Paris; a city that can dazzle you, is full of excitement, and romantic as heck. I haven't met one person on this planet that hasn't described their wish to visit Paris at least once in their lives. Call it "The City of Light" or "The Illuminated City", Paris is not only the capital of France, but also the largest city. As soon as you land, you will find that this city has its own unique personality that is hard to miss. You will hustle and bustle in one area of the city and be completely taken aback with the quiet and serene atmosphere of another. With romance and passion filled in the air, you can be sure to have the best time of your life here. But don't get me wrong; Paris isn't just about romance or a city for lovers. Here, you can come face-to-face with the city's true culture and history, along with its architecture, breathtaking monuments, and over 300 museums. So when you are planning your vacation, there are many interesting places to visit when in Paris; and we will help guide you along the way.
| Arc de Triomphe |
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Situated in the west of Champs-Elysées, Arc de Triomphe is one of the most amazing architectural pieces in the world. It was built on the orders of Napoleon in early 1800s in the memory of the French soldiers as the names of the generals are engraved on the structure itself. The magnificent structure stands at Place Charles de Gaulle and truly is a must visit tourist spot in Paris. Since the structure is so popular and the streets of Paris are no "walk in the park", you might hit some traffic on your way there. So make sure you have allotted enough of time to see this place and not rush through traffic.
Including Champs-Elysées and Arc de Triomphe, don't forget to visit Palais de l'Elysées, the Grand Palais, and the Petit Palais near the river Seine. Although this monument is gorgeous without any added frills, the best time to visit is in the night as the Arc de Triomphe lights up beautifully. Tell you what; visit during the day and nighttime to capture some amazing pictures in front of the structure. |
| Château de Versailles |
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During the day time, when you want to explore the city and do some sightseeing, visit Château de Versailles; also known as the Palace of Versailles. The château was originally a country retreat constructed by the order of Louis XIV. It is situated the suburbs of Paris, and is about 12 odd miles from the capital. It is a historically royal place to visit as it will intrigue and astound you upon arrival. The main palace is surrounded by a gorgeous, spacious park that has fountains, lush gardens, and amazing sculptures.
Inside the château, you cannot miss seeing The Hall of Mirrors, Marble Staircase, Mars Drawing Room, Royal Opera House, Venus and Diana Drawing Rooms, and Chapel Royal where you will see period furniture and brilliant exhibits. If you want to explore the château, you might just have to empty the entire day as there is a lot to catch up to here. Also include in this tour The Grand Trianon and Marie Antoinette's Estate. The magnitude of the Versailles will amaze you and leave you breathless. |
| The Eiffel Tower |
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The Eiffel Tower is perhaps one of the most recognized monuments across the globe. I guess every time someone even mentions the name, Paris, we automatically have the image of this monument in our minds. If you have never traveled to Paris before, then the Eiffel Tower should definitely be on your list because you do not want to miss this opportunity. And if you have been to Paris before and are on another trip (jealous me), then why not take another trip down memory lane. If you have visited the monument in day time, what perfect way to see it again when it is all light up during the night. The Tower literally comes alive at night as everything expect the monument becomes the focal point. Apart from taking pictures from all possible angles, you can even take an elevator ride up the monument. Here you can not only feel the grandeur of the Tower but can also marvel on the beauty of the city. Now I am not going to bore you with facts about the Eiffel Tower because you can get a guide there who will give all the details you need. Apart from regular tourists, who come for sightseeing, the Eiffel Tower is a fantastic monument for amateur and professional photographers. The best shot of the Tower can be captured from the Palais de Chaillot. You can visit the Tower any time of the year; just try to avoid summers because it's the most crowded during that time. |
| Latin Quarter |
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For all you history buffs, the Latin Quarter is a place where many famous writers and intellectuals once walked. Although this place is more famous for it is home to the Sorbonne, a building in Latin Quarter; a historical home for the once University of Paris. Along with the Sorbonne, you will also find the Panthéon which was built as a church and dedicated to St. Genevieve. However, over the years there have been many changes, this building is situated on the Montagne Sainte-Geneviève. One of the best things about this building is that you can view the entire city of Paris from here.
Here, you can also see the Musée National du Moyen Âge, the Jardins and Palais du Luxembourg, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, and the Delacroix Museum. But if you don't wish to do any sightseeing and are tired of all the hullabaloo of the city, then visit Latin Quarter for its world famous cafés. You can even spend your day observing the surrounding area and take some pictures too. |
| Notre Dame Cathedral |
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Of course we have all heard the love story of the Hunchback of Notre Dame and a beautiful gypsy, Esmeralda. If nothing else, then perhaps this story can lure you to the Notre Dame Cathedral. The Île de la Cité and Île de Saint Louis, the two islands between the Seine are not to be missed. Why? Because on the Île de la Cité, you will find the majestic Notre Dame Cathedral. Bishop Maurice de Sully were responsible for building this Cathedral and is now a magnificent addition to Pairs attractions.
The Cathedral is not only majestic from the outside, but the interiors are mind-boggling too. You can literally spend hours inside the Cathedral as there's a lot to be seen such as the Rose Window, the Gallery of Kings, the Last Judgment Portal, and the flying buttresses. For the more adventurous types, climb to the top of Notre Dame, around 400 steps (no elevators) and you will get a spectacular view of the city and see some gargoyles too. |
| Musée du Louvre |
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You can call it Musée du Louvre, the Louvre Museum, or The Louvre, this museum is one of the most famous places in Paris. It is one of the world's largest museums and is a historical monument; a central landmark of the city. The museum has many paintings (the Mona Lisa), sculptures (Venus de Milo and Winged Victory of Samothrace), drawings, and decorative arts of Rome, Greece, Egypt, and other Eastern countries. In this museum, you will see the New Louvre, the Old Louvre, and the Sully Wing as the various architectural styles.
And of course, who can forget the addition of the glass pyramid. Along with touring The Louvre, you can also visit Garden of the Tuileries and the Orangerie art museum. Literally millions of people come to Paris just so they can catch a glimpse of The Louvre. It is said that in order to see everything inside this museum, you need more than a day or even a week. So make sure you time your trip properly and get ample of time to tour the museum. |
One thing I can guarantee for your trip to Paris, you won't have enough days to see everything the city has to offer. I mean there are so many museums, historical monuments, towers, shopping expeditions, restaurants, and cafés, that you will wish you had more days or could visit again. Apart from the famous tourist stops given to you in this article, there are many more famous places to visit in Paris with children, family, and friends like Disneyland Paris, Aquaboulevard, Luxembourg Gardens, Montemartre, Seine River, La Basilique du Sacré-Coeur, Hôtel des Invalides, La Conciergerie, Thoiry African Reserve, Le Marais, Tuileries Garden, and so much more. If you are making plans of visiting Paris, don't miss out on one of the best adventures of your life.
