Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world. Studies have it that there are maybe only one or two cities in the world that receive more visitors. This is because Paris is very widely known for its rich culture, its amazing art, and history. Since navigating the Paris metro can be quite tricky for first time visitors, it’s recommended to use a Paris Airport shuttle in order to get you from the airport direct to your hotel with ease. Once you’re all settled, it’s time to explore. Below, you’ll find a list of things that you cannot miss during your visit to Paris.
The Eiffel Tower
Constructed from 1887 to 1889 for the World Exposition, the Eiffel Tower is easily the most popular and most photographed tourist attraction in the world. Named after Gustave Eiffel – the engineer whose company both designed and built the tower, it is the tallest structure in Paris as it stands at 324metres (1.063 ft.). The Eiffel Tower is so popular that there are always very long lines of people trying to get into the tower to get a feel of the place. The Tower also has a few amazing restaurants with a spectacular view that is open to tourists. This, however, might be difficult to access on demand because of the large number of tourists the site receives. The best (and probably the only) way to enjoy a meal at any of the restaurants within the Tower is to book a table months before.
The Notre Dame Cathedral
This is the most visited monument in Paris as it sees about 12 million different people every year. It is a medieval Catholic church located on the Île de la Cité Island. It is very popular for being the place of Napoleon Bonaparte’s coronation in 1804. Regarded widely as the epitome of French Architecture, it also gained more popularity in 1831 when Victor Hugo’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame was published. The cathedral has a free entry policy and commands awe because of a lot of its features including its huge and very colourful rose windows.
The Louvre Museum
Covering an area larger than 70,000 square metres, the Louvre Museum is the most visited museum in the world, receiving millions of visitors every year. It contains thousands of different artifacts that include Egyptian antiquities, Islamic Art, Sculptures from the Middle Ages and even Oriental pieces. The museum has so many different pieces that it is impossible to view them all in one single visit. The museum is housed by the Louvre Palace which was a royal residence for hundreds of years. The museum was opened in 1793 and is accessed through the beautiful glass pyramid in the courtyard. Currently, the museum’s most famous object is the Mona Lisa which was painted between 1503 and 1505 by Leonardo da Vinci.
Arc de Triomphe
This is a monument commissioned by Napoleon to celebrate the victory of the Battle of Austerlitz in 1806. Today, it celebrates many different victories and has the names of hundreds of generals and great victories engraved on it. Beneath the arc lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier which serves as a symbol to all the fallen, unknown and unidentified soldiers who gallantly fought in many different battles. The arc was designed by Jean Chalgrin and has a panoramic view of Paris as it stands 50 meters high, 45 meters wide, and 22 meters deep. It also overlooks the Champs-Elyseés
which is widely regarded as the most beautiful avenue in the world. The Arc de Triomphe is open every day and is a must see in Paris.
Château de Versailles
The palace was originally a hunting pavilion but under the orders of King Louis XIV, it was transformed into what it is today. It is a very large structure consisting of terraces, buildings, and beautiful gardens. It has very lavish decorations, ornaments, and furniture and will easily wow anyone who sees it. Apart from the outstanding gardens, the palace is also very popular for its Hall of Mirrors. This hall contains over 300 mirrors that line the seventeen arches to give it its signature look. The palace is a symbol of wealth and elegance and is a jaw-dropping monument.
Place de la Concorde
Located at the east end of the Champs-Elysées, the Place de la Concorde is the largest square in Paris. It is beautiful but also a very busy place with an intersection that has a lot of heavy traffic. It is also famed for being the scene of a few notable executions including King Lous XVI and Marie Antoinette, during the French Revolution. Standing at the centre of the square is the Luxor Obelisk given to France by Muhammad Ali Pusha the Ruler of Ottoman Egypt. Popularly known as the City of Lights, Paris is one of the most beautiful places in the world. If you make it to Paris, book a cruise on the Seine River at night, to see the amazing city and all the lights. It’s an unforgettable experience.