Is Paris more romantic than any other city in the world? There is always something to see in this enchanted city, whether it is the whimsical Montmartre and its plethora of artists or St. Germain and its numerous boutiques. What about the must-see sights in Paris, though? Everything you must see and do in Paris, from the Eiffel Tower to a day trip outside the city to the historic Versailles Palace, will be listed in this article.
1. Eiffel Tower
For most visitors, seeing the most recognisable symbol of Paris is the top priority. Built for the 1889 World Exposition, this iron structure rises more than 1,000 feet (300 metres) in the Champ de Mars park. The Eiffel Tower, one of the most photographed tourist destinations in the world, offers fantastic day and nighttime photography opportunities. In addition to dining at one of the two excellent restaurants within the tower, visitors can take the lift to witness breathtaking city views.
You’ll pay €15 for tickets, but make sure you make your reservation on the website or at the tower itself, because some travel agencies may charge up to three times that amount.
2. Lourve
The Louvre Museum, housed in the Louvre Palace and has its iconic glass pyramid marking its entrance, is the most visited in the world. The Louvre is home to a collection of more than a million items, including some of the most well-known pieces of art in the world, including Michelangelo’s “Dying Slave,” Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa,” and the Greek statue “Venus of Milo.”
The opulent Napoleon III apartments, the historic Code of Hammurabi, Egyptian antiquities, and paintings by great artists like Rembrandt and Rubens are among the other well-liked exhibits. Since you’ll spend a lot of time in line to enter, plan to spend a half or full day there!
3. Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe, one of the most visited tourist destinations in Paris, was built in 1806 as a monument to Napoleon Bonaparte’s victorious wars. The arch, measuring 50 by 45 metres (164 feet high and 148 feet wide), is adorned with elaborate reliefs that show winning battles and the engraved names of many of the soldiers who gave their lives defending the emperor. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I is located beneath the arch. The cost of ascending the stairs to reach the summit is €9,50, which can be settled upon arrival. You can enter by going underground on the Champs Elysees (follow the signs).
4. Notre Dame de Paris
A visit to the renowned Notre Dame cathedral is a must-see on any trip to Paris. This magnificent church, with its two tall towers and spire, rises to a height of over 400 feet (120 metres) and is regarded as the pinnacle of French Gothic architecture.
Visitors can take in the breathtaking rose windows, Gothic carvings, exquisite sculptures, and a collection of relics when taking a tour of this masterpiece from the 13th century. Be sure to arrive early and be up for entrance.
5. Sacre-Coeur
Paris’s most striking landmark is the Sacre-Coeur Basilica, which has a white dome. Every year, a large number of tourists flock to this magnificent basilica, which is perched atop Montmartre Hill and is known for its marble architecture and exquisite interior design.
Visitors can see one of the biggest clocks in the world, gold mosaics, and stained-glass windows by taking a tour. Be sure to explore Montmartre’s streets and soak up the authentic areas.
6. Jardin du Luxembourg
The second-largest public park in Paris is called the Luxembourg Gardens in English. There are lovely lawns, formal gardens, and fruit orchards with numerous artistic statues and fountains for guests to enjoy a picnic or stroll through and it is a must-visit during the Paris summer. There are tennis courts, fitness centres, and jogging paths for recreation and exercise. Kids can enjoy a puppet show, play on the expansive playground, ride ponies, and navigate model boats in a pond.
7. Musee d’Orsay
The Musee d’Orsay is a must-see for art enthusiasts, as it is home to the best collection of impressionist paintings in the world. This opulent museum, housed in a former railroad station, features thousands of art pieces and artefacts from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s. Guests can view amazing artwork by a variety of well-known artists, including Monet, Van Gogh, Cezanne, Degas, Pissarro, Renoir, and Jean-Francois Millet, as they navigate through several rooms.
8. Place de la Concorde
The largest square in Paris, Place de la Concorde, is located at the east end of the Champs-Elysées and offers breathtaking views in all directions. During the French Revolution, Marie Antoinette, Louis XVI of France, and numerous others were executed by hanging in this square. Moved from the Temple of Luxor in the 19th century, the enormous 3200-year-old Egyptian obelisk stands in the middle of the Place de la Concorde.
9. Champs- Elysees
Paris’s most well-known thoroughfare, the tree-lined Avenue des Champs-Elysees, has been called the world’s most beautiful avenue. The boulevard that links the Arc de Triomphe and the Place de la Concorde is just over a mile long. Around the Champs-Elysees is where life in Paris revolves.
There are fine dining establishments, nightclubs, museums, and boutiques all along this avenue, making it the perfect place to find a gift for her to bring home or a souvenir. It is the venue for the Tour de France’s conclusion and the military parade on Bastille Day.
