Paris has famous landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Art Museum, and Notre Dame Cathedral. Paris Fashion Week, the French Open Grand Slam, and the Tour de France are iconic and spectacular Paris attractions that attract couples, families, historians, and photographers worldwide.
The French capital appears to have been built with the delight of its visitors in mind. Its streets, squares, houses, parks, and monuments entice visitors to return, and many do. Paris is a pleasing location; it stands out as one of the world’s glamorous metropolises, spread on the banks of the Seine River in Northern France.
Among all the places, here is a list of 11 picture-perfect places to visit in Paris, France—tourist attractions that will steal your breath away and be carved in your memory until you return!
1. Eiffel Tower
What would Paris be like without the majestic Eiffel Tower? Gustave Eiffel built it to mark the centenary of the French Revolution. This tower, which stands 324 meters tall, is one of the most visited sites in the world.
It’s challenging to think that the building was condemned as a monster when it was initially displayed. Eiffel Tower is the revolutionary building that is today regarded as a brilliant architectural effort and is the most distinctive landmark in Paris.
The nearby restaurants offer large windows with views of the Eiffel Tower’s structural beams and Paris’ cityscapes.
Visiting the Eiffel Tower is an incredible experience for first-time tourists in Paris. Many visitors are astonished to see the four gigantic pillars holding this 10100-ton monument.
The first floor of the Eiffel Tower is around 187 feet above the ground and has an area of 14,485 square feet. The second level is approximately 377 feet above and offers a detailed city view. Gustave Eiffel’s office is on the summit, over 900 feet up.
- Hours of Operation: Mid-June to early September: 9 a.m. to 12 a.m.; the rest of the year: 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
- Participation Fee: Admission to the Eiffel Tower is free for children under four.
2. Notre Dame Cathedral
One of Paris’s most lasting symbols, Notre Dame de Par, also known as Notre Dame, is a Roman Catholic cathedral. It is widely recognized as one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture in France and Europe.
The Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris is located on the Ile de la Cité in the Seine River, near the Latin Quarter, known for its lively student neighbourhood.
Notre Dame Cathedral was founded in 1163 during the reign of King Louis VII and took over 180 years to complete construction.
The Notre Dame Cathedral was first created in the Early Gothic style, while later additions show the transition to the High Gothic style. The Gallery of Kings, located above the entryway on the intricately decorated west facade, is worth a closer inspection.
The finely carved sculptures of the Kings of Judah are displayed on the west facade of Notre Dame. These sculptures were beheaded during the French Revolution after being mistaken for French Kings. Later, the original heads were found and displayed in the Musée de Cluny.
The journey to the top of the towers can be taxing, but you will be rewarded with a panoramic view of the region and a close-up look at the famed gargoyles.
Small shops and eateries in the neighbourhood see the heavy inflow of tourists just because travellers piqued interest in the Notre Dame Cathedral. This is one of the most majestic places in Paris.
- Hours of operation: 8 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. (since the 2019 fire in Notre Dame, the cathedral is closed to the public)
- Participation fee: None
3. Louvre Museum
The Louvre, once the abode of French rulers, is now the world’s most visited museum. In central Paris, the Musée du Louvre was a fortification erected by Philip II in the late 12th century. The fortress’s ruins can be seen in the museum’s basement.
This opulent and exotic museum, one of the most popular tourist attractions, is split into numerous parts. These include Egyptian antiquities, oriental antiquities, Islamic art, Greek and Roman art, paintings, objects of art, medieval sculptures, and graphic art, to mention a few.
Luorve also houses Leonardo da Vinci’s most renowned work, Mona Lisa, also known as La Gioconda (or La Joconde in French). Many people rush through the museum to view this artwork.
From antiquity to European paintings from the 15th through 19th century, the Louvre has 35,000 art pieces. It isn’t easy to view everything in one visit.
Still, visitors can concentrate on one gallery, like classical sculptures, Italian Renaissance art, or 17th-century French paintings, or join a self-guided tour to see the centrepieces of the Louvre Museum.
The park benches, cafes, and restaurants around the museum offer tourists a place to sit back and relax while admiring the view of the glass pyramid.
4. Arc de Triomphe
Fascinated by ancient Roman architecture, Napoleon commissioned Jean Chalgrin to create a triumphal arch devoted to the glories of imperial forces. It was built in the nineteenth century.
