A giant of French football, Paris Saint Germain has truly risen to prominence since their Qatari investment in 2011. From that point, they have completely dominated their domestic competitions, securing trophy after trophy and competing in European tournaments alike.
With this rapid growth, their fanbase has increased worldwide, and interest in going to watch them play their silky football is ever-present. If you are considering making the trip to the romantic city of Paris, you may need some other activities to pass the time between matches.
In this list, I will outline some of the iconic sights to see, exciting venues to visit, and some places to relax. Let’s get into it!
A Paris activity list is only complete with the inclusion of the first landmark on the list. If you were to ask the majority of the population to name five things related to Paris (and even France as a whole), they would undoubtedly name the Eiffel Tower.
The 300-metre-high structure opened in 1889 is actually rather inexpensive considering its stature. Prices range from €10 to €40, depending on how many levels you want to go up. For fans who want a bit more of a ‘laissez-faire’ approach can just visit the area and view the tower from afar, enjoying the famous gardens that lie around it.
Getting to the Parc des Princes from the Eiffel Tower is relatively straightforward. Catching a train on one of the many metro lines, such as the Saint-Martin D’étampes or Mairie de Montreuil, will get you there in around 30 minutes. This is also great news for those who are staying in the touristic areas of the city.
Location: Av. Gustave Eiffel, 75007 Paris France
For true sports fans, having two of the most important French sporting venues in close proximity is a treat. Home of the annual French Open tennis tournament, Roland Garros offers tours for those interested in getting a behind-the-scenes insight into the best tennis pros in the world.
Situated within walking distance from the stadium, it is a perfect activity to couple with a trip to the Parc des Princes. Roland Garros tours take around an hour or two, so there will be plenty of time left in the day to tick other activities off of the list, including a Paris Saint-Germain home match.
Getting to the famous clay court from either the Parc des Princes area or central Paris is fairly straightforward. The former only presents a 10-minute walk, while the latter is a 30-40 minute train ride depending on where exactly you set out from.
Location: 16th arrondissement, Paris
The Molitor Spa is one of the most well-rounded attractions that football fans can indulge themselves in when travelling to the Parc des Princes. The Molitor complex, which also has an impressive hotel, rooftop bar, and restaurant, opens up a world of luxury for visitors.
I can attest to the quality of the place after spending time there on a rather unromantic footballing weekend. Whether you need a relaxing foot massage after a long day of walking or want to spend a few hours kicking back in the jacuzzi to restore your energy, the variety of options available seems endless.
Located very close to the stadium itself, at a 5 to 10-minute walk, it can be a vital resting point both before and after the big match.
Location: 8 Avenue de la Porte Molitor, 75016, Paris
Another cultural phenomenon makes the list in the form of the Louvre Museum. Le Louvre is world renowned for housing the Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci, along with hundreds of works of art that are at the core of human history. So, it’s safe to say it is a ‘must-see’.
The price to visit Le Louvre ranges quite significantly, with the cheapest ticket being around €15, and the more premium options reaching up to €120. The iconic diamond-shaped glass roof sits around 40 minutes from the Parc des Princes and is incredibly accessible from central Paris.
Location: 75001, Paris
Despite being a busy and built-up city, Paris still retains a sense of quaint beauty, and the Jardin des Serres d’Auteuil encapsulates that exact feeling. A stark departure from the vast, loud, and buzzing Parc des Princes, this natural garden offers a nice contrast that can be part of your long weekend itinerary.
Adjacent to Roland Garros and only a 10-15 minute stroll from the stadium, the botanical garden is a little piece of natural heaven within an area filled with man-made structures. A peaceful morning stroll before an afternoon game is possible here or the day after a hectic day of traveling to clear the head.
Location: 3 avenue de la Porte D’ Auteuil Square des Poètes, 1 Avenue Gordon Bennett, 75016 Paris France
Straight out of the Disney classic ‘Beauty and the Beast’, the Notre Dame Cathedral is yet another iconic fixture of a Parisian trip. Unfortunately, in 2019, the symbol of French architecture was subject to a devastating fire that shocked the world. Despite not being able to view the interior, this doesn’t mean that the riverside landmark can’t be a part of a weekend schedule. The beauty of the area surrounding the cathedral is still worth taking in.
