Located on the Île de la Cité at 10 Boulevard du Palais. Go upstairs to see the dazzling 13th century stained glass windows, best viewed on a sunny morning. Buy tickets in advance online to skip the security line.

A medieval royal palace turned prison on the Île de la Cité, next to Sainte-Chapelle on Boulevard du Palais. The guided visit covers Marie Antoinette's cell and the Revolutionary Tribunal. Look for the impressive Gothic Salle des Gens d'Armes.

At Île de la Cité near the Parvis. The cathedral is still under restoration, so view the exterior and the finished nave from the plaza area. Walk around the outside to see the flying buttresses and the new spire.

Cross the footbridge from Notre-Dame to this peaceful island along Rue Saint-Louis-en-l'Île. Stop at Berthillon at 31 Rue Saint-Louis-en-l'Île for its famous artisanal ice cream. Wander the quays for classic Haussmann era shopfronts.

Book a timed entry ticket online in advance and enter through the Carrousel du Louvre entrance to skip the main pyramid line. Focus on the Denon wing for the Mona Lisa and Winged Victory, then head straight for the Venus de Milo before crowds build.

Walk out the Louvre's east end into this central park between the museum and Place de la Concorde. Rent a green metal chair near the Grand Bassin for a break, and grab a warm chestnut snack from one of the vendors along the main avenue.

Stroll the wide avenue uphill from Place de la Concorde toward the Arc de Triomphe. Duck into the Ladurée flagship on the south side for a macaron, but budget time since shops stretch over a full kilometer.

Do not cross the roundabout on foot. Use the underground pedestrian tunnel at the top of the Champs-Élysées to reach the monument safely. Climb the spiral stairs to the terrace at sunset for the best view down the avenue toward the Louvre axis.

Buy tickets online in advance to skip the long queue, and head up before the morning crowds gather. The summit gives the best views over the Seine and the whole city on a clear autumn day.

Walk the grassy esplanade northeast of the tower for the classic postcard view. Bring a jacket, autumn mornings can be brisk, and grab a coffee from a kiosk along Avenue de la Bourdonnais.

This open-air food market on Avenue de Saxe runs three days a week and is perfect for a picnic lunch. Browse cheese, charcuterie, and fresh produce stalls facing the tower in the distance.

See The Thinker and The Kiss in the mansion's sculpture galleries, then wander the surrounding garden. The garden alone is worth the visit and is quieter than most Paris museums.

Head to the tip of Île de la Cité at the western end, reachable by stairs from Pont Neuf. This sliver of park offers a golden-hour view back toward the tower and across the Seine.

Arrive early to beat crowds and see the mosaic dome. Walk up the steps or take the funicular if you prefer to save energy. Look for the rooftop access for panoramic views over the whole city.

Wander the cobblestone lanes around Place du Tertre where artists set up easels. Search for the vineyard on Rue des Saules and the windmill at Moulin de la Galette. Follow Rue Lepic downhill for a quieter, local feel away from the main tourist loop.

Located at 11 Rue Saint-Paul in the Marais, this quirky museum shows magic props and mechanical automata in 16th century cellars. Book a ticket for one of the magic show sessions. Check opening hours before you go as they are limited.

Head to the area around the church and the historic cafés on Boulevard Saint-Germain, such as the classic terraces with red awnings. Browse the small art galleries and boutiques on Rue de Seine and Rue Jacques Callot. Pick up a macaron from a patisserie as a sweet souvenir.

In the Parc de la Villette in the 19th arrondissement. Head to the Explora permanent exhibition on level 2 for interactive science zones, and check the Géode IMAX dome across the plaza for a film if time allows.

Take the 7 line to Jussieu and enter on Rue Cuvier. Stroll the formal parterres toward the Grande Galerie de l'Évolution, and look for the alpine garden with its seasonal autumn foliage near the main gate.