Published on October 17, 2013 | by Francy

5 top tourist attractions in Paris

The Eiffel Tower
Notre Dame Cathedral
Louvre Museum
The Sorbonne University

Paris, has long since been a popular tourist destination in Europe. The Capital city of France is considered by many to be also the capital of fashion, love and cuisine. With so many fantastic attractions such as museums and monuments, it is easy to see why hotels in Paris host millions of tourists every year.

Most people would be able to name Paris’ major attractions, and the majority of first-time visitors to the French capital have an reasonable idea of which major landmarks and locations they are looking to visit. Despite of this, first visits to Paris can be daunting as you will stumble upon places of incredible history and beauty on every street corner and it can happen to get to the end of your Paris holiday without visiting the real musts of the city. This guide will help you pinpoint 5 top tourist attractions in Paris.

1. The Louvre Museum

The Louvre, originally a royal palace but now the world’s most famous museum, is the site of the world’s largest and most diverse collection of pre-20th century painting, sculpture, and decorative objects, The Louvre is definitely one of Paris’ most coveted attractions, as no one can leave the city without having admired Leonardo’s Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. The Louvre Museum has a collection of over 1 million works of art, of which about 35 000 are on display, spread out over three wings of the expansive Louvre Palace, situated in the 1st arrondissement, at the heart of Paris.

Tidbits: The most recent addition to the Louvre was the construction of the Louvre Pyramid. This modern glass structure, which forms a nice contrast with the grave facades of the Louvre, was designed by architect I. M. Pei in 1989 as the main entrance to the Louvre Museum and has become a landmark in its own right.

2. Notre Dame Cathedral

No trip to Paris, even no weekend to Paris is complete without a visit to this marvel of gothic architecture. One of the most singular and beautiful cathedrals of Europe, supreme example of French Gothic architecture, Notre Dame Cathedral was once the heartbeat of medieval Paris, and took over 100 years of hard labor to complete. A tour of this 13th century masterpiece allows visitors to admire the awe-inspiring rose windows, Gothic carvings, beautiful sculptures and a collection of relics.

Tidbits: If all of the majestic splendors you will admire at Notre Dame were not enough, try climbing the North tower to see Paris from the hunchback Quasimodo’s vantage to understand why this Cathedral is one of Paris’ top attractions.

3. Eiffel Tower

More than any other landmark, the Eiffel Tower has come to represent an elegant and contemporary Paris. The iron tower, which was built for the 1889 World Exposition by Gustave Eiffel, was wildly unpopular with Parisians when it was unveiled, and was nearly torn down. It has since attracted over 220 million visitors, and it would be hard to imagine Paris now without it. The tower crowns the Paris night sky with its festive light, and glitters up a storm every hour.

Tidbits: on February 1, 2007 between 7:55 and 8pm, the Tower shut off its lights in respect to “Turn off Your Lights – France in the Dark for 5 Minutes”, an energy-saving operation showing France’s dedication to sustainable development.

4. The Sorbonne and the Latin Quarter

The Sorbonne University is the historic soul of the Latin Quarter, where higher learning has flourished for centuries. Founded in 1257 for a small group of theology students, the Sorbonne is one of Europe’s oldest universities. It has hosted countless great thinkers, including philosophers René Descartes, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Simone de Beauvoir. Although this may seem a secondary attraction, this University is a milestone in the history of the city, and is the beating heart of one of the most renowned districts in the world, the Latin Quarter indeed.

Tidbits: Enjoy a drink or a hot chocolate at L’Ecritoire, a lovely café located on the plaza right in front of the college, before exploring the winding little streets of the Quartier Latin behind it.

5. Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Elysées

The impressive Champs-Elysées is a large promenade that stretches from Place the la Concorde to the Place Charles de Gaulle, the site of the Arc de Triomphe. It is used for all the major celebrations, indeed it’s where Parisians celebrate New Year’s Eve and where the military parades are held on the 14th of July. At its western end the Champs-Elysées is bordered theaters, cafés and luxury shops, while near Place de la Concorde you will enjoy a walk in the Jardins des Champs-Elysées, a wonderful garden with fountains and some grand buildings including the Grand and Petit Palais and the Elysée.

Tidbits: The Arc de Triomphe was commissioned by Emperor Napoléon I in an age when leaders erected monuments in their own honor, and scaled to their egos. The Arc does exactly what it was made to do: evoke sheer military power and triumph, and you can’t help but feel grand yourself when you begin or culminate a walk down the equally grandiose Avenue des Champs-Elysées.

Well a top 5 list may be too short to list at least the most important landmarks in the City of Lights, but we suggest you book your flight to Paris and take your time to discover all of its beauties yourself! However, there are at least as much other things to see and to make your trip worth it, so here’s a shortlist for your convenience.

Don’t leave Paris before: having taken a boat tour of the Seine River; enjoying a Can-Can dance nightly show at Moulin Rouge; visiting Versailles, and especially its Hall of Mirrors at the Royal Palace; taking your kids to Disneyland Paris; having a picnic at the Luxembourg Gardens, the second largest public park in Paris.

About the Author

Francy Hi! My name is Francesca I love travelling, getting in touch with new lifestyles, new ways of thinking and most of all always discovering news places around the world! I like reading travel books and magazines, art and food. These are my passions that I try to share with you.