The pillars of Arc de Triomphe are decorated with beautiful sculptures. In addition, the names of 660 generals and significant victories are etched on the inner façades of the small arches. French soldier tomb can be seen beneath the Arc de Triomphe.
An observation platform at the monument’s peak provides panoramic views of the 12 streets from the Place de l’Etoile, including the path from the Champs-Elysées to the Place de la Concorde and the Louvre. You can also see La Défense, Montmartre, and the Eiffel Tower here.
The Flame of Remembrance ignited on November 11, 1923, at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and has been burning continuously ever since. Every day at 6:30 p.m., a ceremony is held to rekindle the memorial flame at the tomb.
The panoramic balcony over the entryway provides a stunning view of Paris. The Arc de Triomphe is 50 meters high and 45 meters wide and is located on the Place Charles de Gaulle, formerly known as the Place de l’Etoile.
There are several luxury stores, entertainment, and notable cafes and restaurants. The location is renowned among visitors due to its gorgeous architecture. Thousands of people visit this place daily for its peaceful atmosphere.
- Hours of operation: April to September: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and October to March: 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. It is closed on Monday.
- Participation fee: € 8
5. Jardin du Luxembourg
The famed Jardin du Luxembourg is unique in that it blends aspects of Italian, French, and English landscape architecture due to the 400-plus-year succession of renovations. The Luxembourg Park, located in the 6th arrondissement on the Left Bank of the Seine, is a lovely area to explore in Paris.
The location has a unique appeal that never fails to impress tourists. If you enjoy stunning scenery, this is the place to go. The beautifully landscaped garden and the green environments of the location are ideal ways to unwind from the city’s hectic pace, making it an excellent place for family picnics.
The Luxembourg Gardens were set out in the 17th century when the Palais du Luxembourg was constructed. Architects Jean François Chalgrin and Gabriel Davioud in the 19th century gave them their current design.
The focal feature of Jardin du Luxembourg is its 23-hectare park and its big octagonal fountain-adorned pool. The Palais du Luxembourg, located near the Fontaine de Médicis, is now the French Senate seat, the upper house of the French Parliament.
This pool is surrounded by two terraces lined with sculptures, flower beds, and finely kept shrubbery. This part of the park reflects the French classic style.
Tourists can enjoy the spectacular view of the fountain by resting on the chairs put out for the guests. There is also an English-style garden, a rose garden, an apiary, an orangery, greenhouses filled with exotic orchids, and an orchard where heirloom apple types thrive.
- Opening time: 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
- Fee: None
6. Sacré-Coeur and Quartier Montmartre
The Sacré-Coeur Basilica, often known as Sacré-Coeur, is located on the top of Butte Montmartre and is one of Paris’s most beautiful tourist destinations. The crypt within the Sacre Coeur is likewise a must-see attraction.
Sacre Coeur, which means “Sacred Heart” in English, is an appropriate name for the Basilica as it houses a relic believed to be the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ and sculptures of patron saints.
This Basilica, which includes Romano-Byzantine elements, is of great spiritual importance. The entrance, arches, and walls highlight nationalist motifs, while the meditation garden and fountain provide sober and mental tranquillity.
It is worthwhile to spend time exploring Montmartre when visiting the Basilica. Montmartre is a hill in the north of Paris that takes its name from the neighbouring district.
It is well known for its white-domed Basilica of the Sacred Heart, which stands atop it, and its modern art.
This district is home to numerous contemporary art museums where tourists may appreciate the works of bohemian painters who lived in Montmartre throughout the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
Montmartre had famous cabarets and artists’ studios during this period. It is one of the significant art places to visit in Paris. This makes it a must-visit place for art lovers.
7. Palais Royal
During the reign of Louis XIII, the Palais-Royal was built as a palace for Cardinal Richelieu. Richelieu handed the mansion to the royal family, and it became Louis XIV’s boyhood residence.
The Palais Royal exemplifies traditional French architecture, with a courtyard and a magnificent garden, the Jardin du Palais-Royal.
The courtyard’s contemporary arts and sculpture exhibit astounds visitors, as do the lovely tree-shaded surroundings. This tranquil, enclosed location offers the sense of a small town within the metropolis.
A collonaded roadway connects the buildings, like arcaded halls packed with high-end retailers. There are a few upscale famous cafes and two fine-dining establishments: the haute-cuisine Restaurant du Palais Royal Residence and the palatial Le Grand Véfour.
