Known as the “City of Lights”, Paris is a wonderfully awful place filled with art, history, and romance. Exploring along the streets or taking in famous views, this city’s charm will have anyone pleasantly enchanted. Let’s explore some of the best Places to Visit in Paris and hidden gems that this incredible city has in store.
1. Eiffel Tower: the ultimate landmark
A visit to Paris cannot be complete without one to the Eiffel Tower. This ranks on top for Places to Visit in Paris. This iron tower, over 300 meters high, was designed by Gustave Eiffel and was ready in 1889, offering a great view of this city of romance. Thousands of candles illuminate this tower every night, creating a fairy-tale atmosphere.
Guests can go up by elevator or climb the 704 steps to the second floor. More than that, the view of Paris is simply great with the city layout clear and landmarks well visible. On the first and second floors, there are a number of exhibitions and restaurants. If you want to make your experience even more outstanding, try the dining at the Tour Eiffel 58 on the ground floor or Michelin-starred Le Joule Verne on the second.
Then, on the hill, there is a large green area—the Champ de Mars—perfect for picnics with the tower as a nice backdrop. The Eiffel Tower is much more than an attraction to tourists; it’s a gesture of French heritage and traditions which give meaning to the soul of Paris.
2. The Louvre Museum: A Haven for Lovers of Art
The Louvre Museum is a haven for art and history lovers. It is located in a former royal palace that was transformed into a museum way back in 1793. The collection ranges from antiquity to the 1800s, with over 380,000 objects that make up the collection, which cannot all be displayed at once.
While the museum is most famous for Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, there are other kinds of artwork like the Venus de Milo, The Winged Victory of Samothrace, and Eugène Delacroix’s Freedom to Lead the People. Works from ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome; Islamic art; sculpture; decorative arts; paintings from the Middle Ages up to the 19th century are some of the works found at the Louvre.
The Louvre is overwhelming in size, so you really need to plan your visit and concentrate on a few areas. Several tours of the museum will familiarize you with it and help you navigate its extensive paths. The glass pyramid entrance of Louvre, designed by architect I.M. Pei himself, is such a marvel of modern architecture that stands beautifully in the old palace
3. Notre-Dame Cathedral: Gothic Greatness
Even though it has been rebuilt after a horrific blaze in 2019, Notre-Dame Cathedral remains an iconic representation of Parisian beauty. This wonderful expression of a Gothic edifice, initiated in 1163 and completed in 1345, lies on the Île de la Cité in central Paris. Its fairly unique dramatic appearance, magnificent windows, and soaring minarets have for centuries been a source of attraction for many visitors.
The west façade has three wide entrances richly ornamented with carvings narrating biblical scenes. Above the portals stood 28 statues of Jewish Kings in the Gallery of Kings. The rose windows, specially the north rose and south rose, are among the summits reached in the history of stained glass.
The high ceiling and huge columns overwhelm the interior of the cathedral. There are religious relics in the museum, but in the crypt under the square in front of the church, one gets information on the history of Paris and archaeological remains from Roman times.
Although the interior is closed, renovations are in process, and the exterior is open. There will still be the sculptures and columns of Gothic portraying architecture that visitors can see and admire. Once renovated, people will start climbing these towers again to see a fantastically spectacular view of Paris
4. Montmartre: The Bohemian Center
Known for its soul of artistry and historical beauty, one cannot miss Montmartre. The famous artists of the 18th-century precinct included Picasso, Van Gogh, and Toulouse-Lautrec. It’s the way this place has been uniquely styled—beautifully street-lined—making it special in Paris.
The Sacré-Cœur Cathedral dominates the Montmartre skyline with its white spiers. On the inside, one finds amazing mosaics, including one of the largest in the world. The dome is one of the finest views to which Paris can offer a visitor.
These houses line winding cobblestone streets and are mixed with all types of restaurants, galleries, and workshops in Montmartre. The lively Square de Terter is filled with artists painting their works and selling them. It’ll be great for photos or just enjoying the energetic feel of the surroundings.
A historic building houses the Montmartre Museum, which describes the art history in this area. The works of artists who lived and worked here are on exhibit, as well as other materials related to the history of the area. Nearby, the last vineyard remaining in Paris—the Clos Montmartre—produces a small batch of wine every year.
It’s also home to the famous cabaret venue, Moulin Rouge. You can enjoy a fine show of Can Dance here. At night you will find a lot of bars and clubs, which create an excellent nightlife in Montmartre. That means this is a lively area both day and night.
