Best attractions in Paris: Top 30
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Finding out what to see in Paris will be interesting and informative even for those who are not planning a visit to this hospitable city. Let’s try to list the most important and popular attractions in Paris right now.
What to see in Paris first of all?
In compiling our rating “the best sights of Paris”, we took into account the reviews of travelers and recommendations of experienced guides. Our review is as follows:
1. Eiffel Tower
What is the first thing you need to visit in Paris? The legendary structure, over 320 meters tall. “The “column” of iron is a symbol of the city, and at night it is transformed by the many thousands of colorful lights. On the tower is an observation deck, allowing you to enjoy incredible views of the metropolis at any time of day.
Official website: https://www.toureiffel
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2. Louvre Museum
Formerly a chic residence for kings, now the most famous museum in the world will offer you an introduction to unique artifacts, paintings and engravings, sculptures, historical and artistic relics. Among the main attractions of the Louvre is the beautiful painting “Mona Lisa”. Even if your trip is not connected with excursion plans, you should visit this museum by all means.
Official website: https://www.louvre.
3. Arc de Triomphe
The decree for the creation of the Triumphal Gate was given by B. Napoleon. The construction is decorated with bas-reliefs and sculptures of generals and ordinary soldiers, winged maidens trumpeting a fanfare. It should be noted that Bonaparte himself did not see the final completion of the arch. As for modern people, to visit the local vantage point or the Napoleon Museum. Napoleon, stand near the Eternal Flame can now every tourist. It is recommended to travel with a guide - you will learn a lot of interesting information about the creation of the architectural masterpiece.
Official site: http://www.paris-arc-de-triomph
4. Notre Dame de Paris
Few landmarks in France can boast such immense fantastic power as Notre Dame de Paris. Many myths and ancient legends are associated with this place. The construction of the temple was conducted for two hundred years. The majestic building is decorated with intimidating chimeras, stained-glass windows with beautiful roses, panels with figures of kings, bas-reliefs and lancet gates on which there are entertaining scenes of the Last Judgement. The sanctuary is located in the east of the island of Side, and regularly rings massive bells in the neighborhood. Such tours in Paris should not be missed by anyone.
Official website: http://www.notredamedeparis
5. Sacre Coeur Basilica
The structure is located on the hill of Montmartre, and is intended to atone for the sins committed by the people of the city during the bloody days of revolutions and wars. Inside the temple you can not only ask forgiveness from the face of God, but also enjoy the music of a huge organ.
Official website: http://www.sacre-coeur-montmartre
Check out the beautiful views of Paris in this breathtaking video!
6. Champs-Elysees
A luxurious and glamorous place designed for living and relaxing for the world’s wealthiest people. On the main thoroughfare are boutiques of the world’s most famous brands, the best restaurants and hotels in Paris. The length of the boulevard, more than 70 meters wide, is 1915 meters. There are often solemn celebrations and all sorts of processions of the citizens.
7. The Luxembourg Garden and the Palace
The garden, on the scale of 26 hectares, was created at the behest of Maria de Medici and surrounds her ancestral country palace. Visitors and residents of the metropolis can admire the sculptures, relax on the green lawns or stroll along the paths. In the warm season there are concerts and photo exhibitions in the open air. For entertainment there are chess and bocce tables, tennis and basketball hoops, playgrounds for children and a miniature theater. Opposite the old palace is a unique fountain. If you don’t know what to see in Paris in 1 day, but want to spend time admiring architectural masterpieces and natural beauties at the same time, come here.
Official website: https://en.museeduluxembourg
8. Palace of Versailles
The palace and park complex of Louis the Fourteenth is unparalleled on earth. The cost of the magnificent royal residence and the arrangement of its grounds has cost the treasury of France an enormous sum. Among other monuments of history in Versailles, the farm of Marie Antoinette remained in its original form. The palace acquired the status of a museum more than 210 years ago.
Official website: http://en.chateauversailles
9. Montmartre
An area with the best recreational areas and significant landmarks, including the Basilica of the Sacre-Coeur. Talented masters such as Matisse, Picasso, and Van Gogh have lived and worked here before. There’s still a restaurant, the Dodgy Rabbit, where the most bohemian crowd of bygone centuries liked to congregate. Guides in Paris necessarily recommend visiting the local exhibition center, as well as the cemetery of Montmartre. Equally worthy of attention is the giant flea market, whose vendors will sell you both modern and antique items at a fairly high price.
10. Isle of Cite
It is located in the central part of the metropolis, in the middle of the Seine. With other parts of the city Cite is connected by bridges. It is on this island are many of the best attractions of Paris - the Chapel of Saint-Chapelle, the Conciergerie Castle and Notre Dame de Paris.
11. Place de la Bastille
The square was completed at the end of the 18th century. In former years it was the site of a fortress of the same name for the defense of the city. For almost 400 years it was a prison for political criminals. After the memorable events of 1789, the prison was destroyed, and it was replaced by a large-scale square.
12. Latin Quarter
An old neighborhood located in the central part of the city. Formerly only inhabited by students (given the proximity of the Sorbonne and other institutes), today the quarter is a fun and noisy attraction for tourists. There are lots of bars and restaurants for people of all income levels.
13. Sorbonne University
The national pride of the country was founded in the 18th century, and to this day its teachers and students hold in high esteem the tradition of quality European education. Today the Sorbonne includes thirteen independent educational institutions. It is also a huge center for theology and philosophy.
Official website: https://www.sorbonne.
14. Grand Opera House
Where to go in Paris for theater fans? To the state’s main opera house, which opened back in the 17th century. Performances that are given on stage are different - ballet, opera, theater and dance productions of our and past days. Not only is it interesting to attend any event, but also to see the incredible interiors of the huge halls.
