Main tourist attractions of Paris

Paris has it all. Few cities on this Earth are as dramatic and iconic as the capital of France. If I were to go around the world and make a list of its most beautiful cities, Paris, with its unique monuments and charming streets, would always be in the top ten.

Since the Age of Enlightenment, Paris, the City of Light, has attracted fashionistas, artists, history buffs, and writers, all of whom are inspired by Bohemian culture and the abundance of museums and grand boulevards. Paris is like no other place in the world. To quote Owen Wilson, “… from far away in space you can see these lights, the cafes, the people drinking and singing. As far as we know, Paris is the hottest place in the universe.”

The unique heartbeat of Paris enchants the hearts and minds of those who have ventured to this spectacular city. Even travel writers fall under the spell of tangled streets, sidewalk cafes, and inspiring boat cruises on the Seine. With its Champs Elysees and Place des Vosges, the Latin Quarter and Montmartre, Paris is the original model for other great capitals of the world, and they all claim their own prototype of great elegance and sophistication.

But where do you start? Whether it’s your first time or your next time, there is so much to see and experience that you will likely be dazzled and even a little overwhelmed. Start with these top six iconic attractions: two museums, two monuments, and two churches. Plan to travel along the Seine, whenever possible, using the fun little Batobus, with its glass roof and a convenient variety of stops at most of the main attractions. This will make getting there as much a part of your travel adventure as getting there.

Two museums: Louvre and Orsay

You probably already know which two museums to put at the top of your “to do” list for any trip to Paris: the Louvre and the Orsay. Even if you have already visited these museums on previous trips, visit them again this time, and every time you are in town. However, show yourself some mercy and plan to visit only one of these colossal buildings per day.

The Louvre. There is not much that compares to the Louvre. Even walking into the courtyard will elicit a gasp as you face IM Pei’s great glass pyramid. The photos just don’t do it justice. The pyramid stands as a bewildering backdrop to the mid-size version of the Arc de Triomphe, a complementary piece to the other Napoleon arch at the opposite end of the Triumphal path (the “Triumphal View”). This smaller arch is topped with the bronze horse-drawn chariot from St. Mark’s Cathedral in Venice that Napoleon stole in 1798 (the chariot has now been returned to its rightful home and replaced with a copy). While in this courtyard, the vast building that surrounds it dates from ancient to ancient, and contains a 12th-century castle fortress within a 16th-century palace.

To get to the Louvre, take the Batobus and get off at the Louvre stop. Look across the river for a breathtaking view of Orsay, the old train station, now converted into an art museum, which you will visit another day. Have a solid plan before entering the Louvre through the pyramid. And definitely have a pre-purchased Paris Museum Card so you can skip the lines.

As you walk through this ancient palace, you will follow in the footsteps of the kings who roamed these same corridors and galleries, reveling in their priceless collections of paintings and sculptures. Look around, up, down, and out the windows at the luxurious palace itself, as well as the works of art it contains.

Save time during your visit to Winged victory, tea Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and the Apollo Gallery (where the Sun King, Louis XIV, held audiences). Visit the Hall of the Caryatids to see Roman copies of Greek sculptures collected by French royalty, including four Caryatids, female forms that serve as columns, balancing the gallery of musicians above their heads. Locate the medieval underground tower and moat of King Philip’s 12th-century fortress. These ruins were discovered during archaeological excavation to remove and preserve incomparable artifacts prior to the construction of the pyramid.

Stand on the glass roof, lit by the sun, Patio Marly, with the magnificent and powerful Marly horses and other sculptures from the gardens of the Château de Marly, the country palace on the Seine where the Sun King entertained his acquaintances towards the end of his reign. Stop for a break at the Café on the Mollien Stairs landing. Sit on the terrace overlooking the Napoleon courtyard and the pyramid.

The Orsay. As essential as visiting the Louvre is for you, it may be even more important to set aside enough time to explore Orsay. The collections here are so impressive that they will be etched in your mind forever. As you stroll through this grand old train station, built to impress the masses of visitors who flocked to the city for the 1900 Paris World’s Fair, you will pass room after room of priceless artwork by iconic Impressionists like Monet. , Renoir, van Gogh, Dégas. , Cézanne and Toulouse-Lautrec. Exquisite sculptures extend to the level of the old train tracks and onto the balconies, now sculpture terraces, where travelers waited for their trains.

