If you've been dreaming of travelling to Europe and seeing the sights, but don't know where to start or what to do, look no further! Today I'm going over some of the top sites in Paris. This article will give you the low-down: where to stay, what transportation is best for visiting these sites, how much time it takes most people to see these spots and some recommendations on good restaurants.
- Notre Dame Cathedral
- The Louvre Museum
- The Eiffel Tower
- Gallery Lafayette
- The Arc De Triomphe
- The Les Halles Market
- Palais Royal Museum Gardens
- The Left Bank Latin Quarter (specifically Montparnasse, Saint Germain, and Bastille)
- River Seine Bridges (specifically Pont Neuf, Pont St-Louis, Pont de la Tournelle)
- The Orsay Museum
1. Notre Dame Cathedral
Anyone visiting Paris for the first time should do this. It's the most famous site in Paris and difficult to miss. You can see Notre Dame from Ile de Cite(the island where the Louvre is located). The views from the top are incredible, and it's definitely worth seeing.
2. The Louvre Museum
This is another place most tourists see for their first time in Paris, if not their last. The Louvre is home to many high-quality arts and will probably take you the entire day to see. If you're trying to maximise your time in Paris, I'd suggest booking the Louvre Museum Tour in advance so you can skip the lines.
3. The Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is an iconic symbol of France and probably the most famous spot in Paris. It's not hard to reach from the rest of downtown Paris, and it's worth a trip up to the first level, if nothing else. If you want to go to the top, you should go as soon as the tower opens and get a spot in line.
4. Gallery Lafayette
This is the largest department store in France. It was designed by one of my favourite architects, IM Pei. The store is worth seeing just for the architecture, but it's also a great place to buy souvenirs and things for your trip home.
5. The Arc de Triomphe
This is a Parisian version of the Washington Monument. It's one of the largest arches in the world, and it was made to honour Napoleon's victory at the Battle of Austerlitz. You can get here by walking from most places in downtown Paris or taking a bus.
6. The Les Halles Market
This is a fun place to wander around and see if you want to buy clothes or souvenirs. There are also many restaurants here and many food stalls to try some local French cuisine.
7. Palais Royal Museum Gardens
This is an odd choice because it's in an old private mansion, but it's still worth seeing if you're into architecture or want to look at the gardens. Parisians love this spot, and you'll probably see it crowded with tourists all day.
8. The Left Bank Latin Quarter (specifically Montparnasse, Saint Germain, and Bastille)
If you've never been to the Left Bank or the Latin Quarter, this is a great way to spend an afternoon. You can start in the centre of this part of town on Rue St-Germain and walk all over it. It's an excellent place for shopping and wandering.
9. River Seine Bridges
This is where the Seine River Tour comes in. These unique river tour experiences allow travellers to appreciate France's beauty and culture without having to be away for several days.
The tours are as varied as the places they visit, from exploring the castles in Normandy to visiting towns on the Seine River, such as Paris.
This area is just across the river from the Left Bank and is also a great place to go for a walk. You can see all the beautiful architecture of Paris, and you'll most likely see some great views of the city. There are also two bridges in this area, but I would only recommend one, depending on your difficulty level. The Pont Neuf bridge is easy to navigate and is an easy walk from Pont de la Tournelle(the big one). You'll see a good view of the Louvre from this one. The Point St. Louis bridge is a bit more complicated because it has no walkway and is partially in the water. Still, it will also give you a great view of the Notre Dame Cathedral.
10. The Orsay Museum
This museum is dedicated to impressionist paintings. If you're into art and history, stop here for an hour or two before you leave Paris.
These are some of the most popular spots in Paris, so if you're taking in all Paris has to offer, you'll probably want to see them all. If you have more suggestions or information on these sites, leave them in the comments, and I'll update this guide with more info!
