Research and write an itinerary. If you plan on doing a tour of Paris on your own, you need to get a map of the city and a list of must-see attractions. Common tourist attractions include the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Elysees and the Louvre Museum. For a more comprehensive list, search online.
Group the sights you want to visit according to location and mark it on your map. This way you can explore more in one area and spend less time and money going back and forth from one attraction to the next.
Get a Paris Visite Pass. This allows you unlimited use of the Metro and bus networks for one to five days and is the best way of getting around the city. A pass for zones 1 to 3 allows you unlimited access to the Metro and bus services as well as all public transportation in Paris center. A pass for zones 1 to 6 gives you access to Paris center and its suburbs, such as Versailles and Marne la Valley. For more information, as well as an interactive map, visit http://parismetro.tourpackagers.com/detail1.aspx?id=19.
Rent a car. If you don't want the hassle of queuing up for lines or waiting, then you might want to rent a car. This will allow you to explore the city at your own pace and leisure. However, driving in central Paris can be very confusing, but if you are traveling to the suburbs then renting a car is a good choice.
Join a packaged tour of the city. There are many travel agencies that offer sightseeing tours. It is convenient and takes less time to organize because you'll be able to pick from a list of itineraries that's already available.
Hire a bike to see the city if you like adventure. Paris has more than 200 kilometers of bicycle lanes.
