Top 10 Places to Visit in Paris
Home to some of the most iconic buildings, structures, and landmarks you will ever see, Paris is considered to be among the most romantic cities in the world. It is a city that appeals to couples, fashionistas, families, and even backpackers who prefer communal hostals over luxury hotels.
Paris is known for its inventive gourmet and casual gastronomy, its fine museums and renowned art galleries.
Love Lock Bridge
Known locally as Pont Des Arts, the Love Lock Bridge is an attraction that appeals to love birds and those who have a fascination with quirky local attractions. The bridge was constructed in 1894 and up until recently was covered in love locks placed by couples in love from all over the world. In 2015 this tradition was banned by the city and the locks were removed because the weight of the locks was effecting the integrity of this beautiful pedestrian bridge.
It is said that the love lock tradition began during World War I when a local resident attached a lock to the bridge in honor of her husband who was killed in battle. You can still visit Pont Des Arts with the one you love, but tourists are now encouraged to take selfies to commemorate their visit.
Louvre Museum
Distinguished as one of the most iconic attractions in Paris, and all of Europe for that matter, the Louvre Museum is located near the bank of the Seine River in downtown Paris and it attracts millions of art lovers from all over the world each year.
The main castle-like building of the Louvre Museum was originally constructed in 1190 and served as a fortress to protect Paris from foreign invasion until it was later occupied by the royal family. The Louvre Muesum eventually opened to the public as a fine arts museum in 1801 and has attracted visitors ever since. Visitors are welcome to stroll through over 72,000 square feet of exhibit space that spans over several floors and check out over 38,000 permanent and traveling exhibits.
The Louvre Museum is home to an impressive collection of art and sculptures that date back as far as 2273 B.C. to more recent exhibits created during the 19th and 20th centuries. While visiting, you can check out world-renowned pieces such as the Mona Lisa, The Seated Scribe, Sain John the Baptist, Borghese Gladiator, and many more. Visiting the Louvre Museum is an educational experience of a lifetime!
Avenue des Champs-Élysées
Known simply as "The Ave" by the locals, Avenue des Champs-Élysées is the premier shopping and dining district in downtown Paris where you will find everything from art galleries and museums to designer shopping boutiques and Michelin-star restaurants.
Avenue des Champs-Élysées is coveted by movie stars and tourists alike and is a place where you can go to purchase all of the brand names and haute fashions you crave! Avenue des Champs-Élysées is situated between Place de la Concorde and Arc de Triomphe and spans a distance of just under 2 miles long.
Along the avenue, you will find an impressive assortment of outdoor art, water fountains, and shopping opportunities galore. Avenue des Champs-Élysées is home to retailers like Louis Vuitton, Sephora, Chanel, Valentino, and more. Stroll around and do some shopping by day and experience the romantic atmosphere when the avenue is lit up by an assortment of colorful lights by night.
Catacombes de Paris
The final resting place of the remains of countless Parisians, Catacombes de Paris, or simply "The Catacombs" is perhaps the most bizarre tourist attraction in the world, yet this vast network of underground tunnels consisting of intricately laid bones attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
Catacombes de Paris was constructed during the 18th century as a way to handle the city's dead following several health crisises that plagued Paris. Instead of digging mass graves, the bones of the deceased were used to create art and structures within the underground chambers and tunnels and provided family members with an inventive way to pay their respects to loved ones.
The Catacombs were opened to the public in 1809 and parts of the labyrinth remain open to this day.
Eiffel Tower
Regarded as one of the most notable and unique structures in the world, the Eiffel Tower first opened to the public in 1889 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution and has become the landmark of Paris. At the time of its construction, the tower lifts were a modern marvel, allowing visitors to take in remarkable views of the city while they ascended to the top. From its base to peak, the Eiffel Tower is 1,063 feet tall.
The Eiffel Tower features three floors that beg to be explored further. On the first floor, you will find a gift shop, a museum with permanent and temporary exhibits, and an observation area with a glass floor. On the second floor, you can visit another observation area and dine at gourmet restaurants.
