Planning a visit to Paris in the near future? Make sure you set aside time to see and experience all that this world-class city has to offer. Here are the top ten sightseeing attractions to admire in Paris:
- Notre Dame Cathedral: Completed in 1345, this has gone on to become one of the best-known cathedrals in the entire world. It’s certainly one of the most famous Paris France attractions you can visit. This is a superb example of gothic architecture, complete with dour-faced gargoyles.
- The Louvre: Breathtakingly modern as it currently looks, the Musée de Louvre was originally a fort and later a palace before it was completely made over as the world’s preeminent fine arts museum. There’s so much spectacular artwork to admire here, including da Vinci’s world-famous Mona Lisa.
- Eiffel Tower: No visit to Paris is complete without an obligatory visit to the Eiffel Tower. In reality, the vast majority of French people aren’t particularly fond of what is in all likelihood their most famous landmark. But tourists love it and most return with a selfie featuring the tower in the background.
- Le Marais: Strolling the cobbled streets of Le Marais will make you feel as if you’ve gone back in time to the days of Victor Hugo. Actually, the famous French author called this neighborhood home. Enjoy the shops, art galleries and cafés found here.
- Sacred Heart Basilica of Montmartre: This iconic basilica towers over Paris’ Montmartre neighborhood. Built-in the 1800s, the basilica is visible from some distance due to its pearly white tower.
- Musée d’Orsay: Orsay Museum offers one of the finest collections of impressionist and post-impressionist artwork in the world. It houses more than 50,000 pieces, and you could easily spend at least half a day here admiring the work of Van Gogh, Monet, Cezanne, and others.
- Pere-Lachaise Cemetery: Many famous celebrities and historical personalities have been buried here, making this a popular pilgrimage site for tourists. Among those resting here are Molière, Balzac, Jim Morrison, and Gertrude Stein.
- Palais Garnier: Just north of the Louvre, this opulent opera house is a must-see for its architectural splendor and historic importance. And while the connection is purely fictional, many people are anxious to visit the venue that served as the setting in the hit musical, Phantom of the Opera.
- Luxembourg Gardens: An ideal place to visit in summer, these well-manicured gardens are popular for sunbathing and enjoying outdoor activities. The gardens are beyond beautiful, and you can also visit the Luxembourg Museum while here.
- Arc de Triomphe: Grand and Majestic, the Arc de Triomphe was commissioned by none other than Napoleon himself. It’s certainly a must-see attraction for anyone visiting Paris for the first time.
Once you’ve gone through the list and seen each of these attractions in Paris, you’ll be happy to know that there is still so much more for you to see and enjoy. In fact, you’ll probably be ready to start planning your next visit to Paris as soon as possible.