Often called the “City of Love”, the dream tourist spot, there are numerous beautiful places to visit in Paris. Paris is the capital city of France that endured for more than 2000 years. As one of the leading center of the world for business, fashion, entertainment, art and culture, there are many things to do in Paris. Tourist attractions in Paris include famous landmarks, museums, cathedral and many more.
Just the mere mention of Paris conjures up images of the world famous Louvre museum or Eiffel Tower, two of the best places to see in Paris. Paris tourist attractions also include famous cathedral like Notre Dame or Sainte-Chapelle and beautiful spots like the Place de la Concorde or Jardin du Luxembourg. Here is a list of top places to visit in Paris.
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10 Best Places to Visit in Paris:
10. Place de la Concorde
Among the numerous places to visit in Paris, Place de la Concorde is a very famous historical site. This beautiful square is situated at the east end of the Champs-Elysees. Place de la Concorde is the largest square in Paris that offers incredible vistas in every direction. Including the French King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, many renowned peoples were guillotined in this square during the French revolution.
As one of the famous tourist attractions in Paris, the square also contains a large 3200 years old Egyptian obelisk. Located in the center of the Place de la Concorde, the obelisk was brought from the Temple of Luxor in the 19th century. Enjoy the gorgeous scenery offered by the Place de la Concorde, one of the best places to visit in Paris.
Also read: Top 10 largest city squares around the world
9. Sainte-Chapelle
Sainte-Chapelle is one of the most thrilling places to visit in Paris. Begun sometime after 1239, its construction was commissioned by King Louis IX of France. As one of the most famous places to see in Paris, the Sainte-Chapelle is considered among the utmost achievements of Gothic architecture. The chapel was constructed to house the king’s collection of Passion Relics. His famous collection also includes the Christ’s Crown of Thorns, one of the most important relics in medieval Christendom.
The chapel was damaged during the French revolution, but was restored in the 19th century. One of the things to do in Paris is to visit the Saint-Chapelle and enjoy one of the most extensive in-situ collections of 13th century stained glass.
8. Centre Pompidou
Many things in one pack, Paris tourist attractions offer you the Centre Pompidou. Centre Pompidou is a cultural institution in the Beaubourg area of the 4th arrondissement. The institution was designed in the high-tech architecture style. By housing a vast public library, the Musee National d’Art Moderne which is the largest museum for modern art in Europe, a bookshop, a movie theater and a panoramic terrace, Centre Pompidou has become one of the must visit places in Paris.
The first three floors of the building are occupied by library. On floors 4 and 5, the museum’s permanent collection is located. Also, the first and the top floor are used for large expositions. Enjoying the modern art or reading books in the library or simply taking in the scenery from the terrace is one of the things to do in Paris. There are many famous places to visit in Paris, but Centre Pompidou is a very important one among them.
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7. Musee d’Orsay
One of the must visit places for art lovers is the Musee d’Orsay. As one of the top tourist attractions in Paris, the Musee d’Orsay houses the leading collection of impressionist paintings of the world. This grand museum is located in a former railway station. Thousands of art works and objects that cover a period between the mid-1800s and the early 1900s are exhibited here.
The museum contains many remarkable art works by many renowned artists such as Van Gogh, Monet, Pissarro, Degas, Renoir, Cezane and Jean-Francois Millet. One of the things to do in Paris is to walk through several rooms of this amazing museum and enjoy the famous art works exhibited here. It is after all one of the best places to visit in Paris.
6. Jardin du Luxembourg
Jardin du Luxembourg is the second largest public park in Paris. Known in English as the Luxembourg Gardens, this public park is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Paris. The park features gorgeous lawns, many formal gardens and fruit orchards that feature many artistic statues and fountains. Visitors can picnic or stroll leisurely through the park taking in the surrounding beauty. Enjoying the leisure in the Luxembourg Gardens is one of the things to do in Paris.
There are also jogging paths, tennis courts and fitness equipment for fun and sports. It is one of the best places to go in Paris as a family. There are various attractions for the children here. They can play in the huge playground, ride ponies, watch a puppet show and sail model boats in a pond. While they were enjoying themselves, the parents can lay back with no worry. There is no surprise that the park has become one of the top tourist attractions in Paris.
Also Read: Top 10 family vacation spots in the world
5. Sacre-Coeur
One of the places to visit in Paris is the striking white-domed basilica of the Sacre-Coeur. This most noticeable landmark has become one of the most famous Paris tourist attractions. It is situated at the highest point of the city on Montmartre hill. It is a very stunning basilica that draws many tourists every year to see its marble architecture and dazzling interior. As one of the best places to visit in Paris, visitors can view gold mosaics, stained-glass windows and one of the world’s largest clocks.
4. Notre Dame de Paris
Without visiting Notre Dame de Paris, one of the best places to visit in Paris, no trip to here can be considered completed. As one of the top tourist attractions in Paris, the world famous Notre Dame Cathedral is considered as a supreme example of French Gothic architecture. This marvelous church is more than 400 feet (120 meters) high with two lofty towers and a spire.
Visitors can admire the breathtaking rose windows, beautiful sculptures, Gothic carvings and a collection of relics in here. Without a doubt, this 13th century masterpiece is one of the best places to visit in Paris.
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3. Arc de Triomphe
Arc de Triomphe is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Paris. It was constructed in 1806 to honor the triumphal battles of Napoleon Bonaparte. This famous arch is 164 feet high and 148 feet (50 by 45 meters) wide. The monument surmounts the hill of Chaillot at the center of a star-shaped configuration of 12 radiating avenues. As one of the best places to visit in Paris, the arch features intricate reliefs depicting victorious battles and engraved names of many who died fighting for the emperor.
Since 1920, the tomb of France’s Unknown Soldier has been sheltered underneath the arch. Its eternal flame commemorates the dead of the two world wars and is rekindled every evening at 6:30. It is one of the most enthralling places to see in Paris.
2. Louvre
One of the best places to visit in Paris is the Louvre. The Louvre Museum is the most visited museum in the world. Opened in 1793, this world famous museum is housed in the Louvre Palace with its signature glass pyramid marking its entrance. The exhibits of Louvre come from such diverse origins as ancient Egypt, medieval Europe and Napoleonic France, classical Greece and Rome. The Louvre houses a collection of more than 1 million objects. The collection includes some of the world’s most famous art works such as Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa,” Michelangelo’s “Dying Slave” and the Greek statue, “Venus of Milo.”
One of the most popular things to do in Paris is standing in front of the mesmerizing “Mona Lisa”. As one of the best places to go in Paris, the Louvre also exhibits the profligate apartments of Napoleon III, Egyptian antiquities, the ancient Code of Hammurabi and paintings by masters like Rembrandt and Rubens. A visit to Paris will never be completed without taking multiple trips to the Louvre Museum. So keep that in mind while planning a tour in Paris.
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1. Eiffel Tower
Visiting the iconic symbol of Paris usually ranks as the number one thing to do in Paris for most tourists. Situated in the Champ de Mars Park, Eiffel Tower is more than 1,000 feet (300 meters) high. Constructed for the 1889 World Exposition, this iron structure has become one of the best places to visit in Paris. As one of the most photographed tourist attractions in Paris, the Eiffel Tower presents an exceptional photography opportunity for both day and night times.
Tourist can ride the elevator to see outstanding views of the city. Visitors can also dine in one of the two fine restaurants that are situated within the tower. You cannot possibly visit Paris without seeing the Eiffel Tower. After all, it is one of the best places to visit in Paris.
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