Paris, the city of love — 10 Things You Need To See
If we had to choose ten places in Paris that we think you should definitely see and visit when you are in the capital, we would suggest the following… Don’t wait any longer and fall in love with Paris!
The Eiffel Tower
What would Paris be without its symbolic Eiffel Tower? It was built by Gustave Eiffel to commemorate the centenary of the French Revolution and was presented at the Paris World’s Fair in 1889. At a height of 324 metres, the Eiffel Tower is one of the most visited sights in the world, with around seven million visitors a year.
On the first floor is the restaurant “58 Tour Eiffel”, which extends over two levels and, as the name suggests, 58 metres above the ground. On the second floor, at a height of 115 metres, the view is the best, as from there you can benefit from a wide view over the whole city and even further. And finally, on the third floor, at a height of 275 metres, you can feel what Gustave Eiffel must have felt when he completed his masterpiece.
Climbing the Eiffel Tower is essential if you want to enjoy the wonderful and unique view of Paris. You can get your tickets in advance here.
The Cathédrale Notre-Dame
One of the most enduring symbols of Paris, Notre-Dame de Paris, also known as Notre Dame, is a Roman Catholic cathedral on the eastern half of the Île de la Cité east. It is widely known for being one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture in France and Europe. Its construction began in 1163 and completion was in 1345.Today, this cathedral is a work of art in itself with its flying buttresses, its entrance gates surrounded by sculptures and its many gargoyles adorning the roof.
Why not walk all the way around the cathedral, then visit the interior and climb the 387 steps to the top of the towers. The climb to the top can be strenuous, but it will be worth it because you will have a very beautiful panoramic view of the surroundings from up there and a close-up view of the gargoyles.
Super informative and interesting guided tours can be found here.
The Louvre
The Louvre is the most visited art museum in the world. Located in the heart of Paris, the historic building is a former royal palace with a surface area of 210 000 m², of which 60 600 m² are devoted to exhibitions.
The Louvre’s collection is divided into eight exhibitions:
- Egyptian antiquities
- Eastern antiquities
- Greek, Etruscan and Roman antiquities
- Islamic art
- Sculptures of the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and modern times
- Art objects
- Paintings
- Graphic art
Get your skip-the-line-tickets and professional guides here.
The Avenue des Champs Elysées — Arc de Triomphe
Napoleon I once commissioned Jean Chalgrin to design a triumphal arch in honour of the merits of the imperial armies, with an architectural influence of ancient Rome. Built during the 19th century, this monument is now one of the largest monuments of its kind in the world. Impressive sculptures adorn its columns. Furthermore, the names of 558 generals, as well as the greatest victories, are depicted on the arch. Under the triumphal arch is the tomb of the unknown soldier of France.
The panoramic terrace, located on the Arc de Triomphe, offers a wonderful panoramic view of Paris. With a height of 50 metres, a width of 45 metres and a depth of 22 metres, the Arc de Triomphe is located on the Place de l’Etoile, which leads onto the Champs-Elysées, “the most beautiful avenue in the world”. It stretches for 1.9 km between the Place de la Concorde and the Arc de Triomphe. You will find numerous luxury boutiques (Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Guerlin, Montblanc…), venues (Lido, cinemas), famous cafés and restaurants (Fouquet’s).
Skip-the-line-tickets and much more can be found here.
A cruise on the river Seine
Is there a better way to see “the City of Lights” than on a boat from the Seine and then at dusk? Hardly. As soon as the sun sets, the sights are gradually illuminated. This gives you a panoramic view from the front row, so you can see the beauty of Paris for yourself: Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, Alexandre III Bridge and many more.
You can also benefit from a dinner cruise in a fully glassed-in ship in Paris. For about two hours, you can enjoy the most beautiful views of the capital while tasting a menu prepared by Michelin-starred chefs. Check out different options here.
Don’t forget that every evening after sunset, the Eiffel Tower sparkles brightly for 5 minutes every hour on the hour as its spotlights illuminate the whole of Paris.
The hill of Montmartre
Located in the north of Paris, the hill of Montmartre is 130 metres high and is the reason why the surrounding district also bears this name. Montmartre is mainly known for its Sacré Cœur Basilica with its white dome, which is located at the top of the hill. This was completed in 1919 and was built to commemorate the French victims of the Franco-Prussian War in 1870.
While you’re in the area, don’t forget to go to Place de Tertre, just a few streets away from the Sacré Cœur. There you will find numerous artists with their easels, drawing tourists or presenting their works of art. The Place du Tertre is reminiscent of the time when Montmartre was the centre of modern art; at the beginning of the 20th century, many famous artists worked there, such as Amedeo Modigliani, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso and Vincent van Gogh. The Espace Salvador Dalí, is a museum mainly dedicated to the sculptures and drawings of the Spanish artist of the same name, located a few steps from the Place du Tertre.
Guided walking tours and many more options can be booked in advance here.
The Palace of Versailles
The Palace of Versailles is one of the most famous castles in France. Built in the 17th century as a symbol of France’s military might, the palace was also seen as a demonstration of French supremacy in Europe. This gigantic complex of buildings, gardens and terraces is undoubtedly a must-see for any visitor. This place will captivate you with its exceptional rooms, lavish decorations, gilded furniture and Renaissance works of art.
Visit Versailles: you will start with the Grands Appartements (large apartments), then move on to the famous Galerie des Glaces (the Hall of Mirrors) and finally end your tour in the Queen’s Bedroom. And don’t forget to take a walk in the famous gardens “à la Française”.
Audioguided tours and lovely biking tours around Versailles can be found here.
The Latin Quarter — Parc du Luxembourg
The Latin Quarter of Paris is located on the left bank of the Seine and is surrounded by the Sorbonne University. Known as a student district and for its lively atmosphere and lively bistros, the Latin Quarter is home to numerous universities. The area owes its name to the Latin language, which used to be very common in and around the university, as Latin was the international language spoken in universities during the Middle Ages.
The Jardin du Luxembourg is a private garden, also open to the public, designed in 1612 by order of Marie de Médicis to beautify the exterior of the Palais du Luxembourg. Parisians affectionately call it the “Luco”. The garden surrounds the Palais du Luxembourg, where the seat of the Senate is now located. Designed by André Le Nôtre, it is ideal for a stroll; you will also find an orchard containing different varieties of apples, an apiary and several greenhouses with a large collection of orchids. There are also 106 statues, including a scaled-down version of the bronze Statue of Liberty.
The Moulin Rouge
The Moulin Rouge is a cabaret known as THE spiritual birthplace of the famous French Cancan. Located at the foot of the Montmartre hill and in the heart of the Pigalle district, the cabaret was built in 1889 by Joseph Oller and Charles Zidler. Originally imagined as a seductive dance, the French Cancan enabled the birth of the cabaret and is now a very well-known dance in many countries around the world. In modern times, the Moulin Rouge is a tourist attraction that provides great entertainment for any visitor from any country in the world.
The style and name of the cabaret have often been copied, imitated and borrowed from other cabarets around the world, such as the cabarets in Las Vegas. There are also numerous films that benefit from the cabaret’s notoriety, including Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 film, starring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor.
Tickets can be found here.
Disneyland Paris
For fans of Mickey Mouse, there is the possibility to make a trip to Disneyland Paris. The theme park is located 32 km from the centre of Paris. Disneyland Paris consists of two theme parks: the “Disneyland” park (with the castle) and the “Walt Disney Studios” park.
Get your tickets here.