Bang in the centre of Paris and within a reasonable distance of Le Louvre, Pont Alexandre III, the Champs-Élysées, and the Place de la Concorde, the religious site is an achievable 30-40 minute train ride and can even be part of a relaxing day touring the Parisian landmarks the day after watching PSG.
Location: 6 Parvis Notre-Dame – Pl. Jean-Paul II, 75004, Paris
Much like the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe is a must-have on any list of this nature. Synonymous with French history and the final leg of the Tour de France, it is hands down one of the most iconic landmarks of any European city.
Situated in the tourist-friendly section of Paris, the Champs-Élysées, the Eiffel Tower, Place de la Concorde, Musee du Louvre, Notre Dame, and much more are all accessible, making it suited to a sightseeing day on either side of match day.
Location: Place Charles de Gaulle, 75008 Paris, France
Paris, the city of culture, doesn’t disappoint with parks, historical sights, and museums. The Musee d’Orsay is one of the best around and happens to be within a reasonable distance of the Parc des Princes. A 30-40 minute train journey will get you from the home of PSG to the center of the city where the museum is situated.
Guided and audio tours are available for those who have a few hours to soak in the ambience, culture, and class that radiates from the exhibitions. Tickets start at €16, so it may be a nice stopgap between matches without breaking the bank.
Location: 1 Rue De La Légion d’Honneur, 75007, Paris
The Pont Alexandre III is one of the most important bridges in Paris, linking the iconic Champs-Élysées and the region containing the Eiffel Tower. Building work on the now classified ‘monument historique’ started in 1896, a few years prior to the inception of the Eiffel Tower.
Again, like many of the landmarks and ‘must-see’ locations, the bridge is a 30-40 minute train journey away from the Parc des Princes, so traveling fans are never too far away from topping up on their historical knowledge.
As it is free to experience, this is a fantastic option for fans who want to save some money (especially after paying for seats) and still tick a beacon of French culture off of the list.
Location: Cours la Reine Quai d’Orsay, 75008, Paris
The Luxembourg Gardens, or Jardin du Luxembourg, are absolutely perfect for fans who want to relax after the game and take in the ambience that the city has to offer. Inspired by the Boboli Gardens based in Florence, Italy, the visual does not disappoint.
For fans who want to relax while easing the financial burden of a Paris trip, there are both paid and free sections of the gardens. Exploring the grounds and taking in the sights is completely free, with guided tours available for a small fee. If you happen to work up an appetite, there is Madame’s Terrace restaurant to refuel before heading out to see the other Parisian sights.
Location: 75006, 6th arrondissement, Paris
Here are some notable activities for fans that aren’t quite as mind-blowing as the Arc du Triomphe or Le Louvre but still could add some value to a day out in Paris.
Much like the previously suggested Molitor Spa, the Lok Siam Spa Auteuil is another option for traveling fans who want to either ease into a match day or slow proceedings down after a hectic day in the stands. One of many highly-rated Thai massage parlours in the Paris area,
Location: 61 rue Chardon Lagache, 75016, Paris
Throughout the city, there are plenty of monuments and statues that pay homage to some of the greatest people with an affinity to Paris. Many of these statues are located in the Avenue du General Sarrail Garden, which gives fans the chance, free of charge, to learn about the influential people who helped put Paris on the map.
With a relaxed atmosphere and peace in abundance, I can personally recommend visiting the ‘Poetes Garden’ for the day after a game (especially if the celebrations carried on long into the night).
Some monuments include the following icons:
Location: Avenue du General Sarrail Poetes Garden, 75016, Paris
The vastness of the city and the sheer amount of activities to do can make planning a trip to see PSG play at the Parc des Princes quite daunting. I hope this guide has provided some much-needed inspiration that can assist in deciding what to do with your time between matches. Whether you fancy a more relaxed and scenic schedule, with gardens and spas, or want to work through a list of landmarks, spending time around a PSG match can be truly special.
