Paris is a large city rich in culture and activities. Even if you’ve visited it more than once, there will still be a lot of new places to discover. The City of Love brims with places and attractions to visit, from the world-renowned museums to not well-known sites and hidden gems, so it’s hard to exhaust all the options it has to offer.
Many tourists have never been there. Once you visit Paris, you will have a hard time determining what to see and do during your first visit to the French capital. To help you explore the top attractions in the City of Lights and prevent you from missing the best sites in the city, we’ve gathered the 10 best places to visit in Paris. Keep scrolling to discover them all.
1. Eiffel Tower On the Champ de Mars
The Eiffel Tower is the first place most tourists visit while in Paris. This the city emblem, so it’s sacrilege to avoid touring this wrought-iron tower and take some photos when strolling through the Champ de Mars. The Eiffel Tower overlooks the entire city from its 1066 feet (325 m) in height. This impressive structure constructed by Gustave Eiffel in 1889.
Since then, it has been enticing tourists to visit this place and enjoy the breathtaking views of the city. It is one of the most visited buildings in Europe today. Avoid crowds by purchasing the skip-the-line Eiffel Tower ticket with the summit entrance. It’s worth it!
2. Musée du Louvre (Louvre Museum)
Receiving more than ten million visitors yearly, the Louvre is the most visited museum in the world. What’s more, it is considered to be one of the top attractions in France. This place is easy to reach, as it is located in Rue de Rivoli street in central Paris – an arrondissement referred to as Royal Paris.
The popularity of the Musée du Louvre stems greatly from the 3 world-famous artworks: the Mona Lisa portrait as well as the Winged Victory of Samothrace and Venus de Milo statues. Of course, there are also many other masterworks to see and admire, including galleries of European paintings and an Egyptian collection of mummies.
Besides, there’s a labyrinth of dazzling rooms showcasing exquisite tapestries, furniture, and ornaments. Take the time to explore them all!
3. The Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile (Arc de Triomphe) & Champs-Elysées
The Triumphal Arch is situated at the western edge of the Champs-Elysées, the most bustling place in Paris. Champs-Elysées gathers big international and French brands alike, which makes it is an amazing place for shopping. It’s the most emblematic and striking triumphal arch not only in France but on our planet.
The Arc de Triomphe is intended to showcase French history. Some of the most important military leaders, victories, and battles in the rich history of France are engraved on its surface. You can see Triumphal Arch on the Seine River Cruise. Don’t miss it!
4. Palace of Versailles (Versailles Palace)
The next place you need to tour during your vacation in Paris is Versailles Palace. This place is known for the largest palace in the world and the most beautiful gardens in France (and one of the most magnificent gardens in the world) filled with fountains, statues, walking paths, flowers, and tree allées.
The Palace of Versailles was the residence of the famous King Louis XIV. Today, it is a popular tourist attraction that brings a huge number of visitors to this place. Join them and explore this awesome place!
5. Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris (Notre-Dame Cathedral)
The Notre-Dame de Paris is a delightful Gothic cathedral that draws thousands of tourists every month. It dates back to the 12th century. The cathedral is located at the center of Île de la Cité and it was constructed during the Middle Ages. From Gothic carvings to rose windows and marvelous sculptures, this cathedral is full of a variety of architectural details.
People come to this place to marvel at sculptures, paintings, and statues, and enjoy spectacular views from the roof of the cathedral. Be sure to visit this Gothic art gem during your cultural trip. This is a great opportunity to learn more about its history. It is worth visiting!
6. Quartier Latin (Latin Quarter)
The Latin Quarter is positioned in the fifth district in the vicinity of the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris. It is an extremely active neighborhood that houses 2 reputable universities. That said, don’t be surprised if you encounter a lot of students while strolling through this buzzing area.
While you’ll find plenty of restaurants and bistros in Quartier Latin, most tourists visit this area to admire the Panthéon. In addition to this iconic monument, you should also visit the Jardin des Plantes, Curie Museum, and Arènes de Lutèce while wandering around this dynamic neighborhood.
7. Montmartre & Sacré Coeur
Montmartre is an iconic district of Paris famous for the Sacré Cœur (the Basilica of the Sacred Heart). This Roman Catholic church is the top attraction in this vibrant place. What else can you see in the Montmartre quarter?
You will also be able to explore everything from museums to restaurants and bars in this historic quarter. Furthermore, you can discover small artisans and try French specialties (cheeses, pastries, wines, etc.) on a guided tour in Montmartre. Check it out!
8. Centre Pompidou (Pompidou Center)
The edgy design of Pompidou Center perfectly complements the traditional architecture of the city and brings it to life. Pompidou Center features the walls of exposed mechanical systems and vividly colored tubes. It looked a bit weird when it was opened about 50 years ago.
Nevertheless, it has withstood the test of time. Centre Pompidou still keeps standing out in the modern cityscape today. Don’t hesitate to get inside and explore this place. You will see exhibitions of various contemporary sculptures and paintings.
9. Moulin Rouge
As you may already know, Moulin Rouge is a famous cabaret in Paris. Inaugurated in the late nineteenth century, the Moulin Rouge is the “birthplace” of the modern version of the cancan dance. Many famous dancers and celebrities (including Edith Piaf) have performed at this place.
Located near Montmartre, this popular place is an emblem of Paris as well as a symbol of body liberty and music. Glamorous shows often take place here in the evenings. The most popular shows are Lido de Paris, Crazy Horse, and Moulin Rouge. In addition to shows, visitors can also book a matinée, dinner, or VIP evening.
However, for those who love amazing shows, we also recommend experiencing 2 icons of Paris on an illuminations river cruise.
10. Musée d’Orsay
Musée d’Orsay is a renowned museum that occupies a former train station on the Seine waterfront. If you pass through this area, take a moment to explore this place. What can you see in this museum? It is known for its brilliant collection of Post-Impressionist and Impressionist artworks.
Musée d’Orsay consists of several galleries that hold the well-known masterpieces of famous artists, such as Van Gogh, Gauguin, Monet, Cézanne, and Renoir. If you want to avoid massive crowds and explore this place thoroughly, then you need to join a guided tour.
Conclusion
Now that you know what to do and see in Paris, planning a trip to the capital of France will be much easier for you. These are just some of the places you should visit during your stay in Paris. The list could go on and on. Surely this magnificent city is going to amaze you by all means so, pack your bags and have a nice trip!