10. Les Catacombes
Les Catacombes, in contrast to the City of Lights, symbolises the sinister side of Paris. This tourist destination, which is just under a mile long and lies beneath Paris’s streets, has a grisly side: the remains of millions of people. The arrangement of the bones is artistic; there are poems and other passages all over. Certain remains, like those lost during the French Revolution, arrived here right away and didn’t pass through the cemeteries. It’s completely fascinating and an alternative side to Paris that should be visited at least once.
11. Disney Land Paris
Disneyland Paris is a fantastic day trip destination for kids and kids at heart, situated 32 kilometres east of Paris! Here, you can spend an entire day watching shows, going on rides or tasting some delicious treats, which is the perfect way to celebrate the world of Disney.
12. Seine Cruise
The River Seine travels through France for almost 800 km (500 miles) before entering the English Channel. One of the most romantic things visitors can do is cruise the river as it winds through Paris. Seine cruises travel beneath several bridges in Paris, passing iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Louvre. An hour or so is all that a Seine cruise lasts, but what a magical hour! Experiencing Paris at night can also be had on a Seine cruise.
13. Les Invalides
A collection of structures called Les Invalides pays tribute to the French armed forces. It was constructed in 1670 as a veterinary hospital and retirement community. It still fulfils many other purposes in addition to that one today.
Les Invalides is the location of military museums as well as a church where Napoleon Bonaparte and other war heroes are buried. The rioters got their muskets and cannons from Les Invalides, which they used later that day to storm the Bastille and start the French Revolution.
14. Palais Garnier
When designing the Palais Garnier in the 19th century, architect Charles Garnier did not skimp on elaborate details. Maybe for that reason, the structure was the priciest of its time. The National Opera of Paris performs at the Palais Garnier, which has seating for almost 2,000 people. It is the main character in the book and the ensuing Phantom of the Opera films. Even now, ballet is the primary use of the Palais Garnier, which also houses the opera library museum.
15. Musee de l’Orangerie
See the Musee de l’Orangerie if you’re a fan of impressionist and post-impressionist art. The eight Water Lilies murals by Claude Monet, which are housed in the museum and tucked away in a corner of the Tuileries Garden, are the main attraction there. Other impressionist painters like Picasso, Renoir, Cezanne, Matisse, and Modigliani are also represented in it. The Orangerie was first constructed in 1852 to safeguard the orange trees at the Tuileries Palace.
16. Pere Lachaise Cemetry
Napoleon turned Pere Lachaise, the most visited cemetery in the world, into a municipal cemetery in 1804. Many well-known individuals are buried there, including chanteuse Edith Piaf, author Oscar Wilde, and Jim Morrison of the Doors. There are a lot of sculptures in the cemetery because every family that had a deceased member tried to outdo the other wealthy families with their monuments. As a result, numerous breathtaking pieces of art are just as fascinating as the different graves of well-known people.
17. Pantheon
Notable French citizens are buried in the Pantheon. Originally a church devoted to St. Genevieve, the patron saint of Paris, and her relics, it was modelled after the Pantheon in Rome. King Louis XV had the church reconstructed in neoclassical style as a token of gratitude to God for his recovery from a life-threatening illness. During the French Revolution, it was converted into a mausoleum in remembrance of the revolutionary martyrs. Marie Curie, Victor Hugo, and Voltaire are among the well-known individuals buried here.
18. Moulin Rouge
The construction of the Eiffel Tower, France’s most well-known landmark, began in 1889. Additionally, the Moulin Rouge opened for business as an entertainment venue this year. It catered to the wealthy who wished to “slum” it when it first opened. The can-can, a dance deemed risqué for the time, was created by the courtesans who worked there. The Moulin Rouge has been featured in many films and is still regarded as the best entertainment venue in Paris.
19. Point Alexandre III
What could be more romantic in a city where romance is rife than the Pont Alexandre III, which is thought to be the most elaborate and beautiful bridge in Paris? This steel single-arch bridge, named for the Russian tsar, crosses the Seine to link the Champs-Elysees, Les Invalides, and Eiffel Tower neighbourhoods. Viewing the bridge is akin to visiting an art gallery, as multiple French sculptors created the statues that adorn its top, such as winged horses, nymphs, and cherubs.
20. Sainte-Chapelle
The Sainte-Chapelle, which was built sometime after 1239, is regarded as one of the pinnacles of Gothic design. King Louis IX of France ordered its construction to hold his collection of Passion Relics, which includes Christ’s Crown of Thorns, one of the most significant artefacts in mediaeval Christendom.
It was damaged during the French Revolution, but despite restoration efforts in the 19th century, it still holds one of the largest collections of intact 13th-century stained glass in the world.