The Palais Royal is one of the best places to take a stroll as it is open to the public, free of charge. Guided group tours around Palais Royal are available at the National Monuments Centre.
8. Moulin Rouge
Moulin Rouge, the birthplace of French Cancan, is a vintage and traditional cabaret establishment at the base. Moulin Rouge, formerly a courting dance venue, is now a lavishly designed cabaret establishment.
The well-lit building, blistering music, and beautiful décor make it one of the most fantastic places to visit in Paris at night. If you’re looking for exciting spots in Paris, Moulin Rouge has to be on your list.
Various nightclubs worldwide, including Las Vegas, have copied its look and brand. Furthermore, films such as Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 blockbuster starring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor have aided the cabaret’s renown.
Purchase your Moulin Rouge tickets early, as they sell out quickly. Moulin Rouge is the best place to visit if you want entertainment in Paris.
- Hours of operation: 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.
- The entry cost is €9.
9. Place de la Bastille
Place de la Bastille is 215 meters long and 150 meters wide, topped by a graceful, gilded figure of Liberty. The Bastille, invaded by an armed mob of Parisians in the early days of the French Revolution, symbolized the governing Bourbon monarchy’s authoritarianism and played an essential role in the Revolution’s philosophy.
The new Opera House, the Opéra Bastille, was opened by President Mitterrand on July 13, 1989. This massive contemporary theatre seats 2,745 people.
From February through July, the Opéra Bastille hosts productions that include classic opera and ballet performances by the Opéra National de Paris and the Corps de Ballet de l’Opéra de Paris.
Tourists may enjoy seeing a show and then touring the Bastille region.
10. La Conciergerie
The Conciergerie was termed “the antechamber to the guillotine.” It became the hub of a network of jails that stretched across Paris.
Despite its enticing name, this majestic medieval stronghold was a notorious detention centre and tribunal during the French Revolution.
Prisoners like Marie-Antoinette and Robespierre were held in dismal cells here while awaiting their destiny. The Conciergerie is a relic of the Palais de la Cité, which served as the royal residence of French kings until being relocated to the Louvre.
The Conciergerie is no longer used as a jail. Marie-Antoinette’s cell was transformed into a memorial chapel after the restoration.
From this vantage point, the stronghold resembles a fairy-tale castle rather than a jail, with its three circular towers and the Tour de l’Horloge (Clock Tower). The Conciergerie is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a museum open to the public.
A ticket for both the Conciergerie and the Sainte-Chapelle can be purchased.
11. Seine River
The Seine River runs through the heart of Paris, separating the city’s Right and Left Banks. Île de la Cité, called the historical centre of Paris, is one of the two islands on the Seine River. This island features world-renowned medieval marvels, secret parks, and exquisite 17th-century enclaves.
Les Bouquinistes, the riverside bookshops on both banks of the Seine, and the Parc Rives de Seine, a riverbank pedestrian-only promenade from the Place de la Bastille to the Eiffel Tower, are places that you can visit while walking on the river bank.
A tour boat will take you up and down the river, giving you a unique view of Paris’ most spectacular old buildings and bridges. The greatest way to see the “City of Light” is to take a Seine boat, especially at night.
In The End
Paris has a way of romancing visitors, whether the sun is shining on the café terraces of Boulevard Saint-Germain or the Seine River is shrouding Notre Dame Cathedral in gloomy clouds.
Its cityscape gleams with famous historical landmarks, antique palaces, art museums, churches, vast manicured parks, and chic commercial districts. The unique places of interest that define Paris’ ageless beauty astound a repeat tourist just as much as a first-time guest.
The romance begins with a first view of the Eiffel Tower and strolls along vast tree-lined streets and beautiful formal gardens.
The city’s splendour draws visitors in. Each quartier has its unique charm. The Latin Quarter is a beguiling maze of historic pedestrian walkways and winding lanes.
The chic Champs-Élysées is a hive of activity and style. Just outside Paris, Montmartre has old-world village charm and proudly displays its Bohemian background.
Tourists should also seek out small family-run restaurants with handwritten menus, cobblestone lanes full of quaint boutiques, and secluded squares adorned with flowing fountains.
Paris throws a spell of fascination in every nook and corner and at all iconic landmarks. A single visit might spark a lifelong interest.
Last Updated on December 14, 2023 by Arnab Nandi
