, and discover treasures from Italy and the Netherlands alongside French art titans.
But there’s more: the café is a destination in itself, with gleaming chandeliers, glossy pastries and a famous lemon tart that delights every first-timer. The service is warm, the space is sun-filled, and the atmosphere feels like a privileged peek into old Paris. Jacquemart-André is a joy for art lovers, history buffs and anyone who likes their culture with a side of decadent cake.
Hôtel Raphael Rooftop: secret gardens above the city
Want a truly memorable toast with a view? Duck into the super-luxurious Hôtel Raphael, just a block from the Arc, and take the elevator to one of Paris’s dreamiest rooftop terraces. Surrounded by flourishing flower boxes and lush greenery, this garden-like perch serves cocktails, afternoon tea and a short menu of French classics.
From up here, the Arc de Triomphe is a stone’s throw, and the Eiffel Tower feels close enough to touch. The panoramic views stretch across the city—watch as the sun sets behind the Paris rooftops and the lights begin to twinkle across La Ville Lumière. The décor is classic, the staff are friendly, and the drinks (think fresh-pressed juices, sparkling rosé, or signature gin cocktails) feel extra celebratory given the scenery.
Rue Poncelet Market: Parisian foodie heaven
Rue Poncelet Market: Parisian foodie heaven
For a real taste of local life—and the freshest foods in the city—turn north into Ternes and visit Rue Poncelet’s open-air market. Here, the air hums with the chatter of shoppers and stallholders selling shimmering seafood, ripe fruit, fragrant cheeses, rotisserie chickens and mountains of pastries.
Stallholders will happily offer samples; try some goats’ cheese, plump cherries, or even a little rotisserie chicken. Small bars on the street pour glasses of chilled Sauvignon and café crèmes, perfect for a pit stop between tastings. Locals fill their baskets or stop for chatty catch-ups with butchers and bakers who have worked the stalls for decades.
Grab a fresh baguette with cheese and fruit for a Parisian picnic, or simply wander and soak up the scents and sounds. If you’re looking for a break from chain stores and tourist menus, Rue Poncelet feels colorfully, deliciously real.
Fondation Louis Vuitton: modern art meets architectural wonder
A 15-minute cab ride or metro hop through the Bois de Boulogne, Fondation Louis Vuitton is well worth the short trip. Designed by Frank Gehry, this soaring glass-and-steel ‘ship’ is one of Paris’s top destinations for modern and contemporary art, regularly hosting blockbuster exhibitions and cutting-edge installations.
The architecture is a draw all of its own—skip around the reflecting pools, peer up at angled glass sails and stroll the rooftop walkways for panoramic forest and city views. Inside, the galleries house world-class collections and ever-changing exhibitions featuring Warhol, Basquiat, Murakami and more.
The leafy park outside is perfect for a post-museum stroll or picnic, especially in spring when cherry blossoms bloom. Art lovers, families and anyone craving something new and spectacular should add the Fondation to their Arc de Triomphe itinerary.
Musée Yves Saint Laurent: where fashion becomes art
Just a 15-minute walk from the Arc de Triomphe, the former couture headquarters of Yves Saint Laurent is now a museum showcasing the designer's revolutionary collections, sketches and working atelier. The site is a love letter to creativity—the mirrored showrooms still echo with the energy of runway fittings, while multimedia displays reveal the meticulous skill behind those legendary jackets and gowns.
Rotating exhibits pull from YSL’s dazzling archives, with everything from dreamy evening dresses to quirky accessories that changed the face of Parisian fashion. Don’t miss the designer’s original studio, left just as he used it: patterns, fabric swatches, photos of muses, pencil sketches and all.
Petit Palais: artistic treasures in a palace setting
Petit Palais: artistic treasures in a palace setting
A 20-minute walk down the Champs-Élysées (or a quick hop on Line 1), the Petit Palais is an architectural and artistic delight hiding in plain sight. Built for the 1900 Universal Exhibition, it’s a masterpiece of Belle Époque style, with its domed roof, mosaics, and lush inner courtyard that feels secret and peaceful.
Admission to the permanent collections is free—marvel at Greek vases, Renaissance paintings, gilded Deco lamps and dreamy Impressionist masterpieces by Courbet and Monet. Temporary exhibitions (ticketed) bring in everything from high fashion to groundbreaking sculpture.
Recharge at the leafy café in the inner garden—one of Paris’s prettiest coffee spots. The mix of grand salons, light-drenched galleries and stunning architectural details make the Petit Palais the kind of museum even museum-phobes adore. If you want a world-class culture fix without the Louvre crowds, this is your golden ticket.
Crazy Horse Paris: the most dazzling cabaret in town
If Le Lido is classic cabaret, Crazy Horse is contemporary, cheeky and visually mesmerizing. A Paris nightlife landmark just off the Seine, it’s known for avant-garde lighting, precise choreography and a vibe that is equal parts glamour, art and humor. The red-velvet room is intimate and atmospheric, making every seat feel special.
Shows run most nights and combine dance, dazzling costumes, illusion and high-energy music for an evening unlike any you’ll find elsewhere in Paris. Head here for an after-dinner spectacle, book a bottle of champagne for your table, and get swept up in the city’s sassy spirit.
Bois de Boulogne: your urban outdoor playground
Bois de Boulogne: your urban outdoor playground
If you’re seeking a green and pleasant escape after architectural sightseeing, the sprawling Bois de Boulogne is just a 20-minute stroll or short Uber ride from the Arc de Triomphe. Spanning over 2,000 acres, it’s packed with leafy lanes, boating lakes, bike rentals, pony rides, botanical garden, and peaceful picnic spots away from city noise.
Families flock here for playgrounds and rowboat rentals on Lac Inférieur. Couples steal quiet moments on winding trails, and food fans head to Le Pré Catelan for Michelin-starred splurges in fairytale surroundings (don’t worry, there are plenty of casual cafés too). In summer, open-air concerts and little guinguette bars fill the woods with music.
Whether you want to jog, go boating, let your kids roam, or simply unwind on a blanket, Bois de Boulogne is Paris’s answer to Central Park—utterly Parisian, endlessly surprising and a perfect way to cap off your Arc de Triomphe adventure.
Looking for more Paris inspo? Check out our guide to things to do in the Marais, and discover our favourite ‘Emily in Paris’ filming locations.
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