Paris, dubbed the “city of love” and the “city of lights” by locals and tourists alike, is a major hub for commerce, fashion, entertainment, and the arts. Paris conjures up images of its world-renowned landmarks, museums, and cathedrals just by being mentioned. Shopping centres, open-air markets, boutiques, and flea markets can be found throughout the city.
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Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower (la Tour Eiffel) is one of France’s most popular tourist attractions and the world’s most popular tourist destination. It’s hard to believe that when it was first unveiled, the structure was labelled a monstrosity. Designed by Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel in 1889, the Eiffel Tower was part of the Paris Exhibition to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution.
Over 2.5 million rivets hold the tower’s 18,000 heavy iron sections together. The Eiffel Tower has become one of Paris’ most recognisable landmarks thanks to its innovative design. Until the Empire State Building was built, the tower was the world’s tallest building, reaching a height of 324 metres (10,000 feet).
The sight of the Eiffel Tower is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many first-time visitors. The four massive pillars that support this 10,100-ton monument leave many awestruck when they arrive at the esplanade.
You can either take an elevator or walk up 360 steps to get to the first floor (57 metres). There are restrooms for the general public, a gift shop, a cafeteria, and a brasserie restaurant on this level.
An elevator or a 344-step escalator will take you to the Eiffel Tower’s second floor, which is 115 metres above ground. A fine-dining restaurant is located on this level as well as a number of viewing platforms that offer a view of some of Paris’ most famous landmarks.
Le Jules Verne, a Michelin-starred gastronomic restaurant, serves refined contemporary French cuisine in a stunning setting. The Eiffel Tower’s structural beams can be glimpsed through the restaurant’s large windows, which overlook the cityscapes of Paris.
At a height of 276 metres, it takes an exhilarating elevator ride from level two to get to the top level. One of the most exhilarating things to do in Paris is to climb to the very top of the Eiffel Tower, but it’s not for the faint of heart.
Louvre
The Louvre is Paris’ most important museum, a lavish palace that was once the residence of France’s kings. The glass pyramid in the palace courtyard serves as the entrance to the museum. The Louvre houses 35,000 works of art, ranging from ancient artefacts to Renaissance and Baroque paintings.
Tourists can choose to focus on a specific gallery, such as classical sculpture, Italian Renaissance art, or 17th-century French paintings, or they can take a self-guided tour to see the Louvre Museum’s most important works.
The Mona Lisa, or La Gioconda (or La Joconde in French), was painted by Leonardo da Vinci between 1503 and 1505 and is the most recognisable piece. There are many other must-see works of art in the museum that can be appreciated even if you only have a short amount of time to spend there.
Attending a guided tour will ensure that visitors to the Louvre get the most out of their time there. The Venus de Milo and the Mona Lisa are just two of the museum’s most well-known pieces that can be seen without having to wait in line for hours. It’s a three-hour tour with a guide who is an art historian who explains the artworks in great detail.
One of Paris’ most beautiful parks, the Jardin des Tuileries, is just a short walk away from the Louvre. Trees, statues and pathways were meticulously trimmed by landscape architect André Le Nôtre who designed the Tuileries Gardens in the formal French style of the 17th century. Visitors are encouraged to unwind and take in the scenery on park benches and at café-restaurants with outdoor seating.
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris
The Île-de-la-Cité and the Latin Quarter are just a few blocks away from Notre Dame, which is located in the heart of Paris. The Île-de-la-Cité, an island in the Seine River, is Paris’s historical and geographic centre. The Romans built the Gallo-Roman city of Lutetia on this small plot of land, and the Kings of France lived here from the 6th century until the 14th century.
King Louis IX (Saint Louis) and Bishop Maurice de Sully began construction on the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris in 1163. It took more than 150 years to complete. Later additions (the west front and nave) show the transition to High Gothic style, which was first created for the cathedral in an Early Gothic style.
The magnificent Gothic architecture of this impressive mediaeval monument is a triumph. With a profusion of gargoyles and sculptures adorning the facade, the enormous building’s structural integrity is ensured by elaborate flying buttresses.
The Gallery of Kings above the doorway on the elaborately detailed west facade should be examined closely by visitors. From Childebert I (511-588) to Philippe Auguste, the kings of France are depicted in rows of 28 intricately carved figures.