5. Champs-Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe: A Walk of Splendor
The most famous street in the world, Champs-Élysées runs for 1.9 kilometers from Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe. Lined with theatres, cafés, and luxury shops, this main street is an area good for shopping and dining.
At the west end of Champs Elysees is the Arc de Triomphe, conceived by Napoleon in 1806 as a monument to his triumphs. The arch was finished in 1836 and is ornamented with exquisitely carved scenes from the Napoleonic Wars on it. One can climb to the top for a synopsis of Paris and view Paris along the principal streets emerging from Place Charles de Gaulle.
In addition, the Champs-Élysées is the seat of some landmarks, which include the Grand and Petit Palaces, housing art photo galleries. The street is also the venue for major events such as the military parade on Bastille Day and the finish line of the Tour de France.
During the winter season, the Champs Elysees lights up as a wonderland of holiday lights and a Christmas market. The location of the street and the pulsating ambiance of the street is a must for any visit to Paris.
6. Seine River Cruise: A Beautiful Experience
Cruise along the Seine River and view Paris from a different perspective. The Seine runs right through the very heart of Paris and passes by some of the most famous landmarks in town. A river cruise will no doubt prove most relaxing yet beautiful for the views.
Well, some companies provide light river cruises, while others offer dinner cruises inclusive of fine dining and sophisticated menus. As one cruises along the river, you will have the view of some of the important buildings like the Eiffel Tower, Norte Dame Cathedral, Louvre Museum, and Musee d’Orsay. You get a great deal of information on the history and relevance of the places.
This day out offers a really wonderful view of the city when Paris lights up; the day out offers an enchanting view with the reflection in the water. Some of these tours come with music and good food to ensure a memorable night for you.
Batobus is a hop-on hop-off boat service that allows easy visits of the city at your own pace. It makes stops at great locations, making it an enjoyable and excellent way to move about Paris.
7. Luxenbourg Gardens: A serene retreat
Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city with a visit to the Luxembourg Gardens. Located in the 6th Arrondissement, this beautiful 23-hectare park is filled with gardens, fountains, and sculptures. It was built for Marie de’ Medici, the king’s widow, King Henry IV, in the 17th century.
In the very middle of these gardens lies the Luxembourg Palace, today the seat of the French Senate. A special feature is the Medici Fountain, a dreamlike grotto with sculptures and a mirror pool, completed by some fountains—among them, the Fontaine de l’Observatoire.
The Luxembourg Gardens are especially beautiful during those lazy afternoons or slow evenings. Children will enjoy playing in the pond with toy boats or riding a real, old-fashioned merry-go-round. A playground, tennis courts, and an orchard full of apple trees are also at one’s disposal.
The bandstand within the park provides free music shows while the Orangerie frequently hosts art shows. The garden is one of the local’s and tourist’s favorite locations to find some serenity at the center of the busy city. Lot more information can be found on our destination category related to tourist attractions and tourist places
8. Le Marais: history and modernity
Le Marais is a dynamic place where history and modernity mix together. This district has a location between the 3rd and 4th arrondissements of Paris, making it one of the oldest areas in Paris. These streets are narrow and lined with buildings, shops, restaurants, and galleries of great historical value. Place des Vosges, one of the oldest squares in Paris, dates from the beginning of the 17th century, showing the most typical beauty that characterizes historic beauty. This square is encircled by high edifices but is peaceful to have a picnic or walk around slowly.
Marais also hosts a musee de Carnaval that exposes the history of Paris. Exhibitions in the museum outline the history of the city from the very beginning until nowadays. The other well-known museum is Picasso Museum, which contains many different collections of his works.
On rue Rosiers, the Jewish quarter is well-endowed with kosher shops and delicatessen-falafel shops. Not too far away, there is a Holocaust Memorial and a Museum of Jewish Art.
Le Marais is also at the heart of LGBTQ+ culture, represented by a multitude of bars, clubs, and shops. Much of its appeal, particularly to visitors, could be accredited to its local nightlife and excellent atmosphere.
Meet Ron Jaggard, A travel enthusiast whose passion for travel has taken him to every corner of the globe. With over ten years of exploring diverse cultures, landscapes and experiences Ron’s passion for travel shines through in every word he writes. From the fjord of Norway to the bustling markets of England he’s seen it all and lived to tell the tale.