Just inside the museum entrance is a 1/16 scale model of the Statue of Liberty that was gifted by France to the US in 1876 to honor the centennial of American independence. Plan ahead (and make reservations) for lunch in the old dining room of the turn-of-the-century Grand Hotel that once featured the train station.

Two monuments: tower and arch

Of course, any trip to Paris must include visits to the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe. These are the quintessential Parisian monuments, one built as an entrance to the 1889 Paris World’s Fair and the other designed to glorify Napoleon and commemorate his victories. From the top of each of them, you will have splendid views of the city.

Eiffel Tower. Make your reservations at the Eiffel Tower well in advance of your visit to ensure you enter at a specific time. Consider making a wonderful splurge by combining your visit to the tower with lunch or dinner at the 58 Eiffel Tower Restaurant on the 2nd level. While on the first level, walk to the glass floor and look down, if you dare. Ask someone to take a photo of you as proof.

If you take the elevator to the top, pause for a glass of champagne while gazing at Paris from what was the tallest building in the world for more than 40 years. If you feel the tower swaying slightly in the wind, you will have even more stories to tell once you return home.

Arc de Triomphe. At the Arc de Triomphe, take the tunnel under the frenzy of traffic that surrounds the monument and spend some time reading the inscriptions. Possibly climb the 284 steps to the top for another unsurpassed view of Paris. Even better, climb to the top at night to experience the glow of Paris.

From your vantage point atop this triumphal arch, look back along the Triumphal path to the smaller arch in the courtyard outside the Louvre where it stood before. This will provide you with insight into the magnitude of Napoleon’s self-admiration. Look up at the Sacré Coeur Basilica in Montmartre, perched on top of its hill overlooking Paris. Gaze at the Champs-Elysees, with its dazzle of shops and shoppers. You might want to take this opportunity to spot some top fashion emporiums and take a side visit to them later to see what you can find.

Two churches: Notre Dame and Saint-Chapelle

Finally, on your “must-see” list are two churches, a cathedral, and a chapel, both located on the largest island in the Seine, Ile de la Cité. This island is where the Parisii first settled in the 3rd century BC, giving Paris its name. Two centuries later, in 55 BC. C., the Romans destroyed and looted the Parisii settlement, then rebuilt the city to their own design, with the temple, the Colosseum, the Forum and the Roman baths.

Our lady. The first of these necessary visits is to Notre Dame, built on the site of an ancient Roman temple. This massive architectural masterpiece took over 200 years to build, beginning in 1160, and has endured all these centuries despite revolutions and wars, neglect and renovations. It has now been badly damaged by a tragic fire that caused its spire to crash into its already burning ceiling.

Notre Dame remains majestic even in its compromised state. It will be years before visitors can re-enter to sit quietly and gaze at the rose window. For now, you will only be able to see it from the front, from the back and from each side. Take some time with this extraordinary building. Cross the bridge to the left bank and find a floating bar moored along the pier. Select a table by the railing and order a glass of wine. As you look across the river at Notre Dame, marvel at its remarkable life story, from its construction during the Middle Ages, before the benefits of modern tools and technologies, to its rescue from total destruction by the 400 firefighters who they came here to save him from the fire.

Holy Chapel. Saving the best for last, walk to the opposite end of the island from Notre Dame to sit for a while at the ethereal Sainte-Chapelle, hailed as one of the western world’s greatest architectural masterpieces. The worshipers of the Middle Ages considered this chapel to be a “gateway to heaven.” Surrounded on all sides by some of the most beautiful stained glass in the world, incredibly preserved for more than 770 years, you will be dazzled by the intensity of color and light. If you can get concert tickets in this exquisite setting, please do so. You will remember it for life.

Now he’s off to a good start in Paris. But there is more, much more. Paris is a city that you will have to return to again and again. Every time you visit again, you will fall a little more in love.