Take in the grandeur of this enormous vaulted space after admiring the doorway’s intricate design. Visitors are enticed by the flickering candles that illuminate the sanctuary.
There are stunning stained-glass windows that light up the interior of the church. Most notable is the north transept’s rose window. Artwork based on 80 Old Testament scenes features the Virgin Mary at the centre of attention.
The cathedral’s mediaeval roof and 19th-century spire were destroyed by a massive fire in April of this year. A thorough investigation is still underway to determine the full extent of the damage. The building’s interior is currently off limits to the public.
The structure is being stabilised and repaired as part of a long-term plan. A new cathedral will be built and restored to its former glory as part of the city’s long-term development plans. The reopening is scheduled for 2024.
Palace of Versailles
As a hunting lodge, the Palace of Versailles was transformed into a palace for the king and his court. Intricate, opulent, and extravagant, the mammoth structure is a sight to behold.
Visitors flock to see the beautiful gardens and the Hall of Mirrors, which has 357 mirrors adorning 17 arches, making it one of Paris’ most popular tourist attractions. As a former royal residence, the Palace of Versailles now serves as the home of a museum dedicated to the history of France.
Avenue des Champs-Élysées
Until André Le Nôtre transformed it in the 17th century, Paris’ most illustrious boulevard was a desolate patch of marshland. The Rond-Point des Champs-Elysées divides the Champs-Elysées into two sections.
The Jardin des Champs-Élysées and the Petit Palais fine arts museum are located in the lower part of the Champs-Elysées, which borders the Place du Concorde. Up to the Arc de Triomphe, the upper part of the boulevard is lined with upscale boutiques and hotels, restaurants, cafés, and movie theatres. It’s a popular destination for tourists and a popular hangout for Parisians alike.
However, despite its refined image, the Champs-Elysées is home to a number of inexpensive establishments that cater to tourists and students on a tight budget. These include a Disney store, an H&M clothing store, a Starbucks location, a Quick service restaurant, and a Burger King or McDonald’s location.
Disneyland
The most popular European theme park, Disneyland Paris, is the next best thing for Europeans who can’t make it to the original Disneyland in Anaheim, California. Similar to Disneyland, Disneyland Paris is more than just an amusement park with some of the world’s best rides.
It’s a resort with a wide range of amenities, including lodging, shopping, and golf. It opened in 1992, making it the second Disney park outside of the United States to have opened. It’s a 30-kilometer (20-mile) drive from the heart of Paris. Walt Disney Studios Park opened in 2002 as a companion park.
Musée d’Orsay
The Musée d’Orsay, housed in the former Gare d’Orsay train station, houses an impressive collection of art from the 19th and 20th centuries. The 1900 Universal Exposition served as the impetus for the construction of this opulent train station.
The museum’s galleries are filled with some of the world’s most prized artworks. Visit the Orsay Museum for an overview of Impressionist art history, from Monet’s soft strokes to Gauguin’s wild and colourful scenes.
All of Impressionism’s greats are represented in this collection. Edgar Degas, Edouard Manet, Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir are just some of the Impressionists featured in this exhibition. Other notable artists include Pierre Bonnard, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent van Gogh; the Pointillists (Georges Seurat and Paul Signac); and the Bohemian artists Toulouse Lautrec and Claude Monet.
In addition to Claude Monet’s The Magpie and Vincent van Gogh’s self-portrait and Starry Night, the museum also houses Claude Monet’s Gare Saint-Lazare and Poppy Field, as well as Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s Dance at Moulin de la Galette, which depicts a lively party scene in Montmartre.
Museum visitors can also enjoy the museum’s bookstore and gift shop as well as two cafes and a fine-dining restaurant.
Palais Garnier Opera House
Charles Garnier designed the Palais Garnier Opera House for Napoleon III in 1860 after being commissioned by the emperor. From 1862 to 1875, Garnier worked tirelessly on the project. The opulent monument now serves as a reminder of Napoleon’s tyranny.
Allegorically depicted are poetry, music, a song cycle, an idyll and dance in eight sculptures that adorn the facade. An Apollo statue adorned with poetry and music figures atop the cupola of the loggia depicts composers like Mozart, Beethoven, and Rossini.
Visitors are taken aback by the opulent 11,000-square-meter interior upon entering the building. The grand foyer occupies the majority of the building’s floor space and features a marble Grand Escalier staircase adorned with ornate gilded lamps.
