Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Paris

The Eiffel Tower or La Tour Eiffel was constructed for the 1889 World’s Fair and remains one of the top tourist attractions in Paris today.

As you continue down the Champs-Elysees, you will eventually reach the Arch de Triomphe. This impressive structure is famed for its intricate pillar carvings and victory tale engravings.

Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower, one of the world’s most recognizable structures and cultural icons, was first constructed for Paris World Fair 1889 and designed by Gustave Eiffel – now one of the most visited paid monuments globally.

This iconic landmark offers breathtaking views of the city from multiple levels, including a summit. Additionally, it contains a restaurant, champagne bar and gift shop for added convenience.

At its construction, the Eiffel Tower caused considerable debate. Some leading artists of its time considered it monstrous; others voiced concerns that it might collapse structurally. By World War I’s end, its usefulness as a radio-telegraphy center had convinced locals to preserve it; furthermore, its inspiration inspired multiple similar structures, including Blackpool Tower in England and Tokyo Tower in Japan.

Louvre Museum

The Louvre Museum (Musee du Louvre in French) boasts one of the world’s premier art collections and boasts 14.5 kilometers (9 miles) of corridors and 403 rooms – it can be easy to become disoriented without proper planning!

The Mona Lisa is one of the main draws at the Louvre Museum, captivating hordes of visitors with her mysterious smile. Other celebrated pieces at this museum include Leonardo da Vinci’s Venus de Milo and Winged Victory by an ancient Greek sculptor named Acroleon; Eugene Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People depicting a goddess leading a charge during French Revolution is another popular work.

The iconic Louvre entrance designed by architect I.M. Pei is one of Paris’s most beloved landmarks. Once criticised, its pyramid has now become beloved part of cityscape; its modernist architecture stands in stark contrast to classical wings of museum.

Notre Dame Cathedral

Notre Dame Cathedral is an exquisite example of French Gothic architecture and one of Paris’ most visited landmarks, drawing over 13 million visitors and pilgrims annually. Situated on Ile de la Cite island, its structure has centuries-old history written into its stones.

At over 69 meters (387 steps), its two towers stand proud. Adorned with copper statues depicting each apostle and featuring an eight ton Emmanuel bell, its interior boasts a luxurious gold finish while an organ with over 8,000 pipes also contributes to its beauty.

Visitors to Notre Dame Cathedral can climb its two towers for an aerial view of Paris and can also observe some of its famed gargoyles – originally designed as water spouts! However, please remember that Notre Dame is an active place of worship and tourists should dress accordingly when visiting.

Arc de Triomphe

The Arc de Triomphe stands as one of Paris’s most prominent monuments, standing at the end of Champs-Elysees in the eighth arrondissement and marking where 12 prestigious avenues meet to form a star shape. Through war and revolution alike, its foundation stands as an iconic reminder of France’s long and turbulent history.

Built at Napoleon’s command to commemorate his Grande Armee’s victories, its facade bears the names of 158 battles from both revolutionary and Napoleonic periods, along with six relief sculptures created by Francois Rude, Jean-Pierre Cortot, and Antoine Etex. Take time out of your day trip to visit this magnificent structure – you might just catch a stunning sunset view too.

Champs-Elysees

The Champs-Elysees is one of the world’s most iconic streets, and offers plenty of things to see and do. At year-end it becomes particularly festive as festive lights decorate it and crowds gather at Arc de Triomphe to watch the countdown to 2019.

Attractions to explore in Paris include many high-end shopping stores, such as those owned by Chanel and Louis Vuitton. Be sure to climb the Arc de Triomphe – a monument dedicated to all those who fought and died during Napoleonic wars – as it pays a fitting tribute.

Art lovers will delight in visiting two museums that boast stunning Beaux-Arts architecture – the Grand Palais and Petit Palais are two renowned examples that host exhibitions throughout the year, while Invalides (where Emperor Napoleon lies in rest) stands out.

Versailles Palace

The Palace of Versailles is an extravagant chateau that epitomizes the absolute power that European monarchs once wielded. Built and embellished by some of Europe’s top architects, designers, and craftspeople, its many gardens, fountains, buildings for government officials, military guards, servants – even its very own zoo – epitomize this grandiose piece of European history!

In the late 1600s, Louis XIII turned an old hunting lodge belonging to his father into the Palace of Versailles as his seat of power and it soon became the heart of French political life until the French Revolution forced Louis and his royal family back to Paris.

Be sure to visit the Palace during your time in Paris; its Gallery of Great Battles displays 33 huge paintings commemorating France’s victories from 496-1809. Additionally, it houses beautiful gardens and an extensive forest that offer plenty of recreational space.

Sacre-Coeur

Sacre-Coeur stands out against Paris’ skyline like no other church: perched atop Montmartre in the 18th arrondissement, its iconic white dome can be reached via long flight of steps and stands as both religious and political symbol. Built as part of France’s response to their defeat during Franco-Prussian War and dedicated to the Sacred Heart.

Unique features and Byzantine architecture distinguish it among Paris monuments. Its prominent white facade, known as the “big meringue,” consists of Chateau-Landon limestone that emits white liquid when exposed to moisture; when raindrops fall onto it, this substance turns white!

The basilica boasts two iconic equestrian statues of Joan of Arc and King Saint Louis that have become iconic landmarks since it opened its doors in 1919, and are today visited by thousands each night for worship services and nightly adoration ceremonies.

Basilica

The Basilica boasts an exquisite collection of artifacts and Baroque architecture, and houses St. Peter’s tomb. Catholic pilgrims frequently make the journey here for prayerful pilgrimage; below the basilica are tombs belonging to both past and current Popes buried beneath its altars.

Basilicas were initially referred to by Romans as any large public building with special ceremonial rights granted by Pope. Later, Constantine the Great converted them into churches but retained many architectural features associated with pagan religious structures.

Basilicas typically boast an altar at their center that sits directly atop Saint Peter’s tomb, making it one of Rome’s most notable Christian sites. Additionally, there are often chapels dedicated to various saints within a basilica; most notable among these chapels is Cappella del San Giovanni on its north transept.

Pantheon

The Pantheon is an exquisite monument dedicated to the gods, with a stunning dome ceiling which was the largest in existence when built. Constructed during Emperor Hadrian’s rule from 126-128 A.D, its grand portico features 16 granite columns encasing its circular rotunda.

This building can be entered through two enormous bronze doors designed to resemble temple pediments – an established feature in Classical architecture. Their proportions and design reflect Roman religious thought – of unifying humanity with divinity through which “as above, so below”.

The Pantheon was transformed into a church in 609 A.D, thus saving it from abandonment, destruction, and vandalism that befell many pagan buildings of Rome. Michelangelo once noted that its appearance looked as though it were designed by angels rather than men.

Musee d’Orsay

At the Musee D’Orsay, visitors will be struck by its impressive art collections and architecture. This museum showcases works by iconic impressionist artists like Monet, Van Gogh and Degas as well as those belonging to other movements such as Realism, Symbolism and Art Nouveau.

The Musee D’Orsay was constructed as part of the 1900 Paris Exposition and features modern technologies including elevators and escalators, luggage ramps, sixteen tracks with electrical traction and electrically powered lifts.

At the height of the 1910 Paris Flood, train lines were used to transport water into the city via train lines. Following President Valery Giscard d’Estaing’s decision in 1977 to convert this station into a museum – opening its doors as such in 1986 – today it remains one of the world’s most visited institutions with over 80,000 works displayed within its collections, plus furniture and decorative arts that comprise its vast holdings.

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