The top floor, or summit, of the tower offers the most coveted view of the city and you can enjoy it with a glass of bubbly in hand from the champagne bar. At the top level, you can also tour Gustave Eiffels office and learn more about the history of the Eiffel Tower.
Place de la Concorde
Take a step back in history and walk in the footsteps of some of the most iconic Parisians when visting Place de la Concorde in the downtown district. This beautiful town square was the center of all social activity during Paris' early years and it still draws in visitors who want to take in its quintessential charm.
Construction of Place de la Concorde commenced in 1755 by the order of King Louis XV and great attention was paid to all of the details. At Place de la Concorde, you will find antique outdoor art, a ferris wheel, angel adorned water fountains, and the imposing Luxor Obelisk monument which stands at 75 feet tall and dates back over 3,000 years.
Centre Georges Pompidou
Unusually beautiful and brilliant in its own right, Centre Georges Pompidou is known as the "inside out" building and it features modern architecture that you have to see in order to believe. Centre Georges Pompidou is located in downtown Paris and is home to a unique modern arts museum that showcases the creativity of its local and international artists.
Centre Georges Pompidou is called the "inside out" building because all of its piping and mechanical equipment is located on the outside of the building is painted in a variety of vibrant colors. This eye-catching museum stands at 7-stories tall and encompasses over one million square feet of floor space.
Notre-Dame de Paris
Notre-Dame de Paris is a stunning historic Catholic cathedral located in downtown Paris and it is an attraction that takes center stage among tourists visiting the city. Notre-Dame de Paris was designed in a fine French Gothic architectural style and is adorned in stunning ornate detailing work. In 2019, the center spire of this iconic cathedral was damaged by a catastrophic electrical fire, but the much of the rest of the building was untouched.
Construction of Notre-Dame de Paris began in 1163 during the reign of King Louis VII. This iconic cathedral still holds weekly mass services and special events to this day. Step inside of this majestic building and admire the beautiful center nave, which features an assortment of antique stained-glass windows, ornate furnishings, and a series of intricately designed pillars and arches.
The chior and altar of this cathedral are a work of art in their own rite and are adorned with sculptures and carvings that portray important figures and events in Catholic history.
Luxembourg Gardens
An idyllic outdoor recreation spot that offers a glimpse into royal life, Luxembourg Gardens is located near downtown Paris and it is adorned in perfectly sculpted trees and shrubbery as well as an assortment of colorful flowers that bloom throughout the seasons. Depending on what time of year you visit, you will be treated to a colorful landscape that fits the season.
Depending on what time of year you visit, you will be treated to a colorful landscape that fits the season. Luxembourg Gardens is part of Luxembourg Palace and both were constructed from 1612 to 1617 at the direction of Marie de Medici, who was the royal widow of King Henry VI.
Today, Luxembourg Gardens looks much like it did during the 17th century and it covers an area of approximately 23 hectares. Today, you can lounge around on the grass around the park, appreciate its vibrant history, and immerse yourself in the culture of the region while visiting.
Arc de Triomphe
In celebration of Napoleon's triumph in Paris at the end of the French Revolutionary War, Arc de Triomphe was erected to commemorate the victory. Napoleon commissioned the arc in 1806 and it was finally completed in 1836, although Napoleon did not live long enough to take part in its inauguration.
Arc de Triomphe is a spectacular site that features ornate Neoclassical architectural style and it measures in at 164 feet high. You can find this classic Paris monument at the heart of Place Charles de Gaulle.
It is not hard to see why Paris is one of the most visited tourist destinations on earth, thanks to its fabulous assortment of new and historical attractions. Whether you are visiting the city on a romantic honeymoon for two, on a family vacation, or even taking a solo European adventure, be sure to visit these top-notch attractions and immerse yourself in the renowned French culture!
It’s always great to meet fun locals to show you around. If you’re exploring Paris take a moment to connect with the Paris locals by using the Citysurfing experiential travel platform.