In spite of its spaciousness, the auditorium’s plush red-velvet seats give it an intimate atmosphere. The theater’s gilded balconies, massive crystal chandelier, and Chagall ceiling painting all add to its majesty, making it the ideal setting for cultural performances of every kind.
The Opéra Garnier hosts a prestigious schedule of events for visitors looking for things to do in Paris at night. Ballet, classical music concerts, and gala events are additional options to opera and other types of classical music performances. If you want to see the building’s interior and have a glitzy evening, go to a performance. You can also visit (entry ticket required) or take a tour during the daytime if you have the time and money.
With three centuries of archival materials and displays dedicated to opera, the Bibliothèque-Musée de l’Opera (Opera House Library-Museum) is housed within the building. Drawings of costumes and scenery, scale models, and paintings of the building are part of the museum’s permanent collection.
Arc de Triomphe
Soldiers who served in France’s Revolutionary and First Empire armies are honoured in the Arc de Triomphe, which stands in Paris (Napoleonic Wars). It was commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 but he didn’t live long enough to see it completed in 1836.
The massive 50-meter-high arch features bas-reliefs with life-size figures depicting the departure, victories, and triumphant return of the French armies, designed by architect Jean François Chalgrin, who was inspired by the Arch of Titus in Rome.
Departure of the Volunteers of 1792, also known as The Marseillaise, is depicted in the bas-relief on the Champs-Elysées-facing side of the building by François Rude. The names of more than 660 generals and more than a hundred battles are engraved on the arch’s inner surface.
The Place de l’Etoile’s 12 radial avenues, including the Champs-Elysées to the Place de la Concorde and the Louvre, can be seen from the monument’s viewing platform. The Eiffel Tower, La Défense, and Montmartre can all be seen from here.
To honour an anonymous soldier, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was erected at the foot of the Arc de Triomphe in 1921. After being lit on November 11, 1923, the Flame of Remembrance has never been put out. In the evenings, at 6:30 p.m., the tomb’s memorial flame is rekindled.
The Arc de Triomphe now hosts ceremonies honouring national holidays, such as the November 11th ceremony commemorating the Armistice of 1918, the May 8th Fête de la Victoire (Victory Day) commemorating the end of WWII and the liberation from Nazi occupation, and the July 14th celebrations (Bastille Day).
Every day at 10:30 a.m., the monument’s staff offers French-language guided tours; these tours are included in the admission price. Documentation and multimedia presentations are also available in a variety of languages on the site.
The Arc de Triomphe’s gift shop and bookstore are sure to please visitors. The viewing platform is accessible via an elevator for visitors with limited mobility and young children. There is no other option but to take the stairs.
Cruises on the Seine River
If you’re looking for a unique way to see Paris from a new perspective, take a boat ride on the Seine River. Taking a cruise on the Seine River gives visitors a new perspective on the city’s landmarks. Views of the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, and Louvre Museum from a riverboat are awe-inspiring.
The most romantic time to take a cruise is at night, when the monuments are illuminated by candlelight, rather than during the day. When the city’s landmarks are illuminated at dusk, it lends an air of mystery and enchantment to the scene.
Take a Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise on the Bateaux Parisiens. At the Port de la Bourdonnais (next to the Eiffel Tower), guests are served a three-course gourmet meal on board the luxurious riverboat.
Boulevards and cafes
You can’t visit Paris without a stop at one of the city’s most famous cafes, either on the sidewalk or inside. Here you can imagine the historic meetings that took place and enjoy the best of Parisian people watching.
The Boulevard Saint-Germain-des-Prés in the 6th arrondissement is the best starting point for discovering Paris’ legendary cafés. Designer clothing stores, upscale coffee shops, and historic brasseries line this tree-lined boulevard.
With waiters in bow ties, guests at Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots can enjoy a classic Parisian café experience. However, despite their reputation as rude waiters, their formality contributes to the authentic feel of the restaurant.
Famous artists and writers also frequented the brasseries on Boulevard Montparnasse. In Paris, Le Dôme (108 Boulevard du Montparnasse) is a long-standing fixture, drawing luminaries such as Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, and Picasso to its doors. Gourmet seafood dishes are served in the restaurant’s glimmering Art Deco dining room.