Paris Travel Guide to Top Tourist Attractions
As the world's most beautiful city, Paris is arguably the most romantic city as well. Besides its magnetic charm, the culturally rich city is very walkable with many excellent sights that have been inspiring numerous artists, writers, and filmmakers. Is it no wonder why Paris is the world's number one tourist destination?
8. Versailles Palace
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As the supreme example of style, Paris is also one of the world's most glamorous cities. Called suitably the "City of Light," is the pinnacle of artistic expression, culinary delight, and architectural beauty. More than 30 million visitors annually can't be wrong.
To learn which are the places you absolutely must visit, refer to my list of 9 most famous must-see tourist attractions in Paris with my Paris travel guide. I have left the very best for last.
1. Louvre Museum
The mega Louvre Museum gets more than 10 million visitors each year, making it the most visited museum in the world and a high-ranking attraction not to be overlooked. A lot of the rage comes from the museum's three ultra-renowned masterpieces, Leonardo di Vinci's Mona Lisa as well as two famed Greek statues, the Winged Victory of Samothrace and Venus de Milo.
Louvre offers visitors a great deal to see such as an extraordinary Egyptian collection that includes mummies, jaw-dropping galleries of European paintings depicting from the Middle Ages to the middle of the 19th century, and stunning rooms filled with exquisite tapestries, ornamental items, and furniture.
But outside, 20th century glass pyramids and a mirror-like pool contrast sharply with the elaborate Renaissance architecture of the old royal palace.
2. Latin Quarter
To get a taste of an older version of Paris, spend an hour or two discovering the charms found in the Latin Quarter.
Initially settled by Romans during the first century, this renowned Left Bank community has long been attracting from bohemians, scholars to political protest. Just look closely and you shall see real traces of medieval Paris in the winding, narrow streets and aged buildings.
Enjoy a cool drink at the brasseries on Boulevard Saint Germain where Camus, Hemingway, and Sartre sat out during the 1920s, visit the intellectuals at the Pantheon and the tombs of French heroes, and then gaze at the Unicorn tapestries and the ageless beauty of Lady at the Cluny Museum.
Also, continue along the narrow side streets and explore the tiny bistros, quirky boutiques, and old bookstores.
Next, tour through the old but beautiful churches boasting artistic treasures such as Saint Julien le Pauvre that dates to the Middle Ages.
Then, visit the 1st century Roman arena, which is a treasure you do not want to miss in the Latin Quarter.
3. Notre Dame Cathedral
Constructed in the Middle Ages at the historic center of Paris on lle de la Cite, the cathedral represents the grandeur of Gothic architecture.
The destructive 2019 fire today prevents visitors from entering inside to see the numerous paintings, statues, sculptures, exquisite stained-glass windows, and climbing up to the roof to enjoy amazing close-up vistas of gargoyles.
Although the repairs and restoration work continue nowadays, you can still admire the flying buttresses, tall towers, and additional features. Ideal viewing spot is the Left Bank of the Seine River.
4. Montmartre & Sacre Coeur
Previously a separate village, and though Montmartre has been part of Paris from 1860, its winding roads, several trees, and gorgeous hillsides make it appear like entering a different place set apart.
You could walk past the community's several cabarets and cafes and imagine all the writers, musicians, and artists who called this home over a century ago.
But the most renowned sight is the shining white Basilica of the Sacre Coeur, constructed in Italian Byzantine style and observable from many places in Paris. Walk inside and admire the beautiful mosaics.
Do not dare miss the most interesting sections of the neighborhood so you can visit small art museums, parks, and a few old-fashioned windmills.
5. Arc de Triomphe
As one of most recognizable attractions in Paris, the massive Arc de Triomphe was commissioned in the year 1806 by Napoleon to celebrate his army's triumphs across Europe, despite he was exiled and long dead when it was finally completed 30 years later.
The monument is surrounded by busy traffic on account of 12 main streets converging. Even though you could easily observe it at a distance, you can come near and get the best views to truly appreciate its fine architecture.
The best time to go by is on the first Sunday of every month when Champs Elysees bans automobiles and becomes pedestrian-only.
Buy a ticket and climb the staircase to the observation deck to enjoy sweeping views of Paris. At the bottom of the monument, see the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and timeless flame for honoring all the fallen French soldiers in World War l and ll. Also, catch its daily re-lighting ceremony each evening at 6:30 pm. Intricate statues and bas relief carvings portraying Napoleon's battles adorn large parts of the monument.
6. Pompidou Center
Surrounded in a city loaded with traditional architecture, when Pompidou Center first opened, visitors reacted with outcries of derision at its exposed mechanical systems and raw design displaying exterior walls of brilliantly colored tubes. However, fifty years later, the museum's design by architects Richard Rogers and Renzo Piano still stands out today in the cityscape.
When inside, revolving exhibitions of superb contemporary sculptures, paintings, sound and video installations account for the center's enormous popularity.
Climb up to the remarkable rooftop deck, see the reflecting pool, and dine at the restaurant that overlooks the city.
Also, stroll around to the rear of the museum's right side to look at the Stravinsky Fountain; it's named after the composer and filled with sixteen water-spraying mobile sculptures.
7. Luxembourg Garden
Tall chestnut trees, an extensive pool where kids float toy ships, and several benches for seating among beautiful statues and colorful lush flowers make Luxembourg Garden the most popular park in Paris. And with as many as 448 other parks plus 2 forests in the city to choose from, that indeed is a great distinction!
In spite of the endless visitors flowing in, Luxembourg Garden scarcely appears crowded due to its 60 acres being divided into several distinctive areas.
Today, you can enjoy either lunch or drink at the open-air cafe.
If you are with the whole family, including children, visit the puppet theater and check out the fun pony rides. If traveling alone or as a couple, sit at one of the green metal chairs near the reflecting pool at the Medici Fountain and savor ten tranquil minutes of complete relaxation.
With over 700 rooms, Versailles Palace is easily one of the world's largest. Renowned for its royal residents from King Louis XlV all the way to Marie Antoinette, the dazzling Hall of Mirrors, excessively decorated rooms of all sizes, and rare art, Versailles Palace allows you to get a memorable peek of royal life as you tour through. You could quite easily spend half a day here.
Highlights not to overlook include exquisite gardens packed with walkways, fountains, statues, tree allees, and flowers.
Insider's tip: select a guided tour to save a lot of time waiting. Guided tours can access a separate and faster security line.
9. Eiffel Tower
Soaring high into the blue sky, the Eiffel Tower embodies Paris and provides you with amazing panoramas from three levels. For most visitors, climbing to the tower's highest-level tops their must-see attractions in Paris list.
Despite being able to observe the world-renowned landmark from several angles within the city, absolutely nothing beats the excitement of arriving at the observation platforms and seeing as the Paris landscape grows smaller at every successive level.
There are fine restaurants, a champagne bar, an ice-skating rink, and additional intriguing views via the clear floor on the first level.