Official website: https://www.operadeparis
15. Georges Pompidou Center
The Arts and Culture Center is designed in an original manner, a colorful building “inside out” (many architectural elements, such as elevators and staircase structures, are on the façade of the building). The Center has a museum with an excellent collection of sculptures and paintings of Pop Art, Expressionism, Constructivism and other artistic trends. Among the especially valuable examples are the works of E. Warhol, Dali and Picasso.
Official website: https://www.centrepompidou
16. Orsay Museum
The exhibitions of this museum complex are devoted to Post-Impressionism and Impressionism. Exhibitions are held in the former train station building, opened as early as 1900. The building is a mix of several styles - 19th century classicism and industrialism. As well as many other interesting places in Paris, it has a really rich history.
Official website: http://www.musee-orsay
17. Galerie Lafayette
Fashion shopping center. In the gallery you will find clothes, shoes and accessories of every famous designer of France. At the end of the 19th century, Lafayette was a modest store selling only lace and ribbons. Now it is a giant mall with shining windows and colorful signs.
Official website: https://haussmann.galerieslafayette
18. Cabaret Moulin Rouge
The hallmark of Paris nightlife, an art restaurant and variety show that opened more than a century ago. The Moulin Rouge has evolved from a “brothel” club into a popular stage with dozens of world-class artists. Tickets for the performances should be purchased in advance.
Official website: http://www.moulinrouge
19. The House of the Disabled
Formerly a hospital for wounded soldiers of the Louis Fourteenth era. Under the main building are the Army Museum and the magnificent classical cathedral with the tomb of B. Napoleon. Exhibits in the museum complex include cartridges, weapons, clothing, and military paraphernalia of past centuries.
Official website: http://www.musee-armee
20. Conciergerie Castle
Quite an unconventional building, formerly serving as both a prison and the residence of kings. The atmosphere is reminiscent of the spirit of the Middle Ages. If you want to plunge into the French past, go here.
Official site: https://www.monuments
Sightseeing in Paris: What else can I do in Paris?
We have told you about the main sights of Paris in brief. In addition to them, be sure to visit:
21. Pantheon
Inside the memorial complex are the ashes of those who have had a great influence on the development of the art, culture, or science of the state. In the 18th century, the structure was to be a shrine named after St. Genevieve, but this decision was later changed, and the building is now a famous tomb.
Official website: https://pantheonparis.com/
22. Montparnasse Tower
More than 200-meter high tower from 1972 with restaurants, banks, boutiques and office space inside. There are several observation decks accessible by high-speed elevators.
Official website: https://www.tourmontparnas
23. Catacombs of Paris
The area can be called a separate city, in whose tunnels and caves more than 6,000,000 people have died in various centuries. The ossuary, supposedly three hundred kilometers in area, has entire streets with signposts. The part open for viewing is quite well appointed. You will not see any order in the Catacombs. Among the many other bones here are the remains of Charles Perrault and Fouquet, Robespierre and Jean Jacques Batiste.
Official website: http://www.catacombes
25. Pere-Lachaise Cemetery
A cemetery and museum with tombstones. Politicians and military men, thinkers and philosophers from all corners of the world rest here. The grave of D. Morrison, the lead singer of The Doors, neighbors the last resting place of Isadora Duncan and Oscar Wilde, the revolutionary from the Ukraine Makhno and the dictator from the Dominican Republic Trujillo. Despite the rather oppressive atmosphere, you should not refuse a visit to the cemetery of Pere-Lachaise. You will be able to see many unique sculptures of great architectural value.
Official site: https://pere-lachaise.com
25. Alexander III Bridge
An exquisite structure and valuable piece of architecture from 1975, made in boise-ar style and decorated with lanterns, nymphs and angels. Walking along it will take you from the Invalides House to the Champs Elysees.
Official website: https://en.parisinfo.com
26. Boulevard des Capucines
The fame came to this street at the time of the advent of cinema. After the presentation of the first picture by the Lumiere brothers in 1985, modest cinemas started to open on the Capuchin. Such of them as the Paramount Opera and the Olympia have remained here since the beginning of the 20th century, and, as before, receive numerous guests.
27. Jardin des Tuileries
Located near the River Seine, Place de la Concorde and the Louvre. It is impossible to call the Tuileries an “ordinary” garden complex. The territory is covered not only by magnificent paths, flowerbeds and trees of various shapes, but also by magnificent monuments and entire sculptural groups.
Official website: https://en.parisinfo.com
28. The Bois de Boulogne
A spacious park-like green space that formerly served as hunting grounds for capriole. The forest was opened to the public under Louis the Sixteenth. A walk through the historic city park is a pleasure at any time of the year.
29. The River Seine
Take a trip around the metropolis by booking a tour of the Seine by boat or boat. The river is very beautiful indeed, and allows you to see the sights that are difficult to reach on foot. Lunches and dinners are offered on the boats, and there is an opportunity for a unique romantic evening.
30. Disneyland
The best gift for a person of any age is a visit to Disneyland with its uniquely fabulous atmosphere. You’ll have incredible adventures on land and water. You can see the Mad Hatter and Snow White, take pictures with Indiana Jones and Mickey Mouse, go to the bottom of the sea and into space, look into the future and the past. There are a huge number of entertainment spots and attractions, restaurants and cafes, souvenir shops throughout the square. The area is so vast that it is recommended to buy entrance tickets for several days.
Official website: http://www.disneylandparis
We hope that those sights of Paris, photos with names and descriptions of which you have now seen, will allow you to organize a fascinating sightseeing itinerary on your own.
